Table of Contents

 

 

 

U.S.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015

 

or

 

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

 

For the transition period from            to          

 

Commission File Number: 001-07120

 

 

HARTE HANKS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

74-1677284

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification Number)

 

9601 McAllister Freeway, Suite 610, San Antonio, Texas 78216

(Address of principal executive offices, including zipcode)

 

(210) 829-9000

(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x   No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x   No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  o Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 

Yeso  No x

 

The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of July 15, 2015 was 61,676,374 shares of common stock, all of one class.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

HARTE HANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORM 10-Q REPORT

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2015

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

Part I.

Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) — Three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) — Six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - Six months ended June 30, 2015 and year ended December 31, 2014

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

8

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

20

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

30

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

31

 

 

 

 

Part II.

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

31

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

32

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

32

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

33

 

2



Table of Contents

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

Harte Hanks, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

In thousands, except per share and share amounts

 

2015

 

2014

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

31,215

 

$

56,749

 

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,148 at June 30, 2015 and $1,224 at December 31, 2014)

 

105,724

 

125,295

 

Inventory

 

1,094

 

1,235

 

Prepaid expenses

 

9,364

 

9,000

 

Current deferred income tax asset

 

3,962

 

5,077

 

Prepaid income tax

 

3,229

 

1,185

 

Other current assets

 

6,824

 

7,953

 

Total current assets

 

161,412

 

206,494

 

Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation of $168,832 at June 30, 2015 and $173,699 at December 31, 2014)

 

35,373

 

36,913

 

Goodwill

 

428,909

 

398,164

 

Other intangible assets (less accumulated amortization of $238 at June 30, 2015 and $9,774 at December 31, 2014)

 

4,536

 

2,277

 

Other assets

 

3,382

 

3,351

 

Total assets

 

$

633,612

 

$

647,199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

$

18,375

 

$

18,375

 

Accounts payable

 

35,906

 

36,478

 

Accrued payroll and related expenses

 

10,742

 

9,773

 

Deferred revenue and customer advances

 

30,913

 

33,631

 

Income taxes payable

 

948

 

2,462

 

Customer postage and program deposits

 

13,730

 

17,120

 

Other current liabilities

 

4,659

 

6,430

 

Total current liabilities

 

115,273

 

124,269

 

Long-term debt

 

55,125

 

64,312

 

Pensions

 

62,115

 

65,156

 

Contingent Consideration

 

18,801

 

 

Other long-term liabilities (including deferred income taxes of $61,601 at June 30, 2015 and $59,532 at December 31, 2014)

 

68,518

 

66,786

 

Total liabilities

 

319,832

 

320,523

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $1 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized 119,918,945 shares issued at June 30, 2015 and 119,606,551 shares issued at December 31, 2014

 

119,919

 

119,607

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

347,418

 

346,239

 

Retained earnings

 

1,152,491

 

1,165,707

 

Less treasury stock, 58,265,537 shares at cost at June 30, 2015 and 57,832,362 shares at cost at December 31, 2014

 

(1,260,459

)

(1,257,648

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(45,589

)

(47,229

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

313,780

 

326,676

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

633,612

 

$

647,199

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

 

3



Table of Contents

 

Harte Hanks, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

In thousands, except per share amounts

 

2015

 

2014

 

Operating revenues

 

$

122,345

 

$

140,310

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Labor

 

62,436

 

69,613

 

Production and distribution

 

35,406

 

42,158

 

Advertising, selling, general and administrative

 

12,795

 

13,860

 

Depreciation, software and intangible asset amortization

 

3,651

 

3,692

 

Total operating expenses

 

114,288

 

129,323

 

Operating income

 

8,057

 

10,987

 

Other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

1,468

 

629

 

Loss on Sale

 

9,501

 

 

Other, net

 

1,518

 

1,075

 

Total other expenses

 

12,487

 

1,704

 

Income (loss) from operations before income taxes

 

(4,430

)

9,283

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(258

)

3,646

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(4,172

)

$

5,637

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

61,843

 

62,734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding

 

61,843

 

62,987

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(4,172

)

$

5,637

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to pension liability

 

$

934

 

$

504

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

1,386

 

420

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

2,320

 

924

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(1,852

)

$

6,561

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

 

4



Table of Contents

 

Harte Hanks, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

In thousands, except per share amounts

 

2015

 

2014

 

Operating revenues

 

$

243,518

 

$

273,037

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Labor

 

127,099

 

140,917

 

Production and distribution

 

71,366

 

82,434

 

Advertising, selling, general and administrative

 

26,893

 

26,590

 

Depreciation, software and intangible asset amortization

 

7,088

 

7,530

 

Total operating expenses

 

232,446

 

257,471

 

Operating income

 

11,072

 

15,566

 

Other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

2,077

 

1,308

 

Loss on Sale

 

9,501

 

 

Other, net

 

1,110

 

1,809

 

Total other expenses

 

12,688

 

3,117

 

Income (loss) from operations before income taxes

 

(1,616

)

12,449

 

Income tax expense

 

942

 

4,967

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(2,558

)

$

7,482

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share

 

$

(0.04

)

$

0.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

61,858

 

62,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

$

(0.04

)

$

0.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding

 

61,858

 

62,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(2,558

)

$

7,482

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to pension liability

 

$

1,741

 

$

1,056

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(101

)

607

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

1,640

 

1,663

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(918

)

$

9,145

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

 

5



Table of Contents

 

Harte Hanks, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

In thousands

 

2015

 

2014

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

(2,558

)

$

7,482

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on sale

 

9,501

 

 

Depreciation and software amortization

 

6,829

 

7,517

 

Intangible asset amortization

 

259

 

13

 

Stock-based compensation

 

2,567

 

2,297

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

 

(1

)

Net pension cost (payments)

 

(139

)

2,636

 

Interest accretion on contingent consideration

 

861

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

713

 

2,852

 

Other, net

 

 

 

(871

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in accounts receivable, net

 

19,619

 

5,182

 

(Increase) decrease in inventory

 

141

 

(182

)

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(663

)

681

 

Increase in accounts payable

 

(922

)

371

 

Decrease in other accrued expenses and liabilities

 

(9,098

)

(19,071

)

Other, net

 

(86

)

2,910

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

(27,024

)

11,816

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(29,863

)

 

Dispositions, net of cash transferred

 

4,974

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(5,581

)

(4,838

)

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment

 

477

 

43

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(29,993

)

(4,795

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of borrowings

 

(9,187

)

(6,125

)

Issuance of common stock

 

(403

)

(354

)

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

 

1

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

(2,343

)

(2,086

)

Issuance of treasury stock

 

127

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(10,658

)

(10,788

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(22,464

)

(19,352

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(101

)

606

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(25,534

)

(11,725

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

56,749

 

88,747

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

31,215

 

$

77,022

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

 

6



Table of Contents

 

Harte Hanks, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(Unaudited)

 

In thousands, except per share amounts

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Treasury
Stock

 

Accumulated other
comprehensive
income (loss)

 

Total
Stockholders’

Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

$

119,187

 

$

345,095

 

$

1,163,201

 

$

(1,250,311

)

$

(28,118

)

$

349,054

 

Exercise of stock options and release of unvested shares

 

420

 

(151

)

 

(750

)

 

(481

)

Net tax effect of stock options exercised and release of unvested shares

 

 

(1,993

)

 

 

 

(1,993

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

4,055

 

 

 

 

4,055

 

Dividends paid ($0.34 per share)

 

 

 

(21,485

)

 

 

(21,485

)

Treasury stock issued

 

 

(767

)

 

1,307

 

 

540

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

(7,894

)

 

(7,894

)

Net income

 

 

 

23,991

 

 

 

23,991

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

(19,111

)

(19,111

)

Balance at December 31, 2014

 

$

119,607

 

$

346,239

 

$

1,165,707

 

$

(1,257,648

)

$

(47,229

)

$

326,676

 

Exercise of stock options and release of unvested shares

 

312

 

(102

)

 

(595

)

 

(385

)

Net tax effect of stock options exercised and release of unvested shares

 

 

(1,269

)

 

 

 

(1,269

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

2,568

 

 

 

 

2,568

 

Dividends paid ($0.17 per share)

 

 

 

(10,658

)

 

 

(10,658

)

Treasury stock issued

 

 

(18

)

 

127

 

 

109

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

(2,343

)

 

(2,343

)

Net income/(loss)

 

 

 

(2,558

)

 

 

(2,558

)

Other comprehensive loss/(gain)

 

 

 

 

 

1,640

 

1,640

 

Balance at June 30, 2015

 

$

119,919

 

$

347,418

 

$

1,152,491

 

$

(1,260,459

)

$

(45,589

)

$

313,780

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

 

7



Table of Contents

 

Harte Hanks, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Note A - Basis of Presentation

 

Consolidation

 

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Harte Hanks, Inc. and subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. As used in this report, the terms “Harte Hanks,” “the Company”, “we,” “us” or “our” may refer to Harte Hanks, Inc., one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or all of them taken as a whole.

