UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
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☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024
OR
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☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-35780
BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Delaware | | | | 80-0188269 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | | | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2 Wells Avenue | | | | |
Newton, Massachusetts | | | | 02459 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | | | (Zip code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 673-8000
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Title of each class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share | | BFAM | | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer | ☒ | | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |
| | | Emerging growth company | ☐ | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of October 24, 2024, there were 58,183,225 shares of common stock outstanding.
BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.
FORM 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| | | |
| (In thousands, except share data) |
ASSETS | | | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 109,933 | | | $ | 71,568 | |
Accounts receivable — net of allowance for credit losses of $3,519 and $2,317 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | 231,535 | | | 281,710 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 62,548 | | | 93,621 | |
| | | |
Total current assets | 404,016 | | | 446,899 | |
Fixed assets — net | 597,202 | | | 579,296 | |
Goodwill | 1,827,935 | | | 1,786,405 | |
Other intangible assets — net | 203,046 | | | 216,576 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 773,613 | | | 774,703 | |
Other assets | 109,001 | | | 92,265 | |
Total assets | $ | 3,914,813 | | | $ | 3,896,144 | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | |
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 26,000 | | | $ | 18,500 | |
| | | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 278,659 | | | 259,077 | |
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 104,664 | | | 100,387 | |
Deferred revenue | 222,213 | | | 272,891 | |
Other current liabilities | 35,358 | | | 148,578 | |
Total current liabilities | 666,894 | | | 799,433 | |
Long-term debt — net | 925,653 | | | 944,264 | |
Operating lease liabilities | 787,095 | | | 796,701 | |
Other long-term liabilities | 96,070 | | | 101,259 | |
Deferred revenue | 16,663 | | | 8,656 | |
Deferred income taxes | 23,247 | | | 33,155 | |
Total liabilities | 2,515,622 | | | 2,683,468 | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | — | | | — | |
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 475,000,000 shares authorized; 58,134,013 and 57,817,593 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | 58 | | | 58 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 697,039 | | | 645,894 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (34,799) | | | (59,101) | |
Retained earnings | 736,893 | | | 625,825 | |
Total stockholders’ equity | 1,399,191 | | | 1,212,676 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 3,914,813 | | | $ | 3,896,144 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except share data) |
Revenue | $ | 719,099 | | | $ | 645,787 | | | $ | 2,011,867 | | | $ | 1,802,609 | |
Cost of services | 537,564 | | | 488,142 | | | 1,532,792 | | | 1,386,787 | |
Gross profit | 181,535 | | | 157,645 | | | 479,075 | | | 415,822 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 89,499 | | | 83,253 | | | 264,544 | | | 247,923 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | 2,640 | | | 7,568 | | | 16,139 | | | 24,898 | |
| | | | | | | |
Income from operations | 89,396 | | | 66,824 | | | 198,392 | | | 143,001 | |
| | | | | | | |
Interest expense — net | (11,613) | | | (12,222) | | | (37,307) | | | (37,357) | |
Income before income tax | 77,783 | | | 54,602 | | | 161,085 | | | 105,644 | |
Income tax expense | (22,878) | | | (14,623) | | | (50,017) | | | (36,945) | |
Net income | $ | 54,905 | | | $ | 39,979 | | | $ | 111,068 | | | $ | 68,699 | |
| | | | | | | |
Earnings per common share: | | | | | | | |
Common stock — basic | $ | 0.95 | | | $ | 0.69 | | | $ | 1.92 | | | $ | 1.19 | |
Common stock — diluted | $ | 0.94 | | | $ | 0.69 | | | $ | 1.90 | | | $ | 1.18 | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding: | | | | | | | |
Common stock — basic | 58,062,009 | | | 57,765,332 | | | 57,970,587 | | | 57,692,254 | |
Common stock — diluted | 58,701,618 | | | 58,045,137 | | | 58,483,404 | | | 57,886,823 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) |
Net income | $ | 54,905 | | | $ | 39,979 | | | $ | 111,068 | | | $ | 68,699 | |
Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 47,343 | | | (31,179) | | | 33,949 | | | (14,843) | |
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges and investments, net of tax | (10,304) | | | (1,604) | | | (9,647) | | | (5,198) | |
Total other comprehensive income (loss) | 37,039 | | | (32,783) | | | 24,302 | | | (20,041) | |
Comprehensive income | $ | 91,944 | | | $ | 7,196 | | | $ | 135,370 | | | $ | 48,658 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, 2024 |
| Common Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Treasury Stock, at Cost | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Retained Earnings | | Total Stockholders’ Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except share data) |
Balance at July 1, 2024 | 57,986,925 | | | $ | 58 | | | $ | 673,013 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (71,838) | | | $ | 681,988 | | | $ | 1,283,221 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | | | 9,091 | | | | | | | | | 9,091 | |
Issuance of common stock under the Equity Incentive Plan | 169,144 | | | — | | | 17,907 | | | | | | | | | 17,907 | |
Shares received in net share settlement of stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock | (22,056) | | | — | | | (2,972) | | | | | | | | | (2,972) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income | | | | | | | | | 37,039 | | | | | 37,039 | |
Net income | | | | | | | | | | | 54,905 | | | 54,905 | |
Balance at September 30, 2024 | 58,134,013 | | | $ | 58 | | | $ | 697,039 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (34,799) | | | $ | 736,893 | | | $ | 1,399,191 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, 2023 |
| Common Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Treasury Stock, at Cost | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Retained Earnings | | Total Stockholders’ Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except share data) |
Balance at July 1, 2023 | 57,740,699 | | | $ | 58 | | | $ | 627,275 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (57,887) | | | $ | 580,322 | | | $ | 1,149,768 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | | | 7,841 | | | | | | | | | 7,841 | |
Issuance of common stock under the Equity Incentive Plan | 45,077 | | | — | | | 1,382 | | | | | | | | | 1,382 | |
Shares received in net share settlement of stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock | (7,919) | | | — | | | (767) | | | | | | | | | (767) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss | | | | | | | | | (32,783) | | | | | (32,783) | |
Net income | | | | | | | | | | | 39,979 | | | 39,979 | |
Balance at September 30, 2023 | 57,777,857 | | | $ | 58 | | | $ | 635,731 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (90,670) | | | $ | 620,301 | | | $ | 1,165,420 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2024 |
| Common Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Treasury Stock, at Cost | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Retained Earnings | | Total Stockholders’ Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except share data) |
Balance at January 1, 2024 | 57,817,593 | | | $ | 58 | | | $ | 645,894 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (59,101) | | | $ | 625,825 | | | $ | 1,212,676 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | | | 24,607 | | | | | | | | | 24,607 | |
Issuance of common stock under the Equity Incentive Plan | 355,290 | | | — | | | 31,296 | | | | | | | | | 31,296 | |
Shares received in net share settlement of stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock | (38,870) | | | — | | | (4,758) | | | | | | | | | (4,758) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income | | | | | | | | | 24,302 | | | | | 24,302 | |
Net income | | | | | | | | | | | 111,068 | | | 111,068 | |
Balance at September 30, 2024 | 58,134,013 | | | $ | 58 | | | $ | 697,039 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (34,799) | | | $ | 736,893 | | | $ | 1,399,191 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2023 |
| Common Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Treasury Stock, at Cost | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Retained Earnings | | Total Stockholders’ Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except share data) |
Balance at January 1, 2023 | 57,531,130 | | | $ | 58 | | | $ | 599,422 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (70,629) | | | $ | 551,602 | | | $ | 1,080,453 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | | | 21,154 | | | | | | | | | 21,154 | |
Issuance of common stock under the Equity Incentive Plan | 278,012 | | | — | | | 17,551 | | | | | | | | | 17,551 | |
Shares received in net share settlement of stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock | (31,285) | | | — | | | (2,396) | | | | | | | | | (2,396) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss | | | | | | | | | (20,041) | | | | | (20,041) | |
Net income | | | | | | | | | | | 68,699 | | | 68,699 | |
Balance at September 30, 2023 | 57,777,857 | | | $ | 58 | | | $ | 635,731 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (90,670) | | | $ | 620,301 | | | $ | 1,165,420 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | |
| (In thousands) |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | |
Net income | $ | 111,068 | | | $ | 68,699 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 75,601 | | | 82,732 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | 24,607 | | | 21,154 | |
| | | |
Deferred income taxes | (6,844) | | | (3,688) | |
Non-cash interest and other — net | 10,464 | | | 8,867 | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | |
Accounts receivable | 52,386 | | | (7,166) | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 6,038 | | | (16,965) | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 13,318 | | | 6,549 | |
Income taxes | 5,486 | | | 1,822 | |
Deferred revenue | (44,463) | | | (13,283) | |
Leases | (7,753) | | | (167) | |
Other assets | (8,866) | | | 2,752 | |
Other current and long-term liabilities | (14,229) | | | 9,665 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 216,813 | | | 160,971 | |
| | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | |
Purchases of fixed assets - net | (65,254) | | | (60,225) | |
| | | |
Purchases of debt securities and other investments | (43,049) | | | (9,463) | |
Proceeds from the maturity of debt securities and sale of other investments | 23,908 | | | 15,451 | |
Payments and settlements for acquisitions — net of cash acquired | (8,267) | | | (37,772) | |
| | | |
| | | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (92,662) | | | (92,009) | |
| | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | |
| | | |
Borrowings under revolving credit facility | 156,500 | | | 286,000 | |
Payments under revolving credit facility | (156,500) | | | (340,600) | |
Principal payments of long-term debt | (12,000) | | | (12,000) | |
| | | |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of options | 24,808 | | | 8,764 | |
Taxes paid related to the net share settlement of stock options and restricted stock | (4,758) | | | (2,396) | |
| | | |
Payments of deferred and contingent consideration for acquisitions | (103,872) | | | (225) | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (95,822) | | | (60,457) | |
Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 1,307 | | | (1,280) | |
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 29,636 | | | 7,225 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning of period | 89,451 | | | 51,894 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — end of period | $ | 119,087 | | | $ | 59,119 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | |
| (In thousands) |
RECONCILIATION OF CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH TO THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 109,933 | | | $ | 40,927 | |
Restricted cash, included in prepaid expenses and other current assets | 6,895 | | | 16,154 | |
Restricted cash, included in other assets | 2,259 | | | 2,038 | |
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — end of period | $ | 119,087 | | | $ | 59,119 | |
| | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | | | |
Cash payments of interest | $ | 57,158 | | | $ | 54,896 | |
Cash received from cash flow hedges of interest rate risk | $ | 18,769 | | | $ | 24,676 | |
Cash payments of income taxes | $ | 51,763 | | | $ | 40,946 | |
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | $ | 120,666 | | | $ | 115,537 | |
| | | |
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS: | | | |
Fixed asset purchases recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 3,282 | | | $ | 2,350 | |
Operating right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities — net | $ | 54,381 | | | $ | 42,667 | |
Restricted stock reclassified from other current liabilities to equity upon vesting | $ | 6,488 | | | $ | 8,192 | |
Contingent consideration issued for acquisitions | $ | 696 | | | $ | — | |
| | | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Organization — Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. (“Bright Horizons” or the “Company”) provides center-based early education and child care, back-up child and adult/elder care, tuition assistance and student loan repayment program management, and educational advisory services for employers and families in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia and India. The Company provides services designed to help families, employers and their employees better integrate work and family life, primarily under multi-year contracts with employers who offer early education and child care, back-up and family care, and workforce education services as part of their employee benefits packages in an effort to support employees across life and career stages and to improve recruitment, employee engagement, productivity, retention and career advancement.
