ADECCO GROUP AG 
By
Adecco SA / Adecco continues to see an improving revenue trend processed and transmitted by Hugin AS. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Q4 2009 gross margin held up well sequentially as a result of strong price
discipline
FY 2009 HIGHLIGHTS (2009 versus 2008)
* Revenues of EUR 14.8 billion, down 26% (-27% organically[1])
* Gross margin held up well, down only 20 bps to 17.8% on an adjusted[2]
basis
* Strong organic and adjusted SG&A reduction of -19%
* EBITA[3] margin down 180 bps to 2.7% on an adjusted basis
* DSO improved by 4 days to 53 days
* Proposed dividend of CHF 0.75 per share
Q4 HIGHLIGHTS (Q4 2009 versus Q4 2008)
* Revenues of EUR 3.8 billion, down 18% (-18% organically)
* Adjusted gross margin down 60 bps to 17.4%
* SG&A down 18%, adjusted and organically
* Adjusted EBITA margin at 2.9%, down 70 bps
* DSO improved by 4 days to 52 days
Key figures
+--------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+----------------+
| | FY 2009| Q4 2009| FY 2009| Q4 2009|
| |reported|reported| growth| growth|
|in EUR millions | | |adjusted/organic|adjusted/organic|
+--------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+----------------+
| | | | | |
|Revenues | 14,797| 3,785| -27%| -18%|
+--------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+----------------+
|Gross profit | 2,649| 665| -29%| -21%|
+--------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+----------------+
|EBITA | 299| 89| -57%| -33%|
+--------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+----------------+
|Operating income | 65| 81| | |
+--------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+----------------+
|Net income attributable to| 8| 42| | |
|Adecco shareholders | | | | |
+--------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+----------------+
Zurich, Switzerland, March 3, 2010: Adecco Group, the worldwide leader in Human
Resource services, today announced results for the full year and the fourth
quarter of 2009. Revenues in 2009 were down 26%, or down 27% organically, to EUR
14.8 billion compared to EUR 20.0 billion in 2008. Gross margin held up well and
was only down 20 bps to 17.8% on an adjusted basis. Rigorous cost management led
to a strong organic SG&A reduction of 19%, on an adjusted basis. The 2009
adjusted EBITA margin was 2.7% compared to 4.5% a year ago. DSO improved by 4
days to 53 days in 2009.
Patrick De Maeseneire, Chief Executive Officer of the Adecco Group said: "The
year 2009 has been exceptionally tough, but I am pleased to say that we have
managed the downturn very proactively. We made the necessary cost reductions and
structurally changed our branch network and delivery models. Our pricing
discipline and our well-balanced service portfolio have led to an adjusted gross
margin that was only down 20 bps to 17.8%. In the fourth quarter, trading
conditions continued to improve in our major markets France and North America,
but also in most other geographies we saw positive momentum. This positive trend
continued into the first two months of the year, with France and North America
returning to year-on-year growth in recent weeks. The substantially lower SG&A
base, our disciplined pricing and the higher professional staffing exposure,
will let us fully profit from the upturn."
FY 2009 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Revenues
Group revenues for 2009 were EUR 14.8 billion, a decline of 26% compared to the
prior year. Organically revenues were down by 27%. Permanent placement revenues
amounted to EUR 178 million, a decline of 49% compared to 2008, while
outplacement revenues totalled EUR 298 million, an increase of 39%, both in
constant currency.
Gross Profit
In 2009, the gross margin was 17.9% compared to 18.4% in the prior year. On an
adjusted basis, the gross margin was 17.8%, a decline of 20 bps compared to the
adjusted 2008 gross margin of 18.0%.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A)
SG&A declined by 15% in 2009 compared to the prior year. On an adjusted basis
and organically, SG&A declined by 19% compared to 2008. At year end 2009 the
Adecco Group hadover 28,000 FTE employees worldwide, while operating a network
of over 5,500 offices. Compared to year end 2008, FTE employees were down 20% on
an organic basis, while branches were reduced by 16% organically.
