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Heidrick & Struggles Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

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Quarterly Revenue Up 6% Year Over Year to $279 Million

All Business Segments Contribute to Top Line Growth

Delivers Strong Profitability with Diluted EPS of $0.71

Declares $0.15 Per Share Cash Dividend

CHICAGO, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSII) (“Heidrick & Struggles”, “Heidrick” or the “Company”), a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Third Quarter Highlights:

Net revenue of $278.6 million increased 5.9% year-over-yearAdjusted EBITDA of $30.4 millionAdjusted EBITDA margin of 10.9%

“Our Heidrick colleagues delivered solid quarterly results, outperforming industry trends and reaching the upper end of our outlook. This performance reflects our team’s sharp focus on market opportunities and client needs even as we implemented significant change across our organization,” said CEO Tom Monahan. “Looking ahead, there is still much work to be done as we pursue growth opportunities in Executive Search, more tightly focus our suite of leadership solutions, and drive profitability and scalability across the portfolio.”

“This work will allow us to take advantage of a large and growing market opportunity as clients increasingly put leadership strategy at the heart of their corporate strategy.  With an iconic brand, deep expertise across regions and sectors, and a robust financial position, we believe Heidrick is well positioned to attract top talent and cultivate deeper and more durable client relationships. Combining these assets with disciplined execution will enable us to achieve sustained and profitable organic growth while enhancing long-term shareholder value.”

2024 Third Quarter Results

Consolidated net revenue of $278.6 million increased $15.4 million, or 5.9%, compared to $263.2 million in the 2023 third quarter. The Company experienced revenue growth in On-Demand Talent, Heidrick Consulting, and Executive Search in the Americas and Asia Pacific, partially offset by a decrease in Executive Search in Europe. 

Adjusted EBITDA was $30.4 million compared to $29.3 million in the 2023 third quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 10.9%, compared to 11.2% in the 2023 third quarter. In Executive Search, Adjusted EBITDA was $50.7 million compared to $51.0 million in the prior year period. In On-Demand Talent, Adjusted EBITDA was $1.8 million versus a loss of $0.6 million in the prior year period. In Heidrick Consulting, Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $1.0 million compared to a loss of $2.4 million in the prior year period.

Net income was $14.8 million and diluted earnings per share was $0.71 with an effective tax rate of 29.7% compared to net income of $15.0 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.73, with an effective tax rate of 37.5% in the 2023 third quarter. The 2024 third quarter effective tax rate was positively impacted by a decrease in the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate. 2024 third quarter adjusted net income was $15.1 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.72, with an adjusted effective tax rate of 28.5%. 

Executive Search net revenue of $204.4 million increased $5.6 million, or 2.8%, compared to net revenue of $198.8 million in the 2023 third quarter. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which positively impacted results by $0.2 million, or 0.1%, net revenue increased 2.7%, or $5.4 million from the 2023 third quarter. Net revenue increased 1.7% in the Americas (up 2.1% on a constant currency basis), decreased 3.3% in Europe (down 5.0% on a constant currency basis), and increased 22.0% in Asia Pacific (up 22.0% on a constant currency basis) when compared to the prior year third quarter.

The Company had 414 Executive Search consultants at September 30, 2024, compared to 417 at September 30, 2023. Productivity, as measured by annualized Executive Search net revenue per consultant, was $2.0 million compared to $1.9 million in the 2023 third quarter, reflecting a lower number of consultants combined with higher revenue.  Average revenue per executive search was approximately $149,000 compared to $153,000 in the prior year period. The number of search confirmations increased 5.4% compared to the year-ago period.

On-Demand Talent net revenue of $46.2 million increased $5.2 million, or 12.6%, compared to net revenue of $41.1 million in the 2023 third quarter.  Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which positively impacted results by $0.4 million, or 0.9%, net revenue increased 11.7%, or $4.8 million from the 2023 third quarter.

Heidrick Consulting net revenue of $27.9 million increased $4.6 million, or 19.9%, compared to net revenue of $23.3 million in the 2023 third quarter. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which positively impacted results by $0.3 million, or 1.1%, net revenue increased 18.9%, or $4.4 million.  The Company had 84 Heidrick Consulting consultants at September 30, 2024, compared to 90 at September 30, 2023. 

Consolidated salaries and benefits increased $15.8 million, or 9.5%, to $183.0 million compared to $167.2 million in the 2023 third quarter. Year-over-year, fixed compensation expense increased $9.9 million primarily reflecting increases in expenses related to the non-cash mark-to-market adjustments associated with the deferred compensation and stock compensation plans. Variable compensation increased $5.9 million due to an increase in consultant production. Salaries and benefits expense was 65.7% of net revenue for the quarter, compared to 63.5% in the 2023 third quarter.

General and administrative expenses increased $2.2 million, or 5.8%, to $39.7 million compared to $37.6 million in the 2023 third quarter. The increase was due to bad debt, office occupancy costs, expenses related to information technology, and business development travel, partially offset by decreases in professional fees, intangible amortization, and insurance and bank fees.  As a percentage of net revenue, general and administrative expenses were 14.3% for both the 2024 and 2023 third quarters.

