SYLVAN LEARNING SYSTEMS INC
10-Q, 1999-05-17
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
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<PAGE>
 
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                        

                                   FORM 10-Q



[X]  Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and
     Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 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       0-22844
                                              -------

                         SYLVAN LEARNING SYSTEMS, INC.
                         -----------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                        

                        Maryland                          52-1492296 
             -------------------------------              ----------
             (State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. Employer
             incorporation or organization)          Identification No.)


       1000 Lancaster Street, Baltimore, Maryland           21202
       ------------------------------------------           -----
         (Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip Code)


      Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (410)843-8000
                                                           -------------

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 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 [  ].

The registrant had 51,743,652 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of April 30,
1999.
<PAGE>
 
                         SYLVAN LEARNING SYSTEMS, INC.
                         -----------------------------
                                        

                                     INDEX
                                     -----
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        
                                                                         Page No.
                                                                         --------
<S>                                                                      <C>

PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

      Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
               Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1998 and
                 March 31, 1999............................................   3
 
               Consolidated Statements of Income - Three months ended
                 March 31, 1998, three months ended March 31, 1999.........   5
 
               Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three months ended
                 March 31, 1998, three months ended March 31, 1999.........   6
 
               Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
                 March 31, 1999............................................   7
 
      Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                 Condition and Results of Operations.......................  11
 
PART II. - OTHER INFORMATION

      Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................  18

 
      SIGNATURES...........................................................  18
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       December 31,                 March 31,
                                                                          1998                        1999
                                                                   ------------------         ------------------
                                                                                                  (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                <C>                         <C>
Assets
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                        $          33,170           $         29,432
  Available-for-sale securities                                                6,166                      6,694

  Receivables:
    Accounts receivable                                                       71,248                     64,447
    Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings
      on uncompleted contracts                                                 7,806                      8,098
    Notes receivable from tuition financing                                    2,977                      3,483
    Other notes receivable                                                     8,922                      4,415
    Other receivables                                                          2,404                      2,277
                                                                   ------------------         ------------------
                                                                              93,357                     82,720
    Allowance for doubtful accounts                                           (2,963)                    (3,548)
                                                                   ------------------         ------------------
                                                                              90,394                     79,172

  Inventory                                                                    9,841                      9,744
  Deferred income taxes                                                        1,831                      1,831
  Prepaid expenses                                                            10,093                     11,999
  Other current assets                                                         1,843                      2,772
                                                                   ------------------         ------------------
Total current assets                                                         153,338                    141,644

Notes receivable from tuition financing, less current portion                  3,415                      4,006
Other notes receivable, less current portion                                   9,882                      9,621
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings
  on uncompleted contracts, less current portion                                 637                        395

Property and equipment:
  Land and buildings                                                           9,917                     10,029
  Furniture and equipment                                                    111,490                    122,512
  Leasehold improvements                                                      13,156                     13,187
                                                                   ------------------         ------------------
                                                                             134,563                    145,728
  Accumulated depreciation                                                   (36,682)                   (42,231)
                                                                   ------------------         ------------------
                                                                              97,881                    103,497

 Intangible assets:
  Goodwill                                                                   292,693                    305,382
  Contract rights                                                             13,973                     13,973
  Other                                                                        3,111                      2,777
                                                                   ------------------         ------------------
                                                                             309,777                    322,132
   Accumulated amortization                                                  (26,322)                   (29,787)
                                                                   ------------------         ------------------
                                                                             283,455                    292,345

Deferred contract costs, net of accumulated amortization
  of $11,740 as of December 31, 1998 and $12,422
  as of March 31, 1999                                                        10,255                      7,968

Investments in and advances to affiliates                                     18,532                     53,239
Other investments                                                             44,230                     46,027
Net assets to be transferred to joint venture                                 31,575                          -
Other assets                                                                   6,596                      8,934
                                                                   ------------------         ------------------
Total assets                                                       $         659,796           $        667,676
                                                                   ==================         ==================
</TABLE>

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    December 31,                March 31,
                                                                        1998                      1999
                                                                 -----------------         ------------------
                                                                                               (Unaudited)
<S>                                                              <C>                       <C>
Liabilities and stockholders' equity 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses                          $         57,177          $          53,500
  Income taxes payable                                                     11,784                     10,150
  Current portion of long-term debt                                         1,128                      1,101
  Current portion of due to shareholders of
   acquired companies                                                      40,719                     17,940
  Deferred revenue                                                         27,411                     33,427
  Other current liabilities                                                    19                         15
                                                                 -----------------         ------------------
Total current liabilities                                                 138,238                    116,133

