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Hewitt Associates Reports 2009 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:16am EST
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091110005742/en

Fourth Quarter - GAAP and Underlying EPS $0.68; Underlying EPS Increases 38% and
Underlying Operating Margin Expands 310 Basis Points to 14.0%1

Full Year - GAAP EPS $2.78; Underlying EPS Increases 35% to $2.67 and Underlying
Operating Margin Expands 350 Basis Points to 14.1%

Company Issues Fiscal 2010 EPS Guidance of $2.85 to $2.95
LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--(Business Wire)--
Hewitt Associates, Inc. (NYSE:HEW), a global human resources services company,
today reported results for its fiscal 2009 fourth quarter and year ended
September 30, 2009. 

Fourth Quarter 2009 Highlights

* Reported net revenues (revenues before reimbursements) declined 6% to $757.7
million, compared with $806.7 million in the prior-year quarter. Net revenues
declined 4% after adjusting for foreign currency translation, acquisitions and
divestitures, and third-party revenues in both periods. 
* Reported operating income grew 95% to $105.8 million, compared with $54.3
million in the prior-year quarter. Underlying operating income grew 23% after
adjusting for prior-period unusual items discussed below. 
* Reported net income increased to $64.4 million, or $0.68 per diluted share,
compared with $31.6 million, or $0.32 per diluted share in the prior-year
quarter. Underlying net income for the prior-year quarter was $48.3 million, or
$0.49 per diluted share, when adjusting for unusual items.

Fiscal 2009 Highlights

* Reported net revenues declined 5% to $3.00 billion, compared with $3.15
billion in the prior year. Net revenues were flat after adjusting for foreign
currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, HR Business Process
Outsourcing (HR BPO) contract restructurings in the prior year, and third-party
revenues in both years. 
* Reported operating income grew 39% to $434.1 million, compared with $312.8
million in the prior year. Underlying operating income grew 29% to $424.8
million after adjusting for unusual items in both years discussed below. 
* Reported net income increased to $265.1 million, or $2.78 per diluted share,
compared with $188.1 million, or $1.85 per diluted share in the prior year.
Underlying net income increased to $254.6 million, or $2.67 per diluted share,
compared with $202.3 million, or $1.98 per diluted share in the prior year, when
adjusting for unusual items in both years. 
* Free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, increased to $305.1 million, compared with
$210.3 million in the prior year. 
* Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
(EBITDA), a non-GAAP measure, increased to $566.6 million, compared with $517.3
million in the prior year. 
* The Company repurchased 2.6 million of its outstanding common shares for a
total of $74.2 million during fiscal 2009.

"We are pleased with how our 2009 business performance held up in an incredibly
challenging environment," said Russ Fradin, chairman and chief executive
officer. "Revenues were resilient, and our focus on productivity over the past
two years produced record operating profit, operating margin and earnings per
share. We also delivered strong sales, improved client satisfaction and
generated strong free cash flow. These results clearly reflect the dedication
and commitment of our leaders and associates worldwide. In 2010, we intend to
accelerate our sales efforts and continue to invest in growing our business by
adding new clients and services." 

Operating Performance

Fourth Quarter 2009

Reported net revenues were $757.7 million, compared with $806.7 million in the
prior-year quarter, a decrease of 6%. Net revenues declined 4% when excluding
third-party supplier revenues in both periods and adjusting for the following
items:

* In the current quarter, $16.9 million in unfavorable foreign currency
translation and a $6.8 million contribution from an acquisition. 
* In the prior-year quarter, a $9.4 million contribution from HR BPO businesses2
divested in the current fiscal year.

On the same adjusted basis, Benefits Outsourcing net revenues grew 1%, while HR
BPO and Consulting declined 10% and 9%, respectively. 

Reported operating income increased 95%, to $105.8 million, compared with $54.3
million in the prior-year quarter. Reported operating margin was 14.0%, compared
with 6.7% in the prior-year quarter. 

Underlying operating income increased 23% to $105.8 million, compared with $86.4
million in the prior-year quarter, when adjusting for unusual items in the
prior-year period. Underlying operating margin was 14.0%, compared with 10.8% in
the prior-year quarter. Lower performance-based compensation, staffing leverage,
and lower selling, general and administrative expenses drove most of the
underlying margin improvement. 

Current-quarter underlying results include $17.3 million in pretax severance
charges, compared to $16.8 million in pretax severance charges in the prior-year
quarter. Current-quarter underlying results also include $5.7 million in pretax
charges related to ongoing real estate optimization initiatives and updated real
estate sublease assumptions, reflecting worsening commercial real estate market
conditions. 

Fiscal 2008 fourth quarter underlying results exclude the following unusual
items:

* A pretax charge of $34.4 million related to the Company`s real estate
portfolio review. 
* A favorable pretax adjustment of $1.5 million related to a previous HR BPO
contract restructuring. 
* Favorable pretax contributions of $0.8 million from comparable divested HR BPO
operations.

The fourth quarter reported effective tax rate was 34.4%, compared with 34.5% in
the prior-year quarter. The fourth quarter underlying effective tax rate was
34.4%, compared with 39.0% in the prior-year quarter. 

Fiscal 2009

Reported net revenues were $3.00 billion, compared with $3.15 billion in the
prior year, a decrease of 5%. Net revenues were flat when excluding third-party
supplier revenues in both periods and adjusting for the following items:

* In the current year, $128.8 million in unfavorable foreign currency
translation and a $32.4 million contribution from acquisitions. 
* In the prior year, a $31.2 million contribution from HR BPO businesses3
divested in the current year and a $23.1 million benefit related to HR BPO
contract restructurings.

