Manpower Inc. Reports 1st Quarter Results

April 18, 2006 at 12:00 AM EDT

MILWAUKEE, April 18, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) today reported that net earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2006 increased 63 percent to $52.6 million, or 59 cents per diluted share, compared to $32.2 million, or 35 cents per diluted share, a year earlier. Revenues for the first quarter were $3.9 billion, an increase of 5 percent from the year- earlier period.

Results for the first quarter were negatively impacted by relatively weaker foreign currencies compared to the first quarter of 2005. On a constant currency basis, diluted earnings per share were 65 cents on an 11 percent improvement in revenues. Included in the current year results is a 27 cents per diluted share gain on the sale of a payroll processing business in Sweden and a 16 cents per diluted share charge related to reorganization and a global cost reduction initiative.

Jeffrey A. Joerres, Manpower Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The Manpower team across the world is performing well, and it shows in the results. When we get all cylinders firing, the leverage we can achieve is impressive. The United States, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Japan and other business units increased profitability by 30% or more compared to first quarter 2005. Excluding the one-time items, Manpower's operating income increased 25 percent year over year, and earnings per share increased 37 percent in U.S. dollars and 51 percent in constant currency."

Joerres added, "In addition to our strong performance this quarter, we also announced our new brand on February 21st, which is all about demonstrating the depth of our services and the strength of our leadership in the employment services industry. This effort has already had a positive impact with our clients and candidates.

"Given the current trends, we anticipate our second quarter diluted earnings per share to be in the range of 76 to 80 cents, which includes an estimated negative currency impact of 3 cents."

In conjunction with its first quarter earnings release, Manpower will broadcast its conference call live over the Internet on April 18 at 7:30 a.m. CT (8:30 a.m. ET). Interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast and view the presentation by logging on to http://investor.manpower.com .

Supplemental financial information referenced in the conference call can be found at http://investor.manpower.com .

About Manpower Inc.

Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) is a world leader in the employment services industry; creating and delivering services that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work. The $16 billion company offers employers a range of services for the entire employment and business cycle including permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee assessment and selection; training; outplacement; outsourcing and consulting. Manpower's worldwide network of 4,400 offices in 72 countries and territories enables the company to meet the needs of its 400,000 clients per year, including small and medium size enterprises in all industry sectors, as well as the world's largest multinational corporations. The focus of Manpower's work is on raising productivity through improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction across their total workforce, enabling clients to concentrate on their core business activities. Manpower Inc. operates under five brands: Manpower, Manpower Professional, Elan, Jefferson Wells and Right Management. More information on Manpower Inc. is available at http://www.manpower.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements, including earning projections, that are forward-looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and uncertainties regarding the Company's expected future results. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those described or contemplated in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's reports filed with the SEC, including the information under the heading 'Forward-Looking Statements' in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

Manpower Inc.
                             Results of Operations
                     (In millions, except per share data)

                                            Three Months Ended March 31
                                                               % Variance
                                                              Amount  Constant
                                           2006      2005   Reported  Currency
                                                     (Unaudited)

    Revenues from services (a)           $3,929.9  $3,758.7   4.6%     11.5%

    Cost of services                      3,212.5   3,076.7   4.4%

      Gross profit                          717.4     682.0   5.2%     11.8%

    Selling and administrative expenses     657.7     619.5   6.2%     12.5%

      Operating profit                       59.7      62.5  -4.6%      5.0%

    Interest and other (income) expense     (16.3)     11.7   N/A

      Earnings before income taxes           76.0      50.8  49.7%

    Provision for income taxes               23.4      18.6  26.0%

      Net earnings                          $52.6     $32.2  63.2%     79.4%



    Net earnings per share - basic          $0.60     $0.36  66.7%

    Net earnings per share - diluted        $0.59     $0.35  68.6%     85.7%


    Weighted average shares - basic          87.4      89.8  -2.6%

    Weighted average shares - diluted        88.7      96.9  -8.5%


    (a)  Revenues from services include fees received from our franchise
         offices of $8.0 million and $8.3 million for the three months ended
         March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  These fees are primarily
         based on revenues generated by the franchise offices, which were
         $362.8 million and $349.8 million for the three months ended March
         31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.



                                  Manpower Inc.
                              Operating Unit Results
                                  (In millions)

                                              Three Months Ended March 31
                                                                 % Variance
                                                              Amount  Constant
                                             2006      2005  Reported Currency
                                                      (Unaudited)
    Revenues from Services:
      United States (a)                      $510.3    $475.9    7.2%    7.2%
      France                                1,259.1   1,247.5    0.9%    9.9%
      EMEA                                  1,414.3   1,333.1    6.1%   15.3%
      Jefferson Wells                          95.5      92.7    3.0%    3.0%
      Right  Management                        96.0     104.0   -7.7%   -4.3%
      Other Operations                        554.7     505.5    9.8%   14.1%
                                           $3,929.9  $3,758.7    4.6%   11.5%

