GlobeNewswire Inc | Apr 29, 2021 07:30AM EDT

April 29, 2021

-- First Quarter 2021 Revenues of $686.3 Million, Up 13.5% Compared to $604.6 Million in Prior Year Quarter -- First Quarter 2021 EPS of $1.84, Up 23.5% Compared to $1.49 in Prior Year Quarter; First Quarter 2021 Adjusted EPS of $1.89, Up 23.5% Compared to $1.53 in Prior Year Quarter

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today released financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

First quarter 2021 revenues of $686.3 million increased $81.7 million, or 13.5%, compared to revenues of $604.6million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact from foreign currency translation ("FX"), revenues increased $67.0 million, or 11.1%, compared to the prior year quarter. Acquisition-related revenues contributed $16.0 million in the quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact of FX and acquisition-related revenues, revenues increased $51.0 million, or 8.4%, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher demand in the Economic Consulting and Technology segments, which was partially offset by a $17.5million decline in pass-through revenues. Net income of $64.5million compared to $56.7 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in net income was primarily due to higher operating profits in the Economic Consulting, Forensic and Litigation Consulting, and Technology segments, which was partially offset by lower operating profits in the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment compared to the prior year quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA of $99.5 million, or 14.5% of revenues, compared to $83.2 million, or 13.8% of revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was due to higher revenues, which was partially offset by higher compensation, primarily related to a 12.3% increase in billable headcount and higher variable compensation compared to the prior year quarter.

First quarter 2021 diluted earnings per share ("EPS") of $1.84 compared to $1.49 in the prior year quarter. First quarter 2021 EPS included $2.3 millionof non-cash interest expense related to the Company's2.0% convertible senior notes due 2023 ("2023 Convertible Notes"), which decreased EPS by$0.05. First quarter 2020 EPS included$2.2 millionof non-cash interest expense related to the Company's2023 Convertible Notes, which decreased EPS by$0.04. First quarter 2021 Adjusted EPS of $1.89 compared to Adjusted EPS of $1.53 in the prior year quarter.

Steven H. Gunby, President and Chief Executive Officer of FTI Consulting, commented, Though we are, of course, very pleased with our record quarterly performance, even more gratifying is the progress we have shown over multiple years. That longer-term trajectory underscores the strength of our team and the power of our strategy of focusing on attracting and developing the best professionals in the market and supporting them in weak quarters as well as strong ones as they support our clients and build our business.

Cash Position and Capital AllocationNet cash used in operating activities of $166.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 compared to $123.6million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The year-over-year increase in net cash used in operating activities was largely due to an increase in salaries related to headcount growth and higher annual bonus payments, which was partially offset by an increase in cash collected resulting from higher revenues.

Cash and cash equivalents of $233.4 million at March 31, 2021 compared to $223.1 million at March 31, 2020 and $295.0 million at December 31, 2020. Total debt, net of cash, of $252.8 million at March 31, 2021 compared to $143.2million at March 31, 2020 and $21.3 million at December 31, 2020. The sequential increase in total debt, net of cash, was primarily due to higher borrowings under the Company's senior secured bank revolving credit facility, which were primarily used for annual bonus payments.

During the quarter, the Company repurchased 421,725 shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $109.37 for a total cost of $46.1 million. As of March 31, 2021, approximately $167.1million remained available for common stock repurchases under the Companys stock repurchase authorization.

First Quarter 2021 Segment Results

Corporate Finance & RestructuringRevenues in the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment increased $18.5 million, or 8.9%, to $226.2 million in the quarter, compared to $207.7 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact from FX, revenues increased $14.4million, or 6.9%, compared to the prior year quarter. Acquisition-related revenues contributed $16.0 million in the quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact from FX and acquisition-related revenues, revenues decreased $1.6million, or 0.8%, primarily due to a $9.3million decline in pass-through revenues and lower demand for restructuring services in North America, which was partially offset by higher demand and realized rates for transactions services compared to the prior year quarter. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $37.4 million, or 16.6% of segment revenues, compared to $48.9 million, or 23.6% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The decrease in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was due to higher compensation, which was primarily related to a 34.9% increase in billable headcount compared to the prior year quarter.

