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Colliers International Group Inc. (CIGI)

Q1 2015 Earnings Call· Tue, Apr 28, 2015

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Transcript

Operator

Operator

Good day, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the first quarter investor's conference call. Today's call is being recorded. Legal counsel requires us to advice that the discussion scheduled to take place today may contain forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results may be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements contemplated in the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the company's annual information form as filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and in the company's Annual Report on Form 40-F as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As a reminder, today's call is being recorded. Today is Tuesday, April 28, 2015. At this time, for opening remarks and introductions, I'd like to turn the call over to the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jay Hennick. Please go ahead, sir.

Jay Hennick

Management

Thank you, operator, and welcome, everyone. With me today is Scott Patterson, President and Chief Operating Officer; and John Friedrichsen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Today, we will discuss our record results for the seasonally slow first quarter as well as provide an update on our plan to separate FirstService into two publicly traded companies. Let me first deal with our results. For the quarter, revenues were $608 million, up 17%; EBITDA $24 million, up 7%; and earnings per share came in at $0.11 per share, up 38% over the prior year. In a few minutes, John, will provide more details on our financials and discuss the results from Colliers. Then Scott will provide his overview of FirstService Residential and FirstService Brands. Overall, each of our service lines generated solid revenue growth, continuing on the strong momentum coming out of last year and despite currency headwinds. Each one of our divisions is well-positioned to continue delivering strong growth in revenue, EBITDA and earnings per share for the balance of the year. In terms of acquisitions, we began the year with the addition Strategic Building Solutions, one of the leading project management firms in the northeast. Founded in 1996, SBS, who will rebrand its Colliers International, currently manages more than $1 billion in construction projects and more than 10 million square feet of lead registered real estate in their energy services group. With more than 70 professionals operating from three offices, SBS will build on the strength of the Colliers' global project and sustainability management capabilities, adding depth across multiple industry sectors. Together, Colliers has about 1,000 project and sustainability management professionals operating on a global basis. Let me now turn quickly to the proposed spin-out. Last week, our shareholders overwhelmingly approved a plan to separate FirstService into two independent public companies, Colliers International, a global leader in commercial real estate; and new FirstService Corporation, comprised of FirstService Residential and FirstService Brands business units. This was the next step in our spin-out process. Subject to final regulatory and court approval, we anticipate being in a position to complete the tax free distribution of shares to our shareholders on or about June 1. We are extremely excited about the prospects for both Colliers and new FirstService. Standalone, each will have sharper focus, more flexibility, and being able to deliver better value to shareholders in the years to come. Now, let me turn things over to John. Scott will pick things up from there, and then we'll open things up for questions. John?

John Friedrichsen

Management

Thank you, Jay. As announced in our press release earlier this morning and cover by Jay in his opening remarks, FirstService reported very strong first quarter financial results that included contributions from all three of our service platforms. I will address our overall consolidate financial results for the quarter as well as our capital usage and balance sheet, followed by an overview of Colliers first quarter results. For the first quarter of fiscal 2015, consolidated revenues increased to $608 million, up 17% in local currencies from $545 million in the first quarter of 2014, with 10% of our growth generated internally and the balance from acquisitions. Revenue growth in U.S. dollars, our reporting currency, came in at 12%. Adjusted EBITDA came in at $23.9 million, up from $22.3 million reported in Q1 last year. And adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.11 compared to $0.08 per share reported for the first quarter last year. Our adjustments to GAAP EPS and arriving at adjusted EPS are outline in our press release issued this morning, and are consistent with those outlined in past quarters. Turning to our cash flow and investing activities. During the first quarter, cash flow from operations, before working capital changes, was down slightly to $16.9 million from $17.3 million in the Q1 of last year. Inclusive of working capital changes, cash flow from operations improved from a negative $86.9 million to negative $73.7 million in Q1, despite the heavy cash usage, as broker commissions and variable compensation-related accruals from yearend were settled as usual during the first three months of the year. We invested $11 million in acquisition activities during our first quarter, of which $5 million was for new acquisitions and the balance for increased stakes in existing subsidiaries. Meanwhile, our capital expenditures amounted to $5.1…

