Monster Worldwide Reports 2005 Second Quarter Results

Monster Worldwide Reports $239.0 Million of Revenue, Income from Continuing Operations of $25.6 Million, and $0.21 in Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations

Monster Division Revenue Grows 40% to $198.1 Million with Deferred Revenue at $245 Million

NEW YORK, Jul 27, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:MNST) today reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005.

The Company's total revenue grew 32% to $239.0 million in the second quarter of 2005 from $181.3 million in last year's second quarter. Revenue at the Monster division increased to $198.1 million, a 40% increase over the $141.9 million recorded in the second quarter of 2004. The Advertising and Communications business contributed $40.9 million of revenue, a 4% increase in the second quarter over last year's comparable quarter. All results provided in this news release have been reclassified to report the Company's Directional Marketing segment as discontinued operations, following its sale in the second quarter of 2005.

Organic revenue growth for the Company and the Monster division was 26% and 34%, respectively, compared to last year's second quarter. The Monster division's deferred revenue balance at the end of the first half of the year was $245 million, representing an all time high and a 37% increase over last year's second quarter. Income from continuing operations for the second quarter increased 72% to $25.6 million from $14.8 million in the 2004 second quarter.

For the quarter, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased 75% to $0.21 over the $0.12 for the second quarter of 2004. Net income for the second quarter increased 21% to $19.6 million from $16.2 million in the second quarter of 2004. For the quarter, diluted earnings per share was $0.16 compared to $0.14 reported for the second quarter of 2004.

Cash from operating activities in the second quarter of 2005 was $52.9 million compared with $17.4 million for the comparable year ago quarter. Free cash flow, defined as cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures, increased to $45.3 million compared to $11.2 million in the June quarter of 2004. Additionally, the Company recorded $50.2 million in net cash from the sales of its Directional Marketing businesses.

"We are extremely pleased with our revenue and earnings growth as well as margin expansion in the second quarter and are determined to carry the strong momentum of the first six months of the year into the remainder of 2005," said Andrew J. McKelvey, Chairman and CEO of Monster Worldwide. "The second quarter results reflect the execution of our sales strategy to grow Monster's penetration of enterprise businesses while also broadening our coverage of the promising small and medium size markets. In addition, the recent sale of our Yellow Pages division has enabled us to further concentrate our resources on extending Monster's domestic leadership position and expanding our global footprint to continue capitalizing on the significant revenue opportunities in foreign markets."

Six Months Results

Monster Worldwide reported total revenue of $471.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to $342.5 million in the first six months of last year. Income from continuing operations was $48.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared to $25.6 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in last year's comparable period. Net income for the first six months of 2005 was $40.1 million up from $28.6 million in the first six months of 2004. Diluted earnings per share was $0.33 compared to $0.24 reported for the first six months of 2004.

Recent Developments/Operational Highlights

Sale of Directional Marketing Businesses

• In the second quarter of 2005, Monster Worldwide sold substantially all of its Directional Marketing businesses. The businesses that were sold employed 890 employees of Monster Worldwide and contributed $90 million, or 11%, of the Company's 2004 revenue. The transaction allows management to tighten its strategic and operational focus on expanding the Monster franchise across local and international markets. The Directional Marketing division is treated as a discontinued operation in the attached financial statements.

Monster Worldwide Introduces Monster Employment Index in Europe and Local U.S. Markets

• Monster Worldwide introduced the Monster Employment Index Europe on June 8th to provide European labor market watchers with a broad analysis of European online job demand. This is the first time an analysis of European online hiring activity has been provided by any institution. The new European Index measures online recruitment activity in Europe and country specific online job demand in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The monthly findings, based on job posting data collected from more than 1,400 carefully selected web sites, are believed to be representative of employer activity within these five European countries. On July 21st, the Company launched the Monster Local Employment Index, a monthly snapshot of employer online recruitment activity in the top 28 U.S. markets. Results from both Index reports were covered widely in the media, including major TV outlets, print, and online.

New Advertising Campaign and Customer Service Initiatives Support Redesign of Monster Site

• In early June, Monster unveiled a new strategic communications strategy designed to address the changing workplace and culture. This broad initiative was launched with a newly-created Monster.com website and is supported by Monster Central, a 24/7 live online and phone customer service center, and a national and local advertising campaign. The key features of the new Monster.com website include: a streamlined resume builder, greater customization to improve each individual's job search, refined job search as to location and job category and expert driven career content. The new advertising campaign is designed to set a positive and personal experience for job seekers. Television commercials aired throughout the month of June in primetime, late night and included network and cable stations. On the heels of this June campaign, new job postings reached their highest level this year, and inbound employer call volume increased 19% compared with the month of May 2005. This television advertising complements the existing radio campaign, which began earlier this year.

