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Performant Financial Corporation Announces Financial Results for Third Quarter 2017
[November 07, 2017]

Performant Financial Corporation Announces Financial Results for Third Quarter 2017


LIVERMORE, Calif., Nov. 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Performant Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:PFMT), a leading provider of technology-enabled recovery and related analytics services in the United States, today reported the following financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2017:

Third Quarter Financial Highlights

  • Total revenues of $29.7 million, compared to revenues of $31.2 million in the prior year period, down 4.8%
  • Net loss of $7.9 million, or $(0.15) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $0.7 million, or $(0.01) per diluted share, in the prior year period
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $(0.7) million, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $4.7 million in the prior year period
  • Adjusted net loss of $6.4 million, or $(0.13) per diluted share, compared to an adjusted net income of $0.8 million or $0.02 per diluted share in the prior year period

Third Quarter 2017 Results

Student lending revenues in the third quarter were $19.8 million, a decrease of 16.8% from revenues of $23.8 million in the prior year period. This decrease was almost entirely due to the Department of Education revenue run off.  Otherwise, student lending revenue was down 3.6% versus the prior year, and 26.8% sequentially. The sequential decline was due to the timing of placements between Q2 and Q3 in 2016. Our Guaranty Agency clients and the U.S. Department of Education accounted for revenues of $19.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in the third quarter of 2017, compared to $19.9 million and $3.9 million in the prior year period.  Student loan placement volume (defined below) during the quarter totaled $0.6 billion, compared to $0.7 billion in the prior year period.

Healthcare revenues in the third quarter were $2.6 million, down from $3.0 million in the prior year period. Medicare audit recovery revenues were $0.8 million in the third quarter, a decrease of $0.9 million from the prior year period, as the Company's recovery activities are just beginning on the two new RAC contracts awarded to the Company for Region 1 and Region 5. Commercial healthcare clients contributed revenues of $1.8 million, an increase of $0.5 million or 38.5% from the prior year period.

Other revenues in the third quarter were $7.3 million, up from $4.4 million in the prior year period.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $23.2 million.

In early October, the Company announced that it was awarded the Medicare Secondary Payer Commercial Repayment Center (CRC) contract by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”). Under the program, Performant is responsible for identifying and recovering payments in situations where Medicare should not be the primary payer of healthcare claims because a beneficiary has other forms of insurance coverage, such as through an employer Group Health Plan or certain other payers. At full scale, Performant anticipates staffing the program with over 250 dedicated employees operating out of Performant’s offices around the country.

The Company is also pleased to announce today the promotion of Jeff Haughton to President and Chief Operating Officer.  In this expanded role, Jeff will continue to be responsible for operations and for working with his team to build revenue across all the Company’s businesses. During his tenure at Performant, Jeff has been a key leader helping to guide the Company through a period of difficult headwinds and in executing on our strategy to vigorously rebuild the business.  The Board of Directors is confident that Jeff’s experience and deep knowledge of the Company’s business will prove instrumental toward strengthening the Company’s revenue base while executing across both growing newer businesses and challenging legacy markets.  Furthermore, Jeff’s knowledge of the Capital Markets will prove to be a strong asset as the Board continues to evaluate potential strategic alternatives.

Business Outlook

“Looking ahead, the Department of Education has notified the Court of Federal Claims that they have completed a re-evaluation. Although we do not have any idea what to expect, we hope they have made their selection using quantitative measurements of 'total federally guaranteed student loans managed, and recovery against those loans as the most important criterion.'  We are encouraged that the Department of Education has taken a thorough review of the contracting process related to its student loan recovery services contract, and we remain cautiously optimistic that Performant will be named one of the awarded contractors following the resolution of their re-evaluation process," stated Lisa Im, Performant’s Chief Executive Officer.

