Ceridian Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2006 Results
Company Provides Guidance for 2007 Fourth Quarter 2006 Highlights: * Diluted EPS of $.35 exceeds guidance range. * Revenue of $404.0 million up 6 percent over prior year. o Human Resource Solutions revenue up 3 percent, to $282.7 million. Higher than anticipated revenue deferrals
MINNEAPOLIS (February 13, 2007) – Ceridian Corporation (NYSE: CEN) today reported fourth quarter 2006 net earnings of $49.6 million, or $.35 per diluted share, on revenue of $404.0 million. For the fourth quarter of 2005, net earnings were $46.7 million, or $.32 per diluted share on revenue of $379.5 million. For the year ended December 31, 2006, net earnings were $173.6 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, on revenue of $1,565.1. For the year ended December 31, 2005, net earnings were $127.9 million, or $.86 per diluted share, on revenue of $1,459.0 million.
“I am pleased that the Company exceeded its earnings, cash flow, and margin targets for the year,” said Kathryn V. Marinello, president and chief executive officer of Ceridian Corporation. “We had a very strong year. Earnings per share for 2006 came in significantly above the range we provided one year ago. Profit margins in our Human Resource Solutions (HRS) business doubled in 2006, and Comdata posted its eleventh straight quarter of double digit top-line growth. The strong results are a testament to the strength of our businesses, and to the efforts of our employees. We intend to build on the solid base established during 2006 as we move into 2007. We are actively addressing areas that require specific focus, and have challenges, but I look forward to capitalizing on the opportunities we have to accelerate the growth and improve the profitability of the business as we move into the future.”
“The fourth quarter earnings performance was solid,” Marinello continued. “Diluted earnings per share of $.35 exceeded our guidance range on a strong top-line performance at Comdata, higher margins in HRS, and a lower effective tax rate. Total revenue of $404.0 million was within our guided range, up 6 percent over the prior year.”
“Revenue for the quarter in HRS was up 3 percent over last year, which was somewhat below our guidance range,” added Douglas C. Neve, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Ceridian. “Higher than anticipated revenue deferrals negatively impacted the quarterly performance by approximately $4 million. Segment earnings as a percentage of revenue improved substantially over the prior year, and the segment earnings for the quarter met our expectations.”
“Overall order growth in HRS was flat on a percentage basis in the quarter. Orders in our Canadian operation were very strong in the quarter, offsetting decreases in the U.S. and the UK.” said Neve. “The other primary operational indicators in the HRS business during the quarter were in line with our expectations. Float balances grew 9.1 percent and the yield on the float balance was 4.7 percent , up 29 basis points over the prior year quarter.”
“Comdata turned in another very strong performance this quarter,” Neve continued. “Revenue growth exceeded our guided range, up 16 percent over the fourth quarter of last year despite pressure of about one percentage point from lower average fuel prices in the quarter. Comdata’s growth was again driven by new client signings, continued traction in new service offerings, strong organic growth both domestically and internationally, and Comdata’s entry into mall gift card program management services driven by the acquisition of HQ Gift Cards LLC during the quarter.”
“Comdata’s segment earnings as a percentage of revenue were solid at 33.0 percent,” said Neve.
“Cash generation for the quarter was seasonally strong, as expected,” Neve concluded. “Cash flow from operations was $74.0 million, and capital expenditures were $14.6 million, which drove our cash balance up $55.7 million from the end of the third quarter to $294.7 million. The debt balance grew modestly and stood at $100.5 million at year end. Share repurchases during the quarter totaled 1.6 million shares for $40.3 million. For the year, share repurchases totaled 13.0 million shares for $316.4 million. Option exercises totaled 3.0 million shares and generated cash proceeds of $53.5 million in the quarter.”
Stock-based compensation expense for the quarter was in line with plan, at $4.2 million pre-tax, or $.02 per share. Stock-based compensation expense in the fourth quarter of 2005 was $0.4 million pre-tax.
Department of Defense (DOD) and Federal Occupational Health (FOH) Contracts
Ceridian’s Military One Source contract with the Department of Defense has been extended until February 28, 2007.
Ceridian signed a contract to provide employee assistance program (EAP) services to Federal Occupational Health (FOH) in September 2006. The contract was suspended in October when a protest to the contract award was filed by an unsuccessful bidder. In January 2007, Ceridian was notified by the government that the original contract value was reduced because one major government agency is no longer part of the contract. In February 2007, at the request of the government, Ceridian submitted a revised business proposal, and is awaiting a response on a revised contract award.
Guidance for 2007
Earnings per diluted share for 2007 are expected to be between $1.25 and $1.35, not including costs related to the election of directors at the Company’s next Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Total 2007 revenue is expected to grow 5 percent to 9 percent to a range of $1,650 million to $1,700 million. HRS revenue for the year is expected to grow in the mid-single digits on a percentage basis. Comdata revenue is expected to grow in the low double digits on a percentage basis.
HRS segment margins as a percentage of revenue are expected to improve by approximately 200 basis points over 2006. Comdata margins as a percentage of revenue are expected to remain in the low thirties on a percentage basis, subject to potential incremental investments in future growth initiatives during the year.
The effective tax rate for 2007, exclusive of discreet items, is expected to improve by approximately 1 percent to 37.5%.
Cash flow from operations for 2007 is expected to be in excess of $225 million. Capital expenditures and depreciation and amortization for 2007 are expected to be approximately $65 million, and $85 million, respectively.
Earnings Teleconference Webcast
Investors are invited to listen to a teleconference discussing the matters addressed in this press release, live via the Internet at 9:00 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday, February 13, 2007. The Web-cast can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of Ceridian’s website at www.ceridian.com. A replay of the call will also be available at the same address beginning at 11:00 a.m. (EST) on February 13, 2007.
Ceridian Corporation (www.ceridian.com) is an information services company serving businesses and employees in the United States, Canada and Europe. Ceridian is one of the top human resources outsourcing companies in each of its markets, and offers a broad range of human resource services, including payroll, benefits administration, tax compliance, HR information systems and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and work-life solutions. Through its Comdata subsidiary, Ceridian is a major payment processor and issuer of credit cards, debit cards and stored value cards, primarily for the trucking and retail industries in the United States.
Source: Ceridian
