BRENTWOOD, Tenn., March 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CoreCivic, Inc. (NYSE: CXW) (the Company) announced today that, effective March 15, 2024, Catherine Hernandez-Blades and Alexander R. Fischer will be appointed as independent members of the Company’s Board of Directors, expanding the board from ten to twelve directors, ten of whom have been determined by the board to be independent. The company also announced today that Donna M. Alvarado, who has served on CoreCivic’s Board of Directors since 2003, will retire from the Board in accordance with the Company’s retirement policy after the company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, bringing the number of board members at that point to eleven, including nine independent members. Both Ms. Hernandez-Blades and Mr. Fischer are expected to join various board committees in the future.
“We are pleased to have Catherine and Alex join our Board of Directors,” said Damon Hininger, CoreCivic’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Catherine brings decades of executive leadership experience in government relations, communications, and marketing in both the private and the public sectors. She has partnered with the Federal government through her work at SAIC, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, and she has worked closely with government leaders at the state level as well. Catherine also provides community support as a board member at several non-profits. We are very excited to add her valuable perspective to CoreCivic’s board.”
Hininger added, “We’re equally excited about the addition of Alex Fischer to our board. Alex brings diverse business, government, and non-profit experience, including extensive work in corporate strategy and property development. Alex has deep knowledge of economic development from both his leadership of the Columbus Partnership and previously as Commissioner of Economic Development and Deputy Governor for the State of Tennessee. Alex’s strong board experience spans a publicly traded company as well as other private and non-profit entities.”
“As we welcome Catherine and Alex, I also want to express how grateful we are to Donna Alvarado for her 21 years of thoughtful stewardship as a CoreCivic board member,” Hininger continued. “Donna has been deeply engaged with CoreCivic and she’s provided valued and consistent counsel as we have navigated various opportunities over the past two decades.”
Ms. Hernandez-Blades, 56, formerly served as the senior brand marketing and communications executive at SAIC, Aflac, and Flex (formerly Flextronics), where she had responsibility for brand, reputation, crisis, and issues management, as well as environmental, social, and governance efforts. Previously, she held senior management positions at Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, as well as in government, including serving by gubernatorial appointment as the Executive Director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. Ms. Hernandez-Blades serves as the U.S. representative on the Advisory Board of the World Communications Forum Association – Davos, and as a Trustee for the Institute of Public Relations, an industry think tank. She is a former Chair of the Board of Operation Homefront, The Seminar, and CASA New Orleans. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, and is a Loyola University Environmental Communications Fellow.
Mr. Fischer, 56, is the founder of Alex R. Fischer and Company, which offers strategic advisory services on corporate strategy, real estate development and economic development, since 2021. He is also a Partner with The New Albany Company, the master developer for over 20,000 acres of mixed-use development. His prior roles include serving as President and CEO of the Columbus Partnership from 2009 to 2021 and undertaking various positions at Battelle Memorial Institute, including Senior Vice President for Business and Commercialization, from 2002 to 2009. Earlier, Mr. Fischer contributed his expertise as Commissioner of Economic Development, Deputy Governor, and Chief of Staff for the State of Tennessee between 1997 and 2002. Mr. Fischer is an active board member of Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE: WMS), where he chairs the Nominating and Governance Committee and serves on the Audit Committee; Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where he previously served as Chair; White Oak Partners, as Chair; Andelyn Biosciences; and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, also as Chair. He previously served on the board of trustees for The Ohio State University. Mr. Fischer holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Public Administration and a master’s degree in Urban Planning and Economic Development, both from the University of Tennessee.
About CoreCivic CoreCivic is a diversified, government-solutions company with the scale and experience needed to solve tough government challenges in flexible, cost-effective ways. We provide a broad range of solutions to government partners that serve the public good through high-quality corrections and detention management, a network of residential and non-residential alternatives to incarceration to help address America’s recidivism crisis, and government real estate solutions. We are the nation’s largest owner of partnership correctional, detention and residential reentry facilities, and believe we are the largest private owner of real estate used by government agencies in the United States. We have been a flexible and dependable partner for government for 40 years. Our employees are driven by a deep sense of service, high standards of professionalism and a responsibility to help government better the public good. Learn more at www.corecivic.com.
Contact:
Investors: Michael Grant – Managing Director, Investor Relations – (615) 263-6957 Media: Steve Owen – Vice President, Communications – (615) 263-3107
BRENTWOOD, Tenn., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CoreCivic, Inc. (NYSE: CXW) (“CoreCivic”) announced today that it successfully upsized and priced its offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25%senior notes due 2029 (the “Notes”). The aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be issued in the offering was increased to $500 million from the previously announced $450 million. The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of CoreCivic and will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of CoreCivic’s subsidiaries that guarantee its existing senior secured credit facilities, 4.75% senior unsecured notes due October 2027 and 8.25% senior unsecured notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”).
The aggregate net proceeds from the sale of the Notes are expected to be approximately $490.3 million, after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses. CoreCivic intends to use the net proceeds, together with borrowings under CoreCivic’s revolving credit facility and cash on hand, to fund the concurrent cash tender offer for any and all of the $593.1 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of 2026 Notes (the “Tender Offer”), and, if and to the extent necessary, to redeem any of the 2026 Notes that remain outstanding thereafter, in accordance with the indenture governing the 2026 Notes, including the payment of all premiums, accrued interest and costs and expenses in connection with the Tender Offer and redemption of the 2026 Notes, after the expiration of the Tender Offer. There can be no assurance that the offering of the Notes or the Tender Offer will be consummated.
Citizens JMP Securities, LLC is acting as left lead underwriter, StoneX Financial Inc. and FHN Financial Securities Corp. are acting as joint bookrunners, and Wedbush Securities Inc. and TCBI Securities, Inc. are acting as co-managers for the offering.
The Notes are being offered pursuant to CoreCivic’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which became effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 4, 2024. The offering of the Notes is being made solely by means of a prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus. The preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to, and describing the terms of, the offering of the Notes was filed with the SEC on March 4, 2024, and are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to, and describing the terms of, the offering of the Notes may be obtained from Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, or by telephone at (617) 725-5783.
