PDI, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter And Year End 2005 Financial Results

SADDLE RIVER, N.J., March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PDI, Inc. a diversified sales and marketing services provider to the biopharmaceutical industry, announced today its fourth quarter and year end 2005 financial results.

Twelve Months Results

Revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 was $319.4 million, 12.4% lower than revenue of $364.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004. There was an operating loss of $26.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 compared to operating income of $35.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004. There was a net loss of $19.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 versus net income of $21.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004. The net loss per diluted share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 was $1.37 compared to diluted net income per share of $1.42 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004. As discussed below, there were significant events that affected the Company’s operating expenses in the period and they will be described more fully in the Company’s 10K.

Fourth Quarter Results

Revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2005 was $81.3 million, 7.4% less than revenue of $87.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004. There was an operating loss of $17.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2005, versus operating income of $8.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004. There was a net loss of $19.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2005, compared to net income of $4.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004. The net loss per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2005 was $1.43 versus diluted net income per share of $0.31 for the quarter ended December 31, 2004. As discussed below, there were significant events that affected the Company’s operating expenses in the period and they will be more fully described in the Company’s 10K.

Larry Ellberger, PDI’s interim CEO, stated, “2005 was a year of significant changes for PDI including the announcement of a number of executive changes. We are continuing to implement the initiatives we announced in November 2005 to improve our performance.”

“First of all, we have significantly strengthened our business development and marketing efforts, including those directed toward the emerging and biotech segment of the industry. We are pleased with our initial progress here. We have won four new business opportunities since September, adding close to 200 representatives. Two of these wins are multi-year engagements. We believe there is considerable potential for new business from this segment of the pharmaceutical industry. There are over one hundred companies in this segment with products in phase three or awaiting FDA approval, additionally, and the majority of FDA approvals in 2005 came from this segment. PDI’s marketing services businesses already have many customers in this area, and we look to leverage more of those relationships into new business wins in the future. We are committed to maintaining and growing our leadership position in contract sales and believe that the dynamics are favorable over the long term within the pharmaceutical industry to lead to a greater outsourcing of sales and marketing services.

“Second, we expect total compensation and other selling, general and administrative expenses to be significantly below the approximately $65 million incurred in 2005. We are taking the steps necessary to improve our performance without compromising the high level of service we provide our customers or our ability to compete and win new business. The fourth quarter decision to close down the medical device and diagnostic (MD&D) business unit demonstrates our commitment to swift corrective action on underperforming business units.

“Additionally, we are continuing to seek accretive acquisitions that will strengthen our ability to compete and win new contract sales engagements, especially with the emerging and biotech segment. We plan to grow and augment our current marketing services business to broaden our service offering and diversify our business base via targeted acquisitions.

“Despite a difficult and challenging year, and notwithstanding continued investments in our capabilities, an outflow of $13 million to repurchase our shares, and almost $6 million in executive severance, we ended the year with cash and short term investments of $98 million and working capital of $86 million, which highlights the Company’s financial strength and liquidity.”

Events during Year Ended December 31, 2005 -- The Company incurred $14.4 million in asset impairment costs in 2005. This amount included the write down of: (i) goodwill and intangible assets associated with the Company’s MD&D business unit in the amount of $8.2 million; (ii) goodwill associated with the Company’s Select Access business unit in the amount of $3.3 million; and (iii) the Company’s Siebel sales force automation software asset in the amount of $2.8 million. -- Included in the full year results is $5.7 million of executive severance and settlement costs, which, combined with non-executive severance costs incurred in the first quarter resulted in $6.7 million in severance and settlement costs for the year. -- As previously announced, the Company recorded a legal accrual in the third quarter of $3.3 million related to potential California Labor Code penalties. The Company reduced this reserve by $2.7 million in the fourth quarter partially due to reaching a tentative settlement. -- The Company accrued $2.4 million for facilities realignment expenses related to excess office facilities. -- The Company established a $755,000 allowance against its loans to TMX Interactive based upon its impairment.

The foregoing items are included in total operating expenses and reduced operating income by $24.7 million for the year.

