Amendment #1 to Quarterly Report for period ending March 31, 2006.
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q/A

Amendment No. 1

 


 

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

  FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2006

 

¨ 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: 000-50129

 


HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

DELAWARE   59-3547281

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (IRS Employer Identification No.)

622 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(212) 351-7300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


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 (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large accelerated filer ¨                Accelerated filer x                Non-accelerated filer ¨

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s class of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

  

Outstanding on

April 30, 2006

Common Stock

   24,546,900

 



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Explanatory Note

This amendment to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006 (“First Quarter Form 10-Q/A”) reflects a restatement of the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of Hudson Highland Group, Inc. (the “Company”) as of and for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 to correct errors with respect to the determination of certain revenues, and in recording of certain payroll tax and other accrued liabilities, offset by a related reduction in corporate and other bonuses and commissions. Further information on the effect of the restatement on the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements is discussed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this First Quarter Form 10-Q/A.

This First Quarter Form 10-Q/A is being filed for purposes of amending the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006 (“First Quarter Form 10-Q”) of the Company, which was originally filed on May 9, 2006, and provides information about the financial results for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 (as restated as described above) and 2005. The following items have been amended as a result of the restatement:

 

    Part I - Item 1 - Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

    Part I - Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Overview

 

    Part I - Item 4 - Controls and Procedures

The Company has supplemented Item 6 of Part II to include current certifications of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed as Exhibits 31.1, 31.2, 32.1 and 32.2 to this First Quarter Form 10-Q/A.

The financial information that is included in this First Quarter Form 10-Q/A has been corrected as part of the restatement described above. This restatement is only related to the three month period ended March 31, 2006. All amounts included in this report as of and for the three month period ended March 31, 2005 and as of December 31, 2005 are not affected by the restatement. No attempt has been made in this Form 10-Q/A to modify or update other disclosures presented in the original report on Form 10-Q except as required to reflect the effects of the restatement. Information in this First Quarter Form 10-Q/A is generally stated as of March 31, 2006 and generally does not reflect any subsequent information or events other than the restatement, and except that certain forward looking statements throughout this First Quarter Form 10-Q/A have been revised to reflect events and developments subsequent to March 31, 2006.

With the filing of this First Quarter Form 10-Q/A, the Company has amended the First Quarter Form 10-Q. Accordingly and as previously disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2006, the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 and the related financial information contained in the First Quarter Form 10-Q should no longer be relied upon.


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HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

INDEX

 

          Page No.
   PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Financial Statements (unaudited)   
   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations ­ Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005    4
   Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets – March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005    5
   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows ­ Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005    6
   Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity – March 31, 2006    7
   Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements    8
   Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm    19

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    20

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    29
   PART II-OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 6.

   Exhibits    31
   Signatures    32
   Exhibit Index    33


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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 
     2006     2005  
     (Restated)        

Revenue

   $ 343,058     $ 352,869  

Direct costs (Note 5)

     217,435       224,662  
                

Gross margin

     125,623       128,207  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     127,950       125,913  

Depreciation and amortization

     4,508       4,857  

Business reorganization expenses

     3       529  

Merger and integration recoveries

     —         (43 )
                

Operating loss

     (6,838 )     (3,049 )

Other income (expense):

    

Other, net

     777       (276 )

Interest, net

     (414 )     (426 )
                

Loss before provision for income taxes

     (6,475 )     (3,751 )

Provision for income taxes

     1,605       1,400  
                

Net loss

   $ (8,080 )   $ (5,151 )
                

Basic and diluted loss per share:

    

Net loss

   $ (.33 )   $ (.25 )

Weighted average shares outstanding:

     24,224,000       20,504,000  

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2006
    December 31,
2005
 
     (Restated)        
ASSETS  

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 33,183     $ 34,108  

Accounts receivable, net

     236,480       232,081  

Prepaid and other

     14,096       14,330  
                

Total current assets

     283,759       280,519  

Intangibles, net

     31,397       31,100  

Property and equipment, net

     29,715       31,438  

Other assets

     4,576       5,359  
                

Total assets

   $ 349,447     $ 348,416  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 34,929     $ 24,718  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     136,198       140,036  

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt

     34,101       32,544  

Accrued business reorganization expenses

     4,117       4,223  

Accrued merger and integration expenses

     985       1,239  
                

Total current liabilities

     210,330       202,760  

Other non-current liabilities

     5,810       5,948  

Accrued business reorganization expenses, non-current

     3,376       4,095  

Accrued merger and integration expenses, non-current

     1,789       2,038  

Long-term debt, less current portion

     402       478  
                

Total liabilities

     221,707       215,319  
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

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

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; issued 24,539,889 and 24,340,462 shares, respectively

     24       24  

Additional paid-in capital

     420,687       416,448  

Accumulated deficit

     (326,036 )     (317,956 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income — translation adjustments

     33,295       34,811  

Treasury stock, 15,798 shares

     (230 )     (230 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     127,740       133,097  
                
   $ 349,447     $ 348,416  
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2006     2005  
     (Restated)        

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (8,080 )   $ (5,151 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     4,508       4,857  

Stock-based compensation

     1,773       1,259  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     648       830  

Deferred income taxes

     318       923  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Increase in accounts receivable

     (5,950 )     (30,092 )

Increase in other assets

     (747 )     (1,478 )

Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

     9,144       6,472  

Decrease in accrued business reorganization expenses

     (907 )     (1,713 )

Decrease in accrued merger and integration expenses

     (521 )     (513 )
                

Total adjustments

     8,266       (19,455 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     186       (24,606 )
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (1,652 )     (2,139 )

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

     (1,315 )     —    
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,967 )     (2,139 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Borrowings under credit facility

     135,008       24,250  

Repayments under credit facility

     (132,927 )     (5,250 )

Issuance of common stock – Long Term Incentive Plan option exercises

     393       74  

Payments on short and long-term debt

     (515 )     (802 )
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     1,959       18,272  
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (103 )     (275 )
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (925 )     (8,748 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     34,108       21,064  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 33,183     $ 12,316  
                

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 868     $ 330  

Taxes

   $ 995     $ 2,044  

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Common
stock
   Additional
paid-in
capital
   Accumulated
deficit
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
    Treasury
stock
    Total  

Balance January 1, 2006

   $ 24    $ 416,448    $ (317,956 )   $ 34,811     $ (230 )   $ 133,097  

Net loss (Restated) (Note 2)

     —        —        (8,080 )     —         —         (8,080 )

Other comprehensive loss, translation adjustments

     —        —        —         (1,516 )     —         (1,516 )

Issuance of shares for 401(k) plan

     —        2,073      —         —         —         2,073  

Issuance of shares from exercise of stock options

     —        393      —         —         —         393  

Stock-based compensation

     —        1,773      —         —         —         1,773  
                                              

Balance March 31, 2006 (Restated)

   $ 24    $ 420,687    $ (326,036 )   $ 33,295     $ (230 )   $ 127,740  
                                              

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

NOTE 1 - INTERIM CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

These interim consolidated condensed quarterly financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated audited financial statements and related notes of Hudson Highland Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the SEC on March 15, 2006 (the “Form 10-K”). The consolidated results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or any subsequent period. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented have been included.

NOTE 2 – RESTATEMENT OF THE FIRST QUARTER 2006

The Company has restated its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements as of and for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 to correct errors with respect to the accounting for the determination of certain revenues, and in recording of certain payroll tax and other accrued liabilities, offset by a related reduction in corporate and other bonuses and commissions. The following is a description of the accounting adjustments included in the restatement of the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and the effect of the adjustments at March 31, 2006 on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet and on the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Operations, the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Cash Flows and the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months then ended. All amounts included in this report as of and for the three month period ended March 31, 2005 and as of December 31, 2005 were not affected by the restatement.

The restatement reflects a $2,223 ($0.09 per share) increase in the net loss for the quarter and an equivalent reduction in EBITDA (See Note 13). These corrections arose from the Company’s comprehensive second quarter review of accounting processes supported by the new PeopleSoft accounting and management reporting system the Company implemented last year in its Hudson North America business unit. The corrections were related to the determination of certain revenues ($1,643), and in recording of certain payroll tax, employee benefit and other accrued liabilities ($1,030), offset by a related reduction in corporate and other bonuses and commissions ($450). The restatement did not affect the total cash flows from operations of the Company for the three month period ending March 31, 2006. The restatement was recorded to correct errors in three areas in the Hudson North America business unit. The errors when corrected also changed certain calculations regarding corporate and other bonuses and commissions, which have been restated.

