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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 26, 2004

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File Number 0-1088

 


 

KELLY SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE   38-1510762

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

999 WEST BIG BEAVER ROAD, TROY, MICHIGAN   48084
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(248) 362-4444

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

No Change

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No ¨

 

At October 27, 2004, 31,749,442 shares of Class A and 3,472,598 shares of Class B common stock of the Registrant were outstanding.

 



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KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

             

Page

Number


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
   

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

    
        

Statements of Earnings

   3
        

Balance Sheets

   4
        

Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

   5
        

Statements of Cash Flows

   6
        

Notes to Financial Statements

   7
   

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

   10
   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   16
   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   17
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION AND SIGNATURES     
   

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   17
   

Item 6. Exhibits

   17
Signatures    18

 


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3

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.        Financial Statements.

 

KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands of dollars except per share data)

 

     13 Weeks Ended

    39 Weeks Ended

    

Sept. 26,

2004


   

Sept. 28,

2003


   

Sept. 26,

2004


   

Sept. 28,

2003


Revenue from services

   $ 1,244,854     $ 1,097,268     $ 3,628,129     $ 3,160,182

Cost of services

     1,042,486       924,661       3,044,323       2,649,619
    


 


 


 

Gross profit

     202,368       172,607       583,806       510,563

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     189,908       169,898       560,654       505,015
    


 


 


 

Earnings from operations

     12,460       2,709       23,152       5,548

Interest (expense) income, net

     (194 )     (84 )     (716 )     42
    


 


 


 

Earnings before income taxes

     12,266       2,625       22,436       5,590

Income taxes

     4,894       1,121       8,952       2,292
    


 


 


 

Net earnings

   $ 7,372     $ 1,504     $ 13,484     $ 3,298
    


 


 


 

Earnings per share:

                              

Basic

   $ .21     $ .04     $ .38     $ .09

Diluted

     .21       .04       .38       .09

Average shares outstanding (thousands):

                              

Basic

     35,199       35,321       35,046       35,488

Diluted

     35,424       35,490       35,400       35,549

Dividends per share

   $ .10     $ .10     $ .30     $ .30

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 


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KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of dollars)

 

    

Sept. 26,

2004


   

December 28,

2003


 
     (UNAUDITED)        

ASSETS

                

CURRENT ASSETS:

                

Cash and equivalents

   $ 87,236     $ 76,378  

Short-term investments

     377       457  

Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $16,637 and $14,983, respectively

     741,938       658,090  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     36,834       31,784  

Deferred taxes

     21,287       24,962  
    


 


Total current assets

     887,672       791,671  

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

                

Land and buildings

     57,687       57,543  

Equipment, furniture and leasehold improvements

     318,319       302,938  

Accumulated depreciation

     (204,066 )     (172,359 )
    


 


Total property and equipment

     171,940       188,122  

NONCURRENT DEFERRED TAXES

     11,741       14,606  

GOODWILL, NET

     84,875       85,788  

OTHER ASSETS

     58,674       57,550  
    


 


TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 1,214,902     $ 1,137,737  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                

Short-term borrowings

   $ 43,109     $ 39,190  

Accounts payable

     91,458       92,265  

Accrued payroll and related taxes

     254,813       200,503  

Accrued insurance

     38,602       36,016  

Income and other taxes

     47,503       49,342  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     475,485       417,316  

NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:

                

Accrued insurance

     62,982       58,763  

Accrued retirement benefits

     49,274       48,025  
    


 


Total noncurrent liabilities

     112,256       106,788  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                

Capital stock, $1.00 par value

                

Class A common stock, shares issued 36,619,693 at 2004 and 36,619,148 at 2003

     36,620       36,619  

Class B common stock, shares issued 3,496,173 at 2004 and 3,496,718 at 2003

     3,496       3,497  

Treasury stock, at cost

                

Class A common stock, 4,878,891 shares at 2004 and 5,319,995 at 2003

     (103,204 )     (112,535 )

Class B common stock, 23,575 shares at 2004 and 23,475 at 2003

     (626 )     (623 )

Paid-in capital

     20,917       19,096  

Earnings invested in the business

     659,693       656,726  

Accumulated foreign currency adjustments

     10,265       10,853  
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     627,161       613,633  
    


 


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 1,214,902     $ 1,137,737  
    


 


 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 


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5

 

KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     13 Weeks Ended

    39 Weeks Ended

 
     Sept. 26,
2004


    Sept. 28,
2003


    Sept. 26,
2004


    Sept. 28,
2003


 

Capital Stock

                                

Class A common stock

                                

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 36,620     $ 36,619     $ 36,619     $ 36,619  

Conversions from Class B

     —         —         1       —    
    


 