This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, including the Notes or the 2026 Notes, nor shall it constitute a notice of redemption under the indenture governing the 2026 Notes, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of the Notes, the 2026 Notes or any other securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
About CoreCivic CoreCivic is a diversified, government-solutions company with the scale and experience needed to solve tough government challenges in flexible, cost-effective ways. CoreCivic provides a broad range of solutions to government partners that serve the public good through high-quality corrections and detention management, a network of residential and non-residential alternatives to incarceration to help address America’s recidivism crisis, and government real estate solutions. CoreCivic is the nation’s largest owner of partnership correctional, detention and residential reentry facilities, and one of the largest prison operators in the United States. CoreCivic has been a flexible and dependable partner for government for 40 years. CoreCivic’s employees are driven by a deep sense of service, high standards of professionalism and a responsibility to help government better the public good. Learn more at www.corecivic.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements concerning CoreCivic’s intention to issue the Notes and CoreCivic’s intended use of the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes. These forward-looking statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. Such forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the Company’s business and market conditions. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ are described in the filings made from time to time by CoreCivic with the SEC and include the risk factors described in CoreCivic’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 20, 2024, as well as the risks identified in the preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the offering of the Notes under the heading “Risk Factors.” Except as required by applicable law, CoreCivic undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements made by it to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Contact:
Investors: Mike Grant – Managing Director, Investor Relations – (615) 263-6957 Financial Media: David Gutierrez, Dresner Corporate Services – (312) 780-7204
Q4 operating earnings of $7.3 million, or up 59% to $22.1 million on an adjusted basis
Q4 revenue was flat; down 1.3% in constant currency
Q4 adjusted EBITDA margin increased 60 basis points to 2.6% driven by meaningful reduction in operating expenses resulting from business transformation initiatives
Company expects Q1 2024 sale of European staffing operations, sustained structural expense reductions and near-term outcome from growth initiatives to drive further expansion of EBITDA margin
TROY, Mich., Feb. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kelly (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB), a leading specialty talent solutions provider, today announced results for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Peter Quigley, president and chief executive officer, announced revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 totaled $1.2 billion, a 0.1% decrease, or a 1.3% decrease in constant currency, compared to the corresponding quarter of 2022. Year-over-year revenue trends were impacted by customers’ more guarded approach to hiring and initiating new projects or capital spending partially offset by favorable foreign currency impacts.
Kelly reported operating earnings in the fourth quarter of 2023 of $7.3 million, compared to earnings of $4.6 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2022. Earnings in the fourth quarter of 2023 include $14.8 million of charges related to transformation actions and the first-quarter 2024 sale of our European staffing operations. Excluding those charges, adjusted earnings were $22.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Earnings in the fourth quarter of 2022 included a $10.3 million goodwill impairment charge related to RocketPower. Excluding the impairment charge and a $0.9 million gain related to the sale of real property, adjusted earnings from operations were $14.0 million. Adjusted earnings improved primarily as a result of lower selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by unfavorable business mix and lower permanent placement fees which resulted in lower gross profit.
Earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2023 were $0.31 compared to a loss per share of $0.02 in the fourth quarter of 2022. Included in earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2023 were restructuring charges, net of tax, of $0.16. In addition, there were $0.46 per share of tax adjustments, transaction costs, and an unrealized loss on a forward contract, all net of tax, related to the first-quarter 2024 sale of our European staffing operations. Included in the loss per share in the fourth quarter of 2022 is a $0.23 per share goodwill impairment charge, net of tax, related to RocketPower, partially offset by a $0.02 per share gain on sale of real property, net of tax. On an adjusted basis, earnings per share were $0.93 in the fourth quarter of 2023, an improvement from $0.18 per share in the corresponding quarter of 2022.
“In the fourth quarter, we captured steady demand in Education and most of our outcome-based specialties in P&I, which continue to demonstrate resilience amid a challenging operating environment. We remained focused on the future as well, driving significant progress on our transformation initiatives while completing the sale of Kelly’s European staffing operations which we closed in early January, unlocking more than $100 million of capital and additional net margin expansion,” said Quigley. “Taken together, these accomplishments have propelled Kelly’s EBITDA margin to 3% entering 2024 – a step change from the company’s historical average of approximately 2%. As we continue to build a more efficient, effective, and focused enterprise, I am confident we are well positioned to capture increased customer demand when the operating environment rebounds and accelerate profitable growth.”
Kelly also reported that on February 13, its board of directors declared a dividend of $0.075 per share. The dividend is payable on March 13, 2024, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 27, 2024.
In conjunction with its fourth-quarter earnings release, Kelly has published a financial presentation on the Investor Relations page of its public website and will host a conference call at 9 a.m. ET on February 15 to review the results and answer questions. The call may be accessed in one of the following ways:
Via the Telephone (877) 692-8955 (toll free) or (234) 720-6979 (caller paid) Enter access code 5728672 After the prompt, please enter “#”
A recording of the conference call will be available after 1:30 p.m. ET on February 15, 2024, at (866) 207-1041 (toll-free) and (402) 970-0847 (caller-paid). The access code is 5856971#. The recording will also be available at kellyservices.com during this period.
This release contains statements that are forward looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Kelly’s financial expectations, are forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in this release include, but are not limited to, (i) changing market and economic conditions, (ii) disruption in the labor market and weakened demand for human capital resulting from technological advances, loss of large corporate customers and government contractor requirements, (iii) the impact of laws and regulations (including federal, state and international tax laws), (iv) unexpected changes in claim trends on workers’ compensation, unemployment, disability and medical benefit plans, (v) litigation and other legal liabilities (including tax liabilities) in excess of our estimates, (vi) our ability to achieve our business’s anticipated growth strategies, (vii) our future business development, results of operations and financial condition, (viii) damage to our brands, (ix) dependency on third parties for the execution of critical functions, (x) conducting business in foreign countries, including foreign currency fluctuations, (xi) availability of temporary workers with appropriate skills required by customers, (xii) cyberattacks or other breaches of network or information technology security, and (xiii) other risks, uncertainties and factors discussed in this release and in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release and we undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company’s expectations.
About Kelly®
Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) helps companies recruit and manage skilled workers and helps job seekers find great work. Since inventing the staffing industry in 1946, we have become experts in the many industries and local and global markets we serve. With a network of suppliers and partners around the world, we connect more than 500,000 people with work every year. Our suite of outsourcing and consulting services ensures companies have the people they need, when and where they are needed most. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, we empower businesses and individuals to access limitless opportunities in industries such as science, engineering, technology, education, manufacturing, retail, finance, and energy. Revenue in 2023 was $4.8 billion. Learn more at kellyservices.com.
BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 15, 2024– The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) (“GEO”), a leading provider of support services for secure facilities, processing centers, and reentry centers, as well as enhanced in-custody rehabilitation, post-release support, and electronic monitoring programs, reported today its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023.