Long-term debt, less current portion                                       12,504                     14,121
Deferred income taxes                                                       6,961                      7,083
Due to shareholders of acquired companies,
   less current portion                                                    12,239                     32,517
Other long-term liabilities                                                 1,021                      1,122
                                                                 -----------------         ------------------
Total liabilities                                                         170,963                    170,976

Stockholders' equity:
 Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share--authorized
    10,000 shares, no shares issued and outstanding
    as of December 31, 1998 and March 31, 1999                                  -                          -
  Common stock, par value $.01 per share--authorized
    90,000 shares, issued and outstanding shares of 50,952 
    as of December 31, 1998 and 51,165
    as of March 31, 1999                                                      510                        512
  Additional paid-in capital                                              410,694                    413,767
  Retained earnings                                                        75,852                     81,232
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                                    1,777                      1,189
                                                                 -----------------         ------------------
Total stockholders' equity                                                488,833                    496,700
                                                                 -----------------         ------------------


Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                       $        659,796          $         667,676
                                                                 =================         ==================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Three months ended
                                                                        March 31,
                                                           -------------------------------------
                                                                  1998                1999
                                                           -------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>                 <C>
Revenues                                                   $         86,323    $        123,778

Cost and expenses
Direct costs                                                         76,781             108,201
General and administrative expense                                    3,327               4,724
                                                           -----------------   -----------------
Total expenses                                                       80,108             112,925
                                                           -----------------   -----------------

Operating income                                                      6,215              10,853

Other income (expense)
Investment and other income                                           1,713                 311
Interest expense                                                       (169)               (768)
Equity in net loss of affiliates                                     (1,177)                (84)
                                                           -----------------   -----------------
Income before income taxes and cumulative effect                      
   of accounting change                                               6,582              10,312 
Income taxes                                                         (2,315)             (3,505)
                                                           -----------------   -----------------
Income before cumulative effect
    of accounting change                                              4,267               6,807
Cumulative effect of accounting change,
    net of income taxes of $682                                           -              (1,323)
                                                           -----------------   -----------------
Net income                                                 $          4,267    $          5,484
                                                           =================   =================


Earnings per common share, basic and diluted:
    Income before cumulative effect
       of accounting change                                $           0.09    $           0.13
    Cumulative effect of accounting change                                -               (0.03)
                                                           -----------------   -----------------
    Net income                                             $           0.09    $           0.10
                                                           =================   =================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       Three months ended
                                                                                            March 31,
                                                                           --------------------------------------------
                                                                                  1998                    1999
                                                                           --------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>
Operating activities
Net income                                                                 $             4,267      $        5,484
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash                                           
       provided by operating activities:                                                       
           Depreciation                                                                  2,972               5,420   
           Amortization                                                                  3,399               4,848
           Cumulative effect of accouting change                                             -               2,005       
           Non-cash dividend income                                                       (500)                  -
           Deferred income taxes                                                            (7)                  -
           Equity in net loss of affiliates                                              1,177                  84
           Non-cash issuance of options to non-employees                                     -                  60
           Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                                        
             Accounts and notes receivable                                               9,721              10,950
             Cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings                                 
               on uncompleted contracts                                                 (2,372)                (49)     
             Inventory                                                                    (730)                 24
             Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                    (840)             (2,785)
             Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                         486              (4,382)
             Income taxes payable                                                            -                (283)
             Deferred revenue and other current liabilities                             (2,722)              5,727 
                                                                           --------------------     --------------   
                                                                                               
Net cash provided by operating activities                                               14,851              27,103
                                                                           --------------------     --------------
                                                                                               
Investing activities                                                                           
Purchase of available-for-sale securities                                               (4,354)               (512)
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities                                     29,400                   -
Investment in and advances to affiliates                                                (4,086)             (3,216)
Increase in other investments                                                                -              (1,797)
Purchase of property and equipment                                                     (14,587)            (11,036)
Purchase of Canter, including direct costs of                                                  
  acquisition, net of cash received                                                    (24,262)                  -
Cash paid for other acquired businesses, net of cash received                              (24)            (14,972)
Increase in other intangible assets                                                       (255)                  - 
Expenditures for deferred contract costs                                                  (193)               (276)
Increase in other assets                                                                (1,224)             (2,829)
                                                                           --------------------     --------------
                                                                                               