As of September 30, 2024, we operated 1,028 early education and child care centers.
Basis of Presentation — The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 and the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the interim periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required in accordance with U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
In the opinion of the Company’s management, the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 and the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the interim periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the results of the interim periods presented. The operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Company realigned its organizational structure to better reflect synergies across certain business lines resulting in a change in reportable segments. The Company’s Back-up Care segment now includes the Sittercity operations, which were previously reported in the Educational Advisory and Other Services segment. Segment information for 2023 has been recast to conform to the current year presentation.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded expense of $6.0 million for an immaterial correction of an error related to value-added tax incurred in prior periods, of which $4.3 million is included in cost of services and $1.7 million is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Refer to Note 11, Segment Information, for additional information.
Stockholders’ Equity — The board of directors of the Company authorized a share repurchase program of up to $400 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock effective December 16, 2021. The share repurchase program has no expiration date. The shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, under Rule 10b5-1 plans, or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, there were no share repurchases under the repurchase program. All repurchased shares have been retired and, at September 30, 2024, $198.3 million remained available under the Board-approved repurchase program.
Government Support — During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company participated in certain government support programs that were enacted in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the expiration of the child care stabilization grants on September 30, 2023, most of the pandemic-related government support programs for which the Company was eligible ended in 2023.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $48.3 million was recorded as a reduction to cost of services in relation to these benefits, of which $17.2 million reduced the operating subsidies paid by employers for the related child care centers. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $1.7 million was recorded to revenue related to amounts received for tuition support.
2. REVENUE RECOGNITION
Disaggregation of Revenue
The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers into segments and geographical regions. Revenue disaggregated by segment and geographical region was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Full service center-based child care | | Back-up care | | Educational advisory services | | Total |
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) |
Three months ended September 30, 2024 | | | | | | | |
North America | $ | 308,166 | | | $ | 182,661 | | | $ | 30,749 | | | $ | 521,576 | |
International | 178,401 | | | 19,122 | | | — | | | 197,523 | |
| $ | 486,567 | | | $ | 201,783 | | | $ | 30,749 | | | $ | 719,099 | |
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | | | | | | | |
North America | $ | 287,526 | | | $ | 156,347 | | | $ | 29,617 | | | $ | 473,490 | |
International | 157,221 | | | 15,076 | | | — | | | 172,297 | |
| $ | 444,747 | | | $ | 171,423 | | | $ | 29,617 | | | $ | 645,787 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Full service center-based child care | | Back-up care | | Educational advisory services | | Total |
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) |
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 | | | | | | | |
North America | $ | 958,879 | | | $ | 409,754 | | | $ | 81,638 | | | $ | 1,450,271 | |
International | 518,405 | | | 43,191 | | | — | | | 561,596 | |
| $ | 1,477,284 | | | $ | 452,945 | | | $ | 81,638 | | | $ | 2,011,867 | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | | | | | | | |
North America | $ | 872,124 | | | $ | 357,523 | | | $ | 79,749 | | | $ | 1,309,396 | |
International | 461,345 | | | 31,868 | | | — | | | 493,213 | |
| $ | 1,333,469 | | | $ | 389,391 | | | $ | 79,749 | | | $ | 1,802,609 | |
The classification “North America” is comprised of the Company’s operations in the United States (including Puerto Rico) and the classification “International” includes the Company’s operations in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia and India.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Company realigned its organizational structure to better reflect synergies across certain business lines resulting in a change in reportable segments. The Company’s Back-up Care segment now includes the Sittercity operations, which were previously reported in the Educational Advisory and Other Services segment. Segment information for 2023 has been recast to conform to the current year presentation.
Deferred Revenue
The Company records deferred revenue when payments are received in advance of the Company’s performance under the contract, which is recognized as revenue as the performance obligation is satisfied. The Company recognized $243.6 million and $200.7 million as revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which was included in the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of each respective period.
Remaining Performance Obligations
The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original contract term of one year or less, or for variable consideration allocated to the unsatisfied performance obligation of a series of services. The transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations relates to services that are paid or invoiced in advance. The Company’s remaining performance obligations not subject to the practical expedients were not material.
3. LEASES
The Company has operating leases for certain of its full service and back-up early education and child care centers, corporate offices, call centers, and to a lesser extent, various office equipment, in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Australia. Most of the leases expire within 10 to 15 years and many contain renewal options and/or termination provisions. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no material finance leases.
Lease Expense
The components of lease expense were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) |
Operating lease expense (1) | $ | 39,681 | | | $ | 38,461 | | | $ | 115,889 | | | $ | 115,888 | | | | | |
Variable lease expense (1) | 11,855 | | | 10,572 | | | 33,958 | | | 32,312 | | | | | |
Total lease expense | $ | 51,536 | | | $ | 49,033 | | | $ | 149,847 | | | $ | 148,200 | | | | | |
(1) Excludes short-term lease expense and sublease income, which were immaterial for the periods presented.
Other Information
The weighted average remaining lease term and the weighted average discount rate were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| | | |
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) | 10 | | 10 |
Weighted average discount rate | 7.1% | | 7.1% |
Maturity of Lease Liabilities
The following table summarizes the maturity of lease liabilities as of September 30, 2024:
| | | | | |
| Operating Leases |
| |
| (In thousands) |
Remainder of 2024 | $ | 30,283 | |
2025 | 160,590 | |
2026 | 154,663 | |
2027 | 144,969 | |
2028 | 134,039 | |
Thereafter | 627,922 | |
Total lease payments | 1,252,466 | |
Less imputed interest | (360,707) | |
Present value of lease liabilities | 891,759 | |
Less current portion of operating lease liabilities | (104,664) | |
Long-term operating lease liabilities | $ | 787,095 | |
As of September 30, 2024, the Company had not entered into additional operating leases that have not yet commenced.
4. ACQUISITIONS
The Company’s growth strategy includes expansion through strategic and synergistic acquisitions. The goodwill resulting from these acquisitions arises largely from synergies expected from combining the operations of the businesses acquired with the Company’s existing operations, including cost efficiencies and leveraging existing client relationships, as well as from benefits derived from gaining the related assembled workforce.
2024 Acquisitions
In April 2024, the Company acquired the remaining shares outstanding of a provider of early education and tutoring in the Netherlands for cash consideration of $1.3 million and contingent consideration of $0.7 million payable in 2026 and 2027, resulting in control and consolidation of an investment previously accounted for under the equity method. The Company had previously made investments totaling $8.4 million in this entity. The Company recorded goodwill of $9.8 million related to the full service center-based child care segment, which will not be deductible for tax purposes. In addition, the Company recorded intangible assets of $1.0 million that will be amortized over four to five years.
Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company acquired two centers in Australia in two separate business acquisitions, which were each accounted for as a business combination. The businesses were acquired for aggregate cash consideration of $7.2 million. The Company recorded goodwill of $6.8 million related to the full service center-based child care segment in relation to these acquisitions, which will not be deductible for tax purposes. In addition, the Company recorded intangible assets of $0.9 million that will be amortized over four years.
The determination and allocation of purchase price consideration is based on preliminary estimates of fair value; such estimates and assumptions are subject to change within the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date). As of September 30, 2024, the purchase price allocations for these acquisitions remain open as the Company gathers additional information regarding the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The operating results for the acquired businesses are included in the consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition and were not material to the Company’s financial results.
In January 2024, the Company paid deferred consideration of $106.5 million related to the 2022 acquisition of Only About Children, a child care operator in Australia. The acquisition date fair value of the deferred consideration of $97.7 million is presented as cash used in financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows while the accrued interest is presented as cash used in operating activities.
In April 2024, the Company paid contingent consideration of $14.3 million related to a 2021 acquisition. The acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration of $6.2 million is presented as cash used in financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows while the change in fair value is presented as cash used in operating activities.
2023 Acquisitions
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company acquired four centers in the United States and six centers in Australia, in five separate business acquisitions, which were each accounted for as a business combination. The businesses were acquired for aggregate cash consideration of $39.5 million, which is subject to adjustments from the settlement of the final working capital and acquired enrollment. The Company recorded goodwill of $37.2 million related to the full service center-based child care segment in relation to these acquisitions, of which $25.5 million will be deductible for tax purposes. In addition, the Company recorded intangible assets of $4.0 million that will be amortized over four years.
The determination and allocation of purchase price consideration is based on preliminary estimates of fair value; such estimates and assumptions are subject to change within the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date). As of September 30, 2024, the purchase price allocation for one of these acquisitions remains open as the Company gathers additional information regarding the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The operating results for the acquired businesses are included in the consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition and were not material to the Company’s financial results.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company paid contingent consideration of $0.2 million related to an acquisition completed in 2021, which had been recorded as a liability at the date of acquisition and is presented as cash used in financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
5. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Full service center-based child care | | Back-up care | | Educational advisory services | | Total |
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) |
Balance at January 1, 2024 | $ | 1,539,264 | | | $ | 209,465 | | | $ | 37,676 | | | $ | 1,786,405 | |
Additions from acquisitions | 16,586 | | | — | | | — | | | 16,586 | |
Adjustments to prior year acquisitions | 107 | | | — | | | — | | | 107 | |
Effect of foreign currency translation | 23,566 | | | 1,271 | | | — | | | 24,837 | |
Balance at September 30, 2024 | $ | 1,579,523 | | | $ | 210,736 | | | $ | 37,676 | | | $ | 1,827,935 | |
Effective January 1, 2024, the Company realigned its organizational structure to better reflect synergies across certain business lines resulting in a change in reportable segments. As a result, the goodwill beginning balance reflects the change in reportable segments.