 

Interim Financial Information

 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results and outcomes could differ from those estimates and assumptions. On an ongoing basis management reviews its estimates based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances could result in revised estimates and assumptions.

 

Operating Expense Presentation in Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

“Labor” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income includes all employee payroll and benefits, including stock-based compensation, along with temporary labor costs. “Production and distribution” and “Advertising, selling, general and administrative” do not include labor, depreciation or amortization.

 

Note B - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, which provides explicit guidance to help companies evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement. This ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. An entity can elect to adopt the amendments either prospectively for all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date, or retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting; however, we do not expect the adoption to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods. The impact on the Company will be a reclassification of debt issuance costs; however, we do not expect the adoption to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. On July 9, 2015, the FASB decided to delay the effective date of the new revenue standard by one year. For the Company the new effective date for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted beginning January 1, 2017 (original effective date of the ASU). The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

 

Note C - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in valuation methodologies into three levels:

 

Level 1

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

 

Level 2

Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

 

Level 3

Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

Because of their maturities and/or variable interest rates, certain financial instruments have fair values approximating their carrying values. These instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and trade payables. The fair value of our outstanding debt is disclosed in Note E, Long-Term Debt. The summary of our acquisition related contingent consideration accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis is disclosed in Note M, Acquisition and Disposition.

 

Note D — Goodwill

 

As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had goodwill of $428.9 million and $398.2 million, respectively.

 

On March 16, 2015 the Company acquired the stock of privately-owned digital marketing agency. The Company paid some consideration upon closing, with additional consideration payable upon the achievement of revenue performance goals over the three-year period following the closing. The Company performed a valuation to determine the estimate of the total purchase consideration and to estimate values for the tangible and identifiable intangible assets. As a result of the calculation, we recorded $41.8 million in goodwill.

 

On April 14, 2015 the Company sold its B2B research businesses, Aberdeen Group and Harte Hanks Market Intelligence (“the B2B research business”). The B2B research business asset group is a part of our Customer Interactions segment (see Note L below). The allocated fair value of the B2B research goodwill within the net book value of Customer Interactions goodwill was $11.1 million. This amount was written-off and is reflected in the Loss on sale in the Other Expenses section of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note M below for further discussion.

 

Under the provisions of FASB ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that it is “more likely than not” that goodwill might be impaired. Such events could include a significant change in business conditions, a significant negative regulatory outcome or other events that could negatively affect our business and financial performance. We perform our annual goodwill impairment assessment as of November 30th of each year.

 

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Table of Contents

 

During the second quarter of 2014, Harte Hanks initiated a new strategy and began implementing changes to optimize our operational structure for that strategy. As a result, we determined our reporting units as Customer Interaction and Trillium Software. In this analysis, our goodwill was allocated to each reporting unit based on the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. We performed an impairment test immediately before and after the change in reporting units, utilizing the same methodology as out November 30 annual impairment test and no indication of impairment was identified.

 

We continue to monitor potential triggering events, including changes in the business climate in which we operate, attrition of key personnel, the current volatility in the capital markets, the Company’s market capitalization compared to our book value, our recent operating performance, and financial projections. During the quarter ended June 30 2015, we did not identify any additional triggering events that require testing for impairment. The occurrence of one or more triggering events could require additional impairment testing, which could result in impairment charges in the future.

 

Note E — Long-Term Debt

 

Our long-term debt obligations were as follows:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

In thousands

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013 Revolving Credit Facility, various interest rates based on Eurodollar rate ($73.8 million capacity and effective rate of 2.44% at June 30, 2015), due August 16, 2016

 

$

 

$

 

2011 Term Loan Facility, various interest rates based on LIBOR (effective rate of 2.19% at June 30, 2015), due August 16, 2016

 

73,500

 

82,687

 

Total debt

 

73,500

 

82,687

 

Less current maturities

 

18,375

 

18,375

 

Total long-term debt

 

$

55,125

 

$

64,312

 

 

The carrying values and estimated fair values of our outstanding debt were as follows:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

In thousands

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair Value

 

Carrying

Value

 

Fair Value

 

Total Debt

 

$

73,500

 

$

73,500

 

$

82,687

 

$

82,687

 

 

The estimated fair values were calculated using current rates provided to us by our lenders for debt of the same remaining maturity and characteristics. These current rates are considered Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820.

 

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Note F — Stock-Based Compensation

 

We recognized $1.3 million of stock-based compensation during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. We recognized $2.6 million and $2.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Equity awards granted during the quarter were as follows:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted-
Average Grant-
Date Fair Value

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted-
Average Grant-
Date Fair Value

 

Stock options

 

933,236

 

$

2.06

 

862,745

 

$

2.65

 

Unvested shares

 

440,516

 

$

7.67

 

401,754

 

$

8.19

 

Performance stock units

 

320,030

 

$

6.68

 

285,841

 

$

7.17

 

 

Note G — Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

Prior to January 1, 1999, we maintained a defined benefit pension plan for which most of our employees were eligible (the Qualified Pension Plan). We elected to freeze benefits under the Qualified Pension Plan as of December 31, 1998.

 

In 1994, we adopted a non-qualified, unfunded, supplemental pension plan (the Restoration Pension Plan) covering certain employees, which provides for incremental pension payments so that total pension payments equal those amounts that would have been payable from our Qualified Pension Plan were it not for limitations imposed by income tax regulation. The benefits under the Restoration Pension Plan were intended to provide benefits equivalent to our Qualified Pension Plan as if such plan had not been frozen.

 

Effective April 1, 2014, we froze benefits under our Restoration Pension Plan, which was accounted for as a curtailment of the plan in the second quarter of 2014. The plan freeze resulted in a reduction of plan expense of $0.4 million during 2014 and a reduction in the projected benefit obligation of $1.1 million. This curtailment gain offsets the unrecognized loss held by the Restoration Pension Plan in 2014. The remaining portion of the unrecognized loss will be amortized over the average life expectancy of all participants.

 

Net pension cost for both plans included the following components:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

In thousands

 

2015

 

2014

 

Service cost

 

$

 

$

 

Interest cost

 

1,931

 

1,916

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(2,159

)

(2,109

)

Recognized actuarial loss

 

1,557

 

921

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

1,329

 

$

728

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

In thousands

 

2015

 

2014

 

Service cost

 

$

 

$

100

 

Interest cost

 

3,862

 

3,855

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(4,319

)

(4,218

)

Recognized actuarial loss

 

3,114

 

1,842

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

2,657

 

$

1,579

 

 

We made contributions of $2.0 million to our Qualified Pension Plan in the first half of 2015. We plan to make additional contributions of $2.0 million to this pension plan during the remainder of 2015. Contributions to our funded, frozen pension plan are being made in order to obtain the Pension Protection Act of 2006 full funding limit exemption.

