The Advisory Board Company Reports Fiscal Year 2010 Second Quarter Results

Company Reports Quarterly Revenue of $58.3 million and Contract Value Growth
of 3%; Announces Two New Programs

WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 2, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Advisory Board
Company (Nasdaq: ABCO) today announced financial results for the second
quarter of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2010. Revenue for the quarter
increased 1.2% to $58.3 million, from $57.6 million in the second quarter of
fiscal 2009. Contract value grew 3.0% to $237.6 million as of September 30,
2009, up from $230.6 million as of September 30, 2008. Net loss was $2.1
million, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to net income of $5.4 million,
or $0.32 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago. Included in net
loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 are pre-tax one-time charges of
$7.4 million for the write-off of capitalized developed software costs and
$1.9 million in accelerated compensation costs resulting from the cancellation
of certain stock options held by members of the Company's senior management
and its directors. Excluding the effects, net of tax, of these one-time
non-cash charges, adjusted net income was $4.0 million and adjusted earnings
per diluted share was $0.26 for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Adjusted
EBITDA was $7.2 million for the quarter, compared to $8.4 million in the
second quarter of fiscal 2009.

For the six months ended September 30, 2009, revenue increased 0.2% to $115.0
million, from $114.8 million for the six months ended September 30, 2008. Net
income was $2.1 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to net income of
$11.7 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago.
Excluding the effects, net of tax, of the one-time non-cash charges associated
with the write-off of capitalized developed software costs and the
cancellation of certain stock options, adjusted net income was $8.2 million
and adjusted earnings per diluted share was $0.53 for the six months ending
September 30, 2009. Adjusted EBITDA was $14.6 million for the six months
ending September 30, 2009, compared to $17.7 million for the same period a
year ago.

Robert Musslewhite, Chief Executive Officer of The Advisory Board Company,
commented, "Overall, we were pleased with our performance for the quarter.
Adjusted earnings were in line with our expectations, and we are encouraged
that the period marked our return to positive year-over-year revenue growth.
In addition, this quarter's growth in our contract value both illustrates our
ability to address our members' most critical issues through programs that
deliver tangible value and builds on the stability we have maintained across
the year."

Mr. Musslewhite added, "During the quarter we also had two events that
resulted in one-time non-cash charges. The write-off of capitalized developed
software costs, associated primarily with our Nursing Performance Program,
represents the successful culmination of our investment in improving the
scalability of our web-based tools programs, as we have migrated members to a
more effective platform and retired technology that is no longer in use. In
addition, each member of both our senior management and our board of directors
agreed to voluntarily cancel a number of older options with strike prices
between $51 and $61."

Mr. Musslewhite continued, "I am also pleased to announce today two new
program launches. The first, the Clinical Integration Initiative, offers
hospitals a comprehensive approach to evaluating and implementing models of
clinical integration that meet the key requirements for a sustained
collaboration with physicians to impact cost and quality metrics. This is the
second program built off of our Crimson platform and meets one of hospitals'
most urgent needs: assistance in developing a strategy for physician
collaboration in the face of converging internal and market forces that
require more integrated clinical models in order to deliver higher-value
health care. As part of this launch, we have been privileged to have input
and support from our early Crimson partners, including Memorial Hermann
Healthcare, as well as some newer Charter Members, including Eisenhower
Medical Center, Palmetto Health, and Methodist Healthcare System of San
Antonio."

Mr. Musslewhite concluded, "Our second launch, the Payment Navigation
Performance Program, builds on our strong portfolio in the revenue cycle
terrain, and addresses the intractable problem of accurately estimating a
patient's financial responsibility prior to service, in order to maximize
pre-registration and point-of-service collections. Through best practice
research and a robust, web-based analytical tool featuring the industry's most
comprehensive real-time link to payers, robust estimator logic, and links to
hospital-specific contract and charge master data, the Payment Navigation
Performance Program aids hospitals in reducing denials and bad debt. Early
partners such as Blessing Hospital, Shields Healthcare, Dekalb Regional
Medical Center and Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital have provided invaluable
feedback on the analytical tool, as well as the design of the program."

Share Repurchase

During the three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company repurchased
3,872 shares of its common stock at a total cost of approximately $0.1
million. To date the Company has repurchased 7,224,416 shares of its common
stock at a total cost of approximately $305.0 million.