Determination of certain revenues

The Company’s Hudson North America business unit undertook a comprehensive second quarter review of the accounting processes supported by the new PeopleSoft accounting and management reporting system. This process revealed that during the three month period ended March 31, 2006, errors occurred when recording adjustments to permanent placement revenue and contract revenue. The Company’s evaluation determined that journal entries were posted before all the pertinent information regarding the related revenue had been fully and properly reconciled. This error caused an overstatement in revenue of $1,643, accounts receivable of $1,577 and an understatement of $66 in accrued liabilities as of March 31, 2006.

 

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NOTE 2 – RESTATEMENT OF THE FIRST QUARTER 2006 (continued)

Recording of certain payroll tax and other accrued liabilities

Also during this comprehensive review, the Company identified an understated accrual in the liability for Hudson North America’s payroll tax, workers compensation, unemployment insurance, medical and social security withholdings for the period ended March 31, 2006. The Hudson North America business unit calculated the accrual using the last weekly payroll register and did not identify an earlier weekly withholding that had not yet been paid as of March 31, 2006. Additionally, an understatement of workers compensation expense for current settlements was identified and corrected during the reconciliation process. These errors caused the inappropriate understatement in current liabilities of $1,030, direct costs of $824 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $206 as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The Company’s portion of payroll tax, workers compensation, unemployment insurance, medical, and social security withholdings were properly calculated and paid in the second quarter of 2006.

As a result of the above changes, certain accruals for corporate and other bonuses and commissions were restated with the effect of lowering selling, general and administrative expenses and accrued liabilities by $450 as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and management of the Company have discussed the matters associated with the restatement disclosed in this Form 10-Q/A with BDO Seidman, LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

The following table presents the effect of the restatement on the previously reported Consolidated Condensed Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 (dollars in thousands) (unaudited).

 

     As reported     Adjustment     Restated  

Revenue

   $ 344,701     $ (1,643 )   $ 343,058  

Direct costs (Note 5)

     216,611       824       217,435  
                        

Gross margin

     128,090       (2,467 )     125,623  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     128,194       (244 )     127,950  

Depreciation and amortization

     4,508       —         4,508  

Business reorganization expenses

     3       —         3  
                        

Operating loss

     (4,615 )     (2,223 )     (6,838 )

Other income (expense):

      

Other, net

     777       —         777  

Interest, net

     (414 )     —         (414 )
                        

Loss before provision for income taxes

     (4,252 )     (2,223 )     (6,475 )

Provision for income taxes

     1,605       —         1,605  
                        

Net loss

   $ (5,857 )   $ (2,223 )   $ (8,080 )
                        

Basic and diluted loss per share:

      

Net loss

   $ (.24 )   $ (.09 )   $ (.33 )

 

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NOTE 2 – RESTATEMENT OF THE FIRST QUARTER 2006 (continued)

The following table presents the effect of the restatement on the previously reported Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2006 (dollars in thousands) (unaudited).

 

     As reported     Adjustment     Restated  
ASSETS  

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 33,183     $ —       $ 33,183  

Accounts receivable, net

     238,057       (1,577 )     236,480  

Prepaid and other

     14,096       —         14,096  
                        

Total current assets

     285,336       (1,577 )     283,759  

Intangibles, net

     31,397       —         31,397  

Property and equipment, net

     29,715       —         29,715  

Other assets

     4,576       —         4,576  
                        

Total assets

   $ 351,024     $ (1,577 )   $ 349,447  
                        
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  

Current liabilities:

      

Accounts payable

   $ 34,929     $ —       $ 34,929  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     135,552       646       136,198  

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt

     34,101       —         34,101  

Accrued business reorganization expenses

     4,117       —         4,117  

Accrued merger and integration expenses

     985       —         985  
                        

Total current liabilities

     209,684       646       210,330  

Other non-current liabilities

     5,810       —         5,810  

Accrued business reorganization expenses, non-current

     3,376       —         3,376  

Accrued merger and integration expenses, non-current

     1,789       —         1,789  

Long-term debt, less current portion

     402       —         402  
                        

Total liabilities

     221,061       646       221,707  
                        

Stockholders’ equity:

      

Preferred stock

     —         —         —    

Common stock

     24       —         24  

Additional paid-in capital

     420,687       —         420,687  

Accumulated deficit

     (323,813 )     (2,223 )     (326,036 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income – translation adjustments

     33,295       —         33,295  

Treasury stock

     (230 )     —         (230 )
                        

Total stockholders’ equity

     129,963       (2,223 )     127,740  
                        
   $ 351,024     $ (1,577 )   $ 349,447  
                        

 

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NOTE 2 – RESTATEMENT OF THE FIRST QUARTER 2006 (continued)

The following table presents the effect of the restatement on the previously reported Consolidated Condensed Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2006 (dollars in thousands) (unaudited).

 

      As reported     Adjustment     Restated  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net loss

   $ (5,857 )   $ (2,223 )   $ (8,080 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     4,508       —         4,508  

Stock-based compensation

     1,773       —         1,773  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     648       —         648  

Deferred income taxes

     318       —         318  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Increase in accounts receivable

     (7,527 )     1,577       (5,950 )

Increase in other assets

     (747 )     —         (747 )

Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

     8,498       646       9,144  

Decrease in accrued business reorganization expenses

     (907 )     —         (907 )

Decrease in accrued merger and integration expenses

     (521 )     —         (521 )
                        

Total adjustments

     6,043       2,223       8,266  
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     186       —         186  
                        

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Capital expenditures

     (1,652 )     —         (1,652 )

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

     (1,315 )     —         (1,315 )
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,967 )     —         (2,967 )
                        

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Borrowings under credit facility

     135,008       —         135,008  

Repayments under credit facility

     (132,927 )     —         (132,927 )

Issuance of common stock – Long Term Incentive Plan option exercises

     393       —         393  

Payments on short and long-term debt

     (515 )     —         (515 )
                        

Net cash provided by financing activities

     1,959       —         1,959  
                        

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (103 )     —         (103 )
                        

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (925 )     —         (925 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     34,108       —         34,108  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 33,183     $ —       $ 33,183  
                        

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

      

Cash paid during the period for:

      

Interest

   $ 868       —       $ 868  

Taxes

   $ 995       —       $ 995  

Additional effects of the Company’s review

As a further result of its comprehensive review, the Company also determined that it will reflect in its results for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 adjustments producing a $1,566 decrease in the income for the period in the Hudson North America business unit. Such adjustments include reductions to receivables and revenue of $923 for which the applicable prior period cannot practicably be determined and adjustments of $643 attributable to 2005 receivables and revenue that is considered immaterial to that year, the related 2005 quarterly periods and to the current year.

 

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NOTE 3 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Basis of Presentation

Hudson Highland Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries comprise the operations, assets and liabilities of the three Hudson regional businesses (“Hudson Regional Businesses” or “Hudson regions”) and Highland Partners (“Highland”). The Company was historically the combination of 67 acquisitions made between 1999 and 2002, which became the eResourcing and Executive Search divisions (“HH Group”) of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (“Monster”), formerly TMP Worldwide, Inc. Some of the Company’s constituent businesses have operated for more than 20 years. On March 31, 2003 (the “Distribution Date”), Monster distributed all of the outstanding shares of the newly named HH Group to its stockholders of record on March 14, 2003 on the basis of one share of HH Group common stock for each thirteen and one-third shares of Monster common stock so held (the “Distribution”). Immediately prior to the Distribution, Monster transferred substantially all the assets and liabilities of its eResourcing and Executive Search business segments to HH Group. These assets and liabilities are reflected in HH Group’s financial statements at Monster’s historical cost. Since the Distribution, the Company has operated as an independent publicly held company, has completed four acquisitions, and reorganized a number of smaller business units after determining that those businesses were not viable profit centers.

Loss per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share are computed by dividing the Company’s earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. When the effects are not anti-dilutive, diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the Company’s net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding and the impact of all dilutive potential common shares, primarily stock options and unvested restricted stock. The dilutive impact of stock options and unvested restricted stock is determined by applying the “treasury stock” method. For periods in which losses are presented, dilutive earnings per share calculations do not differ from basic earnings per share because the effects of any potential common stock were anti-dilutive and therefore not included in the calculation of dilutive earnings per share. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, the effect of approximately 1,186,000 and 1,138,000, respectively, of outstanding stock options and other common stock equivalents was excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share because the effect was anti-dilutive.