Net cash used in investing activities                                                  (19,585)            (34,638)
                                                                           --------------------     --------------
                                                                                               
Financing activities                                                                           
Payments on loans from stockholders of acquired companies                                  (15)                  -
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants                                           1,403               1,573
Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                                       -                 674
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                                 1,117              10,000
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations                                  (789)             (8,282)
Distributions                                                                              238                   -
Proceeds from bank lines of credit                                                           -               2,373
Payments on bank lines of credit                                                          (544)             (1,276)
                                                                           --------------------     --------------
                                                                                               
Net cash provided by financing activities                                                1,410               5,062
                                                                           --------------------     --------------
                                                                                               
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash                                                   191              (1,265)
                                                                           --------------------     --------------
                                                                                               
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                               (3,133)             (3,738)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                        29,650              33,170
                                                                           --------------------     --------------
                                                                                               
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                 $            26,517      $       29,432
                                                                           ====================     ==============
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                SYLVAN LEARNING SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, 1999

Note A - Basis of Presentation
         ---------------------
 
  The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X. 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.  Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 1999 are
not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year
ended December 31, 1999. For further information, refer to the financial
statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

Note B - Accounting Change
         -----------------

  On January 1, 1999, the Company adopted the provisions of AICPA Statement of
Position No. 98-5, Reporting the Costs of Start-up Activities ("SOP 98-5"),
which requires start-up costs capitalized prior to January 1, 1999 to be 
written-off and any future start-up costs to be expensed as incurred. The
Company previously capitalized pre-contract costs directly associated with
specific anticipated contracts as well as development costs for new educational
programs that were estimated to be recoverable. The cumulative effect of
adopting SOP 98-5 in 1999 decreased net income by $1,323 (net of $682 in income
taxes), or ($.03) per share.

Note C - Income Taxes
         ------------

  The tax provisions for the three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 are
based on the estimated effective tax rates applicable for the full years. The
Company's income tax provisions for all periods consist of federal, state, and
foreign income taxes. The Company's effective tax rate decreased from 35% during
the first quarter of 1998 to 34% during the first quarter of 1999 as a result of
an increase in income earned in jurisdictions with lower tax rates. The Company
estimates that its effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31,
1999 will be 34%.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Note D - Earnings Per Share
         ------------------

  The following table summarizes the computations of basic and diluted earnings
per share:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                  Three months ended March 31,
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                         1998      1999
                                                        ------    ------
<S>                                                     <C>       <C>
Numerator used in basic and diluted
  earnings per common share:
  Income before cumulative effect
   of accounting change                                 $ 4,267  $ 6,807
  Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax          -   (1,323)
                                                        -------  ------- 
  Net income                                            $ 4,267  $ 5,484
                                                        =======  =======
 
Denominator:
  Weighted average shares                                47,760   51,146
  Common stock contingently issuable                          -      520       
                                                        -------  ------- 
  Denominator for basic earnings per common share        47,760   51,666 
     
  Effect of dilutive securities:
   Employee stock options                                 2,166    2,248
   Common stock contingently issuable                         -       31
                                                        -------  -------
  Total dilutive potential common shares                  2,166    2,279
                                                        -------  -------
 
  Denominator for diluted earnings per common
   share - weighted average shares and
   assumed conversions                                   49,926   53,945
                                                        =======  =======
 
Earnings per common share, basic and diluted:
  Income before cumulative effect
   of accounting change                                 $  0.09  $  0.13
  Cumulative effect of accounting change                      -     (.03)
                                                        -------  -------
  Net income                                            $  0.09  $  0.10
                                                        =======  =======
</TABLE>

Note E - Reclassifications
         -----------------

  Certain amounts in the 1998 financial statements have been reclassified to
conform with the 1999 presentation.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Note F - Stockholders' Equity
         --------------------

  The components of stockholders' equity are as follows (amounts in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Additional              Acccumulated Other    Total        
                                                Common     Paid-In      Retained    Comprehensive    Stockholders'   
                                                Stock      Capital      Earnings       Income            Equity      
                                                ------    ----------    ---------   ---------------  -------------   
<S>                                             <C>       <C>           <C>         <C>              <C>             
Balance at December 31, 1998                     $510      $410,694     $75,852           $1,777       $488,833      
                                                                                                                     
Options exercised for purchase of 159 shares                                                                         
 of common stock, including income tax                                                                               
 benefit of $637                                    2         2,209                                       2,211      
                                                                                                                     