On the same adjusted basis, Benefits Outsourcing net revenues grew 1%, while HR
BPO and Consulting declined 3% and 1%, respectively. Current year underlying
revenues include the realization of $20.1 million of deferred revenues related
to the settlement of a Benefits Outsourcing contract dispute. 

Reported operating income increased 39%, to $434.1 million, compared with $312.8
million in the prior year. Reported operating margin was 14.5%, compared with
9.9% in the prior year. 

Underlying operating income increased 29% to $424.8 million, compared with
$328.9 million in the prior year, when adjusting for unusual items in both
years. Underlying operating margin was 14.1%, compared with 10.6% in the prior
year. Staffing leverage, lower selling, general and administrative expenses, and
foreign exchange drove most of the underlying margin improvement. 

Current-year underlying results include $34.7 million in pretax severance
charges, compared with $30.3 million in pretax severance charges in the prior
year. Current-year underlying results also include $14.9 million in pretax
charges related to updated real estate sublease assumptions, reflecting
worsening commercial real estate market conditions, and ongoing real estate
optimization initiatives. 

Current year unusual items include pretax gains totaling $9.4 million related to
the sales of the Company`s HR BPO Latin America and relocation services
businesses. Prior-year unusual items include the following:

* Pretax charges of $44.8 million related to the Company`s real estate portfolio
review. 
* A pretax net gain of $35.4 million related to the divestiture of the Cyborg
business. 
* Pretax net charges of $11.8 million related to HR BPO contract restructurings.

* Favorable pretax contributions of $5.1 million from comparable divested HR BPO
operations.

The current-year reported effective tax rate was 35.3%, compared with 40.5% in
the prior year. The current-year underlying effective tax rate was 36.4%,
compared with 39.0% in the prior year. 

Business Segment Results

Benefits Outsourcing

Fourth Quarter 2009

Benefits Outsourcing segment revenues were approximately flat at $388.7 million,
compared with $387.9 million in the prior-year quarter. Revenues increased 1%
after adjusting for $2.3 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation.
The adjusted revenue growth was principally driven by growth in large market and
mid-market clients, partially offset by lower project revenue. 

Benefits Outsourcing segment income increased 31% to $87.2 million, compared
with $66.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Segment margin was 22.4%, compared
with 17.2% in the prior-year quarter. 

Underlying segment income increased 8% to $87.2 million, compared with $80.9
million in the prior-year quarter, when adjusting for unusual items in the
prior-year period. Underlying segment margin was 22.4%, compared to 20.9% in the
prior-year quarter. The underlying margin improvement was principally due to
foreign currency translation, lower performance-based compensation, cost
management efforts, and lower severance expense, partially offset by lower
project revenue and higher healthcare costs. 

Prior-year period unusual items include:

* A pretax charge of $14.0 million related to the Company`s real estate
portfolio review. 
* A pretax loss of $0.3 million related to comparable divested HR BPO operations
that also impacted Benefits Outsourcing.

Fiscal 2009

Benefits Outsourcing segment revenues were flat at $1.55 billion. Revenues
increased 1% after adjusting for the following items:

* In the current year, $17.3 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation
and a $16.7 million contribution from acquisitions. 
* In the prior year, a $9.0 million benefit related to HR BPO contract
restructurings that also impacted Benefits Outsourcing.

The adjusted revenue increase was principally driven by the realization of $20.1
million of deferred revenues related to the settlement of a contract dispute and
mid-market client growth, partially offset by lower project revenue and current
period adjustments related to client service issues in prior years. 

Benefits Outsourcing segment income increased 6% to $387.2 million, compared
with $365.3 million in the prior year. Segment margin was 25.0%, compared with
23.6% in the prior year. 

Underlying segment income increased 2% to $387.2 million, compared with $379.2
million in the prior year, when adjusting for unusual items in the prior year.
Underlying segment margin was 25.0%, compared to 24.6% in the prior year. The
underlying margin improvement was principally due to cost management efforts and
foreign currency translation. This was partially offset by the impact of a
prior-year acquisition, lower project revenue, current period adjustments for
client service issues in prior years, and higher healthcare costs. 

Fiscal 2008 results include the following unusual items:

* A pretax charge of $17.9 million related to the Company`s real estate
portfolio review. 
* A pretax benefit of $4.3 million related to HR BPO contract restructurings
that also impacted Benefits Outsourcing. 
* A pretax loss of $0.3 million related to comparable divested HR BPO operations
that also impacted Benefits Outsourcing.

As of September 30, 2009, the Company was live with approximately 20.5 million
end-user Benefits Outsourcing participants, compared with approximately 19.7
million as of September 30, 2008. 

Human Resources Business Process Outsourcing

Fourth Quarter 2009

HR BPO segment revenues declined 16% to $113.9 million, compared with $135.1
million in the prior-year quarter. Revenues decreased 10% after excluding
third-party supplier revenues in both periods and adjusting for the following
items:

* In the current year, $2.3 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation.

* In the prior year, a $9.4 million comparable contribution from divested
businesses.

The adjusted revenue decline was driven by client terminations and liquidations,
partially offset by the impact of new clients going live with contract services
over the last 12 months and certain contractual adjustments. 

The HR BPO segment loss was $2.1 million, compared with a loss of $21.6 million
in the prior-year quarter. Underlying segment loss was $2.1 million, compared
with a loss of $12.1 million in the prior-year quarter, when adjusting for
unusual items in the prior-year period. The underlying operating improvement
reflects staffing leverage and infrastructure cost management, partially offset
by lower revenues. 