 

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NOTE 3 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS (Continued)

Description of Reporting Segments

The Company is one of the world’s largest specialized professional staffing, retained executive search and human capital solutions firms. The Company provides professional staffing services on a permanent, contract and temporary basis, as well as executive search and a range of human capital services to businesses operating in a wide variety of industries. The Company reassessed its reportable segments in the fourth quarter of 2005 and prior period results are presented in conformity with the year-end 2005 and first quarter 2006 presentation. The Company is organized into four reportable segments, the three Hudson regional businesses of Hudson Americas, Hudson Europe, and Hudson Asia Pacific, and Highland, which constituted approximately 18%, 41%, 29% and 12% of the Company’s gross margin, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

Hudson Regional Businesses. Hudson’s three regions provide temporary and contract personnel and permanent recruitment services to a wide range of clients. With respect to temporary and contract personnel, Hudson focuses on providing candidates with specialized functional skills and competencies, such as accounting and finance, legal and information technology. The length of temporary assignment can vary, but engagements at the professional level tend to be longer than those in the general clerical or industrial sectors. With respect to permanent recruitment, Hudson focuses on mid-level professionals, typically earning between $50,000 and $150,000 annually and possessing the professional skills and/or profile required by clients. Hudson provides permanent recruitment services on both a retained and contingent basis. In larger markets, Hudson’s sales strategy focuses on both clients operating in particular industry sectors, such as financial services, health care, or technology, and candidates possessing particular professional skills, such as accounting and finance, information technology, legal and human resources. Hudson uses both traditional and interactive methods to select potential candidates for its clients, employing a suite of products that assess talent and help predict whether a candidate will be successful in a given role.

All of the Hudson regional businesses also provide organizational effectiveness and development services through their Talent Management Solutions units. These services encompass candidate assessment, competency modeling, leadership development, performance management, and career transition. These services enable Hudson to offer clients a comprehensive set of management services, across the entire employment life cycle, from attracting, assessing and selecting best-fit employees to engaging and developing those individuals to help build a high-performance organization. The Company also offers leadership solutions designed to assist senior management in enhancing the operating performance of their organizations.

Hudson Americas operates from 48 offices in two countries, with 97% of its first quarter 2006 gross margin generated in the United States. Hudson Europe operates from 48 offices in 17 countries, with 54% of its first quarter 2006 gross margin coming from the United Kingdom operations. Hudson Asia Pacific operates from 25 offices in 6 countries, with 67% of its first quarter 2006 gross margin earned in Australia.

Highland. Highland, an executive search boutique with global reach, offers a comprehensive range of executive search services on a retained basis aimed exclusively at recruiting senior level executives. Highland also has a specialized practice that assists clients desiring to enhance their boards of directors.

Highland approaches the market through industry sectors, such as financial services, life sciences, retail and consumer products and technology. This industry sector sales approach is designed to enable Highland to better understand the strategic management issues and market conditions faced by clients within their specific business segments. Highland also recruits candidates through functional specialist groups, including those focused on board of directors and senior officers in the finance, information technology, human resources and legal professions.

Highland operates in 14 practice offices in four countries. For the quarter ended March 31, 2006, approximately 77% of gross margin in the Highland business was derived in North America.

Corporate expenses are reported separately from the four reportable segments and consist primarily of expenses for compensation, marketing programs, rent, and professional fees.

 

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NOTE 4 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

In the first quarter of 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123R”), which revises SFAS 123 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS 123”) and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. The Company had adopted the disclosure only provisions of SFAS 123 and SFAS 148 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure, which required certain financial statement disclosures, including pro forma operating results, as if the Company had prepared its consolidated financial statements in accordance with the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation. In adopting SFAS 123R, the Company chose to apply the “modified retrospective method,” requiring the Company to recognize stock compensation expense for stock options granted prior to its adoption of SFAS 123R under the fair value method and expense these amounts over the remaining vesting period of the stock options. Prior period results have been adjusted for the application of the modified retrospective method. All employee stock option grants made since the beginning of 2003 have been reflected as an expense in prior years or will be expensed over the related remaining stock option vesting period based on the estimated fair value at the date the options are granted. As a result of the adoption of SFAS 123R using the modified retrospective method, the Company recognized expenses of $1,416 and $1,014 in the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively, for the stock option and employee stock purchase plans. These expenses are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. In addition, SFAS 123R requires the Company to reflect the tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense as a financing cash flow in its statement of cash flows rather than as an operating cash flow as in prior periods. As a result of the Company’s inability to recognize current tax benefits on reported net losses, total stock-based compensation expense is recorded without tax benefits for all periods presented. As of March 31, 2006, there was approximately $8,000 of compensation expense that has yet to be recognized related to non-vested stock based awards. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 46 months. All share issuances related to stock compensation plans are issued from unissued shares of stockholder approved compensation plans.

The following details the modified retrospective application impact of SFAS 123R on previously reported results:

 

     Post adoption     As previously
reported
 

For the three months ended March 31, 2005

    

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 125,913     $ 124,899  

Operating loss

   $ (3,049 )   $ (2,035 )

Net loss

   $ (5,151 )   $ (4,137 )

Basic and diluted loss per share

   $ (0.25 )   $ (0.20 )

As of December 31, 2005

    

Additional paid-in capital

   $ 416,448     $ 404,755  

Accumulated deficit

   $ (317,956 )   $ (306,263 )

Under SFAS 123R, the Company is required to select a valuation technique or option-pricing model that meets the criteria as stated in the standard. Two models that meet the criteria required under SFAS 123R are a lattice model (for example, a binomial model) and a closed-form model (for example, the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model). The Company is continuing to use the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. SFAS 123R also requires the Company to estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense relating to stock-based compensation as opposed to only recognizing forfeitures and the corresponding reduction in expense as they occur. Volatility is determined using historical prices to estimate the expected future fluctuations in the Company’s share price.

The following were the assumptions used to determine the fair value of option granted and the details of option activity as of and for the respective periods:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2006     2005  

Risk free interest rate

     4.4 %     4.0 %

Volatility

     55.0 %     55.0 %

Expected life (years)

     5.0       5.0  

Dividends

     0.0 %     0.0 %

Weighted average fair value of options granted during the period

   $ 8.33     $ 6.71  

Options granted in the period

     250,000       824,800  

Intrinsic value of options exercised in the period

   $ 556     $ 234  

Options exercised in the period

     57,125       25,000  

Intrinsic value of vested stock options

   $ 8,074     $ 4,696  

The Company also expensed $354 and $245 in the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively, related to restricted stock issuances.

 

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NOTE 5 - REVENUES, DIRECT COSTS AND GROSS MARGIN

The Company’s revenue, direct costs and gross margin were as follows:

 

     Quarter Ended March 31, 2006
(Restated)
   Quarter Ended March 31, 2005
     Temporary    Other    Total    Temporary    Other    Total

Revenue

   $ 249,947    $ 93,111    $ 343,058    $ 256,700    $ 96,169    $ 352,869

Direct costs (1)

     207,172      10,263      217,435      212,135      12,527      224,662
                                         

Gross margin

   $ 42,775    $ 82,848    $ 125,623    $ 44,565    $ 83,642    $ 128,207
                                         

(1) Direct costs include the direct staffing costs of salaries, payroll taxes, employee benefits, travel expenses and insurance costs for the Company’s temporary contractors and reimbursed out-of-pocket expense and other direct costs. Other than reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses, there are no other direct costs associated with the Other category, which includes the search, permanent placement and other human resource solutions’ revenue. Gross margin represents revenue less direct costs. The region where services are provided, the mix of temporary and permanent placements, and the functional nature of the staffing services provided can affect gross margin. The salaries, commissions, payroll taxes and employee benefits related to recruitment professionals are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

NOTE 6 - BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Acquisitions

In January 2006, Hudson Americas, through its Talent Management Solutions business, purchased one business for a total cash consideration of $1,315. The Company recorded the preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired ($25 in assets, $85 in liabilities) with the excess of $1,375 allocated to goodwill. The purchase agreement provides for contingent payouts to the sellers over the next three years, based upon future minimum annual and cumulative earnings thresholds of up to a maximum of $16,550. If and when such payments come due, the amounts paid will be added to the recorded value of goodwill. The results of the acquired business have been included in the Hudson Americas segment of the condensed consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date. Pro forma information for this acquisition is not included as it did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial position or results of operations. There were no acquisitions during the first quarter of 2005.

Accrued Merger and Integration Expenses

In connection with plans relating to pooled entities, the Company recovered $43 in the first three months of 2005, relating to integration activities included as a component of merger and integration expenses. All merger and integration accruals, expenses and recoveries consist of obligations from assumed leases on closed facilities. There were no expenses in the first quarter of 2006.

