PR

Epiq Systems Reports Third Quarter 2015 Results and Updates Fiscal Year 2015 Outlook

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Nov. 3, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Epiq Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:EPIQ), a leading global provider of integrated technology solutions for the legal profession, today announced results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2015 and updated its full year financial outlook for 2015. Epiq will hold a conference call today at 4:30 pm ET to review its results (details below).

Summary Results (Unaudited)
 
  Three months ended Sept. 30  Nine months ended Sept. 30
(In millions, except share count and per share data) 2015 2014 2015 2014
Segment Operating Revenue        
 Technology $91.8 $69.1 $255.0 $228.8
 Bankruptcy & Settlement Administration $39.5 $34.8 $114.6 $106.8
Total Operating Revenue $131.3 $103.9 $369.6 $335.6
Net Income (Loss)(1) ($19.2) $5.0 ($20.7) ($0.7)
Net Income (Loss) Per Diluted Share(1) ($0.52) $0.14 ($0.57) ($0.02)
Adjusted EBITDA(2) $29.7 $23.7 $75.9 $71.8
Adjusted Net Income(2) $9.0 $6.5 $21.4 $20.7
Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share(2) $0.24 $0.18 $0.58 $0.59
Adjusted Diluted Shares (in thousands) 37,055 36,288 36,995 35,339
Net Cash from Operating Activities $18.9 $18.6 $46.8 $37.4
 
(1) Includes impact of a GAAP net non-cash tax charge of $19.0 million related to establishing a full valuation allowance against U.S. deferred tax assets. The impact of this charge to net loss per diluted share is $0.52 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The valuation allowance is included in "Provision for (benefit from) income taxes" in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Adjusted net income, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share are all non-GAAP financial measures. See the accompanying tables herein for information regarding these measures and reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.

Q3 Financial Overview

Third quarter 2015 operating revenue increased 26%, or 16% excluding operating revenue from recently acquired Iris Data Services, compared to the third quarter 2014 driven by both of Epiq's operating segments. Technology segment operating revenues increased 33%, or 17% excluding operating revenue from Iris, compared to the prior year quarter while Bankruptcy and Settlement Administration operating revenue increased 14%. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased 25% from $23.7 million in the third quarter 2014 and rose 20% from $24.7 million in Q2 2015 and 39% from $21.4 million in Q1 2015. Quarterly adjusted EPS of $0.24 per diluted share increased 33% compared to the prior year quarter and rose 33% from $0.18 in Q2 2015 and 60% from $0.15 in Q1 2015.

Recent Company Highlights

  • Launch of a full-service eDiscovery office in Frankfurt, including managed services through Iris Data Services, a comprehensive document review center, and data processing and hosting in a world-class data center.
     
  • Retained as call center provider to support the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) response to cybersecurity incidents earlier this year impacting 21.5 million individuals.
     
  • Recently elected independent directors, Kevin L. Robert and Douglas M. Gaston, have been newly appointed as chairs of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee, respectively, and the Board of Directors is exploring the addition of new independent directors.
     
  • Declared dividend of $0.09 per share, Epiq's 22nd consecutive quarterly dividend, payable November 16, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business October 15, 2015.

"Epiq delivered a strong quarter of growth in operating revenue, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS reflecting both organic growth and the first full quarter of Iris Data Services revenue as we finalize the integration of that organization into Epiq's global footprint. We see Iris's leading managed services offering being a key part of our eDiscovery growth strategy and market differentiation," said Tom W. Olofson, chairman and CEO, Epiq Systems.

"Epiq continues to be a preferred strategic partner for complex legal matters. The pace of data breaches, regulatory investigations and a healthy environment for corporate M&A provide favorable indicators of global demand for our services. While Epiq continues to gain market share and achieve revenue growth, we are very focused on improving margins and profitability in 2015. We have identified and are implementing a range of initiatives to better leverage our global resources, optimize efficiency and improve our cost structure."

