Premiere Global Services, Inc., a global provider of on-demand business communication solutions, today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006.
Revenues
Revenues in the fourth quarter of 2006 increased 8.4% to $127.1 million compared to $117.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. Excluding revenue from legacy broadcast fax in both periods, aggregate revenues from the Company’s six core solution sets increased 16.0%.
Revenue from Conferencing solutions grew 23.3% to $75.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to $61.2 million in the comparable prior year quarter. Revenue from legacy broadcast fax services totaled $20.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2006, a decline of $4.9 million as compared to $25.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. Legacy broadcast fax represented 15.9% of consolidated revenues in the fourth quarter of 2006, as compared to 21.4% of consolidated revenues in the comparable prior year quarter.
GAAP Earnings
In the fourth quarter of 2006 in accordance with GAAP, operating income totaled $6.4 million, income from continuing operations totaled $5.1 million and diluted EPS from continuing operations totaled $0.08, compared to $12.5 million, $12.5 million and $0.17, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2005. These results include the following items on a pre-tax basis: $4.4 million of restructuring costs, a $0.1 million asset impairment, proxy-related costs of $0.1 million, $0.6 million in net legal settlements and related expenses, $2.5 million of equity-based compensation and $3.5 million of amortization.
Pro Forma Earnings
In the fourth quarter of 2006, excluding restructuring costs, asset impairments, proxy-related costs, net legal settlements and related expenses, the elimination of certain income tax adjustments, equity based compensation and amortization charges, pro forma diluted EPS from continuing operations totaled $0.17.
“2006 was a milestone year for PGI, as we largely completed our evolution to One Company – a process that we began more than two years ago,” said Boland T. Jones, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Premiere Global Services, Inc. “Today, as a unified Company, we can more fully deliver on the promise of an on-demand Communications Operating System for enterprise customers around the world.”
2006 Results
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 were $496.5 million, compared to $497.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2005. In 2006 in accordance with GAAP, operating income totaled $46.4 million, income from continuing operations totaled $25.5 million and diluted EPS from continuing operations totaled $0.37, versus $75.3 million, $48.7 million and $0.67, respectively, in 2005. In 2006, excluding restructuring costs, asset impairments, proxy-related costs, net legal settlements, the elimination of certain income tax adjustments, equity based compensation and amortization charges, pro forma diluted EPS from continuing operations totaled $0.68.(a)
Change in Segment Reporting
Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company has realigned its reporting segments to be consistent with the way it is now managing its operations on a geographic regional basis, with reportable segments in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. The Company will no longer report results under its former Conferencing & Collaboration and Data Communications segments, consistent with the completion of its One Company initiative.
Financial Outlook
The following statements are based on Premiere Global Services’ current expectations as of February 22, 2007. These statements contain forward-looking statements and Company estimates, and actual results may differ materially. The Company assumes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release. A discussion concerning forward-looking statements is included at the end of this press release and in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Company reaffirms its financial outlook for 2007 as previously provided in its release dated December 5, 2006, as follows:
Revenues
The Company expects consolidated revenues to increase 5% to 7% in 2007 from 2006 totals.
Earnings
As a result of expected operating efficiencies from the Company’s initiatives to increase automation, to streamline service delivery and to consolidate its operations, earnings are projected to grow at a faster rate than revenues in 2007.
Cash Flows and Other
The Company anticipates cash flows provided by operating activities from continuing operations to grow approximately 20% in 2007 from 2006 totals. Capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of 6.5% to 7.0% of revenues due to increased investment in automation initiatives, including the development of PGI’s new Web portal designed to bring the Company’s products and services online. The Company anticipates its effective tax rate to remain in the range of 34% to 35%.