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Harte Hanks Reports Second Quarter Results
[July 31, 2014]

Harte Hanks Reports Second Quarter Results


(Marketwire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 07/31/14 -- Harte Hanks (NYSE: HHS), a leading marketing services organization that partners with top brands to establish deeper relationships with its customers and prospects, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014.



Second quarter 2014 revenues were $140.3 million compared to $140.1 million in the same quarter last year, a 0.1% increase. This is the second consecutive quarterly revenue increase reported by the company, marking further progress toward our 2014 goal of returning the company to sustained revenue growth.

Customer Interaction revenues increased 0.3% to $127.3 million, primarily due to a significant increase, over the prior year quarter, in our Select vertical from a new client win and expansion of relationships with existing clients. In addition, our Automotive and Consumer Brands vertical increased due to expansion of contact center services from an existing client and we also experienced revenue growth in our Technology vertical. These gains were partially offset by declines in our Healthcare Insurance and Pharmaceutical, Financial and Retail verticals principally due to reductions in mail volumes and lighter weight packages as well as the full year effect of 2013 client losses. Trillium Software revenues increased 4.3% for the first half of 2014 principally driven by increased software license revenues. Revenues increased 10.1% in the first quarter and declined 1.2% in the second quarter, primarily resulting from the timing of software license sales. Consistent with the growth in licensing sales, maintenance and professional service second quarter revenues increased compared to the second quarter last year.


Operating income for the quarter was $11.0 million compared to $12.4 million for the same quarter last year. Excluding $1.8 million of initiatives comprised of strategic investment and cost elimination efforts leading to for example severance and lease surrender costs, operating income improved $0.4 million for the quarter.

Operating income for Customer Interaction was $9.2 million a decline of $0.9 million. Excluding the previously mentioned $1.8 million of charges, Customer Interaction operating income improved 8.5% or $0.9 million for the quarter. Trillium Software operating income was $2.7 million, a decline of $0.7 million. This was due primarily from the timing in software license revenues as the cost basis in the software business is primarily fixed.

Second quarter 2014 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.09 as compared to $0.11 for the same quarter in 2013. Second quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.12, compared to $0.13 in 2013 excluding for 2014 the investments mentioned above and foreign currency translation charges, and for 2013 the charges related to our CEO's retirement.

Capital expenditures for the quarter were $2.2 million compared to $4.5 million in the prior year's second quarter. This reduction is representative of management's continued efforts to prudently manage cash flows.

The following table presents financial highlights of the company's operations for the second quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively. Full financial results are attached.

RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (unaudited) --------------------------------- (In thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended June 30, --------------------------------- 2014 2013 % Change --------------------------------- Operating revenues $ 140,310 $ 140,105 0.1% Operating income 10,987 12,413 -11.5% Income from continuing operations 5,637 6,936 -18.7% Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations 0.09 0.11 -18.2% Diluted shares (weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding) 62,987 62,761 0.4% --------------------------------- Commenting on the second quarter performance, Chief Executive Officer Robert Philpott said, "We made solid progress against our strategic plan in the second quarter. We remain focused on revenue growth, and this concerted effort to take our share of the market is shown by a second consecutive quarter of revenue advancement. Clearly, Harte Hanks' clients are supportive of the changes we are making to our business. Our target remains sustainable, consistent long-term revenue growth and our most recent performance confirms that we are on the right path to achieve this.

"We also continue to actively manage the cost side of our business. We have brought our on-going labor costs into line with our revenue performance and I expect to see added efficiencies over the coming months. Our attention is also focused on our geographic footprint and we are making excellent progress in streamlining our property portfolio in a way that makes it more closely correlated with the needs of our clients. The financial benefits of exiting long-term fixed costs, such as property leases, combined with labor efficiency gains, will become more apparent over time.

"Overall we can be satisfied with another quarter where we have successfully combined strategic change with operational performance. We are laying an excellent foundation for our future prospects and I am confident that the benefits of the work we have completed in the first half of 2014 will improve stockholder value." The company will host a conference call on July 31, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results. Investors and interested parties may participate in the call by dialing (888) 724-9496 for domestic callers and (913) 312-0719 for international callers and referring to Conference ID 8762736. To access an audio webcast, please go to the link within the Harte Hanks website located on the Investors section of the website, http://HarteHanks.com. A replay will be available shortly after the call through August 7, 2014 at (888) 203-1112 for domestic callers and (719) 457-0820 for international callers, Conference ID 8762736.