Segment Review 

Technology Segment (eDiscovery)      
 
  Three months ended Sept. 30  Nine months ended Sept. 30
(In millions)(Unaudited) 2015 2014 2015 2014
Operating Revenue $91.8 $69.1 $255.0 $228.8
Adjusted EBITDA $26.3 $20.5 $68.6 $63.3
Operating Revenue Mix        
By Service Type        
Electronically Stored Information (ESI) 62% 63% 60% 57%
Document Review 38% 37% 40% 43%
By Region        
North America 78% 74% 78% 80%
Europe and Asia 22% 26% 22% 20%

Epiq's Technology segment provides integrated technology solutions for electronic discovery (eDiscovery), including global electronically stored information (ESI, which includes Iris eDiscovery managed services) and global document review. Revenue growth within Technology (excluding Iris) was 17% for the third quarter and 33% for the segment including Iris. Operating revenue from international eDiscovery increased by $2.4 million compared to the prior year quarter reflecting growth in both document review and ESI service revenues from new and existing clients. On a pro forma basis and excluding Iris Data Services, international eDiscovery represented 25% of Technology segment operating revenue compared to 26% in the prior year quarter. While pricing pressure in North American ESI services continued to impact operating margins, Technology segment adjusted EBITDA increased 28% compared to the third quarter 2014 primarily due to increased demand for ESI and document review services worldwide in addition to initiatives to drive cost control and increased efficiency.

Bankruptcy and Settlement Administration Segment
  Three months ended Sept. 30 Nine months ended Sept. 30
(In millions)(Unaudited) 2015 2014 2015 2014
Operating Revenue $39.5 $34.8 $114.6 $106.8
Adjusted EBITDA $13.9 $12.7 $36.1 $38.5

Bankruptcy and Settlement Administration segment third quarter operating revenue increased 14% compared to the prior year period, driven primarily by 29% growth in Settlement Administration. A low level of Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings persisted in the third quarter, a trend that is expected to continue for the remainder of 2015. Epiq continues to secure non-traditional work and ongoing projects from current clients to supplement operating revenue in this segment. Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 9% from the prior year quarter due to increased revenue from Settlement Administration services and activity from existing Bankruptcy engagements and non-traditional clients.

GAAP Non-Cash Tax Charge

For the third quarter 2015, Epiq recorded a net non-cash tax charge of $19 million as a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets related to its U.S. operations. The impact of this charge to net loss per diluted share is $0.52 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. Third quarter 2015 tax expense was $22 million, which includes the discrete impact of establishing a full valuation allowance against U.S net deferred tax assets. The establishment of a valuation allowance does not impact cash flows, nor does Epiq expect it to preclude the use of loss carryforwards or other deferred tax assets in the future, including the expected realization of approximately $23 million related to the April 2015 acquisition of Iris Data Services.

2015 Financial Guidance Update

Based on Epiq's current assessment, the Company is updating full year 2015 operating revenue to range between $495 million and $505 million, adjusted EBITDA between $105 million to $108 million and adjusted EPS between $0.82 and $0.85.

Management will provide a more detailed discussion of its 2015 outlook and a general 2016 outlook during the earnings conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. CT).

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
   
Call Dial in: (877) 303-6311 or (631) 813-4730
Webcast URL: http://www.epiqsystems.com/investors/corporate-overview/ 
Audio replay:  (855) 859-2056, ID# 59972387, available through Nov. 10, 2015 

About Epiq Systems

Epiq Systems is a leading global provider of integrated technology solutions for the legal profession, including electronic discovery, bankruptcy, and class action and mass tort administration. We offer full-service capabilities to support litigation, investigations, financial transactions, regulatory compliance and other legal matters. Our innovative technology and services, deep subject-matter expertise and global presence spanning 45 countries served from 20 locations allow us to provide secure, reliable solutions to the worldwide legal community. Visit us at www.epiqsystems.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes the following non-GAAP financial measures: (i) adjusted net income (net income adjusted for amortization of acquisition intangibles, share-based compensation, intangible asset impairment expense, acquisition and related expense, one-time technology expense, loan fee amortization, litigation expense, timing of recognition of expense, reorganization expense, gain or loss on disposition of assets, strategic review expense, and the effect of tax adjustments that are outside of Epiq Systems' anticipated effective tax rate, all net of tax), (ii) adjusted earnings per share, calculated as adjusted net income on a fully diluted per share basis, and (iii) adjusted EBITDA (net income adjusted for depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, intangible asset impairment expense, acquisition and related expense, one-time technology expense, net expense related to financing, litigation expense, timing of recognition of expense, reorganization expense, gain or loss on disposition of assets, strategic review expense, and provision for (benefit from) income taxes). Income taxes typically represent a complex element of a company's income statement and effective tax rates can vary widely between different periods. Epiq Systems uses an approximate statutory tax rate of 40% to reflect income tax effects in the presentation of its adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share. Utilization of an approximate statutory tax rate for presentation of the non-GAAP measures is done to allow a consistent basis for investors to understand financial performance of the company across historical periods.

