Operating highlights:
TORONTO, April 27, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FirstService Corporation (TSX:FSV) (Nasdaq:FSRV) preferred shares – (TSX:FSV.PR.U) today reported results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2011. All amounts are in US dollars.
Revenues for the first quarter were $478.4 million, a 19% increase relative to the same quarter in the prior year, Adjusted EBITDA (note 1) was $22.6 million, up 13% from $20.1 million and Adjusted EPS (note 2) was $0.14, versus $0.15 reported in the prior year quarter. GAAP EPS from continuing operations was a loss of $0.33 per share in the quarter, compared to a loss of $0.02 for the same quarter a year ago.
"FirstService delivered solid results in the seasonally slow first quarter," said Jay S. Hennick, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FirstService. "Revenue at Colliers International was up significantly relative to the prior year while it continues to invest in platform infrastructure and recruiting, particularly in the US. FirstService Residential also contributed favourable results despite difficult economic conditions in some markets, while the integration of several recently completed acquisitions is on track. Finally, revenue at Property Services also grew solidly in our property preservation and foreclosure management operations as well as in service franchising," he concluded.
About FirstService Corporation
FirstService Corporation is a global leader in the rapidly growing real estate services sector, providing a variety of services in commercial real estate, residential property management and property services. In total, FirstService manages more than 2.2 billion square feet of residential and commercial properties through its three industry-leading service platforms: Colliers International, the third largest global player in commercial real estate services; FirstService Residential Management, the largest manager of residential communities in North America; and TFC, North America's largest provider of property preservation and other services through franchise and contractor networks.
FirstService generates over US$2.0 billion in annual revenues and has more than 20,000 employees worldwide. More information about FirstService is available at www.firstservice.com.
Segmented Quarterly Results
Commercial Real Estate Services revenues totalled $195.6 million for the first quarter, up 27% relative to the prior year quarter. Revenue growth was comprised of 13% internal growth measured in local currencies, a 4% favourable impact from foreign currency translation and 10% growth from recent acquisitions. Internal growth was attributable to strong revenues in Canada, Asia and Central Europe. Adjusted EBITDA was $2.6 million, up from $0.9 million reported in the prior year quarter, and was impacted by ongoing investment in personnel and infrastructure, particularly in the US.
Residential Property Management revenues were $168.2 million for the first quarter, up 15% relative to the prior year quarter. Revenue growth was comprised of 7% internal growth primarily due to property management contract wins, and 8% from recent acquisitions. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $11.5 million, versus $11.6 million in the prior year period.
Property Services revenues totalled $114.5 million, up 13% from $101.4 million in the prior year period, attributable evenly to franchising and property preservation services growth. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $11.3 million, up 4% versus $10.9 million in the prior year quarter.
Corporate costs were $3.7 million in the first quarter, down 13% from $4.3 million in the prior year period.
Deferred Income Tax Valuation Allowance
During the first quarter, the Company recorded an increase in its valuation allowance with respect to deferred income tax assets, which increased income tax expense by $4.3 million and decreased GAAP earnings per share by $0.13. In the prior year quarter, the valuation allowance amounted to $3.9 million, or $0.12 per share. The valuation allowance relates to tax loss carry-forwards in the Company's Commercial Real Estate operations, which remain available to offset income tax over the next 17 to 20 years.
Stock Repurchases
During the period from February 22, 2011 to March 29, 2011, the Company repurchased 468,770 Subordinate Voting Shares on the open market under its Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB") at an average price of $32.03 per share. All shares purchased under the NCIB were cancelled. The Company is authorized to repurchase up to an additional 2,101,230 Subordinate Voting Shares and 411,000 Preferred Shares under its NCIB, which expires on June 6, 2011.
Conference Call
FirstService will be holding a conference call on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to discuss results for the first quarter. The call will be simultaneously web cast and can be accessed live or after the call at www.firstservice.com in the "Investors / Newsroom" section.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release includes or may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include the Company's financial performance outlook and statements regarding goals, beliefs, strategies, objectives, plans or current expectations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements contemplated in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include: (i) general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things, impact demand for the Company's services and the cost of providing services; (ii) the ability of the Company to implement its business strategy, including the Company's ability to acquire suitable acquisition candidates on acceptable terms and successfully integrate newly acquired businesses with its existing businesses; (iii) changes in or the failure to comply with government regulations; and (iv) other factors which are described in the Company's filings with applicable Canadian and United States securities regulatory authorities (which factors are adopted herein).
Summary financial information is provided in this press release. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's quarterly financial statements and MD&A to be made available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Notes
1. Reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA:
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net earnings (loss), adjusted to exclude: (i) income tax; (ii) other expense (income); (iii) interest expense; (iv) depreciation and amortization; (v) acquisition-related items; and (vi) stock-based compensation expense. We use Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate our own operating performance and our ability to service debt, as well as an integral part of our planning and reporting systems. Additionally, we use this measure in conjunction with discounted cash flow models to determine the Company's overall enterprise valuation and to evaluate acquisition targets. We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure because we believe such measure is useful to investors as a reasonable indicator of operating performance because of the low capital intensity of the Company's service operations. We believe this measure is a financial metric used by many investors to compare companies, especially in the services industry. This measure is not a recognized measure of financial performance under GAAP in the United States, and should not be considered as a substitute for operating earnings, net earnings or cash flow from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA may differ from other issuers and accordingly, this measure may not be comparable to measures used by other issuers. A reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA appears below.
2. Reconciliation of net earnings (loss) and diluted net earnings (loss) per common share to adjusted net earnings and adjusted earnings per common share:
Adjusted earnings per share is defined as diluted net earnings (loss) per common share, adjusted for the effect, after income tax, of: (i) the non-controlling interest redemption increment; (ii) amortization expense related to intangible assets recognized in connection with acquisitions; (iii) acquisition-related items; (iv) stock-based compensation expense; and (v) deferred income tax valuation allowances related to tax loss carry-forwards. We believe this measure is useful to investors because it provides a supplemental way to understand the underlying operating performance of the Company and enhances the comparability of operating results from period to period. Adjusted earnings per share is not a recognized measure of financial performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as a substitute for diluted net earnings per common share, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our method of calculating this non-GAAP measure may differ from other issuers and, accordingly, this measure may not be comparable to measures used by other issuers. A reconciliation of net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders to adjusted net earnings and of diluted net earnings (loss) per common share to Adjusted earnings per common share appears below.
CONTACT: Company Contacts: Jay S. Hennick Founder & CEO D. Scott Patterson President & COO John B. Friedrichsen Senior Vice President & CFO (416) 960-9500