NCO Group Announces First Quarter Results of $0.32 Per Diluted Share, After Special Charges of $0.09 Per Share

HORSHAM, Pa., May 1  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NCO Group, Inc. ("NCO" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:NCOG), a leading provider of business process outsourcing services, announced today that during the first quarter of 2006, it reported net income of $10.5 million, or $0.32 per diluted share; $0.41 per diluted share before special charges of $3.4 million, net of taxes, or $0.09 per diluted share.  This compares to net income of $15.3 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2005. Guidance for the first quarter was $0.17 to $0.22 per diluted share, including special charges of $0.18 per diluted share, or $0.35 to $0.40 per diluted share before special charges.

The special charges are associated with the previously announced restructuring of the Company's legacy operations to streamline the Company's cost structure, and the integration of recent acquisitions. The restructuring charges are included as a separate line item under operating costs and expenses, and the integration charges are included in payroll and related expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company continues to evaluate the timing of the activities associated with the special charges in order to maximize the benefits to the Company. While special charges during the first quarter were lower than expected, the Company still anticipates a total of approximately $6.1 million, after taxes, or $0.18 per share of special charges for 2006.

NCO is organized into four divisions that include Accounts Receivable Management North America ("ARM North America"), Customer Relationship Management ("CRM"), Portfolio Management, and Accounts Receivable Management International ("ARM International").

Overall revenue in the first quarter of 2006 was $311.7 million, an increase of 19.7%, or $51.4 million, from revenue of $260.3 million in the first quarter of 2005. Included in ARM North America's revenue for the first quarter of 2006, was $32.3 million of inter-company revenue from Portfolio Management, as compared to $16.5 million of inter-company revenue from Portfolio Management for the first quarter of 2005. All inter-company revenue is eliminated in consolidation.

For the first quarter of 2006, ARM North America's revenue was $229.1 million as compared to $198.4 million in the first quarter of 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Risk Management Alternatives, Inc. ("RMA"), which was completed on September 12, 2005, and an increase in inter-company revenue from Portfolio Management. During the quarter, this division recorded approximately $2.6 million of restructuring charges and costs associated with integration of the Company's recent acquisitions, net of taxes.

For the first quarter of 2006, CRM's revenue was $59.3 million as compared to $47.6 million in the first quarter of 2005. This $11.7 million increase was primarily attributable to new clients ramping up business during the second half of 2005 and the first quarter of 2006. While these new contracts will allow this division to expand its revenue base in 2006, the deployment of large numbers of seats on an expedited schedule adversely impacts near-term profitability because the operating expenses are incurred in advance of the revenue growth. Partially offsetting the revenue from new clients was the previously discussed reduction in revenue from a major client where NCO ceased providing certain services when the client exited the consumer long-distance business due to changes in telecommunications laws. During the first quarter, the planned ramp-up of new business in this division was partially delayed as a result of changes in client requirements and the decision by the employees in one of our call centers to be represented by a union. During the quarter, this division recorded approximately $169,000 of restructuring charges, net of taxes.

For the first quarter of 2006, Portfolio Management's revenue was approximately $50.1 million compared to $27.8 million in the first quarter of 2005. The increase includes additional revenue from portfolio assets acquired as part of two business combinations during the third quarter of 2005. Additionally the quarter's results reflect strong collection performance during the quarter, as well as $4.9 million of revenue from the sale of portions of several older portfolios with little or no remaining carrying value.

For the first quarter of 2006, ARM International had revenue of approximately $5.5 million compared to $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2005. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to the acquisition of the international operations of RMA. During the quarter this division recorded approximately $615,000 of restructuring and integration charges, net of taxes.

Commenting on the quarter, Michael J. Barrist, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "I am extremely pleased with the progress we have made during the first quarter towards achieving our operating objectives. During the first quarter, ARM North America and Portfolio Management exceeded their expectations both in revenue and profitability. Our ARM International division met its expectations and our CRM division made meaningful progress with 25 percent year over year and 10 percent sequential revenue growth. While our CRM division navigated through several profitability challenges during the quarter, they have revised their forecast and we believe they will begin to operate at a profitable level in the second half of the year. As we move through 2006, we will continue to focus on careful execution of our business plan so that we can meet our overall goal of providing our investors with consistent growth in both revenue and earnings."

NCO also announced that it continues to expect earnings per share to be approximately $1.52 to $1.72 per diluted share for 2006. This range includes approximately $6.1 million, after taxes, or approximately $0.18 per diluted share, of restructuring and integration costs. For the second quarter of 2006, NCO currently expects diluted earnings per share to be approximately $0.26 to $0.31. This range includes the effects of the approximately $1.5 million, after taxes, or approximately $0.04 per diluted share, of restructuring and integration costs.

NCO will host an investor conference call on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., ET, to address the items discussed in the press release in more detail and to allow the investment community an opportunity to ask questions. Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing 888-209-7450 (domestic callers) or 706-643-7734 (international callers) and providing the pass code 8021970. A taped replay of the conference call will be made available for seven days and can be accessed by interested parties by dialing 800-642-1687 (domestic callers) or 706-645-9291 (international callers) and providing the pass code 8021970.

A simultaneous audio webcast of the conference call may be accessed at http://audioevent.mshow.com/297152/, or through the Company's website http://www.ncogroup.com/investors under "Financial Highlights." An archive of the conference call will be available through these links approximately 24 hours after the conclusion of the call, for a period of one year.

