TRUEBLUE REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2019 RESULTS

TACOMA, WASH. - Feb. 5, 2020 -- TrueBlue (NYSE:TBI) today announced its fourth quarter and full-year results for 2019. Full-year revenue was $2.4 billion, a decrease of 5 percent compared to 2018. Net income per diluted share was $1.61, a decrease of 1 percent compared to 2018. Adjusted net income per diluted share1 was $2.05, a decrease of 10 percent compared to 2018.

Fourth quarter revenue was $591 million, a decrease of 9 percent compared to revenue of $650 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Net income per diluted share was $0.23, a decrease of 38 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2018. Adjusted net income per diluted share was $0.39, a decrease of 36 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.

“Clients were conservative in the use of our services during the fourth quarter in light of softness in their own business volumes and continued economic uncertainty, particularly in industries associated with physical goods,” said Patrick Beharelle, CEO of TrueBlue. “I’m pleased with our disciplined focus on cost management and the savings it delivered this quarter. Over the near term, we expect continued challenges in the industrial markets we serve, but we are encouraged by recent improvements in the demand trend for PeopleReady services.

“When I look at TrueBlue’s digital strategy and competitive position, I am pleased by what we have accomplished.  We have more clients and workers using our technology than ever before,” Mr. Beharelle continued. “PeopleReady’s JobStack app has filled more than six million shifts since its inception and is currently filling a job every nine seconds. PeopleScout’s Affinix is helping clients improve time to fill, candidate flow and candidate satisfaction. As we move into a new year and decade, I believe our digital strategies provide further opportunity to differentiate our services, capture additional market share and deliver industry-leading growth.”

2020 Outlook

TrueBlue estimates revenue for the first quarter of 2020 will range from $503 million to $528 million. The company also estimates net loss per basic share will range from $0.07 to $0.00 and adjusted net income per diluted share will range from $0.04 to $0.11.

Management will discuss fourth quarter and full-year 2019 results on a webcast at 2 p.m. PDT (5 p.m. EDT), today, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. The webcast can be accessed on TrueBlue’s website: www.trueblue.com.

About TrueBlue

TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI) is a leading provider of specialized workforce solutions that help clients achieve business growth and improve productivity. In 2019, TrueBlue connected approximately 724,000 people with work. Its PeopleReady segment offers on-demand, industrial staffing, PeopleManagement offers contingent, on-site industrial staffing and commercial driver services, and PeopleScout offers recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) and managed service provider (MSP) solutions to a wide variety of industries. Learn more at www.trueblue.com.

1 See the financial statements accompanying the release and the company’s website for more information on non-GAAP terms.

Forward-looking statements

This document contains forward-looking statements relating to our plans and expectations, all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release and involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements including: (1) national and global economic conditions, (2) our ability to attract and retain clients, (3) our ability to attract sufficient qualified candidates and employees to meet the needs of our clients, (4) our ability to maintain profit margins, (5) new laws and regulations that could affect our operations or financial results, (6) our ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions, (7) our ability to successfully execute on business strategies to further digitize our business model, and (8) any reduction or change in tax credits we utilize, including the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. Other information regarding factors that could affect our results is included in our Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including the company’s most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by visiting our website at www.trueblue.com under the Investor Relations section or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Any other reference to future financial estimates are included for informational purposes only and subject to risk factors discussed in our most recent filings with the SEC.
In addition, we use several non-GAAP financial measures when presenting our financial results in this document. Please refer to the reconciliations between our GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures in the appendix to this document and on our website at www.trueblue.com under the Investor Relations section for additional information on both current and historical periods. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is used to enhance the understanding of certain aspects of our financial performance. It is not meant to be considered in isolation,




superior to, or as a substitute for the directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Contact:
Derrek Gafford, Executive Vice President and CFO
253-680-8214




TRUEBLUE, INC.
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 
13 Weeks Ended
 
52 Weeks Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)
Dec 29, 2019
Dec 30, 2018
 
Dec 29, 2019
Dec 30, 2018
Revenue from services
$
591,040

$
650,147

 
$
2,368,779

$
2,499,207

Cost of services
440,697

477,717

 
1,742,621

1,833,607

Gross profit
150,343

172,430

 
626,158

665,600

Selling, general and administrative expense
133,983

145,280

 
522,430

550,632

Depreciation and amortization
9,021

10,272

 
37,549

41,049

Income from operations
7,339

16,878

 
66,179

73,919

Interest and other income (expense), net
2,014

848

 
3,865

1,744

Income before tax expense
9,353

17,726

 
70,044

75,663

Income tax expense
638

2,839

 
6,971

9,909

Net income
$
8,715

$
14,887

 
$
63,073

$
65,754

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.23

$
0.38

 
$
1.63

$
1.64

Diluted
$
0.23

$
0.37

 
$
1.61

$
1.63

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
37,843

39,528

 
38,778

39,985

Diluted
38,348

39,926

 
39,179

40,275





TRUEBLUE, INC.
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

(in thousands)
Dec 29, 2019
Dec 30, 2018
ASSETS
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
37,608