Forensic and Litigation ConsultingRevenues in the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment increased $3.2 million, or 2.2%, to $150.8 million in the quarter, compared to $147.6 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact from FX, revenues increased $0.4 million, or 0.3%, primarily due to higher demand for health solutions and investigations services, which was largely offset by a $4.2 million decline in pass-through revenues and lower realized rates for data & analytics services compared to the prior year quarter. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $29.4 million, or 19.5% of segment revenues, compared to $21.2 million, or 14.4% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was primarily due to higher revenues with higher utilization and a decline in selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses compared to the prior year quarter.

Economic ConsultingRevenues in the Economic Consulting segment increased $37.1 million, or 28.1%, to $169.3 million in the quarter, compared to $132.1 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact from FX, revenues increased $33.5 million, or 25.3%, primarily due to higher demand for non-merger and acquisition ("M&A")-related antitrust and M&A-related antitrust services, as well as higher realized rates and demand for international arbitration services compared to the prior year quarter. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $26.6 million, or 15.7% of segment revenues, compared to $12.7 million, or 9.6% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was due to higher revenues, which was partially offset by higher compensation, related to an increase in variable compensation and a 9.9% increase in billable headcount compared to the prior year quarter.

TechnologyRevenues in the Technology segment increased $20.7 million, or 35.3%, to $79.5 million in the quarter, compared to $58.7 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact from FX, revenues increased $19.0million, or 32.4%, primarily due to higher demand for M&A-related second request services compared to the prior year quarter. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $21.6 million, or 27.2% of segment revenues, compared to $14.5 million, or 24.7% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was due to higher revenues, which was partially offset by an increase in compensation compared to the prior year quarter.

Strategic CommunicationsRevenues in the Strategic Communications segment increased $2.1 million, or 3.7%, to $60.5 million in the quarter, compared to $58.4 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact from FX, revenues decreased $0.3 million, or 0.5%, primarily due to a $2.2 million decline in pass-through revenues, which was largely offset by higher demand for public affairs services compared to the prior year quarter. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $10.4 million, or 17.2% of segment revenues, compared to $8.8 million, or 15.0% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was primarily due to lower SG&A expenses compared to the prior year quarter.

First Quarter 2021 Conference CallFTI Consulting will host a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss first quarter 2021 financial results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April29, 2021. The call can be accessed live and will be available for replay over the internet for 90 days by logging onto the Companys investor relations website here.

About FTI ConsultingFTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional. With more than 6,400 employees located in 29 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges and make the most of opportunities. The Company generated $2.46 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2020. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresIn the accompanying analysis of financial information, we sometimes use information derived from consolidated and segment financial information that may not be presented in our financial statements or prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Certain of these financial measures are considered not in conformity with GAAP ("non-GAAP financial measures")under the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules. Specifically, we have referred to the following non-GAAP financial measures:

-- Total Segment Operating Income -- Adjusted EBITDA -- Total Adjusted Segment EBITDA -- Adjusted EBITDA Margin -- Adjusted Net Income -- Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share -- Free Cash Flow

We have included the definitions of Segment Operating Income and Adjusted Segment EBITDA, which are GAAP financial measures, below in order to more fully define the components of certain non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release. We define Segment Operating Income as a segments share of consolidated operating income. We define Total Segment Operating Income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as the total of Segment Operating Income for all segments, which excludes unallocated corporate expenses. We use Segment Operating Income for the purpose of calculating Adjusted Segment EBITDA. We define Adjusted Segment EBITDA as a segments share of consolidated operating income before depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration, special charges and goodwill impairment charges. We use Adjusted Segment EBITDA as a basis to internally evaluate the financial performance of our segments because we believe it reflects current core operating performance and provides an indicator of the segments ability to generate cash.