"Our competitive differentiation continues to be: overarching client-centric focus, a compelling service/value proposition, consumer sensitivity and deep commitment to regulatory compliance.  For 2017, we are reiterating our guidance for revenue in the range of $125-145 million with adjusted EBITDA in the range of $10-13 million," concluded Im.

Terms used in this Press Release

Student Loan Placement Volume refers to the dollar volume of defaulted student loans first placed with us during the specified period by public and private clients for recovery. Placement Volume allows us to measure and track trends in the amount of inventory our clients in the student lending market are placing with us during any period. The revenue associated with the recovery of a portion of these loans may be recognized in subsequent accounting periods, which assists management in estimating future revenues and in allocating resources necessary to address current Placement Volumes.

Earnings Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter results today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.  A live webcast of the call may be accessed on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at investors.performantcorp.com. The conference call is also available by dialing 877-705-6003 (domestic) or 201-493-6725 (international).

A replay of the call will be available on the Company's website or by dialing 844-512-2921 (domestic) or 412-317-6671 (international) and entering the passcode 13666436. The telephonic replay will be available approximately three hours after the call, through November 14, 2017.

About Performant Financial Corporation

Performant helps government and commercial organizations enhance revenue and contain costs by preventing, identifying and recovering waste, improper payments and defaulted assets. Performant is a leading provider of these services in several industries, including healthcare, student loans and government. Performant has been providing recovery audit services for more than nine years to both commercial and government clients, including serving as a Recovery Auditor for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Powered by a proprietary analytic platform and workflow technology, Performant also provides professional services related to the recovery effort, including reporting capabilities, support services, customer care and stakeholder training programs meant to mitigate future instances of improper payments. Founded in 1976, Performant is headquartered in Livermore, California.

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, to supplement our consolidated financial statements, the company presents adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income/(loss). These measures are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and accordingly reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income/(loss) to net income/(loss) determined in accordance with GAAP are included in the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Results” table at the end of this press release. We have included adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income/(loss) in this press release because they are key measures used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends and to prepare and approve our annual budget. Accordingly, we believe that adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income/(loss) provide useful information to investors and analysts in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors. Our use of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income/(loss) has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. In particular, many of the adjustments to our GAAP financial measures reflect the exclusion of items, specifically interest, tax and depreciation and amortization expenses, equity-based compensation expense and certain other non-operating expenses, that are recurring and will be reflected in our financial results for the foreseeable future. In addition, these measures may be calculated differently from similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our outlook for revenues and adjusted EBITDA in 2017. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections that are subject to change and actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, that the contracts with our large clients may be changed or terminated unilaterally and on short notice, that our contracts with two of our largest customers, Great Lakes Higher Education and the U.S. Department of Education, have been terminated, that while our protest of Department of Education contract award decision was upheld, there is no assurance that we will receive a new contract award from the Department of Education in the future, that continuing limitations on the scope of our audit activity under our RAC contracts have significantly reduced our revenue opportunities with this client, that the amount of commissions we are required to return to CMS due to successful appeals by providers could exceed our estimated appeals reserve, that we have significant indebtedness and may not be able to avoid a breach of the covenants and other provisions of our credit agreement which would cause us to be in default, that the Company faces significant competition in all of its markets, that the U.S. federal government accounts for a significant portion of the Company's revenues, that future legislative and regulatory changes may have significant effects on the Company's business, that failure of the Company's or third parties' operating systems and technology infrastructure could disrupt the operation of the Company's business and the threat of breach of the Company's security measures or failure or unauthorized access to confidential data that the Company possesses. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial condition and operating results is included from time to time in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 and subsequently filed reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations.

