Startek Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Startek, Inc. (NYSE:SRT) reported Q4 and full-year 2022 financial results, showing a decline in net revenue due to the insourcing of a key client and discontinuation of operations in Argentina and the Middle East. Q4 net revenue totaled $92.96 million, down 18.22% from $113.67 million in Q4 2021. Gross profit declined to $16.80 million, but gross margin improved to 18.07%. The company posted a net loss of $3.13 million, or $(0.08) per share. However, it reported adjusted net income of $14.15 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, an increase of 9.78% year-over-year. Strategic divestitures aim to strengthen the balance sheet and refocus on core business growth.

Positive

• Adjusted EPS increased by 9.38% to $0.35 in Q4 2022.
• Gross margin improved by 274 basis points to 18.07% in Q4 2022.
• Strategic divestiture of CSS Corp. generated $45.6 million to reduce debt.
• Two new key clients secured with significant annual contract values.

Negative

• Q4 net revenue decreased by 18.22% year-over-year.
• Net loss in Q4 2022 was $(3.13) million compared to net income of $6.69 million in Q4 2021.
• SG&A expenses increased by 20.89% to $12.27 million in Q4 2022.

- Ongoing Investments in Sales Ecosystem, Technological Capabilities, and Digital Partnerships Aim to Bolster the Company’s Operational Foundation to Support Long-Term Growth -

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Startek, Inc. (NYSE:SRT) ("Startek" or the "Company"), a global customer experience (CX) solutions provider, is reporting financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022. As a result of current and planned divestitures, the Company has classified Middle East and Argentina operations as 'Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations'. Accordingly net revenue, gross profit, gross margin, SG&A expenses and adjusted EBITDA are reported for the continuing operations and net income, EPS, adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EPS are reported after consolidating continuing and discontinued operations.

Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Summary ($ in millions, excl. margin items)

		Q4 2022				Q4 2021				Change
Net Revenue		$	92.96			$	113.67				(18.22)	%
Gross Profit		$	16.80			$	17.43				(3.61)	%
Gross Margin			18.07	%			15.33	%		274		bps
SG&A Expenses		$	12.27			$	10.15				20.89	%
Adjusted EBITDA [3]		$	12.12			$	12.81				(5.39)	%
Net Income/(Loss)[1]		$	(3.13)			$	6.69				(146.79)	%
EPS		$	(0.08)			$	0.16				(150)	%
Adjusted Net Income/(Loss)[2], [3]		$	14.15			$	12.89				9.78	%
Adjusted EPS [3]		$	0.35			$	0.32				9.38	%

Full Year 2022 Financial Summary ($ in millions, excl. margin items)

		2022				2021				Change
Net Revenue		$	385.07			$	470.33				(18.13)	%
Gross Profit		$	57.80			$	64.80				(10.80)	%
Gross Margin			15.01	%			13.78	%		123		bps
SG&A Expenses		$	48.68			$	42.45				14.68	%
Adjusted EBITDA[3]		$	38.46			$	47.28				(18.65)	%
Net Income/(Loss)[1]		$	(2.26)			$	1.50				(250.67)	%
EPS		$	(0.06)			$	0.04				(250)	%
Adjusted Net Income/(Loss)[2], [3]		$	26.69			$	27.34				(2.38)	%
Adjusted EPS [3]		$	0.66			$	0.67				(1.49)	%

[1] Reflects net income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders.
[2] Reflects Adjusted net income (loss) attributed to Startek shareholders.
[3] Refer to the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Management Commentary

“The fourth quarter closed out a year in which we made significant progress expanding our footprint, enhancing our capabilities and service offerings, strengthening our balance sheet, and building a significant sales pipeline,” said Bharat Rao, Global CEO of Startek. “Throughout 2022, we were hyper-focused on making strategic investments that we believed were necessary to optimize our platform and ensure we were in position to accelerate top-line growth and margin expansion. Our sales teams have been consistently working towards strengthening our sales pipeline, with a particular focus on near-shore and off-shore delivery opportunities. As we discussed last quarter, these efforts are beginning to bear fruit with record levels of new logos being won, and we believe we are in a strong position to capitalize on these new contracts in 2023.