$
46,988

Accounts receivable, net
342,303

355,373

Other current assets
41,822

27,466

Total current assets
421,733

429,827

Property and equipment, net
66,150

57,671

Restricted cash and investments
230,932

235,443

Goodwill and intangible assets, net
311,171

328,695

Operating lease right-of-use assets
41,082

—

Other assets, net
65,087

63,208

Total assets
$
1,136,155

$
1,114,844

 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
Current liabilities
$
230,806

$
225,526

Long-term debt
37,100

80,000

Operating lease long-term liabilities
28,849

—

Other long-term liabilities
213,427

217,879

Total liabilities
510,182

523,405

Shareholders’ equity
625,973

591,439

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
1,136,155

$
1,114,844





























TRUEBLUE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
52 Weeks Ended
(in thousands)
Dec 29, 2019
Dec 30, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
Net income
$
63,073

$
65,754

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
37,549

41,049

Provision for doubtful accounts
7,661

10,042

Stock-based compensation
9,769

13,876

Deferred income taxes
1,263

(1,929
)
Non-cash lease expense
14,823

—

Other operating activities
(1,511
)
5,154

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
Accounts receivable
5,450

11,640

Income tax receivable
(6,480
)
(996
)
Other assets
(11,642
)
(12,928
)
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses
6,921

3,029

Accrued wages and benefits
(9,494
)
(1,613
)
Workers’ compensation claims reserve
(10,828
)
(7,877
)
Operating lease liabilities
(15,178
)
—

Other liabilities
3,166

491

Net cash provided by operating activities
94,542

125,692

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
Capital expenditures
(28,119
)
(17,054
)
Acquisition of business
—

(22,742
)
Divestiture of business
215

10,587

Purchases of restricted investments
(28,659
)
(12,941
)
Maturities of restricted investments
31,481

21,635

Net cash used in investing activities
(25,082
)
(20,515
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
Purchases and retirement of common stock
(38,826
)
(34,818
)
Net proceeds from employee stock purchase plans
1,329

1,503

Common stock repurchases for taxes upon vesting of restricted stock
(2,222
)
(3,404
)
Net change in revolving credit facility
(42,900
)
(15,900
)
Payments on debt
—

(22,397
)
Other
(296
)
—

Net cash used in financing activities
(82,915
)
(75,016
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
935

(1,542
)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
(12,520
)
28,619

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
102,450

73,831

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
$
89,930

$
102,450










TRUEBLUE, INC.
SEGMENT DATA
(Unaudited)


 
13 Weeks Ended
 
52 Weeks Ended
(in thousands)
Dec 29, 2019
 
Dec 30, 2018
 
Dec 29, 2019
 
Dec 30, 2018
Revenue from services:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PeopleReady
$
364,801

 
$
399,116

 
$
1,474,062

 
$
1,522,076

PeopleManagement
171,344

 
184,324

 
642,233

 
728,254

PeopleScout
54,895

 
66,707

 
252,484

 
248,877

Total company
$
591,040

 
$
650,147

 
$
2,368,779

 
$
2,499,207

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment profit (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PeopleReady
$
17,963

 
$
22,045

 
$
82,106

 
$
85,998

PeopleManagement
2,778

 
5,097

 
12,593

 
21,627

PeopleScout
5,407

 
11,680

 
37,831

 
47,383


26,148

 
38,822

 
132,530

 
155,008

Corporate unallocated expense
(5,190
)
 
(6,065
)
 
(21,870
)
 
(26,066
)
Total company Adjusted EBITDA (2)
20,958

 
32,757

 
110,660

 
128,942

Work Opportunity Tax Credit processing fees (3)
(240
)
 
(285
)
 
(960
)
 
(985
)
Acquisition/integration costs (4)
50

 
(989
)
 
(1,562
)
 
(2,672
)
Gain on deferred compensation assets (5)
(495
)
 
—

 
(495
)
 
—

Other adjustments (6)
(3,913
)
 
(4,333
)
 
(3,915
)
 
(10,317
)
EBITDA (2)
16,360

 
27,150

 
103,728

 
114,968

Depreciation and amortization
(9,021
)
 
(10,272
)
 
(37,549
)
 
(41,049
)
Interest and other income (expense), net
2,014

 
848

 
3,865

 
1,744

Income before tax expense
9,353

 
17,726

 
70,044

 
75,663

Income tax expense
(638
)
 
(2,839
)
 
(6,971
)
 
(9,909
)
Net income
$
8,715

 
$
14,887

 
$
63,073

 
$
65,754

(1)
We evaluate performance based on segment revenue and segment profit. Segment profit includes revenue, related cost of services, and ongoing operating expenses directly attributable to the reportable segment. Segment profit excludes goodwill and intangible impairment charges, depreciation and amortization expense, unallocated corporate general and administrative expense, interest, other income and expense, income taxes, and other adjustments not considered to be ongoing.
(2)
See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures table on the next page for definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.