Stock options granted to non-employees                           60                                          60      
                                                                                                                     
Issuance of 26 shares of common stock in                                                                             
 connection with the Employee Stock Purchase                                                                         
 Plan                                                           674                                         674      
                                                                                                                     
Other                                                           130        (104)                             26      
                                                                                                                     
Comprehensive income:                                                                                                
 Net income for the three months ended                                                                               
  March 31, 1999                                                          5,484                           5,484      
 Other comprehensive income:                                                                                         
  Foreign currency translation adjustment                                                  (588)           (588)     
                                                                                                       --------      
 Total comprehensive income                                                                               4,896      
                                                                                                                     
                                                 ----      --------     -------           ------       --------      
Balance at March 31, 1999                        $512      $413,767     $81,232           $1,189       $496,700      
                                                 ====      ========     =======           ======       ========       
</TABLE>

Note G - Contingencies
         -------------

  The Company is the defendant in a legal proceeding pending in the United
States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Civil Action No. C96-
334MJM, filed on November 18, 1996 by ACT, Inc., an Iowa nonprofit corporation
formerly known as American College Testing Program, Inc. ("ACT"). ACT's claim
arises out of the Company's acquisition of rights to administer testing services
for the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). ACT has
asserted that the Company tortuously interfered with ACT's relations,
contractual and quasi-contractual, with the NASD, that the Company caused ACT to
suffer the loss of its advantageous economic prospects with the NASD and other
ACT clients and that the Company has monopolized and attempted to monopolize the
computer-based testing services market. ACT has claimed unspecified amounts of
compensatory, treble and punitive damages, as well as injunctive relief. If ACT
were awarded significant compensatory or punitive damages, it could materially
adversely affect the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
Additionally, if ACT were granted significant injunctive relief, the Company may
be required to dispose of, limit expansion or curtail existing operations of its
Sylvan Prometric division, which, in turn, would materially adversely affect the
Company's results of operations, financial condition and prospects for growth.
In February 1998, the Court ruled that ACT may proceed only on three of its five
antitrust theories and otherwise narrowed the scope of ACT's antitrust claims.
In March 1998, the Court denied the Company's motion to dismiss ACT's state law
claims. Discovery commenced in 1998 and is expected to continue at least through
June 1999. The Company believes that all of ACT's claims are without merit but
is unable to predict the outcome of the ACT litigation at this time.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Note H - Business Segment Information
         ----------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Three months ended March 31,
                                                       --------------------------------- 
                                                           1998                1999
                                                       -------------      --------------
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>
Operating revenues:
   Sylvan Learning Centers                                $ 12,136             $ 19,824
   Sylvan Contract Educational Services                     26,620               30,591
   Sylvan Prometric                                         47,567               73,363
                                                          --------             --------
                                                          $ 86,323             $123,778
                                                          ========             ========
Segment profit:
   Sylvan Learning Centers                                $  2,707             $  4,524
   Sylvan Contract Educational Services                      3,806                3,571
   Sylvan Prometric                                          3,029                7,482
                                                          --------             --------
                                                          $  9,542             $ 15,577
                                                          ========             ========
Segment assets:
   Sylvan Learning Centers                                $ 27,840             $ 51,056
   Sylvan Contract Educational Services                     82,382              120,149
   Sylvan Prometric                                        273,758              409,888
                                                          --------             --------
                                                          $383,980             $581,093
                                                          ========             ========
</TABLE>

  There have been no changes since December 31, 1998 in the Company's method for
identification of reportable segments or for determination of segment profit or
loss. There are no significant intercompany sales or transfers. The following
table reconciles the reported information on segment profit to income before
income taxes reported in the consolidated statements of income for the three
month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Three months ended March 31,
                                                      -----------------------------------
                                                           1998                 1999
                                                      --------------       --------------
<S>                                                   <C>                  <C>
Total profit for reportable segments                      $ 9,542               $15,577
Corporate general and administrative expense               (3,327)               (4,724)
Other income (expense)                                        367                  (541)
                                                          -------               -------
      Income before income taxes                          $ 6,582               $10,312
                                                          =======               =======
</TABLE>