 


 


Balance at end of period

     36,620       36,619       36,620       36,619  

Class B common stock

                                

Balance at beginning of period

     3,496       3,497       3,497       3,497  

Conversions to Class A

     —         —         (1 )     —    
    


 


 


 


Balance at end of period

     3,496       3,497       3,496       3,497  

Treasury Stock

                                

Class A common stock

                                

Balance at beginning of period

     (104,523 )     (90,196 )     (112,535 )     (91,648 )

Exercise of stock options, restricted stock awards and other

     1,319       436       9,331       1,888  

Purchase of treasury stock

     —         (26,037 )     —         (26,037 )
    


 


 


 


Balance at end of period

     (103,204 )     (115,797 )     (103,204 )     (115,797 )

Class B common stock

                                

Balance at beginning of period

     (626 )     (578 )     (623 )     (511 )

Purchase of treasury stock

     —         (37 )     (3 )     (104 )
    


 


 


 


Balance at end of period

     (626 )     (615 )     (626 )     (615 )

Paid-in Capital

                                

Balance at beginning of period

     20,042       18,332       19,096       17,902  

Exercise of stock options, restricted stock awards and other

     875       72       1,821       502  
    


 


 


 


Balance at end of period

     20,917       18,404       20,917       18,404  

Earnings Invested in the Business

                                

Balance at beginning of period

     655,841       660,438       656,726       665,759  

Net earnings

     7,372       1,504       13,484       3,298  

Dividends

     (3,520 )     (3,561 )     (10,517 )     (10,676 )
    


 


 


 


Balance at end of period

     659,693       658,381       659,693       658,381  

Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustments

                                

Balance at beginning of period

     9,028       384       10,853       (12,554 )

Equity adjustment for foreign currency

     1,237       858       (588 )     13,796  
    


 


 


 


Balance at end of period

     10,265       1,242       10,265       1,242  
    


 


 


 


Stockholders’ Equity at end of period

   $ 627,161     $ 601,731     $ 627,161     $ 601,731  
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive Income

                                

Net earnings

   $ 7,372     $ 1,504     $ 13,484     $ 3,298  

Other comprehensive income - Foreign currency adjustments

     1,237       858       (588 )     13,796  
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive Income

   $ 8,609     $ 2,362     $ 12,896     $ 17,094  
    


 


 


 


 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 


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6

 

KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     39 Weeks Ended

 
    

Sept. 26,

2004


   

Sept. 28,

2003


 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net earnings

   $ 13,484     $ 3,298  

Noncash adjustments:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     33,297       36,092  

Increase in trade accounts receivable, net

     (83,377 )     (63,572 )

Changes in other operating assets and liabilities

     69,096       35,868  
    


 


Net cash from operating activities

     32,500       11,686  
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Capital expenditures

     (16,665 )     (20,154 )

Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments

     480       544  

Purchases of short-term investments

     (400 )     (453 )

Increase in other assets

     (769 )     (2,282 )
    


 


Net cash from investing activities

     (17,354 )     (22,345 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Increase in short-term borrowings

     3,896       5,562  

Dividend payments

     (10,517 )     (10,676 )

Stock options and other

     2,568       177  

Purchase of treasury stock

     (3 )     (26,141 )
    


 


Net cash from financing activities

     (4,056 )     (31,078 )
    


 


Effect of exchange rates on cash and equivalents

     (232 )     1,639  
    


 


Net change in cash and equivalents

     10,858       (40,098 )

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period

     76,378       100,936  
    


 


Cash and equivalents at end of period

   $ 87,236     $ 60,838  
    


 


 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 


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7

 

KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands of dollars except share and per share items)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X and do not include all the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. All adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, have been made which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for a full year. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003 (the 2003 consolidated financial statements). Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current presentation.

 

2. Segment Disclosures

 

The Company’s reportable segments, which are based on the Company’s method of internal reporting, are: (1) U.S. Commercial Staffing, (2) Professional, Technical and Staffing Alternatives (PTSA) and (3) International. The following table presents information about the reported revenue from services and earnings from operations of the Company for the 13-week and 39-week periods ended September 26, 2004 and September 28, 2003. Segment data presented are net of intersegment revenues. Asset information by reportable segment is not presented, since the Company does not produce such information internally.