 

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We are not required to make and do not intend to make any contributions to our Restoration Pension Plan in 2015 other than to the extent needed to cover benefit payments. We made benefit payments under this supplemental plan of $0.8 million in the first half of 2015. In the event of a change of control, as defined in the plan document, the Restoration Pension Plan is required to be fully funded.

 

Note H - Income Taxes

 

Our second quarter 2015 income tax benefit of $0.3 million resulted in an effective income tax rate of 5.8%. Our first half 2015 income tax expense of $0.9 million resulted in a negative effective income tax rate of 58.3%. Our effective tax rate is derived by estimating pretax income and income tax expense for the year ending December 31, 2015. Excluding the impact of the loss on sale and discrete items related to enacted state and local tax legislation, our effective tax rate for the second quarter and first half of 2015 would have been 41.0% and 39.6% respectively. The effective income tax rate calculated for the first half of 2015 is differs from the federal statutory rate of 35.0%, primarily due to the nondeductible goodwill write-off’s impact on the tax calculated on the loss on sale and the addition of state income taxes.

 

Our second quarter 2014 income tax expense of $3.6 million resulted in an effective income tax rate of 39.3%. Our first half 2014 income tax expense of $5.0 million resulted in an effective income tax rate of 39.9%. The effective income tax rate calculated for the first six months of 2014 is higher than the federal statutory rate of 35.0%, primarily due to the addition of state income taxes.

 

Harte Hanks, or one of our subsidiaries, files income tax returns in the U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions. For U.S. state and foreign returns, we are no longer subject to tax examinations for tax years prior to 2010. For U.S. federal returns, we are no longer subject to tax examinations for tax years prior to 2011.

 

We have elected to classify any interest expense and penalties related to income taxes within income tax expense in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. We did not have a significant amount of interest or penalties accrued at June 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

 

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Note I - Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options and unvested shares. Reconciliations of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

In thousands, except per share amounts

 

2015

 

2014

 

Basic EPS

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

(4,172

)

$

5,637

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding used in earnings per share computations

 

61,843

 

62,734

 

Earnings/(loss) per common share

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

(4,172

)

$

5,637

 

Shares used in diluted earnings per share computations

 

61,843

 

62,987

 

Earnings/(loss) per common share

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Computation of Shares Used in Earnings Per Share Computations

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

61,843

 

62,734

 

Weighted-average common equivalent shares-dilutive effect of stock options and awards

 

 

253

 

Shares used in diluted earnings per share computations

 

61,843

 

62,987

 

 

We excluded 4.0 million of anti-dilutive market price options from the calculation of shares used in the diluted EPS calculation for the three months ended June 30, 2014. We also excluded 0.3 million anti-dilutive unvested shares have been excluded from the calculation of shares used in the diluted EPS calculation for the three month ended June 30, 2015 due to the current period net loss. No anti-dilutive market price options or unvested shares were excluded from the calculation of shares used in the diluted EPS calculation for the three months ended June 30, 2015.

 

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Six Months Ended June 30,

 

In thousands, except per share amounts

 

2015

 

2014

 

Basic EPS

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

(2,558

)

$

7,482

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding used in earnings per share computations

 

61,858

 

62,711

 

Earnings/(loss) per common share

 

$

(0.04

)

$

0.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

(2,558

)

$

7,482

 

Shares used in diluted earnings per share computations

 

61,858

 

62,975

 

Earnings/(loss) per common share

 

$

(0.04

)

$

0.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Computation of Shares Used in Earnings Per Share Computations

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

61,858

 

62,711

 

Weighted-average common equivalent shares-dilutive effect of stock options and awards

 

 

264

 

Shares used in diluted earnings per share computations

 

61,858

 

62,975

 

 

We excluded 3.8 million anti-dilutive market price options from the calculation of shares used in the diluted EPS calculation for the six months ended June 30, 2014. We also excluded 0.1 million anti-dilutive unvested shares from the calculation of shares used in the diluted EPS calculation for the six month ended June 30, 2014 due to the current period net loss. There were no anti-dilutive market price options or unvested shares excluded from the calculations of shares used in the diluted EPS calculation for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

Note J — Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income for a period encompasses net income and all other changes in equity other than from transactions with our stockholders. Our comprehensive income was as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

In thousands

 

2015

 

2014

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(4,172

)

$

5,637

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to pension liability

 

1,557

 

840

 

Tax expense

 

(623

)

(336

)

Adjustment to pension liability, net of tax

 

934

 

504

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

1,386

 

420

 

Total other comprehensive income

 

2,320

 

924

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(1,852

)

$

6,561

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

In thousands

 

2015

 

2014

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(2,558

)

$

7,482

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to pension liability

 

2,902

 

1,760

 

Tax expense

 

(1,161

)

(704

)

Adjustment to pension liability, net of tax

 

1,741

 

1,056

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(101

)

607

 

Total other comprehensive income

 

1,640

 

1,663

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(918

)

$

9,145

 

 

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component are as follows:

 

In thousands

 

Defined
Benefit
Pension Items

 

Foreign
Currency

Items

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

 

$

(49,560

)

$

2,331

 

$

(47,229

)

Other comprehensive (loss), net of tax, before reclassifications

 

 

(101

)

(101

)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

1,741

 

 

1,741

 

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

1,741

 

(101

)

1,640

 

Balance at June 30, 2015

 

$

(47,819

)

$

2,230

 

$

(45,589

)

 

In thousands

 

Defined
Benefit
Pension Items

 

Foreign
Currency
Items

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

$

(32,279

)

$

4,161

 

$

(28,118

)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax, before reclassifications

 

 

607

 

607

 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

1,056

 

 

1,056

 

Net current period other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

1,056

 

607

 

1,663

 

Balance at June 30, 2014

 

$

(31,223

)

$

4,768

 

$

(26,455

)

 

Reclassification amounts related to the defined pension plans are included in the computation of net period pension benefit cost (see Note G, Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Cost).

 

Note K — Litigation Contingencies

 

In the normal course of our business, we are obligated under some agreements to indemnify our clients as a result of claims that we infringe on the proprietary rights of third parties. The terms and duration of these commitments vary and, in some cases, may be indefinite, and certain of these commitments do not limit the maximum amount of future payments we could become obligated to make thereunder; accordingly, our actual aggregate maximum exposure related to these types of commitments cannot be reasonably estimated. Historically, we have not been obligated to make significant payments for obligations of this nature, and no liabilities have been recorded for these obligations in our financial statements.

 

We are also currently subject to various other legal proceedings in the course of conducting our businesses and, from time to time, we may become involved in additional claims and lawsuits incidental to our businesses.

 

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Table of Contents

 

In the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, none of these matters is currently considered to be reasonably possible of resulting in a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. Nevertheless, we cannot predict the impact of future developments affecting our pending or future claims and lawsuits and any resolution of a claim or lawsuit within a particular fiscal quarter may adversely impact our results of operations for that quarter. We expense legal costs as incurred, and all recorded legal liabilities are adjusted as required as better information becomes available to us. The factors we consider when recording an accrual for contingencies include, among others: (i) the opinions and views of our legal counsel; (ii) our previous experience; and (iii) the decision of our management as to how we intend to respond to the complaints.

 

Note L — Business Segments

 

We conduct our operations by organizing into two distinct operating divisions: Customer Interaction and Trillium Software. In accordance with FASB ASC 280, Segment Reporting, we report the two operating divisions as two reportable segments; Customer Interaction and Trillium Software. Our reportable segments are described below. Corporate expense consists primarily of pension and workers’ compensation expense related to employees from operations we no longer own.

 

Customer Interaction

 

Our Customer Interaction services offer a wide variety of integrated, multi-channel, data-driven marketing service solutions for our customers. We derive revenues by offering a full complement of capabilities and resources to provide these services in media from direct mail to email, including:

 

·                  agency and digital services;

·                  database marketing solutions and business-to-business lead generation;

·                  direct mail; and

·                  contact centers.