Scott Patterson

Management

Thank you, John, and good morning, everyone. As you have seen and heard, the new FirstService divisions, FirstService Residential and FirstService Brands, reported solid results in the first quarter. Let me walk you through each. Starting with FirstService Residential, where we reported revenues of $225.8 million, up 10.3%, 8% organically, as we continue to win new contracts across North America. Growth was particularly strong in Toronto, the Mid-Atlantic regions and Florida, and was driven primarily by market share gains. That is wins from competitors, but also fueled by new development and self-managed communities transitioning to professional management. Ancillary revenues from property services and transaction services, including transfer and disclosure fees, insurance and banking, were also up year-over-year, and supported the strong internal growth experienced during the quarter. EBITDA for the quarter was $9.3 million or 4.1%, up 30 basis points from the prior year and in line with expectation for the seasonally weak quarter. The margin reflects continuing investment in our operating infrastructure, as we move to a more centralized shared services platform. As I have indicated in prior calls, we expect this investment to continue into next year with efficiencies from the investment anticipated later in 2016 and beyond. Last year, our margin was negatively impacted by escalated employee health cost. We can say after Q1 that we are comfortable that redesigned medical plans and increased sharing with associates and customers has reset the cost that we will bear this year, and we are on track to increase our emergence to the 6.5% to 7% range for the full year. In summary, we posted a solid first quarter at FirstService Residential with continuing strong organic growth and a margin that is tracking to expectation. Let me now turn to FirstService Brands, which generated revenue of $46.4 million for the…

Operator

Operator

[Operator Instructions] And our first question comes from Anthony Zicha of Scotia Bank.

Anthony Zicha

Analyst

With reference to Colliers, you had mentioned that positive trends continue in the marketplace. Could you remind us, if the margin would be better this year than last year?

John Friedrichsen

Management

I don't know that. Necessarily, it will be better than last year. We finished very strong. And the headwind that we have this year is primarily FX. So FX or our non-U.S. operations tend to generate higher margin. So with translation of those currencies into fewer U.S. dollars as a result of the foreign exchange changes, we would expect that to have a bit of a dampening effect on the margin, at least on a same-store basis.

Anthony Zicha

Analyst

And John, in terms of acquisitions what's the pipeline looking like? And where do you see the best prospects?

Jay Hennick

Management

It's Jay here Anthony. Acquisitions continue virtually across the board. Our pipelines are solid, both at Colliers and new FirstService and we believe that we can continue to generate some excellent tuck-in acquisitions for the balance of the year, pretty much on line with what we did last year is our expectation, but of course with acquisitions you never know.

Anthony Zicha

Analyst

And then would you have a priority, Jay, in terms of Europe or U.S. just considering, your main acquisitions are in U.K. and Germany and finally in France. So they're all equally distributed?

Jay Hennick

Management

Well, acquisition priorities are going to change effective June 1. So we probably two priorities, one of which I can speak to with Colliers, and Scott may want to chime in as it relates to new FirstService. But in terms of Colliers, there is no priority for us. We have established a fantastic platform. It is now global with most major markets covered. And so our focus is strengthening the core in virtually every market in which we operate, so there is no particular priorities other than perhaps focusing on some recurring revenue streams in a couple of markets where we're a little lighter than most. But in terms of Colliers, that would be my view.

Scott Patterson

Management

And in respect to new FirstService, the FirstService Residential, it's really the focus is to continue the activity that has been ongoing for 20 years. We have nurtured relationships with local management companies. As you know that's a very fragmented market. We are always in discussions with a handful of management companies that fill out our footprint to add to our service capability, so that will continue. And then as it relates to FirstService brands, we have a strategy that I talked about in the last couple of calls to expand our company-owned portfolio at California Closets and also at Paul Davis Restoration.

Anthony Zicha

Analyst

And, Scott, just one more question. What are the fastest three growing franchises that we have? And in terms of prospects or geographic locations, where would be the most active areas?

Scott Patterson

Management

California Closets and CertaPro Painters are the fastest growing systems and then a couple of our smaller systems, Pillar to Post and Floor Coverings International are both fast growing, and we expect them to become bigger systems to us over the years. These are all systems that have a footprint across North America. So in terms of geography, there is no particular focus area or area that is growing more quickly.