We define Total Adjusted Segment EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as the total of Adjusted Segment EBITDA for all segments, which excludes unallocated corporate expenses. We define Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as consolidated net income before income tax provision, other non-operating income (expense), depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration, special charges, goodwill impairment charges, gain or loss on sale of a business and losses on early extinguishment of debt. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with our GAAP financial results and GAAP financial measures, provide management and investors with a more complete understanding of our operating results, including underlying trends. In addition, EBITDA is a common alternative measure of operating performance used by many of our competitors. It is used by investors, financial analysts, rating agencies and others to value and compare the financial performance of companies in our industry. Therefore, we also believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, considered along with corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide management and investors with additional information for comparison of our operating results with the operating results of other companies. We define Adjusted EBITDA Margin, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues.

We define Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share ("Adjusted EPS"), which are non-GAAP financial measures, as net income and EPS, respectively, excluding the impact of remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration, special charges, goodwill impairment charges, losses on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash interest expense on convertible notes and the gain or loss on sale of a business. We use Adjusted Net Income for the purpose of calculating Adjusted EPS. Management uses Adjusted EPS to assess total Company operating performance on a consistent basis. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with our GAAP financial results and GAAP financial measures, provide management and investors with an additional understanding of our business operating results, including underlying trends.

We define Free Cash Flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net cash used in operating activities less cash payments for purchases of property and equipment. We believe this non-GAAP financial measure, when considered together with our GAAP financial results, provides management and investors with an additional understanding of the Companys ability to generate cash for ongoing business operations and other capital deployment.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable with other similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or superior to, the information contained in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the financial tables accompanying this press release.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which involve uncertainties and risks. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues, future results and performance, expectations, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, share repurchases and other matters, business trends and other information that is not historical, including statements regarding estimates of our future financial results. When used in this press release, words such as "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "plans," "intends," "believes,""forecasts" and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, estimates of our future financial results, are based upon our expectations at the time we make them and various assumptions. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith, and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that managements expectations, beliefs and estimates will be achieved, and the Company's actual results may differ materially from our expectations, beliefs and estimates. Further, unaudited quarterly results are subject to normal year-end adjustments. The Company has experienced fluctuating revenues, operating income and cash flows in prior periods and expects that this will occur from time to time in the future. Other factors that could cause such differences include declines in demand for, or changes in, the mix of services and products that we offer; the mix of the geographic locations where our clients are located or where services are performed; fluctuations in the price per share of our common stock; adverse financial, real estate or other market and general economic conditions; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related events that are beyond our control, which could affect our segments, practices and the geographic regions in which we conduct business differently and adversely; and other future events, which could impact each of our segments, practices and the geographic regions in which we conduct business differently and could be outside of our control; the pace and timing of the consummation and integration of future acquisitions; the Companys ability to realize cost savings and efficiencies; competitive and general economic conditions; retention of staff and clients; new laws and regulations or changes thereto; and other risks described under the heading "Item 1A, Risk Factors" in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC, and in the Companys other filings with the SEC. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform such statements to actual results or events and do not intend to do so.

FTI Consulting, Inc.555 12th Street NWWashington, DC 20004+1.202.312.9100

Investor & Media Contact:Mollie Hawkes+1.617.747.1791mollie.hawkes@fticonsulting.com

