UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-QSB
[X] Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998
or
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission File Number: 1-5707
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
Illinois 36-6097429
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
One Tower Lane, Suite 2100, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
(Address of principal executive offices)
(630) 954-0400
(Issuer's telephone number)
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the
past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No __
As of April 24, 1998, there were 4,021,859 shares of common
stock outstanding.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)
March 31 September 30
(In Thousands) 1998 1997
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and short-term investments $ 8,781 $ 7,747
Accounts receivable, less allowances
(Mar. 1998 --$526; Sept. 1997--$466) 3,862 3,412
Total current assets 12,643 11,159
Property and equipment:
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3,032 2,911
Accumulated depreciation (2,355) (2,325)
Net property and equipment 677 586
Other assets 669 578
Total assets $13,989 $12,323
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes $ 4,310 $ 3,939
Other current liabilities 426 802
Total current liabilities 4,736 4,741
Long-term obligations 449 433
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, no-par value; authorized --
20,000 shares; issued and outstanding --
4,022 shares in March 1998 and
3,987 shares in September 1997 40 40
Capital in excess of stated value of shares 4,581 4,280
Retained earnings 4,183 2,829
Total shareholders' equity 8,804 7,149
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $13,989 $12,323
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited)
Three Months Six Months
Ended March 31 Ended March 31
(In Thousands, Except Per Share) 1998 1997 1998 1997
Net revenues:
Placement services $6,047 $5,134 $12,696 $ 9,393
Contract services 2,794 2,192 5,623 3,837
Net revenues 8,841 7,326 18,319 13,230
Cost of services 6,621 5,202 13,491 9,484
General and administrative
expenses 1,116 1,055 2,436 2,042
Income from operations 1,104 1,069 2,392 1,704
Interest income 99 56 198 125
Income before income taxes 1,203 1,125 2,590 1,829
Provision for income taxes 480 450 1,035 730
Net income $ 723 $ 675 $ 1,555 $ 1,099
Net income per common share $ .18 $ .17 $ .39 $ .28
Diluted net income per share .17 .17 .37 $ .27
Average number of shares used in
per share calculations:
Net income per common share 4,022 3,977 4,012 3,977
Diluted net income per share 4,234 4,013 4,213 4,014
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Six Months
Ended March 31
(In Thousands) 1998 1997
Operating activities:
Net income $1,555 $1,099
Noncash costs and expenses 133 109
Changes in current assets and
current liabilities -
Accounts receivable (450) (599)
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes 371 (408)
Other current liabilities (376) (341)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities 1,233 (140)
Investing activities:
Short-term investments 657 (2,500)
Other investing activities (299) (206)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities 358 (2,706)
Financing activities:
Exercises of stock options 301 --
Cash dividend declared (201) (159)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 100 (159)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,691 (3,005)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 3,188 5,564
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 4,879 2,559
Short-term investments at end of period 3,902 3,000
Cash and short-term investments $8,781 $5,559
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Interim Financial Statements
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles for interim financial information
and with the instructions to Form 10-QSB. Accordingly, they do
not include all of the information and footnotes required by
generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial
statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments
(consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary
for a fair presentation have been included. This financial
information should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB
for the year ended September 30, 1997.
Net Income Per Share
Beginning in calendar year 1998, the Company adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share."
Under the new pronouncement, companies are required to report
basic and diluted earnings per share. The Company's net income
per common share is based on the average number of common shares
outstanding. Diluted net income per share is based on the
average number of common shares and dilutive stock option shares
outstanding. All per share amounts have been restated to conform
with the new pronouncement.
Common Stock
The Company declared a 3-for-2 stock split effective on October
31, 1997. All per share amounts have been restated.
The Company declared special cash dividends of $.05 per common
share on November 17, 1997 and $ .04 per share on November 18,
1996.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company provides placement and contract staffing services for
business and industry, specializing in the placement of
professional information technology, engineering and accounting
personnel. For the year ended September 30, 1997, the Company
derived 70% of its revenues from placement services and 30% of
its revenues from contract services. As of March 31, 1998, the
Company operated 42 offices located in major metropolitan and
business centers in 15 states.