Outlook for the Remainder of Calendar Year 2009

As previously announced, the Company expects calendar year 2009 revenue to be
within a few percentage points of calendar year 2008 revenue. The Company
expects adjusted EBITDA in a range of approximately $27 million to $33
million, and adjusted earnings per diluted share in a range of approximately
$0.90 to $1.20.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and the accompanying tables include a discussion of
adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted earnings per diluted share,
which are non-GAAP financial measures provided as a complement to the results
provided in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America ("GAAP"). As used in this release, the term
"Adjusted EBITDA" refers to a financial measure that we define as earnings
before other income, net, which includes interest income and foreign currency
losses and gain; income taxes; depreciation and amortization; and one-time
non-cash charges associated with the write-off of capitalized software and the
cancellation of certain stock options. The term "Adjusted net income" refers
to net income excluding the net of tax effect of one-time non-cash charges
associated with the write-off of capitalized software and the cancellation of
certain stock options. "Adjusted earnings per diluted share" refers to net
income per share excluding the per share effect, net of tax, of one-time
non-cash charges associated with the write-off of capitalized software and the
cancellation of certain stock options. These non-GAAP measures may be
considered in addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP,
but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP measures
or results. Furthermore, we intend to continue to provide these non-GAAP
financial measures as part of our future earnings discussions and, therefore,
the inclusion of these non-GAAP financial measures will provide consistency in
our financial reporting. We believe that adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income
and adjusted diluted earnings per share are relevant and useful information
for our investors. We use these non-GAAP financial measures for internal
budgeting and other managerial purposes because it enables the Company's
management to evaluate projected operating results on a basis that allows for
comparability without regard to changes arising from applicable tax rates,
variability in interest income and foreign currency exchange rates, periodic
costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets and one-time
charges.

There are limitations associated with adjusted EBITDA, including that adjusted
EBITDA does not reflect all changes in applicable tax rates, foreign currency
exchange rates, or the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and
intangible assets used in generating revenue in our business. Management
compensates for these aspects and limitations of adjusted EBITDA by evaluating
the costs of such tangible and intangible assets through other financial
measures such as evaluating capital expenditures, and by also relying on the
comparable GAAP financial measure of income from operations, which includes
depreciation and amortization, and net income, which includes income taxes,
interest income, foreign currency gains, and depreciation and amortization. A
reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to GAAP results is provided below.

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2009 2008 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ----

Net (loss) income $(2,116) $5,403 $2,072 $11,733
Provision for income taxes (1,104) 2,578 1,082 5,739
Other income, net (1) (584) (948) (1,546) (2,152)
Depreciation and amortization 1,718 1,327 3,621 2,410
Write-off of capitalized
software 7,397 - 7,397 -
Option cancellation charge (2) 1,937 - 1,937 -
----- --- ----- ---
Adjusted EBITDA $7,248 $8,360 $14,563 $17,730
------ ------ ------- -------

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2009 2008 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ----

Net (loss) income $(2,116) $5,403 $2,072 $11,733
Write-off of capitalized
software, net of tax 4,860 - 4,860 -
Option cancellation charge,
net of tax 1,273 - 1,273 -
----- --- ----- ---
Adjusted net income $4,017 $5,403 $8,205 $11,733
------ ------ ------ -------

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2009 2008 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ----

GAAP (loss) earnings per diluted
share $(0.14) $0.32 $0.13 $0.68
Write-off of capitalized
software, net of tax 0.32 - 0.32 -
Option cancellation charge,
net of tax 0.08 - 0.08 -
---- --- ---- ---
Adjusted earnings per
diluted share $0.26 $0.32 $0.53 $0.68
----- ----- ----- -----

(1) Other income, net includes interest income of $0.6 million and $0.9
million for the three months ending September 30, 2009 and 2008,
respectively, and $1.2 million and $2.2 million for the six months
ending September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Other income, net
also includes foreign currency loss of $20,000 and foreign currency
gain of $0.4 million for the three and six months ending September
30, 2009, respectively.

(2) During the three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company
completed a voluntary stock option cancellation program. During the
three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recognized
approximately $0.7 million in cost of services, approximately $0.1
million in member relations and marketing, and approximately $1.1
million in general and administrative expense relating to this stock
option cancellation. Not including this one-time non-cash charge,
cost of services, member relations and marketing, and general and
administrative expense as a percentage of revenue for the three
months ending September 30, 2009 were 52.0%, 22.3%, and 13.2%,
respectively.