Prior-year quarter results include the following unusual items:

* A pretax charge of $12.1 million related to the Company`s real estate
portfolio review. 
* A favorable pretax adjustment of $1.5 million related to a prior HR BPO
contract restructuring. 
* Favorable pretax contributions of $1.1 million from comparable divested
operations.

Fiscal 2009

HR BPO segment revenues declined 14% to $479.7 million, compared with $554.9
million in the prior-year quarter. Revenues decreased 3% after excluding
third-party supplier revenues in both periods and adjusting for the following
items:

* In the current year, $19.7 million of unfavorable foreign currency
translation. 
* In the prior year, a $31.2 million comparable prior-year contribution from
divested businesses and a $14.1 million benefit related to HR BPO contract
restructurings.

The adjusted revenue decline was driven by client losses and liquidations,
partially offset by the impact of new clients going live with contract services
over the last 12 months and certain contractual adjustments. 

The HR BPO segment loss was $5.2 million, compared with a loss of $83.3 million
in the prior year. Underlying segment loss was $14.6 million, compared with a
loss of $94.9 million in the prior year, when adjusting for unusual items in
both years. The underlying operating improvement reflects staffing leverage,
infrastructure cost management, lower amortization of intangibles, and lower
charges related to disputes and settlements, partially offset by lower revenues.


Current year unusual items include pretax gains totaling $9.4 million related to
the sales of the Company`s HR BPO Latin America and relocation services
businesses. Prior-year unusual items include the following:

* A pretax net gain of $35.4 million related to the divestiture of the Cyborg
business. 
* A pretax net charge of $16.1 million related to HR BPO contract
restructurings. 
* A pretax charge of $13.1 million related to the Company`s real estate
portfolio review. 
* Favorable pretax contributions of $5.4 million from comparable divested
operations.

As of September 30, 2009, the Company was live with approximately 695,000 client
employees with HR BPO services, compared with approximately 987,000 as of
September 30, 2008. 

Consulting

Fourth Quarter 2009

Consulting segment revenues declined 10% to $265.2 million, compared with $295.8
million in the prior-year quarter. Consulting revenues declined 9% after
adjusting for $12.3 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation and a
$6.8 million contribution from an acquisition, both in the current year. The
adjusted decline resulted from revenue decreases related to Talent and
Organizational Consulting services across all regions and Communication and
Health Management services in North America. This was partially offset by growth
in Retirement and Financial Management services in North America and Europe. 

Consulting segment income declined 11% to $43.7 million, compared with $49.4
million in the prior-year quarter. Segment margin was 16.5%, compared with 16.7%
in the prior-year quarter. Underlying segment income declined 11% to $43.7
million, compared with $49.3 million in the prior-year quarter, when adjusting
for the impact of the Company`s real estate portfolio review in the prior-year
period. Underlying segment margin was 16.5%, compared with 16.7% in the
prior-year quarter. The underlying margin decrease was principally due to lower
revenues and higher severance expense, partially offset by lower
performance-based compensation and discretionary cost controls. 

Fiscal 2009

Consulting segment revenues declined 8% to $1.01 billion, compared with $1.09
billion in the prior year. Revenues decreased 1% after adjusting for $91.8
million of unfavorable foreign currency translation and a $15.8 million
contribution from acquisitions, both in the current year. The adjusted decline
resulted from revenue decreases related to Talent and Organizational Consulting
services across all regions and Communication services in North America. This
was partially offset by growth in Retirement and Financial Management services
in Europe and North America and modest growth in Health Management services. 

Consulting segment income was approximately flat at $143.8 million, compared
with $143.2 million in the prior year. Segment margin was 14.2%, compared with
13.1% in the prior year. Underlying segment income decreased 3% to $143.8
million, compared with $147.5 million in the prior year, when adjusting for an
unusual item in the prior year. Underlying segment margin was 14.2%, compared
with 13.5% in the prior year. The underlying margin improvement was principally
due to lower performance-based compensation and discretionary cost controls,
partially offset by higher severance expense. 

The prior-year unusual item was a pretax charge of $4.2 million related to the
Company`s real estate portfolio review. 

Unallocated Shared Service Costs

Fourth quarter 2009 unallocated shared service costs were $23.0 million, or 3.0%
of net revenues, compared with $40.1 million, or 5.0% of net revenues, in the
prior-year quarter. Underlying prior-year quarter unallocated shared service
costs were $31.7 million, or 4.0% of net revenues, when excluding pretax charges
of $8.4 million related to the Company`s real estate portfolio review. The
decrease in expenses relative to net revenues was principally due to lower
professional services fees and lower performance-based compensation. 

Fiscal 2009 unallocated shared service costs were $91.6 million, or 3.0% of net
revenues, compared with $112.4 million, or 3.6% of net revenues, in the prior
year. Underlying prior-year unallocated shared service costs were $102.9
million, or 3.3% of net revenues, when excluding pretax charges of $9.5 million
related to the Company`s real estate portfolio review. The decrease in expenses
relative to net revenues was principally due to lower professional services
fees. 

Cash Flow

Cash flow from operations was $433.0 million in fiscal 2009, compared with
$327.9 million in the prior year. Free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure reflecting
cash flow from operations less capital expenditures and capitalized software
costs, was $305.1 million, compared with $210.3 million in the prior year. The
improvement in free cash flow was principally driven by improved receivables
collections and stronger operating performance, partially offset by lower
Outsourcing net deferrals and higher performance-based compensation related to
fiscal 2008 performance. 

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $566.6 million in fiscal 2009, compared
with $517.3 million in the prior year. The increase reflects improved HR BPO
operating performance, partially offset by lower Outsourcing net deferrals. 