The Company’s cost of services was $31.0 million, or 11.1% of net revenue for the quarter, compared to $30.7 million, or 11.7% of net revenue in the 2023 third quarter. This primarily related to an increase in the volume of On-Demand Talent and Heidrick Consulting projects.

The Company’s research and development expenses were $5.7 million, or 2.0%, of net revenue for the quarter compared to $5.6 million, or 2.1%, of net revenue for the third quarter 2023.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $101.1 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $109.5 million in the 2023 third quarter. Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at September 30, 2024, was $409.4 million compared to $334.0 million at September 30, 2023, and $478.2 million at December 31, 2023. The Company’s cash position typically builds throughout the year as employee bonuses are accrued, mostly to be paid out in the first half of the year following the year in which they are earned.

Dividend

The Board of Directors declared a 2024 fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.15 per share payable on November 21, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 14, 2024. 

2024 Fourth Quarter Outlook

The Company expects 2024 fourth quarter consolidated net revenue of between $255 million and $275 million, while acknowledging that continued fluidity in external factors, such as the foreign exchange and interest rate environments, foreign conflicts, inflation and macroeconomic constraints on pricing actions, may impact quarterly results. In addition, this outlook is based on the average currency rates in September 2024 and reflects, among other factors, management’s assumptions for the anticipated volume of new Executive Search confirmations, On-Demand Talent projects, and Heidrick Consulting assignments, consultant productivity, consultant retention, and the seasonality of the business along with the current backlog.

Quarterly Webcast and Conference Call

Heidrick & Struggles will host a conference call to review its third quarter results today, November 4, 2024 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time. Participants may access the Company’s call and supporting slides through its website at www.heidrick.com or by dialing (800) 715-9871 or (646) 307-1963, conference ID# 4805686. For those unable to participate on the live call, a webcast and copy of the slides will be archived at www.heidrick.com and available for up to 30 days following the investor call. 

About Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII) is a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, serving the senior-level talent and consulting needs of the world’s top organizations. In our role as trusted leadership advisors, we partner with our clients to develop future-ready leaders and organizations, bringing together our services and offerings in executive search, diversity and inclusion, leadership assessment and development, organization and team acceleration, culture shaping and on-demand, independent talent solutions. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 70 years ago. Today, the firm provides integrated talent and human capital solutions to help our clients change the world, one leadership team at a time. ® www.heidrick.com 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), Heidrick & Struggles presents certain non-GAAP financial measures. A “non-GAAP financial measure” is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that excludes or includes amounts different than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statements of comprehensive income, balance sheets or statements of cash flow of the Company.

Non-GAAP financial measures used within this earnings release are Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, and consolidated net revenue excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations (referred to as on a constant currency basis). These measures are presented because management uses this information to monitor and evaluate financial results and trends. Management believes this information is also useful for investors to evaluate the comparability of financial information presented. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are provided as schedules attached to this release.

Adjusted EBITDA refers to net income before interest, other income or expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted, to the extent they occur, for earnout accretion, earnout fair value adjustments, contingent compensation, deferred compensation plan income or expense, certain reorganization costs, impairment charges and restructuring charges.

Adjusted EBITDA margin refers to Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue in the same period.   

Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share reflect the exclusion of goodwill impairment, restructuring charges and earnout fair value adjustments, net of tax.

Adjusted effective tax rate reflects the exclusion of goodwill impairment, restructuring charges and earnout fair value adjustments, net of tax.

The Company evaluates its results of operations on both an as reported and a constant currency basis. The constant currency presentation is a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company believes providing constant currency information provides valuable supplemental information regarding its results of operations, consistent with how it evaluates its performance. The Company calculates constant currency percentages by converting its financial results in a local currency for a period using the average exchange rate for the prior period to which it is comparing. This calculation may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding guidance for the fourth quarter of 2024. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industry in which we operate and management’s beliefs and assumptions. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “outlook,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “aim” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, rely on a number of assumptions, and involve certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, many of which are beyond our control. Factors that may cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed, forecasted or implied in the forward-looking statements include, among other things, our ability to attract, integrate, develop, manage, retain and motivate qualified consultants and senior leaders; our ability to prevent our consultants from taking our clients with them to another firm; our ability to maintain our professional reputation and brand name; our clients’ ability to restrict us from recruiting their employees; our heavy reliance on information management systems; risks arising from our implementation of new technology and intellectual property to deliver new products and services to our clients; our dependence on third parties for the execution of certain critical functions; the fact that we face the risk of liability in the services we perform; the fact that data security, data privacy and data protection laws and other evolving regulations and cross-border data transfer restrictions may limit the use of our services and adversely affect our business; any challenges to the classification of our on-demand talent as independent contractors; the fact that increased cybersecurity requirements, vulnerabilities, threats and more sophisticated and targeted cyber-related attacks could pose a risk to our systems, networks, solutions, services and data; the fact that our net revenue may be affected by adverse macroeconomic or labor market conditions, including impacts of inflation and effects of geopolitical instability; the aggressive competition we face; the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; our ability to access additional credit; social, political, regulatory, legal and economic risks in markets where we operate, including the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict in Israel and the Gaza strip, the risks of an expansion or escalation of those conflicts and our ability to quickly and completely recover from any disruption to our business; unfavorable tax law changes and tax authority rulings; our ability to realize the benefit of our net deferred tax assets; the fact that we may not be able to align our cost structure with net revenue; any impairment of our goodwill, other intangible assets and other long-lived assets; our ability to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and internal control over our financial reporting and produce accurate and timely financial statements; our ability to execute and integrate future acquisitions; and the fact that we have anti-takeover provisions that make an acquisition of us difficult and expensive. We caution the reader that the list of factors may not be exhaustive. For more information on these risks, uncertainties and other factors, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:

Investors & Analysts:
Suzanne Rosenberg, Vice President, Investor Relations
srosenberg@heidrick.com 

Media:
Bianca Wilson, Director, Public Relations
bwilson@heidrick.com 

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2024

2023

$ Change

% Change

Revenue

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

$   278,559

$   263,160

$        15,399

5.9 %

Reimbursements

4,256

4,736

(480)

(10.1) %

 Total revenue

282,815

267,896

14,919

5.6 %

Operating expenses

Salaries and benefits

183,025

167,219

15,806

9.5 %

General and administrative expenses

39,740

37,564

2,176

5.8 %

Cost of services

31,030

30,680

350

1.1 %

Research and development

5,682

5,560

122

2.2 %

Reimbursed expenses

4,256

4,736

(480)

(10.1) %

 Total operating expenses

263,733

245,759

17,974

7.3 %

Operating income

19,082

22,137

(3,055)

(13.8) %

Non-operating income (loss)

Interest, net

2,570

2,505

Other, net

(555)

(649)

 Net non-operating income

2,015

1,856

Income before income taxes

21,097

23,993

Provision for income taxes

6,268

9,006

Net income

14,829

14,987

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

6,996

(4,001)

Comprehensive income

$     21,825

$     10,986

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

Basic

20,357

20,076

Diluted

21,024

20,553

Earnings per common share

Basic

$        0.73

$        0.75

Diluted

$        0.71

$        0.73

Salaries and benefits as a % of net revenue

65.7 %

63.5 %

General and administrative expenses as a % of net revenue

14.3 %

14.3 %

Cost of services as a % of net revenue

11.1 %

11.7 %

Research and development as a % of net revenue

2.0 %

2.1 %

Operating margin

6.9 %

8.4 %

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Segment Information

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30,

2024

2023

$

Change

%
Change

2024
Margin1

2023
Margin1

Revenue

Executive Search

Americas

$ 134,545

$ 132,320

$   2,225

1.7 %

Europe

43,143

44,606

(1,463)

(3.3) %

Asia Pacific

26,701

21,888

4,813

22.0 %

Total Executive Search

204,389

198,814

5,575

2.8 %

On-Demand Talent

46,231

41,053

5,178

12.6 %

Heidrick Consulting

27,939

23,293

4,646

19.9 %

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

278,559

263,160

15,399

5.9 %

Reimbursements

4,256

4,736

(480)

(10.1) %

Total revenue

$ 282,815

$ 267,896

$ 14,919

5.6 %

Adjusted EBITDA

Executive Search

Americas

$ 40,465

$ 39,354

$   1,111

2.8 %

30.1 %

29.7 %

Europe

5,022

8,950

(3,928)

(43.9) %

11.6 %

20.1 %

Asia Pacific

5,247

2,704

2,543

94.0 %

19.7 %

12.4 %

Total Executive Search

50,734

51,008

(274)

(0.5) %

24.8 %

25.7 %

On-Demand Talent

1,763

(580)

2,343

NM

3.8 %

(1.4) %

Heidrick Consulting

(1,025)

(2,391)

1,366

57.1 %

(3.7) %

(10.3) %

Total segments

51,472

48,037

3,435

7.2 %

18.5 %

18.3 %

Research and Development

(4,606)

(4,927)

321

6.5 %

(1.7) %

(1.9) %

Global Operations Support

(16,451)

(13,761)

(2,690)

(19.5) %

(5.9) %

(5.2) %

Total Adjusted EBITDA

$ 30,415

$ 29,349

$   1,066

3.6 %

10.9 %

11.2 %

1

Margin based on revenue before reimbursements (net revenue).

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2024

2023

$ Change

% Change

Revenue

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

$   822,382

$   773,702

$        48,680

6.3 %

Reimbursements

12,408

10,090

2,318

23.0 %

 Total revenue

834,790

783,792

50,998

6.5 %

Operating expenses

Salaries and benefits

535,330

504,994

30,336

6.0 %

General and administrative expenses

127,556

112,405

15,151

13.5 %

Cost of services

88,158

78,818

9,340

11.9 %

Research and development

17,002

16,746

256

1.5 %

Impairment charges

16,224

7,246

8,978

123.9 %

Restructuring charges

6,939

—

6,939

100.0 %

Reimbursed expenses

12,408

10,090

2,318

23.0 %

 Total operating expenses

803,617

730,299

73,318

10.0 %

Operating income

31,173

53,493

(22,320)