 

     13 Weeks Ended

    39 Weeks Ended

 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Revenue from Services:

                                

U.S. Commercial Staffing

   $ 573,972     $ 535,345     $ 1,704,861     $ 1,562,319  

PTSA

     260,965       221,221       756,133       666,445  

International

     409,917       340,702       1,167,135       931,418  
    


 


 


 


Consolidated Total

   $ 1,244,854     $ 1,097,268     $ 3,628,129     $ 3,160,182  
    


 


 


 


Earnings (Loss) from Operations:

                                

U.S. Commercial Staffing

   $ 29,696     $ 22,852     $ 83,654     $ 70,219  

PTSA

     16,480       11,938       46,864       38,030  

International

     6,199       1,672       7,317       (2,396 )

Corporate Expense

     (39,915 )     (33,753 )     (114,683 )     (100,305 )
    


 


 


 


Consolidated Total

   $ 12,460     $ 2,709     $ 23,152     $ 5,548  
    


 


 


 


 


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8

 

KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands of dollars except share and per share items)

 

3. Contingencies

 

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of its business. These legal proceedings and claims are subject to many uncertainties, the outcome of which is not predictable with assurance and it is reasonably possible that some matters could be decided unfavorably to the Company. Although the amount of the liability at September 26, 2004 with respect to these matters cannot be ascertained, the Company believes that any resulting liability will not be material to the financial condition of the Company at September 26, 2004.

 

4. Earnings Per Share

 

The reconciliations of earnings per share computations for the 13-week and 39-week periods ended September 26, 2004 and September 28, 2003 were as follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended

   39 Weeks Ended

     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Net earnings

   $ 7,372    $ 1,504    $ 13,484    $ 3,298
    

  

  

  

Determination of shares (thousands):

                           

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     35,199      35,321      35,046      35,488

Effect of dilutive securities:

                           

Stock options

     165      105      252      27

Restricted awards and other

     60      64      102      34
    

  

  

  

Weighted average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution

     35,424      35,490      35,400      35,549
    

  

  

  

Earnings per share - basic

   $ .21    $ .04    $ .38    $ .09

Earnings per share - assuming dilution

   $ .21    $ .04    $ .38    $ .09

 

Stock options representing 1,006,000 and 1,159,000 shares, respectively, for the quarters ended September 26, 2004 and September 28, 2003, and 492,000 and 2,604,000 shares, respectively, for the nine months ended September 26, 2004 and September 28, 2003 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. The exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market price of the common shares and the options were therefore anti-dilutive.

 


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9

 

KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands of dollars except share and per share items)

 

5. Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company has a Performance Incentive Plan for key employees and accounts for this plan under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. The Company has not recognized any expense related to employee stock options, as all options granted under the plan had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share for the 13-week and 39-week periods ended September 26, 2004 and September 28, 2003 if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee compensation.

 

     13 Weeks Ended

    39 Weeks Ended

 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net earnings, as reported

   $ 7,372     $ 1,504     $ 13,484     $ 3,298  

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net earnings, net of related tax effects

     490       465       1,325       1,225  

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (996 )     (990 )     (2,838 )     (2,789 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net earnings

   $ 6,866     $ 979     $ 11,971     $ 1,734  
    


 


 


 


Earnings per share:

                                

Basic-as reported

   $ .21     $ .04     $ .38     $ .09  

Basic-pro forma

   $ .20     $ .03     $ .34     $ .05  

Diluted-as reported

   $ .21     $ .04     $ .38     $ .09  

Diluted-pro forma

   $ .19     $ .03     $ .34     $ .05  

 


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Item 2.        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

Executive Overview

 

Sales for the third quarter of 2004 grew by more than 13 percent when compared to the prior year, representing record quarterly sales. We continue to be encouraged by the recent economic data, as well as the steady job growth within the staffing industry. Gross Domestic Product growth in the United States for the second quarter was recently revised upward from 2.8% to 3.3%. The September Bureau of Labor Statistics report indicated that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 96,000 in September. Since August 2003, payroll employment has risen by 1.8 million jobs. Within our industry, temporary employment has grown by 218,600 jobs since September of 2003.

 

At Kelly, we have seen a similar pattern of increasing demand for temporary staffing. Three signs which we believe have signaled a recovery in the staffing industry are particularly encouraging: (1) Our light industrial business, which was the first business to increase after the recession, has continued to grow at double-digit rates; (2) Our office/clerical business grew for the fourth consecutive quarter; and (3) Our temporary-to-permanent conversion fees, while not yet back to pre-recession levels, are recovering. Temporary staffing demand and fee based income, such as placement fees and temporary-to-permanent conversion fees, tend to be cyclical in nature and typically increase when economic growth and job creation resume. Certain of these trends and developments are discussed in greater detail below.

 

Results of Operations

Third Quarter

 

Revenue from services in the third quarter of 2004 totaled $1.245 billion, an increase of 13.5% from the same period in 2003. This was the result of an increase in hours worked of 6.6% and an increase in average hourly bill rates of 6.1%. Revenue for the quarter increased in all three business segments: U.S. Commercial Staffing, Professional, Technical and Staffing Alternatives (PTSA) and International.