The demand for the Company's services has been strong in recent
years. For the three fiscal years ended September 30, 1997, the
Company's average annual rate of revenue growth was 27%.
Management believes that this growth is attributable to three
factors. First, the Company specializes in the fast-growing
information technology field. Second, the Company's services
fill a growing need in the workplace for contract temporary
staffing. And third, the Company offers its clients the
alternative of either temporary or full-time staffing assistance.
The Company's business is affected by the U.S. economy and
national hiring levels. The last two years were characterized by
relatively low, but stable, economic growth and historically low
levels of unemployment. These economic conditions have
contributed to the strong demand for the Company's services.
To accommodate the demand for its services, the Company opened
six new branch offices during fiscal 1996, nine new branch
offices during fiscal 1997 and an additional four new branch
offices during the first six months of fiscal 1998. Generally,
the Company has entered into short-term leases for new locations,
initially using shared office facilities whenever possible; this
approach minimizes costs during the start-up period.
Second Quarter Results of Operations
For the three months ended March 31, 1998, consolidated revenues
were $8,841,000, up $1,515,000 (21%) from last year's $7,326,000.
Placement service revenues increased $913,000 (18%), primarily
due to an 18% higher average placement fee. Contract service
revenues increased $602,000 (27%), primarily due to a 29%
increase in billable hours.
The consolidated cost of services for the three months ended
March 31, 1998 was $6,621,000, up $1,419,000 (27%) from
$5,202,000 last year. Compensation expense for branch office
personnel increased 26% due to the combined effects of higher
commissions associated with the higher placement service
revenues, together with higher salaries and wages associated with
the increased number of branch offices. The payroll for contract
service workers increased 26% as a result of the higher volume of
contract business this year. Payroll taxes and employee benefits
were 23% higher for the quarter, due to higher payrolls.
Occupancy costs increased 22% and recruitment advertising
expenses increased 27% as a result of opening new branch offices.
The cost of services as a percent of service revenues increased
3.9 points, from 71.0% last year to 74.9% this year.
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended
March 31, 1998 were $1,116,000, which was a $61,000 (6%) increase
from $1,055,000 last year.
Income from operations was $1,104,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 1998, which was a $35,000 (3%) increase from $1,069,000
last year. The operating profit margin was 12.5% this year,
compared with 14.6% last year.
Interest income this year was $99,000, compared with $56,000 last
year. The $43,000 (77%) increase was due to higher investable
funds.
Pretax income was $1,203,000 for the 1998 period, a $78,000 (7%)
increase from $1,125,000 last year. The effective income tax
rate was 40% in both periods.
After taxes, net income was $723,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 1998, a $48,000 (7%) improvement compared with net
income of $675,000 for the same period last year. Diluted net
income per share was $ .17 this year, the same as last year.
Six Months Results of Operations
For the six months ended March 31, 1998, consolidated revenues
were $18,319,000, up $5,089,000 (38%) from last year's
$13,230,000. Placement service revenues increased $3,303,000
(35%), on 10% more placements and a 24% higher average placement
fee. Contract service revenues increased $1,786,000 (47%),
primarily due to a 43% increase in billable hours.
The consolidated cost of services for the six months ended March
31, 1998 was $13,491,000, up $4,007,000 (42%) from $9,484,000
last year. Compensation expense for branch office personnel
increased 45% due to the combined effects of higher commissions
associated with the higher placement service revenues, together
with higher salaries and wages associated with the increased
number of branch offices. The payroll for contract service
workers increased 45%, as a result of the higher volume of
contract business this year. Payroll taxes and employee benefits
were 33% higher for the six month period, due to higher payrolls.
Occupancy costs increased 26% and recruitment advertising
expenses increased 29% as a result of opening new branch offices.