Share Repurchase

During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased 1.0 million of its
outstanding common shares at an average price of $30.19 per share, or $30.1
million. During fiscal 2009, the Company repurchased 2.6 million of its
outstanding common shares at an average price of $28.91 per share, or $74.2
million. From October 1, 2009 through November 9, 2009, the Company repurchased
an additional 185,000 shares for a total of $6.8 million. At November 9, 2009,
the Company had approximately $219 million remaining under its current $300
million authorization. 

Supplemental Information

On October 9, 2009, subsequent to the year ended September 30, 2009, the Company
entered into a three-year $250 million credit facility with a multi-bank
syndicate. This credit facility contains a $25 million sub-limit for the
issuance of letters of credit. This credit facility replaces the previous $200
million five-year credit facility dated May 23, 2005. Borrowings under this
facility accrue interest at LIBOR plus 200-300 basis points or a base rate plus
100 to 200 basis points. Borrowings are repayable at expiration of the facility
on October 9, 2012 and quarterly commitment fees ranging from 30-50 basis points
are charged under the credit facility. The outstanding letters of credit of
$10.4 million under the current credit facility were transferred to this new
credit facility in fiscal 2010. Additional information can be found in the
Company`s Form 8-K dated October 9, 2009. 

Business Outlook

In addition to reporting results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company
assesses its performance once unusual items have been removed. The following
guidance reflects the Company`s expectations for fiscal 2010 on this underlying
basis, which excludes the impact of unusual items in the prior-year:

* Low- to mid-single digit total Company net revenue growth, with solid growth
in Consulting, a flat performance in Benefits Outsourcing, and a decline in HR
BPO; 
* Diluted earnings per share of $2.85 to $2.95, with operating income growth
moderately exceeding diluted EPS growth, an effective tax rate in the range of
37 to 38 percent, and continued execution against its share repurchase
authorization.

"While we are seeing some positive signs in terms of customer demand, our
guidance is not dependent on a meaningful recovery," said Russ Fradin, chairman
and chief executive officer. "As our clients continue to grapple with how to
succeed in this economy, we are confident that our thinking and our services are
clearly part of the solution. We intend to build on last year`s success and
deliver top- and bottom-line growth in the coming year." 

Conference Call

At 7:30 a.m. (CT) today, management will host a conference call with investors
to discuss fiscal 2009 fourth quarter results. The live presentation is
accessible through the Investor Relations section of Hewitt`s website at
www.hewitt.com. The webcast will be archived on the site for approximately one
month. 

About Hewitt Associates

Hewitt Associates (NYSE: HEW) provides leading organizations around the world
with expert human resources consulting and outsourcing solutions to help them
anticipate and solve their most complex benefits, talent, and related financial
challenges. Hewitt works with companies to design, implement, communicate, and
administer a wide range of human resources, retirement, investment management,
health care, compensation, and talent management strategies. With a history of
exceptional client service since 1940, Hewitt has offices in more than 30
countries and employs approximately 23,000 associates who are helping make the
world a better place to work. For more information, please visit www.hewitt.com.


Forward-Looking Information

This presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based upon
the current beliefs and expectations of Hewitt's management and are subject to
significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set
forth in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic
conditions and the factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in the
Business section of the Company`s most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and available at the SEC's
internet site (www.sec.gov). Hewitt disclaims any obligation to publicly update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events, or any other reason. 

1 In assessing operating performance, the Company also reviews its results once
unusual adjustments have been removed. The Company believes that doing so
provides a better understanding of underlying operating performance. A
reconciliation of GAAP to underlying net revenues, operating income, net income,
earnings per share, free cash flow, and Adjusted EBITDA (each a non-GAAP
measure) is included in this press release. 

2 HR BPO divested assets include Latin America (February 2009), and relocation
services (March 2009). Post-disposition amounts have been excluded from
"underlying" and "as adjusted" amounts for year-over-year comparative purposes. 

3 HR BPO divested assets include Cyborg (January 2008), Latin America (February
2009), and relocation services (March 2009). Cyborg prior period results and
Latin America and relocation services comparative post-disposition amounts have
been excluded from "underlying" and "as adjusted" amounts for year-over-year
comparative purposes. 

4 Free cash flow, a non GAAP measure, is cash flow from operations less capital
expenditures and capitalized software costs. The Company believes this measure
provides useful information related to the Company`s liquidity, including but
not limited to its ability to reduce debt, make strategic investments, and
repurchase stock. The Company views free cash flow as a supplement to, and not a
substitute for, GAAP measures of liquidity included in its consolidated
statements of cash flows.

                                                                                                                                                                                  
 HEWITT ASSOCIATES, INC.                                                                                                                                                          
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS                                                                                                                                           
 
(In thousands except for share and per share amounts)                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                      Three Months Ended                                          Year Ended                                              
                                                      September 30,                                               September 30,                                           
                                                            2009                    2008          % Change         2009                  2008           % Change  
 Revenues:                                                                                                                                                            
 Revenues before reimbursements (net revenues) (1)    $     757,742           $     806,689       (6.1)%      $    3,003,766        $    3,151,389      (4.7)%    
 Reimbursements                                             16,294                  17,840        (8.7)%           69,794                76,259         (8.5)%    
 Total revenues                                             774,036                 824,529       (6.1)%           3,073,560             3,227,648      (4.8)%    
                                                                                                                                                                      