The Company also has intangible assets, which consisted of the following at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
September 30, 2024 | | Weighted average amortization period | | Cost | | Accumulated amortization | | Net carrying amount |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | (In thousands) |
Definite-lived intangible assets: | | | | | | | | |
Customer relationships | | 8 years | | $ | 400,492 | | | $ | (385,618) | | | $ | 14,874 | |
Trade names | | 10 years | | 20,443 | | | (13,208) | | | 7,235 | |
| | | | 420,935 | | | (398,826) | | | 22,109 | |
Indefinite-lived intangible assets: | | | | | | | | |
Trade names | | N/A | | 180,937 | | | — | | | 180,937 | |
| | | | $ | 601,872 | | | $ | (398,826) | | | $ | 203,046 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2023 | | Weighted average amortization period | | Cost | | Accumulated amortization | | Net carrying amount |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | (In thousands) |
Definite-lived intangible assets: | | | | | | | | |
Customer relationships | | 11 years | | $ | 397,079 | | | $ | (368,963) | | | $ | 28,116 | |
Trade names | | 10 years | | 19,664 | | | (11,795) | | | 7,869 | |
| | | | 416,743 | | | (380,758) | | | 35,985 | |
Indefinite-lived intangible assets: | | | | | | | | |
Trade names | | N/A | | 180,591 | | | — | | | 180,591 | |
| | | | $ | 597,334 | | | $ | (380,758) | | | $ | 216,576 | |
The Company estimates that it will record amortization expense related to intangible assets existing as of September 30, 2024 as follows:
| | | | | |
| Estimated amortization expense |
| |
| (In thousands) |
Remainder of 2024 | $ | 2,387 | |
2025 | 6,568 | |
2026 | 4,532 | |
2027 | 3,396 | |
2028 | 1,955 | |
Thereafter | 3,271 | |
| $ | 22,109 | |
6. CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS AND DEBT OBLIGATIONS
Senior Secured Credit Facilities
The Company’s senior secured credit facilities consist of a $600 million term loan B facility (“term loan B”) and a $400 million term loan A facility (“term loan A” and, together with term loan B, the “term loan facilities” or “term loans”), as well as a $400 million multi-currency revolving credit facility (“revolving credit facility”).
Long-term debt obligations were as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| | | |
| (In thousands) |
Term loan B | $ | 583,500 | | | $ | 588,000 | |
Term loan A | 372,500 | | | 380,000 | |
Deferred financing costs and original issue discount | (4,347) | | | (5,236) | |
Total debt | 951,653 | | | 962,764 | |
Less current maturities | (26,000) | | | (18,500) | |
Long-term debt | $ | 925,653 | | | $ | 944,264 | |
All borrowings under the credit facilities are subject to variable interest. The effective interest rate for the term loans was 6.92% and 7.52% at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate was 7.44% and 7.08% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, prior to the effects of any interest rate hedge arrangements. There were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The weighted average interest rate for the revolving credit facility was 7.81% and 7.44% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective interest rate on the revolving credit facility may fluctuate from borrowing to borrowing for various reasons, including changes in the term benchmark or base interest rate, and the selected borrowing cycle as rates can vary between under-30 day and over-30 day borrowings.
Term Loan B Facility
The seven-year term loan B matures on November 23, 2028 and requires quarterly principal payments equal to 1% per annum of the original aggregate principal amount of the term loan B, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. Borrowings under the term loan B facility bear interest at a rate per annum of 1.25% over the base rate, or 2.25% over the adjusted term SOFR rate. The base rate is subject to an interest rate floor of 1.50% and the adjusted term SOFR rate is subject to an interest rate floor of 0.50%.
Term Loan A Facility
The five-year term loan A matures on November 23, 2026 and requires quarterly principal payments equal to 2.5% per annum of the original aggregate principal amount of the term loan A in each of the first three years, 5.0% in the fourth year, and 7.5% in the fifth year. The remaining principal balance is due at maturity. Borrowings under the term loan A facility bear interest at a rate per annum ranging from 0.50% to 0.75% over the base rate, or 1.50% to 1.75% over the adjusted term SOFR rate. The base rate is subject to an interest rate floor of 1.00% and the adjusted term SOFR rate is subject to an interest rate floor of 0.00%.
Revolving Credit Facility
The $400 million multi-currency revolving credit facility matures on May 26, 2026. At September 30, 2024, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility and letters of credit outstanding were $10.2 million, with $389.8 million available for borrowing. At December 31, 2023, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility and letters of credit outstanding were $19.3 million, with $380.7 million available for borrowing.
In January 2024, the Company utilized the revolving credit facility, combined with available cash on hand, to pay deferred consideration of $106.5 million related to the 2022 acquisition of Only About Children. Borrowings on the revolving credit facility were subsequently repaid during the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Refer to Note 4, Acquisitions, for additional information.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum ranging from 0.50% to 0.75% over the base rate, or 1.50% to 1.75% over the adjusted term SOFR rate. The base rate is subject to an interest rate floor of 1.00% and the adjusted term SOFR rate is subject to an interest rate floor of 0.00%.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company entered into a AU$5 million uncommitted working capital credit facility in Australia for short term borrowing purposes.
Debt Covenants
All obligations under the senior secured credit facilities are secured by substantially all the assets of the Company’s material U.S. subsidiaries. The senior secured credit facilities contain a number of covenants that, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, may restrict the ability of Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, and its restricted subsidiaries, to: incur liens; make investments, loans, advances and acquisitions; incur additional indebtedness or guarantees; pay dividends on capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; engage in transactions with affiliates; sell assets, including capital stock of the Company’s subsidiaries; alter the business conducted; enter into agreements restricting the Company’s subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; and consolidate or merge.
In addition, the credit agreement governing the senior secured credit facilities requires Bright Horizons Capital Corp., the Company’s direct subsidiary, to be a passive holding company, subject to certain exceptions. The term loan A and the revolving credit facility require Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC, the borrower, and its restricted subsidiaries, to comply with a maximum first lien net leverage ratio not to exceed 4.25 to 1.00. A breach of the applicable covenant is subject to certain equity cure rights.
Future principal payments of long-term debt are as follows for the years ending December 31:
| | | | | |
| Long-term debt |
| |
| (In thousands) |
Remainder of 2024 | $ | 6,500 | |
2025 | 28,500 | |
2026 | 351,000 | |
2027 | 6,000 | |
2028 | 564,000 | |
| |
Total future principal payments | $ | 956,000 | |
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company is subject to interest rate risk, as all borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities are subject to variable interest rates. The Company’s risk management policy permits using derivative instruments to manage interest rate and other risks. The Company uses interest rate caps to manage a portion of the risk related to changes in cash flows from interest rate movements.
In June 2020, the Company entered into interest rate cap agreements with a total notional value of $800 million, designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges from inception, to provide the Company with interest rate protection in the event the one-month term SOFR rate increased above 0.9%. Interest rate cap agreements for $300 million notional value had an effective date of June 30, 2020 and expired on October 31, 2023, while interest rate cap agreements for another $500 million notional amount had an effective date of October 29, 2021 and expired on October 31, 2023.
In December 2021, the Company entered into additional interest rate cap agreements with a total notional value of $900 million, designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges from inception. Interest rate cap agreements for $600 million, which had a forward starting effective date of October 31, 2023 and expire on October 31, 2025, provide the Company with interest rate protection in the event the one-month term SOFR rate increases above 2.4%. Interest rate cap agreements for $300 million, which had a forward starting effective date of October 31, 2023 and expire on October 31, 2026, provide the Company with interest rate protection in the event the one-month term SOFR rate increases above 2.9%.
The fair value of the derivative financial instruments was as follows for the periods presented:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative financial instruments | | Consolidated balance sheet classification | | September 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | (In thousands) |
| | | | | | |
Interest rate caps - asset | | Other assets | | $ | 13,529 | | | $ | 28,968 | |
The effect of the derivative financial instruments on other comprehensive income (loss) was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments | | Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) | | Consolidated statement of income classification | | Amount of net gain (loss) reclassified into earnings | | Total effect on other comprehensive income (loss) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | (In thousands) |
Three months ended September 30, 2024 | | | | | | |
Cash flow hedges | | $ | (9,123) | | | Interest expense — net | | $ | 5,590 | | | $ | (14,713) | |
Income tax effect | | 2,436 | | | Income tax expense | | (1,492) | | | 3,928 | |
Net of income taxes | | $ | (6,687) | | | | | $ | 4,098 | | | $ | (10,785) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | | | | | | |
Cash flow hedges | | $ | 6,326 | | | Interest expense — net | | $ | 8,595 | | | $ | (2,269) | |
Income tax effect | | (1,689) | | | Income tax expense | | (2,295) | | | 606 | |
Net of income taxes | | $ | 4,637 | | | | | $ | 6,300 | | | $ | (1,663) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments | | Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) | | Consolidated statement of income classification | | Amount of net gain (loss) reclassified into earnings | | Total effect on other comprehensive income (loss) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | (In thousands) |
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 | | | | | | |
Cash flow hedges | | $ | 3,180 | | | Interest expense — net | | $ | 16,979 | | | $ | (13,799) | |
Income tax effect | | (849) | | | Income tax expense | | (4,533) | | | 3,684 | |
Net of income taxes | | $ | 2,331 | | | | | $ | 12,446 | | | $ | (10,115) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | | | | | | |
Cash flow hedges | | $ | 16,374 | | | Interest expense — net | | $ | 23,575 | | | $ | (7,201) | |
Income tax effect | | (4,372) | | | Income tax expense | | (6,295) | | | 1,923 | |
Net of income taxes | | $ | 12,002 | | | | | $ | 17,280 | | | $ | (5,278) | |
During the next 12 months, the Company estimates that a net gain of $7.7 million, pre-tax, will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and recorded as a reduction to interest expense related to these derivative financial instruments.
7. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except share data) |
Basic earnings per share: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | $ | 54,905 | | | $ | 39,979 | | | $ | 111,068 | | | $ | 68,699 | | | | | |
Allocation of net income to common stockholders: |
Common stock | $ | 54,905 | | | $ | 39,891 | | | $ | 111,068 | | | $ | 68,537 | | | | | |
Unvested participating shares | — | | | 88 | | | — | | | 162 | | | | | |
Net income | $ | 54,905 | | | $ | 39,979 | | | $ | 111,068 | | | $ | 68,699 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
Common stock | 58,062,009 | | | 57,765,332 | | | 57,970,587 | | | 57,692,254 | | | | | |
Unvested participating shares | 41,284 | | | 126,699 | | | 59,700 | | | 152,831 | | | | | |
Earnings per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock | $ | 0.95 | | | $ | 0.69 | | | $ | 1.92 | | | $ | 1.19 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except share data) |
Diluted earnings per share: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings allocated to common stock | $ | 54,905 | | | $ | 39,891 | | | $ | 111,068 | | | $ | 68,537 | | | | | |
Plus: earnings allocated to unvested participating shares | — | | | 88 | | | — | | | 162 | | | | | |
Less: adjusted earnings allocated to unvested participating shares | — | | | (88) | | | — | | | (162) | | | | | |
Earnings allocated to common stock | $ | 54,905 | | | $ | 39,891 | | | $ | 111,068 | | | $ | 68,537 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
Common stock | 58,062,009 | | | 57,765,332 | | | 57,970,587 | | | 57,692,254 | | | | | |
Effect of dilutive securities | 639,609 | | | 279,805 | | | 512,817 | | | 194,569 | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted | 58,701,618 | | | 58,045,137 | | | 58,483,404 | | | 57,886,823 | | | | | |
Earnings per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock | $ | 0.94 | | | $ | 0.69 | | | $ | 1.90 | | | $ | 1.18 | | | | | |
For the interim periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated using the treasury method and the two-class method, respectively. Equity awards outstanding to purchase or receive 0.8 million and 1.7 million shares of common stock were excluded from diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and 1.3 million and 1.9 million shares of common stock were excluded from diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, since their effect was anti-dilutive. These equity awards may become dilutive in the future.