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

FTI CONSULTING, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, December 31, 2021 2020 (Unaudited) Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 233,421 $ 294,953 Accounts receivable, net 798,516 711,357 Current portion of notes receivable 35,540 35,253 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 83,672 88,144 Total current assets 1,151,149 1,129,707 Property and equipment, net 100,686 101,642 Operating lease assets 148,322 156,645 Goodwill 1,233,292 1,234,879 Intangible assets, net 38,172 41,550 Notes receivable, net 59,049 61,121 Other assets 47,530 51,819 Total assets $ 2,778,200 $ 2,777,363 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other $ 167,818 $ 170,066 Accrued compensation 285,528 455,933 Billings in excess of services provided 42,432 44,172 Total current liabilities 495,778 670,171 Long-term debt, net 458,840 286,131 Noncurrent operating lease liabilities 153,376 161,677 Deferred income taxes 157,861 158,342 Other liabilities 95,995 100,861 Total liabilities 1,361,850 1,377,182 Stockholders' equity Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; sharesauthorized ? 5,000; none ? ? outstandingCommon stock, $0.01 par value; shares authorized ?75,000; shares 342 345 issued and outstanding ? 34,228 (2021) and 34,481(2020)Additional paid-in capital ? ? Retained earnings 1,527,685 1,506,271 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (111,677 ) (106,435 )Total stockholders' equity 1,416,350 1,400,181 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,778,200 $ 2,777,363

FTI CONSULTING, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME(in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended March, 31 2021 2020 (Unaudited)Revenues $ 686,277 $ 604,593 Operating expenses Direct cost of revenues 468,424 402,247 Selling, general and administrative expenses 126,546 126,959 Amortization of intangible assets 2,801 2,331 597,771 531,537 Operating income 88,506 73,056 Other income (expense) Interest income and other 1,034 5,017 Interest expense (4,797 ) (4,861 ) (3,763 ) 156 Income before income tax provision 84,743 73,212 Income tax provision 20,247 16,465 Net income $ 64,496 $ 56,747 Earnings per common share ? basic $ 1.93 $ 1.56 Weighted average common shares outstanding ? basic 33,483 36,415 Earnings per common share ? diluted $ 1.84 $ 1.49 Weighted average common shares outstanding ? diluted 35,063 38,190 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax $ (5,242 ) $ (31,102 )expense of $0Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax (5,242 ) (31,102 )Comprehensive income $ 59,254 $ 25,645

FTI CONSULTING, INC.RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES(in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 (Unaudited)Net income $ 64,496 $ 56,747 Add back: Non-cash interest expense on convertible notes 2,348 2,225 Tax impact of non-cash interest expense on (611 ) (579 )convertible notesAdjusted Net Income $ 66,233 $ 58,393 Earnings per common share ? diluted $ 1.84 $ 1.49 Add back: Non-cash interest expense on convertible notes 0.07 0.06 Tax impact of non-cash interest expense on (0.02 ) (0.02 )convertible notesAdjusted earnings per common share ? diluted $ 1.89 $ 1.53 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 35,063 38,190 ? diluted

FTI CONSULTING, INC.RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME AND OPERATING INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA(in thousands)

Three Months Corporate ForensicEnded March Finance and Economic Technology Strategic Unallocated Total31, 2021 & Litigation Consulting Communications Corporate(Unaudited) Restructuring ConsultingNet income $ 64,496 Interestincome and (1,034 )otherInterest 4,797 expenseIncome tax 20,247 provisionOperating $ 34,299 $ 28,006 $ 25,232 $ 18,559 $ 9,120 $ (26,710 ) $ 88,506 incomeDepreciationand 1,253 1,252 1,347 3,039 539 731 8,161 amortizationAmortizationof 1,887 174 ? ? 739 1 2,801 intangibleassetsAdjusted $ 37,439 $ 29,432 $ 26,579 $ 21,598 $ 10,398 $ (25,978 ) $ 99,468 EBITDA

Three Months Corporate ForensicEnded March Finance and Economic Technology Strategic Unallocated Total31, 2020 & Litigation Consulting Communications Corporate(Unaudited) Restructuring ConsultingNet income $ 56,747 Interestincome and (5,017 )otherInterest 4,861 expenseIncome tax 16,465 provisionOperating $ 46,664 $ 19,506 $ 11,396 $ 11,589 $ 7,492 $ (23,591 ) $ 73,056 incomeDepreciationand 979 1,416 1,270 2,895 586 677 7,823 amortizationAmortizationof 1,303 286 44 ? 698 ? 2,331 intangibleassetsAdjusted $ 48,946 $ 21,208 $ 12,710 $ 14,484 $ 8,776 $ (22,914 ) $ 83,210 EBITDA