(3)
These third-party processing fees are associated with generating the Work Opportunity Tax Credits, which are designed to encourage employers to hire workers from certain targeted groups with higher than average unemployment rates.

(4)
Acquisition/integration costs relate to the acquisition of TMP Holdings LTD completed on June 12, 2018.

(5)
Gain realized on sale of deferred compensation mutual funds to purchase corporate owned life insurance policies during the 13 weeks ended December 29, 2019.

(6)
Other adjustments for the 13 weeks and 52 weeks ended December 29, 2019 primarily include implementation costs for cloud-based systems of $0.6 million and $3.2 million, respectively, workforce reduction costs primarily associated with employee reductions in the PeopleReady business of $2.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively and amortization of software as a service assets of $0.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively, which is reported in selling, general and administrative expense. These other cost adjustments for the 52 weeks ended December 29, 2019 were slightly offset by $3.9 million of workers’ compensation benefit related to additional insurance coverage associated with former workers’ compensation carriers that are in liquidation. Other adjustments for the 13 weeks and 52 weeks ended December 30, 2018 include implementation costs for cloud-based systems of $2.2 million and $6.7 million, respectively, and accelerated vesting of stock associated with the CEO transition of $2.1 million and $3.6 million, respectively.




TRUEBLUE, INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

In addition to financial measures presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we monitor certain non-GAAP key financial measures. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is used to enhance the understanding of certain aspects of our financial performance. It is not meant to be considered in isolation, superior to, or as a substitute for the directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
Non-GAAP Measure
Definition
 
Purpose of Adjusted Measures
EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA excludes from net income:
- interest and other income (expense), net,
- income taxes, and
- depreciation and amortization.

Adjusted EBITDA, further excludes:
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit third-party processing fees,
- acquisition/integration costs
- gain on deferred compensation assets, and
- other adjustments.
 
- Enhances comparability on a consistent basis and provides investors with useful insight into the underlying trends of the business.

- Used by management to assess performance and effectiveness of our business strategies.

- Provides a measure, among others, used in the determination of incentive compensation for management.
Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income, per diluted share
Net income and net income per diluted share, excluding:
- amortization of intangibles of acquired businesses,
- acquisition/integration costs,
- gain on divestiture,
- other adjustments,
- tax effect of each adjustment to U.S. GAAP net income, and
- adjust income taxes to the expected effective tax rate.
 
- Enhances comparability on a consistent basis and provides investors with useful insight into the underlying trends of the business.

- Used by management to assess performance and effectiveness of our business strategies.
Free cash flow
Net cash provided by operating activities, minus cash purchases for property and equipment.
 
- Used by management to assess cash flows.




1.
RECONCILIATION OF U.S. GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED NET INCOME, PER DILUTED SHARE
(Unaudited)
 
Q4 2019
 
Q4 2018
 
Q1 2020 Outlook*
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
13 Weeks Ended
(in thousands, except for per share data)
Dec 29, 2019
 
Dec 30, 2018
 
Mar 29, 2020
Net income (loss)
$
8,715

 
$
14,887

 
$
(2,500
)
—
$
100

Amortization of intangible assets of acquired businesses (2)
4,003

 
5,162

 
4,000
Acquisition/integration costs (3)
(50
)
 
989

 
—
Other adjustments (4)
3,913

 
4,333

 
600
Tax effect of adjustments to net income (5)
(1,102
)
 
(1,468
)
 
(600)
Adjustment of income taxes to normalized effective rate (6)
(671
)
 
357

 
—
Adjusted net income
$
14,808

 
$
24,260

 
$
1,500

—
$
4,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income, per diluted share
$
0.39

 
$
0.61

 
$
0.04

—
$
0.11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
37,843

 
39,528

 
37,800
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
38,348

 
39,926

 
38,400
*Totals may not sum due to rounding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
52 Weeks Ended
 