Note I - Comprehensive Income
         --------------------

  The components of comprehensive income, net of related tax, for the three
months ended March 31, 1998 and 1999 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Three months ended March 31,
                                                      ----------------------------------- 
                                                           1998                 1999
                                                      -------------      ----------------
<S>                                                   <C>                <C>
Net income                                                 $4,267               $5,484
Foreign currency translation adjustments                      236                 (588)
                                                           ------               ------
Comprehensive income                                       $4,503               $4,896
                                                           ======               ======
</TABLE>

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
         -------------------------------------------------
         CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
         -----------------------------------

All statements contained herein that are not historical facts, including but not
limited to, statements regarding the anticipated impact of uncollectible
accounts receivable on future liquidity, expenditures to develop licensing and
certification tests under existing contracts, the Company's contingent payment
obligations relating to the Schulerhilfe and Canter acquisitions, future capital
requirements, potential acquisitions, the failure to remediate or the cost of
remediating Year 2000 Issues and the Company's future development plans are
based on current expectations. These statements are forward looking in nature
and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ
materially. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially are the following: Changes in the financial resources of the
Company's clients; timing and extent of testing clients' conversions to
computer-based testing; amount of revenues earned by the Company's tutorial and
teacher training operations; the availability of sufficient capital to finance
the Company's business plan on terms satisfactory to the Company; the failure to
remediate or the cost of remediating Year 2000 Issues; general business and
economic conditions; and other risk factors described in the Company's reports
filed from time to time with the Commission. The Company wishes to caution
readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward looking statements,
which statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made.

Overview

  The Company generates revenues from three business segments: Sylvan Learning
Centers, which consists primarily of franchise royalties, franchise sales fees
and Company-owned Learning Center revenues; Sylvan Contract Educational
Services, which consists of revenues attributable to providing supplemental
remedial education services to public and non-public schools and major
corporations as well as providing teacher training services; and Sylvan
Prometric, which consists of computer-based testing fees paid to the Company and
the operations of WSI and Aspect. The following selected segment data for the
quarters ended March 31, 1998 and 1999 is derived from the Company's unaudited
consolidated financial statements.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Three months ended
                                                    March 31,
                                            1998              1999
                                           ------            ------
<S>                                       <C>  
Operating revenue:
  Sylvan Learning Centers...............  $12,136          $ 19,824
  Sylvan Contract Educational Services..   26,620            30,591
  Sylvan Prometric......................   47,567            73,363
                                          -------          --------
     Total revenue......................  $86,323          $123,778
                                          =======          ========
 
Direct costs:
  Sylvan Learning Centers...............  $ 9,429          $ 15,300
  Sylvan Contract Educational Services..   22,814            27,020
  Sylvan Prometric......................   44,538            65,881
                                          -------          --------
     Total direct costs.................  $76,781          $108,201
                                          =======          ========
</TABLE>

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
Results of Operations

Comparison of results for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 to results for the
quarter ended March 31, 1998.

Revenue.  Total revenues increased by $37.5 million, or 43%, from $86.3 million
in the first quarter of 1998 to $123.8 million in the first quarter of 1999.
This increase resulted from higher revenues in all business segments - Sylvan
Learning Centers, Sylvan Contract Educational Services and Sylvan Prometric.

  Sylvan Learning Centers revenue increased by $7.7 million, or 63%, during the
first quarter of 1999, compared to the first quarter of 1998. Franchise
royalties increased by $0.7 million, or 19%, to $4.2 million for the first
quarter of 1999, compared to the first quarter of 1998. The increase in
franchise royalties was due to an overall 16% increase in revenues at Learning
Centers open for more than one year, as well as royalties generated from a net
of 57 Learning Centers opened after March 31, 1998.

  Franchise sales fees increased by $.2 million, or 100%, to $.4 million for the
first quarter of 1999, compared to the first quarter of 1998. In the first
quarter of 1999, the Company sold six territories and one domestic area
development agreement, compared to four territories and no area development
agreements in the first quarter of 1998.

  Revenues from Company-owned Learning Centers increased by $2.4 million, or
34%, to $9.3 million during the first quarter of 1999, compared to the first
quarter of 1998. The Company's acquisition of 12 centers from several
franchisees after March 31, 1998 generated $1.3 million of the increase. Same
center revenues increased by $1.1 million, or 17%, for the first quarter of
1999, compared to the first quarter of 1998.

  On October 28, 1998, the Company acquired a major German tutoring company
known as Schulerhilfe. This purchase resulted in an additional $4.0 million in
revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 1999. The remaining $0.4 million
increase in the Sylvan Learning Centers revenue was due to product sales and
other franchise services income.

