OLD GREENWICH, Conn., May 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hudson Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSON) ("Hudson Global" or "the Company"), a leading global total talent solutions company, announced today financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. 2024 First Quarter Summary Revenue of $33.9 million decreased 21.3% from the first quarter of 2023 and 20.1% in constant currency. Adjusted net revenue of $16.3 million decreased 25.0% from the first quarter of 2023 and 24.6% in constant currency. Net loss was $2.9 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted net loss per diluted share (non-GAAP measure)* was $0.72 compared to adjusted net income per diluted share of $0.22 in the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA loss (non-GAAP measure)* was $1.5 million, a decrease versus adjusted EBITDA of $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2023. Total cash including restricted cash was $21.0 million at March 31, 2024. "As expected, our first quarter 2024 results were weak due to lower than normal hiring volumes at many of our clients," said Jeff Eberwein, Chief Executive Officer of Hudson Global. "Although some of this weakness has continued into Q2, we expect hiring activity at existing clients to recover going forward and, importantly, new business wins over the last 12 months will begin to show up in our results in Q2 and be more fully reflected in the second half of 2024. Over the past six months we have reduced costs and repositioned the business for future growth and profitability. We have implemented numerous positive changes to the business, including optimizing the talent across our organization, expanding our geographic presence, and augmenting our service offering to existing and future RPO clients. Given our strong sales pipeline, I'm very excited about our growth potential." Jake Zabkowicz, Global CEO of Hudson RPO, added, "Hudson RPO has made considerable strides this year in enriching our service offering and increasing our global market presence to best position ourselves for long-term success. Thus far in 2024, we have announced two small, but important, UAE-based acquisitions, Executive Solutions and Striver, as well as an organic enhancement of our boutique search offering. We also initiated an internal reorganization, allowing us greater agility to support our current and future partners. In addition, we are investing in our global sales organization to support the expansion initiatives we have put in place." Mr. Zabkowicz continued, "Since joining Hudson RPO in November, I have been inspired by the dedication and ambition of our team, and I am excited about the long-term growth of our business." * The Company provides non-GAAP measures as a supplement to financial results based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Constant currency, adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA, adjusted net income or loss, and adjusted net income or loss per diluted share are defined in the segment tables at the end of this release and a reconciliation of such non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is included within such segment tables. Regional Highlights All growth rate comparisons are in constant currency. Americas In the first quarter of 2024, Americas revenue of $6.0 million decreased 35% and adjusted net revenue of $5.8 million also decreased 35% from the first quarter of 2023. EBITDA loss was $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2024 versus EBITDA loss of $0.4 million in same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA loss was $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to breakeven adjusted EBITDA in the same period last year. Asia Pacific Asia Pacific revenue of $21.5 million decreased 18% while adjusted net revenue of $6.5 million decreased 20% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. EBITDA loss was $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to EBITDA of $1.4 million in the same period one year ago, and adjusted EBITDA loss was $0.2 million compared to adjusted EBITDA of $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2023. Europe Europe revenue in the first quarter of 2024 decreased 6% to $6.4 million and adjusted net revenue of $4.0 million decreased 13% from the first quarter of 2023. EBITDA was $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to EBITDA of $0.4 million in the same period one year ago. Adjusted EBITDA was $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to adjusted EBITDA of $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2023. Corporate Costs In the first quarter of 2024, the Company's corporate costs were $1.0 million, compared to $1.1 million in the prior year quarter. Corporate costs in the first quarter of 2024 and 2023 excluded non-recurring expenses of $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company ended the first quarter of 2024 with $21.0 million in cash, including $0.6 million in restricted cash. The Company used $1.8 million in cash flow from operations during the first quarter of 2024 compared to an outflow of $5.0 million of cash flow from operations in the first quarter of 2023. Share Repurchase Program As a reminder, the Company approved a new $5 million common stock share repurchase program, effective August 8, 2023. As of March 31, 2024, under this program, the Company acquired to date 20,957 shares in the open market for a total of $0.4 million. In addition, the Company repurchased 44,250 shares in the first quarter of 2024 in a privately negotiated transaction, leaving a remaining balance of $4.0 million available for purchase under the 2023 authorization. The Company continues to view share repurchases as an attractive use of capital. NOL Carryforward As of December 31, 2023, Hudson Global had $302 million of usable net operating losses ("NOL") in the U.S., which the Company considers to be a very valuable asset for its stockholders. In order to protect the value of the NOL for all stockholders, the Company has a rights agreement and charter amendment in place that limit beneficial ownership of Hudson Global common stock to 4.99%. Stockholders who wish to own more than 4.99% of Hudson Global common stock, or who already own more than 4.99% of Hudson Global common stock and wish to buy more, may only acquire additional shares with the Board's prior written