Crawford & Company, the world's largest publicly listed independent provider of claims management solutions to insurance companies and self-insured entities, announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018.

The Company's two classes of stock are substantially identical, except with respect to voting rights and the Company's ability to pay greater cash dividends on the non-voting Class A Common Stock (CRD-A) than on the voting Class B Common Stock (CRD-B), subject to certain limitations. In addition, with respect to mergers or similar transactions, holders of CRD-A must receive the same type and amount of consideration as holders of CRD-B, unless different consideration is approved by the holders of 75% of CRD-A, voting as a class.

Consolidated Results

Third Quarter 2018 Summary

• Revenues before reimbursements of $255.0 million, compared with $270.6 million for the 2017 third quarter

• Net income attributable to shareholders of $7.9 million, compared to $11.8 million in the same period last year

• Diluted earnings per share of $0.15 for CRD-A and $0.13 for CRD-B, compared with $0.22 for CRD-A and $0.20 for CRD-B in the prior year third quarter

Non-GAAP Consolidated Results

Third Quarter 2018 Summary

Non-GAAP consolidated results have been calculated excluding the impact of the Garden City Group business the "GCG business", disposed of on June 15, 2018, and before restructuring and special charges in 2017, and the loss on disposition of business line in 2018.

• Revenues before reimbursements, on a non-GAAP basis, of $255.0 million up 2%, compared with $250.5 million for the 2017 third quarter

• Net income attributable to shareholders, on a non-GAAP basis, totaled $8.8 million in the 2018 third quarter, compared to $11.8 million in the same period last year

• Diluted earnings per share, on a non-GAAP basis, of $0.17 for CRD-A and $0.15 for CRD-B in the 2018 third quarter compared to $0.22 for CRD-A and $0.20 for CRD-B in the prior year third quarter

• Consolidated adjusted operating earnings, on a non-GAAP basis, were $16.5 million, or 6% of revenues, in the 2018 third quarter, compared with $22.6 million or 9% of revenues in the 2017 third quarter

• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $25.5 million or 10% of revenues in the 2018 third quarter, compared with $31.1 million or 12% of revenues in the 2017 period

Mr. Harsha V. Agadi, president and chief executive officer of Crawford & Company, stated, "Our third quarter results demonstrate the continued progress we are achieving as we return Crawford & Company to sustained revenue growth, though we fell short of our expectations for operating earnings. For the quarter, sales increased nearly 2% after excluding the results from the disposal of the GCG business from the year ago period. On a year to date basis, after adjusting for the GCG business disposal, Crawford has delivered 4% revenue growth versus 2017 which represents a marked acceleration as our initiatives begin to take hold.

To deliver this growth and increase the pace of growth, we have made strategic investments in four primary areas: one, in technology to become more efficient; two, in our sales people to drive market share; three, in on-going staff development and training; and four, in new product development to deliver innovative solutions designed to solve industry challenges where we see large, untapped market opportunities. Additionally, we remain committed to ensuring the success of our reorganization to Global Service Lines.

As can be seen, our investments are clearly delivering revenue growth while positioning Crawford for future success. That said, the increased investment spend is temporarily suppressing our operating margins and earnings.  Importantly, we are carefully managing the business and watching our gross profit dollar growth and margins to ensure that we are not sacrificing long-term profitability for revenue growth. Excluding the results of the GCG business, our nearly $30 million in pro forma revenue growth so far this year has generated an impressive gross profit contribution which we have reinvested back into the business."

Mr. Agadi concluded, "The pace of business is accelerating at Crawford as our investments continue to deliver top line results, and our long term goal remains to deliver 5% revenue growth and 15% earnings growth, annually. While operating margins and earnings have been impacted by short-term investments needed to drive future growth, we remain confident that we can manage spending and expenses to deliver margin expansion and an acceleration to earnings growth looking to 2019 and beyond."

Segment Results for the Third Quarter

Crawford Claims Solutions

Crawford Claims Solutions revenues before reimbursements were $85.3 million in the third quarter of 2018, decreasing 1% from $86.3 million in the third quarter of 2017. On a constant dollar basis, third quarter 2018 revenues were $84.4 million. Operating loss was $(0.7) million in the 2018 third quarter, compared with operating income of $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2017, representing an operating margin of (1)% in 2018 and 2% in the 2017 quarter.

