Ambassadors Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:EPAX), a leading provider of
educational travel experiences and online education research
materials, today announced its results for the fourth quarter and
year ended December 31, 2010.
Overview
- Ended year with $8.1 million in net income, or $0.42 diluted
earnings per share in a challenging economic environment.
- 2010 gross margin of 40.8 percent on gross revenue of $162.0
million compared to 41.1 percent on gross revenue of $203.7 million
in 2009.
- Operating expenses for 2010 up $2.4 million to $56.0 million
from $53.6 million in 2009 as the Company drives revenue generating
activities and positions for economic recovery.
- Fourth quarter results were weaker than originally anticipated,
caused by additional air travel and marketing costs, lower than
expected advertising revenues, and non-cash impairments of print
equipment.
- Fall marketing campaign for 2011 travel season completed;
continues to be positive with a 1.4 increase in overall enrolled
revenue for 2011 travel programs as of February 6, 2011 compared to
one year ago.
- Cash returns to shareholders continued, through both dividends
and an active share buy-back program.
- Continued strong balance sheet with quality assets, no debt
outstanding and adequate liquidity.
Financial Highlights
(in millions except earnings per share
data)
|
UNAUDITED |
|
Year ended
December 31, |
Quarter ended
December 31, |
|
2010 |
2009 |
2010 |
2009 |
Gross revenue, all travel programs |
$158.9 |
$200.4 |
$9.1 |
$10.3 |
Internet content and advertising revenue |
$3.1 |
$3.3 |
$1.0 |
$1.0 |
Gross margin, all travel programs |
$63.4 |
$80.9 |
$3.6 |
$4.1 |
Gross margin, internet content and
advertising |
$2.7 |
$2.9 |
$0.8 |
$0.9 |
Operating expenses |
$56.0 |
$53.6 |
$14.8 |
$14.3 |
Net income (loss) |
$8.1 |
$20.3 |
$ (6.7) |
$ (6.1) |
Diluted earnings per share |
$0.42 |
$1.05 |
$ (0.36) |
$(0.32) |
"2010 was certainly a challenging year," stated Jeff Thomas,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Ambassadors Group,
Inc. "We weathered an erratic economy that is still weak on
discretionary spending, which impacts leisure travel and people's
willingness to send their children overseas. While our 2010
results reflect those challenges, I am pleased with our team's
execution as we managed through this downturn. We have laid
the groundwork for a stronger 2011 travel season through the
marketing efforts of our fall campaign and through our continued
commitment to the ideals of cultural exchange and education."
In 2010 and 2009, the Company traveled 26,657 travelers and
34,248 travelers, respectively. Over 60 percent of those traveled
were youth participants in our Student Ambassador Programs, our
leading program. As of February 6, 2011, we have enrolled travelers
of 28,158 compared to 29,307 at the same date in 2010, or a
decrease of 3.9 percent. Included in these totals, as of these
same dates, Student Ambassador Programs had enrolled travelers of
23,995 and 22,450, respectively, or up 6.9 percent. Also as of
February 6, 2011, these counts represent enrolled revenue for 2011
travel programs of $176.5 million, up 1.4 percent from the same
point in 2010. Enrolled revenue from the Student Ambassador
Programs is up 6.6 percent.
Enrolled revenue consists of estimated gross receipts to be
recognized, in the future, upon travel of an enrolled participant.
Net enrollments consist of all participants who have enrolled in
the Company's programs less those that have already withdrawn.
Enrolled revenue may not result in actual gross receipts eventually
recognized by the Company due to both withdrawals from the
Company's programs and expected future enrollments.
Thomas continued, "We are cautiously optimistic about the
enrolled revenue trends we are experiencing for the 2011 travel
period; however, we have also seen modest increases in withdrawals
from the programs. We believe this is impacted primarily by
the shifting and slow economic recovery we are experiencing in the
United States, especially as it relates to consumer confidence and
job growth."
"While down in gross revenues by just over 20 percent for 2010,
our gross margin percentage was down just 30 basis points. This is
a reflection of the discipline we have for the business. We
are focused now on growing our top line revenue and the changes in
our operating expenses are all targeted towards revenue generating
activities. We believe our core business remains fundamentally
sound, and we will focus all of our efforts on taking advantage of
the economic recovery and delivering value to our
shareholders."