Business Outlook

The following forward-looking statements reflect Monster Worldwide, Inc.'s expectations as of July 27, 2005. These expectations involve a number of uncertainties - in particular, assumptions about foreign currency exchange rates, future economic conditions, plans to cultivate new business, market share and growth rates, pricing power, capital spending, depreciation and amortization, the tax rate and the other risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. These expectations do not include the effect of acquisitions or any possible dispositions or implementation of accounting rule changes or factors outside of our control which may have an impact on future financial results.

$'s in millions, except per share Third amounts Quarter 2005 Full Year 2005 ---------------------------------------- -------------- -------------- Total revenue $243 - $249 $968 - $985 Monster division revenue $202 - $207 $800 - $815 Diluted EPS from continuing operations $0.23 - $0.24 $0.88 - $0.91 ---------------------------------------- -----------------------------

Supplemental Financial Information

The Company has made available certain supplemental financial information, in a separate document, that can be accessed directly at www.monsterworldwide.com/suppfinQ205.pdf or through the Company's Investor Relations website at http://ir.monsterworldwide.com. Financial information included in the document has been reclassified to reflect the historical results of the Directional Marketing businesses as discontinued operations, following the sale of these businesses in the second quarter of 2005. Additionally, the document reflects the reclassification of our historical segment information to present a Corporate operating segment, which reflects certain direct corporate costs and allocated expenses. Historical operating expenses and operating margins associated with our Monster and Advertising & Communications divisions have been restated in this document to reflect this new segment presentation.

Conference Call Information

Second quarter 2005 results will be discussed on Monster Worldwide's quarterly conference call taking place on July 27, 2005 at 10:00 AM EDT. To join the conference call, please dial in on 1-888-489-9493 at 9:50 AM EDT. For those outside the United States, please call in on 1-212-231-6005. The call will begin promptly at 10:00 AM EDT. Individuals can also access Monster Worldwide's quarterly conference call online through the investor information section of the Company's website at www.monsterworldwide.com.

About Monster Worldwide

Founded in 1967, Monster Worldwide, Inc. is the parent company of Monster(R), the leading global online careers property. The company also owns TMP Worldwide, one of the world's largest Recruitment Advertising agency networks. Headquartered in New York with approximately 4,500 employees in 26 countries, Monster Worldwide (NASDAQ: MNST) is a member of the S&P 500 Index. More information about Monster Worldwide is available at www.monsterworldwide.com.

Monster is the leading global online careers property. A division of Monster Worldwide, Monster works for everyone by connecting quality job seekers at all levels with leading employers across all industries. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Maynard, Mass., Monster has 25 local language and content sites in 23 countries worldwide. More information is available at www.monster.com or by calling 1-800-MONSTER. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading employer products and services, please visit http://recruiter.monster.com.

Note on Discontinued Operations

During the quarter ended June 30, 2005, the Company disposed of its Directional Marketing segment. Therefore, substantially all the operating results of such businesses have been reclassified to discontinued operations for all periods presented. In addition, the Company has recorded a loss on the sale of such businesses in discontinued operations in the second quarter of 2005. Entities that were retained are now included with the results of the Company's Advertising & Communications international business, for all periods presented.

Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Monster Worldwide, Inc. (the "Company") has provided certain non-GAAP financial information as additional information for its operating results. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and may be different from non-GAAP measures reported by other companies. The Company believes that its presentation of non-GAAP measures such as operating income before depreciation and amortization, net cash and free cash flow, provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to its financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company's management uses these measures for reviewing the financial results of the Company and for budgeting and planning purposes.

Operating income before depreciation and amortization is defined as income from operations before depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and amortization of stock based compensation. The Company considers operating income before depreciation and amortization to be an important indicator of its operational strength. This measure eliminates the effects of depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and amortization of stock based compensation from period to period, which the Company believes is useful to management and investors in evaluating its operating performance. Operating income before depreciation and amortization is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures. Free cash flow is considered a liquidity measure and provides useful information about the Company's ability to generate cash after investments in property and equipment. Free cash flow reflected herein is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Free cash flow does not reflect the total change in the Company's cash position for the period and should not be considered a substitute for such a measure.

Special Note: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the Company's strategic direction, prospects and future results. Certain factors, including factors outside of our control, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, risks associated with acquisitions, competition, seasonality and the other risks discussed in our Form 10-K and our other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated in this release by reference.