About Harte Hanks:Harte Hanks is one of the world's leading, insight-driven multi-channel marketing organizations, delivering impactful business results for some of the world's best-known brands. Through strategic agencies and our core marketing services, we develop integrated solutions that connect brands with prospects and customers, moving them beyond awareness to transactions and brand loyalty. Visit the Harte Hanks website at http://HarteHanks.com or call (800) 456-9748.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Our press release and related earnings conference call contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. All such statements are qualified by this cautionary note, provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements other than historical facts are forward-looking and may be identified by words such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "seeks," "could," "intends," or words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on current information, expectations and estimates and involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. In that event, our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity could be materially adversely affected and investors in our securities could lose part or all of their investments. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors include: (a) local, national and international economic and business conditions, including (i) market conditions that may adversely impact advertising expenditures and (ii) the impact of economic uncertainty in the United States and elsewhere on the financial condition, marketing expenditures and activities of our clients and prospects; (b) the demand for our services by clients and prospective clients, including (i) the willingness of existing clients to maintain or increase their spending on products and services that are or remain profitable for us, and (ii) our ability to predict changes in client needs and preferences; (c) economic and other business factors that impact the industry verticals we serve, including competition and consolidation of current and prospective clients, vendors and partners in these verticals; (d) our ability to manage and timely adjust our capacity, workforce and cost structure to effectively serve our clients; (e) our ability to improve our processes and to provide new products and services in a timely and cost-effective manner though development, license or acquisition; (f) our ability to protect our data centers against security breaches and other interruptions and to protect sensitive personal information of our clients and their customers; (g) our ability to respond to increasing concern, regulation and legal action over consumer privacy issues, including changing requirements for collection, processing and use of information; (h) the impact of other regulations, including restrictions on unsolicited marketing communications and other consumer protection laws; (i) fluctuations in fuel prices, paper prices, postal rates and postal delivery schedules; (j) the number of shares, if any, that we may repurchase in connection with our repurchase program; (k) unanticipated developments regarding litigation or other contingent liabilities; and (l) other factors discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The forward-looking statements in this press release and our related earnings conference call are made only as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures: In this press release and our related earnings conference call, the company intends to provide investors with a better understanding of operating results and underlying trends to assess the company's performance and liquidity. The company evaluates its operating performance based on several measures, including the non-GAAP financial measures of (1) free cash flow, defined as net income, plus depreciation and amortization, plus stock-based compensation (tax-effected), plus goodwill and other intangibles impairment (tax-effected) less capital expenditures, all of the aforementioned are from continuing operations and (2) EBITDA, defined as net income before interest, taxes, goodwill and other intangibles impairment, depreciation, and amortization. The company believes that free cash flow and EBITDA are useful supplemental financial measures for investors because they facilitate investors' ability to evaluate the operational strength of the company's business. Free cash flow and EBITDA, however, are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and they should not be considered substitutes for net income as an indicator of operating performance. A quantitative reconciliation of free cash flow and EBITDA to net income is found in the tables attached to this release.

As used herein, "Harte Hanks" refers to Harte-Hanks, Inc. and/or its applicable operating subsidiaries, as the context may require. Harte Hanks' logo and name are trademarks of Harte Hanks.

Harte-Hanks, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, -------------------- -------------------- In thousands, except per share data 2014 2013 2014 2013 --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating revenues $ 140,310 $ 140,105 $ 273,037 $ 272,457 Operating expenses: Labor 69,613 69,790 140,917 137,260 Production and distribution 42,158 40,571 82,434 79,556 Advertising, selling, general and administrative 13,860 13,558 26,590 25,985 Depreciation and amortization 3,692 3,773 7,530 7,839 --------- --------- --------- --------- 129,323 127,692 257,471 250,640 --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating income 10,987 12,413 15,566 21,817 --------- --------- --------- --------- Other expenses (income): Interest expense 710 779 1,437 1,582 Interest income (81) (29) (129) (51) Other, net 1,075 82 1,809 (1,136) --------- --------- --------- --------- 1,704 832 3,117 395 --------- --------- --------- --------- Income from continuing operations before income taxes 9,283 11,581 12,449 21,422 Income tax expense 3,646 4,645 4,967 8,166 --------- --------- --------- --------- Income from continuing operations $ 5,637 $ 6,936 $ 7,482 $ 13,256 ========= ========= ========= ========= Gain from discontinued operations, net of income taxes - 1,373 - 1,721 --------- --------- --------- --------- Net Income $ 5,637 $ 8,309 $ 7,482 $ 14,977 ========= ========= ========= ========= Basic earnings per common share Continuing operations $ 0.09 $ 0.11 $ 0.12 $ 0.21 Discontinued operations - 0.02 - 0.03 --------- --------- --------- --------- Basic earnings per share $ 0.09 $ 0.13 $ 0.12 $ 0.24 ========= ========= ========= ========= Weighted-average common shares outstanding 62,734 62,446 62,711 62,459 ========= ========= ========= ========= Diluted earnings per common share Continuing operations $ 0.09 $ 0.11 $ 0.12 $ 0.21 Discontinued operations - 0.02 - 0.03 --------- --------- --------- --------- Diluted earnings per share $ 0.09 $ 0.13 $ 0.12 $ 0.24 ========= ========= ========= ========= Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding 62,987 62,761 62,975 62,712 ========= ========= ========= ========= Balance Sheet Data (Unaudited) June 30, December In thousands 2014 31, 2013 --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents $ 77,022 $ 88,747 Total debt $ 91,875 $ 98,000 Harte-Hanks, Inc.