8. INCOME TAXES
The Company’s effective income tax rates were 29.4% and 26.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and 31.0% and 35.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective income tax rate may fluctuate from quarter to quarter for various reasons, including changes to income before income tax, jurisdictional mix of income before income tax, unbenefited losses, valuation allowances, jurisdictional income tax rate changes, as well as discrete items such as non-deductible transaction costs, the settlement of foreign, federal and state tax matters and the effects of excess (shortfall) tax benefit (expense) associated with the exercise or expiration of stock options and vesting of restricted stock, which is included in tax expense.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the net shortfall tax expense from stock-based compensation increased tax expense by $0.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the net shortfall tax expense from stock-based compensation increased tax expense by $0.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, prior to the inclusion of the shortfall tax expense, other discrete items and unbenefited losses in certain foreign jurisdictions, the effective income tax rate approximated 27%. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, prior to the inclusion of the shortfall tax expense, other discrete items and unbenefited losses in certain foreign jurisdictions, the effective income tax rate approximated 28%.
The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits were $5.0 million and $4.6 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, inclusive of interest. The unrecognized tax benefits may change over the next 12 months by up to $4.7 million.
The Company and its domestic subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as tax in multiple state jurisdictions. U.S. federal income tax returns are typically subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and the statute of limitations for federal tax returns is three years. The Company’s filings for the tax years 2020 through 2022 are subject to audit based upon the federal statute of limitations.
State income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of three to four years after filing of the respective return. The state impact of any federal changes remains subject to examination by various states for a period of up to one year after formal notification to the states. The Company’s filings for the tax years 2019 through 2022 are subject to audit based upon the statute of limitations.
The Company is also subject to corporate income tax for its subsidiaries located in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, India, and Puerto Rico. The tax returns for the Company’s subsidiaries located in foreign jurisdictions are subject to examination for periods ranging from one to six years.
9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are classified using a three-level hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The Company uses observable inputs where relevant and whenever possible. The three levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1 — Fair value is derived using quoted prices from active markets for identical instruments.
Level 2 — Fair value is derived using quoted prices for similar instruments from active markets or for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; or, fair value is based on model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable from active markets.
Level 3 — Fair value is derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates their fair value because of their short-term nature.
Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consisted mainly of cash and accounts receivable. The Company mitigates its exposure by maintaining its cash in financial institutions of high credit standing. The Company’s accounts receivable are derived primarily from the services it provides, and the related credit risk is dispersed across many clients in various industries with no single client accounting for more than 10% of the Company’s net revenue or accounts receivable. No significant credit concentration risk existed at September 30, 2024.
Long-term Debt — The Company’s long-term debt is recorded at adjusted cost, net of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is based on current bid prices or prices for similar instruments from active markets. As such, the Company’s long-term debt was classified as Level 2. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the estimated fair value approximated the carrying value of long-term debt.
Derivative Financial Instruments — The Company’s interest rate cap agreements are recorded at fair value and estimated using market-standard valuation models. Such models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs. Additionally, the fair value of the interest rate caps included consideration of credit risk. The Company used a potential future exposure model to estimate this credit valuation adjustment (“CVA”). The inputs to the CVA were largely based on observable market data, with the exception of certain assumptions regarding credit worthiness. As the magnitude of the CVA was not a significant component of the fair value of the interest rate caps, it was not considered a significant input. The fair value of the interest rate caps is classified as Level 2. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of the interest rate cap agreements was $13.5 million and $29.0 million, respectively, and was recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
Debt Securities — The Company’s investments in debt securities, which are classified as available-for-sale, consist of U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency securities, asset-backed securities, certificates of deposit and corporate bonds. These securities are held in escrow by the Company’s wholly-owned captive insurance company and were purchased with restricted cash. As such, these securities are not available to fund the Company’s operations.
Debt securities are recorded at fair value. As of September 30, 2024, the fair value of the available-for-sale debt securities was $38.9 million and was classified based on the instruments’ maturity dates, with $10.4 million included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and $28.5 million in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, the fair value of the available-for-sale debt securities was $23.9 million, with $22.0 million included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and $1.9 million in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
Debt securities classified as Level 1 had a fair value of $23.1 million and $23.9 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Debt securities classified as Level 2 had a fair value of $15.8 million as of September 30, 2024 and, as of December 31, 2023, Level 2 debt securities were immaterial.
At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the amortized cost was $38.4 million and $24.0 million, respectively. The debt securities held at September 30, 2024 had remaining contractual maturities ranging from less than one year to approximately twelve years. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay certain obligations. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on available-for-sale debt securities were immaterial for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Liabilities for Contingent Consideration — The Company is subject to contingent consideration arrangements in connection with certain business combinations. Liabilities for contingent consideration are measured at fair value each reporting period, with the acquisition-date fair value included as part of the consideration payable for the related business combination and subsequent changes in fair value recorded to selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s consolidated statement of income. The fair value of contingent consideration was generally calculated using customary valuation models based on probability-weighted outcomes of meeting certain future performance targets and forecasted results. The key inputs to the valuations are the projections of future financial results in relation to the businesses and the company-specific discount rates. The Company classified the contingent consideration liabilities as a Level 3 fair value measurement due to the lack of observable inputs used in the model.
The following table provides a roll forward of the recurring Level 3 fair value measurements:
| | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2024 |
| |
| (In thousands) |
Balance at January 1, 2024 | $ | 11,516 | |
Issuance of contingent consideration in connection with acquisitions | 696 | |
Settlement of contingent consideration liabilities | (14,300) | |
| |
Changes in fair value | 2,819 | |
Foreign currency translation | 21 | |
Balance at September 30, 2024 | $ | 752 | |
The contingent consideration liability outstanding as of September 30, 2024 relates to an acquisition completed in 2024. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, contingent consideration liabilities of $14.3 million were paid related to an acquisition completed in 2021, which was originally due in 2026, but settled early and paid in April 2024. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, contingent consideration liabilities of $0.2 million were paid related to an acquisition completed in 2021.
10. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is included as a component of stockholders’ equity, is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges and investments, net of tax.
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2024 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments (1) | | Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges | | Unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | Total |
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) |
Balance at January 1, 2024 | $ | (76,130) | | | $ | 17,100 | | | $ | (71) | | | $ | (59,101) | |
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — net of tax | 33,949 | | | 2,331 | | | 433 | | | 36,713 | |
Less: amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — net of tax | — | | | 12,446 | | | (35) | | | 12,411 | |
Net other comprehensive income (loss) | 33,949 | | | (10,115) | | | 468 | | | 24,302 | |
Balance at September 30, 2024 | $ | (42,181) | | | $ | 6,985 | | | $ | 397 | | | $ | (34,799) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2023 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments (1) | | Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges | | Unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | Total |
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) |
Balance at January 1, 2023 | $ | (105,138) | | | $ | 34,738 | | | $ | (229) | | | $ | (70,629) | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — net of tax | (14,843) | | | 12,002 | | | (12) | | | (2,853) | |
Less: amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — net of tax | — | | | 17,280 | | | (92) | | | 17,188 | |
Net other comprehensive income (loss) | (14,843) | | | (5,278) | | | 80 | | | (20,041) | |
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | (119,981) | | | $ | 29,460 | | | $ | (149) | | | $ | (90,670) | |
(1)Taxes are not provided for the currency translation adjustments related to the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are intended to be indefinitely reinvested.
11. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company’s reportable segments are comprised of (1) full service center-based child care, (2) back-up care, and (3) educational advisory services. The full service center-based child care segment includes the traditional center-based early education and child care, preschool, and elementary education. The Company’s back-up care segment consists of center-based back-up child care, in-home care for children and adult/elder dependents, school-age camps, tutoring, pet care, self-sourced reimbursed care, and Sittercity, an online marketplace for families and caregivers. The Company’s educational advisory services segment consists of tuition assistance and student loan repayment program management, workforce education, related educational advising, and college admissions counseling services. The Company and its chief operating decision maker evaluate performance based on revenue and income from operations. Intercompany activity is eliminated in the segment results. The assets and liabilities of the Company are managed centrally and are reported internally in the same manner as the consolidated financial statements; therefore, no segment asset information is produced or included herein.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Company realigned its organizational structure to better reflect synergies across certain business lines resulting in a change in reportable segments. As a result, the back-up care reportable segment now includes the Sittercity operations, which were previously reported in the educational advisory and other services segment. Segment information for 2023 has been recast to conform to the current year presentation.