EBITA
In 2009, EBITA amounted to EUR 299 million, a decline of 67% and down 57%
adjusted and organically compared to 2008. The adjusted EBITA margin was down
180 bps to 2.7% compared to the adjusted EBITA margin of 4.5% in the prior year.
Amortisation and Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Amortisation was EUR 42 million in 2009, compared to EUR 44 million in 2008. In
addition, the company recorded an impairment of EUR 192 million on goodwill and
intangible assets in Q2 2009. This includes a EUR 125 million goodwill
impairment charge in Germany and EUR 67 million impairment on intangible assets,
mainly for Tuja in Germany.
Operating Income
Operating income in 2009 was EUR 65 million, down 91% compared to 2008, also
negatively impacted by the higher impairment charges on goodwill and intangible
assets.
Interest Expense and Other Income / (Expenses), net
Interest expense was EUR 55 million in the period under review, which compares
to EUR 58 million in 2008. Other income / (expenses), net was an expense of EUR
1 million in 2009 compared to income of EUR 19 million in 2008. Interest expense
is expected to be around EUR 65 million for the full year 2010.
Provision for Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for 2009 was 5% compared to 30% in 2008. The 2009
effective tax rate was positively impacted by a change in the mix of earnings.
Net Income attributable to Adecco shareholders and EPS
In 2009, net income attributable to Adecco shareholders was down 98% to EUR 8
million (2008: EUR 495 million). Basic EPS wasEUR 0.04 (EUR 2.82 in 2008).
Cash-flow, Net Debt[4] and DSO
Operating cash flow amounted to EUR 477 million in 2009. The Group invested EUR
152 million in various acquisitions and spent EUR 91 million in capex in 2009.
Additionally, in 2009, in connection with the placement of a three-year CHF 900
million mandatory convertible bond, the Group completed a prepaid forward sale
of Adecco S.A. shares resulting in a EUR 587 million cash inflow and purchased a
call spread option on Adecco S.A. shares for EUR 108 million. Dividends paid
were EUR 173 million in 2009. Net debt at the end of December 2009 was EUR 110
million compared to EUR 617 million at the year end of 2008. In 2009, DSO
improved by 4 days to 53 days compared with 2008.
Currency Impact
Currency fluctuations had only a minor impact on revenues and operating income
in 2009.
Q4 2009 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Revenues
Group revenues in Q4 2009 were down 18% to EUR 3.8 billion compared to Q4 2008.
On a constant currency basis, revenues declined by 16% and were down 18%
organically. In the fourth quarter of 2009, permanent placement revenues
totalled EUR 41 million, a decline of 39%, while outplacement revenues amounted
to EUR 61 million, up 5%, both in constant currency.
Gross Profit
In Q4 2009, the gross margin was 17.6%. The adjusted gross margin was 17.4%,
equal to the third quarter of 2009 and compared to an 18.0% adjusted gross
margin in the same period last year. The temporary staffing business negatively
impacted the gross margin by 60 bps in Q4 2009, mitigated by better utilisation
rates in Germany and Sweden, while the decline of the permanent placement
business had a negative impact on gross margin of 30 bps. This was only
partially compensated by the 20 bps contribution of the outplacement business
and by the 10 bps contribution from other activities.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A)
SG&A in Q4 2009 was down 20% compared to the same period last year. Organically
and adjusted SG&A declinedby 18%. Restructuring costs totalled EUR 30 million in
Q4 2009. The consolidation of Spring Group added EUR 9 million to SG&A and costs
related to the recent acquisitions totalled EUR 4 million in the period under
review. FTE employees, on an organic basis, declined by 21% (-7,200) when
comparing to the same quarter last year, while the branch network was reduced by
16% (-1,000 branches).
EBITA
In the period under review, EBITA was EUR 89 million, a decrease of 28% or33%
organically and adjusted. The resulting adjusted EBITA margin was 2.9% in Q4
2009. This compares to an adjusted EBITA margin of 3.6% in the prior year.
Amortisation of Intangible Assets
Amortisation in Q4 2009 was EUR 8 million compared to EUR 12 million in the same
quarter last year.
