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NCO Group Announces Second Quarter 2009 Results
 

HORSHAM, Pa., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NCO Group, Inc. ("NCO" or the "Company"), a leading provider of business process outsourcing services, announced today that for the three months ended June 30, 2009 it reported revenues of $378.6 million, a net loss attributable to NCO of $5.2 million, and EBITDA of $48.9 million. The results for the second quarter of 2009 included a non-cash allowance for impairment of purchased accounts receivable of $1.3 million, $1.3 million of restructuring charges and net gains of $6.2 million from foreign exchange contracts. This compares to revenues of $405.0 million, net loss attributable to NCO of $14.8 million, and EBITDA of $31.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008. The results for the second quarter of 2008 included a non-cash allowance for impairment of purchased accounts receivable of $24.6 million and $4.9 million of restructuring and other nonrecurring charges.

NCO is organized into three operating divisions: Accounts Receivable Management ("ARM"), Customer Relationship Management ("CRM") and Portfolio Management ("PM"). During the second quarter of 2009, both the ARM and CRM divisions operated below their respective revenue objectives but slightly above their respective profitability targets. The revenue shortfall in ARM was primarily the result of lower than expected collections as a result of the ongoing difficult economic climate, as well as reductions in volume and average balances from clients. The revenue shortfall in CRM was primarily as a result of lower than expected volume from existing clients. The ARM and CRM divisions were both positively impacted by net gains from foreign exchange contracts during the quarter. During the quarter, PM operated below its revenue target and slightly above its profitability target. PM's revenue shortfall was primarily a result of lower than expected collection results and fewer than expected purchases during the quarter.

Commenting on the quarter Michael J. Barrist, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Although NCO met its overall profitability target, the second quarter presented many challenges as we began to experience volume reductions from clients as a result of declines in credit card activity and continued weakness in general consumer spending patterns. This was offset by continued expense reductions and the benefit from foreign currency gains. As we move into the back half of the year, we will continue to focus on positioning NCO to be prepared to capitalize on potential opportunities from future improvements in consumer activity."

The Company also announced that it will host an investor conference call on Tuesday, August 18, 2009, at 11:00 a.m., ET, to address the items discussed above in more detail and to allow the investment community an opportunity to ask questions. Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (866) 388-2676 (domestic callers) or (706) 679-3487 (international callers) and providing the pass code 22805013. A taped replay of the conference call will be made available for seven days and can be accessed by interested parties by dialing (800) 642-1687 (domestic callers) or (706) 645-9291 (international callers) and providing the pass code 22805013.

About NCO Group, Inc.

NCO Group, Inc. is a leading global provider of business process outsourcing services, primarily focused on accounts receivable management and customer relationship management. NCO provides services through over 100 offices throughout North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.

    For further information contact:

    NCO Investor Relations
    (215) 441-3000

Certain statements in this press release, including, without limitation, statements as to fluctuations in quarterly operating results, statements as to the impact from economic conditions, statements as to acquisition integrations and operating efficiencies, statements about expected opportunities in our markets, statements as to trends, statements as to NCO's or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions, and all other statements in this press release, other than historical facts, are forward-looking statements, as such term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, are subject to change at any time and may be affected by various factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the expected or planned results. In addition to the factors discussed above, certain other factors, including without limitation, risks related to the economy, the risk that NCO will not be able to implement its business strategy as and when planned, the risk that NCO will not be able to realize operating efficiencies in the integration of its acquisitions, risks related to NCO's significant level of debt, risks of future impairment charges to our goodwill, intangible assets and purchased accounts receivable, risks related to union organizing efforts at the Company's facilities, risks related to past and possible future terrorists attacks, the risk that NCO will not be able to improve margins, risks relating to growth and acquisitions, risks related to fluctuations in quarterly operating results, risks related to the timing of contracts, risks related to international operations and other risks detailed from time to time in NCO's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, can cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, regardless of whether new information becomes available, future developments occur or otherwise.

                                NCO GROUP, INC.
                       Unaudited Selected Financial Data
                                 (in thousands)

    Condensed Statements of Operations:
                                  For the Three          For the Six
                                   Months Ended          Months Ended
                                     June 30,              June 30,
                                     ---------             ---------
                                  2009(1)    2008 (1)     2009(1)    2008 (1)
                                  ----    --------        ----    --------

    Revenues                  $378,619(2) $404,984(2) $780,748(2) $769,552(2)

    Operating costs and
     expenses:
      Payroll and related
       expenses                197,922     223,894     403,687     420,313
      Selling, general and
       admin. expenses         137,642     147,619     279,834     276,437
      Depreciation and
       amortization expense     30,619      32,147      61,701      59,933
      Restructuring charges      1,337       4,227       1,780       6,868
                                 -----       -----       -----       -----
                               367,520     407,887     747,002     763,551
                               -------     -------     -------     -------
    Income (loss) from
     operations                 11,099      (2,903)     33,746       6,001

    Other income (expense):
      Interest and investment
       income                      594         539         936         819
      Interest expense         (26,674)    (23,003)    (49,784)    (45,410)
      Other income (expense)(3)  6,866        (579)      3,162        (161)
                                 -----        ----       -----        ----
                               (19,214)    (23,043)    (45,686)    (44,752)
                               -------     -------     -------     -------
    Loss before income taxes    (8,115)    (25,946)    (11,940)    (38,751)

