FTI Consulting Reports Record First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
- Record revenues of $928.6 million, up 15% from the prior year quarter
- Net income rose to $80.0 million, showing significant growth
- EPS increased to $2.23, up 66% compared to the previous year quarter
- Adjusted EBITDA reached $111.1 million, reflecting strong performance
- Cash position remained stable with $244.0 million in cash and cash equivalents
- Segment results showed growth across Corporate Finance, Forensic and Litigation Consulting, Economic Consulting, Technology, and Strategic Communications
- FTI Consulting demonstrated solid financial performance and positive business outlook
- None.
Insights
The 15% increase in revenues for FTI Consulting in Q1 2024 is a significant jump, indicating robust business growth. The firm's capacity to achieve such a rise, particularly during economic climates that challenge many sectors, reflects a strong market position and the ability to capitalize on demand across its segments.
The 66% rise in EPS is particularly noteworthy; it substantially outpaces revenue growth, suggesting improvements in operational efficiency or cost management. Investors should note that EPS is a critical measure, as it reflects the portion of a company's profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock, serving as an indicator of profitability.
While the increase in net cash used in operating activities might seem like a point of concern, the reasoning behind it appears to be strategic, such as higher annual bonus payments, indicative of the company's focus on retaining talent. However, the increase in compensation and SG&A expenses stands as a reminder that such costs need to be carefully managed to sustain profitability in the long run.
FTI Consulting's performance in different segments is reflective of the broader economic and business trends. The significant revenue growth in the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment, for instance, could signal an uptick in restructuring activities, potentially tied to a broader economic flux. Investors with interests in cyclical industries might find such data indicative of underlying economic trends.
The Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment also saw healthy growth, which may suggest an increase in corporate disputes and investigations – activities that often ramp up in complex regulatory environments or periods of economic strain.
The Technology segment, though growing, displayed a decrease in Adjusted Segment EBITDA, suggesting potential margin pressure that stakeholders should monitor, considering the continued investments in technology are essential for maintaining competitive advantage.
From a financial stability perspective, the increase in total debt net of cash and short-term investments is noteworthy. While the company justifies this with the use for annual bonus payments, it does warrant a closer look at the company's long-term debt strategy and liquidity management.
A positive takeaway is the absence of share repurchases, which might indicate the company's preference for conserving cash or investing in growth opportunities rather than returning capital to shareholders through buybacks. This decision could be strategic given the context of their cash and cash equivalents standing at $244.0 million, only slightly higher than the previous year.
- First Quarter 2024 Revenues of
$928.6 Million , Up15% Compared to$806.7 Million in Prior Year Quarter - First Quarter 2024 EPS of
$2.23 , Up66% Compared to$1.34 in Prior Year Quarter
WASHINGTON, April 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today released financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.
First quarter 2024 revenues of
Steven H. Gunby, President and Chief Executive Officer of FTI Consulting, commented, "Our sustained double-digit organic revenue growth this quarter reflects strong underlying business performance, which, in turn, reflects continued progress on our twin overriding goals: continuing to help clients with their most fundamental opportunities and challenges, and continuing to attract and develop terrific professionals."
Cash Position and Capital Allocation
Net cash used in operating activities of
Cash and cash equivalents of
There were no share repurchases during the quarter ended March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, approximately
First Quarter 2024 Segment Results
Corporate Finance & Restructuring
Revenues in the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment increased
Forensic and Litigation Consulting
Revenues in the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment increased
Economic Consulting
Revenues in the Economic Consulting segment increased
Technology
Revenues in the Technology segment increased
Strategic Communications
Revenues in the Strategic Communications segment increased
First Quarter 2024 Conference Call
FTI Consulting will host a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss first quarter 2024 financial results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The call can be accessed live and will be available for replay over the internet for 90 days by logging onto the Company’s investor relations website here.