Contact Information
Richard Zubek
Investor Relations
925-960-4988
[email protected] 


PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 September 30,
 2017
 December 31,
 2016
 (Unaudited)  
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$23,179  $32,982 
Restricted cash  7,502 
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 and $224, respectively12,490  11,484 
Deferred income taxes  5,331 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets14,222  12,686 
Income tax receivable1,454  2,027 
Total current assets51,345  72,012 
Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements, net21,393  23,735 
Identifiable intangible assets, net5,066  5,895 
Goodwill81,572  82,522 
Deferred income taxes3,534   
Other assets897  914 
Total assets$163,807  $185,078 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   
Current liabilities:   
Current maturities of notes payable, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $138 and $1,294, respectively$1,512  $9,738 
Accrued salaries and benefits5,640  4,315 
Accounts payable1,052  628 
Other current liabilities3,860  4,409 
Estimated liability for appeals19,145  19,305 
Net payable to client12,669  13,074 
Total current liabilities43,878  51,469 
Notes payable, net of current portion and unamortized debt issuance costs of $3,549 and $272, respectively38,801  43,878 
Deferred income taxes  1,130 
Other liabilities2,099  2,356 
Total liabilities84,778  98,833 
Commitments and contingencies   
Stockholders’ equity:   
Common stock, $0.0001 par value. Authorized, 500,000 shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; issued and outstanding 50,949 and 50,234 shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively5  5 
Additional paid-in capital71,684  65,650 
Retained earnings7,340  20,590 
Total stockholders’ equity79,029  86,245 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$163,807  $185,078 


PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
     
  Three Months Ended
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Revenues $29,744  $31,195  $98,760  $107,548 
Operating expenses:        
Salaries and benefits 20,494  18,710  61,640  60,107 
Other operating expenses 13,496  12,311  43,019  40,401 
Total operating expenses 33,990  31,021  104,659  100,508 
Income (loss) from operations (4,246) 174  (5,899) 7,040 
Interest expense (2,459) (1,863) (5,683) (6,136)
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes (6,705) (1,689) (11,582) 904 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 1,146  (974) 1,668  62 
Net income (loss) $(7,851) $(715) $(13,250) $842 
Net income (loss) per share        
Basic $(0.15) $(0.01) $(0.26) $0.02 
Diluted $(0.15) $(0.01) $(0.26) $0.02 
Weighted average shares        
Basic 50,852  50,200  50,581  49,974 
Diluted 50,852  50,200  50,581  50,401 


PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
  
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
Cash flows from operating activities:2017 2016
Net income (loss)$(13,250) $842 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Loss on disposal of assets67  12 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets1,081   
Depreciation and amortization8,381  10,098 
Deferred income taxes667  (2,455)
Stock-based compensation3,027  3,546 
Interest expense from debt issuance costs989  874 
Write-off unamortized debt issuance costs1,049  468 
Interest expense paid in kind331   
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Trade accounts receivable(1,006) 7,656 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(1,536) 55 
Income tax receivable573  (658)
Other assets17  22 
Accrued salaries and benefits1,325  3,757 
Accounts payable424  152 
Other current liabilities(547) (2,210)
Income taxes payable  (895)
Estimated liability for appeals(160) 438 
Net payable to client(405) (981)
Other liabilities(257) (230)
Net cash provided by operating activities770  20,491 
Cash flows from investing activities:   
Purchase of property, equipment, and leasehold improvements(5,408) (5,529)
Net cash used in investing activities(5,408) (5,529)
Cash flows from financing activities:   
Repayment of notes payable(55,513) (29,307)
Debt issuance costs paid(858) (800)
Restricted cash for repayment of notes payable7,502  (7,507)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of stock awards(382) (261)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options90  333 
Borrowings from notes payable44,000   
Income tax benefit from employee stock options  103 
Payment of purchase obligation  (427)
Net cash used in financing activities(5,161) (37,866)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash(4) 24 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(9,803) (22,880)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period32,982  71,182 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$23,179  $48,302 
Non-cash financing activities:   
Recognition of warrant issued in debt financing$3,302  $ 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:   
Cash paid for income taxes$540  $3,976 
Cash paid for interest$2,835  $4,797 


PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Results
(In thousands, except per share amount)
(Unaudited)
     