Operating Income
In Q4 2009, operating income was EUR 81 million. This compares to an operating
loss of EUR 5 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year, primarily as a
result of impairment charges to goodwill and intangible assets of EUR 116
million in Q4 2008.
Interest Expense and Other Income / (Expenses), net
The interest expense amounted to EUR 14 million in the period under review, EUR
1 million higher than in Q4 2008. Other income / (expenses), net was an expense
of EUR 4 million in Q4 2009 compared to income of EUR 8 million in the fourth
quarter of 2008.
Net Income attributable to Adecco shareholders and EPS
In the period under review, net income attributable to Adecco shareholders was
EUR 42 million. This compares to a loss of EUR 22 million in the prior year,
which was negatively impacted by the impairment charges. Basic EPS in Q4 2009
was EUR 0.22 (Q4 2008: basic loss per share of EUR 0.12).
Currency Impact
In Q4 2009, currency fluctuations had a negative impact of approximately 2% on
revenues and on EBITA.
GEOGRAPHICAL PERFORMANCE
(The pie charts are visible in the PDF version of the report)
Revenues in France declined by 13% to EUR 1.2 billion in Q4 2009. This compares
to a revenue decline rate of 27% in Q3 2009. EBITA increased by 56% to EUR 36
million, but on an adjusted basis, EBITA declined by 31% compared to the same
period last year. The positive release of EUR 14 million due to a reassessment
of existing accruals, offset restructuring costs of EUR 12 million. The
adjusted EBITA margin was 2.7% in Q4 2009, up 20 bps sequentially and compared
to 3.4% in the same period last year.
In North America[5], Adecco's revenues declined by 14% in constant currency to
EUR 562 million in Q4 2009. EBITA declined by 12% in constant currency, while on
an adjusted basis, EBITA increased by 3% compared to Q4 2008. The EBITA margin
on an adjusted basis increased by 80 bps to 4.8%. The Human Capital Solutions
business contributed 42% to adjusted EBITA in North America in Q4 2009, compared
to 63% in Q3 2009.
In Germany & Austria[5], revenues were down 28% to EUR 261 million in the period
under review. EBITA in Germany & Austria declined by 33% compared to Q4 2008.
Adjusted EBITA declined by 44% in Q4 09, while the adjusted EBITA margin was
5.4% (Q4 2008: 6.9%).
In Japan, fourth quarter revenues declined by 29% in constant currency to EUR
295 million. EBITA declined by 38% in constant currency and the EBITA margin was
6.3%, a decline of 80 bps compared to Q4 2008. During Q4 2009, the revenue
decline rate in Japan stabilised. The excellent profitability, despite
lacklustre demand, is once again a result of the efficient delivery model,
strict cost management and price discipline.
In the UK & Ireland, revenues in Q4 2009 were flat in constant currency compared
to Q4 2008, but declined by 21% organically. At the EBITA level the region
reported a loss of EUR 12 million, mainly due to integration costs related to
the Spring Group acquisition of EUR 6 million and a sales tax accrual related to
prior years of EUR 7 million. The integration of Spring Group is well on track.
In Italy, revenues declined by 28% in Q4 2009, and in Benelux by 13% (-19%
organically). In the Nordics, revenues were down by 25% in constant currency,
while in Iberia revenues declined by 16%.
Revenues in the Emerging Markets[5] returned back to growth of 5% in constant
currency and by 7% organically, mainly driven by South America, Eastern Europe
and India. The corresponding EBITA margin was 3.0% in the period under review.
BUSINESS LINE PERFORMANCE
(The pie charts are visible in the PDF version of the report)
In Q4 2009, revenues in Office and Industrial declined by 20% in constant
currency to EUR 2.8 billion. In the Industrial business, revenues declined by
19% in constant currency, following a decline of 33% in Q3 2009. Most notable
improvements in the year-on-year decline rates were evident in North America,
from -30% in Q3 2009 to -14% in Q4 2009 in constant currency, in France from
-29% to -14%, in Italy from -47% to -31% and in Iberia from -36% to -20%. In
Q4 2009, revenues in the Office business declined by 22% in constant currency,
an improvement compared to the third quarter of 2009, where revenues declined by
28%. In constant currency, revenues in Japan decreased by 28%, equal to the
decline rate in Q3 2009. The decline rate improved in North America with
revenues down 11%, after falling 22% in Q3 2009 and in the UK & Ireland the
revenue decline rate improved from -29% in Q3 2009 to -16% (-18% organically) in
Q4 2009, all in constant currency.
