Tetra Tech Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results

November 11, 2015 | By Business Wire News

PASADENA, Calif.

Tetra Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEK) today announced results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 27, 2015.

Fourth Quarter Results

Revenue in the quarter was $578.4 million, and revenue, net of subcontractor costs¹ (net revenue), was $427.0 million. Revenue and net revenue decreased 3% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the same period in fiscal 2014, excluding the impact from foreign currency translation. The year-over-year decrease was due in large part to the wind-down of the Remediation and Construction Management (RCM) business. Diluted earnings (loss) per share (EPS) on a GAAP basis were ($0.53) in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, which included a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $0.96 associated with our mining business. Operating income from ongoing operations² was $45.7 million and diluted EPS² on the same basis were $0.50, up on a constant currency basis 29% and 44%, respectively, compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Cash generated from operations was $28.7 million.

Quarterly Dividend and Share Repurchase Program

On November 9, 2015, Tetra Tech’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share (1.2% yield) payable on December 11, 2015 to stockholders of record as of November 30, 2015. In fiscal 2015, Tetra Tech returned approximately $118 million to its shareholders comprised of $100 million in share repurchases and $18 million in dividends. The Company has $100 million remaining under the previously approved $200 million share repurchase program.

Acquisition of Coffey International Limited

On October 14, 2015, Tetra Tech announced the execution of a Bid Implementation Agreement to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Coffey International Limited (Coffey) for A$0.425 cash per share. The closing is conditional on the satisfactory completion of customary conditions, including that Tetra Tech acquires at least 90% of Coffey’s shares. Tetra Tech’s off-market tender offer for Coffey shares opened on November 10, 2015. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter fiscal 2016.

Fiscal Year Results

Revenue and net revenue for fiscal 2015 were $2.3 billion and $1.72 billion, respectively. Revenue and net revenue for fiscal 2015 decreased 5% and 4%, respectively, compared to fiscal 2014, excluding the impact from foreign currency translation. Consistent with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the year-over-year decrease in revenue was due in large part to the wind-down of RCM. EPS on a GAAP basis were $0.64 for fiscal year 2015, which included a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $0.93. Operating income from ongoing operations was $154.0 million and diluted EPS on the same basis were $1.63, up on a constant currency basis 12% and 30%, respectively, compared to fiscal 2014. Cash generated from operations was $162.8 million, up 28% compared to fiscal 2014.

Comments on Results

Tetra Tech’s Chairman and CEO, Dan Batrack commented, “We had a solid fourth quarter, generating a 13% EBITDA margin from ongoing operations and strong cash flow from operations. Our successful business model has enabled us to pay a dividend, repurchase shares and invest in the Company’s growth, both organically and through acquisitions.”

“We announced our intent to acquire Coffey, a world-class consulting and engineering firm with 3,300 staff worldwide, including offices across Australia, Asia Pacific, the UK and the U.S., to support our strategy to access new geographic markets and expand our leadership position with clients. Together with Coffey we will be the global leader in international development. Coffey will also provide us a platform to provide water and environmental services to support Australia’s infrastructure expansion. The continued performance of our ongoing operations combined with the Coffey acquisition provides Tetra Tech a solid foundation with additional growth opportunities for fiscal 2016.”

Business Outlook

The following statements are based on current expectations. These statements are forward-looking and the actual results could differ materially. These statements do not include the potential impact of future acquisitions that may be completed, including Coffey, or developments that become evident after the date of this release. The Business Outlook section should be read in conjunction with the information on forward-looking statements at the end of this release.

Tetra Tech expects diluted EPS for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 to be in the range of $0.35 to $0.40. Net revenue for the first quarter is expected to range from $400 million to $450 million. For fiscal 2016, Tetra Tech expects diluted EPS to be $1.70 to $1.90 and cash EPS³ to be $2.70 to $3.00. Net revenue for fiscal 2016 is expected to range from $1.65 billion to $1.85 billion.

Webcast

Investors will have the opportunity to access a live audio-visual webcast and supplemental financial information concerning the fourth quarter and fiscal 2015 results through a link posted on the Company’s website at www.tetratech.com on November 12, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. (PT).


Operating Results

In thousands (except EPS data)

	Three Months Ended							Fiscal Year Ended
	Sep. 27, 2015			Sep. 28, 2014			% Y/Y	Sep. 27, 2015			Sep. 28, 2014			% Y/Y

Revenue	$	578,394		$	622,179		(7)%	$	2,299,321		$	2,483,814		(7)%
RCM		(17,528	)		(31,661	)	–		(86,575	)		(221,108	)	–
Ongoing revenue	$	560,866		$	590,518		(5)%	$	2,212,746		$	2,262,706		(2)%
Foreign Exchange (FX)		22,923			–		–		71,227			–		–
Ongoing revenue, net of FX	$	583,789		$	590,518		(1)%	$	2,283,973		$	2,262,706		1%

Net Revenue	$	426,982		$	462,187		(8)%	$	1,718,715		$	1,859,918		(8)%
RCM		(4,829	)		(2,431	)	–		(23,275	)		(79,497	)	–
Ongoing Net Revenue	$	422,153		$	459,756		(8)%	$	1,695,440		$	1,780,421		(5)%
FX		21,501			–		–		64,421			–		–
Ongoing Net Revenue, net of FX	$	443,654		$	459,756		(4)%	$	1,759,861		$	1,780,421		(1)%