The following table presents a summary of activity relating to the Company’s integration and restructuring plans for acquisitions made in prior years. Amounts under the “Expense” column represented modifications to plans, subsequent to finalization and have been (recovered) or expensed in the current period. Amounts under the “Utilization” caption of the following tables were primarily the cash payments associated with the plans.

Details of merger and integration activity by plan for the three months ended March 31, 2006 follow:

 

     December 31,
2005
   Expense    Utilization     March 31,
2006

2000 Plans

   $ 1,671    $ —      $ (347 )   $ 1,324

2001 Plans

     456      —        (49 )     407

2002 Plans

     1,150      —        (106 )     1,043
                            

Total

   $ 3,277    $ —      $ (502 )   $ 2,774
                            

 

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NOTE 7 - BUSINESS REORGANIZATION EXPENSES

In 2002, the Company, as part of Monster, announced two reorganization initiatives; the Second Quarter 2002 Plan for the streamlining of operations, lowering its cost structure, integrating businesses previously acquired and improving return on capital and the Fourth Quarter 2002 Plan to separate from Monster. These reorganization programs included workforce reductions, consolidation of excess facilities and offices and related write-offs, restructuring of certain business functions and other special charges, primarily for exiting activities that were no longer part of the Company’s strategic plan. In 2003, the Company recorded additional charges and credits as a result of changes in estimates related to the prior actions, and as a result of further actions in 2003 to close offices and business units that did not have the size or market capacity to provide future income growth.

In the following tables, amounts under the “Utilization” caption are primarily the cash payments associated with the plans and amounts in the “Changes in estimate” column represent amounts charged to business reorganization expenses in the Company’s statement of operations. Business reorganization expense activities and liability balances were as follows:

 

     December 31,
2005
   Changes in
estimate
   Utilization     March 31,
2006

Consolidation of excess facilities

   $ 7,287    $ —      $ (771 )   $ 6,516

Workforce reduction

     362      —        (5 )     357

Professional fees and other

     669      3      (52 )     620
                            

Total

   $ 8,318    $ 3    $ (828 )   $ 7,493
                            

The following table presents a summary of plan activity related to business reorganization costs by plan period.

 

     December 31,
2005
   Changes in
estimate
   Utilization     March 31,
2006

Second Quarter 2002 Plan

   $ 1,409    $ —      $ (215 )   $ 1,194

Fourth Quarter 2002 Plan

     4,996      —        (454 )     4,542

Fourth Quarter 2003 Plan

     1,913      3      (159 )     1,757
                            

Total

   $ 8,318    $ 3    $ (828 )   $ 7,493
                            

NOTE 8 - TAXES

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $1,605 on a pretax loss of $6,475, compared with a provision of $1,400 on a pretax loss of $3,751 for the same period of 2005. The higher tax provision in the first quarter of 2006 related primarily to an increase in current foreign tax provisions in locations where there were no tax-loss carry-forwards available to offset taxable income, partially offset by lower deferred tax provision related to amortization of acquired intangible assets. In the current period, the effective tax rate differs from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% due largely to the inability to recognize tax benefits on net U.S. losses, primarily corporate expenses. This is offset in part by reported income in locations where tax losses are available to offset the income and variations from the U.S. tax rate in foreign jurisdictions. The Company records a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to the extent that it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of, the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

NOTE 9 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company has entered into various consulting, employment and non-compete agreements with certain key management personnel, executive search consultants and former owners of acquired businesses. Agreements with key members of management are on an at will basis, provide for compensation and severance payments under certain circumstances, and are automatically renewed annually unless either party gives sufficient notice of termination. Agreements with certain consultants and former owners of acquired businesses are generally two to five years in length.

The Company is subject to various claims from lawsuits, taxing authorities and other complaints arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company records provisions for losses when the claim becomes probable and the amount due is estimable. Although the outcome of these claims cannot be determined, it is the opinion of management that the final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

 

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NOTE 10 - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

During the three month period ended March 31, 2006, the Company issued 126,950 shares of its common stock to satisfy its 2005 contribution liability to the 401(k) Savings Plan. The value of these shares at issuance was $2,073.

NOTE 11 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Credit Facility

The Company has a senior secured credit facility for $75,000 (the “Credit Facility”). The maturity date of the Credit Facility is March 31, 2009. Outstanding loans bear interest equal to the prime rate plus 0.25% or LIBOR plus 2.00%, at the Company’s option, and had a weighted average interest rate of 6.99% as of March 31, 2006. The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and extensions of credit are based on a percentage of the accounts receivable of the Company. The Company expects to continue to use such credit to support its ongoing working capital requirements, capital expenditures and other corporate purposes and to support letters of credit. As of March 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $32,154, and letters of credit issued and outstanding of approximately $14,322 under the Credit Facility. Available credit for use under the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2006 was $23,127.

The Credit Facility contains various restrictions and covenants, including (1) prohibitions on payments of dividends and repurchases of the Company’s stock; (2) requirements that the Company maintain its minimum Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Facility) and capital expenditures within prescribed levels; (3) restrictions on the ability of the Company to make additional borrowings, or to consolidate, merge or otherwise fundamentally change the ownership of the Company; and (4) limitations on investments, dispositions of assets and guarantees of indebtedness.

On March 9, 2006, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility that established minimum Adjusted EBITDA measured on a trailing twelve-month basis and maximum capital expenditure covenant levels for fiscal year 2006. The minimum Adjusted EBITDA covenant generally provides that the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve-month periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2006 may not be less than $15,000, $15,000, $25,000, $25,000, respectively. The maximum capital expenditure covenant provides that the Company’s capital expenditures for 2006 may not exceed $14,000. On April 25, 2006, the Company entered into a limited waiver to the Credit Facility that reduces until June 15, 2006 the minimum borrowing base not available to the Company from $15,000 to $5,000. The borrowing base is determined under the Credit Facility as an agreed percentage of eligible accounts receivable, less reserves. These restrictions and covenants could limit the Company’s ability to respond to market conditions, to provide for unanticipated capital investments, to raise additional debt or equity capital, to pay dividends or to take advantage of business opportunities, including future acquisitions.

Derivatives Held for Purposes Other than Trading

The Company periodically enters into forward contracts to reduce exposure to exchange rate risk related to short-term inter-company loans denominated in currencies other than the functional currency. The fair values for all derivatives are recorded in other assets or other liabilities in the consolidated condensed balance sheets. As of March 31, 2006, the Company did not enter into forward contracts and there were no derivatives outstanding.

NOTE 12 - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

     Quarter Ended March 31,  
     2006     2005  
     (Restated)        

Net loss

   $ (8,080 )   $ (5,151 )

Other comprehensive loss - translation adjustments

     (1,516 )     (851 )
                

Total comprehensive loss

   $ (9,596 )   $ (6,002 )
                

NOTE 13 - SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA

The Company operates in four reportable business segments: the three Hudson regional businesses of Hudson Americas, Hudson Europe and Hudson Asia Pacific, and Highland. The Company reassessed its reportable segments in the fourth quarter of 2005 and all results are presented in conformity with that presentation.

 

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NOTE 13 - SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA (continued)

Segment information is presented in accordance with SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. This standard is based on a management approach that requires segmentation based upon the Company’s internal organization and disclosure of revenue and operating income based upon internal accounting methods. The Company’s financial reporting systems present various data for management to run the business, including internal profit and loss statements prepared on a basis not consistent with generally accepted accounting principles. Accounts receivable, net and long-lived assets are the only significant assets separated by segment for internal reporting purposes.