Full Year 2023 Highlights
Total revenues of $2.41 billion
Net Income of $113.8 million
Adjusted EBITDA of $507.2 million
Reduced Total Net Debt by Approximately $197.0 million in FY23 to $1.78 billion
For the full year 2023, we reported total revenues of $2.41 billion compared to $2.38 billion for the full year 2022. We reported net income for the full year 2023 of $113.8 million, compared to $171.7 million for the full year 2022. Results for the full year 2023 reflect a year-over-year increase of $61.9 million in net interest expense as a result of the transactions we completed in August 2022 to address the substantial majority of our outstanding debt and the impact of higher interest rates. For the full year 2023, we reported Adjusted EBITDA of $507.2 million, compared to $540.0 million for the full year 2022. During 2023, we reduced our total net debt by approximately $197.0 million to approximately $1.78 billion.
Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights
Total revenues of $608.3 million
Net Income of $31.8 million
Adjusted EBITDA of $129.0 million
For the fourth quarter 2023, we reported net income of $31.8 million, compared to $41.5 million for the fourth quarter 2022. We reported total revenues for the fourth quarter 2023 of $608.3 million compared to $620.7 million for the fourth quarter 2022. We reported fourth quarter 2023 Adjusted EBITDA of $129.0 million, compared to $145.5 million for the fourth quarter 2022.
George C. Zoley, Executive Chairman of GEO, said, “Our company delivered strong operational and financial performance in 2023, resulting in the second-best year in our company’s 40-year history. We believe that the unparalleled scope of our diversified services platform, which allows us to offer a full spectrum of innovative solutions to our government agency partners, gives GEO a unique competitive advantage to capture future quality growth opportunities. We are also pleased with the substantial progress we made in 2023 towards our objective of reducing our net debt, deleveraging our balance sheet, and positioning GEO to explore options to return capital to shareholders in the future. We believe that our disciplined allocation of capital to reduce debt, along with our demonstrated track record delivering strong and predictable annual cash flows, will meaningfully enhance value for our shareholders over time.”
Financial Guidance
Today, we issued our initial financial guidance for 2024. For the full year 2024, we expect Net Income to be in a range of $110 million to $125 million on annual revenues of approximately $2.4 billion and reflecting an effective tax rate of approximately 28 percent, exclusive of any discrete items. We expect full year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA to be between $485 million and $515 million.
We believe that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) continues to face budgetary pressures, and the outcome and timing of ongoing federal government appropriations discussions in the United States Congress remain uncertain. As a result of these factors, our initial financial guidance for 2024 incorporates a range of assumptions.
The midpoint of our guidance range assumes stable populations across our ICE Processing Centers and stable participant counts under the federal government’s Intensive Supervision and Appearance Program (“ISAP”) contract. On the low end of our range, our guidance assumes that federal government appropriations discussions continue to be delayed throughout the year and that ongoing budgetary pressures result in some moderate decreased utilization of both ICE Processing Centers and the ISAP contract. On the high end of our range, our guidance assumes only some moderate increases in the utilization of ICE Processing Centers and the ISAP contract should additional funding be appropriated for ICE during this federal fiscal year.
Additionally, our initial 2024 guidance does not include the potential reactivation of any of our remaining idle Secure Services facilities, which total approximately 9,000 beds, or any potential new contract wins by our diversified business segments.
For the first quarter of 2024, we expect Net Income to be in a range of $22 million to $24 million and quarterly revenues in a range of $600 million to $610 million. We expect first quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA to be in a range of $117 million to $122 million. Compared to fourth quarter 2023, our first quarter 2024 guidance reflects the impact of having one fewer day in the quarter. Additionally, our first quarter of the year is impacted by higher costs related to payroll taxes, which are frontloaded in the beginning of each year.
Conference Call Information
We have scheduled a conference call and webcast for today at 11:00 AM (Eastern Time) to discuss our fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results as well as our outlook. The call-in number for the U.S. is 1-877-250-1553 and the international call-in number is 1-412-542-4145. In addition, a live audio webcast of the conference call may be accessed on the Webcasts section under the News, Events and Reports tab of GEO’s investor relations webpage at investors.geogroup.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the website for one year. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through February 22, 2024, at 1-877-344-7529 (U.S.) and 1-412-317-0088 (International). The participant passcode for the telephonic replay is 5397718.
About The GEO Group
The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) is a leading diversified government service provider, specializing in design, financing, development, and support services for secure facilities, processing centers, and community reentry centers in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. GEO’s diversified services include enhanced in-custody rehabilitation and post-release support through the award-winning GEO Continuum of Care®, secure transportation, electronic monitoring, community-based programs, and correctional health and mental health care. GEO’s worldwide operations include the ownership and/or delivery of support services for 100 facilities totaling approximately 81,000 beds, including idle facilities and projects under development, with a workforce of up to approximately 18,000 employees.
Reconciliation Tables and Supplemental Information
GEO has made available Supplemental Information which contains reconciliation tables of Net Income Attributable to GEO to Adjusted Net Income, and Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, along with supplemental financial and operational information on GEO’s business and other important operating metrics. The reconciliation tables are also presented herein. Please see the section below titled “Note to Reconciliation Tables and Supplemental Disclosure – Important Information on GEO’s Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for information on how GEO defines these supplemental Non-GAAP financial measures and reconciles them to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. GEO’s Reconciliation Tables can be found herein and in GEO’s Supplemental Information available on GEO’s investor webpage at investors.geogroup.com.
Note to Reconciliation Tables and Supplemental Disclosure – Important Information on GEO’s Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that are presented as supplemental disclosures. GEO has presented herein certain forward-looking statements about GEO’s future financial performance that include non-GAAP financial measures, including Net Debt, Net Leverage, and Adjusted EBITDA. The determination of the amounts that are included or excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures is a matter of management judgment and depends upon, among other factors, the nature of the underlying expense or income amounts recognized in a given period.
While we have provided a high level reconciliation for the guidance ranges for full year 2024, we are unable to present a more detailed quantitative reconciliation of the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures because management cannot reliably predict all of the necessary components of such GAAP measures. The quantitative reconciliation of the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures will be provided for completed annual and quarterly periods, as applicable, calculated in a consistent manner with the quantitative reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures previously reported for completed annual and quarterly periods.
Net Debt is defined as gross principal debt less cash from restricted subsidiaries. Net Leverage is defined as Net Debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA.
EBITDA is defined as net income adjusted by adding provisions for income tax, interest expense, net of interest income, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted for (gain)/loss on asset divestitures, pre-tax, net loss attributable to non-controlling interests, stock-based compensation expenses, pre-tax, transaction related expenses, pre-tax, one-time employee restructuring expenses, pre-tax, other non-cash revenue and expenses, pre-tax, and certain other adjustments as defined from time to time.