MONSTER WORLDWIDE, INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, ------------------- ------------------- 2005 2004 2005 2004 --------- --------- --------- --------- Revenue $238,979 $181,328 $471,032 $342,538 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- Salaries and related 105,564 82,353 206,120 153,822 Office and general 44,588 36,961 88,616 71,902 Marketing and promotion 47,692 38,086 96,138 75,931 Amortization of intangibles 2,274 1,241 4,628 1,846 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- Total operating expenses 200,118 158,641 395,502 303,501 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating income 38,861 22,687 75,530 39,037 Interest and other, net 1,043 (429) 976 (715) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity interests 39,904 22,258 76,506 38,322 Income taxes 13,967 7,428 27,035 12,763 Losses in equity interests (367) - (576) - ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- Income from continuing operations 25,570 14,830 48,895 25,559 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (5,994) 1,410 (8,749) 3,086 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- Net income $19,576 $16,240 $40,146 $28,645 ============================== ========= ========= ========= ========= Basic earnings per share: Earnings per share from continuing operations $0.21 $0.13 $0.40 $0.22 Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations, net of tax (0.05) 0.01 (0.07) 0.03 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- Basic earnings per share $0.16 $0.14 $0.33 $0.25 ============================== ========= ========= ========= ========= Diluted earnings per share: Earnings per share from continuing operations $0.21 $0.12 $0.40 $0.21 Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations, net of tax (0.05) 0.01 (0.07) 0.03 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- Diluted earnings per share* $0.16 $0.14 $0.33 $0.24 ============================== ========= ========= ========= ========= Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 121,049 117,431 120,853 116,479 ============================== ========= ========= ========= ========= Diluted 123,181 120,192 123,320 119,004 ============================== ========= ========= ========= ========= Operating income before depreciation and amortization: Operating income $38,861 $22,687 $75,530 $39,037 Depreciation and amortization of intangibles 9,221 7,972 18,459 14,834 Amortization of stock based compensation 534 872 1,502 1,346 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating income before depreciation and amortization $48,616 $31,531 $95,491 $55,217 ============================== ========= ========= ========= ========= * - Earnings per share does not add in the 2004 period due to rounding MONSTER WORLDWIDE, INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, ------------------ ------------------- 2005 2004 2005 2004 --------- -------- --------- --------- Cash flows provided by operating activities: Net income $19,576 $16,240 $40,146 $28,645 ------------------------------ --------- -------- --------- --------- Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 5,994 (1,410) 8,749 (3,086) Depreciation and amortization of intangibles 9,221 7,972 18,459 14,834 Provision for doubtful accounts 2,065 1,363 4,379 2,301 Tax benefit on stock option exercises 3,259 1,167 3,840 1,605 Net loss on disposal and write-off of fixed assets 8 213 (63) 306 Non-cash compensation 534 872 1,981 1,346 Common stock issued for matching contribution to 401(k) plan and other 1,264 1,329 2,005 3,474 Provision for deferred income taxes 756 8,325 9,609 14,751 Minority interests and other 785 26 576 26 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of purchase transactions: Accounts Receivable (4,081) (13,808) 96 (31,297) Prepaid and other (19,054) 5,998 (22,114) 8,287 Deferred revenue 3,613 3,689 10,341 11,652 Accrued business reorganization and other costs (1,433) (4,927) (3,405) (8,922) Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other 38,582 310 38,536 12,712 Net cash used for operating activities of discontinued operations (8,167) (9,999) (18,850) (50,297) ------------------------------ --------- -------- --------- --------- Total adjustments 33,346 1,120 54,139 (22,308) ------------------------------ --------- -------- --------- --------- Net cash provided by operating activities 52,922 17,360 94,285 6,337 ------------------------------ --------- -------- --------- --------- Cash flows used for investing activities: Capital expenditures (7,618) (6,111) (15,553) (9,038) Payments for acquisitions and intangible assets, net of cash acquired (7,010) (90,182) (49,487) (116,113) Investment in unconsolidated affiliate - - (50,137) - Cash funded for sale of subsidiaries - - (432) - Sale of long-term investment - - 1,878 - Proceeds from sale of business 50,181 - 50,181 - Net cash used for investing activities of discontinued operations (12) (2,579) (710) (7,495) ------------------------------ --------- -------- --------- --------- Net cash used for investing activities 35,541 (98,872) (64,260) (132,646) ------------------------------ --------- -------- --------- --------- Cash flows provided by financing activities: Net repayments under line of credit and capital lease obligations (1,328) (196) (1,835) (370) Proceeds from the issuance of common stock - 10 - 55,673 Cash received from the exercise of employee stock options 10,733 8,051 14,386 10,765 