 Operating expenses:                                                                                                                                                  
 Compensation and related expenses                          472,210                 525,758       (10.2)%          1,875,401             2,042,623      (8.2)%    
 Goodwill and asset impairment                              -                       1,621         n/m              4,159                 4,117          1.0%      
 Reimbursable expenses                                      16,294                  17,840        (8.7)%           69,794                76,259         (8.5)%    
 Other operating expenses                                   145,267                 183,282       (20.7)%          558,075               624,989        (10.7)%   
 Selling, general and administrative expenses               34,436                  41,758        (17.5)%          141,361               202,483        (30.2)%   
 Gain on sale of businesses                                 -                       -             n/m              (9,379)               (35,667)       (73.7)%   
 Total operating expenses                                   668,207                 770,259       (13.2)%          2,639,411             2,914,804      (9.4)%    
                                                                                                                                                                      
 Operating income                                           105,829                 54,270        95.0%            434,149               312,844        38.8%     
                                                                                                                                                                  
 Other (expense) income, net:                                                                                                                                         
 Interest expense                                           (9,821)                 (11,130)      (11.8)%          (39,979)              (24,788)       61.3%     
 Interest income                                            170                     4,480         (96.2)%          7,410                 22,023         (66.4)%   
 Other income, net                                          2,016                   531           279.7%           8,140                 6,365          27.9%     
 Total other (expense) income, net                          (7,635)                 (6,119)       24.8%            (24,429)              3,600          n/m       
                                                                                                                                                                      
 Income before income taxes                                 98,194                  48,151        103.9%           409,720               316,444        29.5%     
                                                                                                                                                                      
 Provision for income taxes                                 33,770                  16,599        103.4%           144,595               128,302        12.7%     
                                                                                                                                                                      
 Net income                                           $     64,424            $     31,552        104.2%      $    265,125          $    188,142        40.9%     
                                                                                                                                                                      
 Earnings per share:                                                                                                                                                  
 Basic                                                $     0.70              $     0.33                      $    2.84             $    1.90                     
 Diluted (2)                                          $     0.68              $     0.32                      $    2.78             $    1.85                     
                                                                                                                                                                      
 Weighted average shares:                                                                                                                                             
 Basic                                                      92,560,989              95,167,179                     93,400,271            98,791,739               
 Diluted                                                    94,707,255              98,163,780                     95,390,026            101,970,321              
                                                                                                                                                                      


(1) Net revenues include $11,989 and $9,752 of third-party supplier revenues for
the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $42,776
and $40,498 for the year ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Generally, the third-party supplier arrangements are marginally profitable. The
related third-party supplier expenses are included in other operating expenses. 

(2) Debt securities convertible into 1,870,748 shares of Class A common stock
were outstanding in the three months and year ended September 30, 2008, but were
not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect
of including the convertible debt securities would be antidilutive. There were
no convertible debt securities outstanding at September 30, 2009.

                                                                                                                                                                                    
 HEWITT ASSOCIATES, INC.                                                                                                                                                            
 
UNDERLYING NET REVENUES, OPERATING INCOME, NET INCOME, AND                                                                                                                        
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE                                                                                                                                                                
 
(Unaudited)                                                                                                                                                                       
 
(In thousands except for share and per share amounts)                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                
 In assessing operating performance, the Company also reviews its results once unusual adjustments have been removed. The Company believes that doing so provides a better understanding of underlying operating performance. For the three months and year ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, underlying net revenues, operating income, net income, and earnings per share were: 
                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                               Three Months Ended                                       Year Ended                                              
                                                               September 30,                                            September 30,                                           
                                                                    2009                       2008                    2009                       2008              
                                                                                                                                                                            
 Revenues before reimbursements (net revenues), as reported    $    757,742               $    806,689            $    3,003,766             $    3,151,389         
 Adjustments:                                                                                                                                                               
 HR BPO divestitures (1)                                            -                          (9,640      )           -                          (31,536      )    
 HR BPO contract restructurings                                     -                          -                       -                          (23,086      )    
 Total adjustments                                                  -                          (9,640      )           -                          (54,622      )    
                                                                                                                                                                            
 Underlying revenues before reimbursements (net revenues)           757,742                    797,049                 3,003,766                  3,096,767         
                                                                                                                                                                            
 Operating income, as reported                                      105,829                    54,270                  434,149                    312,844           
 Adjustments:                                                                                                                                                               
 HR BPO divestitures (1)                                            -                          (783        )           (9,379      )              (40,518      )    
 Real estate rationalization (2)                                    -                          34,429                  -                          44,775            
 HR BPO contract restructurings                                     -                          (1,525      )           -                          11,798            
 Total adjustments                                                  -                          32,121                  (9,379      )              16,055            
                                                                                                                                                                            
 Underlying operating income                                        105,829                    86,391                  424,770                    328,899           
 % of underlying net revenues                                       14.0        %              10.8        %           14.1        %              10.6         %    
                                                                                                                                                                            
 Total other income (expense), net                                  (7,635      )              (6,119      )           (24,429     )              3,600             
 HR BPO divestitures (1)                                            -                          (1,104      )           -                          (1,131       )    
 Add A/R interest write-off (3)                                     -                          -                       -                          273               
 Underlying other income, net                                       (7,635      )              (7,223      )           (24,429     )              2,742             
                                                                                                                                                                            
 Underlying pretax income                                           98,194                     79,168                  400,341                    331,641           
                                                                                                                                                                            
 Provision for income taxes (4)                                     33,770                     30,876                  145,695                    129,340           
                                                                                                                                                                            
 Underlying net income                                         $    64,424                $    48,292             $    254,646               $    202,301           
                                                                                                                                                                            
