Crawford & Company Reports 2021 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results Double Digit Revenue Growth in Quarter and Year

Crawford & Company® (NYSE: CRD-A and CRD-B), the world’s largest publicly listed independent provider of claims management and outsourcing solutions to carriers, brokers and corporations, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021.

The Company’s two classes of stock are substantially identical, except with respect to voting rights and the Company’s ability to pay greater cash dividends on the non-voting Class A Common Stock (CRD-A) than on the voting Class B Common Stock (CRD-B), subject to certain limitations. In addition, with respect to mergers or similar transactions, holders of CRD-A must receive the same type and amount of consideration as holders of CRD-B, unless different consideration is approved by the holders of 75% of CRD-A, voting as a class.

GAAP Consolidated Results

Fourth Quarter 2021

• Revenues before reimbursements of $292.9 million, up 14% over $257.4 million for the 2020 fourth quarter
• Net income attributable to shareholders of $1.7 million, compared with $9.4 million in the same period last year
• Diluted earnings per share of $0.03 for both CRD-A and CRD-B, compared with $0.18 for both CRD-A for CRD-B in the prior year fourth quarter

Non-GAAP Consolidated Results

Fourth Quarter 2021

Foreign currency exchange rates increased revenues before reimbursements by $3.0 million or 1%. Presented on a constant dollar basis to the prior year, revenues before reimbursements totaled $289.9 million, increasing 13% over $257.4 million for the 2020 fourth quarter.

Non-GAAP consolidated results for 2021 exclude the non-cash after-tax amortization of intangible assets of $2.0 million. Non-GAAP consolidated results for 2020 exclude a similar adjustment for amortization of intangible assets of $1.9 million, restructuring and other costs of $1.7 million, and the income tax impact of the first quarter 2020 goodwill impairment of $0.9 million, as explained further on page 4.

• Net income attributable to shareholders, on a non-GAAP basis, totaled $3.6 million in the 2021 fourth quarter, compared with $13.9 million in the same period last year
• Diluted earnings per share, on a non-GAAP basis, totaled $0.07 for both CRD-A and CRD-B in the 2021 fourth quarter, compared with $0.27 for both CRD-A and CRD-B in the prior year fourth quarter
• Consolidated adjusted operating earnings, on a non-GAAP basis, were $9.1 million, or 3.1% of revenues before reimbursements in the 2021 fourth quarter, compared with $18.5 million, or 7.2% of revenues, in the 2020 fourth quarter
• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $17.6 million, or 6.0% of revenues before reimbursements in the 2021 fourth quarter, compared with $27.5 million, or 10.7% of revenues, in the 2020 fourth quarter

GAAP Consolidated Results

Full Year 2021

• Revenues before reimbursements of $1.102 billion in 2021, up 12% over $982.5 million for 2020
• Net income attributable to shareholders of $30.7 million, compared to $28.3 million in 2020
• Diluted earnings per share of $0.57 for both CRD-A and CRD-B, compared with $0.54 for CRD-A and $0.52 for CRD-B in 2020

Non-GAAP Consolidated Results

Full Year 2021

Foreign currency exchange rates increased revenues before reimbursements by $29.9 million or 3%. Presented on a constant dollar basis to the prior year, revenues before reimbursements totaled $1.072 billion, increasing 9% over $982.5 million for 2020.

Non-GAAP consolidated results for 2021 exclude the non-cash after-tax amortization of intangible assets of $8.3 million. Non-GAAP consolidated results for 2020 exclude a similar adjustment for amortization of intangible assets of $8.7 million, restructuring and other costs of $4.9 million, goodwill impairment of $14.2 million, and gain on disposition of businesses of $10.8 million.

