GEE (JOB) 10-Q2024 Q3 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

OR

Commission File Number 1-05707

7751 Belfort Parkway, Suite 150, Jacksonville, FL 32256

 (Address of principal executive offices)

(630) 954-0400

 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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 (Section 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, or a smaller reporting 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.

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 ☒

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of August 13, 2024 was 108,771,578.

GEE GROUP INC.

Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2024

INDEX

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

As a matter of policy, the Company does not provide forecasts of future financial performance. The statements made in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements often contain or are prefaced by words such as “anticipate”, "believe", “may”, “might”, “could”, "will", “shall”, “plan” and "expect", or similar expressions of future tense. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. As a result of a number of factors, our actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Certain factors that might cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, general business conditions, economic uncertainties, changed socioeconomic norms following the Coronavirus Pandemic (“COVID-19”), the demand for the Company's services, competitive market pressures, the ability of the Company to attract and retain qualified personnel for regular full-time placement and contract assignments, the possibility of incurring liability for the Company's business activities, including the activities of its contract employees and events affecting its contract employees on client premises, cyber risks, including network security intrusions and/or loss of information, and the ability to attract and retain qualified corporate and branch management, as well as those risks discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023, and in other documents which we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) and does not intend to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

GEE GROUP INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

GEE GROUP INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except basic and diluted earnings per share)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

GEE GROUP INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

GEE GROUP INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

GEE GROUP INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands except per share data, unless otherwise stated)

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Article 8 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2024. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023 as filed on December 18, 2023.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s condensed consolidated financial statements and/or related disclosures to conform to the current year’s presentation.

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, which contains authoritative guidance amending how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The guidance requires the application of a current expected credit loss model, which is a new impairment model based on expected losses. The new guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. ASU 2016-13 became effective for the Company on October 1, 2023. The new guidance was implemented during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, is applicable to the Company’s trade (accounts) receivable and did not have a material impact on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

Not Yet Adopted

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740), which expands income tax disclosure requirements in part by requiring entities to disclose a reconciliation of their effective tax rates to statutory rates and provide disaggregation of taxes paid. The guidance also eliminates existing disclosure requirements related to anticipated changes in unrecognized tax benefits and temporary differences related to unrecorded deferred tax liabilities. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company has not yet determined the potential impact of implementation of the new guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280), which enhances prior reportable segment disclosure requirements in part by requiring entities to disclose significant expenses related to their reportable segments. The guidance also requires disclosure of the Chief Operating Decision Maker's (“CODM”) position for each segment and detail of how the CODM uses financial reporting to assess their segment’s performance. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company has not yet determined the potential impact of implementation of the new guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

GEE GROUP INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands except per share data, unless otherwise stated)

3. Allowance for Credit Losses and Falloffs

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company adopted the methodology under ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), during the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 replace the probable incurred loss impairment methodology underlying our previous allowance for doubtful accounts with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. Under ASU 2016-13, an allowance is recorded with a corresponding charge to bad debt expense for expected credit losses in our accounts receivable including consideration of the effects of past, present and future conditions that may reasonably be expected to impact credit losses. The Company charges off uncollectible accounts against the allowance once the invoices are deemed unlikely to be collectible. The allowance for credit losses is reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as a reduction of accounts receivable. The impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 was immaterial to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

As of June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 the allowance for credit losses was $578 and $562, respectively.

A summary of changes in this account is as follows:

Liabilities for Direct Hire Placement Falloffs

Direct hire placement service revenues from contracts with customers are recognized when each of the criteria under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606), including the Company having met its performance obligations under the contracts. This generally occurs when the employment candidates accept offers of employment and have started their newly placed positions, less a provision for estimated credits or refunds to customers as the result of applicants not remaining employed for the entirety of the Company’s guarantee period (referred to as “falloffs”). The Company’s guarantee periods for permanently placed employees generally range from 60 to 90 days from the date of hire.