 

During the past year, the U.S. dollar declined in comparison to many foreign currencies, including the euro and British pound. As a result, Kelly’s U.S. dollar translated revenue was higher than would have otherwise been reported. On a constant currency basis, third quarter revenue increased 10.7% as compared with the prior year. When we use the term “constant currency,” it means that we have translated financial data for 2004 into U.S. dollars using the same foreign currency exchange rates that we used to translate financial data for 2003. Management believes constant currency measurements are an important analytical tool to aid in understanding underlying operating trends without distortion due to currency fluctuations. The table below summarizes the impact of foreign exchange adjustments on third quarter revenue:

 

     Third Quarter Revenue

 
     2004

   2003

   % Change

 
     (In millions of dollars)       

U.S. Commercial Staffing

   $ 574.0    $ 535.3    7.2  %

PTSA

     261.0      221.2    18.0  

International - Constant Currency

     379.8      340.7    11.5  
    

  

  

Revenue from Services - Constant Currency

     1,214.7      1,097.3    10.7  

Foreign Currency Impact

     30.1      —         
    

  

  

Revenue from Services

   $ 1,244.9    $ 1,097.3    13.5  %
    

  

  

 

Gross profit of $202.4 million was 17.2% higher than the gross profit of $172.6 million for the same period of the prior year. The gross profit rate for the third quarter of 2004 was 16.3%, an increase of 0.6 percentage point compared to the 15.7% rate earned for the same period in 2003. Compared to the prior year, the gross profit rates increased in all three business segments. The increase in the gross profit rate was primarily due to lower workers’ compensation costs. During the third quarter of 2003, Kelly revised its estimate of the cost of outstanding workers’ compensation claims and, accordingly, recorded additional expense of $6.4 million. The gross profit rate was also favorably impacted by higher fee based income, particularly in the International segment, offset by higher state unemployment taxes in the United States to the extent not recovered by pricing actions.

 


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11

 

Fee based recruitment income, which represents approximately one percent of the Company’s total revenue, has a significant impact on gross profit rates. There are very low direct costs of services associated with fee based recruitment income. Therefore, increases or decreases can have a disproportionate impact on gross profit rates.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $189.9 million, an increase of 11.8% year over year. Selling, general and administrative expenses expressed as a percentage of revenue were 15.3% in the third quarter of 2004, a 0.2 percentage point decrease compared to the 15.5% rate in the third quarter of 2003. As measured on a constant currency basis, selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 8.8%. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is due primarily to the growth in salaries and incentive-based compensation. This significantly affects the year-over-year comparisons because Kelly did not grant merit increases or award incentive-based compensation to management in 2003.

 

Earnings from operations in the third quarter of 2004 totaled $12.5 million, a $9.8 million increase compared to earnings from operations of $2.7 million reported for the third quarter of 2003.

 

Net interest expense in the third quarter of 2004 was $194 thousand, compared to last year’s net interest expense of $84 thousand. The change is primarily attributable to increased short-term debt levels, as a result of increased international working capital requirements.

 

The effective income tax rate in the third quarter of 2004 was 39.9%, a reduction from last year’s rate of 42.7% for the third quarter. Last year’s rate was higher because it included the impact of establishing valuation allowances for certain international tax loss carryforwards. At the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2004, the “Working Families Tax Relief Act” was signed into law. The law provides for the retroactive extension of work opportunity credits, which will reduce the Company’s full year tax rate to 38.5%. This will lower the fourth quarter effective tax rate to approximately 36% to reflect the full year benefit of the work opportunity credits.

 

Third quarter net earnings totaled $7.4 million, as compared to net earnings of $1.5 million last year. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2004 were $0.21, as compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.04 for the third quarter of 2003.

 

U.S. Commercial Staffing

 

Revenue from services in the U.S. Commercial Staffing segment totaled $574.0 million in the third quarter of 2004, a 7.2% increase compared to the $535.3 million reported for the same period in 2003. This reflected an increase in hours worked of 4.4% and an increase in average hourly bill rates of 2.6%. On a year-over-year basis, adjusted for the shift in the Labor Day holiday, revenue increased 9% in July, 7% in August and 5% in September. The year-over-year revenue growth trend slowed as the quarter progressed. This reflects the strategic decision to discontinue providing services to certain customers who did not accept price adjustments related to statutory state unemployment tax increases, or had unfavorable workers’ compensation experience. In addition, the U.S. Commercial Staffing segment faced more difficult year-over-year comparisons beginning in September.

 

U.S. Commercial Staffing revenue represented 46% of total Company revenue in the third quarter of 2004 and 49% of total Company revenue in the third quarter of 2003.