• Net income attributable to shareholders, on a non-GAAP basis, totaled $39.0 million in 2021, compared with $45.4 million in 2020
• Diluted earnings per share, on a non-GAAP basis, totaled $0.72 for both CRD-A and CRD-B in 2021, compared with $0.86 for CRD-A and $0.84 for CRD-B in the prior year
• Consolidated adjusted operating earnings, on a non-GAAP basis, were $62.5 million, or 5.7% of revenues before reimbursements in 2021, compared with $71.8 million, or 7.3% of revenues, in 2020
• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $98.3 million, or 8.9% of revenues before reimbursements in 2021, compared with $104.8 million, or 10.7% of revenues, in 2020

Management Comments

“Crawford delivered record revenue in 2021, excluding our previously held GCG business, driven by U.S.-led strength across the business. In Platform Solutions, our focused efforts to scale our offerings resulted in deeper relationships with top-5 carriers, while our Loss Adjusting and TPA segments benefitted from recovering economic activity in the U.S. In contrast, outside of the U.S. we experienced continued headwinds, namely a benign claims environment and fewer wage subsidies in Canada, delayed travel and hospitality recovery in Europe, increased competition for talent in Asia and pressure in one of our U.K. businesses. We believe our margin headwinds are temporary and our exceptional top-line results underscore the efficacy of our growth strategy, the strength of our global service lines, and most importantly, the relentless dedication and commitment of our employees,” commented Mr. Rohit Verma, chief executive officer of Crawford & Company.

“Throughout the year, we continued to execute our disciplined capital deployment strategy, which included the completion of three acquisitions, opportunistically repurchasing shares, and re-investment in the core business, while at the same time maintaining our strong balance sheet. Carrying forward this positive momentum, we remain keenly focused on our pursuit of restoring and enhancing lives, businesses and communities, and are confident our growth trajectory will deliver value creation for our shareholders,” concluded Mr. Verma.

Segment Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year

Crawford Loss Adjusting

Crawford Loss Adjusting revenues before reimbursements were $123.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, increasing 10.5% from $111.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Absent foreign currency rate benefits of $2.1 million, fourth quarter 2021 revenues would have been $121.0 million.

The segment had operating earnings of $4.9 million in the 2021 fourth quarter decreasing from $16.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The operating margin was 4.0% in the 2021 quarter and 14.6% in the 2020 quarter.

Crawford Loss Adjusting revenues before reimbursements were $475.6 million in 2021, increasing 8.5% from $438.5 million in 2020. Absent foreign currency rate benefits of $21.1 million, 2021 revenues would have been $454.5 million.

The segment had operating earnings of $23.0 million in 2021 decreasing from $41.1 million in 2020. The operating margin was 4.8% in 2021 and 9.4% in 2020.

Crawford Platform Solutions

Crawford Platform Solution revenues before reimbursements were $70.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, up 40.7% from $50.2 million in the same period of 2020. Absent foreign exchange rate benefits of $0.3 million, revenues would have been $70.4 million for the 2021 fourth quarter.

Operating earnings were $10.4 million in the 2021 fourth quarter, increasing from $6.7 million in the 2020 period. The segment’s operating margin for the 2021 quarter was 14.7% as compared with 13.4% in the 2020 quarter.

Crawford Platform Solution revenues before reimbursements were $228.5 million in 2021, up 32.4% from $172.6 million in 2020. Absent foreign exchange rate benefits of $1.9 million, revenues would have been $226.6 million for 2021.

Operating earnings were $36.3 million in 2021, increasing from $27.7 million in the 2020 period. The segment’s operating margin for 2021 was 15.9% as compared with 16.0% in 2020.

Crawford TPA Solutions

Crawford TPA Solutions segment revenues before reimbursements were $99.1 million in the 2021 fourth quarter, increasing 3.5% from $95.8 million in the 2020 fourth quarter. Absent foreign currency rate benefits of $0.6 million, fourth quarter 2021 revenues would have been $98.6 million.

Crawford TPA Solutions recorded operating earnings of $3.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, representing an operating margin of 3.1%, decreasing from $6.8 million, or 7.1% of revenues, in the 2020 fourth quarter.