  Sylvan Contract Educational Services revenue increased by $4.0 million, or
15%, to $30.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 1999, compared to the
first quarter of 1998. The revenue increase was the result of a $4.0 million
increase in revenue from public and nonpublic school contracts. Revenues from
PACE services and Canter for the first quarter of 1999 were equal to revenue
levels for the first quarter of 1998.

  The $4.0 million increase in revenue from public and nonpublic schools for the
first quarter of 1999 is the result of $4.2 million in revenue from new
contracts obtained after March 31, 1998, offset by a decrease of $0.2 million in
revenue from existing contracts lost or reduced due to local district budget
constraints.

  Sylvan Prometric revenue increased by $25.8 million, or 54%, to $73.4 million
in the first quarter of 1999, compared to the first quarter of 1998. Excluding
first quarter 1998 revenues of $3.1 million from Block Testing Services, L.P.
and related entities (collectively, "NAI/Block"), the net assets of which were
contributed to a joint venture in January 1999, Sylvan Prometric revenue
increased by $28.9 million, or

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
65%, compared to the first quarter of 1998. Academic admissions testing revenues
increased $9.9 million, or 133%, compared to the first quarter of 1998,
primarily due to volume increases in the National Teacher and Regents College,
the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) exams and under Educational Testing Service (ETS) contracts,
which include the cost-plus international contract. Information technology
testing revenues increased $9.2 million, or 56%, in the first quarter of 1999,
compared to the first quarter of 1998 due primarily to Microsoft and other IT
client volume increases. Professional certification revenues increased $2.3
million, or 40%, over the comparable 1998 period due primarily to volume
increases. Revenues from the Company's English language instruction business
increased $7.5 million, compared to the first quarter of 1998. The increased
revenues resulted mainly from the acquisitions of several WSI franchise
locations after the first quarter of 1998.

Cost and Expenses.   Total direct costs increased 41% from $76.8 million in the
first quarter of 1998 to $108.2 million in the first quarter of 1999, but
decreased as a percentage of total revenues from 89% to 87%.

  Sylvan Learning Centers expenses increased $5.9 million to $15.3 million, or
77% of Learning Centers revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 1999, compared
to $9.4 million, or 78% of Learning Centers revenue for the quarter ended March
31, 1998. Approximately $1.0 million of the increase for the quarter was due to
costs associated with higher revenues at existing Company-owned Centers and $1.2
million was related to the acquisition of 12 franchised Centers after March 31,
1998. The Company's fourth quarter 1998 acquisition of Schulerhilfe resulted in
$3.4 million of increased costs relating to normal operating expenses. The
remaining cost increase of $0.3 million for the first quarter of 1999 is mainly
due to higher franchise support costs resulting from an increased number of
franchised Centers compared to the first quarter of 1998.

  Sylvan Contract Educational Services expenses increased by $4.2 million to
$27.0 million, or 88% of Sylvan Contract Educational Services revenue for the
quarter ended March 31, 1999, compared to $22.8 million, or 86% of Contract
Educational Services revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 1998. The increase
in costs as a percentage of revenue for the first quarter of 1999 is due to
costs for new public and nonpublic school contracts that were a higher
percentage of the related $4.2 million increase in revenue as well as higher
costs as a percentage of revenue for PACE.

  Sylvan Prometric expenses increased $21.4 million to $65.9 million, or 90% of
total Sylvan Prometric revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 1999, compared to
$44.5 million, or 94% of total Sylvan Prometric revenue for the quarter ended
March 31, 1998. Excluding first quarter 1998 expenses of $3.3 million from
NAI/Block, the net assets of which were contributed to a joint venture in
January 1999, Sylvan Prometric expenses would have been $41.2 million, or 93% of
Sylvan Prometric revenue (excluding NAI/Block) in the first quarter of 1998. The
increased margin in the first quarter of 1999 as compared to 1998 is mainly a
result of the sales mix of the division and the relatively higher margins on the
revenues of the WSI franchisees acquired after the first quarter of 1998.

  General and administrative expenses increased by $1.4 million during the first
quarter of 1999, compared to the first quarter of 1998, but remained constant at
4% of revenues.
 
  The Company's effective tax rate has decreased from 35% during the first
quarter of 1998 to 34% during the first quarter of 1999 as a result of an 
increase in income earned in jurisdictions with lower tax rates.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

  The Company in 1999 generated $27.1 million of cash flow from operations, an
increase of $12.2 million as compared to 1998. The increase is attributable to
an increase in net income excluding non-cash charges (principally depreciation
and amortization) of $6.6 million, and a net reduction in operating assets
(principally accounts and notes receivable) of $5.6 million.