Web and Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter
performance this evening, November 2, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time. The conference call will be available via live web cast on the
Company's web site at www.advisoryboardcompany.com/IR. To participate by
telephone, the dial-in number is 866.271.5140 and the access code is 12075966.
Investors are advised to dial-in at least five minutes prior to the call to
register. The web cast will be archived for seven days from 9:00 p.m. Monday,
November 2, until 9:00 p.m. Monday, November 9, 2009.

About The Advisory Board Company

The Advisory Board Company provides best practices research, analysis,
executive education and leadership development, business intelligence tools,
and installation support services primarily to the health care industry,
focusing on business strategy, operations, and general management issues. The
Company provides best practices and research through discrete programs to a
membership of approximately 2,800 organizations, including leading hospitals,
health systems, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, health care insurers,
medical device companies, colleges, universities, and other education
institutions. Members of each program are typically charged a fixed annual fee
and have access to an integrated set of services that may include best
practice research studies, executive education seminars, customized research
briefs, web-based access to the program's content database, and business
intelligence tools.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are
based on information available to the Company as of November 2, 2009, the date
of this news release, as well as the Company's current projections, forecasts,
and assumptions, and involve risks and uncertainties. You are hereby
cautioned that these statements may be affected by certain factors, including
those set forth below. Consequently, actual operations and results may differ
materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, and
reported results should not be considered as an indication of future
performance. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those indicated by forward-looking statements include, among others,
changes in the financial condition of the health care industry, our dependence
on renewal of membership-based services, the need to attract new business and
retain current members and qualified personnel, new product development,
competition, risks associated with our business intelligence tools and
installation support tools, our ability to license technology from third
parties, risks associated with anticipating market trends, industry
consolidation, variability of quarterly operating results, possible volatility
in the Company's stock price, and various factors related to income and other
taxes, including whether the District of Columbia withdraws the Company's
status as a Qualified High-Tech Company, as well as those risks and
uncertainties described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 and also disclosed from time to time in its
subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which are available on the
Company's website at www.advisoryboardcompany.com/IR and at the SEC's website
at www.sec.gov. Additional information will also be set forth in the
Company's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, which
will be filed with the SEC in November 2009.

Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements made in this news release, which speak only as of
the date of this news release, and the Company does not undertake to update
these statements, whether as a result of circumstances or events that arise
after the date they are made, new information, or otherwise.

THE ADVISORY BOARD COMPANY
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
AND OTHER OPERATING STATISTICS
(In thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended Selected Six Months Ended Selected
September 30, Growth September 30, Growth
2009 2008 Rates 2009 2008 Rates
---- ---- ----- ---- ---- -----
Statements of
Income
Revenue $58,323 $57,625 1.2% $115,026 $114,842 0.2%
------- ------- -------- --------
Cost of
services (1) 31,041 28,993 61,105 57,547
Member
relations and
marketing (1) 13,136 13,058 25,693 25,456
General and
admin-
istrative (1) 8,835 7,214 15,602 14,109
Depreciation
and
amortization 1,718 1,327 3,621 2,410
Write-off of
capitalized
software 7,397 - 7,397 -
----- --- ----- ---
(Loss) income
from
operations (3,804) 7,033 1,608 15,320
Other income,
net 584 948 1,546 2,152
--- --- ----- -----
(Loss) income
before
provision for
income taxes (3,220) 7,981 3,154 17,472
Provision for
income taxes 1,104 (2,578) (1,082) (5,739)
----- ------ ------ ------
Net (loss)
income $(2,116) $5,403 -139.2% $2,072 $11,733 -82.3%
======= ====== ====== =======

(Loss) earnings
per share
Basic $(0.14) $0.32 $0.13 $0.68
Diluted $(0.14) $0.32 -143.8% $0.13 $0.68 -80.9%

Weighted average
common shares
outstanding
Basic 15,527 16,922 15,541 17,143
Diluted 15,662 16,989 15,636 17,352

Contract Value
(at end of
period) $237,602 $230,636 3.0%

Percentages of
Revenues
Cost of
services (1) 53.2% 50.3% 53.1% 50.1%
Member relations
and
marketing (1) 22.5% 22.7% 22.3% 22.2%
General and
admin-
istrative (1) 15.1% 12.5% 13.6% 12.3%
Depreciation
and
amortization 2.9% 2.3% 3.1% 2.1%
Income from
Operations -6.5% 12.2% 1.4% 13.3%
Net income -3.6% 9.4% 1.8% 10.2%