Crawford TPA Solutions: Broadspire

Crawford TPA Solutions: Broadspire segment revenues before reimbursements were $100.3 million in the 2018 third quarter, increasing 3% from $97.2 million in the 2017 third quarter. On a constant dollar basis, a non-GAAP measure, third quarter 2018 revenues were $100.0 million. Crawford TPA Solutions: Broadspire recorded operating earnings of $8.1 million in the third quarter of 2018, representing an operating margin of 8%, compared with $9.9 million, or 10% of revenues in the 2017 third quarter.

Crawford Specialty Solutions

Crawford Specialty Solutions revenues before reimbursements were $69.4 million in the third quarter of 2018, down 20% from $87.0 million in the same period of 2017. On a constant dollar basis, third quarter 2018 revenues were $68.8 million. Excluding GCG revenues of $20.0 million in the third quarter of 2017, revenues increased 4% for the quarter as compared to the third quarter of 2017. Operating earnings were $14.9 million in the 2018 third quarter compared with $16.4 million in the 2017 period. The segment's operating margin for the 2018 quarter was 21%, as compared to 19% in the 2017 quarter.

Unallocated Corporate and Shared Costs and Credits, Net

Unallocated corporate costs, net were $5.8 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared with $4.3 million in the same period of 2017. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was due to increases in self-insured expenses and in our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.

Restructuring and Special Charges

The Company recorded no restructuring and special charges in the 2018 third quarter and restructuring charges of $1.4 million in the 2017 third quarter. Restructuring costs for the 2017 third quarter were comprised of costs related to the establishment and phase in of the Company's global business and technology service centers, restructuring and integration costs and other restructuring charges for asset impairments and lease termination costs.

Loss on Disposition of Business Line

On June 15, 2018, the Company completed the sale of all of the issued and outstanding equity interests in its Garden City Group business to EPIQ Class Action & Claims Solutions, Inc. The sale resulted in the recognition of a pretax loss on the sale for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, of $19.0 million after including transaction costs of $2.2 million related to the sale. Adjustments to the loss of $1.2 million pretax were recognized during the third quarter ended September 30, 2018. The loss on sale of the GCG business is presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as a separate charge "Loss on Disposition of Business Line".

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

The Company's consolidated cash and cash equivalents position as of September 30, 2018, totaled $53.3 million, compared with $54.0 million at December 31, 2017. The Company's total debt outstanding as of September 30, 2018, totaled $212.9 million, compared with $225.7 million at December 31, 2017.

During the three months ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 43,190 shares of CRD-A and 10,867 of CRD-B at an average cost of $8.86 and $8.87, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 1,055,148 shares of CRD-A and 64,755 shares of CRD-B at an average cost of $8.30 and $8.95, respectively.

The Company's operations provided $16.0 million of cash during the 2018 period, compared with $13.9 million in the 2017 period. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in accounts receivable partially offset by increased voluntary pension contributions in 2018, compared to 2017.

The Company made contributions of $19.0 million and $4.2 million to its U.S. and U.K. defined benefit pension plans, respectively for the 2018 nine month period, compared with contributions of $9.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively, in the 2017 period. For the quarter ended September 30, 2018, in addition to its expected $3.0 million quarterly contribution, the Company made a one-time voluntary contribution of $10.0 million to its U.S. defined benefit pension plan, which generated a one time U.S. tax benefit. The Company does not expect to make any additional contributions to its U.S. and U.K. plans during the remainder of 2018.

2018 Guidance

Crawford & Company is reaffirming its guidance for 2018 as follows:

• Consolidated revenues before reimbursements between $1.07 and $1.12 billion;

• Net income attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company between $31.0 and $36.0 million, or $0.56 to $0.66 diluted earnings per CRD-A share, and $0.49 to $0.59 diluted earnings per CRD-B share;

• Consolidated operating earnings between $85.0 and $95.0 million;

• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA between $127.0 and $137.0 million;

• Non-GAAP net income attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company, before loss on disposition of business line, between $43.0 and $48.0 million, or $0.78 to $0.88 diluted earnings per CRD-A share, and $0.71 to $0.81 diluted earnings per CRD-B share.

To a significant extent, Crawford's business depends on case volumes. The Company cannot predict the future trend of case volumes for a number of reasons, including the fact that the frequency and severity of weather-related claims and the occurrence of natural and man-made disasters, which are a significant source of claims and revenue for the Company, are generally not subject to accurate forecasting.