  Of the $11.0 million operating cash flow increase attributable to a decrease
in accounts and notes receivable, $5.5 million relates to notes receivable
collected in the first quarter of 1999. The Company believes that uncollectible
accounts receivable will not have a significant effect on future liquidity, as a
significant portion of its accounts receivable are due from enterprises with
substantial financial resources, such as ETS and governmental units.

  The Company's investing activities include the net purchase of $0.5 million in
available-for-sale securities. The securities are readily marketable
and available for use in current operations. The Company also made $3.2 million
of additional investments in and loans to affiliates accounted for using the
equity method, consisting primarily of additional loans to the Experior joint 
venture.

  During the first quarter of 1999, the Company purchased several WSI franchise
locations for consideration of $15.0 million.

  The Company continues to incur expenditures for additions to property and
equipment, which totaled $11.0 million in the first quarter of 1999. These
additions consist primarily of furniture and equipment for general business
expansion, including expenditures for the headquarters facility, new public
school-based programs' classrooms, and equipment needed for overseas testing
centers operated by Sylvan. Under the international testing contract with ETS,
Sylvan is reimbursed for overseas equipment expenditures as the equipment is
depreciated. This reimbursement includes a financing charge over the
reimbursement period.

  The Company has an unsecured long-term revolving credit facility that provides
for total borrowings of up to $100.0 million through the expiration date of
December 31, 2003. The credit facility bears interest at either the prime rate,
the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or rates based on the Eurodollar rate plus a
contractual margin. As of March 31, 1999, the credit facility had outstanding
prime rate borrowings of $10.0 million, bearing interest at 6.00%.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
  During the first three months of 1999, the Company received $1.6 million of
cash as a result of the exercise of stock options and warrants to purchase
158,954 shares of common stock.

  The Company believes that its capital resources will be sufficient over the
next 12 to 24 months to fund expected expansion of its existing business,
including working capital needs and expected investments in property and
equipment.

  The Company continues to review other companies in the education or computer-
based testing industries for potential acquisitions. Additional capital
resources may be necessary to acquire and thereafter operate additional
businesses.

  The Company has entered into an agreement providing an exclusive option to
acquire 54 percent of the shares of Universidad Europea de Madrid (UEM) for
approximately $51 million. The purchase price would include payment of
approximately $28.5 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $22.5
million in existing debt. UEM had revenues of $50 million and recurring earnings
before interest, taxes and depreciation of $15.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998. All required regulatory approvals have been received and this
transaction is expected to close during the second or third quarter of 1999.

  On April 22, 1999 the Company's board of directors authorized the repurchase
of up to 750,000 shares of its outstanding common shares. As of May 11, 1999,
the Company had repurchased approximately 75,000 shares for consideration of
$1.9 million.

Year 2000 Issues

  The Year 2000 Issue is the result of computer programs written using two
digits (rather than four) to define the applicable year.  Absent corrective
actions, programs with date-sensitive logic may recognize "00" as 1900 rather
than 2000.  This could result in a system failure or miscalculations causing
disruptions of operations, including, among other things, production
difficulties, a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or
engage in similar normal business activities.

  The Company has established a corporate-wide Year 2000 task force with
representatives from all divisions.  The task force has conducted a
comprehensive review of the Company's information technology and non-information
technology systems affected by the Year 2000 issue and has developed an
implementation plan to resolve them. The Company measures its progress towards
completion based on the level of efforts completed to date compared to the total
expected. The process involves five phases:

  Phase I  Inventory and Data Collection. This phase involves conducting a
comprehensive inventory of the Company's information systems which includes but
is not limited to telecommunications systems, computer hardware, software and
networks as well as building infrastructure such as HVAC, elevators and security
systems. The identification of key third party vendors is also involved. During
this phase, all new systems are required to have passed Year 2000 compliance
tests before being purchased and implemented. The Company commenced this phase
in the first quarter of 1998 and the phase is complete.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
  Phase II  Assessment / Date Impact.  In this phase, systems identified during
Phase I are reviewed to determine what impact, if any, the Year 2000 Issue has
on the operation of these systems. This phase also identifies the effects of
Year 2000 being a leap year. This phase has been completed.