(41.7) %

Non-operating income

Interest, net

9,268

7,667

Other, net

3,013

2,537

 Net non-operating income

12,281

10,204

Income before income taxes

43,454

63,697

Provision for income taxes

19,750

24,142

Net income

23,704

39,555

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

811

(3,633)

Comprehensive income

$     24,515

$     35,922

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

Basic

20,254

19,998

Diluted

21,144

20,716

Earnings per common share

Basic

$        1.17

$        1.98

Diluted

$        1.12

$        1.91

Salaries and benefits as a % of net revenue

65.1 %

65.3 %

General and administrative expenses as a % of net revenue

15.5 %

14.5 %

Cost of services as a % of net revenue

10.7 %

10.2 %

Research and development as a % of net revenue

2.1 %

2.2 %

Operating margin

3.8 %

6.9 %

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Segment Information

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2024

2023

$

Change

%

Change

2024
Margin1

2023
Margin1

Revenue

Executive Search

Americas

$   418,302

$   398,210

$    20,092

5.0 %

Europe

124,706

129,104

(4,398)

(3.4) %

Asia Pacific

72,829

68,766

4,063

5.9 %

Total Executive Search

615,837

596,080

19,757

3.3 %

On-Demand Talent

125,983

111,410

14,573

13.1 %

Heidrick Consulting

80,562

66,212

14,350

21.7 %

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

822,382

773,702

48,680

6.3 %

Reimbursements

12,408

10,090

2,318

23.0 %

Total revenue

$   834,790

$   783,792

$    50,998

6.5 %

Adjusted EBITDA

Executive Search

Americas

$   130,448

$   127,557

$     2,891

2.3 %

31.2 %

32.0 %

Europe

11,215

16,487

(5,272)

(32.0) %

9.0 %

12.8 %

Asia Pacific

10,182

7,901

2,281

28.9 %

14.0 %

11.5 %

Total Executive Search

151,845

151,945

(100)

(0.1) %

24.7 %

25.5 %

On-Demand Talent

(787)

660

(1,447)

NM

(0.6) %

0.6 %

Heidrick Consulting

(4,447)

(6,848)

2,401

35.1 %

(5.5) %

(10.3) %

Total segments

146,611

145,757

854

0.6 %

17.8 %

18.8 %

Research and Development

(14,312)

(15,396)

1,084

7.0 %

(1.7) %

(2.0) %

Global Operations Support

(47,205)

(40,501)

(6,704)

(16.6) %

(5.7) %

(5.2) %

Total Adjusted EBITDA

$     85,094

$     89,860

$    (4,766)

(5.3) %

10.3 %

11.6 %

1

Margin based on revenue before reimbursements (net revenue).

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Reconciliation of Net Income and Adjusted Net Income (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net income

$          14,829

$          14,987

$        23,704

$        39,555

Adjustments

Impairment charges, net of tax(1)

—

—

14,190

6,038

Earnout fair value adjustment, net of tax(2)(4)

39

—

788

—

Restructuring charges, net of tax(3)(4)

225

—

4,516

—

 Total adjustments

264

—

19,494

6,038

Adjusted net income

$          15,093

$          14,987

$        43,198

$        45,593

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

Basic

20,357

20,076

20,254

19,998

Diluted

21,024

20,553

21,144

20,716

Earnings per common share

Basic

$              0.73

$              0.75

$           1.17

$           1.98

Diluted

$              0.71

$              0.73

$           1.12

$           1.91

Adjusted earnings per common share

Basic

$              0.74

$              0.75

$           2.13

$           2.28

Diluted

$              0.72

$              0.73

$           2.04

$           2.20

1

The Company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $14.8 million in the On-Demand Talent segment and $1.5 million in the Europe segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $7.2 million in the Heidrick Consulting segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

2

The Company recorded a fair value adjustment to increase the On-Demand Talent earnout by $1.1 million and increase the Heidrick Consulting earnout by $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

3

The Company recorded restructuring charges of $6.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

4

Amounts for the three months ended September 30, 2024 reflect the impact of a change to the estimated annual effective tax rate. There were no further impairment charges, earnout fair value adjustments, or restructuring charges recorded during the period.