“During the fourth quarter, we were able to secure two new key clients with significant annual contract values that we believe will be a meaningful portion of our revenue going forward. Also highlighting the quarter was the stabilization of our gross margins as wage inflation pressures continued to lessen and we recaptured costs associated with onboarding new agents in prior quarters. While prioritizing innovation and best-in-class service for our clients, we are continually applauded for the outstanding values and standards held at Startek. During the quarter, we were recognized by ISG Provider Lens, a practitioner-led service provider comparison, as a leader in social media, AI and analytics and work from home services within the U.S. and Globally. Additionally, we received the Best Customer Experience award in the Managed Digital Transformation Providers Category at the Future Enterprise Awards 2022. Leveraging our leading customer experience capabilities to deliver disruptive innovation in ways that excite and serve our clients is always a pleasure, and we look forward to sustaining this track-record over the long-term.

“As part of our operational enhancements, we made significant decisions with the redemption of our interest in CSS Corp., pursuing the potential sale of Aegis Argentina, and beginning the process of divesting our indirect ownership in Contact Center Company ("CCC"). The redemption of our interest in CSS Corp. provided us with net proceeds of $45.6 million, which we used to prepay a portion of our debt subsequent to the end of the year, and we anticipate the divesture of Contact Center Company, which we expect to close in Q2 2023, will provide us with net proceeds of $55.0 million that are expected to be utilized for further debt prepayment. As a result of these corporate actions, we have reconciled our financial statements, shifting income from these specific operations (CCC and Argentina) into a discontinued operations segment and removing the revenue contributions from the top-line. Although these have been successful partnerships, we believe that these divestures will allow our organization to focus on growing our core business and further deleverage our balance sheet.

“Overall, we believe that Startek is well-positioned as we move forward in 2023. Our core business is focused on accelerating our organic growth by providing best-in-class service for our current clients, while continuing to expand our sales pipeline across high-growth verticals. Additionally, we will look to further implement value-add services from our existing digital partnerships and transition pilot programs to become integral elements of our ongoing operations. Our priority is sustainably growing our Company to return value back to our shareholders, and we look forward to executing our strategic growth roadmap in 2023 and beyond.”

Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Net revenue in the fourth quarter was $92.96 million compared to $113.67 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease was primarily due to the higher revenue base in 2021 which included revenue from a cable client that subsequently insourced all operations. The decline in net revenue was offset by strong performance from the Company’s telecom, financial and business services and travel and hospitality verticals. On a constant currency basis, net revenue decreased 14.90% compared to the year-ago quarter.

Gross profit in the fourth quarter was $16.80 million compared to $17.43 million in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin improved by 274 basis points to 18.07% compared to 15.33% in the year-ago quarter. The increase in gross margin is primarily attributable to change in employee mix with higher proportion of offshore employees relative to those in high-cost geographies. Higher margins are also reflective of the various cost optimization measures that the Company adopted earlier in 2022.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses in the fourth quarter was $12.27 million compared to $10.15 million in the year-ago quarter. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A increased to 13.2% compared to 8.93% in the year-ago quarter. The SG&A costs in the current period includes certain one-time costs such as take private costs, amortization of premium for the CSS Corp and costs related to the ongoing divestiture of the Company's stake in CCC. Adjusting for these the SG&A expenses for the quarter increased to $10.72 million. The increase was reflective of investments made in sales, digital and marketing initiatives.

Adjusted EBITDA* in the fourth quarter was $12.12 million compared to $12.81 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in EBITDA is not significant.

Net income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders in the fourth quarter decreased by 146.79% to $(3.13) million or $(0.08) per share, compared to a net income of $6.69 million or $0.16 per share in the year-ago quarter. This represents income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders from continuing operations of $(1.94) million in Q4 2022 and $4.92 million in Q4 2021, along with income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders from discontinued operations of $(1.19) million in Q4 2022 and $1.77 million in Q4 2021.

Adjusted net income* in the fourth quarter was $14.15 million or $0.35 per diluted share, compared to an adjusted net income* of $12.89 million or $0.32 per diluted share in the year-ago quarter. This represents adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations of $12.61 million in Q4 2022 and $11.1 million in Q4 2021, along with adjusted net income (loss) from discontinued operations of $1.54 million in Q4 2022 and $1.78 million in Q4 2021.

On December 31, 2022, cash and restricted cash increased to $72.41 million[1] compared to $27.98 million as at September 30, 2022. The increase in cash balance as at year end was driven by the receipt of proceeds from the redemption of our investment in CSS Corp. Total debt as at December 31, 2022, was $175.91 million compared to $169.04 million as at September 30, 2022, and net debt as at December 31, 2022, decreased to $103.50 million[2] compared to $141.06 million as at September 30, 2022.

