Hudson Highland Group Reports 2009 First Quarter Financial Results

NEW YORK - Hudson Highland Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: HHGP), one of the world’s leading providers of permanent recruitment, contract professionals and talent management solutions, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009.

2009 First Quarter Summary - Revenue of US$165.0 million, a decrease of 43.9 percent from US$294.0 million for the first quarter of 2008 - Gross margin of US$62.3 million, or 37.8 percent of revenue, down 49.8 percent from US$124.2 million, or 42.2 percent of revenue for the same period last year - Adjusted EBITDA* loss of US$10.0 million, or 6.1 percent of revenue, down from adjusted EBITDA of positive US$6.8 million for the first quarter of 2008 - EBITDA* loss of US$15.9 million, down from EBITDA of positive US$5.4 million for the same period last year - Net loss from continuing operations of US$15.2 million, or US$0.60 per basic and diluted share, compared with net income from continuing operations of US$0.4 million, or US$0.02 per basic and US$0.01 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2008 - Net loss of US$5.6 million, or US$0.22 per basic and diluted share, compared with net income of US$1.4 million, or US$0.05 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2008

*Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA are defined in the segment tables at the end of this release.

“Our operating results continued to be significantly impacted by the deep global recession during the first quarter,” said Jon Chait, Hudson Highland Group chairman and chief executive officer. “While we expect the environment to remain challenging, we believe that the first quarter was a financial performance bottom for Hudson.”

“Our team has done an admirable job of reducing costs and managing cash given the extraordinary market circumstances,” added Mary Jane Raymond, chief financial officer. “Further, we have moved swiftly to identify new pockets of opportunity and remain sharply focused on viable markets in this environment.”

Restructuring Program

During the second quarter of 2009, the company expects to continue to streamline its operations in response to current economic conditions. The company recently increased the size of the 2009 restructuring plan to US$11 - US$16 million and expects to incur US$3 - US$6 million of restructuring Charges during the second quarter of 2009. First quarter expenses of US$5.9 Million were related to severance and lease terminations in all three regional businesses of the company.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The company ended the first quarter of 2009 with US$35.0 million in net cash, a decrease from US$43.9 million at the end of 2008, and excess availability under its amended credit facility of US$5.3 million. The company also received US$11.6 million in April 2009 from Heidrick & Struggles, the final earn-out from the sale of Highland Partners in 2006.

Share Repurchase Program

On February 4, 2008, the company announced that its board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to US$15 million of the company’s common stock. During the first quarter, the company repurchased 243,316 shares at a total cost of approximately US$0.7 million. Since the inception of the program, the company has repurchased 1,491,772 shares at a total cost of approximately US$8.2 million. As of March 1, 2009, additional stock repurchases are prohibited under the terms of the company’s amended credit agreement.

Guidance

Despite recent signs of increasing stability, visibility remains low. As a result, the company will not provide formal guidance for the second quarter of 2009. The company will comment on current trends and its outlook for the second quarter on its earnings call.

Additional Information

Additional information about the company’s quarterly results can be found in the shareholder letter and the fourth quarter and full-year earnings slides in the investor information section of the company’s website at www.hudson.com.

Conference Call/Webcast

Hudson Highland Group will conduct a conference call Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 9:00 AM ET to discuss this announcement. Individuals wishing to participate can join the conference call by dialing +1-800-374-1532 followed by the participant passcode 95760964 at 8:50 AM ET. For those outside the United States, please call in on +1-706-634-5594 followed by the participant passcode 95760964. Hudson Highland Group’s quarterly conference call can also be accessed online through Yahoo! Finance at www.yahoo.com and the investor information section of the company’s website at www.hudson.com.

The archived call will be available for one week by dialing +1-800-642-1687 followed by the participant passcode 95760964. For those outside the United States, the call will be available on +1-706-645-9291 followed by the participant passcode 95760964.

About Hudson Highland Group

Hudson Highland Group, Inc. is a leading provider of permanent recruitment, contract professionals and talent management services worldwide. From single placements to total outsourced solutions, Hudson helps clients achieve greater organizational performance by assessing, recruiting, developing and engaging the best and brightest people for their businesses. The company employs nearly 3,000 professionals serving clients and candidates in more than 20 countries. More information is available at www.hudson.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that the company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including those under the caption “Guidance” and other statements regarding the company’s future financial condition, results of operations, business operations and business prospects, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe” and similar words, expressions and variations of these words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of global economic fluctuations including the current economic downturn; the ability of clients to terminate their relationship with the company at any time; risks in collecting our accounts receivable; implementation of the company’s cost reduction initiatives effectively; the company’s history of negative cash flows and operating losses may continue; the company’s limited borrowing availability under our credit facility, which may negatively impact our liquidity; restrictions on the company’s operating flexibility due to the terms of its credit facility; fluctuations in the company’s operating results from quarter to quarter; risks relating to the company’s international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; risks related to our investment strategy; risks and financial impact associated with dispositions of underperforming or non-core assets; the company’s heavy reliance on information systems and the impact of potentially losing or failing to develop technology; competition in the company’s markets and the company’s dependence on highly skilled professionals; the company’s exposure to employment-related claims from both clients and employers and limits on related insurance coverage; the company’s dependence on key management personnel; volatility of stock price; the impact of government regulations; restrictions imposed by blocking arrangements. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this letter. The company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to review or confirm analysts’ expectations or estimates or to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Financial Tables Follow Contact: David F. Kirby Hudson Highland Group +1-212-351-7216 david.kirby@hudson.com