 

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2006 (Restated)

  

Hudson

Americas

   

Hudson

Europe

   

Hudson

Asia Pacific

    Highland     Corporate     Total  

Revenue

   $ 110,605     $ 116,141     $ 100,538     $ 15,774     $ —       $ 343,058  
                                                

Gross margin

   $ 22,855     $ 50,965     $ 36,861     $ 14,942     $ —       $ 125,623  
                                                

Business reorganization expenses

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 3     $ —       $ 3  
                                                

EBITDA (loss)(a)

   $ (5,975 )   $ 5,550     $ 4,732     $ 1,285     $ (7,922 )   $ (2,330 )

Depreciation and amortization

     1,506       1,739       775       323       165       4,508  
                                                

Operating income (loss)

     (7,481 )     3,811       3,957       962       (8,087 )     (6,838 )

Interest and other income (expense), net

     (1 )     536       (1,173 )     (176 )     1,177       363  
                                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ (7,482 )   $ 4,347     $ 2,784     $ 786     $ (6,910 )   $ (6,475 )
                                                

As of March 31, 2006

            

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 85,865     $ 94,628     $ 46,904     $ 9,083     $ —       $ 236,480  

Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization (b)

   $ 17,504     $ 30,800     $ 6,008     $ 1,159     $ 5,641     $ 61,112  

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2005

  

Hudson

Americas

   

Hudson

Europe

   

Hudson

Asia Pacific

    Highland     Corporate     Total  
            

Revenue

   $ 112,105     $ 122,399     $ 103,501     $ 14,864     $ —       $ 352,869  
                                                

Gross margin

   $ 27,574     $ 50,451     $ 36,116     $ 14,066     $ —       $ 128,207  
                                                

Business reorganization expenses (recoveries)

   $ 608     $ (79 )   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 529  
                                                

EBITDA (loss)(a)

   $ 1,706     $ 3,180     $ 6,696     $ 376     $ (10,150 )   $ 1,808  

Depreciation and amortization

     976       978       2,417       354       132       4,857  

Operating income (loss)

     730       2,202       4,279       22       (10,282 )     (3,049 )

Interest and other income (expense), net

     26       92       (98 )     19       663       702  
                                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 704     $ 2,110     $ 4,377     $ 3     $ (10,945 )   $ (3,751 )
                                                

As of March 31, 2005

            

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 73,429     $ 90,727     $ 50,158     $ 8,490     $ —       $ 222,804  

Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization (b)

   $ 15,130     $ 7,750     $ 9,348     $ 2,072     $ 6,088     $ 40,388  

 

Information by geographic region

Quarter Ended March 31, 2006 (Restated)

   United
States
   Australia    United
Kingdom
   Continental
Europe
  

Other

Asia

   Other
Americas
   Total

Revenue

   $ 120,580    $ 78,271    $ 84,763    $ 33,899    $ 23,214    $ 2,331    $ 343,058

Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization (b)(c)

   $ 23,605    $ 5,797    $ 4,273    $ 26,888    $ 329    $ 220    $ 61,112

Quarter Ended March 31, 2005

                    

Revenue

   $ 122,254    $ 81,549    $ 95,985    $ 28,335    $ 24,084    $ 662    $ 352,869

Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization (b)(c)

   $ 22,314    $ 8,126    $ 5,373    $ 3,081    $ 1,223    $ 271    $ 40,388

(a) Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, other non-operating expense, and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) are presented to provide additional information about the company’s operations on a basis consistent with the measures which the company uses to manage its operations and evaluate its performance. Management also uses these measurements to evaluate capital needs and working capital requirements. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, cash flows from operating activities, and other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of the company’s profitability or liquidity. Furthermore, EBITDA as presented above may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

 

(b) Comprised of property and equipment and intangibles.

 

(c) Corporate assets are included in the United States.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors

Hudson Highland Group, Inc.

New York, New York

We have reviewed the consolidated condensed balance sheet of Hudson Highland Group, Inc. as of March 31, 2006, the related consolidated condensed statements of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, the related consolidated condensed statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 and the consolidated condensed statement of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 included in the accompanying Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-Q/A for the period ended March 31, 2006. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data, and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated condensed financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in Note 2, the Company has restated its consolidated condensed balance sheet as of March 31, 2006 and the consolidated condensed statement of operations, consolidated condensed statement of changes in stockholders’ equity and consolidated condensed statement of cash flows for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Hudson Highland Group, Inc. as of December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 10, 2006, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005 is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived. As discussed in Note 4, the Company changed its accounting policy for stock-based compensation awards exchanged for employee services and accordingly the accompanying December 31, 2005 balance sheet reflects adjustments relating to this change. We have not audited the accompanying balance sheet.

 

/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP
BDO Seidman, LLP
New York, New York
August 7, 2006

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated condensed financial statements and the notes thereto, included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements. Please see “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations also uses the non-GAAP measure EBITDA. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for EBITDA segment reconciliation information.

We have operated as an independent publicly traded company since April 1, 2003 (the “Distribution Date”), when we were spun-off from Monster Worldwide, Inc. (“Monster”). At the Distribution Date, we were the combination of 67 acquisitions (the “Constituent Companies”) made between 1999 and 2002, which became the eResourcing and Executive Search divisions (“HH Group”) of Monster. Our businesses are specialized professional staffing, retained executive search and talent management solutions services, which operate in over 20 countries around the world, with our largest operations being in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. We are organized into four reportable segments, the three Hudson regional businesses of Hudson Americas, Hudson Europe and Hudson Asia Pacific, and Highland Partners (“Highland”), which constituted approximately 18%, 41%, 29% and 12% of the Company’s gross margin, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2006. Note all financial statements are reported with the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123R”), under the modified retrospective method.

Strategic Goals and Actions

With the focus of our management being to continue the Company’s recent profitability, we are continuing with several initiatives in 2006 to meet our long-term strategic goals.

 

    Continue to focus on high-margin, high-growth service lines in professional service practices and sectors, and exit low margin operations. In January 2006, the Company acquired Alder Nova, LLC, an organizational performance and talent management consulting firm with locations in the eastern United States and Canada.

 

    Increase the portion of our revenues attributable to temporary contracting in higher margin specializations to offset the volatility inherent in permanent recruitment. In April 2006, we completed the acquisition of Professional Solutions LLC, a Cleveland, Ohio-based professional services firm, for the Hudson Americas segment.

 

    Grow our revenue in the North American market.

 

    Realign our expense structure and infrastructure costs in various markets including office relocations and closures, and management staff reductions, to better match our business mix and improve the potential profitability of those operations.

 

    Continue to reposition our Highland business as a global boutique. The strategic direction that we are following with our Highland businesses is to become an executive search boutique with global capabilities, operating at the highest end of the executive search market with a limited number of highly experienced partners.

 

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Hudson Regional Businesses. Hudson’s three regions provide temporary and contract personnel and permanent recruitment services to a wide range of clients. With respect to temporary and contract personnel, Hudson focuses on providing candidates with specialized functional skills and competencies, such as accounting and finance, legal and information technology. The length of temporary assignments can vary, but engagements at the professional level tend to be longer than those in the general clerical or industrial sectors. With respect to permanent recruitment, Hudson focuses on mid-level professionals, typically earning between $50,000 and $150,000 annually, and possessing professional skills and/or profile required by clients. Hudson provides permanent recruitment services on both a retained and contingent basis. In larger markets, Hudson’s sales strategy focuses on both clients operating in particular industry sectors, such as financial services, health care, or technology, and candidates possessing particular professional skills, such as accounting and finance, information technology, legal and human resources. Hudson uses both traditional and interactive methods to select potential candidates for its clients, employing a suite of products that assess talent and help predict whether a candidate will be successful in a given role.

All of the Hudson regional businesses also provide organizational effectiveness and development services through their Talent Management Solutions units. These services encompass candidate assessment, competency modeling, leadership development, performance management, and career transition. These services enable Hudson to offer clients a comprehensive set of management services, across the entire employment life cycle, from attracting, assessing and selecting best-fit employees to engaging and developing those individuals to help build a high-performance organization. The Company also offers leadership solutions designed to assist senior management in enhancing the operating performance of their organizations.

Hudson Americas operates from 48 offices in two countries, with 97% of its first quarter 2006 gross margin generated in the United States. Hudson Europe Operates from 48 offices in 17 countries, with 54% of its first quarter 2006 gross margin coming from the United Kingdom operations. Hudson Asia Pacific operates from 25 offices in 6 countries, with 67% of its first quarter 2006 gross margin earned in Australia.

Highland. Highland, an executive search boutique with global reach, offers a comprehensive range of executive search services on a retained basis aimed at recruiting senior level executives or professionals. Highland also has an active practice in assisting clients desiring to augment their boards of directors.

Highland approaches the market through industry sectors, such as financial services, life sciences, retail and consumer products, industrial and technology. This industry sector sales approach is designed to enable Highland to better understand the market conditions and strategic management issues faced by clients within their specific business sectors. Highland also recruits candidates through functional specialist groups, including board of directors, chief financial officer, chief information officer, human resources and legal.

Highland, an executive search boutique with global capabilities, operates in 14 practice offices in four countries. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, approximately 77% of gross margin in the Highland business was derived in North America.

Corporate expenses are reported separately from the four reportable segments and consist primarily of expenses for compensation, marketing programs, rent and professional fees.

 

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth selected financial results for the Company (dollars in thousands).