Given the nature of our business as a real estate owner and operator, we believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are helpful to investors as measures of our operational performance because they provide an indication of our ability to incur and service debt, to satisfy general operating expenses, to make capital expenditures, and to fund other cash needs or reinvest cash into our business.
We believe that by removing the impact of our asset base (primarily depreciation and amortization) and excluding certain non-cash charges, amounts spent on interest and taxes, and certain other charges that are highly variable from year to year, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide our investors with performance measures that reflect the impact to operations from trends in occupancy rates, per diem rates and operating costs, providing a perspective not immediately apparent from net income.
The adjustments we make to derive the non-GAAP measures of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA exclude items which may cause short-term fluctuations in income from continuing operations and which we do not consider to be the fundamental attributes or primary drivers of our business plan and they do not affect our overall long-term operating performance.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide disclosure on the same basis as that used by our management and provide consistency in our financial reporting, facilitate internal and external comparisons of our historical operating performance and our business units and provide continuity to investors for comparability purposes.
Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income attributable to GEO adjusted for certain items which by their nature are not comparable from period to period or that tend to obscure GEO’s actual operating performance, including for the periods presented (gain)/loss on asset divestitures, pre-tax, (gain)/loss on the extinguishment of debt, pre-tax, transaction related expenses, pre-tax, one-time employee restructuring expense, pre-tax, and tax effect of adjustments to net income attributable to GEO.
Safe-Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and future performance of GEO that involve risks and uncertainties that could materially and adversely affect actual results, including statements regarding GEO’s financial guidance for the full year and first quarter of 2024, statements regarding GEO’s efforts to market its current idle facilities, GEO’s focus on reducing net debt, deleveraging its balance sheet, and positioning itself to explore options to return capital to shareholders, and GEO’s assumptions regarding the utilization of ICE Processing Centers and the ISAP contract during 2024. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” or “continue” or the negative of such words and similar expressions. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary from current expectations and forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to: (1) GEO’s ability to meet its financial guidance for 2024 given the various risks to which its business is exposed; (2) GEO’s ability to deleverage and repay, refinance or otherwise address its debt maturities in an amount and on terms commercially acceptable to GEO, and on the timeline it expects or at all; (3) GEO’s ability to identify and successfully complete any potential sales of company-owned assets and businesses on commercially advantageous terms on a timely basis, or at all; (4) changes in federal and state government policy, orders, directives, legislation and regulations that affect public-private partnerships with respect to secure, correctional and detention facilities, processing centers and reentry centers, including the timing and scope of implementation of President Biden’s Executive Order directing the U.S. Attorney General not to renew the U.S. Department of Justice contracts with privately operated criminal detention facilities; (5) changes in federal immigration policy; (6) public and political opposition to the use of public-private partnerships with respect to secure correctional and detention facilities, processing centers and reentry centers; (7) any continuing impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on GEO, GEO’s ability to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19, and the efficacy and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines; (8) GEO’s ability to sustain or improve company-wide occupancy rates at its facilities in light of any continuing impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic and policy and contract announcements impacting GEO’s federal facilities in the United States; (9) fluctuations in GEO’s operating results, including as a result of contract terminations, contract renegotiations, changes in occupancy levels and increases in GEO’s operating costs; (10) general economic and market conditions, including changes to governmental budgets and its impact on new contract terms, contract renewals, renegotiations, per diem rates, fixed payment provisions, and occupancy levels; (11) GEO’s ability to address inflationary pressures related to labor related expenses and other operating costs; (12) GEO’s ability to timely open facilities as planned, profitably manage such facilities and successfully integrate such facilities into GEO’s operations without substantial costs; (13) GEO’s ability to win management contracts for which it has submitted proposals and to retain existing management contracts; (14) risks associated with GEO’s ability to control operating costs associated with contract start-ups; (15) GEO’s ability to successfully pursue growth and continue to create shareholder value; (16) GEO’s ability to obtain financing or access the capital markets in the future on acceptable terms or at all; and (17) other factors contained in GEO’s Securities and Exchange Commission periodic filings, including its Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K reports, many of which are difficult to predict and outside of GEO’s control.
BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 12, 2024– The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) (“GEO” or the “Company”) has delivered a notice of redemption for all of the remaining $23,253,000 in outstanding aggregate principal amount of its 5.875%Senior Notes due October 15, 2024 (CUSIP No. 36162JAA4) (the “2024 Senior Notes”). The redemption of the 2024 Senior Notes will occur on March 11, 2024 (the “Redemption Date”).
The redemption price for the 2024 Senior Notes will be equal to $1,000 per $1,000 original principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. GEO has deposited with the trustee for the 2024 Senior Notes the redemption price for the 2024 Senior Notes, using available cash on hand, and the Indenture governing the 2024 Senior Notes has been satisfied and discharged as to the 2024 Senior Notes. Payment of the redemption price for the 2024 Senior Notes will be made through the Depository Trust Company.
About The GEO Group
The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) is a leading diversified government service provider, specializing in design, financing, development, and support services for secure facilities, processing centers, and community reentry centers in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. GEO’s diversified services include enhanced in-custody rehabilitation and post-release support through the award-winning GEO Continuum of Care®, secure transportation, electronic monitoring, community-based programs, and correctional health and mental health care. GEO’s worldwide operations include the ownership and/or delivery of support services for 100 facilities totaling approximately 81,000 beds, including idle facilities and projects under development, with a workforce of up to approximately 18,000 employees.
Use of forward-looking statements
This news release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and any such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the following cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and are based on current expectations and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, including our ability to redeem the 2024 Senior Notes on March 11, 2024. Readers are strongly encouraged to read the full cautionary statements contained in GEO’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. GEO disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
Swiss banking giant UBS announced several major strategic updates on Tuesday, including resuming share buybacks and increasing cost-cutting targets related to its takeover of Credit Suisse last year. The bank’s shares fell nearly 4% as investors reacted to financial results and the roadmap ahead.
UBS said it plans up to $1 billion in share repurchases in 2024, restarting its buyback program which was halted during the acquisition of Credit Suisse in March 2023. The deal, valued at nearly $16 billion, was the first ever merger between two global systemically important banks. It significantly expanded UBS’s wealth management operations and investment banking capabilities.
Integrating Credit Suisse is expected to generate major cost synergies over the next several years. UBS now estimates total savings of $13 billion by the end of 2026, up from the previous target of over $10 billion. Around half of the savings will come from headcount reductions, according to CFO Todd Tuckner.