Full Year 2022 Financial Results

Net revenue in 2022 was $385.07 million compared to $470.33 million in 2021. On a constant currency basis, net revenue decreased 14.86% compared to the prior year. The decrease was largely attributable to a short-term government program relating to COVID vaccination in the second quarter of 2021 and the termination of operation with an e-commerce and a cable & media client in the America’s region. The decline in net revenue was offset by strong performance from the Company’s telecom, financial and business services and travel and hospitality verticals.

Gross profit in 2022 was $57.80 million compared to $64.80 million in 2021. Gross margin increased 123 basis points to 15.01% compared to 13.78% in 2021. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to the continued shift towards higher margins delivered off-shore and near-shore, lower rent costs due to the consolidation of brick-and-mortar sites and softer wage inflation pressures in the fourth quarter. The increase was offset by wage inflation pressures in the first half of the year, investments made to ramp services within the ecommerce vertical and investments made to upgrade the Company’s technology and cybersecurity infrastructure.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses in 2022 were $48.68 million compared to $42.45 million in 2021. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A was 12.64% compared to 9.03% in 2021. The increase was largely driven by the Company’s continued investments made to bolster sales, digital and marketing initiatives and to upgrade the security and cybersecurity technology infrastructure. Additionally, the increase was also fueled by costs associated with the rejected take private transaction in the third quarter of 2022, certain non-recurring expenses such as amortization of premium of the call option to acquire CSS Corp and transaction costs related to CCC divestiture.

Adjusted EBITDA* in 2022 was $38.46 million compared to $47.28 million in 2021. The decrease in EBITDA is due to higher revenue base in 2021 that included EBITDA from the COVID support program and from clients in the e-Commerce and cable vertical that terminated in 2021.

Net income (loss) to Startek shareholders in 2022 decreased to $(2.26) million or $(0.06) per share, compared to a net income of $1.5 million or $0.04 per share in 2021. This represents income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders from continuing operations of $(0.29) million in 2022 and $(1.09) million in 2021, along with income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders from discontinued operations of $(1.97) million in 2022 and $2.59 million in 2021.

Adjusted net income* in 2022 was $26.69 million or $0.66 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income* of $27.34 million or $0.67 per diluted share in 2021. This represents adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations of $25.94 million in 2022 and $24.75 million in 2021, along with adjusted net income (loss) from discontinued operations of $0.75 million in 2022 and $2.59 million in 2021.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 426,445 shares of its common stock under its repurchase plan, at an average cost of $4.29 per share.

*A non-GAAP measure defined below.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[1] Cash balance excluding restricted cash as at December 31, 2022 amounted to $22.46 million as compared to $22.27 million as at September 30, 2022. Restricted cash of $49.95 million include $41 million which was received from the net proceeds of CSS Redemption that was utilized to prepay debt in January 2023.

[2] Net debt excluding restricted cash balance as at December 31, 2022 was $153.45 million compared to $146.77 million as at September 30, 2022.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Startek management will host the call, followed by a question-and-answer period.

Date: Monday, March 27, 2023
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Toll-free dial-in number: 1-844-826-3035
International dial-in number: 1-412-317-5195
Conference ID: 10175986

Please call the conference telephone number 10-15 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Group at 1-949-574-3860.

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available after 8 p.m. ET on the same day through April 3, 2023.

Toll-free replay number: 1-844-512-2921
International replay number: 1-412-317-6671
Replay ID: 10175986

About Startek

Startek is a leading global provider of technology-enabled customer experience (CX) solutions. The Company provides omnichannel CX, digital transformation, and technology services to some of the world’s leading brands. Startek is committed to impacting clients’ business outcomes by focusing on enhancing CX and digital enablement across all touch points and channels. Startek has more than 33,000 employees delivering services in 11 countries. The Company services over 140 clients across a range of industries such as banking and financial services, insurance, technology, telecoms, healthcare, travel and hospitality, consumer goods, retail and energy and utilities. To learn more, visit www.startek.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The matters regarding the future discussed in this news release include forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are intended to be identified in this document by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “possible,” “potential,” “should” and similar expressions. As described below, such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause Startek's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements. Readers are encouraged to review risk factors and all other disclosures appearing in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as well as other filings with the SEC, for further information on risks and uncertainties that could affect Startek's business, financial condition and results of operation. Copies of these filings are available from the SEC, the Company’s website or the Company’s investor relations department. Startek assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date herein.

STARTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income (loss)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

		Three Months Ended December								Year Ended December
		2022				2021				2022				2021
Revenue			92,957				112,594				385,074				470,242
Warrant adjustment			-				1,078				-				87
Net revenue			92,957				113,672				385,074				470,329
Cost of services			(76,156	)			(96,235	)			(327,277	)			(405,531	)
Gross profit			16,801				17,437				57,797				64,798
Selling, general and administrative expenses			(12,267	)			(10,153	)			(48,680	)			(42,454	)
Impairment losses and restructuring/exit cost			(9,714	)			(5,046	)			(9,824	)			(6,456	)
Operating income (loss)			(5,180	)			2,238				(707	)			15,888
Share of income of equity accounted investee (includes gain on disposal of $8,499 in Q4 2022)			9,873				6,682				13,995				6,681
Interest expense and other income (expense), net			(4,790	)			(1,394	)			(9,834	)			(17,218	)
Foreign exchange gains (losses), net			(611	)			(149	)			348				490
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense			(708	)			7,377				3,802				5,841
Tax expense			(1,233	)			(2,454	)			(4,087	)			(6,934	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax (A)			(1,941	)			4,923				(285	)			(1,093	)
Income from discontinued operations before income tax expense			1,842				3,431				7,866				15,751
Tax expenses of discontinued Operations			(850	)			(15	)			(3,350	)			(4,932	)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (B)			992				3,416				4,516				10,819
Net income (A+B)			(949	)			8,339				4,231				9,726
Income (loss) from continuing operations (A)
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			-				-				-				-
Income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders			(1,941	)			4,923				(285	)			(1,093	)
			(1,941	)			4,923				(285	)			(1,093	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (B)
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			2,179				1,645				6,490				8,226
Income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders			(1,187	)			1,771				(1,974	)			2,593
			992				3,416				4,516				10,819
Net income (loss) (A+B)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			2,179				1,645				6,490				8,226
Net income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders			(3,128	)			6,694				(2,259	)			1,500
			(949	)			8,339				4,231				9,726
Net income (loss) per common share from continuing operations
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders			(0.05	)			0.12				(0.01	)			(0.02	)
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders			(0.05	)			0.12				(0.01	)			(0.02	)
Net income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders			(0.03	)			0.04				(0.05	)			0.06
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders			(0.03	)			0.04				(0.05	)			0.06
Net income (loss) per common share from continuing and discontinued operations
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders			(0.08	)			0.16				(0.06	)			0.04
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders			(0.08	)			0.16				(0.06	)			0.04
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic			40,271				40,707				40,305				40,719
Diluted			40,271				40,865				40,305				41,086

STARTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

		December 31, 2022				December 31, 2021
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents			22,457				32,068
Restricted cash			49,946				2,015
Trade accounts receivables, net			47,138				46,634
Unbilled revenue			24,207				26,955
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			9,159				7,016
Current assets classified as held for sale			202,831				110,330
Total current assets			355,738				225,018
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net			22,945				25,428
Operating lease right-of-use assets			36,450				55,354
Intangible assets, net			79,745				90,092
Goodwill			120,505				128,557
Investment in equity-accounted investees			-				31,688
Deferred tax assets, net			2,771				560
Prepaid expenses and other non-current assets			7,889				10,304
Non-current assets classified as held for sale			-				75,474
Total non-current assets			270,305				417,457
Total assets			626,043				642,475
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payables			2,428				5,074
Accrued expenses			31,676				30,797
Short term debt			14,267				3,450
Current maturity of long term debt			120,466				6,230
Current maturity of operating lease liabilities			14,492				19,566
Other current liabilities			15,646				21,454
Current liabilities classified as held for sale			89,486				61,696
Total current liabilities			288,461				148,267
Non-current liabilities
Long term debt			41,175				160,175
Operating lease liabilities			26,651				42,004
Other non-current liabilities			2,682				3,300
Deferred tax liabilities, net			15,508				16,309
Non - current liabilities classified as held for sale			-				19,100
Total non-current liabilities			86,016				240,888
Total liabilities			374,477				389,155
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, 60,000,000 non-convertible shares, $0.01 par value, authorized; 41,098,456 and 40,893,396 shares issued as of December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively			411				409
Additional paid-in capital			293,472				291,537
Accumulated deficit			(86,302	)			(84,043	)
Treasury stock, 839,214 and 412,769 shares as of December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively, at cost			(3,749	)			(1,912	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(16,058	)			(10,687	)
Equity attributable to Startek shareholders			187,774				195,304
Non-controlling interest			63,792				58,016
Total stockholders’ equity			251,566				253,320
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity			626,043				642,475

STARTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

		Year Ended December 31,
		2022				2021
Operating activities
Income from continuing and discontinued operations			4,231				9,726
less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			(4,516	)			(10,819	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax			(285	)			(1,093	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash generated from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			22,593				23,601
Impairment of goodwill			8,052				-
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment			59				(106	)
Provision/(reversal) for doubtful accounts			(49	)			24
Amortization of debt issuance costs (including loss on extinguishment of debt)			1,825				11,607
Amortization of call option premium			1,800				1,200
Mark to market loss on derivative instrument			113				-
Warrant contra revenue			-				(87	)
Share-based compensation expense			1,551				1,418
Impairment of right-of-use assets			1,110				4,514
Deferred income taxes			(3,207	)			138
Share of income of equity accounted investee (includes gain on disposal of $8,499 in Q4 2022)			(13,995	)			(6,681	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivables			(4,418	)			(9,347	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			(1,380	)			1,261
Trade accounts payable			(2,356	)			(5,231	)
Income taxes, net			1,501				2,528
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			(4,702	)			(5,595	)
Net cash generated from by operating activities from continuing operations			8,212				18,151
Net cash generated from/used in operating activities from discontinued operations			16,642				10,033
Net cash generated from operating activities			24,854				28,184
Investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, net			(12,028	)			(9,927	)
Investment in equity-accounted investees			-				(25,000	)
Payments for call option premium			-				(3,000	)
Proceeds from redemption of equity-accounted investees			45,683				104
Net cash generated from/used in investing activities from continuing operations			33,655				(37,823	)
Net cash generated from/used in investing activities from discontinued operations			(173	)			(6,699	)
Net cash generated from/used in investing activities			33,482				(44,522	)
Financing activities
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock			386				1,510
Proceeds from long term debt (net of debt issuance cost paid to lenders)			-				156,525
Payments of long term debt			(4,124	)			(117,600	)
Payments for loan fees related to long term debt			-				(2,794	)
Proceeds from a line of credit, net			10,943				-
Payments of other borrowings, net			(2,466	)			(13,726	)
Common stock repurchases			(1,837	)			(1,912	)
Net cash generated from/used in financing activities from continuing operations			2,902				22,003
Net cash generated from/used in financing activities from discontinued operations			303				70
Net cash generated from/used in financing activities			3,205				22,073
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			61,541				5,735
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash			(1,791	)			(898	)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year			55,396				50,559
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year			115,146				55,396
Less: Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations			(42,743	)			(21,313	)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of continuing operations at end of year			72,403				34,083
Components of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
Balances with banks			22,457				32,068
Restricted cash			49,946				2,015
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash			72,403				34,083
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid for interest and other finance cost			11,109				21,077
Cash paid for income taxes			4,832				3,954
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities
Non-cash warrant contra revenue			-				(87	)
Non-cash share-based compensation expenses			1,551				1,418

STARTEK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This press release contains references to the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS. Reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to its comparable GAAP measure is included below. This non-GAAP information should not be construed as an alternative to the reported results determined in accordance with GAAP. It is provided solely to assist in an investor’s understanding of these items on the comparability of the Company’s operations.

Adjusted EBITDA:

The Company defines non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA as Net income (loss) plus Income tax expense, Share of income (loss) of equity-accounted investees, Interest expense, net, Depreciation and amortization expense, Impairment losses and restructuring cost, Share-based compensation expense, Foreign exchange gains (losses), net, Private offer transaction costs, Transaction related costs, CSS option amortization and Warrant adjustment (if applicable). Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure to analyze the performance of our business. Management believes that excluding these non-cash and other non-recurring items permits a more meaningful comparison and understanding of our strength and performance of our ongoing operations for our investors and analysts.

Adjusted EPS:

Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure presenting the earnings generated by our ongoing operations that we believe is useful to investors in making meaningful comparisons to other companies, although our measure of Adjusted EPS may not be directly comparable to similar measures used by other companies, and period-over-period comparisons. Adjusted EPS is defined as our diluted earnings per common share attributable to Startek shareholders adjusted to exclude the effects of the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, investments that investors may want to evaluate separately (such as based on fair value) and the impact of certain events, gains, losses or other charges that affect period-over-period comparisons. Acquisition-related intangible assets are recognized as a result of the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations (such as customer relationships and Brand), and their amortization is significantly affected by the size and timing of our acquisitions.