"Although we traveled fewer individuals in 2010, we experienced
success in the delivery of our travel programs. Our delegates
included students from 90 different countries, and they safely
traveled to 45 countries on all seven continents. We also ended the
2010 travel with a Net Promoter score of 65.1, which is up 5
percent from 2009 and an indication that our travelers rate our
programs as world-class. We are pleased with the impact we are
making in the lives of our students, parents, and teachers."
Fourth Quarter 2010 Results
During the fourth quarter of 2010, we traveled 1,433 delegates,
361 delegates less than traveled during the same quarter one year
ago. Our resulting net loss for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $6.7
million, or $0.36 per share, compared to a loss of $6.1 million, or
$0.32 per share, for the same time period one year ago.
Our gross margin for the period was $4.4 million, down 13
percent from the same three months in 2009. This represents a 43.5
percent gross margin percentage compared to 44.8 percent in 2009.
Operating expenses increased 4 percent primarily related to
continued initiatives aimed at driving our 2011 marketing campaign,
revenue generating activities, and losses incurred in connection
with finalizing the outsourcing of the majority of our print and
production facility. Lastly, the income tax benefit was up $0.7
million driven by the decrease in pre-tax net income and our use of
tax exempt investment opportunities.
2010 Results
During the year ended December 31, 2010, we traveled 26,657
delegates, a 22 percent decrease from 34,248 delegates traveled
during the year end December 31, 2009. Our resulting net income for
2010 was $8.1 million, or $0.42 per share, compared to $20.3
million, or $1.05 per share, for 2009.
Our gross margin for the period was $66.1 million, down 21
percent from 2009. This represents a 40.8 percent gross margin
percentage compared to 41.1 percent in 2009. In 2010 we were able
to take advantage of cost savings in both airline prices and land
vendor pricing, both depressed due to the economy. Operating
expenses increased 4 percent primarily related to continued
initiatives aimed at driving our sales and marketing efforts,
revenue generating activities, and losses incurred in connection
with finalizing the outsourcing of the majority of our print and
production facility.
Other income was slightly better in 2010, with interest and
dividend income down due to lower investment return rates offset by
a $1.0 million foreign exchange loss in 2009 that did not reoccur
in 2010. Lastly, the income tax expense for the period was
better by $7.4 million. This was driven both by the lower pre-tax
net income and by our use of tax exempt investment opportunities in
a period where our pre-tax net earnings are relatively low,
bettering our effective rate.
Included with this release is a table indentifying certain
special items reflected in our results that without disclosure may
prohibit a meaningful comparison of results between periods.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Total assets at December 31, 2010 were $128.6 million, of which
$79.4 million was cash, cash equivalents or available-for-sale
securities. At that date, we also had long-lived assets totaling
$40.8 million, primarily related to goodwill and intangible assets
of our BookRags business, technology hardware and systems used to
deliver our services, and our office building. Our total
liabilities at December 31, 2010 were $42.5 million, including
$34.4 million in participant deposits for future travel. We had no
debt outstanding in 2009 or 2010.
Our deployable cash at December 31, 2010 was $42.1
million. The following table summarizes our cash flows as
further disclosed on the accompanying financial
statements. Free cash flow, which is defined as cash flow from
operations less purchase of property, equipment and intangibles, is
also noted: (in millions):
|
UNAUDITED |
|
December
31, |
|
2010 |
2009 |
Cash flow from operations |
$21.6 |
$16.1 |
Purchases of property, equipment and
intangibles |
(5.4) |
(5.9) |
Free cash flow |
16.2 |
10.2 |
|
|
|
Net proceeds from available-for-sale
securities |
0.4 |
(5.3) |
Dividend payments to shareholders |
(4.6) |
(4.6) |
Repurchase of common stock |
(13.4) |
(0.6) |
Other cash flows, net |
0.6 |
1.0 |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
$ (0.8) |
$0.7 |
Deployable cash and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures defined
in the attached schedules.
Share buybacks
We continued to repurchase our common stock throughout 2010.