 

Customer Interaction’s largest cost components are labor, outsourced costs and mail supply chain costs.

 

Trillium Software

 

Trillium Software is a leading enterprise data quality solutions provider. Our full complement of technologies and services include global data profiling, data cleansing, enrichment, and data linking for e-business, customer relationship management, data governance, enterprise resource planning, supply chain management, data warehouse, and other enterprise applications. Revenues from the Trillium Software segment are comprised primarily of software, maintenance and professional services.

 

Trillium Software’s largest cost component is software development, which is comprised primarily of labor.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Information about the operations of our two business segments is as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

In thousands

 

2015

 

2014

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Customer Interaction

 

$

109,175

 

$

127,321

 

Trillium Software

 

13,170

 

12,989

 

Total operating revenues

 

$

122,345

 

$

140,310

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

Customer Interaction

 

$

5,042

 

$

9,192

 

Trillium Software

 

4,567

 

2,749

 

Corporate

 

(1,552

)

(954

)

Total operating income

 

$

8,057

 

$

10,987

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations before income taxes

 

$

8,057

 

$

10,987

 

Interest Expense

 

1,477

 

710

 

Interest Income

 

(9

)

(81

)

Loss on Sale

 

9,501

 

 

Other, Net

 

1,518

 

1,075

 

Total income (loss) from operations before income taxes

 

$

(4,430

)

$

9,283

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

In thousands

 

2015

 

2014

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Customer Interaction

 

$

218,490

 

$

246,055

 

Trillium Software

 

25,028

 

26,982

 

Total operating revenues

 

$

243,518

 

$

273,037

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

Customer Interaction

 

$

6,569

 

$

11,142

 

Trillium Software

 

7,580

 

6,344

 

Corporate

 

(3,077

)

(1,920

)

Total operating income

 

$

11,072

 

$

15,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations before income taxes

 

$

11,072

 

$

15,566

 

Interest Expense

 

2,124

 

1,437

 

Interest Income

 

(47

)

(129

)

Loss on Sale

 

9,501

 

 

Other, Net

 

1,110

 

1,809

 

Total income (loss) from operations before income taxes

 

$

(1,616

)

$

12,449

 

 

Note M — Acquisition and Disposition

 

On March 16, 2015, we completed the acquisition of 3Q Digital. The results of 3Q Digital’s operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements since that date and are reported in the Customer Interaction segment. At the time of the acquisition, (i) each outstanding vested share of 3Q Digital capital stock was converted into the right to receive a portion of the merger consideration (including the right to receive a portion of the earnout consideration, if any), (ii) each outstanding unvested share of 3Q capital stock was cancelled, (iii) outstanding vested stock options were converted into the right to receive a portion of the merger consideration (including the right to receive a portion of the defined earnout consideration, if any) (net of the exercise price of such options) and (iv) unvested stock options were cancelled. The initial purchase price was $30.2 million in cash. In addition, the purchase price

 

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includes a contingent consideration arrangement that requires us to pay the former owners of 3Q Digital an additional cash payment depending on achievement of certain revenue growth goals. The potential undiscounted amount of all future payments that could be required to be paid under the contingent consideration arrangement is between $0 and $35.0 million in cash in 2017.

 

The intangible assets include customer relationships, trade names and non-compete agreements.

 

The following table summarizes the consideration paid and the preliminary amounts of estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Cash consideration per purchase agreement

 

$

30,245

 

Estimated fair value of contingent consideration

 

17,940

 

Fair value of total consideration transferred

 

$

48,185

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Recognized amounts of tangible assets and liabiities:

 

 

 

Current assets

 

$

4,135

 

Property and equipment

 

164

 

Other assets

 

389

 

Current liabilities

 

(822

)

Other liabilities

 

 

Total tangible assets and liabilities:

 

3,866

 

Identifiable intangible assets

 

4,773

 

Goodwill (including deferrred tax adjustment of $2,298)

 

41,844

 

Total

 

$

50,483

 

 

The fair value of the tangible net assets, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill is $48.2 million. The acquired intangible assets, which are being amortized, are as follows: customer relationships of $4.3 million (amortized over seven years), trade names and trademarks of $0.3 million (amortized over two years) and non-compete agreements of $0.2 million (amortized over three years).

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending accrued balances of the earnout consideration using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the six months ended June 30, 2015 follows:

 

(in thousands)

 

Fair Value

 

Contingent consideration at acquisition date

 

$

17,940

 

Accretion of interest

 

861

 

Accrued earnout liability as of June 30, 2015

 

$

18,801

 

 

The purchase price has been preliminarily allocated based on the estimated fair values of assets described above and are subject to achievement of revenue goals. Future purchase price adjustments are possible in future quarters based upon further evaluation and analysis.

 

On April 14, 2015, Harte Hanks sold its B2B research business. The B2B research business represented less than 5% of our total 2014 revenues. As a result of the sale, the Company recognized a pre-tax loss of $9.5 million in relation to the disposal or transfer of assets and liabilities to the purchasing organization. The related asset group does not meet the criteria to be classified as a component of an entity. As such, the related loss on sale is included in income from continuing operations before income taxes in the income statement in Other Expenses. The assets included both goodwill and intangible assets (see Note D above). Future expenses are possible in future quarter based upon certain working capital settlement provisions.

 

Note that in conjunction with the purchase agreement, Harte Hanks may continue to provide services to the B2B research business beyond the duration of the transition services agreement. Such services will conducted under a services agreement that is negotiated at arm’s length. The payables and receivables that may result are not anticipated to be material to Harte Hanks.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Note N — Subsequent Event

 

On July 9, 2015, Harte Hanks announced that Douglas C. Shepard would succeed Robert A. Philpott as its (interim) President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Philpott resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer and from the Company’s board of directors, effective July 7, 2015. In connection with his resignation, Harte Hanks agreed to provide Mr. Philpott severance benefits as though he had been terminated “without Cause” under the terms of his Employment Agreement with the Company of July 1, 2013. Related to this transition, we expect to incur a post-tax severance charge of approximately $2.0 million to $2.5 million.

 

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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report, including this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A), contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  All such statements are qualified by this cautionary note, which is provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may also be included in our other public filings, press releases, our website and oral and written presentations by management. Statements other than historical facts are forward-looking and may be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “seeks,” “could,” “intends,” or words of similar meaning. Examples include statements regarding (1) our strategies and initiatives related thereto (2) adjustments to our cost structure and other actions designed to respond to market conditions and improve our performance, and the anticipated effectiveness and expenses associated with these actions, (3) our financial outlook for revenues, earnings per share, operating income, expense related to equity-based compensation, capital resources, and other financial items, (4) expectations for our businesses and for the industries in which we operate, including the impact of economic conditions of the markets we serve on the marketing expenditures and activities of our clients and prospects, (5) competitive factors, (6) acquisition and development plans, (7) expectations for and effects of acquired and disposed businesses, (8) our stock repurchase program, (9) expectations regarding legal proceedings and other contingent liabilities, and (10) other statements regarding future events, conditions, or outcomes.

 

These forward-looking statements are based on current information, expectations, and estimates and involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. In that event, our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity could be materially adversely affected and investors in our securities could lose part or all of their investments. Some of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and in the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in our second quarter 2015 earnings release issued on June 30, 2015. The forward-looking statements included in this report and those included in our other public filings, press releases, our website, and oral and written presentations by management are made only as of the respective dates thereof, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement in this report or in other documents, our website, or oral statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

 

Overview

 

The following MD&A section is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of Harte Hanks, Inc. This section is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements contained elsewhere in this report and our MD&A section, financial statements and accompanying notes to financial statements in our 2014 Form 10-K. Our 2014 Form 10-K contains a discussion of other matters not included herein, such as disclosures regarding critical accounting policies and estimates, and contractual obligations.