Revenue and income from operations by reportable segment were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Full service center-based child care | | Back-up care | | Educational advisory services | | Total |
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) |
Three months ended September 30, 2024 | | | | | | | |
Revenue | $ | 486,567 | | | $ | 201,783 | | | $ | 30,749 | | | $ | 719,099 | |
Income from operations | 12,465 | | | 70,487 | | | 6,444 | | | 89,396 | |
| | | | | | | |
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | | | | | | | |
Revenue | $ | 444,747 | | | $ | 171,423 | | | $ | 29,617 | | | $ | 645,787 | |
Income from operations | 6,990 | | | 52,257 | | | 7,577 | | | 66,824 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Full service center-based child care | | Back-up care | | Educational advisory services | | Total |
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) |
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 | | | | | | | |
Revenue | $ | 1,477,284 | | | $ | 452,945 | | | $ | 81,638 | | | $ | 2,011,867 | |
Income from operations | 66,553 | | | 118,063 | | | 13,776 | | | 198,392 | |
| | | | | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | | | | | | | |
Revenue | $ | 1,333,469 | | | $ | 389,391 | | | $ | 79,749 | | | $ | 1,802,609 | |
Income from operations (1) | 28,493 | | | 97,500 | | | 17,008 | | | 143,001 | |
(1)For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, income from operations included value-added-tax expense of $6.0 million related to prior periods, of which $4.3 million was associated with the back-up care segment and $1.7 million was associated with the full service center-based child care segment.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes statements that express our opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). The following cautionary statements are being made pursuant to the provisions of the Act and with the intention of obtaining the benefits of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Act. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “projects,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” or “anticipates,” or, in each case, their negatives or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our results of operations; financial condition and liquidity; impacts of global health pandemics; labor, workplace and demographic trends; wage rate increases, personnel costs and labor markets; future center closures and portfolio optimization and impacts; our United Kingdom and international operations; back-up care services and use types; enrollment recovery and occupancy improvement in the United States and internationally; our center cohort occupancy levels; cost management and capital spending; investments in employees and wages; contributions and growth in our back-up care segment; the impact of pandemic-related government relief and support programs; tuition rate increases and pricing strategies; leases, terms and expirations; ability to respond to changing market conditions; our growth and strategic priorities; ability to regain and sustain our business; demand for services; our value proposition, client relations and partnerships; seasonality; macroeconomic trends and changing conditions, including inflationary pressures; investments in operations and strategic opportunities; investments in technology, marketing and user experience; shared services costs; our opportunities for expansion; acquisitions, contributions and expected synergies; contingent consideration; amortization expense; our fair value estimates; goodwill from business combinations; impairments; fixed assets; estimates and impact of employee equity transactions; unrecognized tax benefits and the impact of uncertain tax positions; our effective tax rate; the outcome of tax audits, settlements and tax liabilities; impact of tax benefits/expense; fluctuations, impact and estimates of foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates; our capital allocation; share repurchase program and future activity; the outcome of litigation, legal proceedings/claims and our insurance coverage; debt securities; our interest rates, expense and impact of our interest rate cap agreements; credit risk; the use of derivatives or other market risk sensitive instruments; critical accounting policies and estimates; impact of new accounting pronouncements; our indebtedness; borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities, the need for additional debt or equity financing, and our ability to obtain such financing; contractual and actual maturities; our sources and uses of cash flows; our ability to fund operations and make capital expenditures and payments with cash and cash equivalents and borrowings; and our ability to meet financial obligations and comply with covenants of our senior secured credit facilities.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. We believe that these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as other factors disclosed from time to time in our other public filings with the SEC.
Although we base these forward-looking statements on assumptions that we believe are reasonable when made, we caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.
Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement that we make in this Quarterly Report speaks only as of the date of such statement, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of those statements to reflect future events or developments, except as required by law.
Overview
The following is a discussion of the significant factors affecting the consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows of Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. (“we” or the “Company”) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. This discussion should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
We are a leading provider of high-quality education and care, including early education and child care, back-up and family care solutions, and workforce education services that are designed to help families, employers and their employees solve the challenges of the modern workforce and thrive personally and professionally. We provide services primarily under multi-year contracts with employers who offer early education and child care, back-up care, and educational advisory services as part of their employee benefits packages in an effort to support employees across life and career stages and to improve recruitment, employee engagement, productivity, retention and career advancement.
As of September 30, 2024, we operated 1,028 early education and child care centers with the capacity to serve approximately 115,000 children in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia and India.
Our reportable segments are comprised of (1) full service center-based child care, (2) back-up care, and (3) educational advisory services. Full service center-based child care includes traditional center-based early education and child care, preschool, and elementary education. Back-up care consists of center-based back-up child care, in-home care for children and adult/elder dependents, school-age camps, tutoring, pet care, self-sourced reimbursed care, and Sittercity, an online marketplace for families and caregivers. Educational advisory services include tuition assistance and student loan repayment program management, workforce education and related educational advising, and college admissions counseling services. Effective January 1, 2024, the Company realigned its organizational structure to better reflect synergies across certain business lines resulting in a change in reportable segments. As a result, the back-up care reportable segment now includes the Sittercity operations, which were previously reported in the educational advisory and other services segment. Segment information for 2023 has been recast to conform to the current year presentation.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, we saw solid year-over-year revenue growth, with a 9% increase in revenue for our full service center-based child care segment and net enrollment growth of 3% as centers continue to re-ramp post-pandemic. To track our continued progress on the recovery from the pandemic, we monitor occupancy for a cohort of centers that has been operating since the 2021 fall enrollment cycle. Occupancy represents utilization for each respective center and is calculated as the average full-time enrollment divided by the total operating capacity during the period. This cohort of centers totaled 778 centers as of September 30, 2024. For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, 42% of these centers were more than 70% enrolled, 45% were between 40-70% enrolled and 13% were less than 40% enrolled, which reflects improved occupancy when compared to the same period in the prior year and reflects a decrease when compared to the second quarter of 2024 due to typical seasonal fluctuations. We also saw strong growth in back-up care with an 18% year-over-year increase in revenue as a result of increased utilization.
While we continue to see year-over-year growth and progress, we are still navigating through a dynamic operating environment that is impacted by increased costs, a tight labor market, varying enrollment demands, and shifting work demographics. We continue to monitor and respond to the changing conditions, and the evolving needs of clients, families and children, including through the closure of underperforming centers in order to optimize our portfolio of centers to accommodate such changes in demand and demographic workforce shifts in the markets we serve. As a result of the impact of the pandemic, there has been an elevated number of center closures in recent years in addition to the impairment of certain assets. We expect this trend to continue in 2024 as we execute on the closure of certain underperforming centers identified during our portfolio review process. Where possible, we shift enrollment and teachers to other centers at nearby locations.
We remain focused on our strategic priorities to deliver high quality education and care services, connect across our service lines, extend our impact on new customers and clients, and preserve our strong culture. As we continue to navigate this post-pandemic recovery period, we remain committed to serving the needs of families, clients and our employees. We are confident in our value proposition, business model, the strength of our client partnerships, the strength of our balance sheet and liquidity position, and our ability to continue to respond to changing market conditions.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth statement of income data as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
| 2024 | | % | | 2023 | | % |
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except percentages) |
Revenue | $ | 719,099 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 645,787 | | | 100.0 | % |
Cost of services | 537,564 | | | 74.8 | % | | 488,142 | | | 75.6 | % |
Gross profit | 181,535 | | | 25.2 | % | | 157,645 | | | 24.4 | % |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 89,499 | | | 12.4 | % | | 83,253 | | | 12.9 | % |
Amortization of intangible assets | 2,640 | | | 0.4 | % | | 7,568 | | | 1.2 | % |
Income from operations | 89,396 | | | 12.4 | % | | 66,824 | | | 10.3 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Interest expense — net | (11,613) | | | (1.6) | % | | (12,222) | | | (1.8) | % |
Income before income tax | 77,783 | | | 10.8 | % | | 54,602 | | | 8.5 | % |
Income tax expense | (22,878) | | | (3.2) | % | | (14,623) | | | (2.3) | % |
Net income | $ | 54,905 | | | 7.6 | % | | $ | 39,979 | | | 6.2 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA (1) | $ | 120,989 | | | 16.8 | % | | $ | 101,168 | | | 15.7 | % |
Adjusted income from operations (1) | $ | 89,396 | | | 12.4 | % | | $ | 66,824 | | | 10.3 | % |
Adjusted net income (1) | $ | 64,901 | | | 9.0 | % | | $ | 51,121 | | | 7.9 | % |
(1)Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from operations and adjusted net income are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), which are commonly referred to as “non-GAAP financial measures.” Refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation” below for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their respective measures determined under GAAP and for information regarding our use of non-GAAP financial measures.
The following table sets forth statement of income data as a percentage of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2024 | | % | | 2023 | | % |
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except percentages) |
Revenue | $ | 2,011,867 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 1,802,609 | | | 100.0 | % |
Cost of services | 1,532,792 | | | 76.2 | % | | 1,386,787 | | | 76.9 | % |
Gross profit | 479,075 | | | 23.8 | % | | 415,822 | | | 23.1 | % |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 264,544 | | | 13.1 | % | | 247,923 | | | 13.8 | % |
Amortization of intangible assets | 16,139 | | | 0.8 | % | | 24,898 | | | 1.4 | % |
Income from operations | 198,392 | | | 9.9 | % | | 143,001 | | | 7.9 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Interest expense — net | (37,307) | | | (1.9) | % | | (37,357) | | | (2.0) | % |
Income before income tax | 161,085 | | | 8.0 | % | | 105,644 | | | 5.9 | % |
Income tax expense | (50,017) | | | (2.5) | % | | (36,945) | | | (2.1) | % |
Net income | $ | 111,068 | | | 5.5 | % | | $ | 68,699 | | | 3.8 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA (1) | $ | 298,600 | | | 14.8 | % | | $ | 252,927 | | | 14.0 | % |
Adjusted income from operations (1) | $ | 198,392 | | | 9.9 | % | | $ | 149,041 | | | 8.3 | % |
Adjusted net income (1) | $ | 145,823 | | | 7.2 | % | | $ | 116,235 | | | 6.4 | % |
(1)Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from operations and adjusted net income are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, which are commonly referred to as “non-GAAP financial measures.” Refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation” below for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their respective measures determined under GAAP and for information regarding our use of non-GAAP financial measures.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Revenue. Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024, increased by $73.3 million, or 11%, to $719.1 million from $645.8 million for the same period in 2023. The following table summarizes the revenue and percentage of total revenue for each of our segments for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | Change 2024 vs 2023 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except percentages) |
Full service center-based child care | $ | 486,567 | | | 67.7 | % | | $ | 444,747 | | | 68.9 | % | | $ | 41,820 | | | 9.4 | % |
Tuition | 440,663 | | | 90.6 | % | | 401,595 | | | 90.3 | % | | 39,068 | | | 9.7 | % |
Management fees and operating subsidies | 45,904 | | | 9.4 | % | | 43,152 | | | 9.7 | % | | 2,752 | | | 6.4 | % |
Back-up care | 201,783 | | | 28.0 | % | | 171,423 | | | 26.5 | % | | 30,360 | | | 17.7 | % |
Educational advisory services | 30,749 | | | 4.3 | % | | 29,617 | | | 4.6 | % | | 1,132 | | | 3.8 | % |
Total revenue | $ | 719,099 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 645,787 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 73,312 | | | 11.4 | % |
Revenue generated by the full service center-based child care segment in the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased by $41.8 million, or 9%, when compared to the same period in 2023. Tuition revenue increased by $39.1 million, or 10%, when compared to the prior year, due to a 3% net increase in enrollment and average tuition rate increases at our child care centers of approximately 5%. While we continue to see enrollment growth at our centers, the ongoing labor market challenges and current economic conditions have impacted the recovery in both the United States and international markets, and we continue to operate below pre-pandemic enrollment levels at certain locations. We expect occupancy improvement to continue in relation to the same prior year periods through the remainder of 2024. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for our United Kingdom, Netherlands and Australia operations also contributed to our revenue growth, increasing 2024 tuition revenue by approximately 1%, or $3.8 million. While we expect to be impacted by fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates throughout the year, we do not expect such fluctuations to have a significant impact to the full year results for 2024.