During the fourth quarter of 2010, we repurchased 781,375 shares
for approximately $8.7 million, including brokerage fees through
open market transactions and a block trade. That brings our
total share repurchase in 2010 to 1,212,578 shares for
approximately $13.5 million.
Outlook for 2011
Providing additional 2011 information beyond delegates and
enrolled revenue shared above is difficult given the complexity of
predicting economic circumstances. However, based on the outlook
and information available today, the Company is providing the
following broad guidance for 2011, which it expects to update as
the year unfolds:
- Consolidated gross revenues for all programs and operations to
be flat to up 4 percent.
- Consolidated gross margin as a percentage of gross revenue for
all programs and operations to be between 39.0 percent and 40.0
percent.
- Net income is expected to be between $8.0 million and $9.5
million.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
Our Company will host a conference call to discuss fourth
quarter 2010 results of operations on Thursday, February 10, 2011,
at 8:30 A.M. Pacific Time. You may join the call by dialing
888-481-2877, then use the pass code: 1840891. Or, you may
join the call via the internet at www.ambassadorsgroup.com/EPAX.
For post-view access, you may dial 888-203-1112 using the same pass
code, as well as visit www.ambassadorsgroup.com/EPAX. Post-view
dial-in and Webcast access will be available beginning February 11,
2011.
Business overview
Ambassadors Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:EPAX) is a socially conscious
education company located in Spokane, Washington. Ambassadors
Group, Inc. is the parent company of Ambassador Programs, Inc.,
World Adventures Unlimited, Inc. and BookRags, Inc., an educational
research website. The Company also oversees the Washington School
of World Studies, an accredited travel study and distance learning
school. Additional information about Ambassadors Group, Inc. and
its subsidiaries is available at www.ambassadorsgroup.com. In this
press release, "Company", "we", "us", and "our" refer to
Ambassadors Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
The Ambassadors Group, Inc. logo is available
at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3541 |
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding
actual and expected financial performance and the reasons for
variances between period-to-period results. Forward-looking
statements, which are included per the "safe harbor" provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause actual results and performance in future periods to be
materially different from any future results or performance
suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. Such
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this
release and may not reflect risks related to international unrest,
outbreak of disease, conditions in the travel industry, direct
marketing environment, changes in economic conditions and changes
in the competitive environment. We expressly disclaim any
obligation to provide public updates or revisions to any
forward-looking statements found herein to reflect any changes in
expectations or any change in events. Although we believe the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based
upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our
expectations will be met. For a more complete discussion of certain
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from anticipated results, please refer to the
Ambassadors Group, Inc. 10-K filed March 2, 2010, proxy statement
filed April 13, 2010 and 10-Q filed on November 5, 2010.
|
|
AMBASSADORS GROUP,
INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share
data) |
|
|
UNAUDITED |
|
Year ended
December 31, |
Quarter ended
December 31, |
|
2010 |
2009 |
% Change |
2010 |
2009 |
% Change |
Net revenue, non-directly delivered programs
(1) |
$56,618 |
$69,279 |
(18%) |
$3,391 |
$3,638 |
(7%) |
Gross revenue, directly delivered programs
(2) |
16,423 |
26,036 |
(37%) |
467 |
1,432 |
(67%) |
Internet content and advertising revenue |
3,105 |
3,300 |
(6%) |
952 |
956 |
0% |
Total revenue |
76,146 |
98,615 |
(23%) |
4,810 |
6,026 |
(20%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales, directly delivered programs
(2) |
9,591 |
14,422 |
(33%) |
323 |
892 |
(64%) |
Cost of sales, internet content and
advertising |
454 |
389 |
17% |
123 |
104 |
18% |
Gross margin |
66,101 |
83,804 |
(21%) |
4,364 |
5,030 |
(13%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling and marketing |
42,734 |
39,021 |
10% |
11,686 |
9,610 |
22% |
General and administration |
13,271 |
14,604 |
(9%) |
3,148 |
4,680 |
(33%) |
Total operating expenses |
56,005 |
53,625 |
4% |
14,834 |
14,290 |
4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
(loss) |
10,096 |
30,179 |
(67%) |
(10,470) |
(9,260) |
13% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and dividend income |
1,501 |
2,012 |
(25%) |
265 |
423 |
(37%) |
Foreign currency expense and
other |
— |
(961) |
(100%) |
(1) |
— |
— |
Total other income |
1,501 |
1,051 |
43% |
264 |
423 |
(38%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income
tax |
11,597 |
31,230 |
(63%) |
(10,206) |
(8,837) |
15% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax (provision) benefit |
(3,481) |
(10,893) |
(68%) |
3,486 |
2,744 |
27% |
Net income (loss) |
$8,116 |
$20,337 |
(60%) |
$(6,720) |
$(6,093) |
10% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding –
basic |
19,085 |
19,105 |
0% |
18,920 |
19,144 |
(1%) |
Weighted average shares outstanding –
diluted |
19,303 |
19,422 |
(1%) |
18,920 |
19,144 |
(1%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per share — basic |
$0.43 |
$1.06 |
(59%) |
$(0.36) |
$(0.32) |
13% |
Net income (loss) per share — diluted |
$0.42 |
$1.05 |
(60%) |
$(0.36) |
$(0.32) |
13% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Net revenue, non-directly delivered programs
consists of gross revenue, less program pass-through expenses for
non-directly delivered programs because we primarily engage
third-party operators to perform these services.