NCO Group, Inc. is a global provider of business process outsourcing services, primarily focused on accounts receivable management and customer relationship management. NCO provides services through 100 offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, the Philippines, the Caribbean and Panama.

  For further information contact:

  NCO Investor Relations
  [phone]
  http://www.ncogroup.com/



Certain statements in this press release, including, without limitation, statements as to fluctuations in quarterly operating results, statements concerning projections, statements concerning strategic initiatives, statements as to the economy and its effects on NCO's business, statements as to trends, statements as to NCO's or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions, and all other statements in this press release, other than historical facts, are forward-looking statements, as such term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, are subject to change at any time and may be affected by various factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the expected or planned results. In addition to the factors discussed above, certain other factors, including without limitation, the risk that NCO will not be able to implement its business strategy as and when planned, the risk that NCO will not be able to realize operating efficiencies in the integration of its acquisitions or that the restructuring charges will be greater than anticipated, risks related to union organizing efforts at the Company's facilities, risks related to the ERP implementation, risks related to the final outcome of the environmental liability, risks related to past and possible future terrorists attacks, risks related to the economy, the risk that NCO will not be able to improve margins, risks relating to growth and acquisitions, including the acquisition of Risk Management Alternatives, Inc., risks related to fluctuations in quarterly operating results, risks related to the timing of contracts, risks related to international operations, and other risks detailed from time to time in NCO's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, can cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, regardless of whether new information becomes available, future developments occur or otherwise.

                             NCO GROUP, INC.
                    Unaudited Selected Financial Data
               (in thousands, except for per share amounts)

  Condensed Statements of Income:
                                                For the Three Months Ended
                                                         March 31,
                                                  2006              2005

  Revenues                                      $311,747          $260,349

  Operating costs and expenses:
       Payroll and related expenses              161,390           127,731
       Selling, general and admin.
        expenses                                 108,729            93,037
       Restructuring charge                        4,387               -
       Depreciation and amortization
        expense                                   13,195            10,758
                                                 287,701           231,526
  Income from operations                          24,046            28,823

  Other income (expense):
       Interest and investment income                863               734
       Interest expense                           (7,011)           (5,175)
       Other income                                  -                  93
                                                  (6,148)           (4,348)
  Income before income taxes                      17,898            24,475

  Income tax expense                               6,642             9,204

  Income before minority interest                 11,256            15,271

  Minority interest                                 (716)               (8)

  Net income                                     $10,540           $15,263

  Net income per share:
       Basic                                       $0.33             $0.48
       Diluted                                     $0.32             $0.45

  Weighted average shares outstanding:
       Basic                                      32,240            32,080
       Diluted                                    36,259            36,173


  Selected Balance Sheet Information:
                                                 As of             As of
                                               March 31,        December 31,
                                                  2006              2005

  Cash and cash equivalents                      $20,262           $23,716
  Current assets                                 323,617           323,286
  Total assets                                 1,319,062         1,327,962

  Current liabilities                            157,153           151,699
  Long-term debt, net of current portion         280,720           321,834
  Shareholders' equity                           756,370           743,114



                             NCO GROUP, INC.
                Unaudited Selected Segment Financial Data
                              (in thousands)

                                   For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
                                          ARM North               Portfolio
                                           America       CRM      Management

  Revenues                                 $229,105     $59,326     $50,139

  Operating costs and expenses:
       Payroll and related expenses         107,337      48,470       2,158
       Selling, general and admin.
        expenses                             94,588      11,451      33,279
       Restructuring charge                   3,435         269         -
       Depreciation and amortization
        expense                               7,858       4,710         430
                                            213,218      64,900      35,867

  Income (loss) from operations             $15,887     $(5,574)    $14,272


                                   For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
                                                     Intercompany
                                            ARM      Eliminations
                                        International   (1)    Consolidated

  Revenues                                 $5,536     $(32,359)    $311,747

  Operating costs and expenses:
       Payroll and related expenses         3,425          -        161,390
       Selling, general and admin.
        expenses                            1,770      (32,359)     108,729
       Restructuring charge                   683          -          4,387
       Depreciation and amortization
        expense                               197          -         13,195
                                            6,075      (32,359)     287,701

  Income (loss) from operations             $(539)        $-        $24,046



                                   For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
                                          ARM North               Portfolio
                                           America       CRM      Management

  Revenues                                 $198,457     $47,616     $27,802

  Operating costs and expenses:
       Payroll and related expenses          90,144      34,341       1,203
       Selling, general and admin.
        expenses                             83,246       7,830      17,571
       Depreciation and amortization
        expense                               6,951       3,461         206
                                            180,341      45,632      18,980

  Income (loss) from operations             $18,116      $1,984      $8,822


                                  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
                                                    Intercompany
                                           ARM      Eliminations
                                      International     (1)     Consolidated

  Revenues                                 $3,062     $(16,588)    $260,349

  Operating costs and expenses:
       Payroll and related expenses         2,043          -        127,731
       Selling, general and admin.
        expenses                              978      (16,588)      93,037
       Depreciation and amortization
        expense                               140          -         10,758
                                            3,161      (16,588)     231,526

  Income (loss) from operations              $(99)        $-        $28,823


  (1) Represents the elimination of intercompany revenue for accounts
      receivable management services provided by ARM North America and ARM
      International to Portfolio Management.


DATASOURCE: NCO Group, Inc.



CONTACT:  NCO Investor Relations, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.ncogroup.com/ 

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