 

Harte Hanks partners with clients to deliver relevant, connected and quality customer interactions. Our approach starts with discovery and learning, which leads to customer journey mapping, creative and content development, analytics and data management, and ends with execution and support in a variety of digital and traditional channels. We do something powerful:  we produce engaging and memorable customer interactions to drive business results for our clients, which is why Harte Hanks is famous for developing better customer relationships and experiences and defining interaction-led marketing.

 

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Our Customer Interaction services offer a wide variety of integrated, multi-channel, data-driven solutions for top brands around the globe. We help our clients gain insight into their customers’ behaviors from their data and use that insight to create innovative multi-channel marketing programs to deliver a return on marketing investment. We believe our clients’ success is determined not only by how good their tools are, but how well we help them use the tools to gain insight and analyze their consumers. This results in a strong and enduring relationship between our clients and their customers. We offer a full complement of capabilities and resources to provide a broad range of marketing services, in media from direct mail to email, including:

 

·                  agency and digital services;

·                  database marketing solutions and business-to-business lead generation;

·                  direct mail; and

·                  contact centers.

 

Revenues from the Customer Interaction segment represented approximately 90% of our total revenues for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Trillium Software is a leading enterprise data quality solutions provider. Our data quality specialists help organizations achieve increased business from their data management initiatives and existing business-critical processes by providing enterprise data profiling and data cleansing software and services. Trillium Software offers industry-specific business solutions that help solve data problems experienced by financial services, banking, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and risk professionals. Our full complement of technologies and services include global data profiling, data cleansing, enrichment, and data linking for e-business, Big Data, customer relationship management, data governance, enterprise resource planning, supply chain management, data warehouse, and other enterprise applications. Revenues from the Trillium Software segment are comprised primarily of perpetual software licenses, annual maintenance, and professional services, and represented approximately 10% of our total revenues for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

We derive revenues by providing Customer Interaction services and Trillium Software licensing sales and services.

 

General corporate expense consists primarily of pension and worker’s compensation expense related to employees of business operations we no longer own.

 

We are affected by the general, national and international economic and business conditions in the markets where we and our customers operate. Marketing budgets are often discretionary in nature, and are easier to reduce in the short-term than other expenses in response to weak economic conditions. Our revenues are also affected by the economic fundamentals of each industry that we serve, various market factors, including the demand for services by our clients, and the financial condition of and budgets available to specific clients, among other factors. We remain committed to making the investments necessary to execute our multichannel strategy while also continuing to adjust our cost structure to reduce costs in the parts of the business that are not growing as fast. We believe these actions will improve our profitability in future periods.

 

Our principal operating expense items are labor, outsourced costs, and mail supply chain management.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Operating results were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

In thousands, except per share amounts

 

2015

 

2014

 

% Change

 

2015

 

2014

 

% Change

 

Revenues

 

$

122,345

 

$

140,310

 

-12.8

%

$

243,518

 

$

273,037

 

-10.8

%

Operating expenses

 

114,288

 

129,323

 

-11.6

%

232,446

 

257,471

 

-9.7

%

Operating income

 

$

8,057

 

$

10,987

 

-26.7

%

$

11,072

 

$

15,566

 

-28.9

%

 

 

`

 

 

 

 

 

`

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before taxes

 

$

(4,430

)

$

9,283

 

-178.6

%

$

(1,616

)

$

12,449

 

-121.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS from operations

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.09

 

-177.8

%

$

(0.04

)

$

0.12

 

-133.3

%

 

2nd Quarter 2015 vs. 2nd Quarter 2014

 

Revenues

 

Consolidated revenues decreased $18.0 million, or 12.8%, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. These results reflect the impact of our automobile and consumer brands, technology, and retail verticals decreasing $4.7 million, or 18.7%, $7.1 million, or 21.0%, and $4.5 million, or 13.4%, respectively. This is primarily due to lost clients, clients reducing their marketing spends, and the sale of our B2B research business. In addition, our select markets vertical decreased by $3.6 million, or 20.1%, over the prior year second quarter due to a large non-recurring contact center project in the second quarter of 2014. Revenue from our healthcare services vertical increased $0.5 million, or 5.1%, principally from contact center support for a new pharmaceutical client. Revenue from our financial services vertical increased $1.4 million, or 6.9%, due to the addition of a new client using our solutions for analytics, database, creative, and mail services.

 

Revenues from our vertical markets are impacted by, among other things, the economic fundamentals of each industry, various market factors, including the demand for services by our clients, and the financial condition of and budgets available to specific clients.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Overall operating expenses were $114.3 million in the second quarter of 2015, compared to $129.3 million in the second quarter of 2014. Labor costs decreased $7.2 million, or 10.3%, compared to the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to reduced management labor from headcount reductions and severance expense in the second quarter of 2014. Production and distribution expenses decreased $6.8 million, or 16.0%, over the prior year quarter primarily due to a decrease in outsourced services and job production expense. General and administrative expense decreased $1.1 million, or 7.7%, compared to the prior year primarily due professional fees related to rebranding and formation of our strategy which occurred in 2014. Depreciation and intangible asset and software amortization expense remained flat to the first quarter of 2014.

 

Our largest cost components are labor, outsourced costs and mail supply chain costs. Each of these costs are somewhat variable and tend to fluctuate with revenue and the demand for our services. Mail supply chain rates have increased over the last few years due to demand and supply issues within the transportation industry. Future changes in mail supply chain rates will continue to impact our total production costs and total operating expenses and may have an impact on future demand for our supply chain management.

 

Postage costs of mailings are borne by our clients and are not directly reflected in our revenues or expenses.

 

First Half 2015 vs. First Half 2014

 

Revenues

 

Consolidated revenues decreased $29.5 million, or 10.8%, in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014. These results reflect the impact of our automobile and consumer brands, technology, and retail verticals decreasing $9.0 million, or 18.4%, $6.4 million, or 10.2%, and $9.6 million, or 14.3%, respectively compared to

 

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the first half of 2014. This is primarily due to lost clients, clients reducing their marketing spends, and the sale of our B2B research business. In addition, our select markets vertical decreased $6.0 million, or 19.2%, from the first half of the prior year due to a large non-recurring contact center project in the second quarter of 2014. Revenue from our healthcare services vertical increased $0.3 million, or 1.5%, principally from contact center support for a new pharmaceutical client. Revenue from our financial services vertical increased $1.2 million, or 3.2%, due to the addition of a new client using our solutions for analytics, database, creative, and mail services.

 

Revenues from our vertical markets are impacted by, among other things, the economic fundamentals of each industry, various market factors, including the demand for services by our clients, and the financial condition of and budgets available to specific clients.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Overall operating expenses were $232.4 million in the first half of 2015, compared to $257.5 million in the first half of 2014. Labor costs decreased $13.8 million, or 9.8%, compared to the first half of 2014 primarily due to reduced management labor from headcount reductions and severance expense in the first half od 2014. Production and distribution expenses decreased $11.1 million, or 13.4%, over the prior year quarter primarily due to a decrease in outsourced services and job production expense. General and administrative expense increased $0.3 million, or 1.2%, compared to the prior year primarily due to transaction related legal fees and professional services. Depreciation and intangible asset and software amortization expense remained flat to the first half of 2014.

 

Our largest cost components are labor, outsourced costs and mail supply chain costs. Each of these costs is somewhat variable and tends to fluctuate with revenues and the demand for our services. Mail supply chain rates have increased over the last few years due to demand and supply issues within the transportation industry. Future changes in mail supply chain rates will continue to impact our total production costs and total operating expenses, and may have an impact on future demand for our supply chain management.