Operating income (loss)	$	(20,047	)	$	24,763		NM	$	87,685		$	153,833		(43)%
Goodwill charge		60,763			–		–		60,763			–		–
Earn-out gain		–			(23,816	)	–		(3,111	)		(58,694	)	–
RCM loss		5,009			35,828		–		8,614			45,151		–
Ongoing operating income	$	45,725		$	36,775		24%	$	153,951		$	140,290		10%
FX		1,574			–		–		3,122			–		–
Ongoing operating income, net of FX	$	47,299		$	36,775		29%	$	157,073		$	140,290		12%

EPS	$	(0.53	)	$	0.35		NM	$	0.64		$	1.66		(61)%
Goodwill charge		0.96			–		–		0.93			–		–
Earn-out gain		–			(0.35	)	–		(0.04	)		(0.83	)	–
RCM loss		0.07			0.36		–		0.10			0.45		–
Ongoing EPS	$	0.50		$	0.36		39%	$	1.63		$	1.28		27%
FX		0.02			–		–		0.03			–		–
Ongoing EPS, net of FX	$	0.52		$	0.36		44%	$	1.66		$	1.28		30%

Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA

In thousands	Three Months Ended						Fiscal Year Ended
	Sep. 27, 2015			Sep. 28, 2014			Sep. 27, 2015			Sep. 28, 2014

Net income (loss) attributable to Tetra Tech	$	(31,723	)	$	22,586		$	39,074		$	108,266
Interest expense, net		1,743			2,117			7,363			9,490
Income tax expense (benefit)		9,890			(83	)		41,093			35,668
Depreciation		4,998			6,292			23,110			26,452
Amortization		4,711			5,902			20,205			27,288
Earn-out gain		–			(23,816	)		(3,113	)		(58,694	)
Goodwill charge		60,763			–			60,763			–
EBITDA	$	50,382		$	12,998		$	188,495		$	148,470
RCM loss		4,780			35,141			6,813			42,193
Ongoing EBITDA	$	55,162		$	48,139		$	195,308		$	190,663

About Tetra Tech (www.tetratech.com)

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services. The Company supports commercial and government clients focused on water, environment, infrastructure, resource management, and energy. With 13,000 staff worldwide, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems. For more information on Tetra Tech, please visit www.tetratech.com, follow us on Twitter (@TetraTech), or like us on Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.These forward-looking statements include information concerning future events and the future financial performance of Tetra Tech that involve risks and uncertainties.Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results.Readers are urged to read the documents filed by Tetra Tech with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, each as it may be amended from time to time, which identify risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Among the important factors or risks that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements in this release are: worldwide political and economic uncertainties; fluctuations in annual revenue, expenses, and operating results; the cyclicality in demand for our overall services; the cyclicality in demand for mining services; the cyclicality in demand for oil and gas services; concentration of revenues from U.S. government agencies and potential funding disruptions by these agencies; violations of U.S. government contractor regulations; dependence on winning or renewing U.S. government contracts; the delay or unavailability of public funding on U.S. government contracts; the U.S. government’s right to modify, delay, curtail or terminate contracts at its convenience; credit risks associated with certain commercial clients; risks associated with international operations; the failure to comply with worldwide anti-bribery laws; the failure to comply with domestic and international export laws; the failure to properly manage projects; the loss of key personnel or the inability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the use of estimates and assumptions in the preparation of financial statements; the ability to maintain adequate workforce utilization; the use of the percentage-of-completion method of accounting; the inability to accurately estimate and control contract costs; the failure to adequately recover on our claims for additional contract costs; the failure to win or renew contracts with private and public sector clients; acquisition strategy and integration risks; goodwill or other intangible asset impairment; growth strategy management; backlog cancellation and adjustments; the failure of partners to perform on joint projects; the failure of subcontractors to satisfy their obligations; requirements to pay liquidated damages based on contract performance; changes in resource management, environmental, or infrastructure industry laws, regulations, or programs; changes in capital markets and the access to capital; credit agreement covenants; industry competition; liability related to legal proceedings, investigations, and disputes; the availability of third-party insurance coverage; the ability to obtain adequate bonding; employee, agent, or partner misconduct; employee risks related to international travel; safety programs; conflict of interest issues; liabilities relating to reports and opinions; liabilities relating to environmental laws and regulations; force majeure events; protection of intellectual property rights; the interruption of systems and information technology; the ability to impede a business combination based on Delaware law and charter documents; and stock price volatility. Any projections in this release are based on limited information currently available to Tetra Tech, which is subject to change. Although any such projections and the factors influencing them will likely change, Tetra Tech will not necessarily update the information, since Tetra Tech will only provide guidance at certain points during the year. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since such information speaks only as of the date of this release.

¹ Tetra Tech’s revenue includes a significant amount of subcontractor costs and, therefore, the Company believes revenue, net of subcontractor costs, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, provides a valuable perspective on its business results.

² For ongoing operations, refer to the Operating Results table for reconciliation.

³ Cash EPS defined as cash flow from operations divided by diluted shares outstanding. Cash EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure that provides a valuable perspective on the Company’s financial results.