West Corporation Announces Third Quarter Results and Acquisition Of ConferenceCall.com
Company Adds Market Leading Internet Conferencing Solutions Firm
OMAHA, Neb., Oct 21, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- West Corporation (Nasdaq: WSTC), a leading provider of outsourced communication solutions, today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003 and the acquisition of ConferenceCall.com.
Financial Summary (unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts and percentages)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30 September 30
Percent Percent
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
Revenue $263,551 $199,354 32.2% $717,296 $604,978 18.6%
Operating
Income 40,438 20,931 93.2% 105,835 86,917 21.8%
Net Income 24,368 13,607 79.1% 65,325 56,484 15.7%
Earnings
per share
(basic) 0.37 0.21 0.98 0.86
Earnings
per share
(diluted) 0.35 0.20 0.95 0.83
"We are pleased with this quarter's results and the progress made with the integration of InterCall," stated Thomas B. Barker, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Although our Communication Services segment continues to be impacted by a difficult operating environment, it still produced solid numbers this quarter."
Third Quarter Operating Results
For the quarter ended September 30, 2003, consolidated revenues increased 32.2% to $263.6 million compared to $199.4 million in the third quarter 2002. The first full quarter of results for the Conferencing segment produced $61.5 million of revenue in the third quarter 2003. Consolidated operating income for the third quarter was $40.4 million, an increase of 93.2% compared to $20.9 million in the same period last year. Consolidated operating income included $12.7 million from the Conferencing segment in 2003. Consolidated net income for the quarter stood at $24.4 million versus $13.6 million in third quarter 2002, an increase of 79.1%. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter 2003 was 35 cents, versus 20 cents during the same period in 2002.
Nine-Month Operating Results
For the nine-months ended September 30, 2003, consolidated revenues were $717.3 million, an increase of 18.6% compared to $605.0 million for the same period in 2002. Consolidated operating income increased by 21.8% to $105.8 million in the first nine months of 2003 compared to $86.9 million last year. Consolidated net income was $65.3 million, an increase of 15.6% from $56.5 million in the nine-month 2002 period.
"The company generated $147.9 million in cash flow from operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2003," noted Paul Mendlik, Chief Financial Officer of West Corporation. "We expect strong cash flow to continue going forward."
Margins
Consolidated operating margins for the third quarter 2003 were 15.3%, compared to 10.5% in the same period last year. For the nine-months ended September 30, 2003, consolidated operating margins were 14.8%, compared to 14.4% in the same period last year. The margin improvement for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, is the result of continued improvements in the Communications Services segment and the addition of the Conferencing segment.
In the third quarter of 2003, SG&A as a percent of revenues rose to 41.9% compared to 40.3% last year. For the first nine months of 2003, SG&A as a percent of revenues increased to 40.3% from 37.2% in the comparable period last year. The increase can be attributed to the acquisition of InterCall, Inc. due to its different operating structure, and the mix of overall business completed during the quarter.
Balance Sheet
On September 30, 2003, the company reported a solid current ratio of 1.54 to 1 and cash and short-term investments totaling $40.6 million. The company's total debt was reduced to $198 million at September 30, 2003, due to the payment of $55.7 million of long-term obligations during the quarter.
Acquisition Details
West has agreed to acquire ConferenceCall.com for approximately $38.5 million net of cash. The acquisition will be funded with cash and the company's existing bank credit facility. Based in Dallas, Texas, ConferenceCall.com is a provider of conferencing solutions to companies of all sizes through the Internet. The acquisition is expected to close on November 1, 2003.
The firm brings proprietary conferencing related URL's, a strong Internet marketing presence and sophisticated marketing tools to West. ConferenceCall.com will be integrated into InterCall, but will maintain its brand and market presence. West will leverage its infrastructure, technology and operating expertise to improve the operating efficiency of ConferenceCall.com.
In 2003, ConferenceCall.com is expected to produce annual revenue of approximately $18.0 million and normalized operating income of approximately $8.0 million, delivering an operating margin of approximately 44%. Given the cyclical nature of the conferencing sector and the approaching holiday season, the acquisition is not expected to contribute to West's overall net income during the remaining two months of the year, but is expected to be accretive in 2004.
