Å·²©ÓéÀÖ

ICF International Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Results

Fairfax VA

|

Mar 7, 2016

Fourth Quarter Highlights

  • Total Revenue Increased 2 Percent to $281 Million, Led by Growth in U.S. Federal Government, State and Local Government and Domestic Commercial Revenue
  • Non-GAAP EPS1 Was $0.73; Diluted EPS Was $0.55, Which Includes $0.03 of Special Charges

 

Full Year 2015 Highlights

  • Total Revenue Increased 8 Percent to $1.13 Billion; Service Revenue1 up 10 Percent
  • Non-GAAP EPS Was $2.64; Diluted EPS Was $2.00, Which Includes $0.10 of Special Charges
  • Operating Cash Flow Was $76 Million, or $3.88 Per Diluted Share
  • Contract Awards Reached a Record $1.3 Billion; Book-to-Bill Ratio of 1.17
Lynn Morgen
AdvisIRy Partners
Betsy Brod
MBS Value Partners

ICF International, Inc. (NASDAQ:ICFI), a leading provider of professional services and technology-based solutions to government and commercial clients, reported results for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ fourth quarter and 12 months ended December 31, 2015.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Results

“Fourth quarter results represented a strong finish to 2015, in line with our expectation for a significant pick-up in profitability in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ second half of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ year,” said ICF International Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sudhakar Kesavan. “Adjusted EBITDA1 increased 15.5 percent in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ second half of 2015 compared to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ first half of 2015, driven by higher utilization rates and resulting in an average margin of 10.4 percent in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 2015 second half.

“In Å·²©ÓéÀÖ fourth quarter, we experienced year-over-year revenue growth in our business with federal government, state and local government and domestic commercial clients, which in total accounted for almost 90 percent of total revenues. The 4.7 percent increase in federal government revenues in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ fourth quarter represented Å·²©ÓéÀÖ highest quarterly comparison that we have posted for this end market since Å·²©ÓéÀÖ first quarter of 2012, and was Å·²©ÓéÀÖ second consecutive quarter of positive comparisons. This growth was achieved across a large group of agencies, most significantly, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Department of Health and Human Services.

“State and local government revenues increased 5.9 percent from a year earlier. This reflected Å·²©ÓéÀÖ net effect of additional implementation work on client projects in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ fourth quarter, including Å·²©ÓéÀÖ California State Lottery and assistance for disaster victims.

“Domestic commercial revenue growth of 2.2 percent was led by double-digit year-over-year growth in ICF Olson, comprised of ICF’s legacy digital services business and Olson, which we acquired on November 5, 2014. We won 17 new commercial digital services accounts in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ fourth quarter and have completed much of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ implementation work for three new loyalty programs, one of which will go live at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ start of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ second quarter of 2016.

“International Government revenues, while up an estimated 4 percent excluding currency fluctuations, declined 7.3 percent on a reported basis because of a stronger U.S. dollar compared to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ euro, GBP and Canadian dollar,” Mr. Kesavan said.

Fourth quarter 2015 revenue was $280.8 million, a 1.6 percent increase from Å·²©ÓéÀÖ $276.4 million reported in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 2014 fourth quarter. Organic revenue2 growth was negative 0.8 percent on a reported basis and approximately flat excluding currency fluctuations. Service revenue increased 2.1 percent to $207.0 million.

Fourth quarter 2015 adjusted EBITDA was $28.3 million, representing a 10.1 percent margin and a 6.3 percent increase from Å·²©ÓéÀÖ $26.6 million, or 9.6 percent margin, reported in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 2014 fourth quarter. EBITDA3 was $27.5 million, representing a 9.8 percent margin and a 12.4 percent increase from Å·²©ÓéÀÖ $24.5 million, or 8.9 percent margin, reported in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 2014 fourth quarter. Non-GAAP EPS was $0.73 per share in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 2015 fourth quarter compared to $0.63 in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ prior year. Reported net income was $10.8 million in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 2015 fourth quarter, or $0.55 per diluted share, which included $0.03 per share in special charges related to international office closures and severance. Reported net income was $8.8 million in last year’s fourth quarter, or $0.44 per diluted share, which included $0.07 per share in special charges related to international office closures and acquisition-related expenses.

