NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW):

• Loss per Share from Continuing Operations of $0.01; Non-GAAP Diluted Earnings per Share at $0.03

• Total Revenue of $223 Million; Non-GAAP Total Revenue of $224 Million

• Non-GAAP Operating Expenses of $216 Million Decline 22% over Prior Year, and 15% Sequentially

• Net Cash and Securities of $235 Million

• Monster Announces Positive Beta-Testing Results for New Employer Search Product

Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:MWW) today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009.

Second Quarter Results

Sal Iannuzzi, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Monster Worldwide, said, “Despite the challenging operating environment, we continue to invest in product innovation, technology, new verticals, global reach and sales force expansion, while at the same time successfully reducing operating expense and lowering our cost basis. We are confident that these initiatives, combined with the powerful Monster brand and our strong balance sheet, will capture global market share and provide a solid base for future long term growth and profitability.”

Mr. Iannuzzi added, “We are very encouraged by the beta tests for our new employer search product. Customer feedback continues to be very positive. This technology better enables recruiters to search relevant skills, work experience, education and other meaningful qualifications, and then analyzes, ranks and compares the information quickly and efficiently. Monster is driving efficiency and cost savings for our customers and improving our overall value proposition.”

Total revenue was $223 million, compared with $354 million in the comparable quarter of 2008, a 37% decline due to the global economic recession. Monster generated 42% of its revenue outside the United States and total revenue was negatively impacted by $16 million from unfavorable foreign exchange rates.

Careers non-GAAP revenue decreased 40% to $191 million. North America generated revenue of $102 million compared with $164 million in the prior year period, a 38% decline. International non-GAAP revenue was $89 million, a 43% decline over the prior year period, or a 37% decrease excluding currency and the contribution from ChinaHR. Internet Advertising & Fees generated revenue of $33 million, essentially flat with last year’s second quarter revenue.

Consolidated operating expenses were $223 million, and the loss from continuing operations was approximately $1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $19 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the comparable 2008 period. Operating results for the second quarter of 2008 included a $40 million charge for settlement costs and litigation related to its historical stock option practices. Foreign exchange rates negatively impacted consolidated operating income by approximately $1 million.

Income from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2009 includes pre-tax pro forma adjustments that include: $5 million of expenses associated with the Company’s restructuring plan; $2 million of legal fees, primarily related to the Company’s obligation to indemnify former officers for their defense in connection with the ongoing litigation related to historical stock option grant practices; and a $0.7 million reduction to total revenue due to the purchase accounting adjustment for ChinaHR. As a result, the Company recorded total pre-tax pro forma adjustments of approximately $8 million. These pro forma items are described in the "Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and are reconciled to the GAAP measure in the accompanying tables.

On a non-GAAP basis, the Company generated revenue of $224 million and $216 million of operating expenses. In last year’s second quarter, revenue was $354 million and operating expenses were $276 million. Income from continuing operations was $4 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to $49 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, in the comparable prior year period.

Monster ended the second quarter of 2009 with total available liquidity of $493 million, and net cash and marketable securities of $235 million, compared with net cash and securities of $247 million at the end of the 2009 first quarter.

During the quarter, the Company paid back a total of $157 million under its revolving credit lines, and currently has approximately $97 million classified as debt on the balance sheet. Cash used from operating activities was $14 million compared to $14 million generated in the 2009 first quarter.

Capital expenditures were $11 million, down from $30 million in last year’s second quarter and $15 million in the first quarter of this year. Approximately $81 million of auction rate securities are classified as a long-term asset on the consolidated balance sheet, and are included in the cash and marketable securities balance as of June 30, 2009.

Monster Worldwide’s deferred revenue balance at June 30, 2009 was $290 million, compared with last year’s second quarter balance of $470 million, and $345 million reported for the first quarter of 2009.