The Professional Business[7] revenues in the fourth quarter of 2009 declined by
6% in constant currency and by 16% on an organic basis. The gross margin
declined by 120 bps to 26.3%.
In Information Technology (IT), Adecco's revenues increased 10% in constant
currency but declined by 18% organically. Weak developments in North America led
to a revenue decline in constant currency of 16%, whereas revenues in the UK &
Ireland increased by 41% in constant currency but declined by 23% on an organic
basis compared to Q4 2008.
Adecco's Engineering & Technical (E&T) business was down 18% in constant
currency and declined by 19% organically. Revenues in North America declined by
12% in constant currency, while revenues in Germany & Austria were down by 18%
compared to Q4 2008.
In Finance & Legal (F&L), revenues declined by 24% in constant currency and were
down 27% organically. The main reason for the decline was weak demand in North
America, where revenues were down 32% in constant currency.
In Q4 2009, revenues in Sales, Marketing & Events (SM&E) were down by 14%,
whereas revenues in Human Capital Solutions (HCS) were up 5% and Medical &
Science (M&S) declined by 5% (-8% organically), all in constant currency.
MANAGEMENT OUTLOOK
The positive development of the revenue trend observed during the fourth quarter
of 2009, continued into the new year, with the main markets France and North
America returning back to year-on-year growth in recent weeks. While visibility
on demand in the coming months remains low, management is gaining confidence on
the recovery of the industry. Management's focus remains on price discipline and
strict cost control, while seeking opportunities to take advantage of improved
market conditions.
In January, Adecco Group revenues were down 5% on an organic basis and adjusted
for trading days compared to the prior year. Based on current developments,
management expects a continued improvement of market conditions.
The structural measures taken to improve the cost base in the recent downturn
coupled with the higher exposure to professional staffing through recent
acquisitions best position the Adecco Group to take advantage of better economic
conditions and to further enhance its leading market position in both general
and professional staffing. As a result, management is committed to improve the
EBITA margin to above 5.5% mid-term.
Successful closing of the acquisition of MPS Group
On January 19, 2010, Adecco successfully completed the acquisition of MPS Group,
a leading provider of professional staffing services. This acquisition
significantly enhances Adecco's position in the professional staffing business,
particularly in North America and the UK. The integration of MPS Group has been
initiated immediately after the closing of the deal. Adecco expects the
transaction to be accretive on an adjusted EPS[8] basis in 2010. The acquisition
will be EVA[9] positive within three years, in line with Adecco's value based
strategy and financial discipline. Adecco expects to achieve EUR 25 million of
annual synergies from the integration of MPS Group within two years. Integration
costs are expected to amount to approximately one time the annual synergies.
PROPOSALS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Dividend payout
At the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors will propose a dividend of
CHF 0.75 per share for2009, for approval by shareholders. This represents a
payout ratio of 30% based on adjusted net earnings, in-line with Adecco's
traditional payout range of 25-30%. The dividend payment to shareholders is
planned on May 25, 2010.
Change to the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors proposes Mr. Alexander Gut (1963) to be elected as a new
member of the Board of Directors for a tenure of one year. Alexander Gut is a
Swiss and UK national. He is the founder and managing partner of Gut Corporate
Finance AG,an independent Corporate Finance Advisory boutique based in Zurich.
Previously he held leading positions at KPMG, in his latest role as Member of
the Executive Committee and Head of Audit Financial Services. Prior to that he
was a partner at Ernst & Young, where he was in charge of E&Y's global M&A
network for the financial services industry. He obtained a PhD in business
administration (Dr. oec. publ.) from the University of Zurich, Switzerland, and
is a Swiss Certified Accountant (equivalent to ACA/CPA).