While UBS said the initial phase of integration is complete, CEO Sergio Ermotti warned there is still significant restructuring ahead. The next few years will involve job cuts, combining IT systems, and optimizing operations. Ermotti cautioned that progress “will not be measured in a straight line” and the trickier parts of integration have yet to occur.
The bank reaffirmed its key financial targets, including for return on capital and cost-income ratios. It also set new ambitions, such as growing assets under management in its wealth management division to $5 trillion by 2028, up from $3.85 trillion currently.
For 2024, UBS proposed boosting its dividend by 27% compared to 2023. This comes as many European banks have been rewarding shareholders through dividends and buybacks.
UBS posted a small net loss of $279 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The loss was attributed to Credit Suisse integration costs. However, the bank sees profitability improving in early 2024 amid better market activity and progress on merging operations.
Image Credit: Reuters Graphics
The wealth management unit reported $22 billion in net new money growth during the quarter. However, a change in metrics makes the figure not directly comparable to previous periods. The investment bank posted a pre-tax loss of $169 million but is expected to return to profitability soon.
Shares fell due to concerns around UBS’s near-term profitability as integration costs weigh on performance. While cost savings are substantial over the long run, analysts pointed out revenue will likely drop in the next couple years before synergies are fully realized.
There are also lingering concerns around integrating such large banking operations smoothly. Regulators are keeping a close eye given the combined balance sheet is nearly twice the size of Switzerland’s GDP. However, UBS maintains only around one-third of assets are illiquid.
Overall, UBS remains confident in achieving strategic goals from its takeover of Credit Suisse, even if the next few years involve headaches from combining staff, technology, and business lines. Execution risks remain but cost cuts could significantly boost profitability down the line. Tuesday’s announcements provided investors more clarity around buybacks, dividends, and the path forward.
TROY, Mich., Feb. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kelly, a leading global specialty talent solutions provider, will release its fourth-quarter earnings before the market opens on Thursday, February 15, 2024. In conjunction with its fourth-quarter earnings release, Kelly will publish a financial presentation on the Investor Relations page of its public website and will host a conference call at 9 a.m. ET.
The call may be accessed in one of the following ways:
Via the Telephone (877) 692-8955 (toll free) or (234) 720-6979 (caller paid) Enter access code 5728672 After the prompt, please enter “#”
A recording of the conference call will be available after 1:30 p.m. ET on February 15, 2024, at (866) 207-1041 (toll-free) and (402) 970-0847 (caller-paid). The access code is 5856971#. The recording will also be available at kellyservices.com during this period.
About Kelly
Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) helps companies recruit and manage skilled workers and helps job seekers find great work. Since inventing the staffing industry in 1946, we have become experts in the many industries and local and global markets we serve. With a network of suppliers and partners around the world, we connect more than 450,000 people with work every year. Our suite of outsourcing and consulting services ensures companies have the people they need, when and where they are needed most. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, we empower businesses and individuals to access limitless opportunities in industries such as science, engineering, technology, education, manufacturing, retail, finance, and energy. Revenue in 2022 was $5.0 billion. Learn more at kellyservices.com.
Further Debt Reduction and Strong Start to Fiscal Year
ATLANTA, Jan. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DLH Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: DLHC) (“DLH” or the “Company”), a leading provider of science research and development, systems engineering and integration, and digital transformation and cyber security solutions to federal agencies, today announced financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended December 31, 2023.
First Quarter Highlights
First quarter revenue was $97.9 million in fiscal 2024 versus $72.7 million in fiscal 2023, reflecting the impact from the Company’s December 2022 acquisition.
Earnings were $2.2 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the fiscal 2024 first quarter versus $1.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2023, reflecting higher income from operations offset by increased interest expense
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) were $11.1 million for the fiscal 2024 first quarter as compared to $6.3 million in the fiscal 2023 first quarter.
Total debt at the end of the first quarter was $174.4 million compared to $179.4 million at the end of the fiscal 2023 fourth quarter, reflecting $5 million of voluntary prepayments during the quarter.
Contract backlog was $653.5 million as of December 31, 2023, versus $704.8 million at the end of the fiscal 2023 fourth quarter.
Management Discussion
“Even with the government operating under a Continuing Resolution for a prolonged period of time, DLH has successfully navigated this period of uncertainty with a high degree of customer satisfaction and solid underlying results,” said Zach Parker, DLH President and Chief Executive Officer. “Revenue rose year-over-year, reflecting our strategic acquisition, while we bid on numerous new opportunities enabled by our robust technology platform. Slower-than-expected release of bidding opportunities and decisions on contract awards across multiple fronts is clearly a challenge, but we remain focused on targeting as many avenues for growth acceleration as possible within our target markets. We believe award momentum should build throughout this fiscal year, and our innovative solutions and services are expected to benefit from wide bipartisan support. In the meantime, we continue to pay down our outstanding debt using our strong cash generation. As we face some headwinds in the award environment, we are resolute in our efforts to capitalize on the exceptional performance of our employees, our technology-enabled platforms, and our robust capabilities to expand and grow our contract portfolio.”
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $97.9 million versus $72.7 million in fiscal 2023, with the year-over-year increase largely from the December 2022 acquisition. The decrease in revenue from the fiscal 2023 fourth quarter is primarily due to the seasonal decrease in billable hours as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Income from operations was $6.8 million versus $3.9 million in the fiscal 2023 first quarter and, as a percentage of revenue, the Company reported operating margin of 7.0% in fiscal 2024 first quarter versus 5.4% in the prior-year period.
Interest expense was $4.7 million in the fiscal first quarter of 2024 versus $1.8 million in the prior-year period, reflecting higher debt outstanding due to acquisition activity and increased market interest rates. Income before income taxes was $2.2 million for the first quarter this year versus $2.1 million in fiscal 2023, representing 2.2% and 2.9% of revenue, respectively, for each period.
For the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, DLH recorded a $0.01 million and $0.5 million provision for income tax expense, respectively. The Company reported net income of approximately $2.2 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 versus $1.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2023. As a percentage of revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and 2023, net income was 2.2% and 2.1%, respectively, reflecting higher income from operations, offset by increased interest expense.
On a non-GAAP basis, EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2023, was approximately $11.1 million versus $6.3 million in the prior-year period, or 11.3% and 8.7% of revenue, respectively, reflecting principally the impact of the December 2022 acquisition and the increased operating leverage on general and administrative expenses.
Key Financial Indicators
During the first quarter of fiscal 2024, DLH generated $5.1 million in operating cash. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had cash of $0.1 million and debt outstanding under its credit facilities of $174.4 million versus cash of $0.2 million and debt outstanding of $179.4 million as of September 30, 2023. The Company expects to reduce its total debt balance to between $157.0 million and $153.0 million by the end of fiscal 2024.