|
Year ended
December 31, |
Quarter ended
December 31, |
|
2010 |
2009 |
% Change |
2010 |
2009 |
% Change |
Gross revenue |
$142,499 |
$174,364 |
(18%) |
$8,624 |
$8,851 |
(3%) |
Cost of sales |
85,881 |
105,085 |
(18%) |
5,233 |
5,213 |
0% |
Net revenue |
$56,618 |
$69,279 |
(18%) |
$3,391 |
$3,638 |
(7%) |
(2) Gross revenue and cost of sales for directly
delivered programs are reported as separate items because we plan,
organize and operate all activities, including speakers,
facilitators, events, accommodations and transportation.
AMBASSADORS GROUP,
INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in
thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
|
UNAUDITED |
|
2010 |
2009 |
% Change |
Assets |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$6,838 |
$7,656 |
(11%) |
Available-for-sale securities |
72,540 |
73,528 |
(1%) |
Foreign currency exchange contracts |
1,864 |
1,076 |
73% |
Prepaid program cost and expenses |
3,230 |
3,175 |
2% |
Accounts receivable |
1,976 |
2,020 |
(2%) |
Deferred tax asset |
— |
25 |
(100%) |
Total current
assets |
86,448 |
87,480 |
(1%) |
Property and equipment, net |
27,625 |
29,376 |
(6%) |
Available-for-sale securities |
1,250 |
1,397 |
(11%) |
Intangibles |
3,367 |
2,822 |
19% |
Goodwill |
9,781 |
6,911 |
42% |
Other long-term assets |
85 |
109 |
(22%) |
Total assets |
$128,556 |
$128,095 |
0% |
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Stockholders'
Equity |
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses |
$5,954 |
$5,188 |
15% |
Participants' deposits |
34,436 |
31,137 |
11% |
Deferred tax liability |
668 |
— |
— |
Other liabilities |
107 |
112 |
(4%) |
Total current
liabilities |
41,165 |
36,437 |
13% |
Deferred tax liability |
1,353 |
652 |
108% |
Total liabilities |
42,518 |
37,089 |
15% |
Stockholders' equity |
86,038 |
91,006 |
(5%) |
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity |
$128,556 |
$128,095 |
0% |
|
AMBASSADORS GROUP,
INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in
thousands)
|
|
|
UNAUDITED |
|
2010 |
2009 |
Cash flows from operating
activities: |
|
|
Net income |
$8,116 |
$20,337 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
4,646 |
4,364 |
Stock-based compensation |
2,022 |
1,989 |
Deferred income tax benefit |
1,399 |
568 |
(Gain) Loss on disposition or write down
of property and equipment |
1,480 |
428 |
Shortfall (excess) tax benefit from
stock-based compensation |
441 |
(92) |
Loss on foreign currency contracts |
— |
962 |
Change in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
Accounts receivable and other assets |
68 |
(45) |
Prepaid program costs and expenses |
(55) |
985 |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and
other current liabilities |
223 |
(329) |
Participants' deposits |
3,299 |
(13,029) |
Net cash provided by operating
activities |
21,639 |
16,138 |
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing
activities: |
|
|
Proceeds from available-for-sale
securities |
59,764 |
52,716 |
Purchase of available-for-sale
securities |
(59,331) |
(58,039) |
Proceeds from sale of property and
equipment |
253 |
19 |
Purchase and construction of property and
equipment |
(4,461) |
(5,157) |
Purchase of intangibles |
(941) |
(726) |
Adjustments to goodwill |
— |
(13) |
Net cash used in investing
activities |
(4,716) |
(11,200) |
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing
activities: |
|
|
Dividend payment to shareholders |
(4,594) |
(4,581) |
Repurchase of common stock |
(13,406) |
(609) |
Proceeds from exercise of stock
options |
700 |
838 |
(Shortfall) excess tax benefit from