 

Customer Interaction

 

Customer Interaction operating results were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

In thousands

 

2015

 

2014

 

% Change

 

2015

 

2014

 

% Change

 

Revenues

 

$

109,175

 

$

127,321

 

-14.3

%

$

218,490

 

$

246,055

 

-11.2

%

Operating expenses

 

104,133

 

118,129

 

-11.8

%

211,921

 

234,913

 

-9.8

%

Operating income

 

$

5,042

 

$

9,192

 

-45.1

%

$

6,569

 

$

11,142

 

-41.0

%

 

2nd Quarter 2015 vs, 2nd Quarter 2014

 

Revenues

 

Customer Interaction revenues decreased $18.1 million, or 14.3%, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. These results reflect the impact of our automobile and consumer brands, technology, and retail verticals decreasing $4.2 million, or 19.2%, $7.9 million, or 25.6%, and $4.6 million, or 14.1%, respectively. This is primarily due to lost clients, clients reducing their marketing spends, and the sale of the Aberdeen Group and Market Intelligence. In addition, our select markets vertical decreased by $3.6 million, or 22.1%, over the prior year second quarter due to a large non-recurring contact center project in the second quarter of 2014. Revenue from our healthcare services vertical increased $0.7 million, or 6.9%, principally from contact center support for a new pharmaceutical client. Revenue from our financial services vertical increased $1.5 million, or 9.8%, due to the addition of a new client using our solutions for analytics, database, creative, and mail services.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Revenues from our vertical markets are impacted by, among other things, the economic fundamentals of each industry, various market factors, including the demand for services by our clients, and the financial condition of and budgets available to specific clients.

 

Future revenue performance will depend on, among other factors, the overall strength of the national and international economies and how successful we are at maintaining and growing business with existing clients organically and through acquisition, acquiring new clients and meeting client demands. We believe that, in the long-term, an increasing portion of overall marketing and advertising expenditures will be moved from other advertising media to the targeted media space, and that our business will benefit as a result. Targeted media advertising results can be more effectively tracked, enabling measurement of the return on marketing investment.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Customer Interaction operating expenses decreased $14.0 million, or 11.8%, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. Labor costs decreased $6.3 million, or 10.2%, compared to the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to a decrease in management labor from headcount reductions and severance expense in the second quarter of 2014. Production costs decreased $6.6 million, or 15.9%, compared to the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to decreased outsourced production costs. In addition, general and administrative expense decreased $1.0 million, or 9.0%.. Depreciation and intangible asset and software amortization expense remained flat.

 

Customer Interaction’s largest cost components are labor, outsourced costs and mail supply chain costs. Each of these costs is somewhat variable and tends to fluctuate with revenues and the demand for our services. Mail supply chain rates have increased over the last few years due to demand and supply issues within the transportation industry. Future changes in mail supply chain rates will continue to impact our total production costs and total operating expenses, and may have an impact on future demand for our supply chain management.

 

First Half 2015 vs. First Half 2014

 

Revenues

 

Customer Interaction revenues decreased $27.6 million, or 11.2%, in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014. These results reflect the impact of our automobile and consumer brands, technology, and retail verticals decreasing $7.2 million, or 17.2%, $7.1 million, or 12.4%, and $9.8 million, or 14.9%, respectively compared to the first half of 2014. This is primarily due to lost clients, clients reducing their marketing spends, and the sale of our B2B research business. In addition, our select markets vertical decreased $5.7 million, or 20.2%, from the first half of the prior year due to a large non-recurring contact center project in the first half of 2014. Revenue from our healthcare services vertical increased $0.5 million, or 2.5%, principally from contact center support for a new pharmaceutical client. Revenue from our financial services vertical increased $1.6 million, or 5.1%, due to the addition of a new client using our solutions for analytics, database, creative, and mail services.

 

Revenues from our vertical markets are impacted by, among other things, the economic fundamentals of each industry, various market factors, including the demand for services by our clients, and the financial condition of and budgets available to specific clients.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Customer Interaction operating expenses decreased $23.0 million, or 9.8%, in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014. Labor costs decreased $12.3 million, or 9.8%, compared to the first half of 2014, primarily due to decreased management labor from headcount reductions. Production and distribution costs decreased $10.8 million, or 13.3%, compared to the first half of 2014 primarily due to decreased outsourced services and job production expense. In addition, depreciation and intangible asset and software amortization expense decreased $0.4 million, or 5.9%. The decreases in operating expenses are offset by an increase in general and administrative expense of $0.5 million, or 2.4%.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Customer Interaction’s largest cost components are labor, outsourced costs and mail supply chain costs. Each of these costs is somewhat variable and tends to fluctuate with revenues and the demand for our services.  Mail supply chain rates have increased over the last few years due to demand and supply issues within the transportation industry. Future changes in mail supply chain rates will continue to impact our total production costs and total operating expenses, and may have an impact on future demand for our supply chain management.

 

Trillium Software

 

Trillium Software operating results were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

In thousands

 

2015

 

2014

 

% Change

 

2015

 

2014

 

% Change

 

Revenues

 

$

13,170

 

$

12,989

 

1.4

%

$

25,028

 

$

26,982

 

-7.2

%

Operating expenses

 

8,603

 

10,240

 

-16.0

%

17,448

 

20,638

 

-15.5

%

Operating income

 

$

4,567

 

$

2,749

 

66.1

%

$

7,580

 

$

6,344

 

19.5

%

 

2nd Quarter 2015 vs. 2nd Quarter 2014

 

Revenues

 

Trillium Software revenues increased $0.2 million, or 1.4%, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. These results reflect a non-recurring software license event and is offset by a decline in maintenance and professional service fees.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Trillium Software operating expenses decreased $1.6 million, or 16.0%, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. This is primarily due to decreased management labor from headcount reductions and severance expense in the second quarter of 2014.

 

Trillium Software’s largest cost component is software development, which is comprised primarily of labor.

 

First Half 2015 vs. First Half 2014

 

Revenues

 

Trillium Software revenues decreased $2.0 million, or 7.2%, in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014. This decrease is primarily a result of decreased software license revenues.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Trillium Software, operating expenses decreased $3.2 million, or 15.5%, in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014. This decrease is primarily due to decreased management labor from headcount reductions and severance expense in the first half of 2014.

 

Corporate

 

2nd Quarter 2015 vs 2nd Quarter 2014

 

General corporate expense increased $0.6 million, or 62.7%, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. This is primarily due to an increase in pension expense compared to the prior year relating to the adoption of the 2014 generational mortality tables and changes in discount rate.

 

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Table of Contents

 

First Half 2015 vs. First Half 2014

 

General corporate expense increased $1.2 million, or 60.3%, in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014. This is primarily due to an increase in pension expense compared to the prior year relating to the adoption of the 2014 generational mortality tables and changes in discount rate.

 

Interest Expense

 

2nd Quarter 2015 vs. 2nd Quarter 2014

 

Interest expense increased $0.8 million, or 133.4%, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. This was due to the interest accretion of $0.9 for the earnout liability related to the purchase of 3Q Digital. This was offset slightly by a lower average debt balance in the second quarter of 2015. The lower average debt balance in the second quarter of 2015 is a result of scheduled quarterly principal payments on the 2011 Term Loan Facility. See discussion of our credit facilities in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section below.

 

First Half 2015 vs. First Half 2014

 

Interest expense increased $0.8 million, or 58.8%, in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014. This was due to the interest accretion of $0.9 million for the earnout liability related to the purchase of 3Q Digital. This was offset slightly by a lower average debt balance in the second quarter of 2015. The lower average debt balance in the second quarter of 2015 is a result of scheduled quarterly principal payments on the 2011 Term Loan Facility. See discussion of our credit facilities in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section below.

 

Other Income and Expense

 

2nd Quarter 2015 vs. 2nd Quarter 2014

 

Other expense, net, was $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $1.1 million in the second quarter of 2014. This $0.4 million variance from the prior year quarter is primarily due to a $1.3 million foreign currency transaction loss in the second quarter of 2015 versus a $0.8 million foreign currency transaction loss during the prior year quarter.

 

First Half 2015 vs. First Half 2014

 

Other expense, net, was $1.1 million in the first half of 2015 compared to $1.8 million in the first half of 2014. This $0.7 million variance from the prior year quarter is due to a $0.7 million change in net foreign currency transaction losses.