Crawford TPA Solutions segment revenues before reimbursements were $398.0 million in 2021, increasing 7.2% from $371.4 million in 2020. Absent foreign currency rate benefits of $6.8 million, 2021 revenues would have been $391.1 million.

Crawford TPA Solutions recorded operating earnings of $17.6 million in 2021, representing an operating margin of 4.4%, decreasing from $20.5 million, or 5.5% of revenues, in 2020.

Unallocated Corporate and Shared Costs and Credits, Net

Unallocated corporate costs were $9.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with $11.2 million in the same period of 2020. The decrease for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was primarily due to a $2.6 million decrease in self-insured expenses, $2.1 million lower pension expense, incentive compensation and other unallocated costs, partially offset by a $2.8 million reduction in the unallocated portion of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS") benefits, compared with 2020.

For the full year, unallocated corporate costs were $14.4 million in 2021, compared with $17.4 million in 2020. The decrease for 2021 was primarily due to a $2.3 million decrease in self-insurance and related legal costs, $5.0 million in severance and other transition costs in 2020 that were not present in 2021, and a $2.7 million decrease in pension expense, partially offset by a $3.6 million lower credit from CEWS, and a $3.4 million increase in other unallocated costs.

During the fourth quarter, the Company recognized no benefit from CEWS as compared with an overall benefit of $4.8 million in the 2020 fourth quarter. For the year, the Company recognized a $5.9 million benefit from CEWS in 2021 as compared with $13.8 million in 2020.

Income Tax Impact of First Quarter 2020 Goodwill Impairment

The Company recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment in the 2020 first quarter, totaling $17.7 million, or $14.2 million after tax. Due to the non-discrete income tax treatment of the goodwill impairment, the initial income tax benefit related to the impairment normalized during the year, resulting in a lower full year income tax benefit. During the 2020 fourth quarter, the impact of this treatment decreased the income tax benefit by $0.9 million. There was no goodwill impairment in 2021.

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions

On October 1, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of Praxis Consulting, Inc., an established subrogation claims service provider in the U.S. This acquisition allows the Company to expand its footprint in the U.S. subrogation claims market. The purchase price includes an initial cash consideration of $21.5 million, working capital adjustment payable of $0.7 million, a deferred payment of $20.0 million in February 2022, and a maximum $10.0 million payable based on achieving certain revenue performance goals in 2023 and 2024, as defined in the purchase agreement.

On October 4, 2021, the Company acquired BosBoon Expertise Group B.V. ("BosBoon"), a Netherlands-based specialist loss adjusting company. BosBoon offers a specialist range of loss adjusting services which will be added to the existing Crawford Global Technical Services proposition in the Netherlands. The purchase price includes an initial cash consideration of $2.1 million, before working capital adjustment, and a maximum of $1.9 million payable over the next two years based on achieving certain financial and nonfinancial goals, as defined in the purchase agreement.

Subsequent Events

Segment Realignment

In connection with the realignment of management responsibilities on January 1, 2022, the Company has realigned its operating segments by moving to a geographic reporting structure consisting of North America Loss Adjusting, International Operations, Broadspire, and Platform Solutions. The Company's revised reportable segments are comprised of the following:

• North America Loss Adjusting, which services the North American property and casualty market. This is comprised of the previously reported Crawford Loss Adjusting segment in the U.S. and Canada, including Global Technical Services and edjuster. The Canadian operations will include all operations within that country, including those previously reported within the Crawford TPA Solutions and Crawford Platform Solutions segments.
• International Operations, which services the global property and casualty market outside North America. This is comprised of the previously reported Crawford Loss Adjusting segment outside of North America, including Crawford Legal Services which was previously within the Crawford TPA Solutions segment. The International Operations will include all operations within the respective countries, including those previously reported within the Crawford TPA Solutions and Crawford Platform Solutions segments.
• Broadspire, which provides third party administration for workers' compensation, auto and liability, disability absence management, medical management, and accident and health to corporations, brokers and insurers in the U.S.
• Platform Solutions, which consists of Contractor Connection, Networks, and Subrogation service lines in the U.S. The Networks service line includes Catastrophe operations and WeGoLook.