Management fees and operating subsidies from employer sponsors increased by $2.8 million, or 6%, primarily due to higher operating subsidies required to support center operations as enrollment continues to increase, and due to a decrease in funding received from pandemic-related government support programs as most of the programs for which we were eligible for expired in September 2023. Funding received from pandemic-related government support programs reduce certain center operating costs, which impacts the related operating subsidies. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, such funding reduced the operating subsidy revenue due from employers by $5.0 million.
Revenue generated by back-up care services in the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased by $30.4 million, or 18%, when compared to the same period in 2023. Revenue growth in the back-up care segment was primarily attributable to increased utilization of center-based, in-home and school age camp back-up care by new and existing clients.
Revenue generated by educational advisory services in the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased by $1.1 million, or 4%, when compared to the same period in 2023 on increased utilization.
Cost of Services. Cost of services increased by $49.5 million, or 10%, to $537.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $488.1 million for the same period in 2023.
Cost of services in the full service center-based child care segment increased by $36.3 million, or 9%, to $421.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in cost of services was primarily associated with increased personnel costs related to expanded enrollment and wage rate increases. Personnel costs, which generally represent 70% of the costs for this segment, increased 6% during the quarter compared to the same period in the prior year. In addition to the personnel costs for the incremental 3% net enrollment noted above and premiums associated with the deployment of temporary staff to meet enrollment demand, we continue to invest in higher wages for our center staff, resulting in an increase of approximately 4% to the average hourly wage in 2024 compared to 2023. Additionally, most of the pandemic-related government support programs for which we were eligible ended September 2023. Funding received from pandemic-related government support programs reduced center operating expenses by a total of $13.2 million in the third quarter of 2023. As noted above, a portion of the funding received from pandemic-related government support programs reduced the operating costs in certain employer-sponsored centers, which in turn reduced the operating subsidy revenue due from employers for the related child care centers by $5.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Cost of services in the back-up care segment increased by $12.4 million, or 14%, to $101.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the prior year. The increase in cost of services correlates to the increase in revenue and is primarily associated with higher care provider fees generated by the increase in utilization levels of center-based and in-home back-up care over the prior year, and continued investment in personnel, marketing and technology to support our customer user experience and service offerings.
Cost of services in the educational advisory services segment increased by $0.8 million, or 5%, to $14.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the prior year, due to investments in personnel, product suite and technology to support customer access and user experience.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased by $23.9 million, or 15%, to $181.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $157.6 million for the same period in 2023. Incremental gross profit contributions from the full service center-based child care segment, resulting from enrollment growth and the associated operating leverage, and from the back-up care segment, resulting from higher utilization of back-up care services, were partially offset by reduced funding from pandemic-related government support programs. Gross profit margin was 25% of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of approximately 1% compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (“SGA”). SGA increased by $6.2 million, or 7%, to $89.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $83.3 million for the same period in 2023, due to incremental spending to support the business as it continues to re-ramp post-pandemic, and higher personnel costs. SGA was 12% of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024, generally consistent with the same period in 2023.
Amortization of Intangible Assets. Amortization expense on intangible assets was $2.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease from $7.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to decreases from intangible assets becoming fully amortized during the period, partially offset by increases from intangible assets acquired in relation to the acquisitions completed in 2023 and 2024.
Income from Operations. Income from operations increased by $22.6 million, or 34%, to $89.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the prior year. The following table summarizes income from operations and percentage of revenue for each of our segments for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | Change 2024 vs 2023 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except percentages) |
Full service center-based child care | $ | 12,465 | | | 2.6 | % | | $ | 6,990 | | | 1.6 | % | | $ | 5,475 | | | 78.3 | % |
Back-up care | 70,487 | | | 34.9 | % | | 52,257 | | | 30.5 | % | | 18,230 | | | 34.9 | % |
Educational advisory services | 6,444 | | | 21.0 | % | | 7,577 | | | 25.6 | % | | (1,133) | | | (15.0) | % |
Income from operations | $ | 89,396 | | | 12.4 | % | | $ | 66,824 | | | 10.3 | % | | $ | 22,572 | | | 33.8 | % |
The change in income from operations was primarily due to the following:
•Income from operations for the full service center-based child care segment increased $5.5 million, or 78%, in the three months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to increases in tuition revenue from enrollment growth and annual tuition rate increases, partially offset by increased personnel costs and a decrease of approximately $9 million in net contributions from pandemic-related government support programs as most of the programs for which we were eligible ended by September 30, 2023.
•Income from operations for the back-up care segment increased $18.2 million, or 35%, in the three months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023 due in part to incremental contributions from expanded utilization of back-up care services and lower overhead costs, including an allocation of shared services costs which have historically remained relatively stable throughout the year.
•Income from operations for the educational advisory services segment decreased $1.1 million, or 15%, in the three months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023 due to personnel, technology platform and product design investments to support revenue growth and business transformation.
Net Interest Expense. Net interest expense was $11.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease from $12.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to a lack of interest expense in 2024 associated with the deferred payment for the Only About Children acquisition and contingent consideration for a 2021 acquisition, in addition to higher interest income and lower average borrowings, partially offset by higher interest rates applicable to our debt inclusive of the interest rate caps. The weighted average interest rate for the term loans and revolving credit facility was 4.84% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 3.90% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, inclusive of the effects of the cash flow hedges. Based on our current interest rate projections, we estimate that our overall weighted average interest rate will approximate 5.00% for the remainder of 2024 inclusive of the effects of the cash flow hedges.
Income Tax Expense. We recorded income tax expense of $22.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024, at an effective income tax rate of 29%, compared to an income tax expense of $14.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, at an effective income tax rate of 27%. The difference between the effective income tax rates as compared to the statutory income tax rates was primarily due to the impact of unbenefited losses in certain foreign subsidiaries and the effects of net shortfall tax expense associated with the exercise or expiration of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. The effective income tax rate may fluctuate from quarter to quarter for various reasons, including changes to income before income tax, jurisdictional mix of income before income tax, unbenefited losses, valuation allowances, jurisdictional income tax rate changes, as well as discrete items such as non-deductible transaction costs, the settlement of foreign, federal and state tax matters and the effects of excess (shortfall) tax benefit (expense) associated with the exercise or expiration of stock options and vesting of restricted stock.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the net shortfall tax expense from stock-based compensation increased tax expense by $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, prior to the inclusion of the shortfall tax expense, other discrete items and unbenefited losses in certain foreign jurisdictions, the effective tax rate approximated 27% and 28%, respectively.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Income from Operations. Adjusted EBITDA increased $19.8 million, or 20%, and adjusted income from operations increased $22.6 million, or 34%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 over the comparable period in 2023 primarily due to increased contributions from both the back-up care segment and the full service center-based child care segment.
Adjusted Net Income. Adjusted net income increased $13.8 million, or 27%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to the increase in adjusted income from operations and a lower tax rate.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Revenue. Revenue increased by $209.3 million, or 12%, to $2.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $1.8 billion for the same period in 2023. The following table summarizes the revenue and percentage of total revenue for each of our segments for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | Change 2024 vs 2023 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except percentages) |
Full service center-based child care | $ | 1,477,284 | | | 73.4 | % | | $ | 1,333,469 | | | 74.0 | % | | $ | 143,815 | | | 10.8 | % |
Tuition | 1,344,622 | | | 91.0 | % | | 1,212,760 | | | 90.9 | % | | 131,862 | | | 10.9 | % |
Management fees and operating subsidies | 132,662 | | | 9.0 | % | | 120,709 | | | 9.1 | % | | 11,953 | | | 9.9 | % |
Back-up care | 452,945 | | | 22.5 | % | | 389,391 | | | 21.6 | % | | 63,554 | | | 16.3 | % |
Educational advisory services | 81,638 | | | 4.1 | % | | 79,749 | | | 4.4 | % | | 1,889 | | | 2.4 | % |
Total revenue | $ | 2,011,867 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 1,802,609 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 209,258 | | | 11.6 | % |
Revenue generated by the full service center-based child care segment in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 increased by $143.8 million, or 11%, when compared to the same period in 2023. Tuition revenue increased by $131.9 million, or 11%, when compared to the prior year, due to a 5% net increase in enrollment and average tuition rate increases at our child care centers of approximately 5%. As noted above, while we continue to see enrollment growth at our centers, the ongoing labor market challenges and current economic conditions have impacted the recovery in both the United States and international markets, and we continue to operate below pre-pandemic enrollment levels at certain locations. We expect occupancy improvement to continue in relation to the same prior year periods through the remainder of 2024. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for our United Kingdom, Netherlands and Australia operations also contributed to our revenue growth, increasing 2024 tuition revenue by approximately $6.4 million.
Management fees and operating subsidies from employer sponsors increased by $12.0 million, or 10%, primarily due to higher operating subsidies required to support center operations as enrollment continues to increase, and due to a decrease in funding received from pandemic-related government support programs as most of the programs for which we were eligible for expired in September 2023. Funding received from pandemic-related government support programs reduced certain center operating costs, which impacts the related operating subsidies. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, such funding reduced the operating subsidy revenue due from employers by $17.2 million.
Revenue generated by back-up care services in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 increased by $63.6 million, or 16%, when compared to the same period in 2023. Revenue growth in the back-up care segment was primarily attributable to increased utilization of center-based, in-home and school-age camp back-up care by new and existing clients.
Revenue generated by educational advisory services in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 increased by $1.9 million, or 2%, when compared to the same period in the prior year. Revenue growth in this segment was primarily attributable to increased utilization.
Cost of Services. Cost of services increased $146.0 million, or 11%, to $1.5 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $1.4 billion for the same period in 2023.
Cost of services in the full service center-based child care segment increased by $113.1 million, or 10%, to $1.2 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in cost of services was primarily associated with increased personnel costs related to expanded enrollment and wage rate increases. Personnel costs increased 7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in the prior year. In addition to the personnel costs for the incremental 5% net enrollment noted above and premiums associated with the deployment of temporary staff to meet enrollment demand, we continue to invest in higher wages for our center staff, resulting in an increase of approximately 4% to the average hourly wage in 2024 compared to 2023. Additionally, most of the pandemic-related government support programs for which we were eligible ended September 2023. Funding received from pandemic-related government support programs reduced center operating expenses by a total of $48.3 million in 2023. As noted above, a portion of the funding received from pandemic-related government support programs reduced the operating costs in certain employer-sponsored centers, which in turn reduced the operating subsidy revenue due from employers for the related child care centers by $17.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Cost of services in the back-up care segment increased $30.6 million, or 14%, to $247.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the prior year. The increase in cost of services correlates to the increase in revenue and is primarily associated with higher care provider fees generated by the increase in utilization levels of center-based and in-home back-up care over the prior year, and continued investment in personnel, marketing and technology to support our customer user experience and service offerings. Cost of services for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 included $4.3 million in value-added tax related to prior periods.