About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional. With more than 8,000 employees located in 33 countries and territories, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges and make the most of opportunities. The Company generated
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In the accompanying analysis of financial information, we sometimes use information derived from consolidated and segment financial information that may not be presented in our financial statements or prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Certain of these financial measures are considered not in conformity with GAAP ("non-GAAP financial measures") under the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules. Specifically, we have referred to the following non-GAAP financial measures:
- Total Segment Operating Income
- Adjusted EBITDA
- Total Adjusted Segment EBITDA
- Adjusted EBITDA Margin
- Adjusted Net Income
- Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share
We have included the definitions of Segment Operating Income and Adjusted Segment EBITDA, which are GAAP financial measures, below in order to more fully define the components of certain non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release. We define Segment Operating Income as a segment’s share of consolidated operating income. We define Total Segment Operating Income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as the total of Segment Operating Income for all segments, which excludes unallocated corporate expenses. We use Segment Operating Income for the purpose of calculating Adjusted Segment EBITDA. We define Adjusted Segment EBITDA as a segment’s share of consolidated operating income before depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration, special charges and goodwill impairment charges. We use Adjusted Segment EBITDA as a basis to internally evaluate the financial performance of our segments because we believe it reflects current core operating performance and provides an indicator of the segment’s ability to generate cash.
We define Total Adjusted Segment EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as the total of Adjusted Segment EBITDA for all segments, which excludes unallocated corporate expenses. We define Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as consolidated net income before income tax provision, other non-operating income (expense), depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration, special charges, goodwill impairment charges, gain or loss on sale of a business and losses on early extinguishment of debt. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with our GAAP financial results and GAAP financial measures, provide management and investors with a more complete understanding of our operating results, including underlying trends. In addition, EBITDA is a common alternative measure of operating performance used by many of our competitors. It is used by investors, financial analysts, rating agencies and others to value and compare the financial performance of companies in our industry. Therefore, we also believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, considered along with corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide management and investors with additional information for comparison of our operating results with the operating results of other companies. We define Adjusted EBITDA Margin, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues.
We define Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share ("Adjusted EPS"), which are non-GAAP financial measures, as net income and EPS, respectively, excluding the impact of remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration, special charges, goodwill impairment charges, losses on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash interest expense on convertible notes and the gain or loss on sale of a business. We use Adjusted Net Income for the purpose of calculating Adjusted EPS. Management uses Adjusted EPS to assess total Company operating performance on a consistent basis. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with our GAAP financial results and GAAP financial measures, provide management and investors with an additional understanding of our business operating results, including underlying trends.
Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable with other similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or superior to, the information contained in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the financial tables accompanying this press release.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which involve uncertainties and risks. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, initiatives, projections, prospects, policies, processes and practices, objectives, goals, commitments, strategies, future events, future revenues, future results and performance, expectations, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, share repurchases and other matters, business trends, new or changes to laws and regulations, including U.S. and foreign tax laws, environmental, social and governance ("ESG")-related issues, climate change-related matters, scientific and technological developments, including relating to new and emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, and other information that is not historical, including statements regarding estimates of our future financial results. When used in this press release, words such as "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "plans," "intends," "believes," "commits," "aspires," "forecasts," "future," "goal," "seeks" and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, estimates of our future financial results, are based upon our expectations at the time we make them and various assumptions. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith, and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management’s plans, expectations, intentions, aspirations, beliefs, goals, estimates, forecasts and projections will result or be achieved. Our actual financial results, performance or achievements and outcomes could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements. Further, unaudited quarterly results are subject to normal year-end adjustments. The Company has experienced fluctuating revenues, operating income and cash flows in prior periods and expects that this will occur from time to time in the future. Other factors that could cause such differences include declines in demand for, or changes in, the mix of services and products that we offer; the mix of the geographic locations where our clients are located or where services are performed; fluctuations in the price per share of our common stock; adverse financial, real estate or other market and general economic conditions; the impact of public health crises and related events that are beyond our control, which could affect our segments, practices and the geographic regions in which we conduct business differently and adversely; and other future events, which could impact each of our segments, practices and the geographic regions in which we conduct business differently and could be outside of our control; the pace and timing of the consummation and integration of future acquisitions; the Company’s ability to realize cost savings and efficiencies; competitive and general economic conditions; retention of staff and clients; new laws and regulations or changes thereto; and other risks described under the heading "Item 1A, Risk Factors" in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024 and in the Company’s other filings with the SEC. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform such statements to actual results or events and do not intend to do so.
FTI Consulting, Inc.