Repurchase of common stock (1,398) - (1,398) - Net cash used for financing activities of discontinued operations - - - - ------------------------------ --------- -------- --------- --------- Net cash provided by financing activities 8,007 7,865 11,153 66,068 ------------------------------ --------- -------- --------- --------- Effects of exchange rates on cash (1,577) (37) (3,471) 190 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 94,893 (73,684) 37,707 (60,051) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 140,925 155,888 198,111 142,255 ------------------------------ --------- -------- --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $235,818 $82,204 $235,818 $82,204 ============================== ========= ======== ========= ========= Free cash flow: Net cash provided by operating activities $52,922 $17,360 $94,285 $6,337 Less: Capital Expenditures (7,618) (6,111) (15,553) (9,038) ------------------------------ --------- -------- --------- --------- Free cash flow $45,304 $11,249 $78,732 $(2,701) ============================== ========= ======== ========= ========= MONSTER WORLDWIDE, INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) June 30, March 31, December 2005 2005 31, 2004 ----------- ----------- ----------- Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $235,818 $140,925 $198,111 Accounts receivable, net 317,378 315,361 318,530 Property and equipment, net 83,352 82,689 81,415 Goodwill and intangibles, net 640,950 668,008 664,738 Other assets 130,119 112,607 68,997 Total assets of discontinued operations - 202,212 211,822 --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Assets $1,407,617 $1,521,802 $1,543,613 ================================= =========== =========== =========== Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity: Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other $326,099 $305,381 $308,061 Deferred revenue 245,713 242,100 231,382 Other liabilities 36,156 30,439 23,381 Debt 40,935 46,633 63,237 Total liabilities of discontinued operations - 140,966 162,038 --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Liabilities 648,903 765,519 788,099 Stockholders' Equity 758,714 756,283 755,514 --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $1,407,617 $1,521,802 $1,543,613 ================================= =========== =========== =========== MONSTER WORLDWIDE, INC. UNAUDITED OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION (in thousands) Monster ------------------------------- Three North International Total Months America Ended June 30, 2005 ------------------ ------------- -------- Revenue 152,212 45,879 198,091 Operating income 50,323 (2,108) 48,215 OIBDA 55,332 296 55,628 Operating Margin 33.1% -4.6% 24.3% OIBDA Margin 36.4% 0.6% 28.1% Monster ------------------------------- Three North International Total Months America Ended June 30, 2004 ------------------ ------------- -------- Revenue 115,894 26,010 141,904 Operating income 29,665 863 30,528 OIBDA 34,165 2,283 36,448 Operating Margin 25.6% 3.3% 21.5% OIBDA Margin 29.5% 8.8% 25.7% Monster ------------------------------- Six Months North International Total Ended America June 30, 2005 ------------------ ------------- -------- Revenue 300,529 87,096 387,625 Operating income 96,365 (3,673) 92,692 OIBDA 106,331 1,221 107,552 Operating Margin 32.1% -4.2% 23.9% OIBDA Margin 35.4% 1.4% 27.7% Monster ------------------------------- Six Months North International Total Ended America June 30, 2004 ------------------ ------------- -------- Revenue 220,891 43,175 264,066 Operating income 54,393 (1,159) 53,234 OIBDA 62,843 1,141 63,984 Operating Margin 24.6% -2.7% 20.2% OIBDA Margin 28.4% 2.6% 24.2% Advertising & Communications ------------------------------ Three North International Total Corporate Total Months America Ended June 30, 2005 ------------------ ------------- ------- --------- -------- Revenue 18,932 21,956 40,888 238,979 Operating income 537 226 763 (10,117) 38,861 OIBDA 1,632 670 2,302 (9,314) 48,616 Operating Margin 2.8% 1.0% 1.9% 16.3% OIBDA Margin 8.6% 3.1% 5.6% 20.3% Advertising & Communications ------------------------------ Three North International Total Corporate Total Months America Ended June 30, 2004 ------------------ ------------- ------- --------- -------- Revenue 17,553 21,871 39,424 181,328 Operating income 1,018 460 1,478 (9,319) 22,687 OIBDA 2,242 1,014 3,256 (8,173) 31,531 Operating Margin 5.8% 2.1% 3.7% 12.5% OIBDA Margin 12.8% 4.6% 8.3% 17.4% Advertising & Communications ------------------------------ Six Months North International Total Corporate Total Ended America June 30, 2005 ------------------ ------------- ------- --------- -------- Revenue 38,694 44,713 83,407 471,032 Operating income 2,662 540 3,202 (20,364) 75,530 OIBDA 4,814 1,444 6,258 (18,319) 95,491 Operating Margin 6.9% 1.2% 3.8% 16.0% OIBDA Margin 12.4% 3.2% 7.5% 20.3% Advertising & Communications ------------------------------ Six Months North International Total Corporate Total Ended America June 30, 2004 ------------------ ------------- ------- --------- -------- Revenue 35,048 43,424 78,472 342,538 Operating income 1,996 650 2,646 (16,843) 39,037 OIBDA 4,401 1,755 6,156 (14,923) 55,217 Operating Margin 5.7% 1.5% 3.4% 11.4% OIBDA Margin 12.6% 4.0% 7.8% 16.1%

SOURCE: Monster Worldwide, Inc.

Monster Worldwide, Inc.
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bob.jones@monsterworldwide.com
or
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