As of December 31, 2023, total backlog was approximately $653.5 million, including funded backlog of approximately $132.3 million and unfunded backlog of $521.2 million.
Conference Call and Webcast Details
DLH management will discuss first quarter results and provide a general business update, including current competitive conditions and strategies, during a conference call beginning at 10:00 AM Eastern Time tomorrow, February 1, 2024. Interested parties may listen to the conference call by dialing 888-347-5290 or 412-317-5256. Presentation materials will also be posted on the Investor Relations section of the DLH website prior to the commencement of the conference call.
A digital recording of the conference call will be available for replay two hours after the completion of the call and can be accessed on the DLH Investor Relations website or by dialing 877-344-7529 and entering the conference ID 1843140.
About DLH
DLH (NASDAQ: DLHC) enhances technology, public health, and cyber security readiness missions through science, technology, cyber, and engineering solutions and services. Our experts solve some of the most complex and critical missions faced by federal customers, leveraging digital transformation, artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, cloud-based applications, telehealth systems, and more. With over 3,200 employees dedicated to the idea that “Your Mission is Our Passion,” DLH brings a unique combination of government sector experience, proven methodology, and unwavering commitment to innovative solutions to improve the lives of millions. For more information, visit www.DLHcorp.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or DLH`s future financial performance. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances or that are not statements of historical fact (including without limitation statements to the effect that the Company or its management “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “intends” and similar expressions) should be considered forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or DLH’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among others, statements regarding estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings and cash flow. These statements reflect our belief and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Our actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements made in this release due to a variety of factors, including: the risk that we will not realize the anticipated benefits ofacquisitions (including anticipated future financial performance and results); the diversion of management’s attention from normal daily operations of the business and the challenges of managing larger and more widespread operations; the inability to retain employees and customers; contract awards in connection with re-competes for present business and/or competition for new business; our ability to manage our debt obligations; compliance with bank financial and other covenants; changes in client budgetary priorities; government contract procurement (such as bid and award protests, small business set asides, loss of work due to organizational conflicts of interest, etc.) and termination risks; the impact of inflation and higher interest rates; and other risks described in our SEC filings. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, as well as subsequent reports filed thereafter. The forward-looking statements contained herein are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry and business.
Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and may become outdated over time. The Company does not assume any responsibility for updating forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
The Company uses EBITDA and EBITDA as a percent of revenue as supplemental non-GAAP measures of performance. We define EBITDA as net income excluding (i) interest expense, (ii) Provision for income tax expense and (iii) depreciation and amortization. EBITDA as a percent of revenue is EBITDA for the measurement period divided by revenue for the same period.
These non-GAAP measures of performance are used by management to conduct and evaluate its business during its review of operating results for the periods presented. Management and the Company’s Board utilize these non-GAAP measures to make decisions about the use of the Company’s resources, analyze performance between periods, develop internal projections and measure management performance. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors in evaluating the Company’s ongoing operating and financial results and understanding how such results compare with the Company’s historical performance. EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, and when analyzing our performance investors should (i) evaluate adjustments in our reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measures and (ii) use non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not as an alternative to, measures of our operating results as defined under GAAP.
Earnings Release Scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2024 Before the Market Opens
Conference Call Scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 11:00 AM (Eastern Time)
BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 25, 2024– The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE:GEO) (“GEO”) will release its fourth quarter 2023 financial results on Thursday, February 15, 2024 before the market opens. GEO has scheduled a conference call and simultaneous webcast for 11:00 AM (Eastern Time) on Thursday, February 15, 2024.
Hosting the call for GEO will be George C. Zoley, Executive Chairman of the Board, Brian R. Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Shayn March, Acting Chief Financial Officer, Wayne Calabrese, President and Chief Operating Officer, and James Black, President, GEO Secure Services.
To participate in the teleconference, please contact one of the following numbers 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start time:
In addition, a live audio webcast of the conference call may be accessed on the Webcasts section of GEO’s investor relations home page at investors.geogroup.com. A webcast replay will remain available on the website for one year.
A telephonic replay will also be available through February 22, 2024. The replay numbers are 1-877-344-7529 (U.S.) and 1-412-317-0088 (International). The passcode for the telephonic replay is 5397718. If you have any questions, please contact GEO at 1-866-301-4436.
JPMorgan Chase, the nation’s largest bank, reported a 15% decline in fourth quarter 2023 earnings on Friday, weighed down by a massive $2.9 billion fee related to the government takeover of failed regional banks last year.
The bank posted profits of $9.31 billion, or $3.04 per share, for the final three months of 2023. This compared to earnings of $10.9 billion, or $3.33 per share, in the same period a year earlier. Excluding the regional banking crisis fee and other one-time items, JPMorgan said it earned $3.97 per share in the fourth quarter.
Total revenue for the quarter rose 12% to $39.94 billion, slightly above analyst forecasts. The jump was driven by the bank’s acquisition of First Republic Bank in late 2023, higher net interest income, and increased investment banking fees.
“The U.S. economy continues to be resilient, with consumers still spending, and markets currently expect a soft landing,” said JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon in a statement. “These significant and somewhat unprecedented forces cause us to remain cautious.”
Dimon cited high inflation, rising interest rates, out-of-control government spending, supply chain disruptions, the war in Ukraine, and tensions in the Middle East as potential threats to the economic outlook.
For the full year 2023, JPMorgan posted record profits of nearly $50 billion, including $4.1 billion from its acquisition of First Republic. The deal instantly gave JPMorgan a leading position in serving wealthy clients in California and other coastal markets.
Smaller Competitors Squeezed
While JPMorgan has deftly navigated the rising rate environment, smaller regional banks have struggled as the Federal Reserve hiked rates aggressively to combat inflation. Many were caught holding lower-yielding assets funded by higher-cost deposits. This squeezed net interest margins.
The regional banking crisis came to a head in early 2023 as a wave of defaults and bank seizures overwhelmed the FDIC insurance fund. JPMorgan and other large banks were handed the bill, with the FDIC levying $18 billion in special fees on the industry to recapitalize the fund.
Specifically, JPMorgan paid a $2.9 billion fee in the fourth quarter related to the FDIC assessments. This was a major factor in the bank’s profit decline compared to a year ago.
JPMorgan Cautious Despite Solid Year
Despite posting record full-year earnings, Dimon and JPMorgan management struck a cautious tone in their earnings release. While U.S. consumers remain resilient for now, risks are mounting.