The succeeding interim and annual periods will disclose the reportable segments under the new basis with prior periods restated to reflect the change.

Asset Disposal

The Company sold its Canadian head office building in Kitchener, Ontario Canada in the first quarter of 2022 for $3.1 million and expects to recognize an estimated pretax gain on disposal of $1.8 million.

Share Repurchase Authorization

On February 10, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the addition of 5,000,000 shares of CRD-A or CRD-B (or a combination of the two) to its 2021 Repurchase Authorization which had a remaining authorization to purchase 413,317 shares at December 31, 2021. Under the repurchase program, repurchases may be made through December 31, 2023 in the open market or privately negotiated transactions at such times and for such prices as management deems appropriate, subject to applicable regulatory guidelines. The new authorization does not obligate Crawford to acquire any stock, and purchases may be commenced or suspended at any time based on market conditions and other factors that the Company deems appropriate.

COVID-19

The Company has experienced continued recovery from the negative economic impact of COVID-19 in 2021, particularly in the U.S., compared with the significant reductions experienced in the prior year, where revenues were down in the range of $45.0 to $55.0 million. Due to ongoing negative impacts in multiple regions, it is uncertain whether such recovery can be sustained and continue. The economic impact from COVID-19 could have a material impact to our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows in one or more future quarters. In addition, it is possible that changes in economic conditions and steps taken by international, federal, state and/or local governments in response to COVID-19 could have negative impacts, including labor shortages which could increase compensation costs and other expenses, unless mitigated by government assistance programs to corporations.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

The Company’s consolidated cash and cash equivalents position as of December 31, 2021, totaled $53.2 million, compared with $44.7 million at December 31, 2020. The Company’s total debt outstanding as of December 31, 2021, totaled $175.0 million, compared with $113.6 million at December 31, 2020.

The Company’s operations provided $54.3 million of cash during 2021, compared with $93.2 million in 2020. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a $16.8 million increase in change in billed and unbilled accounts receivable, a $19.5 million change in payroll tax payments under the CARES Act, and an increase in income tax payments.

The Company made $9.0 million in contributions to its U.S. defined benefit pension plan and $0.7 million to its U.K. plans for 2021, compared with $9.0 million in contributions to the U.S. plan and $0.5 million to the U.K. plans in 2020.

During 2021, the Company repurchased 530,598 shares of CRD-A and 1,698,182 shares of CRD-B at an average per share cost of $9.63 and $8.26, respectively. The total cost of share repurchases during 2021 was $19.1 million.

Conference Call

As previously announced, Crawford & Company will host a conference call on March 15, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its fourth quarter 2021 results. The conference call can be accessed live by dialing 1-833-900-2283 and using Conference ID 4285212. A presentation for tomorrow’s call can also be found on the investor relations portion of the Company’s website, https://ir.crawco.com. The call will be recorded and available for replay through April 15, 2022. You may dial 1-800-585-8367 to listen to the replay.

Non-GAAP Presentation

In the normal course of business, our operating segments incur certain out-of-pocket expenses that are thereafter reimbursed by our clients. Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), these out-of-pocket expenses and associated reimbursements are required to be included when reporting expenses and revenues, respectively, in our consolidated results of operations. In the foregoing discussion and analysis of segment results of operations, we do not include a gross up of segment expenses and revenues for these pass-through reimbursed expenses. The amounts of reimbursed expenses and related revenues offset each other in our results of operations with no impact to our net income or operating earnings. A reconciliation of revenues before reimbursements to consolidated revenues determined in accordance with GAAP is self-evident from the face of the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Operating earnings is the primary financial performance measure used by our senior management and chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to evaluate the financial performance of our Company and operating segments, and make resource allocation and certain compensation decisions. Unlike net income, segment operating earnings is not a standard performance measure found in GAAP. We believe this measure is useful to others in that it allows them to evaluate segment and consolidated operating performance using the same criteria used by our senior management and CODM. Consolidated operating earnings represent segment earnings including certain unallocated corporate and shared costs, but before net corporate interest expense, stock option expense, amortization of customer-relationship intangible assets, goodwill impairment, restructuring costs, gain on disposition of businesses, income taxes and net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a term defined by GAAP and as a result our measure of adjusted EBITDA might not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. However, adjusted EBITDA is used by management to evaluate, assess and benchmark our operational results. The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA is relevant and useful information widely used by analysts, investors and other interested parties. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income attributable to shareholders of the Company with recurring adjustments for depreciation and amortization, net corporate interest expense, income taxes and stock-based compensation expense. Additionally, adjustments for non-recurring expenses for goodwill impairment, restructuring costs and gain on disposition of business have been included in the calculation of adjusted EBITDA.