 Underlying earnings per share:                                                                                                                                             
 Basic                                                         $    0.70                  $    0.51               $    2.73                  $    2.05              
 Diluted                                                       $    0.68                  $    0.49               $    2.67                  $    1.98              
                                                                                                                                                                            
 Shares outstanding:                                                                                                                                                        
 Basic                                                              92,560,989                 95,167,179              93,400,271                 98,791,739        
 Diluted                                                            94,707,255                 98,163,780              95,390,026                 101,970,321       
                                                                                                                                                                    


(1) HR BPO divested assets include Cyborg (January 2008), Latin America
(February 2009), and relocation services (March 2009). Cyborg prior period
results and Latin America and relocation services comparative post-disposition
amounts have been excluded from "underlying" and "as adjusted" amounts for
year-over-year comparative purposes. Adjustments to net revenues for the three
months and year ended September 30, 2008 include third-party supplier revenues
of $193 and $366, respectively, related to HR BPO divested assets. Adjustments
to operating income for the three months and year ended September 30, 2008
reflect a $221 reduction to the $35,667 "gain on sale of business" reported in
the Q2 FY08 Consolidated Statement of Operations. This reduction pertains to
certain Cyborg employee-related expenses recorded in the second quarter of
fiscal 2008. Adjustments to other income (expense), net primarily relate to the
exclusion of interest income and gain on assets, net of interest expense for
divested HR BPO Latin America and relocation services operations. 

(2) Charges related to the Company's real estate rationalization initiative were
excluded from operating income in deriving underlying operating income, net
income, EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA for the three months and year ended September
30, 2008. Charges related to ongoing real estate optimization initiatives and
updated real estate sublease rental assumptions of $5,675 and $14,855 are
included in the reported and underlying results for the three months and year
ended September 30, 2009, respectively. 

(3) Related to HR BPO contract restructurings and divestitures. 

(4) The Company used an effective tax rate of 39.0% for the three months and
year ended September 30, 2008, for its underlying net income calculation. The
Company used an underlying effective tax rate of 36.4% for the year ended
September 30, 2009 to adjust for tax benefits associated with its HR BPO Latin
America divestiture. The Company believes this approximates the normalized
effective tax rate for the period.

                                                                                                                                                                           
 HEWITT ASSOCIATES, INC.                                                                                                                                                   
 
BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS                                                                                                                                                 
 
(Dollars in thousands)                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                   
 Business Segments                                     Three Months Ended                                     Year Ended                                           
                                                       September 30,                                          September 30,                                        
                                                             2009                 2008        % Change         2009                 2008         % Change  
 Benefits Outsourcing                                                                                                                                          
 Segment net revenues                                  $     388,665        $     387,910     0.2%        $    1,549,991       $    1,550,110    (0.0)%    
 Segment income                                              87,205               66,635      30.9%            387,168              365,336      6.0%      
 Segment income as a percentage of segment revenues          22.4%                17.2%                        25.0%                23.6%                  
                                                                                                                                                               
 HR BPO                                                                                                                                                        
 Segment net revenues (1)                              $     113,862        $     135,142     (15.7)%     $    479,724         $    554,854      (13.5)%   
 Segment loss                                                (2,065)              (21,620)    (90.4)%          (5,223)              (83,277)     (93.7)%   
 Segment loss as a percentage of segment revenues            (1.8)%               (16.0)%                      (1.1)%               (15.0)%                
                                                                                                                                                               
 Consulting                                                                                                                                                    
 Segment net revenues                                  $     265,176        $     295,833     (10.4)%     $    1,011,781       $    1,094,323    (7.5)%    
 Segment income                                              43,720               49,350      (11.4)%          143,769              143,217      0.4%      
 Segment income as a percentage of segment revenues          16.5%                16.7%                        14.2%                13.1%                  
                                                                                                                                                               
 Total Company                                                                                                                                                 
 Segment net revenues (1)                              $     767,703        $     818,885     (6.3)%      $    3,041,496       $    3,199,287    (4.9)%    
 Intersegment revenues                                       (9,961)              (12,196)    (18.3)%          (37,730)             (47,898)     (21.2)%   
 Net revenues                                                757,742              806,689     (6.1)%           3,003,766            3,151,389    (4.7)%    
 Reimbursements                                              16,294               17,840      (8.7)%           69,794               76,259       (8.5)%    
 Total revenues                                        $     774,036        $     824,529     (6.1)%      $    3,073,560       $    3,227,648    (4.8)%    
                                                                                                                                                               
 Segment income                                        $     128,860        $     94,365      36.6%       $    525,714         $    425,276      23.6%     
 Unallocated shared services costs                           23,031               40,095      (42.6)%          91,565               112,432      (18.6)%   
 Operating income                                      $     105,829        $     54,270      95.0%       $    434,149         $    312,844      38.8%     
                                                                                                                                                           


(1) HR BPO net revenues include $11,989 and $9,752 of third-party supplier
revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively,
and $42,776 and $40,498 for the year ended September 30, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. Generally, the third-party supplier arrangements are marginally
profitable. The related third-party supplier expenses are included in other
operating expenses.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       
 HEWITT ASSOCIATES, INC.                                                                                                                                                                               
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                                                                                                                                                                          
 