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

September 30,
2024

December 31,
2023

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$         363,422

$         412,618

Marketable securities

46,005

65,538

Accounts receivable, net

186,252

133,128

Prepaid expenses

27,682

23,597

Other current assets

48,928

47,923

Income taxes recoverable

10,795

10,410

 Total current assets

683,084

693,214

Non-current assets

Property and equipment, net

53,508

35,752

Operating lease right-of-use assets

83,262

86,063

Assets designated for retirement and pension plans

11,203

11,105

Investments

59,089

47,287

Other non-current assets

25,507

17,071

Goodwill

185,400

202,252

Other intangible assets, net

15,110

20,842

Deferred income taxes

29,617

28,005

 Total non-current assets

462,696

448,377

Total assets

$      1,145,780

$      1,141,591

Current liabilities

Accounts payable

$           21,517

$           20,837

Accrued salaries and benefits

277,498

322,744

Deferred revenue

47,106

45,732

Operating lease liabilities

18,985

21,498

Other current liabilities

23,394

21,823

Income taxes payable

6,891

6,057

 Total current liabilities

395,391

438,691

Non-current liabilities

Accrued salaries and benefits

55,338

52,108

Retirement and pension plans

75,048

62,100

Operating lease liabilities

84,623

78,204

Other non-current liabilities

46,158

41,808

Deferred income taxes

5,937

6,402

 Total non-current liabilities

267,104

240,622

Total liabilities

662,495

679,313

Stockholders’ equity

483,285

462,278

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$      1,145,780

$      1,141,591

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2024

2023

Cash flows – operating activities

Net income

$        14,829

$        14,987

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

Depreciation and amortization

4,950

4,740

Deferred income taxes

273

(6,994)

Stock-based compensation expense

3,792

3,559

Accretion expense related to earnout payments

478

455

Gain on marketable securities

(1,343)

(346)

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

3

61

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

Accounts receivable

4,135

7,785

Accounts payable

(10,968)

1,257

Accrued expenses

83,375

76,113

Restructuring accrual

(1,396)

—

Deferred revenue

1,836

(2,165)

Income taxes recoverable and payable, net

(5,021)

9,205

Retirement and pension plan assets and liabilities

585

294

Prepaid expenses

595

(1,136)

Other assets and liabilities, net

5,022

1,659

Net cash provided by operating activities

101,145

109,474

Cash flows – investing activities

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

—

(2,204)

Capital expenditures

6,891

(2,805)

Purchases of marketable securities and investments

(346)

(47,781)

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities and investments

62,496

21,571

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

69,041

(31,219)

Cash flows – financing activities

Cash dividends paid

(3,211)

(3,149)

Payment of employee tax withholdings on equity transactions

(53)

—

Acquisition earnout payments

—

(2,038)

Net cash used in financing activities

(3,264)

(5,187)

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

6,578

(4,414)

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

173,500

68,654

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

189,922

217,817

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$      363,422

$      286,471

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2024

2023

Cash flows – operating activities

Net income

$          23,704

$          39,555

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

13,650

13,432

Deferred income taxes

(2,060)

(548)

Stock-based compensation expense

9,901

7,331

Accretion expense related to earnout payments

1,413

1,097

Gain on marketable securities

(2,323)

(2,040)

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

264

192

Impairment charges

16,224

7,246

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(51,707)

(52,205)

Accounts payable

(13,292)

(1,657)

Accrued expenses

(41,372)

(197,698)

Restructuring accrual

2,990

—

Deferred revenue

1,163

(1,622)

Income taxes recoverable and payable, net

347

6,617

Retirement and pension plan assets and liabilities

6,385

6,697

Prepaid expenses

(4,057)

(3,771)

Other assets and liabilities, net

(987)

(3,243)

Net cash used in operating activities

(39,757)

(180,617)

Cash flows – investing activities

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

—

(37,953)

Capital expenditures

(9,647)

(9,619)

Purchases of marketable securities and investments

(115,608)

(75,464)

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities and investments

129,070

289,689

Net cash provided by investing activities

3,815

166,653

Cash flows – financing activities

Repurchases of common stock

—

(904)

Cash dividends paid

(9,609)

(9,383)

Payment of employee tax withholdings on equity transactions

(3,800)

(4,141)

Acquisition earnout payments

—

(37,984)

Net cash used in financing activities

(13,409)

(52,412)

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

155

(2,642)

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(49,196)

(69,018)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

412,618

355,489

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$        363,422

$        286,471

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

$    278,559

$    263,160

$    822,382

$    773,702

Net income

14,829

14,987

23,704

39,555

Interest, net

(2,570)

(2,505)

(9,268)

(7,667)

Other, net

555

649

(3,013)

(2,537)

Provision for income taxes

6,268

9,006

19,750

24,142

Operating income

19,082

22,137

31,173

53,493

Adjustments

Depreciation

2,997

2,387

7,480

6,563

Intangible amortization

1,953

2,353

6,170

6,869

Earnout accretion

478

455

1,413

1,097

Earnout fair value adjustments

—

—

1,211

—

Acquisition contingent consideration

2,947

3,268

8,220

8,711

Deferred compensation plan

2,958

(1,427)

6,264

2,309

Reorganization costs

—

176

—

3,572

Impairment charges

—

—

16,224

7,246

   Restructuring charges

—

—

6,939

—

Total adjustments

11,333

7,212

53,921

36,367

Adjusted EBITDA

$      30,415

$      29,349

$      85,094

$      89,860

Adjusted EBITDA margin

10.9 %

11.2 %

10.3 %

11.6 %

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Reconciliation of Operating Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA by Line of Business (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

Executive
Search

On-Demand
Talent

Heidrick
Consulting

Research &
Development

Global
Operations
Support

Total

Revenue before reimbursements (net
revenue)

$    204,389

$      46,231

$      27,939

$         —

$         —

$    278,559

Operating income (loss)1

46,270

(2,036)

(2,835)

(5,682)

(16,635)