Fourth Quarter Events -- The Company wrote down goodwill and intangible assets associated with its MD&D business unit in the amount of $8.2 million and goodwill associated with its Select Access business unit in the amount of $3.3 million. -- Included in the fourth quarter is $3.4 million of severance and settlement amounts with certain executives. -- The Company accrued $2.4 million for facilities realignment expenses related to excess office facilities. -- As previously announced, the Company took a legal accrual in the third quarter of $3.3 million related to potential California Labor Code penalties. The Company reduced this reserve by $2.7 million in the fourth quarter partially due to reaching a tentative settlement.

The foregoing items are included in total operating expenses and reduced operating income by a net amount of $14.6 million in the fourth quarter.

Other Events

As announced on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, the Company has been notified by AstraZeneca that its fee for service agreements will be terminated effective April 30, 2006. The termination affects approximately 800 field representatives. The revenue impact is projected to be approximately $65 to $70 million in 2006. In light of this event, the Company is assessing the ramifications it may have on the Company’s operations, including the need to further reduce operating expenses beyond the reductions already planned.

The Company did not repurchase any shares during the fourth quarter.

As previously announced, the Board of Directors has retained an executive search firm and initiated a search for a permanent CEO. The search for a permanent CEO is progressing.

About PDI

PDI, Inc. is a diversified sales and marketing services provider to the biopharmaceutical industry. PDI’s comprehensive set of outsourced sales and marketing solutions is designed to increase its clients’ strategic flexibility and enhance their efficiency and profitability. Headquartered in Saddle River, New Jersey, PDI also has offices in Pennsylvania and Illinois.

PDI’s sales and marketing services include our Performance Sales Teams(TM), which are dedicated teams for specific clients; and Select Access(TM), our targeted sales solution that leverages an existing infrastructure; marketing research and consulting; and medical education and communications. PDI’s experience extends across multiple therapeutic categories and includes office and hospital-based initiatives.

PDI’s commitment is to deliver innovative solutions, unparalleled execution and superior results for its clients. Through strategic partnership and client-driven innovation, PDI maintains some of the longest standing sales and marketing relationships in the industry. Recognized as an industry pioneer, PDI remains committed to continued innovation.

For more information, visit the Company’s website at http://www.pdi-inc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and financial performance. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are based on numerous assumptions involving judgments with respect to future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond PDI’s control. Some of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements are general economic conditions, the termination of or material reduction in the size of any of our customer contracts, changes in our operating expenses, adverse patent rulings, FDA, legal or accounting developments, competitive pressures, failure to meet performance benchmarks in significant contracts, changes in customer and market requirements and standards, the impact of any stock repurchase programs, the adequacy of the reserves PDI has taken, the financial viability of certain companies whose debt and equity securities we hold, the outcome of certain litigations, PDI’s ability to implement its current business plans, and the risk factors detailed from time to time in PDI’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, PDI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and PDI’s periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission since January 1, 2005. The forward looking- statements in this press release are based upon management’s reasonable belief as of the date hereof. PDI undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