Although Epiq Systems reports its results using GAAP, Epiq Systems also uses non-GAAP financial measures when management believes those measures provide useful information for its shareholders. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement the GAAP financial information by providing additional insight regarding results of operations and to allow a comparison with other companies, many of whom use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. Certain items are excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures to provide additional comparability measures from period to period. These non-GAAP financial measures will not be defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable to other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures are reconciled in the accompanying tables to the most directly comparable measures as reported in accordance with GAAP, and should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, such comparable financial measures.

Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to any projection or expectation of earnings, revenue or other financial items; the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; factors that may affect our operating results; new products or services; the demand for our products and services; our ability to consummate acquisitions, successfully integrate them into our operations and achieve expected synergies; future capital expenditures; effects of current or future economic conditions or performance; industry trends and other matters that do not relate strictly to historical facts or statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations. In this press release, we make statements that plan for or anticipate the future. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "may," "estimated," "goal," "objective," "seeks," and "potential" and variations of these words and similar expressions or negatives of these words. Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, provide a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Because forward-looking statements involve future risks and uncertainties, listed below are a variety of factors that could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements. These factors include (1) failure to keep pace with technological changes and significant changes in the competitive environment, (2) risks associated with cyber-attacks, interruptions or delays in services at data centers, (3) risks of errors or failures of software or services, (4) interruptions or delays in service at data centers we utilize for delivery of our services, (5) undetected errors in, and failure of operation of, software products releases, (6) our reliance on third-party hardware and software, (7) failure of our financial, operating and information systems to operate as intended, (8) our inability to attract, develop and retain executives and other qualified employees, (9) risks associated with the integration of acquisitions into our existing business operations, (10) risks associated with our international operations, (11) lack of protection of our intellectual property through patents and formal copyright registration, (12) risks of litigation against us for infringement of proprietary rights, (13) material changes in the number of bankruptcy filings, class action filings or mass tort actions each year, or changes in government legislation or court rules affecting these filings, (14) any material non-cash write-downs based on impairment of our goodwill, (15) fluctuations in our quarterly results that could cause fluctuations in the market price of our common stock, (16) our inability to maintain compliance with debt covenant ratios, (17) risks associated with indebtedness and interest rate fluctuations, (18) risks associated with provisions of our articles of incorporation that prevent a takeover of Epiq, (19) overall strength and stability of general economic conditions, both in the United States and in the global markets, (20) the impact of our current review process of strategic alternatives, and (21) other risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. In addition, there may be other factors not included in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings that may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments, except as required by law.

 

 
EPIQ SYSTEMS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2015 2014 2015 2014
REVENUE:        
Operating revenue $131,325 $103,955 $369,637 $335,626
Reimbursable expenses  11,210  7,051 29,936    23,707
Total Revenue  142,535  111,006 399,573    359,333
         
OPERATING EXPENSE:        
Direct cost of operating revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)  64,420  48,193 183,350    163,361
Reimbursable expenses  10,712  6,827 28,506    23,064
Selling, general and administrative expense  42,267  35,332 126,104    125,870
Depreciation and software and leasehold amortization  9,787  9,693 28,050   27,648
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets  5,831  3,184 13,326    9,470
Impairment of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets  --   --  1,162    -- 
Fair value adjustment to contingent consideration  19  --  (1,182)    1,142
Other operating expense, net  1,308  215 4,306    792
Total Operating Expense  134,344  103,444 383,622    351,347
         
