Hudson Highland Group Inc.
Annual Report 2012

Plain-text annual report

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D. C. 20549 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 or TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Commission file number: 000-50129 HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (IRS Employer Identification No.) Delaware 59-3547281 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (212) 351-7300 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC. (Former name) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Common Stock, $0.001 par value Preferred Share Purchase Rights Name of each exchange on which registered The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Act. Yes No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit to post such flies). Yes No Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer Accelerated filer Smaller reporting company Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $135,961,000 based on the closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 30, 2012. Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Class Common Stock - $0.001 par value Outstanding on January 31, 2013 33,021,211 Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Table of Contents PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS ITEM 2. PROPERTIES ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES PART II ITEM 5. ITEM 6. ITEM 7. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK ITEM 8. ITEM 9. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES PART IV SIGNATURES EXHIBIT INDEX Page 3 4 11 11 12 12 15 17 18 40 40 75 76 77 77 77 78 78 79 84 86 ITEM 1. BUSINESS PART I On April 26, 2012, the Company changed its corporate name to “Hudson Global, Inc.” from “Hudson Highland Group, Inc.” On April 30, 2012, the Company changed its trading symbol on the Nasdaq Stock Market to “HSON” from “HHGP." Hudson Global, Inc. (the “Company” or “Hudson”, “we”, “us” and “our”) provides highly specialized professional-level recruitment and related talent solutions worldwide. Core service offerings include Permanent Recruitment, Contract Consulting, Legal eDiscovery, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (“RPO”) and Talent Management solutions. Hudson has operated as an independent publicly-held company since April 1, 2003 when the eResourcing division of Monster Worldwide, Inc., formerly TMP Worldwide, Inc., comprised of 67 acquisitions made between 1999 and 2001, was spun off. Today, Hudson has approximately 2,000 employees and operates in 20 countries with three reportable geographic business segments: Hudson Americas, Hudson Asia Pacific, and Hudson Europe. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the amounts and percentage of the Company’s total gross margin from the three reportable segments were as follows: Hudson Americas Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Total Gross Margin Amount Percentage $ $ 43,164 117,428 124,275 284,867 15% 41% 44% 100% The Company's core service offerings include those services described below: Permanent Recruitment: Offered on both a retained and contingent basis, Hudson's Permanent Recruitment services leverage the firm's more than 1,200 consultants, supported by the Company's psychologists and other scientific specialists in the development and delivery of its proprietary methods to identify, select and engage the best-fit talent for critical client roles. Contract Consulting: In Contract Consulting, Hudson provides a range of project management, interim management and professional contract staffing services. These services draw upon a combination of specialized recruiting and project management competencies to deliver a wide range of solutions. Hudson-employed professionals - either individually or as a team - are placed with client organizations for a defined period of time based on specific business need. Legal eDiscovery: Hudson's Legal eDiscovery services comprise eDiscovery solutions, managed document review (encompassing logistical deployment, project management, process design and productivity management), and contract attorney staffing. The most comprehensive of these is the firm's full-service eDiscovery solution, providing an integrated system of discovery management and review technology deployment for both corporate and law firm clients. RPO: Hudson RPO delivers outsourced recruitment solutions tailored to the individual needs of mid- to large-cap multinational companies. Hudson RPO's delivery teams utilize state-of-the-art recruitment process methodologies and project management expertise in their flexible, turnkey solutions to meet clients' ongoing business needs. Hudson RPO services include complete recruitment outsourcing, project-based outsourcing, contingent workforce solutions and recruitment consulting. Talent Management Solutions: Featuring embedded proprietary talent assessment and selection methodologies, Hudson's Talent Management Solutions capability encompasses services such as talent assessment (utilizing a variety of competency, attitude and experiential testing), interview training, executive coaching, employee development and outplacement. - 3 - CLIENTS The Company's clients include small to large-sized corporations and government agencies. As of December 31, 2012, there were approximately 460 Hudson Americas clients, 1,200 Hudson Asia Pacific clients and 2,700 Hudson Europe clients. The business of the Company is not dependent upon either a single client or a limited number of clients. During 2012, no single client accounted for more than 10% of the Company's revenue. As of December 31, 2012, no single client accounted for more than 10% of the Company's outstanding accounts receivable. EMPLOYEES The Company employs approximately 2,000 people worldwide. In most jurisdictions, our employees are not represented by a labor union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The Company regards its relationships with its employees as satisfactory. SALES AND MARKETING The majority of Hudson's roughly 1,200 client-facing consultants sell its portfolio of services to its existing client base of over 4,300 companies and to prospective client organizations. The Company's consultant population has deep expertise in specific functional areas and industry sectors, and provides broad-based recruitment and solution services based on the needs of the client. With the realignment of the Company's business into three regions and the growth in multi-nationals within its client base, the Company's consultants are increasingly partnering with colleagues in other countries to sell the Company's services across geographic boundaries. COMPETITION The markets for the Company's services and products are highly competitive. There are few barriers to entry, so new entrants occur frequently, resulting in considerable market fragmentation. Companies in this industry compete on a number of parameters including degree and quality of candidate and position knowledge, industry expertise, service quality, and efficiency in completing assignments. Typically, companies with greater strength in these parameters garner higher margins. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA Financial information concerning the Company's reportable segments and geographic areas of operation is included in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. AVAILABLE INFORMATION We maintain a Web site with the address www.hudson.com. We are not including the information contained on our Web site as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this report. Through our Web site, we make available free of charge (other than an investor's own Internet access charges) our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports in a timely manner after we provide them to the Securities and Exchange Commission. - 4 - ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS The following risk factors and other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should be carefully considered. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. Our operations will be affected by global economic fluctuations. Client's demand for our services may fluctuate with changes in economic conditions in the markets in which we operate. Those conditions include slower employment growth or reductions in employment. We have limited flexibility to reduce expenses during economic downturns due to some overhead costs which are fixed in the short-term. Furthermore, we may face increased pricing pressures during economic downturns. For example, during the 2008 and 2009 economic downturn, many employers in our operating regions reduced their overall workforce to reflect the slowing demand for their products and services. Employers continuing to operate with these reduced workforces contributed to operating losses for our company in 2012. Economic conditions could remain weak in 2013, which may result in lower operating results than we currently expect. Our operating results fluctuate from quarter to quarter; no single quarter is predictive of future periods' results. Our operating results fluctuate quarter to quarter primarily due to the vacation periods during the first quarter in the Asia Pacific region and the third quarter in the Americas and Europe regions. Demand for our services is typically lower during traditional national vacation periods when clients and candidates are on vacation. Our revenue can vary because our clients can terminate their relationship with us at any time with limited or no penalty. We provide professional mid-market personnel on a temporary assignment-by-assignment basis, which clients can generally terminate at any time or reduce their level of use when compared to prior periods. Our professional recruitment business is also significantly affected by our clients' hiring needs and their views of their future prospects. These factors can also affect our RPO business. Clients may, on very short notice, terminate, reduce or postpone their recruiting assignments with us and, therefore, affect demand for our services. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our markets are highly competitive. The markets for our services are highly competitive. Our markets are characterized by pressures to provide high levels of service, incorporate new capabilities and technologies, accelerate job completion schedules and reduce prices. Furthermore, we face competition from a number of sources. These sources include other executive search firms and professional search, staffing and consulting firms. Several of our competitors have greater financial and marketing resources than we do. Due to competition, we may experience reduced margins on our services, loss of market share and our customers. If we are not able to compete effectively with current or future competitors as a result of these and other factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. We have no significant proprietary technology that would preclude or inhibit competitors from entering the mid-market professional staffing contract and consulting markets. We cannot provide assurance that existing or future competitors will not develop or offer services that provide significant performance, price, creative or other advantages over our services. In addition, we believe that, with continuing development and increased availability of information technology, the industries in which we compete may attract new competitors. Specifically, the increased use of the Internet may attract technology-oriented companies to the professional staffing industry. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to continue to compete effectively against existing or future competitors. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. - 5 - Our investment strategy subjects us to risks. From time to time, we make investments as part of our growth plans. Investments may not perform as expected because they are dependent on a variety of factors, including our ability to effectively integrate new personnel and operations, our ability to sell new services, and our ability to retain existing or gain new clients. Furthermore, we may need to borrow more money from lenders or sell equity or debt securities to the public to finance future investments and the terms of these financings may be adverse to us. We face risks related to our international operations. We conduct operations in approximately twenty countries and face both translation and transaction risks related to foreign currency exchange. For the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately 86% of our gross margin was earned outside of the U.S. Our financial results could be materially affected by a number of factors particular to international operations. These include, but are not limited to, difficulties in staffing and managing international operations, operational issues such as longer customer payment cycles and greater difficulties in collecting accounts receivable, changes in tax laws or other regulatory requirements, issues relating to uncertainties of laws and enforcement relating to the regulation and protection of intellectual property, and currency fluctuation. If we are forced to discontinue any of our international operations, we could incur material costs to close down such operations. Regarding the foreign currency risk inherent in international operations, the results of our local operations are reported in the applicable foreign currencies and then translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable foreign currency exchange rates for inclusion in our financial statements. In addition, we generally pay operating expenses in the corresponding local currency. Because of devaluations and fluctuations in currency exchange rates or the imposition of limitations on conversion of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, we are subject to currency translation exposure on the revenue and income of our operations in addition to economic exposure. Our consolidated U.S. dollar cash balance could be lower because a significant amount of cash is generated outside of the U.S. This risk could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We depend on our key management personnel. Our continued success will depend to a significant extent on our senior management team. The loss of the services of one or more key senior management team member could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if one or more key employees join a competitor or form a competing company, the resulting loss of existing or potential clients could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our success also depends upon our ability to attract and retain highly-skilled professionals who possess the skills and experience necessary to meet the staffing requirements of our clients. We must continually evaluate and upgrade our base of available qualified personnel to keep pace with