 

     Quarter Ended March 31,  
     2006     2005  
     (Restated)        

Revenue:

    

Hudson Americas

   $ 110,605     $ 112,105  

Hudson Europe

     116,141       122,399  

Hudson Asia Pacific

     100,538       103,501  

Highland

     15,774       14,864  
                

Total

   $ 343,058     $ 352,869  
                

Gross margin:

    

Hudson Americas

   $ 22,855     $ 27,574  

Hudson Europe

     50,965       50,451  

Hudson Asia Pacific

     36,861       36,116  

Highland

     14,942       14,066  
                

Total

   $ 125,623     $ 128,207  
                

Operating income (loss):

    

Hudson Americas

   $ (7,481 )   $ 730  

Hudson Europe

     3,811       2,202  

Hudson Asia Pacific

     3,957       4,279  

Highland

     962       22  

Corporate expenses

     (8,087 )     (10,282 )
                

Total

   $ (6,838 )   $ (3,049 )
                

Net income (loss)

   $ (8,080 )   $ (5,151 )
                

Temporary Contracting Data (a):

     (Restated )  

Temporary contracting revenue:

    

Hudson Americas

   $ 104,777     $ 106,420  

Hudson Europe

     72,251       73,403  

Hudson Asia Pacific

     72,919       76,877  
                

Total

   $ 249,947     $ 256,700  
                

Direct costs of temporary contracting:

    

Hudson Americas

   $ 87,436     $ 84,315  

Hudson Europe

     58,820       63,104  

Hudson Asia Pacific

     60,916       64,716  
                

Total

   $ 207,172     $ 212,135  
                

Temporary contracting gross margin:

    

Hudson Americas

   $ 17,341     $ 22,105  

Hudson Europe

     13,431       10,299  

Hudson Asia Pacific

     12,003       12,161  
                

Total

   $ 42,775     $ 44,565  
                

Gross margin as a percent of revenue:

    

Hudson Americas

     16.5 %     20.8 %

Hudson Europe

     18.6 %     14.0 %

Hudson Asia Pacific

     16.5 %     15.8 %

(a) Temporary contracting revenues are a component of Hudson revenue. Temporary contracting gross margin and gross margin as a percent of revenue are shown to provide additional information on the Company’s ability to manage its cost structure and provide further comparability relative to the Company’s peers. Temporary contracting gross margin is derived by deducting the direct costs of temporary contracting from temporary contracting revenue. The Company’s calculation of gross margin may differ from those of other companies.

 

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Constant currency

The Company defines the term “constant currency” to mean that financial data for a period are translated into U.S. Dollars using the same foreign currency exchange rates that were used to translate financial data for the previously reported period. Changes in revenues, direct costs, gross margin and selling, general and administrative expenses include the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Variance analysis usually describes period-to-period variances that are calculated using constant currency as a percentage. The Company’s management reviews and analyzes business results in constant currency and believes these results better represent the Company’s underlying business trends.

The Company believes that these calculations are a useful measure, indicating the actual change in operations. Earnings from subsidiaries are rarely repatriated to the United States, and there are no significant gains or losses on foreign currency transactions between subsidiaries. Therefore, changes in foreign currency exchange rates generally impact only reported earnings and not the Company’s economic condition (dollars in thousands).

 

     Quarter Ended March 31,
     2006 (Restated)    2005
     As Reported    Currency
Translation
    Constant
Currency
   As
Reported

Revenue:

          

Hudson Americas

   $ 110,605    $ (54 )   $ 110,551    $ 112,105

Hudson Europe

     116,141      9,699       125,840      122,399

Hudson Asia Pacific

     100,538      5,737       106,275      103,501

Highland

     15,774      165       15,939      14,864
                            

Total

     343,058      15,547       358,605      352,869

Direct costs:

          

Hudson Americas

     87,750      (5 )     87,745      84,531

Hudson Europe

     65,176      5,347       70,523      71,948

Hudson Asia Pacific

     63,677      3,678       67,355      67,385

Highland

     832      2       834      798
                            

Total

     217,435      9,022       226,457      224,662

Gross margin:

          

Hudson Americas

     22,855      (49 )     22,806      27,574

Hudson Europe

     50,965      4,352       55,317      50,451

Hudson Asia Pacific

     36,861      2,059       38,920      36,116

Highland

     14,942      163       15,105      14,066
                            

Total

   $ 125,623    $ 6,525     $ 132,148    $ 128,207
                            

Selling, general and administrative (a):

          

Hudson Americas

   $ 30,336    $ (157 )   $ 30,179    $ 26,279

Hudson Europe

     47,154      3,982       51,136      48,328

Hudson Asia Pacific

     32,904      1,672       34,576      31,837

Highland

     13,977      264       14,241      14,044

Corporate

     8,087      —         8,087      10,282
                            

Total

   $ 132,458    $ 5,761     $ 138,219    $ 130,770
                            

(a) Selling, general and administrative expenses include depreciation and amortization.

Quarter Ended March 31, 2006 (Restated) Compared to Quarter Ended March 31, 2005

Hudson Americas (Restated)

Hudson Americas’ revenue was $110.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, a decrease of $1.5 million from $112.1 million for the same period of 2005. Revenues increased in the permanent placement services (+18.1%) and decreased in the temporary contracting services (-1.5%). Hudson America’s revenue was slightly lower in 2006 as a result of a decrease in the Information Technology (“IT”) practice group (-24%) and essentially unchanged revenue in the Financial Solutions and Energy, Operations and Scientific Resources practice groups. This was partially offset by increases in the Legal (+26%), Management Search (+57%) and Engineering, Aerospace and Defense (+9%) practice groups.

 

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Hudson Americas’ direct costs for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 were $87.8 million compared to $84.5 million for 2005, an increase of 3.8%. The increase in the direct costs relates to the increase in Hudson Americas’ temporary contracting costs (+3.7%) compared to 2005. On a constant currency basis, direct costs increased 3.8% for the first quarter of 2006 in comparison to 2005.

Hudson Americas’ gross margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $22.9 million, lower by $4.7 million, or 17.1%, from $27.6 million reported for the same period of 2005. On a constant currency basis, gross margin decreased by 17.3% for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 compared to the same period of 2005. Hudson Americas reported decrease in gross margin was attributable to decreases in its IT (-36%, which consisted of a smaller percentage decline in the core IT business and an significant decline from a large client that reduced its business to minimal levels after being acquired), Aerospace & Defense (-36%, increased direct costs from allowable overtime credits), Energy, Operations and Scientific Resources (-1%) and Financial Solutions (-5%) practice groups. These decreases were partially offset by increases in the Legal (+10%, despite a lower margin contribution from temporary contracting) and Management Search (+50%) practice groups. Gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 20.7% for the first quarter of 2006, a decrease from 24.6% for the same period in 2005, primarily as a result of a 16.6% decrease in the temporary contracting gross margin as a percent of temporary contracting revenue. Permanent placement as a percentage of gross margin increased to approximately 25% in 2006, compared to 17% in the same period of 2005.

Hudson Americas’ selling, general and administrative costs were $30.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, higher by 15.4% from $26.3 million for the same period in 2005. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 27.4% and 23.4% as a percentage of revenue for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increase in selling, general and administrative costs was due to increases in costs associated with the accounting and management software stabilization and back-office process reengineering ($2.0 million), client and product development spending in the Financial Solutions practice ($1.0 million), and increased depreciation and amortization expense ($0.5 million) related to the accounting and management software installed in 2005.

Hudson Americas EBITDA loss was $6.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, a decrease of $7.7 million compared to EBITDA income of $1.7 million for the comparable period of 2005. The primary reasons for the first quarter 2006 EBITDA loss was the decrease in the gross margin, as discussed above, and the increased selling, general and administrative costs.

Hudson Americas’ operating loss was $7.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, compared to operating income of $0.7 million for the same period of 2005. Hudson Americas increased loss in the first quarter of 2006, compared to the first quarter of 2005, was due to the same factors as discussed with respect to EBITDA loss and the increased amortization expenses related to the accounting and management software installed in the third quarter of 2005.

Hudson Europe

Hudson Europe’s revenue was $116.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, down 5.1% from $122.4 million for the same period of 2005. On a constant currency basis, Hudson Europe’s revenue increased approximately 2.8% comparing the first quarter of 2006 to the first quarter of 2005. The largest constant currency revenue increases were achieved primarily from the Netherlands (+57.8%), which was driven by the results of the Balance Ervaring op Projectbasis B.V. (“Balance”) acquisition (acquired August 2005), partially offset by a decrease in the Netherlands reintegration businesses (-45.3%) and lower temporary contracting revenue in the UK (-6.8%), primarily in lower margin industrial contracting services.

