Paychex, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Results; Settles Litigation
THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 2010 HIGHLIGHTS
-- Total service revenue decreased 4% to $493.8 million. -- Total revenue was $507.8 million. -- Operating income decreased 15% to $168.2 million and operating income, net of certain items, decreased 4% to $172.9 million. -- Operating income reflected an $18.7 million expense charge to increase the litigation reserve related to the recent Rapid Payroll decision. -- Net income and diluted earnings per share decreased 14% to $112.0 million and $0.31 per share, respectively.
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Paychex, Inc. ("Paychex," "we," "our," or "us") (NASDAQ:PAYX) today announced total revenue of $507.8 million for the three months ended February 28, 2010 (the "third quarter"), a decrease of 4% from $528.6 million for the same period last year. Net income and diluted earnings per share decreased 14% to $112.0 million and $0.31 per share, respectively. Our results for the third quarter were impacted by an expense charge of $18.7 million to increase the litigation reserve, which reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.03 per share.
Commenting on our results, Jonathan J. Judge, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "We are disappointed with the recent court decision to uphold a 2007 jury verdict related to Rapid Payroll, but have finally put this matter behind us. Excluding the $18.7 million expense charge, our results were as expected."
Mr. Judge added, "For the third straight quarter, our key indicators have shown stabilization and, exclusive of certain items, we have slightly exceeded our earnings goals throughout fiscal 2010. Achieving our revenue goals has proven more difficult due to the adverse impact the economic headwinds have had on new client sales and client retention. Our client base declined 2.1% since May 31, 2009. The selling season was a difficult one as our new sales units for the nine months were down 6% from last year, primarily due to declines in new business formation and fewer companies moving to outsourcing. Client retention, while less favorable than normal, began to show some improvement as clients lost during the first nine months were 5% below the same period a year ago, with a slight improvement in these losses as a percentage of the beginning of the fiscal year client base. On a positive note, checks per client remained stable with a 2.2% reduction over the same period last year, compared to 3.7% and 5.0% for the second and first quarters of fiscal 2010. We are hopeful that the checks per client are an indicator of better times ahead.
"Continued investment in our business, including our technological infrastructure, is critical to our success. We have invested over $60 million in an enhanced platform for our core payroll processing capability that was fully implemented by the end of our third quarter. We have successfully completed our conversion of over 470,000 clients to this platform, which allows us to leverage efficiencies in the process and continue to provide extraordinary customer service for our clients. Looking to the future, we remain focused on investing in our products, people, and service capabilities, positioning ourselves to capitalize on opportunities for long-term growth."
Payroll service revenue decreased 6% to $358.3 million for the third quarter from the same period last year, as the cumulative impact of the weak economic environment negatively impacted our client base and check volume. Our checks per client have remained stable since last May and have decreased only 2.2% for the third quarter compared to the same period last year.
Human Resource Services revenue increased 3% to $135.5 million for the third quarter from the same period last year. The following factors contributed to Human Resource Services revenue growth:
As of: February 28, % February 28, % $ in billions 2010 Change 2009 Change Comprehensive human resource outsourcing services client 472,000 9 % 432,000 6 % employees served Comprehensive human resource 19,000 7 % 17,000 12 % outsourcing services clients Workers' compensation insurance 79,000 5 % 75,000 8 % clients Retirement services clients 50,000 -- 50,000 6 % Asset value of retirement services $ 11.0 53 % $ 7.2 (23 %) client employees' funds
Recovery in the financial markets and increased levels of larger plans converting to Paychex has driven the 53% increase in the asset value of retirement services client employees' funds. In addition, Human Resource Services revenue for the third quarter was positively impacted by a 54% increase in health and benefits service revenue and growth in certain Human Resource Services products that support our Major Market Services clients.
Dampening our revenue growth has been the cumulative impact from weak economic conditions on our client base growth, especially on our retirement services. In addition, retirement services revenue growth was negatively impacted by $2.7 million in billings for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 related to restatements of clients' retirement plans required by statute, which are not expected to recur for approximately six years.