Adjusted EBITDA:
		Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
Continuing Operations
Net income (loss)			(1,941	)			4,923				(285	)			(1,093	)
Income tax expense			1,233				2,454				4,087				6,934
Share of income of equity accounted investee (includes gain on disposal of $8,499 in Q4 2022)			(9,873	)			(6,682	)			(13,995	)			(6,681	)
Interest expense and other income (expense), net			4,790				1,394				9,834				17,218
Foreign exchange gains (losses), net			611				149				(348	)			(490	)
Depreciation and amortization expense			5,738				6,116				22,593				23,601
Private offer transaction cost			264				-				2,867				-
Impairment losses and restructuring cost			9,714				5,046				9,824				6,456
Share-based compensation expense			338				485				1,551				1,418
Warrant contra revenue			-				(1,078	)			-				(87	)
Other non recurring costs			526				-				526				-
CSS option amortisation			720				-				1,800				-
Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations			12,121				12,807				38,455				47,276
Discontinued Operations
Net income (loss)			992				3,416				4,516				10,819
Income tax expense			850				15				3,350				4,932
Interest expense and other income (expense), net			1,369				(709	)			2,168				1,955
Foreign exchange gains (losses), net			333				542				642				1,139
Depreciation and amortization expense			1,510				1,623				6,794				4,536
Impairment losses and restructuring cost			1,428				1,216				4,468				1,770
Other non recurring costs			2,724				-				2,724				-
Adjusted EBITDA from Discontinued Operations			9,206				6,103				24,662				25,151
Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing and Discontinued Operations			21,327				18,910				63,117				72,427

Adjusted EPS:
		Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
Continuing Operations
Income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders			(1,941	)			4,923				(285	)			(1,093	)
Share based compensation expense			338				486				1,551				1,418
Amortization of intangible assets, net of tax			2,279				2,277				9,062				9,062
Warrant contra revenue			-				(1,078	)			-				(87	)
Private offer transaction cost			264				-				2,867				-
Impairment of right-of-use assets			1,110				4,514				1,110				4,514
Impairment of goodwill			8,052				-				8,052				-
Debt issuance cost expensed out			1,260				-				1,260				10,937
Other non recurring costs			526				-				526				-
CSS option amortisation			720				-				1,800				-
Adjusted net income from Continuing Operations			12,608				11,122				25,943				24,751
Discontinued Operations
Income (loss) attributable to Startek shareholders			(1,187	)			1,771				(1,974	)			2,593
Other non recurring costs			2,724				-				2,724				-
Adjusted net income (loss) from Discontinued Operations			1,537				1,771				750				2,593
Adjusted Net Income from Continuing and Discontinued Operations			14,145				12,893				26,693				27,344
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic			40,271				40,707				40,305				40,719
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted			40,271				40,865				40,305				41,086
Adjusted EPS from Continuing Operations - Basic			0.31				0.27				0.64				0.61
Adjusted EPS from Continuing Operations - Diluted			0.31				0.27				0.64				0.61
Adjusted EPS from Discontinued Operations - Basic			0.04				0.05				0.02				0.06
Adjusted EPS from Discontinued Operations - Diluted			0.04				0.05				0.02				0.06
Adjusted EPS from Continuing and Discontinued Operations - Basic			0.35				0.32				0.66				0.67
Adjusted EPS from Continuing and Discontinued Operations - Diluted			0.35				0.32				0.66				0.67

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230327005515/en/

Investor Relations

Cody Cree

Gateway Group, Inc.

(949) 574-3860

SRT@gatewayir.com



Media Relations

Rebecca Gautrey

Startek

Rebecca.Gautrey@startek.com

Source: Startek, Inc.

FAQ

What were Startek's Q4 2022 financial results?

Startek reported Q4 2022 net revenue of $92.96 million, a decline of 18.22% year-over-year. They had a net loss of $3.13 million or $(0.08) per share.

How did Startek perform in full year 2022?

For the full year 2022, Startek's net revenue was $385.07 million, down 18.13% from $470.33 million in 2021.

What was the adjusted EPS for Startek in Q4 2022?

Startek had an adjusted EPS of $0.35 in Q4 2022, representing a 9.38% increase compared to the previous year's quarter.

What strategic moves did Startek make recently?

Startek redeemed its interest in CSS Corp. for $45.6 million and plans to divest its stake in Contact Center Company, expected to yield $55.0 million.

What were the main drivers for revenue decline in Startek's Q4 2022?

The decline was primarily due to the insourcing of operations from a key client and the classification of Middle East and Argentina operations as discontinued.