The cost of services as a percent of service revenues increased
1.9 points, from 71.7% last year to 73.6% this year.
General and administrative expenses for the six months ended
March 31, 1998 were $2,436,000, which was a $394,000 (19%)
increase from $2,042,000 last year. Administrative compensation
increased 23% and all other general and administrative expenses
increased 13% for the period.
Income from operations was $2,392,000 for the six months ended
March 31, 1998, which was a $688,000 (40%) increase from
$1,704,000 last year. The operating profit margin was 13.1% this
year, compared with 12.9% last year.
Interest income this year was $198,000, compared with $125,000
last year. The $73,000 (58%) increase was due to higher
investable funds.
Pretax income was $2,590,000 for the 1998 period, a $761,000
(42%) increase from $1,829,000 last year. The effective income
tax rate was 40% in both periods.
After taxes, net income was $1,555,000 for the six months ended
March 31, 1998, a $456,000 (41%) improvement compared with net
income of $1,099,000 for the same period last year. Diluted net
income per share was $.37 this year, compared with $ .27 last
year.
Financial Condition
During the six months ended March 31, 1998, the Company's cash
and short-term investments increased by $1,034,000 to a balance
of $8,781,000. Net income for the period provided $1,555,000.
However, $450,000 was used for an increase in accounts
receivable. Other operating items provided $128,000, so that the
net funds provided by operating activities was $1,233,000.
During the period, $299,000 was used by other investing
activities, $201,000 was used by the declaration of a cash
dividend, and $301,000 was provided by exercises of stock
options.
The Company's net working capital was $7,907,000 as of March 31,
1998, compared with $6,418,000 at September 30, 1997, and
shareholders' equity was $8,804,000 at March 31, 1998, compared
with $7,149,000 last September.
As of March 31, 1998, the Company had no commitments for the
acquisition of property and equipment. All of its facilities are
leased, and information about future minimum lease payments is
presented in the notes to consolidated financial statements
contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB for the
year ended September 30, 1997.
As of March 31, the Company had no debt outstanding, and it had a
$1,000,000 line of credit available for working capital purposes.
Forward Looking Information
The Company's business, particularly placement services, can be
volatile and may fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Operating
results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of
results that may be expected for the entire year.
The Company does not make financial forecasts. However,
management is optimistic about the Company's growth prospects for
the future. The Company has announced plans to open a total of
12 new branch offices during fiscal 1998 and an additional 16
branch offices during fiscal 1999. Management believes that
existing financial resources are adequate to meet these needs.
This forward looking information is based on management's current
expectations and is subject to risks and uncertainties. Some of
the factors that could affect the Company's future performance
include general business conditions, the demand for the Company's
services, and the ability of the Company to attract and retain
qualified personnel for regular full-time placement and contract
project assignments. The Company's internal expansion growth
plan for opening new branch offices is contingent upon the
Company's ability to identify, hire and train candidates for new
branch management assignments.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
At the annual meeting of shareholders on February 23, 1998, the
shareholders elected all of the nominees for election as
directors. The name of each director elected, together with the
number of votes cast for election and the number of votes
withheld, are presented below:
Nominees Votes For Votes Withheld
Sheldon Brottman 3,697,435 19,831
Leonard Chavin 3,688,435 28,831
Delain G. Danehey 3,700,137 17,129
Herbert F. Imhoff 3,697,874 19,392
Herbert F. Imhoff, Jr. 3,699,823 17,443
Walter T. Kerwin, Jr. 3,696,033 21,233
Howard S. Wilcox 3,697,295 19,871
Item 6 Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
The following exhibit is filed as part of this report:
No. Description of Exhibit
27 Financial Data Schedule for the six months ended March 31, 1998.
There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter.
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: May 1, 1998 By: /s/ Herbert F. Imhoff
Herbert F. Imhoff
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 1, 1998 By: /s/ Kent M. Yauch
Kent M. Yauch
Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
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