changing client needs and emerging technologies. Furthermore, a substantial number of our contractors during any given year may terminate their employment with us and accept regular staff employment with our clients. Competition for qualified professionals with proven skills is intense, and demand for these individuals is expected to remain strong for the foreseeable future. There can be no assurance that qualified personnel will continue to be available to us in sufficient numbers. If we are unable to attract the necessary qualified personnel for our clients, it may have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. - 6 - We face risks in collecting our accounts receivable. In virtually all of our businesses, we invoice customers after providing services, which creates accounts receivable. Delays or defaults in payments owed to us could have a significant adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Factors that could cause a delay or default include, but are not limited to, global economic conditions, business failures, and turmoil in the financial and credit markets. In certain situations, we provide our services to clients under a contractual relationship with a third-party vendor manager, rather than directly to the client. In those circumstances, the third-party vendor manager is typically responsible for aggregating billing information, collecting receivables from the client and paying staffing suppliers once funds are received from the client. In the event that the client has paid the vendor manager for our services and we are unable to collect from the vendor manager, we may be exposed to financial losses. We have had periods of negative cash flows and operating losses that may reoccur in the future. We have experienced negative cash flows and reported operating and net losses in the past. For example, our cash flows from operations were negative during 2010 and we had operating and net losses for the year ended December 31, 2012. We cannot provide any assurance that we will have positive cash flows or operating profitability in the future, particularly to the extent the global economy continues to recover slowly from the global economic downturn. If our revenue declines or if operating expenses exceed our expectations, we may not be profitable and may not generate positive operating cash flows. Our credit facilities restrict our operating flexibility. Our credit facilities contain various restrictions and covenants that restrict our operating flexibility including: • borrowings limited to eligible receivables; • lenders' ability to impose restrictions, such as payroll or other reserves; • limitations on payments of dividends; • • restrictions on our ability to make additional borrowings, or to consolidate, merge or otherwise fundamentally change our ownership; limitations on capital expenditures, investments, dispositions of assets, guarantees of indebtedness, permitted acquisitions and repurchases of stock; and • limitations on certain intercompany payments of expenses, interest and dividends. These restrictions and covenants could have adverse consequences for investors, including the consequences of our need to use a portion of our cash flow from operations for debt service, rather than for our operations, restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt financing for future working capital or capital expenditures, a lesser ability for us to take advantage of significant business opportunities, such as acquisition opportunities, the potential need for us to undertake equity transactions which may dilute the ownership of existing investors, and our inability to react to market conditions by selling lesser- performing assets. In addition, a default, amendment or waiver to our credit facilities to avoid a default may result in higher rates of interest and could impact our ability to obtain additional borrowings. Finally, debt incurred under our credit facilities bears interest at variable rates. Any increase in interest expense could reduce the funds available for operations. - 7 - If we are unable to maintain costs at an acceptable level, our operations could be adversely impacted. Our ability to reduce costs in line with expectations is important for the improvement of our profitability. Efforts to improve our efficiency could be affected by several factors including turnover, client demands, market conditions, changes in laws, and availability of talent. Our failure to realize the expected benefits of these cost reduction initiatives could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We rely on our information systems, and if we lose our information processing capabilities or fail to further develop our technology, our business could be adversely affected. Our success depends in large part upon our ability to store, retrieve, process, and manage substantial amounts of information, including our client and candidate databases. To achieve our strategic objectives and to remain competitive, we must continue to develop and enhance our information systems. This may require the acquisition of equipment and software and the development, either internally or through independent consultants, of new proprietary software. Our inability to design, develop, implement and utilize, in a cost-effective manner, information systems that provide the capabilities necessary for us to compete effectively, or any interruption or loss of our information processing capabilities, for any reason, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. As we operate in an international human resources environment, we are subject to cyber-security risks and incidents. Our business involves the storage and transmission of our candidates' personal information, our clients' job requirement preferences and confidential information used in our Legal eDiscovery practice. We also use mobile devices, social networking and other online activities to connect with our candidates, clients and business partners. While we have implemented measures to prevent security breaches and cyber incidents, our measures may not be effective and any security breaches or cyber incidents could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our business depends on uninterrupted service to clients. Our operations depend on our ability to protect our facilities, computer and telecommunication equipment and software systems against damage or interruption from fire, power loss, cyber attacks, sabotage, telecommunications interruption, weather conditions, natural disasters and other similar events such as Hurricane Sandy experienced in the Northeastern United States in late October 2012, the flooding experienced throughout Queensland, Australia in January 2011 and the major earthquake that occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand in February 2011. Additionally, severe weather can cause our employees or contractors to miss work and interrupt delivery of our service, resulting in a loss of revenue. While interruptions of these types that have occurred in the past have not caused material disruption, it is not possible to predict the type, severity or frequency of interruptions in the future or their impact on our business. - 8 - We may be exposed to employment-related claims, legal liability and costs from clients, employers and regulatory authorities that could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, and our insurance coverage may not cover all of our potential liability. We