Charges for expected future falloffs are recorded as reductions of revenues for estimated losses due to applicants not remaining employed for the Company’s guarantee period. In connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company reclassified its allowance for falloffs from being combined with the former allowance for doubtful accounts, a contra-asset, to other current liabilities. Liabilities for falloffs and refunds during the period are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets in the amounts of $45 and $118, as of June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023, respectively. The corresponding charges included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations as reductions of direct hire placement service revenues were approximately $8 and $191 for the three-month periods and $238 and $624 for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

4. Advertising Expenses

The Company expenses the costs of print and internet media advertising and promotions as incurred and reports these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses totaled $535 and $541 for the three-month periods and $1,611 and $1,683 for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

5. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period, which is computed using shares issued and outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares. Potentially dilutive common shares may consist of incremental shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted shares granted but unissued, exercise of stock options and warrants. The dilutive effect of the common stock equivalents is reflected in earnings per share by use of the treasury stock method.

Due to the loss from continuing operations reported for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024, there were no dilutive incremental shares considered in the calculation of dilutive shares. Common stock equivalents, which are excluded because their effect is anti-dilutive, were approximately 4,336 and 3,473 for the three-month periods and 4,164 and 3,463 for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The weighted average dilutive incremental shares, or common stock equivalents, included in the calculations of dilutive shares for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2023 were 734 and 762, respectively.

GEE GROUP INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands except per share data, unless otherwise stated)

6. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

7. Leases

The Company occasionally acquires equipment under finance leases including hardware and software used by our IT department to improve security and capacity, vehicles used by our Industrial Segment, and certain furniture for our offices. Terms for these leases generally range from two to six years. The assets obtained under finance leases are included in property and equipment, net, on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Finance lease expenses such as amortization of the lease assets and interest expense on the lease liabilities are included on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations in depreciation expense and interest expense, respectively. Supplemental information related to these expenses consisted of the following:

Supplemental balance sheet information related to finance leases consisted of the following:

The table below reconciles the undiscounted future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable finance lease agreements to the total finance lease liabilities recognized on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities, as of June 30, 2024:

GEE GROUP INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands except per share data, unless otherwise stated)

The Company leases space for all its branch offices, which are generally located either in downtown or suburban business centers, and for its corporate headquarters. Branch offices are generally leased over periods ranging from three to five years. The corporate office lease expires in 2026. The Company’s leases generally provide for payment of basic rent plus a share of building real estate taxes, maintenance costs and utilities.

Operating lease expenses included in selling, general, and administrative expenses on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations were $577 and $542 for the three-month periods and $1,683 and $1,685 for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases consisted of the following:

Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases consisted of the following:

The table below reconciles the undiscounted future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating lease agreements having initial terms in excess of one year to the total operating lease liabilities recognized on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2024, including certain closed offices are as follows:

8. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The Company performs a goodwill impairment assessment at least annually but may perform interim assessments in the event of a triggering event that may indicate the fair value of a reporting unit decreased below its carrying value. The decline in operating results and net loss experienced in the nine-month period ended June 30, 2024, and the recent negative trend in the Company’s stock price and market capitalization, in management’s view, represent one or more triggering events that indicate the Company’s goodwill may be impaired. The Company reevaluated its financial forecast for the June 2024 quarterly results and performed an interim impairment assessment of its goodwill using the updated information. The results of the interim assessment indicated the Company’s goodwill assigned to both its Professional and Industrial Services reporting units was impaired. As a result, the Company reduced its goodwill associated with the Professional and Industrial Services reporting units by $14,202 and $1,083, respectively, with corresponding non-cash impairment charges recognized in its unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three-month period ended June 30, 2024.

GEE GROUP INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands except per share data, unless otherwise stated)

For purposes of performing its interim goodwill impairment assessment as of June 30, 2024, the Company applied generally accepted valuation methods and techniques in order to estimate the fair value of its Professional and Industrial Services reporting units and considered discounted cash flows, guideline public company results, guideline transactions, revenues and earnings, recent trends in the Company’s stock price, implied control or acquisition premiums, and other possible factors and their effects on estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units. Should industry conditions remain consistently negative, or worsen, or if assumptions such as control premiums, terminal growth projections, cost of capital or discount rates or business enterprise value multiples change such conditions could result in a deficit of the fair value of the Company’s Professional services reporting unit as compared to its remaining carrying value, leading to an impairment in the future.