In October 2009, we sold Stromberg time and attendance, an immaterial component of Paychex. Human Resource Services revenue growth excluding Stromberg revenue and retirement plan restatement billings would have been 10% for the third quarter and 7% for the nine months ended February 28, 2010.
Total expenses increased 3% to $339.6 million for the third quarter compared to the same period last year. The increase was a result of the $18.7 million expense charge to increase the litigation reserve. Excluding this expense charge, total expenses would have declined 3%. This result was generated from cost control measures and lower headcount, offset slightly by costs related to continued investment in our sales force for key areas, customer service, and technological infrastructure.
For the third quarter, our operating income was $168.2 million, a decrease of 15% from the same period last year. Operating income, net of certain items (see Note 1 on page 4 for further description) decreased 4% to $172.9 million for the third quarter as compared to $181.0 million for the same period last year.
For the three months For the nine months ended ended February 28, February 28, % % $ in 2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change millions Operating $ 168.2 $ 197.4 (15 %) $ 551.2 $ 630.9 (13 %) income Excluding: Interest on funds (14.0 ) (16.4 ) (14 %) (41.3 ) (60.4 ) (32 %) held for clients Expense charge to increase 18.7 -- 100 % 18.7 -- 100 % the litigation reserve Operating income, net of $ 172.9 $ 181.0 (4 %) $ 528.6 $ 570.5 (7 %) certain items
For the third quarter, interest on funds held for clients decreased 14% to $14.0 million due to lower average interest rates earned and lower average investment balances, offset somewhat by higher realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities. Average investment balances for funds held for clients decreased 4% for the third quarter compared to the prior year period. This decline was a result of the cumulative adverse effect of weak economic conditions on our client base and lower tax withholdings for client employees resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the "2009 economic stimulus package"), partially offset by the impact of increases in state unemployment insurance rates for the 2010 calendar year. Investment income increased 11% to $1.2 million for the third quarter due to higher average investment balances resulting from investment of cash generated from operations, offset somewhat by lower average interest rates earned.
Average investment balances and interest rates are summarized below:
For the three months For the nine months ended ended February 28, February 28, % % $ in 2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change millions Average investment balances: Funds held $ 3,462.6 $ 3,589.0 (4 %) $ 3,053.5 $ 3,299.1 (7 %) for clients Corporate $ 672.2 $ 550.8 22 % $ 639.2 $ 515.1 24 % investments Average interest rates earned (exclusive of net realized gains): Funds held 1.5 % 1.8 % 1.7 % 2.4 % for clients Corporate 0.8 % 1.0 % 0.8 % 1.7 % investments Net realized gains: Funds held $ 1.3 $ 0.2 $ 2.3 $ 0.9 for clients Corporate $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- investments
We continue to follow our investment strategy of maximizing liquidity and protecting principal. With the turmoil in the financial markets, this has translated to significantly lower yields on high quality instruments, impacting our income earned on our funds held for clients and corporate investments. We invest primarily in high credit quality securities with AAA and AA ratings and short-term securities with A-1/P-1 ratings. We limit the amounts that can be invested in any single issuer. All the investments we held as of February 28, 2010 are traded in active markets. Since September 2008, our primary short-term investment vehicle has been United States ("U.S.") agency discount notes. We have seen gradual improvements in liquidity in certain money market sectors, and in November 2009 we began to invest in select A-1/P-1-rated variable rate demand notes.
The available-for-sale securities within the funds held for clients and corporate investment portfolios reflected a net unrealized gain of $76.1 million as of February 28, 2010, compared with a net unrealized gain of $66.7 million as of May 31, 2009. During the nine months ended February 28, 2010, the net unrealized gain on our investment portfolios ranged from $55.1 million to $82.4 million. The net unrealized gain on our investment portfolios was approximately $74.9 million as of March 19, 2010.