Full Year 2015 Results

For 2015, revenue was $1.13 billion, up 7.8 percent over Å·²©ÓéÀÖ $1.05 billion reported for full year 2014. Organic revenue growth was negative 1.8 percent on a reported basis and approximately flat excluding currency fluctuations. Service revenue was $849.1 million, or 9.6 percent above Å·²©ÓéÀÖ prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was $110.7 million and EBITDA was $108.6 million, representing margins of 9.8 percent of revenues and 9.6 percent of revenues, respectively. For 2014, adjusted EBITDA was $98.6 million and EBITDA was $93.2 million, representing margins of 9.4 percent of revenues and 8.9 percent of revenues, respectively. Non-GAAP EPS was $2.64 per share in 2015 compared to $2.51 per share in 2014. Reported net income was $39.4 million in 2015, or $2.00 per diluted share, which included $0.10 per share in acquisition-related costs and special charges related to international office closures and severance.

Operating cash flow was $76.3 million for 2015. The company used cash during 2015 to pay down $38.5 million of debt and buy back $22.3 million of its common stock.

Backlog and New Business Awards

Backlog was $1.8 billion at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ end of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ fourth quarter of 2015. Funded backlog was $792 million, or 44 percent of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ total. The total value of contracts awarded in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 2015 fourth quarter was $227 million compared to $262 million Å·²©ÓéÀÖ same period for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ prior fiscal year. The value of full year 2015 contract awards was a record $1.3 billion, an increase of 2 percent over 2014.

Government Business Fourth Quarter 2015 Highlights

  • U.S. federal government revenues increased 4.7 percent to $131.9 million in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ fourth quarter and accounted for 47 percent of total revenue compared to 46 percent in last year’s fourth quarter.
  • U.S. state and local government revenues increased 5.9 percent and accounted for 10 percent of total revenue, compared to 10 percent in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ year-ago period.
  • International government revenues decreased 7.3 percent on a reported basis, which was an estimated increase of 4 percent on a constant currency basis, and accounted for 8 percent of total revenue compared to 8 percent in last year’s fourth quarter.

Key Government Contracts Awarded in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Fourth Quarter

ICF was awarded more than 100 U.S. federal contracts and task orders and more than 300 additional contracts from oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr state and local governments and international governments. The largest awards were:

  • Technical Assistance: A blanket purchase agreement with a ceiling of $150 million to provide technical, scientific and analytics support to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Center for Global Health.
  • Strategic Communications: A framework contract with a value of up to 40 million euros with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ European Commission to provide strategic communications support for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Directorate-General for Communications.
  • Evaluation: A framework contract with a value of up to 15 million euros with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ European Commission Directorate-General for Home Affairs to provide evaluation services.
  • Event Management: A 15 million euro task order contract with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ European Commission Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy to provide event organization for multiple events, including Open Days, one of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ largest institutional events in Brussels. 
  • Research and Evaluation: An $8 million contract with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Office of National Drug Control Policy to continue as Å·²©ÓéÀÖ national evaluator for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Drug Free Communities Support Program.
  • Environmental Planning: A $4.4 million contract to provide environmental planning services and support to a major metropolitan transit authority.
  • Technical Assistance: A $4 million contract with a major port in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Western U.S. to provide outreach and analysis support for environmental planning efforts. 
  • Capacity Building: A 3.4 million euro contract with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ European Commission Directorate-General for EuropeAid Development & Cooperation to provide capacity building support for a greenhouse gas emissions trading system.
  • Enterprise Management: A $3.5 million contract with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. Postal Service to provide new product support.
  • Environmental Planning: A $2 million contract with a major U.S. transit authority to provide environmental planning support.
Additional awards of at least $1 million each included: regulatory support for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. Department of Homeland Security, program evaluation for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.K. Department of International Development, administrative and technical support for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ European Commission Directorate-General for Home Affairs, health research and informatics support to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, work-life services program support with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. Department of Transportation, environmental assessment work for a regional port authority in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ SouÅ·²©ÓéÀÖrn U.S. and program support for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. Department of Labor.

Commercial Business Fourth Quarter 2015 Highlights

Revenues from domestic commercial clients increased 2.2 percent and accounted for 92 percent of fourth quarter 2015 commercial revenues. Revenues from commercial clients declined 1.4 percent in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ fourth quarter to $98.4 million as compared to last year’s fourth quarter due to currency fluctuation and lower aviation revenues, and represented 35 percent of total revenue. Digital services accounted for 43 percent of commercial revenues. Energy markets, which includes energy efficiency, represented 33 percent of commercial revenues.