 

U.S. Commercial Staffing earnings from operations totaled $29.7 million in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of 29.9% compared to earnings of $22.9 million last year. This was the result of the 7.2% increase in revenue and a 0.7 percentage point increase in the gross profit rate, partially offset by a 4.5% increase in expenses. The increase in the gross profit rate was principally due to lower workers’ compensation costs, partially offset by higher state unemployment taxes, to the extent not recovered by pricing actions. As noted above, during the third quarter of 2003, Kelly revised its estimate of the cost of outstanding workers’ compensation claims and, accordingly, recorded additional expense. Of the total $6.4 million additional expense, $4.6 million was charged to U.S. Commercial Staffing. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the growth in salaries and incentive-based compensation. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue were 9.5% in the third quarter of 2004 and 9.8% in the third quarter of 2003.

 


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Professional, Technical and Staffing Alternatives

 

Revenue from services in the Professional, Technical and Staffing Alternatives (“PTSA”) segment for the third quarter of 2004 totaled $261.0 million, an increase of 18.0% compared to the $221.2 million reported in the third quarter of 2003. This reflected an increase in hours worked of 12.2% and an increase in average billing rates of 5.7% for the professional and technical staffing businesses. In addition, revenues in the staffing alternatives businesses, which include staff leasing and management services, increased by 9.9%. On a year-over-year basis adjusted for the shift in the Labor Day holiday, PTSA revenue increased 19% in July, 19% in August and 16% in September. PTSA revenue represented 21% of total Company revenue in the third quarter of 2004 and 20% in third quarter of 2003.

 

Nearly all of the 14 business units that make up PTSA experienced double-digit revenue growth on a year-over-year basis. Kelly Engineering Resources and Kelly Law Registry were the leading Professional and Technical Staffing performers in the third quarter, exhibiting revenue growth in excess of 25%. Kelly HRfirst and Kelly Vendor Management Solutions were the leading Staffing Alternatives performers, with revenue growth of over 25% for the third quarter. However, two PTSA units, Kelly Home Care and Kelly Automotive Services Group, experienced revenue declines during the third quarter of 2004 as compared to the prior year. Kelly Home Care customers are primarily private-pay, elderly clients. These decreases, however, were consistent with industry trends in their staffing sectors.

 

PTSA earnings from operations for the third quarter of 2004 totaled $16.5 million, an increase of 38.0% from the same period in 2003. This was the result of the 18.0% increase in revenue, and a 0.3 percentage point increase in the gross profit rate, partially offset by an 11.6 % increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in the gross profit rate was primarily due to lower workers’ compensation expense and stronger fee based recruitment income. As noted above, during the third quarter of 2003, Kelly revised its estimate of the cost of outstanding workers’ compensation claims and, accordingly, recorded additional expense. Of the total $6.4 million additional expense, $1.8 million was charged to PTSA. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to volume growth in the Kelly Law Registry and Kelly Vendor Management Solutions business units, additional investments in Kelly FedSecure, the newest PTSA specialty staffing unit, and growth in salaries and incentive-based compensation. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue were 11.6% in the third quarter of 2004 and 12.2% in the third quarter of 2003.

 

International

 

Translated U.S. dollar revenue from services in International for the third quarter of 2004 totaled $409.9 million, a 20.3% increase compared to the $340.7 million reported in the third quarter of 2003. This resulted from an increase in hours worked of 8.3% and an increase in the translated U.S. dollar average hourly bill rates of 10.4%. International revenue represented 33% of total Company revenue in the third quarter of 2004 and 31% in the third quarter of 2003.

 

On a constant currency basis, revenue increased by 11.5% and average hourly bill rates increased by 2.3%. The 11.5% constant currency increase in revenue reflected slowing from the second quarter, when year-over-year constant currency revenue was up 15.9%. Revenue growth comparisons will become more challenging in the fourth quarter because of the exceptional growth we experienced beginning in the fourth quarter of 2003.

 

Year-over-year constant currency revenue growth was positive in all regions. The Americas increased by 12%, Asia Pacific increased by 17%, and Europe increased by 10%. In Europe, our United Kingdom/Ireland operations grew sales by nearly 17% on a constant currency basis.

 

International earnings from operations for the third quarter totaled $6.2 million, an improvement of $4.5 million as compared to earnings of $1.7 million for the same period in 2003. The 20.3% increase in revenue, combined with a 0.2 percentage point increase in the gross profit rate, was partially offset by a 14.7% increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, as measured in U.S. dollars.