FTI CONSULTING, INC.OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

Adjusted Average Revenue- Adjusted EBITDA Utilization Billable Generating Segment EBITDA Margin Rate Headcount Revenues (in thousands) (at period end)Three MonthsEnded March 31, 2021(Unaudited)CorporateFinance & $ 226,203 $ 37,439 16.6 % 59% $ 462 1,684 RestructuringForensic andLitigation 150,821 29,432 19.5 % 60% $ 357 1,367 ConsultingEconomic 169,273 26,579 15.7 % 75% $ 494 890 ConsultingTechnology ^ 79,459 21,598 27.2 % N/M N/M 423 (1)StrategicCommunications 60,521 10,398 17.2 % N/M N/M 778 ^(1) $ 686,277 $ 125,446 18.3 % 5,142 Unallocated (25,978 ) CorporateAdjusted $ 99,468 14.5 % EBITDA Three MonthsEnded March 31, 2020(Unaudited)CorporateFinance & $ 207,749 $ 48,946 23.6 % 69% $ 456 1,248 RestructuringForensic andLitigation 147,597 21,208 14.4 % 58% $ 342 1,393 ConsultingEconomic 132,138 12,710 9.6 % 68% $ 466 810 ConsultingTechnology ^ 58,723 14,484 24.7 % N/M N/M 374 (1)StrategicCommunications 58,386 8,776 15.0 % N/M N/M 755 ^(1) $ 604,593 $ 106,124 17.6 % 4,580 Unallocated (22,914 ) CorporateAdjusted $ 83,210 13.8 % EBITDA

N/M Not meaningful- The majority of the Technology and Strategic Communications segments'(1) revenues are not generated based on billable hours. Accordingly, utilization and average billable rate metrics are not presented as they are not meaningful as a segment-wide metric.

FTI CONSULTING, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(in thousands)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 (Unaudited)Operating activities Net income $ 64,496 $ 56,747 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:Depreciation and amortization 8,161 7,823 Amortization and impairment of intangible assets 2,801 2,331 Acquisition-related contingent consideration 1,289 506 Provision for expected credit losses 4,832 3,872 Share-based compensation 7,242 7,454 Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs and 2,815 2,978 otherDeferred income taxes 3,612 545 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:Accounts receivable, billed and unbilled (93,396 ) (60,963 )Notes receivable 1,899 7,051 Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,900 9,442 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other (7,803 ) 11,136 Income taxes 9,355 (667 )Accrued compensation (172,042 ) (176,070 )Billings in excess of services provided (1,745 ) 4,253 Net cash used in operating activities (166,584 ) (123,562 )Investing activities Purchases of property and equipment and other (7,976 ) (8,228 )Net cash used in investing activities (7,976 ) (8,228 )Financing activities Borrowings under revolving line of credit 197,500 55,000 Repayments under revolving line of credit (27,500 ) (5,000 )Purchase and retirement of common stock (46,133 ) (49,135 )Share-based compensation tax withholdings and other (6,798 ) (5,583 )Payments for business acquisition liabilities (3,374 ) ? Deposits and other 2,721 3,870 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 116,416 (848 )Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash (3,388 ) (13,672 )equivalentsNet decrease in cash and cash equivalents (61,532 ) (146,310 )Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 294,953 369,373 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 233,421 $ 223,063

FTI CONSULTING, INC.RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE CASH FLOW(in thousands)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Net cash used in operating activities $ (166,584 ) $ (123,562 )Purchases of property and equipment (8,001 ) (8,236 )Free Cash Flow $ (174,585 ) $ (131,798 )