YEAR-TO-DATE FISCAL 2010 HIGHLIGHTS
The highlights for the nine months ended February 28, 2010 are as follows:
-- Payroll service revenue decreased 6% to $1.1 billion. -- Human Resource Services revenue increased 2% to $399.7 million. -- Total revenue decreased 5% to $1.5 billion. -- Combined interest on funds held for clients and investment income, net decreased $21.9 million, or 33%. -- Operating income decreased 13% to $551.2 million, and operating income, net of certain items, decreased 7% to $528.6 million. -- Net income and diluted earnings per share decreased 14% to $361.5 million and $1.00 per share, respectively. -- Cash flow from operations was $503.0 million.
RAPID PAYROLL, INC. LITIGATION
During the third quarter of fiscal 2010, we recognized $18.7 million of additional expense related to the Rapid Payroll, Inc. ("Rapid Payroll") litigation that commenced in August 2001, and has been previously disclosed. On March 9, 2010, the Court of Appeal of the State of California upheld a jury verdict issued on June 27, 2007 in litigation brought by one of the licensees. In that case, the California Superior Court, Los Angeles County jury awarded to the plaintiff $15.0 million in compensatory damages and subsequently awarded an additional $11.0 million in punitive damages. Paychex will satisfy the judgment, including statutory interest, without further appeal. This is the final pending matter in the Rapid Payroll litigation.
OUTLOOK
Our outlook for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2010 ("fiscal 2010") remains unchanged from the guidance provided in September 2009. Our guidance reflects the impact of current economic and financial conditions, and assumes these conditions will continue through the remainder of the fiscal year. Consistent with our policy regarding guidance, our projections do not anticipate or speculate on future changes to interest rates.
Projected changes in revenue and net income for fiscal 2010 are as follows:
Low High Payroll service revenue (7 %) -- (5 %) Human Resource Services revenue 3 % -- 6 % Total service revenue (5 %) -- (2 %) Interest on funds held for clients (30 %) -- (25 %) Total revenue (5 %) -- (2 %) Investment income, net (35 %) -- (30 %) Net income (12 %) -- (10 %)
Operating income, net of certain items, as a percentage of total service revenue is expected to range from 34% to 35% for fiscal 2010. The effective income tax rate is expected to approximate 35% for fiscal 2010. The higher tax rate in fiscal 2010 is driven by higher state income tax rates resulting from state legislative changes.
Interest on funds held for clients and investment income for fiscal 2010 are expected to be impacted by interest rate volatility, and comparisons to the prior year are expected to continue to improve in the remainder of fiscal 2010. Interest on funds held for clients will be further impacted by a projected 5% decline in average invested balances for fiscal 2010 compared to the prior year. This decline is the result of the cumulative adverse effect of the weak economy on our client base and lower tax withholdings for client employees as a result of the 2009 economic stimulus package, partially offset by the impact of increases in state unemployment insurance rates for the 2010 calendar year.
Note 1: In addition to reporting operating income, a U.S. generally accepted accounting principle ("GAAP") measure, we present operating income, net of certain items, which is a non-GAAP measure. We believe operating income, net of certain items, is an appropriate additional measure, as it is an indicator of our core business operations performance period over period. It is also the measure used internally for establishing the following year's targets and measuring management's performance in connection with certain performance-based compensation payments and awards. Operating income, net of certain items, excludes interest on funds held for clients and the expense charge in the third quarter to increase the litigation reserve. Interest on funds held for clients is an adjustment to operating income due to the volatility of interest rates which are not within the control of management. The expense charge to increase the litigation reserve is also an adjustment to operating income due to its unusual and infrequent nature. It is outside the normal course of our operations and obscures the comparability of performance period over period. Operating income, net of certain items, is not calculated through the application of GAAP and is not the required form of disclosure by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). As such, it should not be considered as a substitute for the GAAP measure of operating income and, therefore, should not be used in isolation, but in conjunction with the GAAP measure. The use of any non-GAAP measure may produce results that vary from the GAAP measure and may not be comparable to a similarly defined non-GAAP measure used by other companies.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Form 10-Q") is normally filed by the close of business on the same day as this press release is issued, and is available at www.paychex.com. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Form 10-Q and the related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in that Form 10-Q.