Inflation could prove stickier than anticipated, forcing the Fed to keep rates higher for longer. The war in Ukraine shows no signs of resolution. Middle East conflicts continue to elevate oil prices. And the U.S. government is racking up huge deficits, with no political will to cut spending.
For banks, this backdrop could pressure lending activity, loan performance, and capital levels. Mortgage rates are already above 7%, denting the housing market. Credit card delinquencies are edging higher. Corporate debt looks vulnerable as businesses face slower growth and input cost pressures.
All of this warrants a cautious stance until more clarity emerges later this year.
With JPMorgan having reported solid results for 2023, investors are now focused on the bank’s outlook for 2024 amid an expected shift in the interest rate environment.
On Friday’s earnings call, analysts will be listening closely to hear JPMorgan’s projections and commentary around key items that could impact performance this year:
Net interest income guidance for 2024. As the Fed cuts rates, net interest margins may compress. But higher loan volumes could offset this.
Expectations for credit costs and loan losses. While credit metrics are healthy now, a weaker economy could strain consumers and corporate borrowers.
Thoughts on impending hikes to capital requirements. Banks are hoping to reduce the impact of new rules on capital buffers.
M&A landscape. Does JPMorgan see opportunities for deals amid lower valuations?
Plans for excess capital deployment. Investors want to hear about potential increases in buybacks, dividends, and other uses.
JPMorgan entered 2024 with strong capital levels, putting it in position to boost shareholder returns even with new regulations. Investors will be listening to hear how management plans to leverage JPMorgan’s financial strength in the year ahead.
The bank’s 2024 outlook will be critical in determining whether its stock can build on last year’s big gains. JPMorgan was the top performing Dow stock in 2023, and investors are betting it can continue to drive profits in a more subdued rate environment.
In a move that could shape its future, BlackRock is making a huge bet on infrastructure investing with its $12.5 billion acquisition of specialist firm Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).
The deal, announced Friday, includes $3 billion in cash and 12 million BlackRock shares to bring GIP’s $100+ billion infrastructure portfolio under its umbrella. With infrastructure booming globally, it plants BlackRock’s flag in an alternative asset class that offers stability and strong cash flows.
For Larry Fink, BlackRock’s founder and CEO, the deal provides a growth engine and caps a storied career. At 71 years old, Fink has not yet named his successor. This acquisition generates buzz around President Rob Kapito and COO Rob Goldstein as potential heirs apparent.
It also brings infrastructure investing veterans from GIP into BlackRock’s senior ranks. GIP Chairman Bayo Ogunlesi will join BlackRock’s board, while co-founders like ex-World Bank President Jim Yong Kim provide invaluable experience.
Why Infrastructure, Why Now?
Infrastructure has become increasingly attractive to institutional investors, particularly those with long-term liabilities to fund. The assets provide inflation protection, and the regulated nature of many infrastructure projects leads to predictable cash flows even during economic downturns.
Swelling demand for infrastructure also powers opportunity and growth. E-commerce and supply chain modernization require massive investment in logistics and transportation assets like airports, seaports, rail, and warehouses. The global energy transition is expected to necessitate trillions in spending on renewable power, battery storage, transmission lines, and more. And booming data usage makes digital infrastructure such as cell towers and data centers a near-certainty for major funding.
BlackRock saw the writing on the wall. With interest rates still relatively low by historical standards, it pulled the trigger on a transformative infrastructure deal rather than waiting for valuations to potentially rise further. GIP’s assets also provide diversification and inflation mitigation to complement BlackRock’s vast holdings of stocks and bonds.
For forward-thinking infrastructure investors, BlackRock’s whopper of a deal validates the long-term potential of the sector. And it positions the asset management titan to capitalize on infrastructure demand in both developed and emerging markets for decades to come.
Rejuvenating Revenues
The move into infrastructure also helps reinvigorate BlackRock’s revenues. With rock-bottom interest rates in recent years limiting fee income, BlackRock has searched for ways to accelerate growth. The company manages over $10 trillion in assets but has seen minimal increase in revenue since 2018.
Alternative investments like infrastructure represent a potential answer. They generally command higher management fees while also offering incentive fees based on investment performance. That combination bodes well for BlackRock’s results.
BlackRock has dipped its toe into alternatives over the past decade via real estate, hedge funds, private equity, and other strategies. But the GIP deal vaults infrastructure to the forefront of BlackRock’s alternatives platform. Expect heightened focus and more resources dedicated to infrastructure deals in the future.
With the Fed lifting rates this year, BlackRock also has a short-term revenue boost at its back. Higher interest rates allow BlackRock to charge more for managing cash and fixed income, its largest assets. BlackRock’s 8% increase in fourth quarter earnings served as an appetizer. The GIP acquisition is the main course in its long-term growth agenda.
Fink Caps Career with Legacy Deal
Larry Fink has run BlackRock since its inception in 1988, guiding it to become the world’s preeminent money manager. But the end of his tenure looms. While no retirement plans have been announced, Fink is 71 years old.
The GIP deal thus shapes up as a culminating move to put his stamp on BlackRock’s future. Shortly after the acquisition was announced, Fink said, “This is one of the most exciting transactions we’ve ever completed.”
What excites Fink and BlackRock is GIP’s expertise, global reach, and the long runway for infrastructure investing. Fink pulled the trigger on a legacy deal that can steer BlackRock’s course beyond when he ultimately steps down.
The acquisition also stirs up increased speculation on who could succeed the respected CEO. As BlackRock makes infrastructure integral to its future, the deal elevates infrastructure veterans like GIP Chairman Bayo Ogunlesi. COO Rob Kapito and President Rob Goldstein also see their standing boosted.
While the stock dipped slightly on Friday’s news, the deal primes BlackRock for sustainable growth. Shareholders will be monitoring the integration, but early reviews applaud Fink and BlackRock for their foresight and ability to execute.
Firm plans to leverage its longstanding expertise in technology sourcing and governance to help enterprise clients adopt AI at scale
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a leading global technology research and advisory firm, has launched a new suite of advisory services to help clients navigate the complexities and implications of adopting artificial intelligence at scale.
“Artificial Intelligence, specifically Generative AI, is the next big thing in technology,” said Michael P. Connors, chairman and CEO of ISG. “Gen AI has risen to the top of the agenda for the world’s largest corporations. Business leaders are already seeking our advice and guidance on the practical applications of this technology, as well as longer-term strategies for scaling AI as the technology grows and matures.”
ISG Research forecasts the global market for AI-related managed services should reach $175 billion by 2030, Connors said.