are in the business of employing people and placing them in the workplaces of other businesses. Risks relating to these activities include: • claims of misconduct or negligence on the part of our employees; • claims by our employees of discrimination or harassment directed at them, including claims relating to actions of our clients; • claims related to the employment of illegal aliens or unlicensed personnel; • claims for payment of workers' compensation and other similar claims; • claims for violations of wage and hour requirements; • claims for retroactive entitlement to employee benefits; • claims of errors and omissions of our temporary employees; • claims by taxing authorities related to our independent contractors and the risk that such contractors could be considered employees for tax purposes; • claims by candidates that we place for wrongful termination or denial of employment; • claims related to our non-compliance with data protection laws, which require the consent of a candidate to transfer resumes and other data; and • claims by our clients relating to our employees' misuse of client proprietary information, misappropriation of funds, other misconduct, criminal activity or similar claims. We are exposed to potential claims with respect to the recruitment process. A client could assert a claim for matters such as breach of a blocking arrangement or recommending a candidate who subsequently proves to be unsuitable for the position filled. Similarly, a client could assert a claim for deceptive trade practices on the grounds that we failed to disclose certain referral information about the candidate or misrepresented material information about the candidate. Further, the current employer of a candidate whom we place could file a claim against us alleging interference with an employment contract. In addition, a candidate could assert an action against us for failure to maintain the confidentiality of the candidate's employment search or for alleged discrimination or other violations of employment law by one of our clients. We may incur fines and other losses or negative publicity with respect to these problems. In addition, some or all of these claims may give rise to litigation, which could be time-consuming to our management team, costly and could have a negative effect on our business. In some cases, we have agreed to indemnify our clients against some or all of these types of liabilities. We cannot assure that we will not experience these problems in the future, that our insurance will cover all claims, or that our insurance coverage will continue to be available at economically-feasible rates. It is possible that we may still incur liabilities associated with certain pre-spin off activities with Monster. Under the terms of our Distribution Agreement with Monster, these liabilities generally will continue to be retained by us. If these liabilities are significant, the retained liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. However, in some circumstance, we may have claims against Monster, and we will make a determination on a case by case basis. - 9 - Our ability to utilize net operating loss carry-forwards may be limited. The Company has U.S. net operating loss carry-forwards (“NOLs”) that expire through 2032. Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes an annual limitation on a corporation's ability to utilize NOLs if it experiences an “ownership change.” In general terms, an ownership change may result from transactions increasing the ownership of certain stockholders in the stock of a corporation by more than 50% over a three-year period. The Company has experienced ownership changes in the past. Ownership changes in our stock, some of which are outside of our control, could result in a limitation in our ability to use our NOLs to offset future taxable income, could cause U.S. Federal income taxes to be paid earlier than otherwise would be paid if such limitation were not in effect and could cause such NOLs to expire unused, reducing or eliminating the benefit of such NOLs. There may be volatility in our stock price. The market price for our common stock has fluctuated in the past and could fluctuate substantially in the future. For example, during 2012, the market price of our common stock reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market ranged from a high of $5.98 to a low of $3.23. Factors such as general macroeconomic conditions adverse to workforce expansion, the announcement of variations in our quarterly financial results or changes in our expected financial results could cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly. Further, due to the volatility of the stock market generally, the price of our common stock could fluctuate for reasons unrelated to our operating performance. Our future earnings could be reduced as a result of the imposition of licensing or tax requirements or new regulations that prohibit, or restrict certain types of employment services we offer. In many jurisdictions in which we operate, the provision of temporary staffing is heavily regulated. For example, governmental regulations can restrict the length of contracts of contract employees and the industries in which they may be used. In some countries, special taxes, fees or costs are imposed in connection with the use of contract workers. The countries in which we operate may: • create additional regulations that prohibit or restrict the types of employment services that we currently provide; • impose new or additional benefit requirements; • require us to obtain additional licensing to provide staffing services; • impose new or additional visa restrictions on movements between countries; • increase taxes, such as sales or value-added taxes, payable by the providers of staffing services; • • increase the number of various tax and compliance audits relating to a variety of regulations, including wage and hour laws, unemployment taxes, workers' compensation, immigration, and income, value-added and sales taxes; or revise transfer pricing laws or successfully challenge our transfer prices, which may result in higher foreign taxes or tax liabilities or double taxation of our foreign operations. Any future regulations that make it more difficult or expensive for us to continue to provide our staffing services may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. - 10 - Provisions in our organizational documents and Delaware law will make it more difficult for someone to acquire control of us. Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and the Delaware General Corporation Law contain several provisions that make more difficult an acquisition of control of us in a transaction not approved by our Board of Directors, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current prices, and that may limit the ability of stockholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in their best interests. Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws include provisions: • dividing our Board of Directors into three classes to be elected on a staggered basis, one class each year; • authorizing our Board of Directors to issue shares of our preferred stock in one or more series without further authorization of our stockholders; • requiring that stockholders provide advance notice of any stockholder nomination of directors or any of new business to be considered at any meeting of stockholders; • permitting removal of directors only for cause by a super-majority vote; • providing that vacancies on our Board of Directors will be filled by the remaining directors then in office; • requiring that a super-majority vote be obtained to amend or repeal specified provisions of our certificate of incorporation or by-laws; and • eliminating the right of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders or take action by written consent without a meeting of stockholders. In addition, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law generally provides that a corporation may not engage in any business combination with any interested stockholder during the three-year period following the time that the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless a majority of the directors then in office approve either the business combination or the transaction that results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder or specified stockholder approval requirements are met. In February 2005, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of our common stock payable upon the close of business on February 28, 2005 to the stockholders of record on that date. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from us one one-hundredth (1/100th) of a share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (“Preferred Shares”) at a price of $60 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, subject to adjustment. These Rights may make the cost of acquiring us more expensive and, therefore, make an acquisition more difficult. ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS None. - 11 - ITEM 2. PROPERTIES All of the Company's operating offices are located in leased premises. Our principal executive office is currently located at 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York, where we occupy space under a lease expiring in March 2017. Hudson Americas maintains 20 leased locations with approximately 158,000 aggregate square feet, which include 2 leased locations with space of approximately 60,000 aggregate square feet, which are shared between the Hudson Americas and corporate functions. Hudson Asia Pacific maintains 18 leased locations with approximately 184,000 aggregate square feet. Hudson Europe maintains 35 leased locations with approximately 294,000 aggregate square feet. All leased space is considered to be adequate for the operation of its business, and no difficulties are foreseen in meeting any future space requirements. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company is involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to the conduct of its business. The Company is not involved in any pending or threatened legal proceedings that it believes could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations. ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES Not applicable. - 12 - EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT The following table sets forth certain information, as of February 23, 2013, regarding the executive officers of Hudson Global, Inc.: Name Manuel Marquez Dorsch Mary Jane Raymond Latham Williams Frank P. Lanuto Neil J. Funk Age 54 52 60 50 61 Title Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs and Administration, Corporate Secretary Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer Vice President, Internal Audit The following biographies describe the business experience of our executive officers: Manuel Marquez Dorsch has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since May 2011, with overall responsibility for the Company's growth strategy, operational execution and performance. Mr. Marquez has over 20 years of experience in senior leadership positions. Most recently, from 2007 to 2010, he was the chief executive officer of Amper S.A., a leading defense, homeland security and telecom services company in Spain with approximately 1,200 employees. Prior to joining Amper, Mr. Marquez spent 15 years in the recruitment industry with Spencer Stuart, an international leader in executive search consulting services. He joined Spencer Stuart in 1991 and co-founded one of the firm's first specialized industry practices, High Technology. In 1995, he was asked to lead the European Telecommunications Practice. From 1997 to 2000, he was the Managing Partner responsible for the Spanish market. From 2000 to 2005, he was a member of the global executive team of Spencer Stuart responsible for the firm's operations in Europe, India and South Africa. Mr. Marquez began his professional career at IBM in 1981. He later joined Digital Equipment Corporation in 1989, as marketing and sales director for its Spanish subsidiary. Mary Jane Raymond has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, which position she has held since joining the Company in December 2005. From February 2011 to May 2011, she also served as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that, Ms. Raymond was the Chief Risk Officer of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation during 2005. From 2002 to 2005, Ms. Raymond served as the Vice President and Corporate Controller of the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation. Ms. Raymond served as the Merger Integration Vice President of Lucent Technologies, Inc. from 1998 to 2002 and as Financial Vice President in International from 1997 to 1998. From 1988 to 1997, Ms. Raymond served in various positions with Cummins, Inc. Latham Williams has served as Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs and Administration, Corporate Secretary since February 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Williams served as Vice President, Legal Affairs and Administration, Corporate Secretary since joining the Company in April 2003. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Williams was a Partner, Leader Diversity Practice Group and Co-Leader Global Legal Practice in Monster's executive search division. Prior to joining Monster in 2001, Mr. Williams was an equity partner with the international law firm of Sidley Austin LLP from 1993 to 2000, specializing in health care joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions. Before joining Sidley Austin, Mr. Williams was an equity partner in the Chicago-based law firm of Gardner, Carton & Douglas (now, Drinker Biddle) and was with the firm from 1981 to 1993. - 13 - Frank P. Lanuto has served as Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer since November 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Lanuto served as Vice President and Corporate Controller since he joined the Company in June 2008. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Lanuto served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Initiative Media Worldwide, a subsidiary of The Interpublic Group of Companies. Inc., from September 2005 to March 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Lanuto served as Chief Financial Officer of Publicis Healthcare Communications, from April 2003 to August 2005. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Finance of Bcom3 Group, Inc. from December 2001 to March 2003 and Senior Vice President and Director, Group Financial Reporting of Bcom3 Group from May 2000 to November 2001. Mr. Lanuto served in various positions for Omnicom Group Inc. from 1993 to 2000, including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of its Rapp Collins Worldwide (New York office) business. Neil J. Funk has served as Vice President, Internal Audit since joining the Company in August 2003. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Funk was a Senior Manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP, a multi-national auditing and consulting firm, from September 2000 until July 2003. Before joining Deloitte & Touche, Mr. Funk was with Prudential Financial, Inc., a large insurance company, specializing in personal financial planning during 2000. Before joining Prudential Financial, Inc., Mr. Funk was District Audit Manager for PRG-Schultz, Inc., a recovery audit company, based in Atlanta, Georgia from September 1997 until February 2000. Executive officers are elected by, and serve at the discretion of, the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers. - 14 - PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK The Company's common stock was listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market during 2012. From January 1, 2012 through April 29, 2012, the Company's common stock was listed under the symbol “HHGP” and from April 30, 2012 through December 31, 2012 under the symbol “HSON. On January 31, 2013, there were approximately 633 holders of record of the Company's common stock. The following is a list by fiscal quarter of the market prices of the Company's common stock. 2012 Fourth quarter Third quarter Second quarter First quarter 2011 Fourth quarter Third quarter Second quarter First quarter Market Price High Low $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 4.71 $ $ 4.73 $ 5.98 $ 5.91 5.48 $ 6.16 $ 6.66 $ 7.11 $ 3.82 3.78 3.23 4.29 3.05 3.17 4.39 4.87 We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock, and we currently do not intend to declare or pay cash dividends on our common stock. Any payment of cash dividends will depend upon our financial condition, capital requirements, earnings and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. In addition, the terms of our credit agreement prohibit us from paying dividends and making other distributions. - 15 - ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES The Company's purchases of its common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 were as follows: Period October 1, 2012 - October 31, 2012 (b) November 1, 2012 - November 30, 2012 (b) December 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012 (b) Total Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Share — 10,794 2,600 13,394 $ $ $ — 4.35 4.44 4.37 Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (a) — — — — 6,792,000 6,792,000 6,792,000 6,792,000 (a) On February 4, 2008, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of a maximum of $15 million of the Company's common stock. The Company has repurchased 1,491,772 shares for a total cost of approximately $8.2 million under this authorization. Repurchases of common stock are restricted under the Company's revolver agreement entered on August 5, 2010, as amended. (b) Consisted of shares of restricted stock withheld from employees upon the vesting of such shares to satisfy employees' income tax withholding requirements. The following information in this Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into such a filing. - 16 - PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The following graph compares on a cumulative basis changes since December 31, 2007 in (a) the total stockholder return on the Company's common stock with (b) the total return on the Russell 2000 Index and (c) the total return on the companies in a peer group selected in good faith by the Company, in each case assuming reinvestment of dividends. Such changes have been measured by dividing (x) the difference between the price per share at the end of and the beginning of the measurement period by (y) the price per share at the beginning of the measurement period. The graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2007 in the Company's common stock, the Russell 2000 Index and the peer group consisting of Resources Connection, Inc., Kelly Services, Inc., Kforce, Inc., and CDI Corporation. The returns of each component company in the peer group have been weighted based on each company's relative market capitalization on December 31, 2012. HSON RUSSELL 2000 INDEX PEER GROUP December 31, 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 $ $ $ 100.00 100.00 100.00 $ $ $ 39.83 65.20 74.54 $ $ $ 56.48 81.64 92.86 $ $ $ 69.32 102.30 114.51 $ $ $ 56.96 96.72 80.94 $ $ $ 53.27 110.87 94.08 - 17 - ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The following table shows selected financial data of the Company that has been adjusted to reflect the classification of certain businesses as discontinued operations. The data has been derived from, and should be read together with, the Consolidated Financial Statements and corresponding notes and “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Items 7 and 8 of this Form 10-K. Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 (dollars in thousands, except per share data) SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS: Revenue Gross margin Business reorganization and integration expense Goodwill and other impairment charges (a) Depreciation and amortization Operating income (loss) Income (loss) from continuing operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes Net income (loss) Basic income (loss) per share from continuing operations Basic net income (loss) per share Diluted income (loss) per share from continuing operations Diluted net income (loss) per share OTHER FINANCIAL DATA: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities BALANCE SHEET DATA: Current assets Total assets Current liabilities Total stockholders’ equity OTHER DATA: EBITDA (loss) (b) $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 777,577 284,867 7,782 $ $ $ 933,736 354,305 720 $ $ $ 794,542 298,573 1,694 $ $ $ 260,453 18,180 — $ — $ — $ 1,549 691,149 $ 1,079,085 $ $ $ $ 454,986 11,217 67,087 14,662 6,438 $ 6,251 (6,638) $ 17,435 (5,335) $ 10,909 $ $ $ 8,184 $ 12,543 (5,618) $ (49,453) $ (70,783) (4,441) $ (42,953) $ (73,096) — $ — $ (244) $ 2,344 $ (1,222) (5,335) $ 10,909 (0.17) $ (0.17) $ (0.17) $ (0.17) $ 0.35 0.35 0.34 0.34 $ $ $ $ $ (4,685) $ (40,609) $ (74,318) (0.15) $ (1.65) $ (0.16) $ (1.56) $ (0.15) $ (1.65) $ (0.16) $ (1.56) $ (2.90) (2.95) (2.90) (2.95) 13,159 $ 13,396 $ (15,658) $ (26,988) $ 11,860 (8,272) $ (6,584) $ (4,274) $ 1,639 $ 1,140 7,578 157,412 193,468 67,168 106,541 $ $ $ $ 181,923 216,546 90,515 107,357 $ $ $ $ 172,087 205,834 93,760 93,278 $ $ $ $ $ $ 6,804 4,371 148,366 181,944 86,154 76,260 $ $ $ $ $ $ 4,196 (646) 194,149 230,953 104,581 107,992 54 $ 23,642 $ 6,503 $ (35,466) $ (52,852) (a) The results for the year ended December 31, 2009 principally consisted of an impairment charge of $1,669 related to goodwill associated with the Tong Zhi (Beijing) Consulting Service Ltd. and Guangzhou Dong Li Consulting Service Ltd. (collectively, “TKA”) acquisition. The results for the year ended December 31, 2008 included impairment charges related to goodwill of $64,495, a write down of long-term assets of $2,224 and impairment charges related to intangible assets of $368. (b) SEC Regulation S-K 229.10(e)1(ii)(A) defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is presented to provide additional information to investors about the Company's operations on a basis consistent with the measures that the Company uses to manage its operations and evaluate its performance. Management also uses this measurement to evaluate working capital requirements. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income and net income prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of the Company's profitability. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further EBITDA segment and reconciliation information. - 18 - ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto, included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. This MD&A contains forward-looking statements. Please see “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. This MD&A also uses the non-generally accepted accounting principle measure of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for EBITDA segment reconciliation information. This MD&A includes the following sections: • Executive Overview • Results of Operations • Liquidity and Capital Resources • Contingencies • Critical Accounting Policies • Recent Accounting Pronouncements • Forward-Looking Statements Executive Overview Hudson is a global talent solutions company with expertise in leadership and specialized recruitment, contracting solutions, recruitment process outsourcing, talent management and eDiscovery. The Company helps it clients and candidates succeed by leveraging our expertise, deep industry and market knowledge, and proprietary assessment tools and techniques. With approximately 2,000 employees in 20 countries, and relationships with specialized professionals around the globe, the Company brings a unique ability to match talent with opportunities by assessing, recruiting, developing and engaging the best and brightest people for the Company's clients. The Company combines broad geographic presence, world-class talent solutions and a tailored, consultative approach to help businesses and professionals achieve maximum performance. Hudson's focus is to continually upgrade its service offerings, delivery capability and assessment tools to make candidates more successful in achieving its clients' business requirements. The Company has shifted and refined its focus to place greater emphasis on key accounts and solutions-based offerings in order to operate as a trusted business advisor and partner to both clients and candidates. The Company’s proprietary frameworks, assessment tools and leadership development programs, coupled with our broad geographic footprint, has allowed us to design and implement regional and global recruitment solutions that we believe greatly enhance the quality of hiring. The Company’s strategic initiatives for the near term include: • Leveraging the value of our global business as exemplified by the launch of the global practices in Legal eDiscovery and RPO. • Attracting, developing and retaining the right people to increase productivity and profitability. • Focusing on selected clients and services to provide higher value recruitment solutions to their businesses. • Creating a compelling digital presence to help attract both highly-skilled candidates and new clients to grow our business. In 2012, the Company took steps to accelerate its strategic initiatives and announced in April 2012 a plan of reorganization ("2012 Plan"). The 2012 Plan is focused on: • Redirecting resources to high-potential strategic businesses, such as RPO and Legal eDiscovery, and growth markets of the world. - 19 - • Optimizing its operations in under-performing sectors and markets to deliver improved performance, re-engineering of its delivery model, and consolidating operations globally. • Streamlining its back office support areas and business processes, and establishing a shared services operation and global centers of excellence to gain efficiencies of operation. Current Market Conditions Economic conditions in most parts of the world have not yet shown improvement. These conditions have impacted European and Australia markets in particular. In virtually all markets in which we operate, clients are focused on reducing expenses. These market conditions contributed to a decline of 17% in the Company’s annual revenues of as compared to 2011 and affected nearly all of the major markets in which we operate. If the current market conditions persist, we may experience extended periods of lower revenues, which could negatively impact our business, operating results and financial condition. We may also see an increasing trend among clients to re-tender contracts rather than renewing them. At this time, we are unable to accurately predict the outcome of these events or changes in general economic conditions and their effect on the demand for our services. Financial Performance The following is a summary of the highlights for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. These should be considered in the context of the additional disclosures in this MD&A. • Revenue was $777.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $933.7 million for 2011, a decrease of $156.2 million, or 16.7%. On a constant currency basis, the Company's revenue decreased $145.9 million, or 15.8%. Of this decrease, $107.6 million was in contracting revenue (down 15.6% compared to 2011) and $40.8 million was in permanent recruitment revenue (down 21.9% compared to 2011). Revenue was $933.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $794.5 million for 2010, an increase of $139.2 million, or 17.5%. On a constant currency basis, the Company's revenue increased $90.1 million, or 10.8%. Of this increase, $72.8 million was in contracting revenue (up 11.8% compared to 2010) and $18.6 million was in permanent recruitment revenue (up 11.1% compared to 2010). • Gross margin was $284.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $354.3 million for 2011, a decrease of $69.4 million, or 19.6%. On a constant currency basis, gross margin decreased $63.6 million, or 18.2%. Of this decrease, $40.0 million was in permanent recruitment gross margin (down 21.9% compared to 2011) and $25.2 million was in contracting gross margin (down 19.9% compared to 2011). Gross margin was $354.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $298.6 million for 2010, an increase of $55.7 million, or 18.7%. On a constant currency basis, gross margin increased $36.7 million, or 11.8%. Of this increase, $19.5 million was in contracting gross margin (up 18.1% compared to 2010) and $18.0 million was in permanent recruitment gross margin (up 10.9% compared to 2010). • Selling, general and administrative expenses and other non-operating income (expense) (“SG&A and Non-Op”) were $277.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $329.9 million for 2011, a decrease of $52.9 million, or 16.0%. On a constant currency basis, SG&A and Non-Op decreased $47.0 million, or 14.5%. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was 35.6% for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to 35.1% for 2011. SG&A and Non-Op were $329.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $289.8 million for 2010, an increase of $40.1 million, or 13.8%. On a constant currency basis, SG&A and Non-Op increased $22.4 million, or 7.4%. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was 35.3% for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to 36.2% for 2010. - 20 - • Business reorganization expenses were $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $0.7 million in for 2011, an increase of $7.1 million on both a reported and constant currency basis. Business reorganization expenses were $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $1.7 million in for 2010, a decrease of $1.0 million on both a reported and constant currency basis. • EBITDA was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to EBITDA of $23.6 million for 2011. On a constant currency basis, EBITDA decreased $23.7 million in 2012 compared to 2011. EBITDA was $23.