Business Segment Information (Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, -------------------------- -------------------------- % % In thousands 2014 2013 Change 2014 2013 Change -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------ OPERATING REVENUES: Customer Interaction $127,321 $126,952 0.3% $246,055 $246,590 -0.2% Trillium 12,989 13,153 -1.2% 26,982 25,867 4.3% -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------ Total operating revenues $140,310 $140,105 0.1% $273,037 $272,457 0.2% -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------ OPERATING INCOME: Customer Interaction $ 9,192 $ 10,135 -9.3% $ 11,142 $ 17,041 -34.6% Trillium 2,749 3,410 -19.4% 6,344 7,038 -9.9% General corporate expense (954) (1,132) 15.7% (1,920) (2,262) 15.1% -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------ Total operating income $ 10,987 $ 12,413 -11.5% $ 15,566 $ 21,817 -28.7% -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------ - - - - DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION: Customer Interaction $ 3,190 $ 3,250 -1.8% $ 6,548 $ 6,818 -4.0% Trillium 496 520 -4.6% 972 1,013 -4.0% General corporate expense 6 3 100.0% 10 8 25.0% -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------ Total depreciation and amortization $ 3,692 $ 3,773 -2.1% $ 7,530 $ 7,839 -3.9% -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------ Harte-Hanks, Inc.

Historical Business Segment Information (Unaudited) Three months ended March 31, -------------------------------------------- % % In thousands 2014 2013 Change 2012 Change -------- -------- ------ -------- ------ OPERATING REVENUES: Customer Interaction $118,734 $119,638 -0.8% $126,917 -5.7% Trillium 13,993 12,714 10.1% 12,539 1.4% -------- -------- ------ -------- ------ Total operating revenues $132,727 $132,352 0.3% $139,456 -5.1% -------- -------- ------ -------- ------ OPERATING INCOME: Customer Interaction $ 1,950 $ 6,906 -71.8% $ 11,025 -37.4% Trillium 3,595 3,628 -0.9% 3,009 20.6% General corporate expense (966) (1,130) 14.5% (1,301) 13.1% -------- -------- ------ -------- ------ Total operating income $ 4,579 $ 9,404 -51.3% $ 12,733 -26.1% -------- -------- ------ -------- ------ DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION: Customer Interaction $ 3,358 $ 3,568 -5.9% $ 3,646 -2.1% Trillium 476 493 -3.4% 464 6.3% General corporate expense 4 5 -20.0% 5 0.0% -------- -------- ------ -------- ------ Total depreciation and amortization $ 3,838 $ 4,066 -5.6% $ 4,115 -1.2% -------- -------- ------ -------- ------ Three months ended June 30, --------------------------------------------- % % In thousands 2014 2013 Change 2012 Change -------- -------- ------ -------- ------- OPERATING REVENUES: Customer Interaction $127,321 $126,952 0.3% $130,200 -2.5% Trillium 12,989 13,153 -1.2% 12,594 4.4% -------- -------- ------ -------- ------- Total operating revenues $140,310 $140,105 0.1% $142,794 -1.9% -------- -------- ------ -------- ------- OPERATING INCOME: Customer Interaction $ 9,192 $ 10,135 -9.3% $ 11,382 -11.0% Trillium 2,749 3,410 -19.4% 3,203 6.5% General corporate expense (954) (1,132) 15.7% (1,303) 13.1% -------- -------- ------ -------- ------- Total operating income $ 10,987 $ 12,413 -11.5% $ 13,282 -6.5% -------- -------- ------ -------- ------- DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION: Customer Interaction $ 3,190 $ 3,250 -1.8% $ 3,544 -8.3% Trillium 496 520 -4.6% 461 12.8% General corporate expense 6 3 100.0% 5 -40.0% -------- -------- ------ -------- ------- Total depreciation and amortization $ 3,692 $ 3,773 -2.1% $ 4,010 -5.9% -------- -------- ------ -------- ------- Three months ended September 30, ---------------------------------------- % % In thousands 2014 2013 Change 2012 Change ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- OPERATING REVENUES: Customer Interaction $ - $121,338 - $127,049 -4.5% Trillium $ - 13,635 - 13,944 -2.2% ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- Total operating revenues $ - $134,973 - $140,993 -4.3% ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- OPERATING INCOME: Customer Interaction $ - $ 5,559 - $ 12,688 -56.2% Trillium $ - 3,931 - 4,176 -5.9% General corporate expense $ - (1,130) - (1,267) 10.8% ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- Total operating income $ - $ 8,360 - $ 15,597 -46.4% ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION: Customer Interaction $ - $ 3,380 - $ 3,355 0.7% Trillium $ - 565 - 432 30.8% General corporate expense $ - 4 - 5 -20.0% ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- Total depreciation and amortization $ - $ 3,949 - $ 3,792 4.1% ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- Three months ended December 31, ---------------------------------------- % % In thousands 2014 2013 Change 2012 Change ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- OPERATING REVENUES: Customer Interaction $ - $135,831 - $143,876 -5.6% Trillium $ - 16,348 - 13,971 17.0% ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- Total operating revenues $ - $152,179 - $157,847 -3.6% ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- OPERATING INCOME: Customer Interaction $ - $ 9,418 - $ 18,125 -48.0% Trillium $ - 4,429 - 4,270 3.7% General corporate expense $ - (1,363) - (1,339) -1.8% ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- Total operating income $ - $ 12,484 - $ 21,056 -40.7% ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION: Customer Interaction $ - $ 3,469 - $ 3,536 -1.9% Trillium $ - 474 - 464 2.2% General corporate expense $ - 4 - 5 -20.0% ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- Total depreciation and amortization $ - $ 3,947 - $ 4,005 -1.4% ----- -------- ------ -------- ------- Harte-Hanks, Inc.