52 Weeks Ended
(in thousands, except for per share data)
Dec 29, 2019
 
Dec 30, 2018
Net income
$
63,073

 
$
65,754

Gain on divestiture (1)
—

 
(718
)
Amortization of intangible assets of acquired businesses (2)
17,899

 
20,750

Acquisition/integration costs (3)
1,562

 
2,672

Other adjustments (4)
3,915

 
10,317

Tax effect of adjustments to net income (5)
(3,273
)
 
(5,074
)
Adjustment of income taxes to normalized effective rate (6)
(2,835
)
 
(1,843
)
Adjusted net income
$
80,341

 
$
91,858

 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income, per diluted share
$
2.05

 
$
2.28

 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
39,179

 
40,275





2.
RECONCILIATION OF U.S. GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS) TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Unaudited)
 
Q4 2019
 
Q4 2018
 
Q1 2020 Outlook*
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
13 Weeks Ended
(in thousands)
Dec 29, 2019
 
Dec 30, 2018
 
Mar 29, 2020
Net income (loss)
$
8,715

 
$
14,887

 
$
(2,500
)
—
$
100

Income tax expense
638

 
2,839

 
(300
)
—
—

Interest and other (income) expense, net
(2,014
)
 
(848
)
 
(900)
Depreciation and amortization
9,021

 
10,272

 
9,000
EBITDA
16,360

 
27,150

 
5,200

—
8,200

Work Opportunity Tax Credit processing fees (7)
240

 
285

 
200
Acquisition/integration costs (3)
(50
)
 
989

 
—
Gain on deferred compensation assets (8)
495

 
—

 
—
Other adjustments (4)
3,913

 
4,333

 
600
Adjusted EBITDA
$
20,958

 
$
32,757

 
$
6,000

—
$
9,000

* Totals may not sum due to rounding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
52 Weeks Ended
 
52 Weeks Ended
(in thousands)
Dec 29, 2019
 
Dec 30, 2018
Net income
$
63,073

 
$
65,754

Income tax expense
6,971

 
9,909

Interest and other (income) expense, net
(3,865
)
 
(1,744
)
Depreciation and amortization
37,549

 
41,049

EBITDA
103,728

 
114,968

Work Opportunity Tax Credit processing fees (7)
960

 
985

Acquisition/integration costs (3)
1,562

 
2,672

Gain on deferred compensation assets (8)
495

 
—

Other adjustments (4)
3,915

 
10,317

Adjusted EBITDA
$
110,660

 
$
128,942

3.
RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
52 Weeks Ended
 
52 Weeks Ended
 
52 Weeks Ended
 
53 Weeks Ended
(in thousands)
Dec 29, 2019
 
Dec 30, 2018
 
Dec 31, 2017
 
Jan 1, 2017
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
94,542

 
$
125,692

 
$
100,134

 
$
260,703

Capital expenditures
(28,119
)
 
(17,054
)
 
(21,958
)
 
(29,042
)
Free cash flows
$
66,423

 
$
108,638

 
$
78,176

 
$
231,661


(1)
Gain on the divestiture of our PlaneTechs business sold mid-March 2018.

(2)
Amortization of intangible assets of acquired businesses.

(3)
Acquisition/integration costs for the acquisition of TMP Holding LTD completed on June 12, 2018.

(4)
Other adjustments for the 13 weeks and 52 weeks ended December 29, 2019 primarily include implementation costs for cloud-based systems of $0.6 million and $3.2 million, respectively, workforce reduction costs primarily associated with employee reductions in the PeopleReady business of $2.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively and amortization of software as a service assets of $0.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively, which is reported in selling, general and administrative expense. These other cost adjustments for the 52 weeks ended December 29, 2019 were slightly offset by $3.9 million of workers’ compensation benefit related to additional insurance coverage associated with former workers’ compensation carriers that are in liquidation. Other adjustments for the 13 weeks and 52




weeks ended December 30, 2018 include implementation costs for cloud-based systems of $2.2 million and $6.7 million, respectively, and accelerated vesting of stock associated with the CEO transition of $2.1 million and $3.6 million, respectively. Other adjustments for the 13 weeks ended March 29, 2020 include implementation costs for cloud-based systems of $0.3 million and amortization of software as a service assets of $0.3 million.

(5)
Total tax effect of each of the adjustments to U.S. GAAP net income using the expected ongoing rate of 12 percent for 2020 and 14 percent for all other periods presented.

(6)
Adjustment of the effective income tax rate to the expected ongoing rate of 12 percent for 2020 and 14 percent for all other periods presented.

(7)
These third-party processing fees are associated with generating the Work Opportunity Tax Credits, which are designed to encourage employers to hire workers from certain targeted groups with higher than average unemployment rates.

(8)
Gain realized on sale of deferred compensation mutual funds to purchase corporate owned life insurance policies during the 13 weeks ended December 29, 2019.