  Phase III  Remediation.  This phase involves modifying, replacing or upgrading
the systems that have failed during Phase II. The remediation phase is 75%
complete and is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of
1999.

  Phase IV  Testing.  This phase involves review of systems for compliance and
re-testing as necessary. The testing phase is 75% complete and is expected to be
completed by the end of the third quarter of 1999.

  Phase V  Implementation.  This phase involves implementing the systems after
they have been successfully remediated and tested. This is the final step in
assuring that the systems are Year 2000 compliant. The phase is 75% complete and
is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 1999.

  The Company believes the cost to remedy Year 2000 Issues to be $4.5 million.
The Company has expended $1.0 million in 1998 and $1.8 million for the quarter
ended March 31, 1999. The Company is not aware of any material non-compliance
that would have a material effect on its financial position.  As part of the
Year 2000 Issue process, formal communication with the Company's suppliers,
customers and other support services has been initiated and efforts will
continue until positive statements of readiness have been received from all
third parties. The Company has identified certain service suppliers that are 
not Year 2000 compliant. It is working with the suppliers to ensure the efforts 
are taken to correct the situation and the Company is establishing contingency 
plans to ensure no service interruption. Therefore, the Company does not believe
that the non-compliance by the service suppliers will have a material impact on 
the Company's business. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that
unanticipated non-compliance will not occur, and such non-compliance could
require material costs to repair or could cause material disruptions if not
repaired. The Company is in the process of developing a strategy to address
these potential consequences that may result from unresolved Year 2000 Issues,
which will include the development of one or more contingency plans by mid 1999.

Euro Conversion

  On January 1, 1999, certain countries of the European Union established fixed
conversion rates between their existing currencies and one common currency, the
euro. The euro is now traded on currency exchanges and may be used in business
transactions. Beginning in January 2002, new euro-denominated currencies will be
issued and the existing currencies will be withdrawn from circulation. The
Company is currently evaluating the systems and business issues raised by the
euro conversion. These issues include the need to adapt computer and other
business systems and equipment and the competitive impact of cross-border
transparency. The Company has not yet completed its estimate of the potential
impact likely to be caused by the euro conversion; however, at present the
Company has no reason to believe the euro conversion will have a material impact
on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
Contingent Matters

  In connection with the Company's acquisition of Canter and based on Canter's
earnings in 1998, additional consideration of $26.1 million is payable to the
seller in cash of $14.9 million and the remainder in shares of restricted common
stock which has been valued at $11.2 million. As of December 31, 1998, the
Company recorded this additional consideration as a liability and additional
goodwill which is being amortized over the remaining amortization period of 24
years. Additional variable amounts of contingent consideration are also payable
to the seller if specified levels of earnings are achieved in 1999 and 2000,
payable in equal amounts of cash and stock. The Company will record the
contingent consideration when the contingencies are resolved and the additional
consideration is payable.

  In connection with the Company's acquisition of Schulerhilfe, the Company may
be obligated to pay the sellers up to an additional $13.3 million of
consideration in February 2000 (payable in either cash or common stock at the
discretion of the Company) based on the amount of 1999 franchise fees which have
been collected by Schulerhilfe on or before January 31, 2000.  The Company will
record this contingent consideration when the contingencies are resolved and the
additional consideration is payable.

Effects of Inflation

  Inflation has not had a material effect on Sylvan's revenues and income from
continuing operations in the past three years. Inflation is not expected to have
a material future effect.

Quarterly Fluctuations

  The Company's revenues and operating results have varied substantially from
quarter to quarter and may continue to vary, depending upon the timing of
implementation of new computer-based testing contracts and contracts  funded
under Title I or similar programs. Based on the Company's experience, revenues
generated by computer-based testing services may vary based on the frequency or
timing of delivery of individual tests and the speed of test administrators'
conversion of tests to computer-based format.  The Company's English language   
instruction businesses experience seasonal fluctuations based on the timing of 
delivery of instruction to individuals. In addition, franchise license fees
earned by the Company in its Sylvan Learning Centers and testing services
segments may vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Revenues or profits in
any period will not necessarily be indicative of results in subsequent periods.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.  REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
         -------------------

  The company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the three months ended
March 31, 1999.


SIGNATURES
- ----------

  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.


                                    Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc.



Date: May 13, 1999      /s/ B. Lee McGee
                        _________________________________________
                        B. Lee McGee, Executive Vice President
                           and Chief Financial Officer

                                       18

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<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
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