    Income tax benefit          (2,538)     (8,107)     (3,684)    (12,003)
                                ------      ------      ------     -------

    Net loss                    (5,577)    (17,839)     (8,256)    (26,748)

    Less: Net loss
     attributable to
     noncontrolling interest      (361)     (3,088)       (931)     (2,761)
                                  ----      ------        ----      ------

    Net loss attributable to
     NCO Group, Inc.           $(5,216)   $(14,751)    $(7,325)   $(23,987)
                               =======    ========     =======    ========



    Selected Cash Flow
     Information:                                          For the Six
                                                          Months Ended
                                                             June 30,
                                                             --------
                                                         2009         2008
                                                         ----         ----
    Net cash provided by
     operating activities                              $58,933     $68,312
    Purchases of accounts
     receivable                                         32,954      73,889
    Purchases of property
     and equipment                                      18,055      18,310



    Selected Balance Sheet
     Information:                                     As of        As of
                                                     June 30,  December 31,
                                                        2009         2008
                                                        ----         ----

    Cash and cash equivalents                          $35,449     $29,880
    Working capital                                    163,285     151,547
    Long-term debt                                   1,005,165   1,079,076



                                  NCO GROUP, INC.
                     Unaudited Selected Segment Financial Data
                                  (in thousands)


                              For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009(1)
                              -------------------------------------------
                                      Portfolio     Intercompany
                       ARM      CRM   Management    Eliminations Consolidated
                       ---      ---   ----------    ------------ ------------

    Revenues      $296,211  $85,239    $17,556(2) $(20,387)(4)(5)    $378,619

    Operating
     costs and
     expenses:
      Payroll and
       related
       expenses    139,336   61,097      1,551      (4,062)(5)        197,922
      Selling,
       general and
       admin.
       expenses    120,834   16,291     16,842     (16,325)(4)        137,642
      Depreciation
       and
       amortization
       expense      18,190   11,005      1,424           -             30,619
      Restructuring
       charges       1,333        4          -           -              1,337
                     -----      ---        ---         ---              -----
                   279,693   88,397     19,817     (20,387)           367,520
                   -------   ------     ------     -------            -------

    Income (loss)
     from
     operations    $16,518  $(3,158)   $(2,261)         $-            $11,099
                   =======  =======    =======          ==            =======



                            For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 (1)
                            --------------------------------------------
                                      Portfolio     Intercompany
                       ARM     CRM    Management    Eliminations Consolidated
                       ---     ---    ----------    ------------ ------------

    Revenues      $334,788 $84,768      $8,803(2) $(23,375)(4)(5)    $404,984

    Operating
     costs and
     expenses:
      Payroll and
       related
       expenses    160,446  62,173       1,980        (705)(5)        223,894
      Selling,
       general and
       admin.
       expenses    131,619  14,997      23,673     (22,670)(4)        147,619
      Depreciation
       and
       amortization
       expense      21,025   9,762       1,360           -             32,147
      Restructuring
       charges       1,888   2,339           -           -              4,227
                     -----   -----         ---         ---              -----
                   314,978  89,271      27,013     (23,375)           407,887
                   -------  ------      ------     -------            -------

    Income (loss)
     from
     operations    $19,810 $(4,503)   $(18,210)         $-           $(2,903)
                   ======= =======    ========          ==           =======


                             NCO GROUP, INC.
                           Unaudited EBITDA(6)
                             (in thousands)

                           For the Three              For the Six
                            Months Ended             Months Ended
                              June 30,                 June 30,
                              --------                 --------
                         2009          2008        2009           2008
                         ----          ----        ----           ----

    Net loss
     attributable to
     NCO Group, Inc.  $(5,216)     $(14,751)      $(7,325)     $(23,987)
    Income tax benefit (2,538)       (8,107)       (3,684)      (12,003)
    Interest expense,
     Net               26,080        22,464        48,848        44,591
    Depreciation and
     amortization      30,619        32,147        61,701        59,933
                       ------        ------        ------        ------

    EBITDA(6)         $48,945(1)(2) $31,753(1)(2) $99,540(1)(2) $68,534(1)(2)
                             (3)                         (3)
                      =======       =======       =======       =======


    (1)  Includes restructuring and other nonrecurring charges of $1.3
         million and $1.8 million for the three and six months ended June
         30, 2009, respectively, and $4.9 million and $10.4 million for the
         three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively.
    (2)  Includes $1.3 million of non-cash allowance for impairments of
         purchased accounts receivable for the three and six months ended
         June 30, 2009, and $24.6 million and $30.8 million for the three
         and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively.
    (3)  Includes net gains from foreign exchange contracts of $6.2 million
         and $2.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009,
         respectively.
    (4)  Represents the elimination of intercompany revenue for services
         provided by ARM to Portfolio Management.
    (5)  Represents the elimination of intercompany revenue for services
         provided by CRM to ARM.
    (6)  Earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and
         amortization, referred to as EBITDA, is presented since certain
         investors use this as a measurement of the Company's ability to
         service its debt. It is not intended to report the Company's
         operating results or free cash flow in conformity with accounting
         principles generally accepted in the United States. EBITDA as
         presented herein is not necessarily comparable to similarly
         titled measures of other companies.


SOURCE NCO Group, Inc.