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New York, NY, November 7, 2007 – The Princeton Review, Inc. (NASDAQ:REVU), a leading provider of test preparation and educational support services, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007.
Third Quarter and Nine-Month 2007 Financial Highlights
Michael Perik, Princeton Review's President and Chief Executive Officer, announced that as part of a broad companywide restructuring plan, approximately 80 corporate and K-12 positions have been eliminated. Mr. Perik noted: "We expect this restructuring to result in annualized savings of $9.3 million. Historically, our K-12 business and corporate overhead have offset the profit contributions of our Test Prep Division. One of my first priorities has been to address this problem. Once the related severance and one-time transition costs associated with these improvements are behind us, we should see significant reductions in our corporate costs in 2008." Mr. Perik also noted the return to profitability of the Company's K-12 division. "By focusing on higher margin business and tightening operational costs, our K-12 business has been able to both improve gross margins and, for the first time in several years, make a positive contribution to our overall bottom line."
Financial Results
The operating loss from continuing operations increased for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 from $2.5 million in 2006 to $5.8 million in 2007. Included in operating expenses, and contributing to the increased operating loss from continuing operations, are $1.9 million of one-time costs, primarily associated with the Company's decision to move its finance department and General Counsel from New York City to the Boston area and $1.0 million of severance expenses relating to a reduction in staff in K-12 Services and Test Preparation Services.
The operating loss from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased from $4.9 million in 2006 to $6.1 million in 2007. The increased loss is primarily due to higher operating expenses, including the costs to move the finance department and the K-12 staff reduction in the third quarter as well as $1.1 million of higher professional fees.
Other expenses of $3.8 million and $7.6 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007, consist of increases in the fair value of the embedded derivative liability of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock that was retired on July 23, 2007. On July 23rd, the Company completed the issuance of 6,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, which resulted in net proceeds to the Company of $55.9 million.
Mr. Perik continued, "I am very pleased to announce that Stephen Richards has agreed to join us as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. At the request of our Board of Directors, Steve has been consulting with us since early August. Steve was the former COO and CFO at Houghton Mifflin Company, where he worked closely with Princeton Review's new sponsor, Bain Capital. Steve has a proven track record of cost controls and margin improvement and he will continue his efforts to bring greater financial discipline to Princeton Review as well as focusing on our future business strategy."
Test Preparation Services
For the third quarter, Test Preparation Services revenues declined slightly from $26.7 million in 2006 to $26.5 million in 2007. For the nine-months ended September 30, 2007, Test Preparation Services revenues increased $5.9 million, or 7.9%, from $75.1 million in 2006 to $81.1 million in 2007. This increase was driven by strong gains in Supplementary Educational Services and tutoring revenue.
K-12 Services
For the third quarter, K-12 Services revenues declined $0.4 million, or 5.5%, from $7.6 million in 2006 to $7.2 million in 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, K-12 Services revenue increased $3.1 million, or 11.9%, from $26.0 million in 2006 to $29.1 million in 2007.
The Princeton Review will review its third quarter 2007 financial results and provide additional business highlights on a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time today. A copy of the Company's earnings release is available at http://ir.princetonreview.com/releases.cfm?type=earnings. To participate on the live call, investors should dial (719) 325-2107 approximately ten minutes prior to the start time. In addition, the call will be available via live webcast over the Internet. To access the live webcast of the conference call, please go to http://ir.princetonreview.com/medialist.cfm 15 minutes prior to the start time of the call to register. An archived webcast will be available on the Company's website at http://ir.princetonreview.com/medialist.cfm. Additionally, a replay of the call can be accessed by dialing either (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820, passcode 7481800, through November 11, 2007.
About The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review (Nasdaq: REVU) is a pioneer in the world of education. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in New York City, the Company offers private tutoring and classroom and online test preparation to help students improve their scores in college and graduate school admissions tests. The Company's free website, www.PrincetonReview.com, helps over half of university-bound student's research, apply to, prepare for, and learn how to pay for their higher education. In addition, The Princeton Review works with school districts around the U.S. to measurably strengthen students' academic skills by connecting ongoing assessment with professional development and instruction and by providing districts with college and career resources for both students and guidance counselors. The Company also authors more than 200 print and software titles on test preparation, college and graduate school selection and admissions, and related topics.
Safe Harbor Statement
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "believe," "intend," "expect," "may," "could," "would," "will," "should," "plan," "project," "contemplate," "anticipate," or similar statements. Because these statements reflect The Princeton Review's current views concerning future events, these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Princeton Review's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, demand for the company's products and services; the company's ability to compete effectively and adjust to rapidly changing market dynamics; the timing of revenue recognition from significant controls with schools and school districts; market acceptance of the company's newer products and services; continued federal and state focus on assessment and remediation in K-12 eduction; and the other factors described under the caption "Risk Factors" in The Princeton Review's most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Princeton Review undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
Contact:
Stephen Richards
The Princeton Review
(212) 874-8282 ext. 1127