OPERATING INCOME  8,191  7,562 15,951    7,986
         
INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME):        
Interest expense  5,374  3,945  15,083  12,674
Interest income  (17) (4)  (22)   (17)
Net Interest Expense  5,357  3,941 15,061    12,657
         
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES  2,834  3,621 890   (4,671)
         
PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT FROM) INCOME TAXES 22,014  (1,389) 21,578  (3,964)
         
NET INCOME (LOSS) ($19,180) $5,010   ($20,688) ($707)
         
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE INFORMATION:        
Basic ($0.52) $0.14 ($0.57) ($0.02)
Diluted ($0.52) $0.14 ($0.57) ($0.02)
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:        
Basic 36,706 35,780 36,509 35,339
Diluted 36,706 36,288 36,509 35,339
         
Cash dividends declared per common share $0.09 $0.09 $0.27 $0.27
 
 
EPIQ SYSTEMS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 (In thousands)
 
  September 30, December 31,
  2015 2014
     
     
ASSETS:    
Cash and cash equivalents $12,616 $54,226
Trade accounts receivable, net  146,260   117,854
Property and equipment, net  80,493  70,579
Internally developed software, net  15,742  14,713
Goodwill  478,773  404,187
Other intangibles, net  49,964  29,605
Other  42,658  47,088
Total Assets $826,506 $738,252
     
     
LIABILITIES:    
Current liabilities, excluding debt $59,469 $53,395
Indebtedness 398,925 313,481
Other non-current liabilities 67,754 46,439
Total Equity 300,358 324,937
Total Liabilities and Equity $826,506 $738,252
 
 
EPIQ SYSTEMS, INC. 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
  Nine Months Ended
  September 30,
  2015 2014
     
     
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
 Net loss ($20,688) ($707)
 Non-cash adjustments to loss:    
Depreciation and amortization 41,376 37,118
Other, net 37,357 7,445
 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net    
 Trade accounts receivable (13,413) 11,469
 Other, net 2,164 (17,961)
Net cash provided by operating activities 46,796 37,364
     
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
Property and equipment; and internally developed software (22,449) (28,815)
Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (124,550) (302)
Other 110 597
Net cash used in investing activities (146,889) (28,520)
     
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Net change in indebtedness 71,042 (8,942)
Common stock repurchases (4,151) (3,982)
Cash dividends paid (9,929) (9,544)
Payment of acquisition-related liabilities (92) (4,963)
Debt issuance costs (1,681) (837)
Other, net 3,760 11,356
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 58,949 (16,912)
     
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (466) (137)
     
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ($41,610) ($8,205)
 
 
EPIQ SYSTEMS, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS)
TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2015 2014 2015 2014
         
NET INCOME (LOSS) ($19,180) $5,010 ($20,688) ($707)
Plus:        
Depreciation and amortization expense  15,619 12,877 41,375 37,118
Share-based compensation expense  3,557 703 10,483 4,979
Intangible asset impairment expense  --   --  1,162  -- 
Acquisition and related expense (1)  1,325 454 3,240 2,254
One-time technology expense (2)  --  639  --  4,284
Expense related to financing, net (3)  5,331 3,788 14,825 12,425
Litigation (recovery) expense, net (4)  29 12 (475) 1,581
Timing of recognition of expense (5)  --   --  (290)  -- 
Reorganization expense (6)  479 1,230 2,451 13,152
(Gain) Loss on disposition of assets  --  (175) (13) 176
Strategic review expense  530  527 2,209  527
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes  22,014 (1,389) 21,578 (3,964)
  48,884 18,666 96,545 72,532
ADJUSTED EBITDA $29,704 $23,676 $75,857 $71,825
         
(1) Acquisition and related expense includes one-time costs associated with acquisitions and fair value adjustments to contingent consideration.
(2) One-time technology related costs associated with security and consolidation of data centers from acquisitions. 
(3) Expense related to financing is net of interest income.
(4) Litigation expense and recovery related to significant one-time matters.
(5) Adjustment to match timing of expenses to be consistent with timing of GAAP revenue and recoveries for settlement administration matters.
(6) Expenses primarily related to one-time charges for post-employment benefits.
 