(In thousands except for share and per share amounts)                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                       September 30,          September 30,        
                                                                                                                                                                2009                  2008       
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 ASSETS                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Current Assets:                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                             $        581,642      $        541,494    
 Short-term investments                                                                                                                                         60,994                -          
 Client receivables and unbilled work in process, less allowances of $14,381 and $18,029 at September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively             527,272               655,543    
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                                      169,533               129,529    
 Funds held for clients                                                                                                                                         131,801               102,518    
 Short-term deferred contract costs, net                                                                                                                        89,919                83,444     
 Deferred income taxes, net                                                                                                                                     34,119                34,104     
 Total current assets                                                                                                                                           1,595,280             1,546,632  
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Non-Current Assets:                                                                                                                                                                               
 Deferred contract costs, less current portion                                                                                                                  254,905               287,060    
 Property and equipment, net                                                                                                                                    384,254               385,885    
 Other intangible assets, net                                                                                                                                   191,479               206,822    
 Goodwill                                                                                                                                                       412,745               364,141    
 Long-term investments                                                                                                                                          54,442                124,530    
 Other non-current assets, net                                                                                                                                  31,535                63,762     
 Total non-current assets                                                                                                                                       1,329,360             1,432,200  
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Total Assets                                                                                                                                          $        2,924,640    $        2,978,832  
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 LIABILITIES                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Current Liabilities:                                                                                                                                                                              
 Accounts payable                                                                                                                                      $        20,790       $        15,880     
 Accrued expenses                                                                                                                                               164,724               239,521    
 Funds held for clients                                                                                                                                         131,801               102,518    
 Advanced billings to clients                                                                                                                                   137,447               158,238    
 Accrued compensation and benefits                                                                                                                              393,463               403,611    
 Short-term deferred contract revenues, net                                                                                                                     61,356                52,733     
 Short-term debt                                                                                                                                                -                     17,602     
 Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations                                                                                                36,282                133,002    
 Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                      945,863               1,123,105  
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Non-Current Liabilities:                                                                                                                                                                          
 Deferred contract revenues, less current portion                                                                                                               192,056               237,648    
 Debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion                                                                                                       618,561               650,182    
 Other non-current liabilities                                                                                                                                  223,835               240,637    
 Deferred income taxes, net                                                                                                                                     84,023                77,058     
 Total non-current liabilities                                                                                                                                  1,118,475             1,205,525  
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Total Liabilities                                                                                                                                     $        2,064,338    $        2,328,630  
                                                                                                                                                                                                 


 HEWITT ASSOCIATES, INC.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - Continued                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
 
(In thousands except for share and per share amounts)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           September 30,                 September 30,               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2009                        2008               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
 STOCKHOLDERS` EQUITY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
 Stockholders` Equity:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
 Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 750,000,000 shares authorized, 132,844,269 and 130,390,880 shares issued, 93,535,270 and 94,227,120 shares outstanding, as of September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively    $      1,328                $      1,304              
 Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                                                                                                                       1,662,687                   1,579,077          
 Cost of common stock in treasury, 39,308,999 and 36,163,760 shares of Class A common stock as of September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively                                                                                         (1,277,815  )               (1,183,427  )      
 Retained earnings                                                                                                                                                                                                                                469,777                     206,558            
 Accumulated other comprehensive income, net                                                                                                                                                                                                      4,325                       46,690             
 Total stockholders` equity                                                                                                                                                                                                                       860,302                     650,202            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
 Total Liabilities and Stockholders` Equity                                                                                                                                                                                                $      2,924,640            $      2,978,832          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 


                                                                                                                                                       
 HEWITT ASSOCIATES, INC.                                                                                                                               
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                                                                                                                
 
(Amounts in thousands)                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                  Year Ended                                         
                                                                                                  September 30,                                      
                                                                                                       2009                     2008           
 Cash flows from operating activities:                                                                                                             
 Net income                                                                                       $    265,125             $    188,142        
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                                                                 
 Depreciation and amortization, including amortization of deferred contract revenues and costs         164,693                  174,767        
 Goodwill and asset impairment                                                                         4,159                    4,117          
 Gain on sale of businesses                                                                            (9,379    )              (35,667   )    
 Share-based compensation                                                                              54,329                   48,345         
 Deferred income taxes                                                                                 17,332                   6,976          
 Fair value adjustment related to financial assets                                                     18                       -              
 Gain on sale of investments                                                                           -                        (2,581    )    
 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and dispositions:                                                      
 Client receivables and unbilled work in process                                                       102,982                  (34,271   )    
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                             (35,441   )              (51,155   )    
 Deferred contract costs                                                                               (92,393   )              (102,214  )    
 Other assets                                                                                          2,600                    (22,646   )    
 Accounts payable                                                                                      5,219                    (4,962    )    
 Accrued compensation and benefits                                                                     (1,899    )              34,787         
 Accrued expenses                                                                                      (56,422   )              22,518         
 Advanced billings to clients                                                                          (11,478   )              (1,515    )    
 Deferred contract revenues                                                                            44,607                   96,077         
 Other long-term liabilities                                                                           (21,054   )              7,184          
 Net cash provided by operating activities                                                             432,998                  327,902        
                                                                                                                                                   
 Cash flows from investing activities:                                                                                                             
 Purchases of investments                                                                              -                        (426,675  )    
 Proceeds from sales of investments                                                                    5,300                    513,064        
 Additions to property and equipment                                                                   (127,907  )              (117,556  )    
 Cash paid for acquisitions and transaction costs, net of cash acquired                                (61,764   )              (134,081  )    
 Cash received for sale of businesses                                                                  1,105                    42,420         
 Net cash used in investing activities                                                                 (183,266  )              (122,828  )    
                                                                                                                                                   