Conference Call
The company will hold a conference call to discuss earnings on October 22nd at 10:00 AM Central Time. Investors may access the call by visiting the Investor Relations section of the West Corporation website at www.west.com and clicking on the Live Webcast icon. If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, a replay of the call will also be available on the website.
About West Corporation
West Corporation is a leading provider of outsourced communication solutions to many of the world's largest companies. The company helps its clients communicate effectively, maximize the value of their customer relationships and drive greater revenue from each transaction. West's integrated suite of customized solutions includes customer acquisition, customer care and retention services, interactive voice response services, and conferencing and accounts receivable management services.
Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, West has a team of approximately 23,000 employees based in North America, Europe and Asia.
For more information, please visit www.west.com .
Statements which are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: our expected margins, the expected closing date of our announced acquisition of ConferenceCall.com, the expected financial results of ConferenceCall.com and its contribution to our operating results, expected changes in the efficiency and profitability of ConferenceCall.com, planned expansion of operating facilities; labor market conditions; mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures, including their execution and integration; customer concentrations; technological innovation; and general economic conditions. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Further information regarding the factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or projected results can be found in documents filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
WEST CORPORATION
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited, in thousands except per share and selected operating data)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, Sept 30,
2003 2002 % Change 2003 2002 % Change
Revenue $263,551 $199,354 32.2% $717,296 $604,978 18.6%
Cost of services 112,804 98,103 15.0% 322,290 293,210 9.9%
Selling, general
and
administrative
expenses 110,309 80,320 37.3% 289,171 224,851 28.6%
Operating income 40,438 20,931 93.2% 105,835 86,917 21.8%
Other income
(expense), net (1,409) 406 (447.0%) (1,615) 1,548 (204.3%)
Income before tax 39,029 21,337 82.9% 104,220 88,465 17.8%
Income tax expense 14,661 7,682 90.8% 38,730 31,778 21.9%
Minority Interest - 48 165 203 -18.7%
Net income $24,368 $13,607 79.1% $65,325 $56,484 15.7%
Earnings per share:
Basic $0.37 $0.21 $0.98 $0.86
Diluted $0.35 $0.20 $0.95 $0.83
Weighted average
common shares
outstanding:
Basic 66,617 65,725 66,411 65,685
Diluted 69,026 67,561 68,521 68,313
SELECTED OPERATING DATA:
Revenue:
Communication
Services* $202,072 $199,354 $621,979 $604,978
Conferencing
Services 61,479 - 95,317 -
Total $263,551 $199,354 $717,296 $604,978
Operating Income:
Communication
Services* $27,708 $20,931 $85,747 $86,917
Conferencing
Services 12,730 - 20,088 -
Total $40,438 $20,931 $105,835 $86,917
Operating Margin:
Communication
Services* 13.7% 10.5% 13.8% 14.4%
Conferencing
Services 20.7% - 21.1% -
Total 15.3% 10.5% 14.8% 14.4%
Number of
Communication
Services
workstations
(end of period) 14,103 13,827 14,103 13,827
Number of
Communication
Services
ports
(end of period) 144,719 143,600 144,719 143,600
* Communication Services = includes all West Corporation services apart
from InterCall conferencing.
Condensed Balance Sheet
September 30, December 31, %
2003 2002 Change
Current assets:
Cash and short-term investments $40,568 $137,927 -70.6%
Trade accounts receivable, net 147,485 121,868 21.0%
Other current assets 24,611 29,790 -17.4%
Total current assets 212,664 289,585 -26.6%
Property and equipment, net 242,817 213,641 13.7%
Goodwill 418,727 114,146 266.8%
Other assets 107,318 53,450 100.8%
Total assets $981,526 $670,822 46.3%
Current liabilities $138,201 $66,322 108.4%
Long Term Obligations 156,750 17,155 813.7%
Other liabilities & minority interest 54,652 37,753 44.8%
Stockholders' equity 631,923 549,592 15.0%
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $981,526 $670,822 46.3%
SOURCE West Corporation
Carol Padon, Investor Relations of West Corporation, +1-402-963-1500 /Website: http://www.west.com
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