Nathan Franke
Analyst · Macquarie
Thank you, Tony. As mentioned, the revenues for the quarter were $136.9 million versus $138 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, a quarter-over-quarter decrease of 8/10 of the percent and a sequential decrease of 5.9%. As anticipated, our first quarter revenues were impacted by summer vacations, both in the U.S. and Europe. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased 1.2% quarter-over-quarter and decreased sequentially by 5.3%. For the first quarter, revenues in the U.S. were $104.8 million, up 4.5% quarter-over-quarter and down sequentially by 3.6%.
For the first quarter, total revenues internationally were $32.1 million versus $37.8 million in the first quarter a year ago, a decrease of 15.1% quarter-over-quarter and a decrease of 13% sequentially. The sequential revenue decreases in the U.S. and internationally stem from the impact of summer vacations.
International revenue accounted for approximately 23% of total revenues for the quarter compared to 25% last quarter. Europe's first quarter revenues decreased 18.5% quarter-over-quarter and 18.1% sequentially, while the Asia Pacific region saw first quarter revenues decrease 6.5% quarter-over-quarter and 2.9% sequentially. On a constant currency basis, total international revenue decreased 7.9% quarter-over-quarter and 10.6% sequentially. On a quarter-over-quarter and sequential basis, the U.S. dollar was stronger against most currencies in Europe. As a result, on a constant currency basis, Europe's revenue decline quarter-over-quarter would have been 7.7% and Asia Pacific's decrease would have been 6.5%. On a sequential basis, Europe's revenue decrease would have been 14.2% and Asia Pacific's decrease would have been 4.9%.
Let me now discuss early revenue trends for the second quarter of fiscal 2013.
Weekly revenues for the first 4 weeks of the second quarter were $10.7 million, $9.8 million during Labor Day week, $11.4 million and $11.4 million. As we closed out the summer vacation season, it is encouraging to see our weekly revenue trends returning to pre-summer levels. In thinking about the second quarter, it is important to remember that in addition to Labor Day, we will lose about 2 days of revenue in the U.S. due to the Thanksgiving holiday in November.
I'll now discuss gross margins. Gross margin for the first quarter was 39% versus 37.8% in the year ago quarter and 40.2% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, a sequential decline of 120 basis points, results from 2 paid holidays in the U.S. occurring during the first quarter. The quarter-over-quarter increase of 120 basis points stems primarily from improved bill/pay spreads and a reduction in 0 margin reimbursable expenses. Excluding reimbursable expenses, our gross margin -- our first quarter gross margin was 39.7%, which compares to 38.8% in the first quarter a year ago. The average billing rate for the quarter was approximately $126 compared to $129 in the fourth quarter and the year ago quarter. The average pay rate for the first quarter was approximately $63 versus $64 in the fourth quarter and $65 one year ago.
Please remember, these hourly rates are derived based upon the prevailing exchange rates during each given period. The decrease in both bill and pay rates this quarter is substantially reflective of the strengthening U.S. dollars in the first quarter -- of the strengthening U.S. dollar in the first quarter. We expect gross margin in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 to approximate the first quarter's gross margin.
For the first quarter, gross margin in the U.S. was 40.3% and our international gross margin was 34.6%.
Now to headcount. For the first quarter, the average consultant FTE count was 2,270. This compares to 2,284 in the previous quarter and 2,232 in the year ago quarter. Quarter end consultant headcount was 2,284 versus 2,317 a year ago. The total headcount of the company was 2,959 at quarter end.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter were $42.1 million or 30.8% of revenue versus $42 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. SG&A was approximately $42.6 million or 30.9% of revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. SG&A expenses were lower than anticipated, primarily due to foreign exchange rates and slight reductions in other expense categories. We anticipate SG&A expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 will approximate that of the first quarter.
Stock compensation expense was $1.8 million or 1.3% of total revenue, similar to amounts recorded in the fourth quarter last year and the first quarter of fiscal 2012. We would anticipate quarterly stock compensation expense in the upcoming quarters to increase slightly from the amount recorded in the first quarter.
At the end of the first quarter, our office count remained at 77. 50, domestic, 27, international. Related to the other components of our financial statements, depreciation and amortization was $1.6 million for the quarter compared to $1.8 million last quarter. We would expect depreciation and amortization expense for the upcoming quarters to be similar to that of the first quarter.
Our adjusted EBITDA or cash flow margin, which we defined as EBITDA before stock compensation and contingent consideration adjustments, was 9.6% in the first quarter, an increase from 8.3% a year ago and down due to seasonal factors from 12.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Our pretax income was $9.8 million for the quarter. During the first quarter, we provided income tax provision of $4.9 million, representing an effective tax rate of 50.5%. Our effective tax rate is impacted by our current inability to offset income and tax jurisdictions in which we are profitable, with losses in several tax jurisdictions in which we are not profitable. Our GAAP tax rate for each of the upcoming quarters is difficult to predict and could be volatile as the rate will be dependent on several factors, including the operating results of our U.S. and foreign locations, each of which are taxed or benefited at different statutory rates and the offset of the tax benefit of foreign losses and certain locations by valuation allowances.
On a cash basis, our tax rate was about 42%, and we expect that rate to continue over the next couple of quarters.
In summary, our GAAP per share income was $0.12 during the first quarter. On a non-GAAP basis, but consistent with many analyst models which utilize a cash tax rate of 42%, our per share income would have been $0.14 for the first quarter.
Onto our balance sheet. Cash and investments at the end of the first quarter were $122.9 million, a $5.2 million decrease from the end of fiscal 2012. This decrease stems primarily from share repurchases and dividends totaling approximately $11 million during the quarter, partially offset by cash generated from operations of $3.7 million. Capital expenditures were $590,000 during the quarter.
During the first quarter, we repurchased approximately 765,000 shares of our common stock at an aggregate cost of $8.9 million or $11.67 per share. Our current Board authorization for our stock buyback program has approximately $97.8 million remaining. We will continue to return cash to shareholders through our dividend and share repurchases, while maintaining a balance between the capital requirements of growing our business and fiscal prudence. Our shares outstanding at the end of the first quarter were approximately $41.5 million.
Receivables at quarter end were approximately $86.2 million compared to $84.2 million at the end of the fourth quarter. Days of revenue outstanding were approximately 55 days, the same as in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.
Now I'd like to turn the call over to Don for some closing thoughts.