(All monetary amounts are in US$ unless otherwise noted)

HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, ——— 2009 2008 —- —- Revenue $164,990 $294,032 Direct costs 102,677 169,880 ——- ——- Gross margin 62,313 124,152 —— ——- Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses 72,302 117,313 Depreciation and amortization 3,790 3,825 Business reorganization and integration expenses 5,935 1,395 —– —– Total operating expenses 82,027 122,533 —— ——- Operating (loss) income (19,714) 1,619 Other income (expense): Interest, net (191) 351 Other, net 619 197 — — (Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes (19,286) 2,167 (Benefit) provision for income taxes (4,059) 1,784 —— —– (Loss) income from continuing operations (15,227) 383 Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 9,668 981 —– — Net (loss) income $(5,559) $1,364 ======= ====== Basic (loss) income per share: (Loss) income from continuing operations $(0.60) $0.02 Income from discontinued operations 0.38 0.03 —- —- Net (loss) income $(0.22) $0.05 ====== ===== Diluted (loss) income per share: (Loss) income from continuing operations $(0.60) $0.01 Income from discontinued operations 0.38 0.04 —- —- Net (loss) income $(0.22) $0.05 ====== ===== Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 25,171 25,500 Diluted 25,171 25,877 HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (in thousands, except par value of stocks) (unaudited) March 31, December 31, 2009 2008 —- —- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $46,260 $49,209 Accounts receivable, net 103,968 127,828 Prepaid and other 25,511 15,552 Current assets of discontinued operations 751 881 — — Total current assets 176,490 193,470 Intangibles, net 1,043 2,498 Property and equipment, net 21,693 24,446 Other assets 11,282 9,982 Non-current assets of discontinued operations 495 557 — — Total assets $211,003 $230,953 ======== ======== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $14,263 $15,757 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 55,844 76,791 Short-term borrowings 11,257 5,307 Accrued business reorganization expenses 7,680 5,724 Current liabilities of discontinued operations 1,553 1,002 —– —– Total current liabilities 90,597 104,581 Accrued business reorganization expenses, non-current 1,030 1,476 Other non-current liabilities 16,799 16,904 —— —— Total liabilities 108,426 122,961 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding - - Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; issued 26,695 and 26,494 shares, respectively 26 26 Additional paid-in capital 445,017 450,739 Accumulated deficit (368,464) (362,905) Accumulated other comprehensive income-translation adjustments 26,281 27,054 Treasury stock, 107 and 1,140 shares, respectively, at cost (283) (6,922) —- —— Total stockholders’ equity 102,577 107,992 ——- ——- Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $211,003 $230,953 ======== ========

HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC. SEGMENT ANALYSIS (in thousands) (unaudited) For the Three Hudson Months Ended Hudson Hudson Asia March 31, 2009 Americas Europe Pacific Corporate Total ———– ——— ———- ———– ——- Revenue $44,023 $66,227 $54,740 $- $164,990 ======= ======= ======= === ======== Gross margin $10,962 $30,622 $20,729 $- $62,313 ======= ======= ======= === ======= Adjusted EBITDA (loss) (1) $(3,163) $(1,372) $(705) $(4,749) $(9,989) Business reorganization and integration expenses 1,623 2,434 1,878 - 5,935 —– —– —– - —– EBITDA (loss) (1) (4,786) (3,806) (2,583) (4,749) (15,924) Depreciation and amortization 1,005 1,805 917 63 3,790 —– —– — — —– Operating income (loss) $(5,791) $(5,611) $(3,500) $(4,812) $(19,714) ======= ======= ======= ======= ======== For the Three Hudson Months Ended Hudson Hudson Asia March 31, 2008 Americas Europe Pacific Corporate Total ———– ——— ———- ———– ——- Revenue $83,262 $111,333 $99,437 $- $294,032 ======= ======== ======= === ======== Gross margin $22,755 $58,532 $42,865 $- $124,152 ======= ======= ======= === ======== Adjusted EBITDA (loss) (1) $1,227 $5,769 $5,771 $(5,928) $6,839 Business reorganization and integration expenses (recovery) 1,460 (160) 95 - 1,395 —– —- — — —– EBITDA (loss) (1) (233) 5,929 5,676 (5,928) 5,444 Depreciation and amortization 1,173 1,643 956 53 3,825 —– —– — — —– Operating income (loss) $(1,406) $4,286 $4,720 $(5,981) $1,619 ======= ====== ====== ======= ====== (1) Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, special charges, other non-operating expense, and depreciation and amortization (”Adjusted EBITDA”) and non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, other non-operating expense, and depreciation and amortization (”EBITDA”) are presented to provide additional information about the company’s operations on a basis consistent with the measures which the company uses to manage its operations and evaluate its performance. Management also uses these measurements to evaluate capital needs and working capital requirements. Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, cash flows from operating activities, and other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of the company’s profitability or liquidity. Furthermore, adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA as presented above may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Source: Hudson Highland Group, Inc.

David F. Kirby of Hudson Highland Group, +1-212-351-7216, david.kirby at hudson.com