Intangible Assets

The following tables provide a summary of the Company’s separately identifiable intangible assets as of June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 and estimated future amortization expense.

Intangible assets that represent customer relationships are amortized on the basis of estimated future undiscounted cash flows or using the straight-line basis over estimated remaining useful lives of five to ten years. Trade names are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives of between five and ten years.

Due to the presence of negative macroeconomic conditions impacting U.S. staffing firms, including ours, and related reductions to the Company’s forecasts of future results, the Company performed an evaluation of its intangible assets as of June 30, 2024, using the undiscounted cash flows method. In performing this evaluation, it was determined that certain asset groups associated with the Company’s intangible assets are currently producing negative or sufficiently low gross cash flows that their estimated future discounted cash flows indicate impairments of the remaining unamortized balances. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $5,209 on intangible assets during the three-months ended June 30, 2024.

9. Senior Bank Loan, Security and Guarantee Agreement

The Company and its subsidiaries have a Loan, Security and Guaranty Agreement for a $20 million asset-based senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with First Citizens Bank (“FCB”) (formerly CIT Bank, N.A.). The Facility is collateralized by 100% of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries who are co-borrowers and/or guarantors. The Facility matures on the fifth anniversary of the closing date (May 14, 2026).

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had no outstanding borrowings and $8,725 available for borrowing under the terms of the Facility. The Company had $293 and $408 in unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the Facility as of June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. Of these costs, $153 was reflected in other current assets on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of both June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 with the remainder being reflected in other long term assets. The amortization expense of these debt costs totaled $38 for the three-month periods and $115 for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. The unused line fees incurred and included in interest expense totaled $25 for the three-month periods and $76 for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

GEE GROUP INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands except per share data, unless otherwise stated)

On December 15, 2023, the Company and FCB entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Facility (“Amendment No. 2”), which provides for an increase in the Facility’s concentration limits for certain large clients at the discretion of FCB.

10. Shareholders’ Equity (Share-based Compensation and Share Repurchase Program)

Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended

As of June 30, 2024, there were vested and unvested shares of restricted stock and stock options outstanding under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended (“Incentive Stock Plan”). The Incentive Stock Plan, as amended, provides for total shares available for restricted stock and stock options of 15,000 (7,500 restricted stock shares and 7,500 stock option shares). The Incentive Stock Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to grant non-statutory stock options to employees. Vesting periods are established by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant.

As of June 30, 2024, there were 8,199 shares available to be granted under the Plan (4,052 shares available for restricted stock grants and 4,147 shares available for non-qualified stock option grants).

Restricted Stock

The Company has an annual incentive compensation program (“AICP”) for its executives which is administered under the Company’s Incentive Stock Plan. The AICP includes a long-term incentive (“LTI”) compensation program in the form of restricted stock awards comprised of two components: one that vests based on future service only, and a second that vests based on future service and performance. Initial awards under both service-only and service plus performance-based components of the AICP LTI plan are determined based on financial performance measures for the immediately preceding fiscal year.

The Company granted 195 shares of restricted stock under the AICP during the nine months ended June 30, 2024. Of the 195 shares granted, 164 were granted based on actual fiscal 2023 results and will cliff vest on December 1, 2026, based on future service only. Of the remaining 31 shares granted which vest based on future service and performance, 5 were granted based on fiscal 2023 results and will cliff vest on December 1, 2026, the third anniversary from their date of grant. The remaining 26 future service and performance-based shares granted were based on fiscal 2022 results and will cliff vest on December 1, 2025, the second anniversary from their date of grant. The 31 service plus performance-based restricted shares are subject to adjustment over their corresponding fiscal 2024 reporting period based on probability of achieving the fiscal 2024 financial targets set by the Company’s Board of Directors. The shares currently reported have been adjusted based on the probable outcome as compared to these financial targets. The final number of fiscal 2023 and 2022 service plus performance-based restricted shares granted will be determined once the actual financial performance of the Company is determined for fiscal 2024.