555 12th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
+1.202.312.9100
Investor & Media Contact:
Mollie Hawkes
+1.617.747.1791
mollie.hawkes@fticonsulting.com
FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW
| FTI CONSULTING, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 243,960 | $ | 303,222 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 1,157,465 | 1,102,142 | ||||||
| Current portion of notes receivable | 45,211 | 30,997 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 98,062 | 119,092 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 1,544,698 | 1,555,453 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 152,949 | 159,662 | ||||||
| Operating lease assets | 199,596 | 208,910 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 1,230,645 | 1,234,569 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 19,455 | 18,285 | ||||||
| Notes receivable, net | 96,806 | 75,431 | ||||||
| Other assets | 80,379 | 73,568 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 3,324,528 | $ | 3,325,878 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other | $ | 226,787 | $ | 223,758 | ||||
| Accrued compensation | 332,677 | 601,074 | ||||||
| Billings in excess of services provided | 68,236 | 67,937 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 627,700 | 892,769 | ||||||
| Long-term debt, net | 205,000 | — | ||||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 213,576 | 223,774 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 136,065 | 140,976 | ||||||
| Other liabilities | 87,831 | 86,939 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 1,270,172 | 1,344,458 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, outstanding | — | — | ||||||
| Common stock, issued and outstanding — 35,697 (2024) and 35,521 (2023) | 357 | 355 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 21,162 | 16,760 | ||||||
| Retained earnings | 2,194,730 | 2,114,765 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (161,893 | ) | (150,460 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 2,054,356 | 1,981,420 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 3,324,528 | $ | 3,325,878 | ||||
| FTI CONSULTING, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Revenues | $ | 928,553 | $ | 806,706 | |||
| Operating expenses | |||||||
| Direct cost of revenues | 626,034 | 553,509 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 201,870 | 184,213 | |||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 1,016 | 2,182 | |||||
| 828,920 | 739,904 | ||||||
| Operating income | 99,633 | 66,802 | |||||
| Other income (expense) | |||||||
| Interest income and other | 1,581 | (1,342 | ) | ||||
| Interest expense | (1,719 | ) | (2,939 | ) | |||
| (138 | ) | (4,281 | ) | ||||
| Income before income tax provision | 99,495 | 62,521 | |||||
| Income tax provision | 19,530 | 14,974 | |||||
| Net income | $ | 79,965 | $ | 47,547 | |||
| Earnings per common share ― basic | $ | 2.29 | $ | 1.43 | |||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding ― basic | 34,977 | 33,301 | |||||
| Earnings per common share ― diluted | $ | 2.23 | $ | 1.34 | |||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding ― diluted | 35,787 | 35,482 | |||||
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax | |||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax expense of $— and $— | $ | (11,433 | ) | $ | 9,850 | ||
| Total other comprehensive income, net of tax | (11,433 | ) | 9,850 | ||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | 68,532 | $ | 57,397 | |||
| FTI CONSULTING, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME AND OPERATING INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) | Corporate Finance & Restructuring | Forensic and Litigation Consulting | Economic Consulting | Technology | Strategic Communications | Unallocated Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 79,965 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income and other | (1,581 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 1,719 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 19,530 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 71,919 | $ | 31,967 | $ | 12,865 | $ | 10,939 | $ | 11,474 | $ | (39,531 | ) | $ | 99,633 | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,473 | 1,629 | 1,285 | 3,642 | 882 | 513 | 10,424 | ||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 833 | 113 | — | — | 70 | — | 1,016 | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 75,225 | $ | 33,709 | $ | 14,150 | $ | 14,581 | $ | 12,426 | $ | (39,018 | ) | $ | 111,073 | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) | Corporate Finance & Restructuring (1) | Forensic and Litigation Consulting (1) | Economic Consulting | Technology | Strategic Communications | Unallocated Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 47,547 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income and other | 1,342 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 2,939 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 101,537 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 47,976 | $ | 20,288 | $ | 12,700 | $ | 11,890 | $ | 8,683 | $ | (34,735 | ) | $ | 66,802 | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,959 | 1,312 | 1,493 | 3,476 | 787 | 416 | 9,443 | ||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 1,912 | 184 | — | — | 86 | — | 2,182 | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 51,847 | $ | 21,784 | $ | 14,193 | $ | 15,366 | $ | 9,556 | $ | (34,319 | ) | $ | 78,427 | ||||||||