 


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The increase in the International gross profit rate is primarily due to increased fee based income, particularly in the United Kingdom, partially offset by temporary staffing gross profit rate decreases in Europe, also primarily in the United Kingdom. Fee based income showed an increase of over 40%, as measured in constant currency. The decrease in the gross profit rates experienced in the United Kingdom is due, in large part, to a shift in customer mix to larger corporate account customers which, as noted above, tend to have lower gross margins. The increase in U.S. dollar reported expenses was impacted by currency rates. On a constant currency basis, third quarter expenses increased by 5.8% as compared to the prior year. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue were 15.9% in the third quarter of 2004, a 0.8 percentage point improvement compared to 16.7% in the third quarter of 2003.

 

Many of the Company’s large corporate and national account customers have negotiated high volume global service agreements, which tend to result in lower gross profit rates than those earned with the Company’s small and medium size customers. However, these accounts also have a lower administrative cost due to economies of scale, and can yield an operating margin similar to that realized with small or medium size customers. The Company’s strategy is focused on serving and growing large national and local accounts. As customer mix shifts to larger accounts, the Company’s average gross margins tend to decrease.

 

Results of Operations

Year to Date

 

Revenue from services totaled $3.628 billion during the first nine months of 2004, an increase of 14.8% from the same period in 2003. This was the result of an increase in hours worked of 9.9% and an increase in average hourly bill rates of 4.3%. Revenue increased in each of the Company’s three business segments: U.S. Commercial Staffing, PTSA and International. On a constant currency basis, revenue from services increased by 11.7%. The table below summarizes the impact of foreign exchange adjustments on revenue for the first nine months of 2004:

 

     Sept. Year-to-Date Revenue

 
     2004

   2003

   % Change

 
     (In millions of dollars)       

U.S. Commercial Staffing

   $ 1,704.9    $ 1,562.3    9.1  %

PTSA

     756.1      666.4    13.5  

International - Constant Currency

     1,069.8      931.4    14.9  
    

  

  

Revenue from Services - Constant Currency

     3,530.8      3,160.2    11.7  

Foreign Currency Impact

     97.3      —         
    

  

  

Revenue from Services

   $ 3,628.1    $ 3,160.2    14.8  %
    

  

  

 

Gross profit of $583.8 million was 14.3% higher than the first nine months of 2003. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue was 16.1% in the first nine months of 2004, which decreased 0.1 percentage point compared to the 16.2% rate recorded in the prior year. This reflected decreases in the gross profit rates of U.S. Commercial and International, partially offset by a slight increase in the gross profit rate of PTSA. The decrease in the gross profit rate was due to higher state unemployment taxes to the extent not recovered through pricing actions, and gross profit decreases in Europe, partially offset by lower workers’ compensation costs and improved fee based revenue.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses of $560.7 million were 11.0% higher than last year. Selling, general and administrative expenses expressed as a percentage of revenue were 15.5% in the first nine months of 2004, a 0.5 percentage point decrease compared to the 16.0% rate in the first nine months of 2003. As measured on a constant currency basis, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 7.7%. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is due primarily to growth in salaries and incentive-based compensation.

 

Earnings from operations were $23.2 million in the first nine months of 2004, a 317.3% increase compared to earnings from operations of $5.5 million for the first nine months of 2003.

 

Net interest expense for the first nine months of 2004 was $716 thousand, compared to last year’s net interest income of $42 thousand. The change is primarily attributable to higher short-term debt levels and lower cash balances as a result of increased working capital requirements.

 


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The effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 2004 was 39.9%, as compared to last year’s 41.0% rate. Last year’s rate was higher because it included the impact of establishing valuation allowances for certain international tax loss carryforwards. At the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2004, the “Working Families Tax Relief Act” was signed into law. The law provides for the retroactive extension of work opportunity credits, which will reduce the Company’s full year tax rate to 38.5%. This will lower the fourth quarter effective tax rate to approximately 36% to reflect the full year benefit of the work opportunity credits.

 

Net earnings were $13.5 million, or a 308.9% increase compared to the first nine months of 2003. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.38, an increase of 322.2% as compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.09 in the first nine months of 2003.

 

U.S. Commercial Staffing

 

Revenue from services in the U.S. Commercial Staffing segment totaled $1.705 billion for the first nine months of 2004, a 9.1% increase compared to the $1.562 billion reported for the same period in 2003. This reflected a 7.3% increase in hours worked and a 1.7% increase in average hourly bill rates. U.S. Commercial Staffing revenue represented 47% of total Company revenue for the first nine months of 2004 and 49% for the first nine months of 2003.