Share-based compensation expense attributable to restricted stock was $78 and $119 for the three-month periods and $230 and $294 for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, there was approximately $366 of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock outstanding and the weighted average remaining vesting period for those grants was 1.06 years.

GEE GROUP INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands except per share data, unless otherwise stated)

Warrants

The Company had 77 warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 with a weighted average exercise price per share of $2 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 0.75 and 1.50, respectively. No warrants were granted or expired during the nine months ended June 30, 2024.

Stock Options

All stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 were non-qualified stock options, had exercise prices equal to the market price on the date of grant, and had expiration dates ten years from the date of grant.

The Company did not grant stock options during the nine months ended June 30, 2024. The Company’s stock options previously granted generally vest on annual schedules during periods ranging from two to four years, although some options are fully vested upon grant. Share-based compensation expense attributable to stock options is recognized over their estimated remaining lives and was $71 and $57 for the three-month periods and $229 and $382 for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, there was approximately $643 of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options outstanding, and the weighted average remaining vesting period for those options was 2.81 years.

Share Repurchase Program

On April 27, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of $20 million of the Company’s currently outstanding shares of common stock. The share repurchase program continued through December 31, 2023. The repurchase program did not obligate the Company to repurchase any number of shares of common stock. The share repurchase program was conducted in accordance with Rules 10b-5 and 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Subject to applicable rules and regulations, shares of common stock were purchased from time to time in the open market transactions and in amounts the Company deemed appropriate, based on factors such as market conditions, legal requirements, and other business considerations.

The Company repurchased 2,717 shares of its common stock under program during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2024 at a net cost of $1,575. Upon conclusion of the share repurchase program, as of December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 6,128 shares in aggregate (accounting for approximately 5.4% of our issued and outstanding common shares immediately prior to the program).

GEE GROUP INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands except per share data, unless otherwise stated)

11. Income Tax

The following table presents the provision for income taxes and our effective tax rates for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

The effective income tax rates presented are based upon the estimated income for the year and adjustments, if any, in the applicable quarterly periods for the potential tax consequences, benefits, resolutions of tax audits or other tax contingencies.

The effective tax rates for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024 are higher than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the effect of federal tax credits and state and local taxes. The effective tax rates for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2023 are lower than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the effect of a reduction in the valuation allowance on the Company’s then net deferred tax asset (“DTA”) position. The Company had maintained a full valuation allowance during periods prior to the three months ended June 30, 2023.

As of each reporting date, management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could affect its view of the future realization of deferred tax assets. As of June 30, 2023, in part due to the fact that three years of cumulative pretax income were achieved that year in the U.S. federal tax jurisdiction, management determined that there was sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not that the deferred taxes are realizable. As a result, the Company released $6,938 of the valuation allowance accordingly during the three-month period ended June 30, 2023.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation and Claims

The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in litigation that arises in the ordinary course of business. There are no pending significant legal proceedings to which the Company is a party for which management believes the ultimate outcome would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.

GEE GROUP INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands except per share data, unless otherwise stated)

13. Segment Data

The Company provides the following distinctive services: (a) direct hire placement services, (b) temporary professional services staffing in the fields of information technology, accounting, finance and office, engineering, and medical, and (c) temporary industrial staffing. These services can be divided into two reportable segments: Professional Staffing Services and Industrial Staffing Services. Some selling, general and administrative expenses are not fully allocated among these segments.

Unallocated corporate expenses primarily include certain executive and administrative salaries and related expenses, corporate legal expenses, share-based compensation expenses, consulting expenses, audit fees, corporate rent and facility costs, Board related fees, acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, and interest expense.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. 