Cost of services in the educational advisory services segment increased by $2.3 million, or 6%, to $44.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the prior year, due to investments in personnel, product suite and technology to support customer access and user experience.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $63.3 million, or 15%, to $479.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $415.8 million for the same period in 2023. Incremental gross profit contributions from the full service center-based child care segment, resulting from enrollment growth and the associated operating leverage, and from the back-up care segment, resulting from higher utilization of back-up care services, were partially offset by reduced funding from pandemic-related government support programs. Gross profit margin was 24% of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of approximately 1% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. SGA increased $16.6 million, or 7%, to $264.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $247.9 million for the same period in 2023, due to incremental spending to support the business as it continues to re-ramp post-pandemic, higher personnel costs and a $2.3 million charge within the back-up care segment resulting from the early settlement of contingent consideration for a 2021 acquisition. SGA for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 included value-added tax expense of $1.7 million related to prior periods. SGA was 13% of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of approximately 1% from the same period in 2023.
Amortization of Intangible Assets. Amortization expense on intangible assets of $16.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, decreased from $24.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized during the period, partially offset by increases from intangible assets acquired in relation to the acquisitions completed in 2023 and 2024.
Income from Operations. Income from operations increased by $55.4 million, or 39%, to $198.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023. The following table summarizes income from operations and percentage of revenue for each of our segments for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | Change 2024 vs 2023 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except percentages) |
Full service center-based child care | $ | 66,553 | | | 4.5 | % | | $ | 28,493 | | | 2.1 | % | | $ | 38,060 | | | 133.6 | % |
Back-up care | 118,063 | | | 26.1 | % | | 97,500 | | | 25.0 | % | | 20,563 | | | 21.1 | % |
Educational advisory services | 13,776 | | | 16.9 | % | | 17,008 | | | 21.3 | % | | (3,232) | | | (19.0) | % |
Income from operations | $ | 198,392 | | | 9.9 | % | | $ | 143,001 | | | 7.9 | % | | $ | 55,391 | | | 38.7 | % |
The change in income from operations was due to the following:
•Income from operations for the full service center-based child care segment increased $38.1 million, or 134%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to increases in tuition revenue from enrollment growth and annual tuition rate increases, partially offset by increased personnel costs, and a decrease of approximately $33 million in net contributions from government support programs as most of the programs for which we were eligible ended by September 30, 2023. Income from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 included $1.7 million in value-added tax expense related to prior periods.
•Income from operations for the back-up care segment increased $20.6 million, or 21%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023. Incremental contributions from expanded utilization of back-up care services were partially offset by higher overhead costs, including an allocation of shared services costs which have historically remained relatively stable throughout the year. Income from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 included a $2.3 million charge related to the early settlement of contingent consideration for a 2021 acquisition and income from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 included $4.3 million in value-added tax expense related to prior periods.
•Income from operations for the educational advisory services segment decreased $3.2 million, or 19%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023 due to personnel, product design, and technology platform investments to support revenue growth and business transformation.
Net Interest Expense. Net interest expense of $37.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 remained fairly consistent with net interest expense of $37.4 million for the same period in 2023, due to higher interest rates applicable to our debt, offset by a decrease in interest expense associated with the deferred payment for the Only About Children acquisition (which was paid in January 2024) and contingent consideration for a 2021 acquisition (which was paid in April 2024), lower average borrowings and higher interest income. The weighted average interest rate for the term loans and revolving credit facility was 4.93% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 3.92% for the same period in 2023, inclusive of the effects of the cash flow hedges.
Income Tax Expense. We recorded income tax expense of $50.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 at an effective income tax rate of 31%, compared to an income tax expense of $36.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, at an effective income tax rate of 35%. The difference between the effective income tax rates as compared to the statutory income tax rates was primarily due to the impact of unbenefited losses in certain foreign subsidiaries and the effects of net shortfall tax expense associated with the exercise or expiration of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. The effective income tax rate may fluctuate from quarter to quarter for various reasons, including changes to income before income tax, jurisdictional mix of income before income tax, unbenefited losses, valuation allowances, jurisdictional income tax rate changes, as well as discrete items such as non-deductible transaction costs, the settlement of foreign, federal and state tax matters and the effects of excess (shortfall) tax benefit (expense) associated with the exercise or expiration of stock options and vesting of restricted stock.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the net shortfall tax expense from stock-based compensation increased tax expense by $0.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, prior to the inclusion of the shortfall tax expense, other discrete items and unbenefited losses in certain foreign jurisdictions, the effective tax rate approximated 27% and 28%, respectively.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Income from Operations. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted income from operations increased $45.7 million, or 18%, and $49.4 million, or 33%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 over the comparable period in 2023 primarily due to the incremental gross profit contributions from the full service center-based child care segment resulting from enrollment growth and tuition price increases and from the back-up care segment resulting from increased utilization.
Adjusted Net Income. Adjusted net income increased $29.6 million, or 25%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to the increase in adjusted income from operations.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation
In our quarterly and annual reports, earnings press releases and conference calls, we discuss key financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP to supplement our consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis. These non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from operations, adjusted net income and diluted adjusted earnings per common share are reconciled from their respective measures determined under GAAP as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except share data) |
Net income | $ | 54,905 | | | $ | 39,979 | | | $ | 111,068 | | | $ | 68,699 | | | | | |
Interest expense — net | 11,613 | | | 12,222 | | | 37,307 | | | 37,357 | | | | | |
Income tax expense | 22,878 | | | 14,623 | | | 50,017 | | | 36,945 | | | | | |
Depreciation | 19,862 | | | 18,935 | | | 59,462 | | | 57,834 | | | | | |
Amortization of intangible assets (a) | 2,640 | | | 7,568 | | | 16,139 | | | 24,898 | | | | | |
EBITDA | 111,898 | | | 93,327 | | | 273,993 | | | 225,733 | | | | | |
Additional adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense (b) | 9,091 | | | 7,841 | | | 24,607 | | | 21,154 | | | | | |
Other costs (c) | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6,040 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total adjustments | 9,091 | | | 7,841 | | | 24,607 | | | 27,194 | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 120,989 | | | $ | 101,168 | | | $ | 298,600 | | | $ | 252,927 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from operations | $ | 89,396 | | | $ | 66,824 | | | $ | 198,392 | | | $ | 143,001 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Other costs (c) | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6,040 | | | | | |
Adjusted income from operations | $ | 89,396 | | | $ | 66,824 | | | $ | 198,392 | | | $ | 149,041 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | $ | 54,905 | | | $ | 39,979 | | | $ | 111,068 | | | $ | 68,699 | | | | | |
Income tax expense | 22,878 | | | 14,623 | | | 50,017 | | | 36,945 | | | | | |
Income before income tax | 77,783 | | | 54,602 | | | 161,085 | | | 105,644 | | | | | |
Amortization of intangible assets (a) | 2,640 | | | 7,568 | | | 16,139 | | | 24,898 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense (b) | 9,091 | | | 7,841 | | | 24,607 | | | 21,154 | | | | | |
Other costs (c) | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6,040 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest on deferred consideration (d) | — | | | 1,487 | | | — | | | 4,412 | | | | | |
Adjusted income before income tax | 89,514 | | | 71,498 | | | 201,831 | | | 162,148 | | | | | |
Adjusted income tax expense (e) | (24,613) | | | (20,377) | | | (56,008) | | | (45,913) | | | | | |
Adjusted net income | $ | 64,901 | | | $ | 51,121 | | | $ | 145,823 | | | $ | 116,235 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted | 58,701,618 | | | 58,045,137 | | | 58,483,404 | | | 57,886,823 | | | | | |
Diluted adjusted earnings per common share | $ | 1.11 | | | $ | 0.88 | | | $ | 2.49 | | | $ | 2.01 | | | | | |
(a)Amortization of intangible assets represents amortization expense, including amortization expense of $0.1 million and $5.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 respectively, and of $8.4 million and $15.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, associated with intangible assets recorded in connection with our going private transaction in May 2008.
(b)Stock-based compensation expense represents non-cash stock-based compensation expense in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation.
(c)Other costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 consist of value-added tax expense of $6.0 million related to prior periods, of which $4.3 million was associated with the back-up care segment and $1.7 million was associated with the full service center-based child care segment.
(d)Interest on deferred consideration represents the imputed interest on the deferred consideration issued in connection with the July 1, 2022 acquisition of Only About Children, a child care operator in Australia. The deferred consideration was paid in January 2024.
(e)Adjusted income tax expense represents income tax expense calculated on adjusted income before income tax at an effective tax rate of approximately 28% and 29% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and at an effective tax rate of approximately 28% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. The jurisdictional mix of the expected adjusted income before income tax for the full year will affect the estimated effective tax rate for the year.
Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from operations, adjusted net income and diluted adjusted earnings per common share are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP (collectively referred to as “non-GAAP financial measures”), and the use of the terms adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from operations, adjusted net income and diluted adjusted earnings per common share may differ from similar measures reported by other companies and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures. We believe the non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with useful information with respect to our historical operations. We present the non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental performance measures because we believe they facilitate a comparative assessment of our operating performance relative to our performance based on our results under GAAP, while isolating the effects of some items that vary from period to period. Specifically, adjusted EBITDA allows for an assessment of our operating performance and of our ability to service or incur indebtedness without the effect of non-cash charges, such as depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation expense, and non-recurring costs, such as value-added-tax expense related to prior periods and at times, other non-recurring costs, such as impairment costs and transaction costs. In addition, adjusted income from operations, adjusted net income and diluted adjusted earnings per common share allow us to assess our performance without the impact of the specifically identified items that we believe do not directly reflect our core operations. These non-GAAP financial measures also function as key performance indicators used to evaluate our operating performance internally, and they are used in connection with the determination of incentive compensation for management, including executive officers. Adjusted EBITDA is also used in connection with the determination of certain ratio requirements under our credit agreement.
Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from operations, adjusted net income and diluted adjusted earnings per common share are not measurements of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to income before taxes, net income, diluted earnings per common share, net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing or financing activities or any other financial statement data presented as indicators of financial performance or liquidity, each as presented in accordance with GAAP. Consequently, our non-GAAP financial measures should be considered together with our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with GAAP and included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We understand that although adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from operations, adjusted net income and diluted adjusted earnings per common share are frequently used by securities analysts, lenders and others in their evaluation of companies, they have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
•adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from operations and adjusted net income do not fully reflect our cash expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
•adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from operations and adjusted net income do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
•adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on debt; and
•although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from operations and adjusted net income do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.