PDI, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) December 31, December 31, 2005 2004 ASSETS (unaudited) Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $90,827 $81,000 Short-term investments 6,807 28,498 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $778 and $74 as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively 27,148 26,662 Unbilled costs and accrued profits on contracts in progress 5,974 3,393 Income tax refund receivable 6,292 - Other current assets 14,078 15,883 Total current assets 151,126 155,436 Property and equipment, net 16,053 17,170 Goodwill 13,112 23,791 Other intangible assets, net 17,305 19,548 Other long-term assets 2,710 8,760 Total assets $200,306 $224,705 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $5,693 $7,217 Income taxes payable 6,805 5,263 Unearned contract revenue 12,598 6,924 Accrued returns 231 4,316 Accrued incentives 12,028 16,282 Accrued payroll and related benefits 7,556 8,414 Other accrued expenses 19,785 10,864 Total current liabilities 64,696 59,280 Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding - - Common stock, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 14,947,771 and 14,820,499 shares issued at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively; 13,929,765 and 14,815,499 shares outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively 150 148 Additional paid-in capital 118,324 116,737 Retained earnings 31,183 50,637 Accumulated other comprehensive income 71 76 Unamortized compensation costs (904) (2,063) Treasury stock, at cost: 1,018,006 and 5,000 shares at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively (13,214) (110) Total stockholders’ equity $135,610 $165,425 Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity $200,306 $224,705 PDI, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except for per share data) For The Three Months For The Years Ended Ended December 31, December 31, 2005 2004 2005 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue Service, net $81,290 $88,299 $319,415 $365,965 Product, net - (487) - (1,521) Total revenue, net 81,290 87,812 319,415 364,444 Cost of goods and services: Program expenses (including related party amount of $180 for the year ended December 31, 2004) 65,244 61,690 257,479 265,360 Cost of goods sold - 10 - 254 Total cost of goods and services 65,244 61,700 257,479 265,614 Gross profit 16,046 26,112 61,936 98,830 Compensation expense 6,750 7,776 29,367 33,830 Other selling, general and administrative 12,180 8,969 35,330 26,916 Asset impairment 11,518 - 14,351 - Executive severance 3,384 - 5,730 495 Legal and related costs (2,274) 1,255 1,691 2,398 Facilities realignment 2,354 - 2,354 - Total operating expenses 33,912 18,000 88,823 63,639 Operating (loss) income (17,866) 8,112 (26,887) 35,191 (Loss) gain on investments - (1,000) 4,444 (1,000) Interest income, net 1,057 918 3,190 1,779 (Loss) income before taxes (16,809) 8,030 (19,253) 35,970 Provision for income taxes 2,912 3,383 201 14,838 Net (loss) income $(19,721) $4,647 $(19,454) $21,132 Net (loss) income per share of common stock: Basic $(1.43) $0.32 $(1.37) $1.45 Assuming dilution $(1.43) $0.31 $(1.37) $1.42 Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding: Basic 13,797 14,641 14,232 14,564 Assuming dilution 13,797 14,922 14,232 14,893 PDI, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) For The Years Ended December 31, 2005 2004 (unaudited) Cash Flows From Operating Activities Net (loss) income from operations $(19,454) $21,132 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 5,820 5,916 (Gain) loss on investments (4,444) 1,000 Asset impairment 14,351 - Loss on disposal of assets 269 622 Stock compensation costs 1,520 1,232 Deferred taxes, net 6,449 9,199 Provision for bad debt 1,385 683 Other changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable (1,229) 15,807 (Increase) decrease in unbilled costs (2,581) 648 (Increase) in income tax refund receivable (6,292) - Decrease in inventory - 43 Decrease (increase) in other current assets 446 (33) Decrease (increase) in other long- term assets 218 (28) (Decrease) in accounts payable (41) (3,439) Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable 1,542 (3,529) Increase in unearned contract revenue 5,674 507 (Decrease) in accrued returns (4,085) (18,495) (Decrease) in accrued incentives (4,254) (4,204) (Decrease) in accrued payroll and related benefits (858) (617) Increase in accrued liabilities 8,676 2,538 Net cash provided by operating activities 3,112 28,982 Cash Flows From Investing Activities Sales (purchases) of short-term investments, net 21,686 (27,103) Proceeds from sale of investment 4,444 - Repayments from (loans to) Xylos and TMX 100 (1,500) Purchase of property and equipment (5,832) (8,104) Proceeds from sale of assets 63 - Cash paid for acquisition, including acquisition costs (1,936) (28,443) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 18,525 (65,150) Cash Flows From Financing Activities Net proceeds from employee stock purchase plan and the exercise of stock options 1,294 3,880 Cash paid to repurchase shares (13,104) - Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (11,810) 3,880 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 9,827 (32,288) Cash and cash equivalents - beginning 81,000 113,288 Cash and cash equivalents - ending $90,827 $81,000 Cash paid for interest $2 $3 Cash paid for taxes $1,513 $7,389

PDI, Inc.

CONTACT: Stephen P. Cotugno, Executive Vice President-CorporateDevelopment, PDI, Inc., +1-201-574-8617

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