Overview

GEE Group Inc. and its wholly owned material operating subsidiaries, Access Data Consulting Corporation, Agile Resources, Inc., BMCH, Inc., Paladin Consulting, Inc., Scribe Solutions, Inc., SNI Companies, Inc., Triad Logistics, Inc., and Triad Personnel Services, Inc. are providers of permanent and temporary professional and industrial staffing and placement services in and near several major U.S cities. We specialize in the placement of information technology, accounting, finance, office, and engineering professionals for direct hire and contract staffing for our clients, data entry assistants (medical scribes) who specialize in electronic medical records (EMR) services for emergency departments, specialty physician practices and clinics, and provide temporary staffing services for our industrial clients. The acquisitions of Scribe Solutions, Inc., a Florida corporation (“Scribe”) in April 2015, Agile Resources, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Agile”) in July 2015, Access Data Consulting Corporation, a Colorado corporation (“Access”) in October 2015, Paladin Consulting Inc. (“Paladin”) in January 2016, and SNI Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“SNI”) in April 2017, expanded our geographical footprint within the professional placement and contract staffing verticals or end markets of information technology, accounting, finance, office, engineering professionals, and medical scribes.

The Company markets its services using the trade names General Employment Enterprises, Omni One, Ashley Ellis, Agile Resources, Scribe Solutions Inc., Access Data Consulting Corporation, Paladin Consulting Inc., SNI Companies (including Staffing Now, Accounting Now, and Certes), Triad Personnel Services and Triad Staffing. As of June 30, 2024, we operated from locations in eleven (11) states, including twenty-five (25) branch offices in downtown or suburban areas of major U.S. cities and three (3) additional U.S. locations utilizing local staff members working remotely. We have offices or serve markets remotely, as follows; (i) one office in each of Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, and New Jersey, and one remote local market presence in Virginia; (ii) two offices in Massachusetts; (iii) three offices in Colorado; (iv) two offices and one additional local market presence in Texas; (v) six offices and one additional local market presence in Florida; and (vi) seven offices in Ohio.

Management has implemented a strategy which includes organic and acquisition growth components. Management’s organic growth strategy includes seeking out and winning new client business, as well as expansion of existing client business and on-going cost reduction and productivity improvement efforts in operations. Management’s acquisition growth strategy includes identifying strategic, accretive acquisitions, financed primarily through a combination of cash and debt, including seller financing, the issuance of equity in appropriate circumstances, and the use of earn-outs where efficient to improve the overall profitability and cash flows of the Company.

The Company’s contract and placement services are principally provided under two operating divisions or segments: Professional Staffing Services and Industrial Staffing Services. We believe our current segments and array of businesses and brands within our segments complement one another and position us for future growth.

Results of Operations

Summary and Outlook

We have incurred a net loss for the fiscal 2024 third quarter and year to date and expect to report a net loss for the full fiscal year ending September 30, 2024. These results are primarily the result of negative economic and labor market conditions that began in 2023 and have continued into 2024. These conditions have negatively impacted the number of job orders received and the numbers of qualified candidates available to fill orders for placements across all of our lines of business. Likewise, the U.S. Staffing Industry, as a whole, has experienced material declines in overall volume and financial performance and the industry outlook is mixed as to when these conditions may be expected to definitively subside. Although these conditions have persisted, we have experienced an increase in revenues and orders in the quarter ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the prior sequential quarter ended March 31, 2024.

On April 18, 2024, we announced that the Mergers and Acquisitions (“M&A”) committee of our Board of Directors had completed its review of strategic alternatives with the assistance of an outside investment banking firm. Management is now in the process of executing on the Company’s plans and budgets as comprehended in the M&A Committee’s strategic recommendations, which are contemplated to include making prudent investments in both organic and M&A growth. To effectively navigate this downturn and return to profitability as soon as possible, we have implemented a comprehensive three-part strategic initiative aimed at fortifying our market position and driving sustainable growth. This includes (1) proactive measures to streamline operations and enhance growth opportunities and cost-efficiency, including significant cost reductions, (2) building upon past acquisitions by taking advantage of current conditions and further integrating and consolidating operations and systems for further efficiencies and cost saving opportunities, and (3) capitalizing on acquisition opportunities arising from the economic downturn by identifying and with the objective of acquiring businesses at reduced multiples and favorable valuations. We estimate that the strategic actions we’ve taken to date by themselves will have the effect of reducing our future annualized selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses by approximately $1.6 million. We estimate that future planned actions will have the effect of reducing our future annual SG&A an additional $1.4 million. It should be noted that due to other potential changes in our SG&A costs in the normal course of business, including the effects of inflation, changes in the volume of business, and others, these cost reductions alone will not necessarily translate into a corresponding equal reduction in our total future SG&A expenses. Regarding the second initiative above, Management expects to spend between $500 thousand and $1.0 million on systems and software over the next 12 to 18 months. Regarding the third initiative above, Management is moving forward with the Company’s M&A target list and socializing with several entities at this stage.