Hudson Europe’s direct costs for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 were $65.2 million, a decrease of $6.8 million or 9.4% compared to $71.9 million for the same period of 2005. On a constant currency basis, direct costs decreased 2.0% for the first quarter of 2006 in comparison to the same period of 2005. The decrease was the result of lower temporary contracting costs in the UK (-9.3%), primarily in lower margin industrial contracting services and the Netherlands direct costs for the reintegration business (-43.1%), partially offset by the direct costs of Balance.

 

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Hudson Europe’s gross margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $51.0 million, an increase of 1.0% from the comparable period in 2005. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 43.9% for the first quarter of 2006, an increase from 41.2% for the same period in 2005, primarily due to a reduction in lower margin business in the UK and the inclusion of the higher margin Balance business in 2006. On a constant currency basis, gross margin increased by 9.6% for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 when compared to the same period in 2005. Hudson Europe’s largest constant currency increases were in the Netherlands ($1.5 million, primarily the result of the inclusion of Balance in 2006 results, partially offset by lower gross margin from the reintegration business), higher gross margin growth in temporary contracting services in the other European countries, primarily the UK, as a result of improved temporary contracting margins, up from 13.8% a year ago to 16.2% in the first quarter of 2006, and improved trends in permanent placement in continental Europe. The increases in temporary contracting margins are a product of both the addition of the Balance acquisition and a strategic focus in the United Kingdom on exiting lower margin contracts.

Hudson Europe’s selling, general and administrative costs were $47.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, lower by 2.4% from $48.3 million for the same period in 2005. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 40.6% and 39.5% as a percentage of revenue for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively. On a constant currency basis, the first quarter 2006 selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 5.8% compared to the same period of 2005. The Balance acquisition accounted for essentially all of the increase.

Hudson Europe’s EBITDA was $5.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, an increase of $2.4 million compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2005. The group achieved an EBITDA of 4.8 percent of revenue compared to 2.6 percent in the first quarter of 2005. Key EBITDA contributors included the United Kingdom, the Netherlands-based Balance acquisition, Belgium, France, and Spain.

Hudson Europe’s operating income was $3.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, compared to $2.2 million for the same period of 2005. Hudson Europe’s 2006 improvement in operating results was due to the same factors as discussed with respect to EBITDA.

Hudson Asia Pacific

Hudson Asia Pacific’s revenue was $100.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, a decrease of 2.9% from $103.5 million for the same period of 2005. On a constant currency basis, Hudson Asia Pacific’s revenue increased approximately 2.7% comparing the first quarter of 2006 to the first quarter of 2005. The higher revenue on a constant currency basis is predominantly due to increases from permanent placement services in Australia (+10.2%), Hong Kong (+54.4%), Singapore (+11.5%), and in China (+27.3%), and increased temporary contracting revenue in New Zealand (+6.9%), partially offset by a decreases in temporary contracting revenue in Australia (-1.0%) and permanent placement revenue in New Zealand (-7.0%).

Hudson Asia Pacific’s direct costs for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 were $63.7 million, a decrease of $3.7 million or 5.5% compared to $67.4 million for the same period of 2005. On a constant currency basis, direct costs remained essentially unchanged for the first quarter of 2006 in comparison to the same period of 2005, as a result of a decrease in Australia (-1.5%) and an increase in New Zealand (+6.7%).

Hudson Asia Pacific’s gross margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $36.9 million, higher by $.8 million, or 2.1%, from $36.1 million reported for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. Gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 36.7% for the first quarter of 2006, an increase from 34.9% for the same period of 2005. On a constant currency basis, gross margin increased by 7.8% for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2005. Gross margin growth in the quarter was a result of increases in Australian permanent placement (+9.9%) and temporary contracting (+5.9%) and permanent placement in Hong Kong (+54.4), Singapore (+11.5%) and China (+27.3) and higher demand in talent management practices (+19.1%). While growth was stronger in the Asian countries than in Australia and New Zealand, economic conditions have improved somewhat in the first quarter in Australia, and to a lesser extent in New Zealand, after economic uncertainty and hiring freezes impacted the fourth quarter of 2005. While some of the hiring freezes instituted by clients in the fourth quarter of 2005 are still in place, other freezes have been lifted.

Hudson Asia Pacific’s selling general and administrative costs were $32.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, higher by 3.4% from $31.8 million for the same period in 2005. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 32.7% and 30.8% as a percentage of revenue for the first quarters of 2006 and 2005, respectively. On a constant currency basis, the first quarter 2006 selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 8.6%, compared to the same period of 2005. The largest increases in costs were for sales compensation (+8.7%), primarily related to the higher permanent placement gross margins.

 

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Hudson Asia Pacific’s EBITDA was $4.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, a decrease of 29.3% or $2.0 million, from $6.7 million for the same period of 2005. EBITDA as a percentage of revenue decreased to 4.7% in the first quarter of 2006 from 6.5% for the same period of 2005, primarily due to a decline in Australia. The decrease in EBITDA was the result of higher selling, general and administrative costs for sales compensation and higher occupancy costs in Australia from the absence of certain lease termination credits recorded in 2005 when vacating a long-term office lease.

Hudson Asia Pacific’s operating income was $4.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, a decrease of 7.5% from $4.3 million for the same period of 2005. Hudson Asia Pacific’s decline in operating results for the first quarter of 2006 was primarily due to the same factors as discussed in EBITDA, partially offset by lower depreciation and amortization expenses in Australia from the absence of certain capital lease assets from vacating a long-term office lease.

Highland

Highland’s revenue of $15.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 increased 6.1% from $14.9 million from the same period of 2005. On a constant currency basis, Highland revenue increased 7.2% comparing the first quarter of 2006 results with the first quarter of 2005 results, reflecting growth in Highland U.K. (+41.3%) and Highland Canada (+34.5%), offset by a decrease in Highland Australia (-13.5%) as a result of the split off of part of that business as an independent brand licensee during the second quarter of 2005. Revenue increased in the U.S. by less than 1%.

Highland’s gross margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $14.9 million, higher by $.9 million, or 6.2%, from $14.1 million for the same period of 2005. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 94.7% for 2006, essentially the same as in 2005. On a constant currency basis, gross margin increased by 7.4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2005. The increases in the gross margin were from the U.K. (+42%) and Canada (+39%). Australia’s gross margin decreased by 10% and the U.S. decreased by less than 1%.

Highland’s selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 were $14.0 million on a reported basis and $14.2 million in constant currency basis, essentially unchanged from the same period of 2005. On a constant currency basis, selling general and administrative expenses were 89.3% as a percentage of revenue for the first quarter of 2006, compared to 94.5% in the same period of 2005.

Highland’s EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $1.3 million, higher by $0.9 million from $0.4 million reported for the same period of 2005. The increase was due to stronger results in all three regions. Highland Partners achieved EBITDA equal to 8.1% of revenue in the first quarter of 2006.

Highland’s operating income was $1.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, compared to essentially breakeven results in the comparable period in 2005. Highland’s improvement in operating results in the first quarter of 2006 was primarily due to the same factors as discussed in EBITDA.

Corporate and Other

Corporate expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 were $8.1 million compared to $10.3 million for the same period of 2005. The decrease in corporate expenses is primarily the result of a decrease in third-party costs related to a reduction in certain company-wide initiatives ($2.1 million).

Other non-operating expenses, including net interest expense, were $0.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, essentially unchanged when compared to the same period of 2005.

The provision for income taxes for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $1.6 million on a pretax loss of $6.5 million, compared with a provision of $1.4 million on a pretax loss of $3.8 million for the same period of 2005. The higher tax provision in the first quarter of 2006 related primarily to an increase in current foreign tax provisions in locations where there were no tax-loss carry-forwards available to offset taxable income, partially offset by lower deferred tax provision related to amortization of acquired intangible assets. In the current period, the effective tax rate differs from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% due largely to the inability to recognize tax benefits on net U.S. losses, primarily corporate expenses. This is offset in part by reported income in locations where tax losses are available to offset the income and variations from the U.S. tax rate in foreign jurisdictions.

Net loss was $8.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, compared to a net loss of $5.2 million for the same period in 2005. Basic and diluted loss per share were $.33 for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, compared to basic and diluted loss of $.25 per share in the quarter ended March 31, 2005. For the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, dilutive earnings per share calculations do not differ from basic earnings per share because the effects of approximately 1,186,000 and 1,138,000 of potential common stock were anti-dilutive and therefore not included in the calculation of dilutive earnings per share.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources (Restated)

The Company’s liquidity needs arise primarily from funding working capital requirements.