19,082

Adjustments

Depreciation

1,389

175

227

1,029

177

2,997

Intangible amortization

17

1,560

376

—

—

1,953

Earnout accretion

—

436

42

—

—

478

Acquisition contingent compensation

209

1,628

1,110

—

—

2,947

Deferred compensation plan

2,849

—

55

47

7

2,958

Total adjustments

4,464

3,799

1,810

1,076

184

11,333

Adjusted EBITDA

$      50,734

$        1,763

$       (1,025)

$       (4,606)

$     (16,451)

$      30,415

Adjusted EBITDA margin

24.8 %

3.8 %

(3.7) %

(1.7) %

(5.9) %

10.9 %

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Executive
Search

On-Demand
Talent

Heidrick
Consulting

Research &
Development

Global
Operations
Support

Total

Revenue before reimbursements (net
revenue)

$    198,814

$      41,053

$      23,293

$              —

$              —

$    263,160

Operating income (loss)1

50,290

(4,595)

(4,075)

(5,560)

(13,923)

22,137

Adjustments

Depreciation

1,288

125

156

655

163

2,387

Intangible amortization

40

1,869

444

—

—

2,353

Earnout accretion

—

397

58

—

—

455

Acquisition contingent compensation

649

1,559

1,060

—

—

3,268

Deferred compensation plan

(1,370)

—

(34)

(22)

(1)

(1,427)

Reorganization costs

111

65

—

—

—

176

Total adjustments

718

4,015

1,684

633

162

7,212

Adjusted EBITDA

$      51,008

$          (580)

$       (2,391)

$       (4,927)

$     (13,761)

$      29,349

Adjusted EBITDA margin

25.7 %

(1.4 %)

(10.3 %)

(1.9) %

(5.2) %

11.2 %

1

The Company does not allocate interest income or expense, other income or expense, and the provision for income taxes to the Company’s reportable operating segments. As such, the Company has concluded that operating income (loss) represents the most directly comparable measure of financial performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA in this presentation.

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Reconciliation of Operating Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024

Executive
Search

On-Demand
Talent

Heidrick
Consulting

Research &
Development

Global
Operations
Support

Total

Revenue before reimbursements (net
revenue)

$    615,837

$    125,983

$      80,562

$         —

$         —

$    822,382

Operating income (loss)1

138,623

(28,580)

(13,207)

(17,002)

(48,661)

31,173

Adjustments

Depreciation

3,493

423

506

2,592

466

7,480

Intangible amortization

54

4,928

1,188

—

—

6,170

Earnout accretion

—

1,251

162

—

—

1,413

Earnout fair value adjustments

—

1,125

86

—

—

1,211

Acquisition contingent compensation

(126)

5,019

3,327

—

—

8,220

Deferred compensation plan

6,028

—

124

98

14

6,264

Impairment charges

1,463

14,761

—

—

—

16,224

Restructuring charges

2,310

286

3,367

—

976

6,939

Total adjustments

13,222

27,793

8,760

2,690

1,456

53,921

Adjusted EBITDA

$    151,845

$          (787)

$       (4,447)

$     (14,312)

$     (47,205)

$      85,094

Adjusted EBITDA margin

24.7 %

(0.6 %)

(5.5 %)

(1.7 %)

(5.7) %

10.3 %

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

Executive
Search

On-Demand
Talent

Heidrick
Consulting

Research &
Development

Global
Operations
Support

Total

Revenue before reimbursements (net
revenue)

$    596,080

$    111,410

$      66,212

$              —

$              —

$    773,702

Operating income (loss)1

140,923

(11,821)

(17,877)

(16,746)

(40,986)

53,493

Adjustments

Depreciation

3,928

326

507

1,319

483

6,563

Intangible amortization

145

5,737

987

—

—

6,869

Earnout accretion

—

982

115

—

—

1,097

Acquisition contingent compensation

2,449

4,144

2,118

—

—

8,711

Deferred compensation plan

2,220

—

56

31

2

2,309

Reorganization costs

2,280

1,292

—

—

—

3,572

Impairment charges

—

—

7,246

—

—

7,246

Total adjustments

11,022

12,481

11,029

1,350

485

36,367

Adjusted EBITDA

$    151,945

$           660

$       (6,848)

$     (15,396)

$     (40,501)

$      89,860

Adjusted EBITDA margin

25.5 %

0.6 %

(10.3 %)

(2.0 %)

(5.2 %)

11.6 %

1

The Company does not allocate interest income or expense, other income or expense, and the provision for income taxes to the Company’s reportable operating segments. As such, the Company has concluded that operating income (loss) represents the most directly comparable measure of financial performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA in this presentation.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/heidrick–struggles-reports-third-quarter-2024-results-302295804.html

SOURCE Heidrick & Struggles

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Sapient Insights Group Reveals the HR Technology Solutions Ranking Highest in Vendor Satisfaction and User Experience for 2026

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Voice of the Customer badges awarded across 23 HR technology categories, based on 10,000 responses to Sapient’s 2026-2027 Annual HR Systems Survey

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Sapient Insights Group today revealed the HR technology solutions ranking highest in vendor satisfaction and user experience in its 2026-2027 HR Systems Survey, now in its 29th year. This year Sapient awarded 630 Voice of the Customer badges across 23 technology categories and three company sizes. The rankings are based on responses from HR professionals representing 6,038 organizations.