| (1) | Effective July 1, 2023, prior period segment information for the Corporate Finance & Restructuring and Forensic and Litigation Consulting segments has been recast in this press release to include the reclassification of a portion of the Company’s health solutions practice in the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment to the Company's realigned business transformation & strategy practice within the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment. | |
| FTI CONSULTING, INC. OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT | ||||||||||||||||||
Segment Revenues | Adjusted EBITDA | Adjusted EBITDA Margin | Utilization | Average Billable Rate | Revenue- Generating Headcount | |||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | (at period end) | |||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate Finance & Restructuring | $ | 366,010 | $ | 75,225 | 20.6 | % | $ | 515 | 2,185 | |||||||||
| Forensic and Litigation Consulting | 176,074 | 33,709 | 19.1 | % | $ | 406 | 1,463 | |||||||||||
| Economic Consulting | 204,548 | 14,150 | 6.9 | % | $ | 533 | 1,091 | |||||||||||
| Technology (1) | 100,713 | 14,581 | 14.5 | % | N/M | N/M | 646 | |||||||||||
| Strategic Communications (1) | 81,208 | 12,426 | 15.3 | % | N/M | N/M | 981 | |||||||||||
| $ | 928,553 | $ | 150,091 | 16.2 | % | 6,366 | ||||||||||||
| Unallocated Corporate | (39,018 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 111,073 | 12.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate Finance & Restructuring (2) | $ | 315,652 | $ | 51,847 | 16.4 | % | $ | 478 | 2,152 | |||||||||
| Forensic and Litigation Consulting (2) | 157,739 | 21,784 | 13.8 | % | $ | 375 | 1,427 | |||||||||||
| Economic Consulting | 169,595 | 14,193 | 8.4 | % | $ | 458 | 1,031 | |||||||||||
| Technology (1) | 90,618 | 15,366 | 17.0 | % | N/M | N/M | 581 | |||||||||||
| Strategic Communications (1) | 73,102 | 9,556 | 13.1 | % | N/M | N/M | 995 | |||||||||||
| $ | 806,706 | $ | 112,746 | 14.0 | % | 6,186 | ||||||||||||
| Unallocated Corporate | (34,319 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 78,427 | 9.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
| N/M | Not meaningful | |
| (1) | The majority of the Technology and Strategic Communications segments' revenues are not generated based on billable hours. Accordingly, utilization and average billable rate metrics are not presented as they are not meaningful as a segment-wide metric. | |
| (2) | Effective July 1, 2023, prior period segment information for the Corporate Finance & Restructuring and Forensic and Litigation Consulting segments has been recast in this press release to include the reclassification of a portion of the Company’s health solutions practice in the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment to the Company’s business transformation & strategy practice within the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment. | |
| FTI CONSULTING, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Operating activities | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 79,965 | $ | 47,547 | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 10,424 | 9,443 | |||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 1,016 | 2,182 | |||||
| Provision for expected credit losses | 11,420 | 7,012 | |||||
| Share-based compensation | 8,812 | 6,365 | |||||
| Deferred income taxes | (8,107 | ) | (3,016 | ) | |||
| Acquisition-related contingent consideration | 660 | 1,284 | |||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs and other | 236 | 646 | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions: | |||||||
| Accounts receivable, billed and unbilled | (73,201 | ) | (93,739 | ) | |||
| Notes receivable | (35,937 | ) | (6,851 | ) | |||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | (5,612 | ) | 321 | ||||
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other | 4,317 | 1,315 | |||||
| Income taxes | 1,691 | 5,658 | |||||
| Accrued compensation | (271,044 | ) | (230,967 | ) | |||
| Billings in excess of services provided | 542 | (1,406 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (274,818 | ) | (254,206 | ) | |||
| Investing activities | |||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment and other | (4,640 | ) | (18,012 | ) | |||
| Maturity of short-term investment | 25,246 | — | |||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 20,606 | (18,012 | ) | ||||
| Financing activities | |||||||
| Borrowings under revolving line of credit | 280,000 | 90,000 | |||||
| Repayments under revolving line of credit | (75,000 | ) | (45,000 | ) | |||
| Purchase and retirement of common stock | — | (20,982 | ) | ||||
| Share-based tax withholdings net of option exercises | (8,712 | ) | (9,064 | ) | |||
| Deposits and other | 2,297 | 813 | |||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 198,585 | 15,767 | |||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (3,635 | ) | 3,302 | ||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (59,262 | ) | (253,149 | ) | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 303,222 | 491,688 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 243,960 | $ | 238,539 | |||
FAQ
What were FTI Consulting's first quarter 2024 revenues?
How much did FTI Consulting's net income increase by in the first quarter of 2024?
What was FTI Consulting's EPS in the first quarter of 2024?
What was FTI Consulting's Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2024?
How much cash did FTI Consulting have at the end of the first quarter of 2024?
Which segments showed growth in the first quarter of 2024 for FTI Consulting?