The Company has a senior secured credit facility for $75,000 (the “Credit Facility”). The maturity date of the Credit Facility is March 31, 2009. Outstanding loans bear interest equal to the prime rate plus 0.25% or LIBOR plus 2.00%, at the Company’s option, and had a weighted average interest rate of 6.99% as of March 31, 2006. The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and extensions of credit are based on a percentage of the accounts receivable of the Company. The Company expects to continue to use such credit, if and when required, to support its ongoing working capital requirements, capital expenditures and other corporate purposes and to support letters of credit. As of March 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $32.2 million and letters of credit issued and outstanding of approximately $14.3 million under the Credit Facility. Available credit for use under the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2006 was $23.1 million. Letters of credit are used to support certain of the Company’s office leases, the worker’s compensation policy and its finance leases.

The Credit Facility contains various restrictions and covenants, including (1) prohibitions on payments of dividends and repurchases of the Company’s stock; (2) requirements that the Company maintain its minimum Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Facility) and capital expenditures within prescribed levels; (3) restrictions on the ability of the Company to make additional borrowings, or to consolidate, merge or otherwise fundamentally change the ownership of the Company; and (4) limitations on investments, dispositions of assets and guarantees of indebtedness.

On March 9, 2006, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility that established minimum Adjusted EBITDA (measured on a trailing twelve-month basis) and maximum capital expenditure covenant levels for fiscal year 2006. The minimum Adjusted EBITDA covenant generally provides that the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve-month periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2006 may not be less than $15.0 million, $15.0 million, $25.0 million, $25.0 million, respectively. The maximum capital expenditure covenant provides that the Company’s capital expenditures for 2006 may not exceed $14.0 million. On April 25, 2006, the Company entered into a limited waiver to the Credit Facility that reduces until June 15, 2006 the minimum borrowing base not available to the Company’s from $15.0 million to $5.0 million. The borrowing base is determined under the Credit Facility as an agreed percentage of eligible accounts receivable, less reserves. These restrictions and covenants could limit the Company’s ability to respond to market conditions, to provide for unanticipated capital investments, to raise additional debt or equity capital, to pay dividends or to take advantage of business opportunities, including future acquisitions.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Company generated cash in operating activities of $.2 million compared to net cash used of $24.6 million during the same period of 2005. Cash usage decreased in the first quarter of 2006 from the first quarter of 2005 primarily as a result of lower cash requirements to fund working capital, primarily accounts receivable in Hudson Americas ($20.8 million), Hudson Europe ($3.8 million), Highland ($1.4 million) and lower cash requirements for business reorganization expenses ($0.8 million), partially offset by higher working capital used in accounts receivable in Hudson Asia Pacific ($5.5 million).

During the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company used cash in investing activities of $3.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively. This use of cash was related to capital expenditures ($1.7 million) and the purchase of a business ($1.3 million) in the first quarter of 2006. All investing activities in 2005 were for capital expenditures ($2.1 million).

During the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company generated cash from financing activities of $2.0 million and $18.3 million, respectively. The cash provided from financing was lower in the first quarter of 2006 as a result of the lower net borrowing under the credit facility ($16.9 million).

The Company believes that the cash and cash equivalents on hand at March 31, 2006, supplemented by the Credit Facility, will provide it with sufficient liquidity to satisfy its working capital needs, capital expenditures, investment requirements and commitments through at least the next twelve months. Cash generated from operating activities is subject to the Company’s management of its operating growth and working capital, fluctuations in the global economy and unemployment rates. Total third-party capital lease debt and related capital lease assets, net of accumulated amortization, were $2.3 million and $4.7 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2006. The Company’s existing acquisition shelf registration statement to issue up to 1,350,000 shares of its common stock can provide an additional mechanism of funding acquisitions.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Securities and Exchange Commission encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand the future prospects of a company and make informed investment decisions. This Form 10-Q contains these types of statements, which the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-Q, including statements regarding the Company’s future financial condition, results of operations, business operations and business prospects, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe” and similar words, expressions and variations of these words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to important factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including industry and economic conditions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, (1) the Company’s history of negative cash flows and operating losses may continue, (2) the ability of clients to terminate their relationship with the Company at any time, (3) the impact of global economic fluctuations on the Company’s temporary contracting operations, (4) restrictions on the Company’s operating flexibility due to the terms of its credit facility, (5) risks relating to the Company’s foreign operations, including foreign currency fluctuations, (6) risks and financial impact associated with acquisitions; (7) the Company’s heavy reliance on information systems and the impact of potentially losing or failing to develop technology, (8) competition in the Company’s markets and the Company’s dependence on highly skilled professionals, (9) fluctuations in the Company’s operating results from quarter to quarter, (10) the impact of employees departing with existing executive search clients, (11) restrictions imposed by blocking arrangements, (12) the Company’s exposure to employment-related claims from both clients and employers and limits on related insurance coverage, (13) the Company’s dependence on key management personnel, (14) the impact of government regulations and (15) the Company’s ability to implement remedial actions with respect to internal control weaknesses. Please see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2006 for more information.

The Company cautions that undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q/A. The Company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), the Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the quarter ended March 31, 2006. Based upon their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2006 as a result of the material weakness described below. The Company’s management had previously concluded the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2006. However, in connection with the restatement of the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 as fully described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q/A, the Company’s management determined that the material weakness described below existed as of March 31, 2006.

Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. The Company’s management has concluded that as of March 31, 2006, the Company did not maintain effective controls with respect to the determination of certain revenues and in recording of certain payroll tax and other accrued liabilities, offset by a related reduction in corporate and other bonuses and commissions. Specifically, management determined that controls over the reconciliation of certain receivable and payroll withholding accounts in the Company’s Hudson North America business unit were not properly completed or reviewed. This control deficiency primarily arose due to a weakened reconciliation and review process related to staff turnover in the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and the period immediately following March 31, 2006. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. Accordingly, the Company’s management has determined that this control deficiency constitutes a material weakness.

Remediation of Material Weakness. As noted above, management determined that there was a material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that primarily arose due to a weakened reconciliation and review process related to staff turnover in the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and the period immediately following March 31, 2006. Starting in the second quarter of 2006, the Company has made enhancements to its internal control over financial reporting. The Company has taken the following steps to remediate the material weakness in the areas of the determination of certain revenue and in the recording of certain payroll tax and other accrued liabilities:

 

    Management has re-prepared reconciliations for all of its balance sheet accounts as of May 31, 2006 using the resources from the corporate accounting group and other company business units, selected outside consultants, internal audit and Hudson Financial Services contractors, with an independent review of selected accounts.

 

    Management is expanding the documentation of the processes by which it obtains data and prepares and documents its general ledger reconciliations for key areas including accounts receivable, payroll and other accrued liabilities.

 

    The established review framework has been strengthened to include a review and sign-off of all significant reconciliations by the appropriate level of supervisory and management level personnel, including divisional officers.

These control procedures were utilized during the June 2006 closing process. The Company will complete its evaluation of the remediation procedures on or before filing its second quarter Form 10-Q.

 

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While the Company’s management believes the Company has improved its internal control over financial reporting, not all of the new controls have operated for a sufficient period of time to demonstrate operating effectiveness for purposes of remediating the material weakness at March 31, 2006.

Over the next several months, the Company intends to implement supplemental automated controls in conjunction with its overall review of its PeopleSoft system. The Company’s management will also be reviewing its Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 test procedures to ensure that they provide sufficient early warning signs of any deficiencies so those deficiencies can be remediated in a timely manner.

Based on the procedures the Company performed in connection with the preparation of this Form 10-Q/A, the Company’s management believes that the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 included in this Form 10-Q/A fairly present in all material respects the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for the periods presented.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting Other than the events giving rise to the material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting described above, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits: The following Exhibits are filed herewith.

 

15    Letter from BDO Seidman, LLP regarding unaudited interim financial information.
31.1    Certification by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
31.2    Certification by the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
32.1    Certification of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
32.2    Certification of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

(Registrant)

By:   /s/ JON F. CHAIT
  Jon F. Chait
 

Chairman and

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Dated: August 7, 2006

 

By:   /s/ Mary Jane Raymond
  Mary Jane Raymond
 

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

Dated: August 7, 2006

 

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HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

FORM 10-Q

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   

Description

15    Letter from BDO Seidman, LLP regarding unaudited interim financial information.
31.1    Certification by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
31.2    Certification by the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
32.1    Certification of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
32.2    Certification of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

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