In addition to these initiatives, the Company also has acted timely and conservatively in the face of the current downturn and has reduced its intangible assets and goodwill through the corresponding recognition of non-cash pre-tax impairment charges of $20.5 million in its quarter ended June 30, 2024. Although these non-cash charges added significantly to our net loss and reduced the Company’s net book value, accordingly, they did not reduce the Company’s net cash position, tangible assets, or net tangible book value. The impairment charges associated with intangible assets other than goodwill essentially serve to accelerate future amortization thereby reducing non-cash amortization expense in future periods. The impairment charges in total also have the effect of reducing the level of intangible assets and goodwill and their associated risks in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet going forward.

The Company paused share repurchases on December 31, 2023, having purchased 6.1 million shares of JOB common stock, or just over 5% of our outstanding shares at the beginning of the program. For now, our Board and Management have determined that it is prudent to discontinue share repurchases at least until we are able to gain more clarity on when the market conditions for the staffing industry will improve. If and when we determine that a portion of our excess cash may be prudently utilized for share repurchases in the future, we will consider them once again, accordingly. Share repurchases will continue to be considered among alternative uses of our excess capital. However, in the context of our overall long-term growth strategy and goals it is not by itself a long-term growth strategy to achieve long-term growth goals of enterprise value, and therefore, shareholder value. Evaluation of alternative uses of GEE Group's capital is an on-going priority and process and decisions always will be made with the objectives being optimizing growth in shareholder value and maximizing shareholder returns.

(Amounts in thousands except per share data, unless otherwise stated)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

Net Revenues

Consolidated net revenues are comprised of the following:

Contract staffing services contributed $26,169 or approximately 89% of consolidated revenue and direct hire placement services contributed $3,287, or approximately 11%, of consolidated revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024. This compares to contract staffing services revenue of $32,980, or approximately 86%, of consolidated revenue and direct hire placement revenue of $5,191, or approximately 14%, of consolidated revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Contract staffing services increased $574, or 2%, and direct hire services revenues increased $832, or 34%, as compared with the comparable amounts reported for the prior sequential quarter ended March 31, 2024.

Economic weakness and uncertainties, including persistent inflation and the possibility of recession, continued to negatively impact the Company’s results through the three months ended June 30, 2024. These conditions have negatively impacted the number of job orders received and the numbers of qualified candidates available to fill orders for placements across all of our lines of business. Professional contract staffing services revenues decreased $6,035, or 20%, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. Industrial staffing services for the quarter decreased by $776, or 24%, mainly due to decreases in orders from clients and competition for orders and temporary labor to fill orders, accordingly. Professional contract services revenues increased $628, or 3%, and Industrial contract services revenue decreased $54, or 2%, as compared with the comparable amounts reported for the prior sequential quarter ended March 31, 2024.

Direct hire placement revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024 decreased by $1,904, or approximately 37%, over the three months ended June 30, 2023. Direct hire services revenues increased $832, or 34%, as compared with the comparable amounts reported for the prior sequential quarter ended March 31, 2024. Direct hire opportunities tend to be highly cyclical and demand dependent, tending to rise during economic recovery and decline during downturns. Demand for the Company’s direct hire services was higher in fiscal 2023, following record highs in fiscal 2022, driven by post-COVID employment recovery trends at that time, and is down for the three months ended June 30, 2024, as a result of lingering negative economic conditions.

The U.S. Staffing Industry, as a whole, also has experienced material declines in overall volume and financial performance and the industry outlook is mixed as to when these conditions may be expected to definitively subside.