 Cash flows from financing activities:                                                                                                             
 Proceeds from the exercise of stock options                                                           20,052                   43,606         
 Excess tax benefits from the exercise of share-based awards                                           7,002                    10,227         
 Proceeds from short-term borrowings                                                                   18,119                   185,468        
 Proceeds from long-term borrowings                                                                    -                        539,751        
 Repayments of short-term borrowings, capital leases and long-term debt                                (153,062  )              (225,977  )    
 Purchase of Class A common shares for treasury                                                        (94,388   )              (586,227  )    
 Net cash used in financing activities                                                                 (202,277  )              (33,152   )    
                                                                                                                                                   
 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                                          (7,307    )              (9,171    )    
 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                             40,148                   162,751        
                                                                                                                                                   
 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year                                                          541,494                  378,743        
 Cash and cash equivalents, end of year                                                           $    581,642             $    541,494        
                                                                                                                                                   
 Supplementary disclosure of cash paid during the period:                                                                                          
 Interest paid                                                                                    $    41,708              $    20,730         
 Income taxes paid                                                                                $    127,592             $    136,347        
                                                                                                                                                   
 Schedule of non-cash financing activities:                                                                                                        
 Capital leases                                                                                   $    5,994               $    13,278         
                                                                                                                                                   


                                                                                                   
 HEWITT ASSOCIATES, INC.                                                                           
 
FREE CASH FLOW RECONCILIATION4                                                                   
 
(Unaudited)                                                                                      
 
(Amounts in thousands)                                                                           
                                                                                                 
                                              Year Ended                                         
                                              September 30,                                      
                                                   2009                     2008           
                                                                                               
 Net cash provided by operating activities    $    432,998             $    327,902        
 Additions to property and equipment               (127,907  )              (117,556  )    
                                                                                               
 Free Cash Flow                               $    305,091             $    210,346        
                                                                                             


                                                                                                             
 HEWITT ASSOCIATES, INC.                                                                                     
 
ADJUSTED EBITDA RECONCILIATION                                                                             
 
(Unaudited)                                                                                                
 
(Amounts in thousands)                                                                                     
                                                                                                           
                                                          Year Ended                                       
                                                          September 30,                                    
                                                               2009                    2008          
                                                                                                         
 Reported net income                                      $    265,125            $    188,142       
 Depreciation and amortization (1)                             164,693                 170,847       
 Provision for income taxes                                    144,595                 128,302       
 Interest expense, net                                         32,569                  2,765         
                                                                                                         
 EBITDA                                                        606,982                 490,056       
                                                                                                         
 Adjustments:                                                                                            
 HR BPO divestitures (2)                                       (9,379   )              (40,518  )    
 Real estate rationalization (3)                               -                       44,775        
 HR BPO contract restructuring                                 -                       11,798        
 Underlying adjustments                                        (9,379   )              16,055        
 Normalized depreciation and amortization addbacks (1)         -                       (539     )    
 Other (income) expense, excluding interest (4)                (8,140   )              (6,365   )    
 Total adjustments                                             (17,519  )              9,151         
                                                                                                         
 Adjusted EBITDA before certain non-cash addbacks              589,463                 499,207       
                                                                                                         
 Certain non-cash addbacks:                                                                              
 Asset impairment                                              4,159                   2,927         
 Net deferrals (5)                                             (40,087  )              (5,558   )    
 Deferred internal software development costs                  (40,379  )              (23,085  )    
 Share-based compensation (6)                                  54,324                  52,084        
 Other (loss reserve / provision for bad debt)                 (867     )              (8,229   )    
 Total certain non-cash addbacks                               (22,850  )              18,139        
                                                                                                         
 Adjusted EBITDA                                          $    566,613            $    517,346       
                                                                                                         


(1) For the year ended September 30, 2008, depreciation and amortization
includes $539 of adjustments related to HR BPO contract restructurings and
divestitures and real estate rationalization. Additionally, discount accretion
on the Exult convertible debt of $3,920 is excluded from amounts for the year
ended September 30, 2008. 

(2) HR BPO divested assets include Cyborg (January 2008), Latin America
(February 2009), and relocation services (March 2009). Cyborg prior period
results and Latin America and relocation services comparative post-disposition
amounts have been excluded from "underlying" and "as adjusted" amounts for
year-over-year comparative purposes. Adjustments to operating income for the
year ended September 30, 2008 reflect a $221 reduction to the $35,667 "gain on
sale of business" reported in the Q2 FY08 Consolidated Statement of Operations.
This reduction pertains to certain Cyborg employee-related expenses recorded in
the second quarter of fiscal 2008. 

(3) Charges related to the Company's real estate rationalization initiative were
excluded from operating income in deriving underlying operating income, net
income, EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended September 30, 2008. Charges
related to ongoing real estate optimization initiatives and updated real estate
sublease rental assumptions of $14,855 are included in the reported and
underlying results and Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended September 30, 2009. 

(4) For the year ended September 30, 2009, other (income) expense, excluding
interest includes a non-cash impairment of $18 related to auction rate
securities. 

(5) Net deferrals as presented and the net of revenue and cost deferrals in the
Statements of Cash Flows vary by $7,699 and $579 for the Year Ended September
30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, relating to Balance Sheets and Statements of
Operations reclassifications and the settlement of a client contract dispute in
the current year. 

(6) Share-based compensation as presented in the Statements of Cash Flows varies
by $5 and $3,739 for the year ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively,
due to current year amortization expense for a deferred compensation arrangement
related to an acquisition in the prior year, the impact of foreign exchange in
the current year, and the reclassification of certain prior-year amounts to
conform to the current year presentation.

Hewitt Associates, Inc.
Investors:
Sean McHugh, 847-442-4176
sean.mchugh@hewitt.com
Media:
Julie Macdonald, 847-771-0076
julie.macdonald@hewitt.com



Copyright Business Wire 2009



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