approval. Conference Call/Webcast The Company will conduct a conference call today, Friday, May 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss this announcement. Individuals wishing to listen can access the webcast on the investor information section of the Company's web site at hudsonrpo.com. If you wish to join the conference call, please use the dial-in information below: Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (833) 816-1383 International Dial-In Number: (412) 317-0476 The archived call will be available on the investor information section of the Company's web site at hudsonrpo.com. About Hudson Global Hudson Global, Inc. is a leading global total talent solutions provider operating under the brand name Hudson RPO. We deliver innovative, customized recruitment outsourcing and total talent solutions to organizations worldwide. Through our consultative approach, we develop tailored talent solutions designed to meet our clients' strategic growth initiatives. As a trusted advisor, we meet our commitments, deliver quality and value, and strive to exceed expectations. For more information, please visit us at hudsonrpo.com or contact us at Investor Relations:The Equity GroupLena Cati212 836-9611 / Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including statements regarding the Company's future financial condition, results of operations, business operations and business prospects, are forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "predict," "believe" and similar words, expressions and variations of these words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to important factors, risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including industry and economic conditions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, global economic fluctuations; the Company's ability to successfully achieve its strategic initiatives ; risks related to potential acquisitions or dispositions of businesses by the Company; the Company's ability to operate successfully as a company focused on its RPO business; risks related to fluctuations in the Company's operating results from quarter to quarter due to various factors such as rising inflationary pressures and interest rates; the loss of or material reduction in our business with any of the Company's largest customers; the ability of clients to terminate their relationship with the Company at any time; competition in the Company's markets; the negative cash flows and operating losses that may recur in the future; risks relating to how future credit facilities may affect or restrict our operating flexibility; risks associated with the Company's investment strategy; risks related to international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations, political events, natural disasters or health crises, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the Hamas-Israel war, and potential conflict in the Middle East; the Company's dependence on key management personnel; the Company's ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, management, and advisors; the Company's ability to collect accounts receivable; the Company's ability to maintain costs at an acceptable level; the Company's heavy reliance on information systems and the impact of potentially losing or failing to develop technology; risks related to providing uninterrupted service to clients; the Company's exposure to employment-related claims from clients, employers and regulatory authorities, current and former employees in connection with the Company's business reorganization initiatives, and limits on related insurance coverage; the Company's ability to utilize net operating loss carryforwards; volatility of the Company's stock price; the impact of government regulations; restrictions imposed by blocking arrangements; risks related to the use of new and evolving technologies; and the adverse impacts of cybersecurity threats and attacks. Additional information concerning these, and other factors is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. The Company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Financial Tables Follow HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited)               Three Months Ended March 31,       2024       2023   Revenue   $ 33,891     $ 43,072             Operating expenses:         Direct contracting costs and reimbursed expenses     17,561       21,308   Salaries and related     15,166       17,478   Office and general     2,929       2,939   Marketing and promotion     878       981   Depreciation and amortization     397       348   Total operating expenses     36,931       43,054   Operating (loss) income     (3,040 )     18   Non-operating income (expense):         Interest income, net     93       64   Other (expense) income, net     (39 )     133   (Loss) income before income taxes     (2,986 )     215   Benefit from income taxes     (88 )     (139 ) Net (loss) income   $ (2,898 )   $ 354   Earnings per share:         Basic   $ (0.95 )   $ 0.12   Diluted   $ (0.95 )   $ 0.11   Weighted-average shares outstanding:         Basic     3,041       3,033   Diluted     3,041       3,122     HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited)               March 31,2024   December 31,2023 ASSETS         Current assets:         Cash and cash equivalents   $ 20,414     $ 22,611   Accounts receivable, less allowance for expected credit losses of $368 and $378, respectively     20,970       19,710   Restricted cash, current     391       354   Prepaid and other     2,768       3,172   Total current assets     44,543       45,847   Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,658 and $1,564, respectively     317       421   Operating lease right-of-use assets     1,245       1,431   Goodwill     5,728       5,749   Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $3,058 and $2,771, respectively     3,336       3,628   Deferred tax assets, net     3,562       3,360   Restricted cash     194       205   Other assets     277       317   Total assets   $ 59,202     $ 60,958   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY         Current liabilities:         Accounts payable   $ 1,974     $ 868   Accrued salaries, commissions, and benefits     5,452       4,939   Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     5,701       4,635   Operating lease obligations, current     766       768   Total current liabilities     13,893