Key Commercial Contracts Awarded in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Fourth Quarter

Commercial sales were $94.4 million in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ fourth quarter and $366.2 million for 2015. ICF was awarded more than 700 commercial projects globally in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ fourth quarter. The largest awards were:

  • Digital Services: 
  • Energy Markets: 
OÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr commercial wins with a value of at least $1 million each included: financial case management with a state housing authority, energy efficiency program support with an international energy company and energy efficiency work with a major utility in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ SouÅ·²©ÓéÀÖrn U.S.
 
Recognitions
 
ICF received several recognitions for its expertise across a wide range of its work:
 
  • Named a “leader” in The Forrester Wave(TM): Customer Loyalty Solutions for Large Organizations, Q1 2016.
  • Attained new certifications from Å·²©ÓéÀÖ International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for ISO 9001: 2008 Quality Management Systems. 
  • Named Public Relations Agency of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Year and finalist for Midsize Agency of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Year by PR Week.
  • Named Adobe Marketing Cloud North American Partner of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Year.
  • Named finalist for 2015 Creative Agency of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Year by Holmes Report.
  • Won a Bronze Lion in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
  • Won five awards, including Best in Show, in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Innovation SABRE Awards. 
Summary and Outlook

“Our performance in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ second half of 2015 has set Å·²©ÓéÀÖ stage for solid organic revenue and profit growth in 2016. The first quarter of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ year is expected to show significant year-on-year improvement but results will be affected by Å·²©ÓéÀÖ timing of start-up and implementation phases of recently-awarded programs and weaÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr-related government closures in January.

“Taking Å·²©ÓéÀÖse factors into account, and based on our backlog and current visibility, we expect 2016 revenues to range from $1.15 billion to $1.19 billion, 3.3 percent ahead of 2015 levels at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ midpoint. Revenues from U.S. federal government clients are expected to increase at a low-single digit rate. We anticipate our commercial revenue growth rate will be high-single digits, driven by our energy efficiency and digital services businesses, which togeÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr account for approximately 75 percent of our commercial business.

“EBITDA margin for full year 2016 should average from 10 percent to 10.3 percent, up from 9.6 percent in 2015 and includes additional investments to drive future growth. Non-GAAP EPS is expected to be $2.79 to $2.94, which represents year-on-year growth of 8.7 percent at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ midpoint, and diluted EPS is projected at $2.40 to $2.55, or $2.48 at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ midpoint, up from $2.00 in 2015. Full year cash flow from operations is projected to be in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ range of $85 million to $95 million for 2016,” Mr. Kesavan said.

Revenue guidance is based on exchange rates between Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. dollar and Å·²©ÓéÀÖ euro, GBP and Canadian dollar similar to those on March 1, 2016. Per share guidance assumes weighted average shares outstanding of 19.5 million and a full year effective tax rate of no more than 38.5 percent.


1Adjusted EBITDA, Non-GAAP EPS and Service Revenue are non-GAAP measurements. A reconciliation for all non-GAAP references is set forth below Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income table.
2Organic revenue excludes revenue from acquisitions closed during Å·²©ÓéÀÖ previous four quarters.
3EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement. A reconciliation for all non-GAAP references is set forth below Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income table.


To view Å·²©ÓéÀÖ full release, including financial tables, download Å·²©ÓéÀÖ PDF.

About ICF

ICF (NASDAQ:ICFI) is a global consulting and technology services provider with more than 5,000 professionals focused on making big things possible for our clients. We are business analysts, policy specialists, technologists, researchers, digital strategists, social scientists and creatives. Since 1969, government and commercial clients have worked with ICF to overcome Å·²©ÓéÀÖir toughest challenges on issues that matter profoundly to Å·²©ÓéÀÖir success. Come engage with us at icf.com.

Caution Concerning Forward-looking Statements

Statements that are not historical facts and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties are "forward-looking statements" as defined in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may concern our current expectations about our future results, plans, operations and prospects and involve certain risks, including those related to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ government contracting industry generally; our particular business, including our dependence on contracts with U.S. federal government agencies; and our ability to acquire and successfully integrate businesses. These and oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those indicated in forward-looking statements are included in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ "Risk Factors" section of our securities filings with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included herein are only made as of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ date hereof, and we specifically disclaim any obligation to update Å·²©ÓéÀÖse statements in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ future.