 
EPIQ SYSTEMS, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS)
TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
  Three months ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2015 2014 2015 2014
         
NET INCOME (LOSS) ($19,180) $5,010 ($20,688) ($707)
Plus (net of tax) (1) :        
Amortization of acquisition intangibles 3,499 1,910 7,996 5,682
Share-based compensation 2,134 421 6,290 2,987
Intangible asset impairment expense  --   --  697  -- 
Acquisition and related expense (2) 795 304 1,970 1,453
One-time technology expense (3)  --  383  --  2,570
Loan fee amortization and write-off 279 217 1,272 1,117
Litigation (recovery) expense, net (4) 17 150 (7) 1,375
Timing of recognition of expense (5)  --   --  (174)  -- 
Reorganization expense (6)  287 738 1,470 7,891
(Gain) Loss on disposition of assets  --   (104) (8)  106
Strategic review expense 318  316 1,325  316
Effective tax rate adjustment (7) 20,882  (2,837) 21,222 (2,095)
  28,211 1,498 42,053 21,402
ADJUSTED NET INCOME $9,031 $6,508 $21,365 $20,695
ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE – DILUTED $0.24 $0.18 $0.58 $0.59
         
 
(1) Individual adjustments are calculated using a tax rate of 40%.
(2) Acquisition and related expense includes one-time costs associated with acquisitions and fair value adjustments to contingent consideration.
(3) One-time technology related costs associated with security and consolidation of data centers from acquisitions.
(4) Litigation expense or recovery related to significant one-time matters.
(5) Adjustment to match timing of expenses to be consistent with timing of GAAP revenue and recoveries for settlement administration matters.
(6) Expenses primarily related to one-time charges for post-employment benefits.
(7) The effective tax rate adjustment reflects a non-GAAP provision for income taxes at a tax rate of 40%.
 
 
EPIQ SYSTEMS, INC.
OPERATING REVENUE
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
  Three months ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2015 2014 2015 2014
         
Technology $91,847 $69,139 $255,029 $228,831
         
Bankruptcy 21,047 20,538 58,758 61,793
Settlement Administration 18,431 14,278 55,850 45,002
Total Bankruptcy and Settlement Administration 39,478 34,816 114,608 106,795
         
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE $131,325 $103,955 $369,637 $335,626
 
 
EPIQ SYSTEMS, INC.
ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
  Three months ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2015 2014 2015 2014
         
Technology $26,308 $20,487 $68,559 $63,322
Bankruptcy and Settlement Administration 13,938 12,675 36,119 38,529
Unallocated Corporate (1) (10,542) (9,486) (28,821) (30,026)
         
TOTAL ADJUSTED EBITDA $29,704 $23,676 $75,857 $71,825
         
(1) Unallocated corporate adjusted EBITDA excludes expenses related to share-based compensation, impairment expense related to acquired intangible assets, acquisition and related expense, including fair value adjustments to contingent consideration, one-time technology expense, non-routine litigation expense or recovery, timing of recognition of expense, gain or loss on disposition of assets, strategic review expense, and one-time reorganization expense.
 
 
EPIQ SYSTEMS, INC.
CALCULATION OF NET LOSS PER SHARE AND
DILUTED ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
  Three months ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2015 2014 2015 2014
         
NET INCOME (LOSS) ($19,180) $5,010 ($20,688) ($707)
         
BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES 36,706 35,780 36,509 35,339
Adjustment to reflect share-based awards   --  508  --  -- 
DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES 36,706 36,288 36,509 35,339
         
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE – DILUTED ($0.52) $0.14 ($0.57) ($0.02)
         
ADJUSTED NET INCOME $9,031 $6,508 $21,365 $20,695
         
BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES 36,706 35,780 36,509 35,339
 Adjustment to reflect share-based awards  349 508 486   -- 
DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES(1) 37,055 36,288 36,995 35,339
         
ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE - DILUTED $0.24 $0.18 $0.58 $0.59
         
(1)  Diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 include the dilutive impact of share-based awards due to adjusted net income reported for the respective periods.

CONTACT: Investor Contacts Kelly Bailey Epiq Systems 913-621-9500 ir@epiqsystems.com Chris Eddy Catalyst Global 212-924-9800 epiq@catalyst-ir.com

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