Operator

Operator

Our next question comes from Anthony Jin of RBC Capital.

Anthony Jin

Analyst

Just want to start with FirstService Residential. In your recent investor presentation you had provided a goal for FirstService Residential margins was about 8% by 2018. I believe previously it was 10%. Could you help me reconcile the differences?

Jay Hennick

Management

Anthony, I missed to adapt your previously.

Anthony Jin

Analyst

It was 10% previously, like 10% margins for 2018 last year. I was looking for a reconciliation in terms of what happens to those 200 basis points?

John Friedrichsen

Management

I think that there is a -- we won't get to 10% by '18. I think there is still a possibility we can get to 10%. We have clear line of sight to 8% by 2018, and that will increase from current levels, primarily as a result of the efficiencies from our ongoing investment in our operating platform. Thereafter, it's going to be through operating leverage, and focusing on growing our ancillary revenues at a quicker pace, but that will be slower incoming.

Anthony Jin

Analyst

Are you seeing any pricing pressures on contract renewals?

John Friedrichsen

Management

No, we're seeing the pricing pressure ease from what we've experienced over the last few years in most regions.

Anthony Jin

Analyst

And I just want to understand your in-depth, again, in sort of the outlook. Are your expectations of what will be a higher or lower housing turnover and new development wins?

John Friedrichsen

Management

Anthony, I'm going to have to ask you to repeat that.

Anthony Jin

Analyst

I was just want to understand your guidance a little bit more, and I want to get a framework for what you're expecting in terms of the housing turnover, like existing home sales. How do you expect it to trend over the next little while? Do you expect them pretty good recovery or pretty much status quo is okay?

Jay Hennick

Management

Well, our market is growing at 2% or 3% in terms of new communities being developed. New development for us accounts for about 20% of our organic growth. Sale of existing homes really doesn't impact our business significantly, except as it relates to transaction fees as homes are sold in and out of our communities. So I mean development is a component of our growth. And we see it continuing. We've grown through new development every year through the last five, even through the period eight, nine, 10. Does that answer your question?

Anthony Jin

Analyst

Yes, it does. John, if I can touch on a modeling question. Just as a go forward basis, what should we look at in terms of the NCI interest of earnings and the redemption increment post-split?

John Friedrichsen

Management

Are you talking about, like across the board?

Anthony Jin

Analyst

Yes. Well, I guess, understanding what happened with Colliers specifically given that there is a subsidiary that's been consolidated for 2 million shares there?

John Friedrichsen

Management

Yes, well, you can look at probably in, say, 25% range for Colliers and probably closer to 20% for new FirstService. I think those are fair numbers at this point. Again, a lot of this depends on the mix and where earnings come from, that'd be our best estimate.

Anthony Jin

Analyst

And just, touch on the corporate expenses. Is this a good runway to go with or is it going to touch up a little bit higher going forward?

Jay Hennick

Management

It shouldn't be materially higher.

Operator

Operator

Our next question comes from David Gold of Sidoti & Co.

David Gold

Analyst

Just wanted to get a little bit of color on capital markets and leasing, sort of post the tougher comp at least on the cap market side in the first quarter. How you think about the balance of the year in those business lines for Colliers?

John Friedrichsen

Management

Based on our best estimate of visibility, and considering sort of our comps from last year, we're looking at sort of low-to-mid teens in terms of percentage increases, would be where we would expect those to come in. So obviously, leasing was extremely strong beginning of the year. That will probably moderate on a percentage basis. And then capital markets, again, we came off some great tough comps. And I think markets in our pipelines are conducive to growth in the low-teens, would be our best guess now, but again, assuming that market conditions remain pretty much consistent with where they are now.

David Gold

Analyst

So on the cap rate side, low-teens for the balance of the year or for the year in aggregate?

John Friedrichsen

Management

For the year in the aggregate.

David Gold

Analyst

So we have a little bit of catch up to do presumably?

Jay Hennick

Management

Yes.

David Gold

Analyst

And then, also maybe a tougher question to answer, given the seat that you're sitting in a month ago with the spin-off. But as we think about or look at Colliers, maybe you can speak a little bit as to the market for talent there and maybe a little bit about way of hiring plans?