CONFERENCE CALL
Interested parties may access the webcast of our Earnings Release Conference Call, scheduled for March 25, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, at www.paychex.com on the Investor Relations page. The webcast will also be archived on the Investor Relations page for approximately one month. Our news releases, current financial information, SEC filings, and investor presentation are also accessible at www.paychex.com. For more information, contact:
Investor Relations: John Morphy, CFO, or Terri Allen 585-383-3406 Media Inquiries: Laura Saxby Lynch 585-383-3074
ABOUT PAYCHEX
Paychex, Inc. is a leading provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. The company offers comprehensive payroll services, including payroll processing, payroll tax administration, and employee pay services, including direct deposit, check signing, and Readychex(R). Human Resource Services include 401(k) plan recordkeeping, health insurance, workers' compensation administration, section 125 plans, a professional employer organization, time and attendance solutions, and other administrative services for business. Paychex, Inc. was founded in 1971. With headquarters in Rochester, New York, the company has more than 100 offices and serves approximately 554,000 payroll clients nationwide as of May 31, 2009. For more information about Paychex, Inc. and our products, visit www.paychex.com.
"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
Certain written and oral statements made by us may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act"). Forward-looking statements are identified by such words and phrases as "we expect," "expected to," "estimates," "estimated," "current outlook," "we look forward to," "would equate to," "projects," "projections," "projected to be," "anticipates," "anticipated," "we believe," "could be," and other similar phrases. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements relating to revenue growth, earnings, earnings-per-share growth, or similar projections, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. Because they are forward-looking, they should be evaluated in light of important risk factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following risks, as well as those that are described in our periodic filings with the SEC:
-- general market and economic conditions including, among others, changes in U.S. employment and wage levels, changes in new hiring trends, legislative changes to stimulate the economy, changes in short- and long-term interest rates, changes in the fair value and the credit rating of securities held by us, and accessibility of financing; -- changes in demand for our services and products, ability to develop and market new services and products effectively, pricing changes and the impact of competition, and the availability of skilled workers; -- changes in the laws regulating collection and payment of payroll taxes, professional employer organizations, and employee benefits, including retirement plans, workers' compensation, health insurance, state unemployment, and section 125 plans; -- changes in workers' compensation rates and underlying claims trends; -- the possibility of failure to keep pace with technological changes and provide timely enhancements to services and products; -- the possibility of failure of our operating facilities, computer systems, and communication systems during a catastrophic event; -- the possibility of third-party service providers failing to perform their functions; -- the possible failure of internal controls or our inability to implement business processing improvements; and -- potentially unfavorable outcomes related to pending legal matters.
Any of these factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from our anticipated results. The information provided in this document is based upon the facts and circumstances known at this time. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements after the date of issuance of this release to reflect events or circumstances after such date, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
PAYCHEX, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts) For the three months For the nine months ended ended February 28, February 28, 2009 % 2009 % 2010 Change 2010 Change Revenue: Payroll service $ 358,335 $ 381,210 (6%) $ 1,063,573 $ 1,135,758 (6%) revenue Human Resource 135,455 130,986 3% 399,732 390,688 2% Services revenue Total service 493,790 512,196 (4%) 1,463,305 1,526,446 (4%) revenue Interest on funds held for 14,029 16,385 (14%) 41,304 60,380 (32%) clients (1) Total revenue 507,819 528,581 (4%) 1,504,609 1,586,826 (5%) Expenses: Operating 164,508 174,503 (6%) 490,502 513,646 (5%) expenses Selling, general and 175,062 156,677 12% 462,926 442,294 5% administrative expenses Total expenses 339,570 331,180 3% 953,428 955,940 -- Operating income 168,249 197,401 (15%) 551,181 630,886 (13%) Investment 1,180 1,067 11% 3,232 6,050 (47%) income, net (1) Income before 169,429 198,468 (15%) 554,413 636,936 (13%) income taxes Income taxes 57,422 67,678 (15%) 192,936 217,195 (11%) Net income $ 112,007 $ 130,790 (14%) $ 361,477 $ 419,741 (14%) Basic earnings $ 0.31 $ 0.36 (14%) $ 1.00 $ 1.16 (14%) per share Diluted earnings $ 0.31 $ 0.36 (14%) $ 1.00 $ 1.16 (14%) per share Weighted-average common shares 361,417 360,821 361,328 360,743 outstanding Weighted-average common shares outstanding, 361,860 360,913 361,627 360,966 assuming dilution Cash dividends $ 0.31 $ 0.31 -- $ 0.93 $ 0.93 -- per common share
Further information on interest on funds held for clients and investment income, net, and the short- and long-term effects of changing interest rates can be found in our filings with the SEC, including our Form 10-Q and (1) Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and subheadings "Results of Operations" and "Market Risk Factors." These filings are accessible at our website www.paychex.com.
