MILWAUKEE, April 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) today reported net earnings of $0.03 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $0.88 per diluted share in the prior year period. Net earnings in the quarter were $1.7 million compared to $53.5 million a year earlier. Revenues for the first quarter were $4.6 billion, an 8% decline from the prior year period.
The current year quarter included restructuring costs, which reduced earnings per share by 68 cents, and a previously disclosed non-cash pension settlement charge, which reduced earnings per share by 11 cents.
Financial results in the quarter were also impacted by the stronger U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies compared to the prior year period. Earnings per share in the quarter were not impacted by changes in foreign currencies compared to the prior year but were negatively impacted 3 cents excluding restructuring costs and pension settlement charges. On a constant currency basis, revenues decreased 6% and net earnings per diluted share decreased 95%. Excluding the impact of the restructuring costs and pension settlement charges, on a constant currency basis, net earnings per diluted share decreased 39%.
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter amounted to $1.1 billion, representing an increase from the preceding quarter. An ongoing focus on collections activity resulted in a slight improvement in Days Sales Outstanding compared to the prior year. A $600 million revolving credit facility, which expires in 2023, remains unused and, combined with our existing cash position, provides significant liquidity. Free cash flow was very strong at $172 million in the quarter, representing an $80 million increase from the year ago period.
“The COVID-19 crisis has significantly disrupted the global economy, our clients and the demand for our services. The speed and magnitude of change in market conditions in the last few weeks of March was unlike anything we have seen in our over 70 year history. Our organization moved swiftly to execute our business continuity plans and to provide necessary support to our people, our clients and our communities,” said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chairman & CEO. “I want to thank our more than 28,000 employees for remaining steadfast in supporting our clients and associates through a very challenging environment.”
“We have a very experienced global management team that has gone through a number of recessions and we come into this crisis with clear strategic priorities and a strong balance sheet. I am very confident we will manage through this difficult period while continuing to advance key strategic initiatives. I believe this will allow us to emerge from this crisis better positioned to capture growth and market share. As we cannot forecast when governments in certain major markets will be lifting current work restrictions, we will not be providing guidance for our second quarter earnings.”
ManpowerGroup repurchased 871,000 shares of common stock for $64 million during the quarter.
In conjunction with its first quarter earnings release, ManpowerGroup will broadcast its conference call live over the Internet on April 21, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. CDT (8:30 a.m. EDT). Interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast and view the presentation by logging on to http://investor.manpowergroup.com/ in the section titled “Investor Relations.”
Supplemental financial information referenced in the conference call can be found at http://investor.manpowergroup.com/ .
About ManpowerGroup
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis and Talent Solutions – creates substantial value for candidates and clients across more than 75 countries and territories and has done so for over 70 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity – as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality and Disability and in 2020 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the eleventh year – all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements, including statements regarding the anticipated financial and operational impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Company’s efforts to respond to such impacts, that are forward-looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and uncertainties regarding the Company’s expected future results. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from those described or contemplated in the forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These factors include those found in the Company’s reports filed with the SEC, including the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as well as the risks and uncertainties arising from the COVID-19 global pandemic and related governmental actions that are discussed in the Company’s Periodic Report on Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2020, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