 

U.S. Commercial Staffing earnings from operations totaled $83.7 million for the first nine months of 2004 compared to earnings of $70.2 million last year, an increase of 19.1%. This was the result of the 9.1% increase in revenue, partially offset by a 0.1 percentage point decrease in the gross profit rate and a 3.6% increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. The decline in the gross profit rate was principally due to higher state unemployment taxes, to the extent not recovered through pricing actions, partially offset by lower workers’ compensation costs. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the growth in salaries and incentive-based compensation. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue were 9.6% for the first nine months of 2004 and 10.1% for the first nine months of 2003.

 

Professional, Technical and Staffing Alternatives

 

Revenue from services in the PTSA segment for the first nine months of 2004 totaled $756.1 million, an increase of 13.5% compared to the $666.4 million reported for the first nine months of 2003. This reflected an 8.4% increase in hours worked and a 4.7% increase in average hourly bill rates in the professional and technical businesses. Revenues in the staffing alternatives businesses, which include the staff leasing and management services business units, increased by 12.2% compared to the first nine months of 2003. PTSA revenue represented 21% of total Company revenue for the first nine months of 2004 and 2003.

 

For the first nine months of 2004, nearly all PTSA business units exhibited double-digit revenue growth as compared to the same period in 2003. However, Kelly Home Care and Kelly Automotive Services Group continued to experience revenue declines during the first nine months of 2004 as compared to the first nine months of 2003. These decreases, however, were consistent with industry trends in their staffing sectors.

 

PTSA earnings from operations for the first nine months of 2004 totaled $46.9 million and increased 23.2% from the same period in 2003. This was the result of the 13.5% increase in revenue and a 0.1% increase in the gross profit rate, partially offset by a 10.2% increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in the gross profit rate was primarily due to increased fee based income. The 10.2% increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increased salaries and incentive-based compensation. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue were 11.7% for the first nine months of 2004 and 12.1% for the first nine months of 2003.

 

International

 

Translated U.S. dollar revenue from services in the International segment for the first nine months of 2004 totaled $1.167 billion, a 25.3% increase compared to the $931.4 million reported in the first nine months of 2003. This resulted from an increase in hours worked of 14.3% and a 9.5% increase in the translated U.S. dollar average hourly bill rates. International revenue represented 32% of total Company revenue in the first nine months of 2004 and 30% in the first nine months of 2003.

 


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On a constant currency basis, revenue increased by 14.9% and average hourly bill rates increased by 0.4%. International results were earnings of $7.3 million for the first nine months of 2004, compared to a loss of $2.4 million for the same period in 2003. The 25.3% increase in revenue was partially offset by a 0.3 percentage point decrease in the gross profit rate and a 16.5% increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, as measured in U.S. dollars.

 

The decrease in the International gross profit rate is due primarily to rate decreases in the United Kingdom. The decrease in gross profit rates experienced in the United Kingdom is due, in large part, to a shift in customer mix to larger corporate account customers which, as noted above, tend to have lower gross margins. The increase in U.S. dollar reported expenses is due primarily to increased salaries and incentive-based compensation. On a constant currency basis, expenses increased by 6.3%. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue were 16.6% in the first nine months of 2004, a significant improvement compared to 17.8% in the first nine months of 2003.

 

Financial Condition

 

Kelly has financed its operations through cash generated by operating activities and available from revolving credit facilities. As highlighted in the Statements of Cash Flows, the Company’s liquidity and available capital resources are impacted by four key components: cash and equivalents, operating activities, investing activities and financing activities.

 

Cash and Equivalents

 

Cash and equivalents totaled $87 million at the end of third quarter 2004, an increase of $11 million from the $76 million at year-end 2003. As further described below, the Company generated $33 million of cash from operating activities and used $17 million of cash in investing activities and $4 million in financing activities.

 

Operating Activities

 

In the first nine months of 2004, the Company generated $33 million in cash from its operating activities, as compared to $12 million in the first nine months of 2003. The change is primarily due to an increase in the growth of accrued payroll and related taxes in 2004 as compared to 2003. Both periods were impacted by the significant growth in trade accounts receivable.

 

Trade accounts receivable totaled $742 million at the end of the third quarter of 2004. Global days sales outstanding at the end of the third quarter of 2004 were 54 days, which is an increase of one day as compared with the end of the third quarter in the prior year. If the economic recovery continues over the balance of 2004, the Company could experience further growth in revenue, which may require the Company to continue to fund additional increases in trade accounts receivable.

 

The Company’s working capital position was $412 million at the end of the third quarter of 2004, compared to $374 million at year-end 2003. The current ratio was 1.9 at the end of the third quarter of 2004 and year-end 2003.

 

Investing Activities

 

In the first nine months of 2004, the Company used $17 million for investing activities compared to $22 million in the first nine months of 2003. Capital expenditures totaled $17 million for the first nine months of 2004 and $20 million for the first nine months of 2003. Capital expenditures for 2004, which are primarily related to the Company’s information technology programs and branch openings, refurbishments and relocations, are expected to total between $25 and $27 million.