Because of these limitations, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from operations and adjusted net income should not be considered as discretionary cash available to us to reinvest in the growth of our business or as measures of cash that will be available to us to meet our obligations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary cash requirements are for the ongoing operations of our existing early education and child care centers, back-up care, educational advisory services, the addition of new centers through development or acquisitions, and debt financing obligations. Our primary sources of liquidity are our existing cash, cash flows from operations, and borrowings available under our revolving credit facility. We had $109.9 million in cash ($119.1 million including restricted cash) at September 30, 2024, of which $47.4 million was held in foreign jurisdictions, compared to $71.6 million in cash ($89.5 million including restricted cash) at December 31, 2023, of which $32.1 million was held in foreign jurisdictions. Operations outside of North America accounted for 28% and 27% of our consolidated revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The net impact on our liquidity from changes in foreign currency exchange rates was not material for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. While we expect to be impacted by fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates throughout the year, we do not currently expect that the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates will have a material net impact on our liquidity, capital resources or results from operations for the remainder of 2024.
Our $400 million revolving credit facility is part of our senior secured credit facilities. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $389.8 million and $380.7 million of the revolving credit facility, respectively, was available for borrowing.
We had a working capital deficit of $262.9 million and $352.5 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Our working capital deficit has primarily arisen from using cash to make long-term investments in fixed assets and acquisitions, deferred consideration issued in relation to an acquisition and from share repurchases. We anticipate that our cash flows from operating activities will continue to expand as our center enrollment re-ramps and performance continues to recover. As we continue to progress on the enrollment and ramping of centers, we expect to allocate capital to investments that support current operations and strategic opportunities, as well as principal and interest payments on our debt and revolver, and share repurchases from time to time.
In January 2024, the Company paid deferred consideration of $106.5 million related to the 2022 acquisition of Only About Children, a child care operator in Australia.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we participated in certain government support programs that were enacted in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the expiration of the child care stabilization grants on September 30, 2023, most of the pandemic-related government support programs for which we were eligible ended in 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $48.3 million was recorded as a reduction to cost of services in relation to these benefits, of which $17.2 million reduced the operating subsidies paid by employers for the related child care centers. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $1.7 million was recorded to revenue related to amounts received for tuition support.
As of September 30, 2024, we had $891.8 million in lease liabilities, $104.7 million of which is short term in nature. Refer to Note 3, Leases, to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information on leases, including the maturity of the contractual obligations related to our lease liabilities.
The board of directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $400 million of our outstanding common stock, effective December 16, 2021. The share repurchase program has no expiration date. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we did not make any share repurchases under the Board-approved repurchase program, and at September 30, 2024, $198.3 million remained available for future repurchases. All repurchased shares have been retired.
We believe that funds provided by operations, our existing cash balances, and borrowings available under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to fund all obligations and liquidity requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, if we were to experience renewed disruption from the pandemic or other similar global health crisis or if we were to undertake any significant acquisitions or make investments in the purchase of facilities for new or existing centers, we could require financing beyond our existing cash and borrowing capacity, and it could be necessary for us to obtain additional debt or equity financing. We may not be able to obtain such financing on reasonable terms, if at all.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | |
| (In thousands) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 216,813 | | | $ | 160,971 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (92,662) | | | $ | (92,009) | |
Net cash used in financing activities | $ | (95,822) | | | $ | (60,457) | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning of period | $ | 89,451 | | | $ | 51,894 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — end of period | $ | 119,087 | | | $ | 59,119 | |
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $216.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $161.0 million for the same period in 2023. The increase in cash provided by operations primarily relates to an increase in net income of $42.4 million, as well as higher cash provided by working capital arising from the timing of billings and payments when compared to the prior year.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $92.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $92.0 million for the same period in 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we invested $8.3 million in acquisitions, compared to an investment of $37.8 million during the same period in the prior year, a decrease in cash used of $29.5 million. This decrease in cash used was partially offset by an increase in net purchases of debt securities and other investments. Net purchases of debt securities by our captive insurance entity, using restricted cash, and other investments were $19.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to net proceeds of $6.0 million during the same period in the prior year, a net increase of cash used of $25.1 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we had net investments of $65.3 million in fixed asset purchases for maintenance and refurbishments in our existing centers, technology across all segments, and new child care centers, compared to net investments of $60.2 million during the same period in the prior year.
Cash Used in Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $95.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $60.5 million for the same period in 2023. The increase in cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was related to payments for deferred and contingent consideration of $103.9 million, of which $97.7 million related to the deferred consideration for the 2022 acquisition of Only About Children and $6.2 million related to the contingent consideration for a 2021 acquisition. This increase in cash used was partially offset by a decrease in net payments related to our revolving credit facility, which were $54.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in the current year wherein the net activity under our revolving credit facility amounted to zero. Additionally, proceeds received from the exercise of employee equity awards in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 increased by $16.0 million compared to the prior year due to a higher volume of transactions and higher exercise prices. Proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $24.8 million and $8.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Debt
Our senior secured credit facilities consist of a $600 million term loan B facility (“term loan B”), a $400 million term loan A facility (“term loan A”) and a $400 million multi-currency revolving credit facility (“revolving credit facility”).
Long term debt obligations were as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| | | |
| (In thousands) |
Term loan B | $ | 583,500 | | | $ | 588,000 | |
Term loan A | 372,500 | | | 380,000 | |
Deferred financing costs and original issue discount | (4,347) | | | (5,236) | |
Total debt | 951,653 | | | 962,764 | |
Less current maturities | (26,000) | | | (18,500) | |
Long-term debt | $ | 925,653 | | | $ | 944,264 | |
The seven year term loan B matures on November 23, 2028 and requires quarterly principal payments equal to 1% per annum of the original aggregate principal amount of the term loan B, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The five year term loan A matures on November 23, 2026 and requires quarterly principal payments equal to 2.5% per annum of the original aggregate principal amount of the term loan A in each of the first three years, 5.0% in the fourth year, and 7.5% in the fifth year. The remaining principal balance is due at maturity.
The revolving credit facility matures on May 26, 2026. At September 30, 2024, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility and letters of credit outstanding under the revolver were $10.2 million, with $389.8 million available for borrowing. At December 31, 2023, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility and letters of credit outstanding were $19.3 million, with $380.7 million available for borrowing.
Borrowings under the credit facilities are subject to variable interest. We mitigate our interest rate exposure with interest rate cap agreements. In June 2020, we entered into interest rate cap agreements with a total notional value of $800 million. These interest rate cap agreements, designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges, provided us with interest rate protection in the event the one-month term SOFR rate increased above 0.9%. Interest rate cap agreements for $300 million notional value had an effective date of June 30, 2020 and expired on October 31, 2023, while interest rate cap agreements for another $500 million notional amount had an effective date of October 29, 2021 and expired on October 31, 2023. In December 2021, we entered into interest rate cap agreements with a total notional value of $900 million designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges. Interest rate cap agreements for $600 million, which had a forward starting effective date of October 31, 2023 and expire on October 31, 2025, provide the Company with interest rate protection in the event the one-month term SOFR rate increases above 2.4%. Interest rate cap agreements for $300 million, which had a forward starting effective date of October 31, 2023 and expire on October 31, 2026, provide the Company with interest rate protection in the event the one-month term SOFR rate increases above 2.9%.
The blended weighted average interest rate for the term loans and revolving credit facility was 4.93% and 3.92% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, including the impact of the cash flow hedges. Based on our current interest rate projections, we estimate that our overall weighted average interest rate will approximate 5.00% for the remainder of 2024 inclusive of the effects of the cash flow hedges.
The term loan A and the revolving credit facility require Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC, the borrower, and its restricted subsidiaries, to comply with a maximum first lien net leverage ratio. A breach of this covenant is subject to certain equity cure rights. The credit agreement governing the senior secured credit facilities contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default. We were in compliance with our financial covenant at September 30, 2024. Refer to Note 6, Credit Arrangements and Debt Obligations, to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information on our debt and credit arrangements, future principal payments of long-term debt, and covenant requirements.
Critical Accounting Policies
For a discussion of our “Critical Accounting Policies,” refer to Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies since December 31, 2023.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We do not believe there have been material changes in our exposure to interest rate or foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations since December 31, 2023. See Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for further information regarding market risk.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of September 30, 2024, we conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively), regarding the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The term “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods and that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) were effective as of September 30, 2024.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are, from time to time, subject to claims, suits, and matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Such claims have in the past generally been covered by insurance, but there can be no assurance that our insurance will be adequate to cover all liabilities that may arise out of claims or matters brought against us. We believe the resolution of such legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, although we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of any such actions.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. We believe that these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties, not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, could materially impair our business, financial condition or results of operations. There have been no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The table below sets forth information regarding purchases of our common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period | | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased (1) (a) | | Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) (b) | | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2) (c) | | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares/Units that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (In thousands) (3) (d) |
| | | | | | | | |
July 1, 2024 to July 31, 2024 | | 225 | | | $ | 114.76 | | | — | | | $ | 198,290 | |
August 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024 | | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | 198,290 | |
September 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024 | | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | 198,290 | |
| | 225 | | | | | — | | | |
(1)The Company purchased an aggregate of 225 shares during the three months ended September 30, 2024, which shares were withheld for tax payments due upon the vesting of employee restricted stock unit awards. The shares were valued using the transaction date and closing stock price for purposes of such tax withholdings. Shares retired in connection with the payment of tax withholding obligations are not included in, and are not counted against, our share repurchase authorization.
(2)The board of directors of the Company authorized a share repurchase program of up to $400 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock effective December 16, 2021. The Company did not repurchase any shares under the board-authorized program during the three months ended September 30, 2024. The share repurchase program has no expiration date. All previously repurchased shares have been retired.
(3)The number shown represents, as of the end of each period, the approximate dollar value of the Company’s outstanding common stock that may yet be purchased under the Company’s publicly announced share repurchase program as described in footnote (2) above. Such shares may be purchased, from time to time, depending on business and market conditions.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted, modified or terminated any contract, instruction, or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Exchange Act or any non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K).
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:
| | | | | | | | |
Exhibit Number | | Exhibit Title |
31.1* | | |
31.2* | | |
32.1** | | |
32.2** | | |
101.INS* | | Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
101.SCH* | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
101.CAL* | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
101.DEF* | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
101.LAB* | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. |
101.PRE* | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL with applicable taxonomy extension information contained in Exhibits 101). |
| | | | | |
* | Exhibits filed herewith. |
** | Exhibits furnished herewith. |
| |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC. | | |
Date: | November 7, 2024 | By: | /s/ Elizabeth Boland |
| | | Elizabeth Boland |
| | | Chief Financial Officer |
| | | (Duly Authorized Officer) |