Stacey Harris, Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner at Sapient Insights Group, presents the HR technology solutions ranking highest in vendor satisfaction and user experience for 2026.

To help buyers find the providers that fit their organization, the rankings are split into three company sizes: small, mid-sized, and enterprise. Respondents rate their satisfaction with their current solution in each technology category on a scale of 1 to 5, with attention to support and service. Sapient also ranks solutions on user experience. The top five solutions in each category and size earn a badge for vendor satisfaction and a badge for user experience. Three categories with smaller sample sizes (Time Labor Budgeting, Contingent Workforce Management, and Skills Management) are ranked in aggregate across all company sizes.

The survey continues to grow with the HR technology market. New this year, the survey adds Compliance Management to the HR Blueprint, application-level outcome questions, payment models for applications and AI, and finance applications covering Core, Expense, and Planning. It also asks more “why” questions throughout, so the results show not just what organizations are doing but the reasons behind their choices.

“Our Voice of the Customer rankings come straight from HR practitioners, with no sponsorship involved, which is why buyers and vendors both pay attention to them,” said Stacey Harris, chief research officer and managing partner at Sapient Insights Group. “This year we expanded the rankings to cover more of the HR technology landscape, which gives buyers a clearer view of how solutions perform for the specific work they need done, not just at the suite level. It also gives vendors honest feedback from the people who use their products every day.”

The highest-ranking solutions for vendor satisfaction are listed below. Rankings include point solutions, modules within technology suites, and in some cases service providers.

Payroll
Dayforce – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

HR Management
Dayforce – Enterprise
HiBob – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

Benefits
Businessolver – Enterprise
Fidelity NetBenefits/PSW – Mid-sized
HiBob – Small

HR Service Delivery: Portal
Dovetail – Enterprise
Workday Help – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

HR Service Delivery: Content Management
Dovetail – Enterprise
DocuSign – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

HR Service Delivery: Employee Help Desk
Dovetail – Enterprise
ServiceNow – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

HR Service Delivery: Engagement Survey
Dovetail – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

Time and Attendance
Darwinbox – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

Absence Management
Darwinbox – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

Leave Management
Darwinbox – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

Workforce Scheduling
Darwinbox – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

Labor Budgeting
isolved – All sizes

Learning
Cornerstone – Enterprise
OpenSesame – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

Recruiting
Indeed – Enterprise
Greenhouse – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

Onboarding
Dayforce – Enterprise
isolved (ApplicantPro) – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

Performance
Dayforce – Enterprise
HiBob – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

Compensation
Dayforce – Enterprise
Payscale Payfactors – Mid-sized
Insperity – Small

Succession
Dayforce – Enterprise
Microsoft Glint – Mid-sized
Paylocity – Small

Rewards and Recognition
Awardco – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
Gifted – Small

Analytics
Visier – Enterprise
Visier – Mid-sized
UKG People Analytics – Small

AI/ML
Visier Vee – Enterprise
Grammarly – Mid-sized
Anthropic Claude – Small

Contingent Workforce Management
ServiceNow – All sizes

Skills Management HiBob – All sizes

The complete Voice of the Customer results, including the top five solutions for vendor satisfaction and user experience in every category and company size, are available here (https://sapientinsights.com/top-vendors/).

Sapient Insights Group will publish detailed survey findings and analysis in its annual HR Systems Research Report on November 6, 2026. The report will be available to purchase here (https://sapientinsights.com/shop/).

About the 2026-2027 HR Systems Survey

Now in its 29th year, Sapient’s HR Systems Survey is the longest-running, most comprehensive survey of the HR technology landscape, and the only fully objective, non-sponsored study of its kind. This year, HR professionals representing 6,038 organizations around the globe took part. The survey now covers 23 technology categories. The annual report includes an in-depth look at each category, along with current and future adoption rates, customer retention, replacement plans, and projected vendor growth.

For more information about the survey and report, schedule a call (https://calendly.com/summerorellano/schedule-a-call-with-sapient-insights-group).

About Sapient Insights Group Sapient Insights Group is a certified women-owned, privately-owned consulting, research, and advisory firm. The company works with organizations in the areas of HR and finance technology; HR strategy and transformation; leadership and culture; change management; talent management; mergers and acquisitions; and project management. The company’s HR Systems Survey is the HR profession’s most trusted source for objective data on the HR technology market and insights to guide buyer investments and vendor product development and marketing. For more information, visit www.sapientinsights.com.

Media Contact

Allison Williams, Sapient Insights Group, 1 4043044748, Info@sapientinsights.com, https://sapientinsights.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/sapient-insights-group-reveals-the-hr-technology-solutions-ranking-highest-in-vendor-satisfaction-and-user-experience-for-2026-302915884.html

SOURCE Sapient Insights Group

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SAJ Debuts First CEC-Approved Systems under Australia’s New Battery Standard at All Energy 2026

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EK70 HS5 and EK90 HS5 on show at Stand M143, with Australia’s Strongest Man at Stand E01 and the SAJ range across three distributor stands

MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SAJ will exhibit at All Energy Australia 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 28–29 October. At Stand M143, installers can get their first hands-on look at the EK70 HS5 and EK90 HS5, the first products approved under Australia’s new SA TS 5398 standard.