(1) Effective April 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment" (SFAS No. 123R),
which provides the accounting rules for share-based compensation.
During the three and six months ended September 30, 2009, the
Company recognized approximately $1.6 million and $2.6 million in cost
of services, approximately $0.6 million and $1.2 million in member
relations and marketing, and approximately $2.6 million and $4.1
million in general and administrative expense for share-based
compensation related to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R. During the
three and six months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recognized
approximately $1.2 million and $2.2 million in cost of services,
approximately $0.6 million and $1.2 million in member relations and
marketing, and approximately $1.7 million and $3.0 million in general
and administrative expense for share-based compensation related to the
adoption of SFAS No. 123R. Included in the share-based compensation
amounts for the three and six months ended September 30, 2009 are
approximately $0.7 million, $0.1 million, and $1.1 million recorded
in Cost of Services, member relations and marketing, and general and
administrative expense, respectively, relating to the one-time charge
for the cancellation of certain stock options. The Company has
recorded all these expenses in the same line items as other
compensation paid to the relevant categories of employees.

THE ADVISORY BOARD COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

September 30, March 31,
2009 2009
---- ----
(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $29,961 $23,746
Marketable securities 11,839 8,385
Membership fees receivable, net 126,151 116,739
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets 4,872 5,113
Deferred income taxes, net 4,265 3,083
----- -----
Total current assets 177,088 157,066

Property and equipment, net 23,817 34,156
Intangible assets, net 4,423 4,463
Goodwill 26,330 24,563
Deferred incentive compensation
and other charges 30,201 26,737
Deferred income taxes, net of
current portion 7,803 7,555
Other non-current assets 5,000 -
Marketable securities 52,681 61,718
------ ------
Total assets $327,343 $316,258
======== ========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Deferred revenues $145,368 $150,609
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities 39,591 35,777
Accrued incentive compensation 6,342 7,320
----- -----
Total current liabilities 191,301 193,706

Long-term deferred revenues 28,860 19,869
Other long-term liabilities 3,463 3,784
----- -----
Total liabilities 223,624 217,359
------- -------

Stockholders' equity:
Common stock 217 217
Additional paid-in capital 237,333 233,794
Retained earnings 136,564 134,492
Accumulated elements of
comprehensive income 1,515 1,307
Treasury stock (271,910) (270,911)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity 103,719 98,899
------- ------

Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $327,343 $316,258
======== ========

THE ADVISORY BOARD COMPANY
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

Six Months Ended
September 30,
2009 2008
---- ----
Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income $2,072 $11,733
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities :
Depreciation 3,621 2,410
Write-off of capitalized software 7,397 -
Amortization of intangible assets 536 446
Deferred income taxes (5,943) 797
Excess tax benefits from stock-based
payments - (291)
Stock-based compensation expense 7,871 6,333
Amortization of marketable securities
premiums 310 410
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Member fees receivable (10,776) (9,298)
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets 1,241 1,172
Deferred incentive compensation
and other charges (3,464) 582
Deferred revenues 3,750 2,136
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 3,469 (128)
Accrued incentive compensation (978) (3,855)
Other long-term liabilities (321) (100)
---- ----
Net cash flows provided by
operating activities 8,785 12,347
----- ------

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (679) (9,608)
Capitalized software development costs (496) (499)
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash
acquired - (18,592)
Redemption of marketable securities 12,500 62,810
Purchases of marketable securities (6,965) (7,579)
Other investing activities (6,000) -
------ ---
Net cash flows (used in) provided by
investing activities (1,640) 26,532
------ ------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds on issuance of stock from exercise
of stock options - 421
Repurchase of shares to satisfy minimum
employee tax withholding (2) (390)
Proceeds on issuance of stock under employee
stock purchase plan 71 210
Excess tax benefits from share-based
compensation arrangements - 291
Purchases of treasury stock (999) (43,307)
---- -------
Net cash flows used in financing activities (930) (42,775)
---- -------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 6,215 (3,896)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 23,746 17,907
------ ------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $29,961 $14,011
======= =======

SOURCE The Advisory Board Company

Michael Kirshbaum, Chief Financial Officer of The Advisory Board Company,
+1-202-266-5876, jacobsg@advisory.com