Unallocated corporate and shared costs and credits include expenses and credits related to our chief executive officer and Board of Directors, certain provisions for bad debt allowances or subsequent recoveries such as those related to bankrupt clients, defined benefit pension costs or credits for our frozen U.S. pension plan, certain unallocated professional fees and certain self-insurance costs and recoveries that are not allocated to our individual operating segments.

Income taxes, net corporate interest expense, stock option expense and amortization of customer-relationship intangible assets are recurring components of our net income, but they are not considered part of our segment operating earnings because they are managed on a corporate-wide basis. Income taxes are calculated for the Company on a consolidated basis based on statutory rates in effect in the various jurisdictions in which we provide services and vary significantly by jurisdiction. Net corporate interest expense results from capital structure decisions made by senior management and the Board of Directors, affecting the Company as a whole. Stock option expense represents the non-cash costs generally related to stock options and employee stock purchase plan expenses which are not allocated to our operating segments. Amortization expense is a non-cash expense for finite-lived customer-relationship and trade name intangible assets acquired in business combinations. None of these costs relate directly to the performance of our services or operating activities and, therefore, are excluded from segment operating earnings to better assess the results of each segment's operating activities on a consistent basis.

A significant portion of our operations are international. These international operations subject us to foreign exchange fluctuations. The following table illustrates revenue as a percentage of total revenue for the major currencies of the geographic areas that Crawford does business:

Following is a reconciliation of segment and consolidated operating earnings to net income attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company on a GAAP basis:

Following is a reconciliation of net income attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company on a GAAP basis to non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA:

Following is a reconciliation of operating cash flow to free cash flow for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

Following are the reconciliations of GAAP Revenue, Operating Earnings, Pretax Earnings, Net Income and Earnings Per Share to related non-GAAP Adjusted figures, which reflect 2021 before amortization of intangible assets, and for 2020 exclude the amortization of intangible assets, goodwill impairment, gain on disposition of businesses and restructuring costs:

Following is information regarding the weighted average shares used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

Further information regarding the Company’s operating results for the quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2021, financial position as of December 31, 2021, and cash flows for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 is shown on the attached unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

About Crawford®

Based in Atlanta, Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRD-A and CRD-B) is the world’s largest publicly listed independent provider of claims management and outsourcing solutions to carriers, brokers and corporations with an expansive global network serving clients in more than 70 countries. The Company’s two classes of stock are substantially identical, except with respect to voting rights and the Company’s ability to pay greater cash dividends on the non-voting Class A Common Stock (CRD-A) than on the voting Class B Common Stock (CRD-B), subject to certain limitations. In addition, with respect to mergers or similar transactions, holders of CRD-A must receive the same type and amount of consideration as holders of CRD-B, unless different consideration is approved by the holders of 75 percent of CRD-A, voting as a class. More information is available at www.crawco.com.

Earnings per share may be different between CRD-A and CRD-B due to the payment of a higher per share dividend on CRD-A than CRD-B, and the impact that has on the earnings per share calculation according to generally accepted accounting principles.

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For further information regarding this press release, please call Bruce Swain at (404) 300-1051.