At 2pm on Wednesday 28 October, DEKRA and CCS will present SAJ with the CEC certificates for the EK70 HS5 and EK90 HS5 on the stand, making SAJ the first brand listed under SA TS 5398. SAJ and DEKRA will also sign a strategic cooperation agreement covering safety, quality and compliance.

On the stand

EK70 HS5 – the all-in-one home energy system, combining hybrid inverter, LFP battery and whole-home backup in one unit. Modular 6, 7 and 9 kWh battery blocks stack to suit the household.EK90 HS5 – the premium tier, with 12,000-cycle cells, nine-layer safety protection, edge AI and a 15-year warranty.B2S and H2 – modular storage and the latest from SAJ’s residential range.elekeeper 5.0 – SAJ’s energy management app, with AI-assisted design, five-minute app commissioning and remote diagnosis.C&I – SAJ’s latest commercial and industrial solutions.

Live demonstrations of the EK70 HS5 and EK90 HS5, elekeeper 5.0 and the C&I range run at 10am on both days and again at 3pm on Wednesday.

Visitors can also play the claw machine on the stand throughout both days to win tennis balls signed by SAJ brand ambassador Alex de Minaur.

Beat Australia’s Strongest Man of 2026 at Stand E01

At Stand E01, near the hall entrance, visitors can take on Bradman Houston, Australia’s Strongest Man 2026, on the high striker. Bradman will be there each day. Anyone who beats his score wins!

Bradman recently partnered with SAJ and Sydney Solar & Electrical on a video series about lifting technique and fitness for solar installers, now on SAJ’s Instagram.

SAJ across the floor

The SAJ range is also on show with the company’s three national distribution partners, for stock, pricing and account conversations:

One Stop Warehouse – Stand EE113, with the EK90 HS5 on displaySupply Partners – Stand L135Tradezone – Stand S113

“All Energy is where the industry sees what’s next, and for SAJ that’s the EK70 HS5 and EK90 HS5,” said Alan Li, the Sales Director of SAJ Electric Australia. “Installers told us they want one integrated system that’s faster to install and that they can stand behind. Being the first brand listed under SA TS 5398 is the proof. We’d love installers to see both systems up close at Stand M143, and to try their luck against Bradman at E01 while they’re there.”

Visit SAJ

Where: Stand M143 (Beat the Strongest Man at Stand E01), Melbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreWhen: Wednesday 28 – Thursday 29 October 2026More information: au.saj-electric.com

About SAJ

Founded in Guangzhou in 2005, SAJ (Guangzhou Sanjing Electric Co., Ltd.) is a specialist in smart energy storage, delivering integrated solutions across solar generation, battery storage, energy management and EV charging for residential and commercial customers. SAJ has operated in Australia since 2013 and works with three national distribution partners – One Stop Warehouse, Supply Partners and Tradezone – backed by local technical support and warranty infrastructure.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/saj-debuts-first-cec-approved-systems-under-australias-new-battery-standard-at-all-energy-2026-302915502.html

SOURCE SAJ

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Starvia Automotive Expands Used-Car Exports to Afghanistan and Iran

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GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Starvia Automotive has added Afghanistan and Iran to the destinations covered by its used-car export business, the company said on Oct. 21, as it focuses on used vehicles built to Chinese-market specifications. Buyers in both markets can now request an assessment of a specific vehicle before an order is confirmed.

What the review covers

For a used vehicle, the model name alone does not determine whether an export order can proceed. Year of manufacture, vehicle identity, condition, ownership documents and destination import rules are reviewed for each request, together with carrier acceptance, transit requirements and payment restrictions, according to the company.

Starvia cited two listings in its online used-car catalog as examples of the process: a 2023 Volkswagen Polo and a 2021 Volkswagen Tharu. The company said the listings show published stock and do not confirm that either unit is available or eligible for import into both markets. Stock, vehicle records and destination suitability are confirmed before a model is presented as an order option.

How an inquiry is handled

Inquiries are submitted through the company’s online form, which asks for destination city, importer details, preferred vehicle, quantity and purchasing timeframe. Starvia said the information is used to identify suitable vehicles, check documentation and seek a transport option, and that alternatives can be discussed if the first model does not meet the requirements.

An Arabic-language version of the site is available at https://www.starviaauto.com/ar?utm_source=prnews for buyers who prefer Arabic.

Any vehicle offer, freight estimate or shipment timing remains subject to commercial, regulatory and logistics checks, the company said. Buyers should obtain destination-side import approval before committing to a purchase.

About Starvia Automotive

Starvia Automotive is a Guangzhou-based exporter of new and used vehicles. Its online catalog lists used cars with vehicle history and inspection information for buyers in multiple regions.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/starvia-automotive-expands-used-car-exports-to-afghanistan-and-iran-302915298.html

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