 

On April 14, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its B2B research business. The B2B research business represented less than 5% of the Company’s total 2014 revenues. As a result of the sale, the Company recognized a pre-tax loss of $9.5 million in relation to the disposal or transfer of assets and liabilities to the purchasing organization. The related asset group does not meet the criteria to be classified as a component of an entity. As such, the related loss on sale is included in income from continuing operations before income taxes in the income statement in Other Expenses in the statements of comprehensive income for both the three months and six month ended June 30, 2015.

 

Income Taxes

 

2nd Quarter 2015 vs. 2nd Quarter 2014

 

Income tax expense decreased $3.9 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. Our effective tax rate was 5.7% for the second quarter of 2015, decreasing from 39.3% for the second quarter of 2014. Excluding the tax impact of the loss on sale and discrete items related to state and local enacted tax legislation, our second quarter tax rate would have been 41.0%. The increase in the adjusted effective tax rate relates to the impact of nondeductible interest associated with the 3Q earn out.

 

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Table of Contents

 

First Half 2015 vs. First Half 2014

 

Income tax expense was $0.9 million in the first half of 2015 compared to $5.0 million in the first half of 2014.  The $4.1 million decrease is primarily a result of the change in operating performance coupled with the tax benefit calculated on the loss on sale. Our negative effective tax rate was 58.3% for the first half of 2015, decreasing from 39.9% for the first half of 2014. Excluding the tax benefit on the loss on sale and the impact of other discrete items, our effective tax rate for the first half of 2015 would have been 39.6%.

 

Income/Earnings Per Share

 

2nd Quarter 2015 vs. 2nd Quarter 2014

 

We recorded net loss of $4.2 million and diluted loss per share of $0.07 in the second quarter of 2015. These results compare to net income of $5.6 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.09 per share in the second quarter of 2014. The decrease in net income is primarily a result of the sale of our B2B research business, a decrease in revenues and the change in other income and expense discussed above.

 

First Half 2015 vs. First Half 2014

 

We recorded net loss of $2.6 million and diluted loss per share of $0.04.  These results compare to net income of $7.5 million and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.12 per share in the first half of 2014.

 

Economic Climate and Impact on our Financial Statements

 

We cannot predict the impact on our business performance of the economic climate in the U.S. and other economies in which we operate, nor can we predict the impact of the economic climate in the industry in which we operate. Economic downturns and turmoil severely affect the marketing services industry. A deep or enduring economic recession in the U.S. or other markets we or our clients serve could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, or operating results.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources and Uses of Cash

 

As of June 30, 2015, cash and cash equivalents were $31.2 million, decreasing $25.5 million from cash and cash equivalents of $56.7 million at December 31, 2014. This net decrease was a result of net cash provided by operating activities of $27.0 million, net cash used in investing activities of $30.0 million, net cash used in financing activities of $22.5 million and the negative effect of exchange rate changes of $0.1 million.

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $27.0 million, compared to $11.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The $15.2 million year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to changes in working capital.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, our principal working capital changes, which directly affected net cash provided by operating activities, were as follows:

 

·                  A decrease in accounts receivable of $19.6 million attributable to collection of the December 31, 2014 receivables as well as higher revenues in the second quarter of 2014 compared to the second quarter of 2015.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $30.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $4.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The $25.2 million variance is primarily the result of the acquisition of 3Q Digital using cash of $30.2 million in March of 2015.  This is offset by the sale of the B2B research business, generating cash of $5.0 million in April of 2015.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $22.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $19.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The $3.1 million increase is primarily due to the scheduled increase in repayments of borrowings.

 

Foreign Holdings of Cash

 

Foreign holdings of cash as of June 30, 2015 and 2014 were $14.6 million and $12.8 million, respectively. The Company would need to accrue and pay taxes if repatriated; however, the Company does not intend to repatriate funds subject to tax.

 

Credit Facilities

 

On August 16, 2011, we entered into a five-year $122.5 million term loan facility (2011 Term Loan Facility) with Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. The 2011 Term Loan Facility matures on August 16, 2016. For each borrowing under the 2011 Term Loan Facility, we can generally choose to have the interest rate for that borrowing calculated based on either (i) the LIBOR rate (as defined in the 2011 Term Loan Facility) for the applicable interest period, plus a spread (ranging from 2.00% to 2.75% per annum) based on our total net funded debt-to-EBITDA ratio (as defined in the 2011 Term Loan Facility) then in effect; or (ii) the highest of (a) the Agent’s prime rate, (b) the BBA daily floating rate LIBOR, as determined by Agent for such date, plus 1.00%, and (c) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, plus a spread (ranging from 1.00% to 1.75% per annum) based on our total net funded debt-to-EBITDA ratio then in effect. We may elect to prepay the 2011 Term Loan Facility at any time without incurring any prepayment penalties. At June 30, 2015, we had $73.5 million outstanding under the 2011 Term Loan Facility.

 

On August 8, 2013, we entered into a three-year $80.0 million revolving credit facility, a $25.0 million letter of credit sub-facility and a $5.0 million swing line loan sub-facility (2013 Revolving Credit Facility) by amending and restating our 2010 Revolving Credit Facility agreements. The 2013 Revolving Credit Facility permits us to request up to a $15.0 million increase in the total amount of the facility, and matures on August 16, 2016. For each borrowing under the 2013 Revolving Credit Facility, we can generally choose to have the interest rate for that borrowing calculated on either (i) the Eurodollar rate for the applicable interest period plus a spread which is determined based on our total net debt-to-EBITDA ratio then in effect, which ranges from 2.25% to 3.00% per annum; or (ii) the highest of (a) the Agent’s prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% per annum, (c) Eurodollar rate plus 1.00% per annum, plus a spread which is determined based on our total debt-to-EBITDA ratio then in effect, which spread ranges from 1.25% to 2.00% per annum. We are also required to pay a quarterly commitment fee under the 2013 Revolving Credit Facility. The rate of which is applied to the amount equal to the difference of the total commitment amount under the 2013 Revolving Credit Facility less the aggregate amount of outstanding obligations under such facility. The commitment fee rate ranges from 0.50% to 0.55% per annum, depending on our total net debt-to-EBITDA ratio then in effect.  In addition, we pay a letter of credit fee with respect to outstanding letters of credit. That fee is calculated by applying a rate equal to the spread applicable to Eurodollar based loans plus a fronting fee of 0.125% per annum to the average daily undrawn amount of the outstanding letters of credit. We may elect to prepay the 2013 Revolving Credit Facility at any time without incurring any prepayment penalties.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Under all of our credit facilities we are required to maintain an interest coverage ratio of not less than 2.75 to 1 and a total debt-to-EBITDA ratio of not more than 2.25 to 1. The credit facilities also contain customary covenants restricting our and our subsidiaries’ ability to:

 

·

authorize distributions, dividends, stock redemptions, and repurchases if a payment event of default has occurred and is continuing;

·

enter into certain merger or liquidation transactions;

·

grant liens;

·

enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions;

·

have foreign subsidiaries account for more than 25% of the consolidated revenue, or 20% of the assets of Harte Hanks and its subsidiaries, in the aggregate;

·

enter into certain transactions with affiliates; and

·

allow the total indebtedness of Harte Hanks’ subsidiaries to exceed $20.0 million.

 

The credit facilities each also include customary covenants regarding reporting obligations, delivery of notices regarding certain events, maintaining our corporate existence, payment of obligations, maintenance of our properties and insurance thereon at customary levels with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, maintaining books and records, and compliance with applicable laws. The credit facilities each also provide for customary events of default including nonpayment of principal or interest, breach of representations and warranties, violations of covenants, failure to pay certain other indebtedness, bankruptcy and material judgments and liabilities, certain violations of environmental laws or ERISA or the occurrence of a change of control. Our material domestic subsidiaries have guaranteed the performance of Harte Hanks under our credit facilities. As of June 30, 2015, we were in compliance with all of the covenants of our credit facilities.