    Operating Unit Profit:
      United States                            $9.5      $4.9   93.3%   93.3%
      France                                   29.7      27.5    7.9%   17.6%
      EMEA                                     23.1      15.0   54.0%   69.3%
      Jefferson Wells                           5.7       8.1  -29.4%  -29.4%
      Right Management                          4.3       9.8  -55.9%  -56.9%
      Other Operations                         17.9      12.5   43.1%   52.0%
                                               90.2      77.8
    Corporate expenses                         27.3      12.1
    Amortization of intangible assets           3.2       3.2
        Operating profit                       59.7      62.5   -4.6%    5.0%
    Interest and other (income) expense       (16.3)     11.7
        Earnings before income taxes          $76.0     $50.8


    (a)  In the United States, revenues from services include fees received
         from the related franchise offices of $5.3 million and $5.4 million
         for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
         These fees are primarily based on revenues generated by the franchise
         offices, which were $282.3 million and $277.6 million for the three
         months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

    (b)  The components of interest and other (income) expense were:

            Interest expense                  $11.6     $11.6
            Interest income                    (3.3)     (2.3)
            Foreign exchange losses             0.9       0.8
            Miscellaneous (income)
             expenses, net                    (25.5)      1.6
                                             $(16.3)    $11.7



                                  Manpower Inc.
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                  (In millions)

                                                   Mar. 31           Dec. 31
                                                    2006              2005
                                                          (Unaudited)
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                     $554.5            $454.9
      Accounts receivable, net                     3,162.2           3,208.2
      Prepaid expenses and other assets              129.0             107.5
      Future income tax benefits                      84.0              71.1
          Total current assets                     3,929.7           3,841.7

    Other assets:
      Goodwill and other intangible
       assets, net                                 1,264.9           1,256.5
      Other assets                                   294.4             273.8
          Total other assets                       1,559.3           1,530.3

    Property and equipment:
      Land, buildings, leasehold
       improvements and equipment                    654.8             642.4
      Less:  accumulated depreciation and
       amortization                                  460.5             446.0
        Net property and equipment                   194.3             196.4
                                                  $5,683.3          $5,568.4

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable                              $793.0            $685.4
      Employee compensation payable                  140.2             150.6
      Accrued liabilities                            474.3             435.4
      Accrued payroll taxes and insurance            507.3             607.2
      Value added taxes payable                      420.8             441.9
      Short-term borrowings and current
        maturities of long-term debt                 268.7             260.0
          Total current liabilities                2,604.3           2,580.5

    Other liabilities:
      Long-term debt                                 485.7             475.0
      Other long-term liabilities                    388.0             366.3
          Total other liabilities                    873.7             841.3

    Shareholders' equity:
      Common stock                                     1.0               1.0
      Capital in excess of par value               2,372.1           2,346.7
      Retained earnings                              322.5             269.9
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       income                                         (3.0)            (11.0)
      Treasury stock, at cost                       (487.3)           (460.0)
          Total shareholders' equity               2,205.3           2,146.6
            Total liabilities and
             shareholders' equity                 $5,683.3          $5,568.4



                                  Manpower Inc.
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                  (In millions)

                                                        3 Months Ended
                                                            March 31
                                                     2006              2005
                                                           (Unaudited)
    Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
      Net earnings                                   $52.6             $32.2
      Adjustments to reconcile net
       earnings to net cash provided by
       operating activities:
          Depreciation and amortization               21.8              23.1
          Amortization of discount on
           convertible debentures                        -               1.9
          Deferred income taxes                      (10.0)             (9.8)
          Provision for doubtful accounts              6.1               4.3
          Stock based compensation                     4.6                 -
          Other non-operating gains                  (29.3)                -
          Changes in operating assets and
           liabilities excluding the impact
           of acquisitions:
              Accounts receivable                     76.9             120.7
              Other assets                           (19.5)            (15.4)
              Other liabilities                      (26.0)            (71.0)
                Cash provided by
                 operating activities                 77.2              86.0

    Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
      Capital expenditures                           (15.2)            (19.2)
      Acquisitions of businesses, net of
       cash acquired                                  (7.2)             (2.2)
      Proceeds from sale of business                  29.6                 -
      Proceeds from sale of an equity
       interest                                        8.8                 -
      Proceeds from the sale of property
       and equipment                                   2.2               1.3
                Cash provided (used) by
                 investing activities                 18.2             (20.1)

    Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
      Net borrowings of short-term
        facilities and long-term debt                  3.2              11.2
      Cash paid to settle convertible
       debentures                                       -             (206.6)
      Proceeds from settlement of swap
       agreements                                       -               50.7
      Proceeds from stock option and
       purchase plans                                 26.5               6.6
      Repurchases of common stock                    (33.0)            (47.2)
      Dividends paid                                     -                 -
                Cash used by financing
                 activities                           (3.3)           (185.3)

    Effect of exchange rate changes on
     cash                                              7.5             (15.6)
    Change in cash and cash equivalents               99.6            (135.0)

    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
     of period                                       454.9             531.8
    Cash and cash equivalents, end of
     period                                         $554.5            $396.8

SOURCE Manpower Inc.

Mike Van Handel of Manpower Inc., +1-414-906-6305, or michael.vanhandel@manpower.com
http://www.prnewswire.com

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