stock-based compensation |
(441) |
92 |
Capital lease payments and other |
— |
(11) |
Net cash used in financing
activities |
(17,741) |
(4,271) |
Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents |
(818) |
667 |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
period |
7,656 |
6,989 |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
period |
$6,838 |
$7,656 |
Deployable Cash
Deployable cash is a non-GAAP liquidity measurement, and is
calculated as the sum of cash and cash equivalents, short-term
available-for-sale securities, and prepaid program costs and
expenses, less the sum of accounts payable, accrued expenses and
other short-term liabilities (excluding deferred taxes) and
participant deposits. We believe this non-GAAP measurement is
useful to investors in understanding important characteristics of
our business.
The following summarizes deployable cash as of December 31, 2010
and 2009 (in thousands):
|
UNAUDITED |
|
December
31, |
|
2010 |
2009 |
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term
available-for-sale securities |
$79,378 |
$81,184 |
Prepaid program cost and expenses |
3,230 |
3,175 |
Less: Participants' deposits |
(34,436) |
(31,137) |
Less: Accounts payable / accruals / other
liabilities |
(6,061) |
(5,300) |
Deployable cash |
$42,111 |
$47,922 |
Special Items
During 2010 and 2009, the Company impaired assets and incurred
losses on the sale of equipment totaling $1.5 million and $0.2
million, respectively, primarily related to its print facility and
moving those activities to an outsourced vendor. Also in 2010
and 2009, the Company recognized expense in connection with
separation payments related to that same reorganization of the
printing activities, as well as the reduction in force in 2009 and
the separation from certain executives, totaling $0.3 million and
$0.4 million, respectively.
Lastly, as previously disclosed, the Company is party to both a
shareholder class action suit and an investigation by the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") more fully described in
our filings with the SEC on Form 10-K and 10-Q available on our
website www.ambassadorsgroup.com or at the SEC website www.sec.gov.
During 2010 and 2009, the Company has incurred outside legal costs
associated with these matters totaling $2.3 million and $1.1
million, respectively. In 2010, the Company received
reimbursement for insurance coverage on these matters or was
notified of the carrier's intent to reimburse for amounts totaling
$2.1 million.
As a result of these events, the operations as presented in the
accompanying financial statements for the years ended December 31,
2010 and 2009 do not reflect a meaningful comparison between
periods or in relation to the operational activities of the
Company. In order to provide more meaningful disclosure, the
following non-GAAP table represents a reconciliation of certain
earnings measures before special items to those same items after
the impact of special items (in thousands except per share
data):
|
UNAUDITED |
|
Net
Income |
EPS |
|
December
31, |
December
31, |
|
2010 |
2009 |
2010 |
2009 |
Amount before special
items |
$10,119 |
$22,040 |
$0.52 |
$1.14 |
Asset impairments and loss on sale |
(1,462) |
(227) |
(0.07) |
(0.01) |
Separation payments |
(339) |
(401) |
(0.02) |
(0.02) |
Legal fees – class action and SEC, net |
(202) |
(1,075) |
(0.01) |
(0.06) |
Amount per consolidated statement of
operations |
$8,116 |
$20,337 |
$0.42 |
$1.05 |
CONTACT: Tony Dombrowik
(509) 568 - 7800
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