Organizations already working with ISG on AI engagements include a global hospitality and entertainment company, a major U.S. manufacturer, two major global insurance companies, and a U.S. state government, with many others in discussions with the firm about advancing their AI agenda.
“ISG has always been at the forefront of guiding our clients through the complexities of adopting technology at scale,” said Steve Hall, ISG president and newly appointed as the firm’s first chief AI officer. “Our expansion into applied AI strategy and advisory is our next great leap forward, ensuring businesses can harness AI to drive unprecedented value into every aspect of their operations.”
Hall noted clients trust ISG for its independent advice and long-held expertise in technology sourcing and governance. “Typical of the feedback we’re getting from our clients is this statement: ‘We wanted to get ISG in right at the start of our journey so we can cut through the hype and do this right the first time. This is moving so fast we need to avoid any missteps.’”
ISG’s Applied AI Advisory services help clients assess their AI readiness, identify practical use cases, experiment with proofs of concept, create an AI strategy, and establish a business case for investment. ISG also helps clients select the right business partners and build a cognitive infrastructure to support AI at scale. Finally, ISG provides training and organizational change management, a strategy realization office, and governance through a proprietary AI control plane to help clients mitigate risk and maximize ROI from their AI investments.
ISG was the first sourcing advisory firm to establish a reference architecture for applied Generative AI when it published a September 2023 global study of enterprise use cases. An analysis of the use cases shows AI can lower the cost of IT operations by 30 to 58 percent.
The use cases range from personalizing customer experiences at scale and optimizing supply chain operations to enhancing decision-making through predictive analytics and pioneering the development of new products and services.
The ISG study found that 85 percent of enterprises believe investment in generative AI over the next two years is important, but only a small percentage are achieving tangible results today.
Hall said ISG is looking to help clients move beyond the hype and identify practical applications of AI that can lead to enterprise-wide adoption.
“Our goal is to empower businesses to define their AI-driven future, find the perfect partners to make it a reality, lead change in their organizations, and realize tangible value at a scale,” he said.
Hall noted that successful adoption of AI at scale will require the use of an “AI control plane” to oversee and manage the deployment of artificial intelligence systems.
“An AI control plane encompasses robust security measures to safeguard against data breaches and unauthorized access, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information,” said Hall.
“It also ensures AI operations adhere to legal and ethical standards and avoid biases, protecting users’ rights and promoting fairness, while providing oversight of AI-related expenditures and resource allocation, enabling efficient budget management and cost optimization.”
For more information about ISG’s Applied AI Advisory services, visit this webpage.
About ISG
ISG (Information Services Group) (Nasdaq: III) is a leading global technology research and advisory firm. A trusted business partner to more than 900 clients, including more than 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is committed to helping corporations, public sector organizations, and service and technology providers achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm specializes in digital transformation services, including automation, cloud and data analytics; sourcing advisory; managed governance and risk services; network carrier services; strategy and operations design; change management; market intelligence and technology research and analysis. Founded in 2006, and based in Stamford, Conn., ISG employs more than 1,600 digital-ready professionals operating in more than 20 countries—a global team known for its innovative thinking, market influence, deep industry and technology expertise, and world-class research and analytical capabilities based on the industry’s most comprehensive marketplace data. For more information, visit www.isg-one.com.
Sharpens its focus on higher margin, higher growth global managed service provider (MSP) and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), and North American specialty outcome-based and staffing services
Accelerates transformation to deliver significantly improved net margin
Cash proceeds to be redeployed in pursuit of growth through organic and inorganic investments
TROY, Mich., Jan. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kelly (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB), a leading global specialty talent solutions provider, today announced it has completed the sale of its European staffing business to Gi Group Holdings S.P.A. (“Gi”). Kelly previously announced on November 2, 2023, that it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell the business to Gi.
“Today is a significant milestone in Kelly’s journey to become a more focused enterprise positioned to accelerate profitable growth,” said Peter Quigley, president and chief executive officer. “By further streamlining the company’s operating model to focus on higher margin, higher growth business and unlocking significant capital, we have greater flexibility and capacity to invest where we can compete and win over the long term.”
Kelly received cash proceeds of €100 million upon closing the transaction. Additional proceeds from an earnout provision based on a multiple of an adjusted 2023 EBITDA measure would be payable in the second quarter of 2024 if achieved.
With the sale of Kelly’s European staffing business, the company’s operating model comprises four reportable segments focused on global MSP and RPO solutions, and North American specialty outcome-based and staffing services. The segments include Professional & Industrial; Science, Engineering & Technology; Education; and Outsourcing & Consulting Group. The company retains its MSP, RPO, and functional service provider business, maintaining a global capability in these businesses in the North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.
The sale also accelerates the company’s efforts to significantly improve its EBITDA margin through its ongoing business transformation initiative, contributing approximately 30 basis points of favorable impact on a pro forma, full year 2023 basis. By combining this impact with the benefit of a full year of expected transformation-related savings and current top-line expectations, the company would expect to achieve a normalized, adjusted EBITDA margin in the range of 3.3% to 3.5%.
DLA Piper served as legal counsel to Kelly.
About Kelly®
Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) helps companies recruit and manage skilled workers and helps job seekers find great work. Since inventing the staffing industry in 1946, we have become experts in the many industries and local and global markets we serve. With a network of suppliers and partners around the world, we connect more than 450,000 people with work every year. Our suite of outsourcing and consulting services ensures companies have the people they need, when and where they are needed most. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, we empower businesses and individuals to access limitless opportunities in industries such as science, engineering, technology, education, manufacturing, retail, finance, and energy. Revenue in 2022 was $5.0 billion. Learn more at kellyservices.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains statements that are forward looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Kelly’s financial expectations, are forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in this release include, but are not limited to, (i) changing market and economic conditions, (ii) disruption in the labor market and weakened demand for human capital resulting from technological advances, loss of large corporate customers and government contractor requirements, (iii) the impact of laws and regulations (including federal, state and international tax laws), (iv) unexpected changes in claim trends on workers’ compensation, unemployment, disability and medical benefit plans, (v) litigation and other legal liabilities (including tax liabilities) in excess of our estimates, (vi) our ability to achieve our business’s anticipated growth strategies, (vi) our future business development, results of operations and financial condition, (vii) damage to our brands, (viii) dependency on third parties for the execution of critical functions, (ix) conducting business in foreign countries, including foreign currency fluctuations, (x) availability of temporary workers with appropriate skills required by customers, (xi) cyberattacks or other breaches of network or information technology security, and (xii) other risks, uncertainties and factors discussed in this release and in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release and we undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company’s expectations.