Harte Hanks Revenue Mix (Unaudited) Vertical Markets - Percent of Harte Hanks Revenue Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, -------------------- -------------------- 2014 2013 2014 2013 --------- --------- --------- --------- Retail 23.9% 28.1% 24.7% 27.9% Financial and Insurance Services 13.9% 15.2% 14.3% 15.8% Technology 24.1% 23.8% 23.1% 24.0% Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals 7.6% 7.8% 8.5% 7.7% Auto and Consumer Brands 17.8% 17.3% 18.0% 16.7% Other Select Markets 12.6% 7.8% 11.4% 7.9% --------- --------- --------- --------- 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% ========= ========= ========= ========= Harte-Hanks, Inc.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Free Cash Flow (Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, ------------------- ------------------- In thousands 2014 2013 2014 2013 --------- --------- --------- --------- Income from continuing operations $ 5,637 $ 6,936 $ 7,482 $ 13,256 Add: After-tax stock-based compensation (Note 1) 755 1,237 1,378 1,915 Add: Depreciation and amortization 3,692 3,773 7,530 7,839 Less: Capital expenditures 2,191 4,486 4,838 9,169 --------- --------- --------- --------- Free cash flow from continuing operations 7,893 7,460 11,552 13,841 --------- --------- --------- --------- Income/(Loss) from discont'd operations - 1,373 - 1,721 Add: After-tax stock-based compensation (Note 1) - 85 - 180 Add: Depreciation and amortization - 868 - 1,739 Less: Capital expenditures - 268 - 318 --------- --------- --------- --------- Free cash flow from discontinued operations - 2,058 - 3,322 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total free cash flow $ 7,893 $ 9,518 $ 11,552 $ 17,163 ========= ========= ========= ========= Note 1: For continuing operations pre-tax stock-based compensation expense was $1,259 and $2,061 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively; and was $2,297 and $3,191 for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For discontinued operations, pre-tax stock- based compensation expense was $142 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and $300 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA from Continuing Operations (Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, ------------------- ------------------- In thousands 2013 2012 2014 2013 --------- --------- --------- --------- Income from Continuing Operations $ 5,637 $ 6,936 $ 7,482 $ 13,256 Depreciation and amortization 3,692 3,773 7,530 7,839 Interest expense, net and non- operating, net 1,704 832 3,117 395 Income tax expense 3,646 4,645 4,967 8,166 --------- --------- --------- --------- EBITDA from Continuing Operations $ 14,679 $ 16,186 $ 23,096 $ 29,656 --------- --------- --------- --------- Source: Harte Hanks, Inc.

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