 

Financing Activities

 

In the first nine months of 2004, the Company used $4 million in financing activities, compared to $31 million in the first nine months of 2003. In 2003, the Company used $26 million to repurchase stock, primarily in the third quarter. In the first nine months of 2004, the Company repurchased an insignificant amount of stock.

 

Short-term debt totaled $43 million at the end of the third quarter of 2004, compared to $39 million at year-end 2003. At the end of the first nine months of 2004, debt represented approximately 6% of total capital.

 


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Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

 

The Company has no material, unrecorded commitments, losses, contingencies or guarantees associated with any related parties or unconsolidated entities.

 

Summary

 

The Company’s financial position remains strong. The Company has no long-term debt and expects to meet its cash requirements, including possible increases in trade accounts receivable as discussed above, principally through cash generated from operations, available cash and equivalents and committed unused credit facilities.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements contained in this document are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Forward-looking statements include statements which are predictive in nature; which depend upon or refer to future events or conditions; or which include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” or variations or negatives thereof or by similar or comparable words or phrases. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible future Company actions that may be provided by management are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about the Company, and economic and market factors in the countries in which the Company does business, among other things. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and the Company has no specific intention to update these statements.

 

Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. The principal important risk factors that could cause the Company’s actual performance and future events and actions to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, competitive market pressures including pricing, changing market and economic conditions, material changes in demand from large corporate customers, availability of temporary workers with appropriate skills required by customers, increases in wages paid to temporary workers, liabilities for client and employee actions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in laws and regulations (including federal, state and international tax laws), the Company’s ability to effectively implement and manage its information technology programs, and the ability of the Company to successfully expand into new markets and service lines. Certain risk factors are discussed more fully under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item I of the Company’s annual report filed on Form 10-K.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Kelly does not hold or invest in derivative contracts. The Company is exposed to foreign currency risk primarily due to its net investment in foreign subsidiaries, which conduct business in their local currencies. These risks are mitigated by the use of the Company’s multi-currency line of credit. This credit facility is used to borrow in local currencies, which mitigates the exchange rate risk resulting from foreign currency-denominated net investments fluctuating in relation to the U.S. dollar.

 

In addition, the Company is exposed to interest rate risks through its use of the multi-currency line of credit.

 

The Company is exposed to market risk as a result of its obligation to pay benefits under its nonqualified deferred compensation plan and its related investments in company-owned variable universal life insurance policies. The obligation to employees increases and decreases based on movements in the equity and debt markets. The investments in publicly traded mutual funds, as part of the company-owned variable universal life insurance policies, are designed to mitigate this risk with offsetting gains and losses.

 

Overall, the Company’s holdings and positions in market risk-sensitive instruments do not subject the Company to material risk.

 


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17

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION AND SIGNATURES

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

(c) Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

 

Period


  

Total Number

of Shares

(or Units)

Purchased


   

Average

Price Paid

per Share

(or Unit)


   

Total Number

of Shares (or

Units) Purchased

as Part of Publicly

Announced Plans

or Programs


  

Maximum Number

(or Approximate

Dollar Value) of

Shares (or Units)

That May Yet Be

Purchased Under the

Plans or Programs


June 28, 2004 through August 1, 2004

   185 (1)   $ 26.94 (1)   —      —  

August 2, 2004 through August 29, 2004

   4,018 (1)     25.54 (1)   —      —  

August 30, 2004 through September 26, 2004

   157 (1)     27.28 (1)   —      —  
    

 


 
  

Total

   4,360     $ 25.67     —      —  
    

 


 
  

 

(1) These shares were not purchased through a publicly announced plan. The shares were “repurchased” in connection with the vesting of restricted shares, where the employee satisfied his or her tax obligation by authorizing the Company to withhold the appropriate number of shares, and the Company issued to the employee the net difference between the shares issuable upon vesting and the withheld shares.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

See Index to Exhibits required by Item 601, Regulation S-K, set forth on page 19 of this filing.

 


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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

KELLY SERVICES, INC.

Date: November 4, 2004

   
   

/s/ William K. Gerber

   

William K. Gerber

   

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

   

(Principal Financial Officer)

Date: November 4, 2004

   
   

/s/ Michael E. Debs

   

Michael E. Debs

   

Vice President and Corporate Controller

   

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 


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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

REQUIRED BY ITEM 601,

REGULATION S-K

 

Exhibit
No.


 

Description


31.1  

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities

   

Exchange Act, as amended.

31.2  

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities

   

Exchange Act, as amended.

32.1  

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted

   

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2  

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted

   

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.