Jay Hennick

Management

As you know, David, there is a lots going on in the industry right now, with lots of movement, consolidation, potential transactions. We love our position within the confines of all of the noise going on. We built a great business over a long period of time, and I think we're in the catbird seat in terms of recruiting and in terms of developing our young people, which is a big push for us in several markets. So I think the opportunity in the next year to two years, as some of these transactions either happen or don't, and depending upon who they happen with or don't, all will create opportunities for those that might be uncomfortable to join a firm that's had stability over a long period of time. So we're quite excited about all these moves. We also have seen our recruiting numbers in the first quarter up materially over the prior year and with higher quality recruits in virtually all markets. And pipelines for additional people, both managerial and production in all aspects of our business, is just a step above what it has been historically.

Operator

Operator

Our next question comes from Brandon Dobell of William Blair.

Brandon Dobell

Analyst

First on Colliers, going back to the February, recall you guys laid out some expectations for '15. Just want to make sure for Colliers that those expectations still make sense in terms of revenue growth and EBITDA margin goals?

John Friedrichsen

Management

Yes, absolutely, we did. On February 10, when we nationally spin-off, we had indicated our expectations for each of the business. And certainly, for Colliers, our expectations, which were communicated at that time around expected revenue growth and margins is intact and has not changed.

Brandon Dobell

Analyst

Same thing to be said for new FirstService? And I guess, particularly, for new FirstService, so many investments you guys are making, when should we see that start to make a difference in the growth rate recognize when you guys have given a pretty good outlook for low-double digit revenue growth this year?

John Friedrichsen

Management

Well, Brandon, we're on track for the low-double digit without ramping up acquisitions. And the other piece of guidance was the high-single digit, which we're on track for us well. The strategy that will tick up growth is the strategy to expand our company-owned operations in California Closets and Paul Davis Restoration. And I think we'll start to see that impact, our growth rate modestly going into next year.

Brandon Dobell

Analyst

Turning back to Colliers, what's been the reaction of, I guess of the existing management producers, the guys you count on that carry the brand, how have they thought about the spend? Has it created any issues with retention of key employees?

Jay Hennick

Management

It's been the opposite. One of the issues that Colliers has had historically is that its profile as a subsidiary of FirstService was not at the forefront. So as they were looking to recruit or as they were pitching new client business, they were always explaining the fact that they were a subsidiary of FirstService. Now, as a standalone, they will have their own profile, their own capital structure, and so it makes the story easier for them. I think there is great excitement throughout the organization, virtually across the board, about what this means and the opportunities for growth. Our retention rates for key people has strengthened over the past 12 months. Haven't really noticed anything since the announcement, but the platform continues, and the operations continue to get stronger and they get stronger one step at a time. And all of that is translating into great momentum amongst our key people globally.

Brandon Dobell

Analyst

And then final one from me. Maybe, Scott, if you could size the investments in California Closets for the balance of the year? And how much of a headwind do you think it's going to be on the EBITDA line relative to last year or relative to this quarter, I guess?

Scott Patterson

Management

Well, this quarter it is more meaningful, because it's a seasonally weak quarter. So I don't think we'll continue to invest in the second quarter, but it won't have the same impact, which second quarter being a seasonally strong quarter. So it's about $0.50 in the first quarter. It would be about the same in the second.

Operator

Operator

And then our next question comes from Stephanie Price of CIBC.

Stephanie Price

Analyst

Wondering if we could circle back on the June 1 day, and I just wanted to gauge your comfort level with the date. And maybe walkthrough the approvals that you still need to get before the spin-out?

Jay Hennick

Management

Yes, there is several regulatory steps that we still need to overcome. Obviously, the courts won't hear anything until all matters are approved and behind us. We're still waiting for final approval from CRA. U.S. regulatory approvals have been obtained. And then, of course, there is a banking documentation that needs to be put in place between the two organizations, which is well in hand, but obviously quite complicated, because these are global operations and so on. So we feel pretty confident that June 1 is the date. We're working towards that and anticipate that and hope that will be the closing date.

Stephanie Price

Analyst

And then in terms of acquisitions, some commercial real estates competitors have had some large transactions recently. Can talk about post spin-outs Collier's appetite in doing a larger transactions, saying about some management or a property management company?