Q4/FY 2009 Results Conference Calls
There will be a media conference call at 9 am CET as well as an analyst
conference call at 11 am CET, details of which can be found on our website in
the Investor Relations section at http://webcast.adecco.com<
http://webcast.adecco.com/>
UK / Global + 44 (0)207 107 06 11
United States + 1 866 291 41 66
Cont. Europe + 41 (0)91 610 56 00
Adecco Corporate Investor Relations
Investor.relations@adecco.com or +41 (0)
44 878 89 89
Adecco Corporate Press Office
Press.office@adecco.com or +41 (0) 44 878 87 87
Financial Agenda 2010
* Q1 2010 results May 6, 2010
* Annual General Meeting May 11, 2010
* Q2 2010 results August 11, 2010
* Q3 2010 results November 9, 2010
Forward-looking statements
Information in this release may involve guidance, expectations, beliefs, plans,
intentions or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements included in this
release are based on information available to Adecco S.A. as of the date of this
release, and we assume no duty to update any such forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this release are not guarantees of future
performance and actual results could differ materially from our current
expectations. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences.
Factors that could affect the Company's forward-looking statements include,
among other things: global GDP trends and the demand for temporary work; changes
in regulation of temporary work; intense competition in the markets in which the
Company operates; integration of acquired companies; changes in the Company's
ability to attract and retain qualified internal and external personnel or
clients; the potential impact of disruptions related to IT; any adverse
developments in existing commercial relationships, disputes or legal and tax
proceedings.
About the Adecco Group
The Adecco Group, based in Zurich, Switzerland, is the world's leading provider
of HR solutions. With over 28,000 FTE employees and more than 5,500 offices, in
over 60 countries and territories around the world, Adecco Group offers a wide
variety of services, connecting more than 500,000 colleagues with over 100,000
clients every day. The services offered fall into the broad categories of
temporary staffing, permanent placement, outsourcing, consulting and
outplacement. The Adecco Group is a Fortune Global 500 company.
Adecco S.A. is registered in Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) with listings on
the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN) and on Euronext in France (ADE).
[1] Organic growth is a non US GAAP measure and excludes the impact of currency,
acquisitions and divestitures.
[2] Adjusted is a non US GAAP measure excluding in 2009 the positive impact on
gross profit of EUR 25 million (Q4 09 EUR 14 million) due to favorable
developments in France resulting in the reassessment of existing accruals and
the negative impact of EUR 7 million (Q4 09 EUR 7 million) on gross profit due
to a sales tax accrual in the UK related to prior years, as well as the negative
impact on SG&A of EUR 121 million (Q4 09 EUR 30 million) associated with
restructuring costs. It also excludes in 2008 theimpact of French social
charges, the provision for the antitrust procedure in France, and the impact of
restructuring costs. For further details please refer to page 14.
[3] EBITA is a non US GAAP measure and refers to operating income before
amortisation and impairment of goodwill and intangible assets.
[4]Net debt is a non US GAAP measure and comprises short-term and long-term debt
less cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.
[5]Mexico previously reported under Emerging Markets is since Q4 2009 reported
together with North America. Austria previously reported together with
Switzerland is since Q4 2009 reported together with Germany. Puerto Rico
previously reported under Emerging Markets is since Q1 2009 reported with North
America. All 2008 information for FY & Q4 has been restated to conform to the
current year presentation.
[7] Professional business refers to Adecco's Information Technology, Engineering
& Technical, Finance & Legal, Medical & Science, Sales, Marketing & Events and
Human Capital Solutions business.
[8] Excluding amortisation and integration costs
[9] Based on Adecco's cost of capital
The full report (in English) including tables can be downloaded from the
following link:
[HUG#1390368]
--- End of Message ---
Adecco SA
Sagereistrasse 10 Glattbrugg Switzerland
WKN: 922031;ISIN: CH0012138605;
Listed: Freiverkehr in Börse Stuttgart,
Freiverkehr in Börse Berlin,
Open Market (Freiverkehr) in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse,
Freiverkehr in Bayerische Börse München;
Press release (English) PDF: http://hugin.info/100102/R/1390368/348387.pdf ADECCO : continues to see an improving revenue trend
March 03, 2010 at 01:05 am EST
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