Caldwell Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results, Declares Quarterly Dividend

Caldwell Partners International Inc. (TSX:CWL), a leading talent acquisition firm, recently released its financial results for the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter and full year, highlighting a turnaround in profitability and a declaration of a quarterly dividend. The company's performance was marked by economic uncertainty and suppressed hiring demand, which impacted search volumes and revenue. However, Caldwell demonstrated resilience and adaptability, positioning itself for future growth.

In the fourth quarter, Caldwell reported consolidated professional fees of CAD 22.1 million, a decline from CAD 25.9 million in the previous year's quarter. This decrease reflected broader economic uncertainties and a notable drop in new search volumes during July and August. Despite this, Caldwell remained back-half revenue weighted, with professional fees in the second half of the year representing a 30.8% increase over the first half. The firm's full-year professional fees were relatively flat at CAD 74.7 million, indicating a stable performance amidst economic headwinds.



Caldwell's net earnings for the full year 2024 showed a substantial recovery, with a net earnings of CAD 4.2 million, compared to a loss of CAD 11.3 million in 2023. This improvement was partly attributed to IQTalent's return to operating profitability in the fourth quarter. The firm's earnings per share also reflected this turnaround, landing at CAD 0.142, a significant improvement from the loss of CAD 0.432 last year.



Chris Beck, Caldwell's CEO, expressed cautious optimism about potential hiring demand growth following the US election and a clearer economic outlook. He noted that the firm's second-half performance showed a 30.8% increase in professional fees over the first half of fiscal 2024. To adapt to the cyclical nature of its business and prepare for sustainable growth, Caldwell is expanding its partner team, with three hires announced since the second quarter, and plans to increase coverage in functional and industry areas.

In addition to its financial performance, Caldwell announced the reinstatement of a quarterly dividend of CAD 0.25 cents per share, with payment scheduled for December 20, 2024. The Board of Directors also plans to initiate a Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) to purchase and cancel a portion of its public float of common shares, subject to TSX approval. This strategic move indicates Caldwell's confidence in its future cash flow generation and shareholder value creation.



In conclusion, Caldwell Partners International Inc. demonstrated resilience and adaptability in the face of economic uncertainty and suppressed hiring demand. The firm's turnaround in profitability, expansion of its partner team, and strategic initiatives, such as the reinstatement of a quarterly dividend and the planned NCIB, position it well for future growth in the executive search market. As the economy continues to evolve, investors should monitor Caldwell's performance and its ability to capitalize on emerging opportunities.