 

Outlook

 

We consider such factors as total cash and cash equivalents, current assets, current liabilities, total debt, revenues, operating income, cash flows from operations, investing activities, and financing activities when assessing our liquidity. Our primary sources of liquidity have been cash and cash equivalents on hand and cash generated from operating activities. Our management of cash is designed to optimize returns on cash balances and to ensure that it is readily available to meet our operating, investing, and financing requirements as they arise.

 

Capital resources are also available from and provided through our 2013 Revolving Credit Facility, subject to the terms and conditions of that facility. The amount of cash on hand and borrowings available under our 2013 Revolving Credit Facility are influenced by a number of factors, including fluctuations in our operating results, revenue growth, accounts receivable collections, working capital changes, capital expenditures, tax payments, share repurchases, pension plan contributions, acquisitions, and dividends.

 

As of June 30, 2015, we had $73.8 million of unused borrowing capacity under our 2013 Revolving Credit Facility and a cash balance of $31.2 million. Based on our current operational plans, we believe that our cash on hand, cash provided by operating activities, and availability under the 2013 Revolving Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund operations, anticipated capital expenditures, payments of principal and interest on our borrowings, dividends on our common stock and pension contributions for the next 12 months. Nevertheless, we cannot predict the impact on our business performance of the economic climate in the U.S. and other economies in which we operate. A lasting economic recession in the U.S. and other economies could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or operating results.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Preparing financial statements requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

 

These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. We consider the following to be our critical accounting policies, as described in detail in our 2014 Form 10-K:

 

·                  Revenue recognition;

·                  Allowance for doubtful accounts;

·                  Reserve for healthcare, workers’ compensation, automobile, and general liability insurance;

·                  Goodwill and other intangible assets;

·                  Income taxes; and

·                  Stock-based compensation.

·                  Accounting for contingent consideration

 

There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies described above, and in our 2014 Form 10-K.

 

As of June 30, 2015, in conjunction with the completion of the acquisition of 3Q Digital, Inc. (as described in Note M in the Notes to Financial Statements), we recognize that the estimates and assumptions around management’s application of the earnout liability require that we add accounting for contingent consideration as a critical accounting policy. Management applies ASC 805 Business Combinations, (Subtopic 30-25) Goodwill Recognition, Contingent Consideration. We recognized the acquisition-date fair value of the contingent consideration as part of the consideration transferred in the exchange. The fair value of the contingent consideration arrangement was estimated by applying a multiple scenario approach.

 

As discussed in Note B, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, of the Notes to Financial Statements, certain new financial accounting pronouncements have been issued which either have already been reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, or will become effective for our financial statements at various dates in the future. The adoptions of these new accounting pronouncements have not had a material effect on our consolidated financial statements; however, the Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance and method of adoption.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Market risk includes the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices.  We face market risks related to interest rate variations and to foreign exchange rate variations. From time to time, we may utilize derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks.

 

We are exposed to market risk for changes in interest rates related to our credit facilities. Our earnings are affected by changes in short-term interest rates as a result of our credit facilities, which bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR rates (effective 30 day LIBOR rate of 0.187% at June 30, 2015). Our five-year 2011 Term Loan Facility has a maturity date of August 16, 2016.  At June 30, 2015, our debt balance related to the 2011 Term Loan Facility was $73.5 million. The three-year $80.0 million 2013 Revolving Credit Facility has a maturity date of August 16, 2016. At June 30, 2015, we did not have any debt outstanding under the 2013 Revolving Credit Facility.

 

Assuming the actual level of borrowings throughout the second quarter of 2015, and assuming a one percentage point change in the average interest rates, we estimate that our net income for the second quarter of 2015 would have changed by approximately $0.1 million. Due to our overall debt level and cash balance at June 30, 2015, anticipated cash flows from operations, and the various financial alternatives available to us should there be an adverse change in interest rates, we do not believe that we currently have significant exposure to market risks associated with changing interest rates. At this time we have not entered into any interest rate swap or other derivative instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in interest rates.

 

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Our earnings are also affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates as a result of our operations in foreign countries. Our primary exchange rate exposure is to the Euro, British Pound, Australian Dollar and Philippine Peso. We monitor these risks throughout the normal course of business. The majority of the transactions of our U.S. and foreign operations are denominated in the respective local currencies. Changes in exchange rates related to these types of transactions are reflected in the applicable line items making up operating income in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Due to the current level of operations conducted in foreign currencies, we do not believe that the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on these types of transactions is significant to our overall annual earnings. A smaller portion of our transactions are denominated in currencies other than the respective local currencies. For example, intercompany transactions that are expected to be settled in the near-term are denominated in U.S. Dollars. Since the accounting records of our foreign operations are kept in the respective local currency, any transactions denominated in other currencies are accounted for in the respective local currency at the time of the transaction. Any foreign currency gain or loss from these transactions, whether realized or unrealized, results in an adjustment to income, which is recorded in “Other, net” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Transactions such as these amounted to $1.3 million in pre-tax currency transaction losses in the second quarter of 2015. At this time we are not entered into any foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

We do not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than cash flow hedging. We do not speculate using derivative instruments.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act). It should be noted that, because of inherent limitations, our disclosure controls and procedures, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective, at the “reasonable assurance” level, to ensure information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is properly recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms.

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, of our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the second quarter of 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. We may make changes in our internal control processes from time to time in the future. It should also be noted that, because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements, and controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or in the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures.

 

PART II.                                     OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

Information regarding legal proceedings is set forth in Note K to the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Litigation Contingencies, in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 1a.  Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2014 Form 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our 2014 Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. In our judgment, there were no material changes in the risk factors as previously disclosed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our 2014 Form 10-K. Refer to Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for a discussion of the economic climate and impact on our financial statements.

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

The following table contains information about our purchases of equity securities during the second quarter of 2015:

 

Period

 

Total Number of
Shares
Purchased (1)

 

Average
Price Paid
per Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of a Publicly
Announced Plan (2)

 

Maximum Dollar
Amount that May
Yet Be Spent
Under the Plan

 

April 1-30, 2015

 

37,406

 

$

7.67

 

 

$

16,057,649

 

May 1-31, 2015

 

241,811

 

$

6.35

 

240,000

 

$

14,533,140

 

June 1-30, 2015

 

130,000

 

$

6.30

 

130,000

 

$

13,713,768

 

Total

 

409,217

 

$

6.46

 

370,000

 

 

 

 


(1)  Total number of shares purchased includes shares, if any, (i) purchased as part of our publicly announced stock repurchase programs, and (ii) pursuant to our 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan and 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan, (a) withheld to pay withholding taxes and the exercise price in certain cashless exercises of stock options, and (b) withheld to offset withholding taxes upon the vesting of unvested shares.

 

(2)  During the second quarter of 2015, we purchased 370,000 shares of our common stock through our stock repurchase program that was publicly announced in August 2014. Under this program, from which shares can be purchased in the open market, our Board of Directors has authorized us to spend up to $20.0 million to repurchase shares of our outstanding common stock. As of June 30, 2015, we have repurchased 965,079 shares and spent $6.3 million under the 2014 stock repurchase program. Through June 30, 2015, we had repurchased a total of 67,346,389 shares at an average price of $18.21 per share under all current and previous repurchase programs.

 

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Item 6.  Exhibits

 

Exhibit

 

 

No.

 

Description of Exhibit

 

 

 

*31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

*32.1

 

Furnished Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

*101

 

XBRL Instance Document.

 


*Filed or furnished herewith

 

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

 

 

 

 

HARTE HANKS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 5, 2015

 

/s/ Douglas C. Shepard

Date

 

Douglas C. Shepard

 

 

President, Chief Executive Officer,

 

 

and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 5, 2015

 

/s/ Carlos M. Alvarado

Date

 

Carlos M. Alvarado

 

 

Vice President, Finance and

 

 

Corporate Controller

 

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