  Three Months Ended
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share:        
Net income (loss) $(7,851) $(715) $(13,250) $842 
Plus: Adjustment items per reconciliation of adjusted net income 1,449  1,492  4,448  4,798 
Adjusted net income (loss) (6,402) 777  (8,802) 5,640 
Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share $(0.13) $0.02  $(0.17) $0.11 
Diluted avg shares outstanding (7) 50,852  50,866  50,581  50,401 


  Three Months Ended
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Adjusted EBITDA:        
Net income (loss) $(7,851) $(715) $(13,250) $842 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 1,146  (974) 1,668  62 
Interest expense 2,459  1,863  5,683  6,136 
Transaction expenses (1) 132    576   
Restructuring and other expenses (5)   26    309 
Depreciation and amortization 2,713  3,292  8,381  10,098 
Impairment of goodwill and customer relationship (3)     1,081   
Stock-based compensation 737  1,206  3,027  3,546 
Adjusted EBITDA $(664) $4,698  $7,166  $20,993 


  Three Months Ended
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Adjusted Net Income (Loss):        
Net income (loss) $(7,851) $(715) $(13,250) $842 
Transaction expenses (1) 132    576   
Stock-based compensation 737  1,206  3,027  3,546 
Amortization of intangibles (2) 203  931  691  2,800 
Impairment of goodwill and customer relationship (3)     1,081   
Deferred financing amortization costs (4) 1,343  324  2,039  1,342 
Restructuring and other expenses (5)   26    309 
Tax adjustments (6) (966) (995) (2,966) (3,199)
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) $(6,402) $777  $(8,802) $5,640 

(1) Represents costs and expenses related to the refinancing of our existing indebtedness.

(2) Represents amortization of capitalized expenses related to the acquisition of Performant by an affiliate of Parthenon Capital Partners in 2004, and also an acquisition in the first quarter of 2012 to enhance our analytics capabilities.

(3) Represents goodwill and impairment charges related to our Performant Europe Ltd. subsidiary.

(4) Represents amortization of capitalized financing costs related to our New Credit Agreement, and the write-off of deferred financing costs related to our Prior Credit Agreement in August 2017.

(5) Represents restructuring costs and severance and termination expenses incurred in connection with termination of employees and consultants.

(6) Represents tax adjustments assuming a marginal tax rate of 40%.

(7) While net income (loss) for the three months ended September 30, 2016 reflects a net loss of $(715), the computation of adjusted net income results in adjusted net income of $777. Therefore, the calculation of the adjusted earnings per diluted share includes dilutive common share equivalents of 666 added to the basic weighted average shares of 50,200.


PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Results
(In thousands, except per share amount)
(Unaudited)

We are providing the following preliminary estimates of our financial results for the year ended December 31, 2017:

  Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended Year Ended
  September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 December 31,
2017
  Actual Estimate Actual Estimate
Adjusted EBITDA:        
Net income (loss) $(13,250) $  (800) to 1,900 $(11,453) $  (14,050) to (11,350)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 1,668  (918) to (1,418) (4,370) 750 to 250
Interest expense 5,683  1,317 to 1,567 7,897  7,000 to 7,250
Transaction expenses (1) 576      576 
Restructuring and other expenses (5)     329   
Depreciation and amortization 8,381  2,512 to 2,812 13,380  10,893 to 11,193
Impairment of goodwill and customer relationship (3) 1,081    15,438  1,081 
Stock-based compensation 3,027  723 to 973 4,713  3,750 to 4,000
Adjusted EBITDA $7,166  $  2,834 to 5,834 $25,934  $  10,000 to 13,000

(1) Represents costs and expenses related to the refinancing of our existing indebtedness.

(3) Represents goodwill and impairment charges related to our Performant Europe Ltd. subsidiary.

(5) Represents restructuring costs and severance and termination expenses incurred in connection with termination of employees and consultants. 


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