Jay Hennick

Management

One of the beauties of this spin-out is that Colliers will be able, on a standalone basis, to consider any type of acquisition, both, small or large. So I think anything is on the table. Having said that, we have always operated both of our operations, our FirstService as an amalgamated organization very prudently recognizing the strengths and about operations. So we will not take any action that does anything to underpin our financial strength, which we think is a competitive advantage in the case of Colliers, as it's always been in the case of FirstService. So our appetite is wide open, but we are fortunate to be in an industry where there is just so many tuck-in acquisitions on a global basis that we can buy well and on descent terms, and that strengthen our operations in different geographic regions. And as long as we can continue to buy assets that strengthen our business at attractive multiples and finance them conservatively, we'll continue to grow our business one step at a time, as we have with FirstService.

Operator

Operator

Our next question comes from Stephen MacLeod of BMO Capital Markets.

Stephen MacLeod

Analyst

Just wanted to circle back around on Colliers, in the past you've that sort of 10% margin goal out there, and I think that was tempered just a little bit in a post spin-off world. Just wondering how you see the margin profile of Colliers sort of evolving over the next several years?

John Friedrichsen

Management

Well, first of all, the 10% goal remains unchanged. If anything, perhaps, it gets differed slightly, it's going to be a function -- as I said earlier on, I mean, this year we have some foreign currency headwinds, which are going to I think dampen margin somewhat, but it's also going to get impacted by acquisitions going forward. So I mean to the extent, obviously, that acquisitions are having margin profile and it will be consistent with our current businesses or perhaps higher, it will positively impact margins. As we continue to grow this business, we are going to see additional operating leverage, particularly from transaction-related revenues. So those are all margin additives. Having said that, I think there are some interesting recurring revenue opportunities that we may consider down the road, which perhaps would have lower margins. So there is a number of factors, but needless to say, we're still focused on 10%. We think it's achievable and that's what we're driving towards.

Stephen MacLeod

Analyst

And then you've referenced in this call and previous calls, the lower margin profile of the U.S. business. How do you sort of see that delta moving over time?

John Friedrichsen

Management

We see that increasing. We're still developing our U.S. business. And for us, it's more of a recent story for the U.S., where we were several years ago and where we are today is quite different. We've got great momentum in the U.S., but margins are lagging. But each and every year, we've shown our ability to expand those margins, leveraging the investments we've made in the platform, recruiting effectively, and I think there will be some positive contribution from acquisitions going forward that also positively impact that business. So they are absolutely on target to achieve 10% or better over the next few years. And again, the entire team is driving towards that.

Jay Hennick

Management

And, John, if I may, I would add, we did just take over the Colliers' U.S. business in 2010, I believe. And we see the U.S. as a huge growth opportunity and it's in our backyard. In many ways we have very strong platforms in different geographic regions and the U.S. is not as strong, for example, as we might be in or as not as higher market position, for example, as we might be in Canada, Australia and other parts in Western Europe now. So with the huge market, our position only strengthening there, our multi-market transactions increasing, our corporate services successes that we've been achieving, all create continued opportunity, in addition to the enhanced leverage that John was talking about, market-for-market growth and strength. So we are quite excited about the U.S., and believe that as we continue to grow the business and we see lots of growth we'll also be moving up the margins at the same time. So accelerated growth and better margins in the near-term in the U.S. is a goal for us for sure.

Stephen MacLeod

Analyst

And then would you characterize your geographic footprint now being complete from a company-owned perspective on Colliers?

Jay Hennick

Management

Always open for additions, but we are focused only on additions that are major market additions, geographically around the world with only the exception of Japan, it's the only major market that we don't own at all, we operate through a franchisee. And so with that exception, we are very comfortable with our platform now globally. And our focus has turned to strengthening the course I mentioned earlier on the call.

Operator

Operator

So there are no other questions at this time. End of Q&A

Jay Hennick

Management

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this conference call. And I would normally say, we look forward to the next conference call, but with a little bit of luck. The next conference call will be two conference calls, one for Colliers and one for new FirstService. So thanks for joining us. And we hope to speak to you soon.

Operator

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes the first quarter investor's conference call. Thank you for your participation. And have a great day.