Six Months Results

Monster Worldwide reported total revenue of $477 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $721 million in the comparable period last year, a 34% decrease, or 28% before the negative impact of foreign exchange rates. Monster Careers revenue declined 37% to $413 million compared with $658 million in the 2008 period. Internet Advertising & Fees reported revenue of $64 million, a slight increase over the $63 million reported in the prior year period. The Company reported a loss from continuing operations of $12 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $42 million, or $0.35 per diluted share in the prior year period.

Supplemental Financial Information

The Company has made available certain supplemental financial information, in a separate document that can be accessed directly at http://about-monster.com/q209.pdf or through the Company’s Investor Relations website at http://ir.monster.com.

Conference Call Information

Second quarter 2009 results will be discussed on Monster Worldwide’s quarterly conference call taking place on July 30, 2009 at 5:00 PM EDT. To join the conference call, please dial (888) 551-5973 at 4:50 PM EDT and reference conference ID# 18221496. For those outside the United States, please dial (706) 643-3467 and reference the same conference ID#. The call will begin promptly at 5:00 PM EDT. Individuals can also access Monster Worldwide’s quarterly conference call online through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at http://ir.monster.com. For a replay of the call, please dial (800) 642-1687 or outside the United States dial (706) 645-9291 and reference ID #18221496. This number is valid until midnight on August 6, 2009.

About Monster Worldwide

Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW), parent company of Monster(R), the premier global online employment solution for more than a decade, strives to inspire people to improve their lives. With a local presence in key markets in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America, Monster works for everyone by connecting employers with quality job seekers at all levels and by providing personalized career advice to consumers globally. Through online media sites and services, Monster delivers vast, highly targeted audiences to advertisers. Monster Worldwide is a member of the S&P 500 index. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading products and services, visit www.monster.com.

Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company has provided certain non-GAAP financial information as additional information for its operating results. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and may be different from non-GAAP measures reported by other companies. The Company believes that its presentation of non-GAAP measures provides useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to its financial condition and results of operations.

Non-GAAP revenue, operating expenses, operating income, operating margin, income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share all exclude certain pro forma adjustments including: costs associated with the Company’s historical stock option grant practices, related litigation and potential fines or settlements; severance costs for former executive officers incurred in the second quarter of 2007; costs related to the measures taken by the Company in response to a security breach in August 2007; the strategic restructuring actions initiated in the third quarter of 2007; and the fair value adjustment to deferred revenue in connection with the acquisition of ChinaHR. The Company uses these non-GAAP measures for reviewing the ongoing results of the Company’s core business operations and in certain instances, for measuring performance under certain of the Company’s incentive compensation plans. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Operating income before depreciation and amortization (“OIBDA”) is defined as income from operations before depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of stock based compensation and non-cash costs incurred in connection with the Company’s restructuring program. The Company considers OIBDA to be an important indicator of its operational strength. This measure eliminates the effects of depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of stock based compensation and non-cash restructuring costs from period to period, which the Company believes is useful to management and investors in evaluating its operating performance. OIBDA is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures. Free cash flow is considered a liquidity measure and provides useful information about the Company's ability to generate cash after investments in property and equipment. Free cash flow reflected herein is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Free cash flow does not reflect the total change in the Company's cash position for the period and should not be considered a substitute for such a measure.

Net cash and securities is defined as cash and cash equivalents plus short-term and long-term marketable securities, less total debt. Total available liquidity is defined as cash and cash equivalents, plus short-term and long-term marketable securities plus unused borrowings under our credit facility. The Company considers net cash and securities and total available liquidity to be an important measure of liquidity and an indicator of its ability to meet its ongoing obligations. The Company also uses net cash and securities and total available liquidity, among other measures, in evaluating its choices for capital deployment. Net cash and securities and total available liquidity are presented herein as non-GAAP measures and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Special Note: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the Company's strategic direction, prospects and future results. Certain factors, including factors outside of our control, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, risks associated with acquisitions or dispositions, competition, ongoing costs associated with the Company’s historical stock option grant practices, costs associated with the restructuring and security breach, and the other risks discussed in our Form 10-K and our other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated in this release by reference.