PAYCHEX, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amount) February 28, May 31, 2010 2009 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 279,261 $ 472,769 Corporate investments 115,765 19,710 Interest receivable 22,591 27,722 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful 159,131 177,958 accounts Deferred income taxes 23,221 10,180 Prepaid income taxes -- 2,198 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 25,035 27,913 Current assets before funds held for clients 625,004 738,450 Funds held for clients 4,091,527 3,501,376 Total current assets 4,716,531 4,239,826 Long-term corporate investments 294,088 82,234 Property and equipment, net of accumulated 264,273 274,530 depreciation Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization 68,085 76,641 Goodwill 421,559 433,316 Deferred income taxes 19,723 16,487 Other long-term assets 3,772 4,381 Total assets $ 5,788,031 $ 5,127,415 LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 35,081 $ 37,334 Accrued compensation and related items 128,745 135,064 Deferred revenue 3,792 9,542 Accrued income taxes 23,531 -- Deferred income taxes 19,463 17,159 Litigation reserve 39,096 20,411 Other current liabilities 41,314 44,704 Current liabilities before client fund obligations 291,022 264,214 Client fund obligations 4,021,401 3,437,679 Total current liabilities 4,312,423 3,701,893 Accrued income taxes 27,305 25,730 Deferred income taxes 5,786 12,773 Other long-term liabilities 45,397 45,541 Total liabilities 4,390,911 3,785,937 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock, $0.01 par value; Authorized: 600,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 361,421 shares as of February 3,614 3,610 28, 2010 and 360,976 shares as of May 31, 2009, respectively Additional paid-in capital 492,008 466,427 Retained earnings 852,936 829,501 Accumulated other comprehensive income 48,562 41,940 Total stockholders' equity 1,397,120 1,341,478 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 5,788,031 $ 5,127,415
PAYCHEX, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (In thousands) For the nine months ended February 28, 2010 2009 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 361,477 $ 419,741 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization on property and 64,894 63,164 equipment and intangible assets Amortization of premiums and discounts on 25,791 16,808 available-for-sale securities Stock-based compensation costs 19,121 19,310 Benefit for deferred income taxes (24,862 ) (7,389 ) Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts 1,847 1,819 Provision for pending legal matters 18,700 -- Net realized gains on sales of (2,289 ) (878 ) available-for-sale securities Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Interest receivable 5,131 12,480 Accounts receivable 18,050 17,713 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,588 10,748 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 11,369 2,592 Net change in other assets and liabilities (801 ) 7,215 Net cash provided by operating activities 503,016 563,323 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchases of available-for-sale securities (1,267,658 ) (16,334,122 ) Proceeds from sales and maturities of 416,348 17,616,942 available-for-sale securities Net change in funds held for clients' money (59,857 ) (1,480,049 ) market securities and other cash equivalents Purchases of property and equipment (41,444 ) (53,281 ) Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired -- (6,466 ) Proceeds from sale of business 13,050 -- Purchases of other assets (11,295 ) (18,097 ) Net cash used in investing activities (950,856 ) (275,073 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net change in client fund obligations 583,722 305,889 Dividends paid (336,390 ) (335,779 ) Proceeds from and excess tax benefit related to 7,000 5,810 exercise of stock options Net cash provided by/(used in) financing 254,332 (24,080 ) activities (Decrease)/increase in cash and cash (193,508 ) 264,170 equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 472,769 164,237 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 279,261 $ 428,407
Source: Paychex, Inc.
Released March 24, 2010