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to EBITDA of $6.5 million for 2010. On a constant currency basis, EBITDA increased $16.0 million in 2011 compared to 2010. • Net loss was $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to net income of $10.9 million for 2011. On a constant currency basis, net income decreased $16.4 million in 2012 compared to 2011. Net income was $10.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to a net loss of $4.7 million for 2010. On a constant currency basis, net income increased $15.9 million in 2011 compared to 2010. - 21 - Constant Currency The Company operates on a global basis, with the majority of its gross margin generated outside of the U.S. Accordingly, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates can affect our results of operations. For the discussion of reportable segment results of operations, the Company uses constant currency information. Constant currency compares financial results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period. The Company defines the term “constant currency” to mean that financial data for previously reported periods are translated into U.S. dollars using the same foreign currency exchange rates that were used to translate financial data for the current period. The Company’s management reviews and analyzes business results in constant currency and believes these results better represent the Company’s underlying business trends. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates generally impact only reported earnings. Changes in revenue, gross margin, SG&A and Non-Op, business reorganization expenses, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and EBITDA (loss) include the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The tables below summarize the impact of foreign currency exchange rate adjustments on the Company’s operating results for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. $ in thousands Revenue: Hudson Americas Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Total Gross margin: Hudson Americas Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Total SG&A and Non-Op (a): Hudson Americas Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Corporate Total Business reorganization expenses: Hudson Americas Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Corporate Total Operating income (loss): Hudson Americas Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Corporate Total Net income (loss), consolidated EBITDA (loss) (b): Hudson Americas Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Corporate Total Year Ended December 31, 2012 As reported As reported 2011 Currency translation Constant currency As reported 2010 Currency translation Constant currency $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 169,216 288,144 320,217 777,577 43,164 117,428 124,275 284,867 40,876 110,798 122,101 3,256 277,031 1,007 1,285 5,131 359 7,782 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 3,318 7,988 1,326 (19,270) (6,638) $ (5,335) $ 1,268 5,355 (2,955) (3,614) 54 $ $ 192,217 359,108 382,411 933,736 50,778 146,917 156,610 354,305 47,306 132,653 147,919 2,065 329,943 $ $ $ $ $ $ — $ — 720 — 720 $ 5,351 18,384 14,156 (20,456) 17,435 10,909 3,482 14,180 8,071 (2,091) 23,642 $ $ $ $ $ (20) $ 1,745 (11,983) (10,258) $ (20) $ 845 (6,697) (5,872) $ (52) $ 741 (6,633) 1 (5,943) $ 192,197 360,853 370,428 923,478 50,758 147,762 149,913 348,433 47,254 133,394 141,286 2,066 324,000 $ $ $ $ $ $ 162,432 303,619 328,491 794,542 39,417 121,965 137,191 298,573 37,308 113,134 134,817 4,554 289,813 — $ (1) 696 — 695 $ 307 (15) 1,402 — 1,694 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 36 35,621 3,138 38,795 36 13,134 (31) 13,139 45 12,109 (318) 1 11,837 3 (12) 46 — 37 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 5,372 18,575 13,631 (20,455) 17,123 11,088 3,511 14,286 8,029 (2,090) 23,736 $ $ $ $ $ (2,499) $ 10,822 5,050 (18,991) (5,618) $ (4,685) $ 1,687 8,847 1,086 (5,117) 6,503 $ $ 5 1,042 82 (9) 1,120 $ (81) $ (12) $ 1,033 243 — 1,264 $ — $ (1) (24) — (25) $ $ 21 191 (525) 1 (312) $ $ 179 29 106 (42) 1 94 $ $ 162,468 339,240 331,629 833,337 39,453 135,099 137,160 311,712 37,353 125,243 134,499 4,555 301,650 310 (27) 1,448 — 1,731 (2,494) 11,864 5,132 (19,000) (4,498) (4,766) 1,675 9,880 1,329 (5,117) 7,767 - 22 - (a) SG&A and Non-Op is a measure that management uses to evaluate the segments’ expenses, which include the following captions on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): Selling, general and administrative expenses, and other income (expense), net. Corporate management service allocations are included in the segments’ other income (expense). (b) See EBITDA reconciliation in the following section. Use of EBITDA (Non-GAAP measure) Management believes EBITDA is a meaningful indicator of the Company’s performance that provides useful information to investors regarding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. EBITDA is also considered by management as the best indicator of operating performance and most comparable measure across the regions in which we operate. Management also uses this measurement to evaluate capital needs and working capital requirements. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income or net income prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) or as a measure of the Company’s profitability. EBITDA is derived from net income (loss) adjusted for the provision for (benefit from) income taxes, interest expense (income), and depreciation and amortization. The reconciliation of EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is provided in the table below: $ in thousands Net income (loss) Adjustment for income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes Income (loss) from continuing operations Adjustments to income (loss) from continuing operations Provision for (benefit from) income taxes Interest expense, net Depreciation and amortization expense Total adjustments from income (loss) from continuing operations to EBITDA (loss) EBITDA Year Ended December 31, 2012 (5,335) $ — (5,335) $ 2011 10,909 — 10,909 $ $ 2010 (4,685) (244) (4,441) $ $ (1,684) 635 6,438 5,339 1,143 6,251 1,482 1,278 8,184 5,389 12,733 10,944 $ 54 $ 23,642 $ 6,503 - 23 - Temporary Contracting Data The following table sets forth the Company’s temporary contracting revenue, gross margin, and gross margin as a percentage of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. 2012 2011 2010 Year Ended December 31, $ in thousands As reported As reported Currency translation Constant currency As reported Currency translation Constant currency TEMPORARY CONTRACTING DATA (a): Temporary contracting revenue: Hudson Americas $ 157,554 $ 181,272 $ — $ 181,272 $ 156,961 $ — $ 156,961 Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Total 195,438 226,922 244,562 266,831 $ 579,914 $ 692,665 Temporary contracting gross margin: Hudson Americas $ 31,906 $ 40,202 $ $ 1,057 245,619 (6,237) 260,594 208,267 220,093 (5,180) $ 687,485 $ 585,321 9 $ 40,211 $ 33,870 Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe 30,317 39,565 37,642 50,359 169 (1,369) 37,811 48,990 32,168 37,108 $ $ 25,819 3,533 234,086 223,626 29,352 $ 614,673 1 $ 33,871 3,974 384 36,142 37,492 Total $ 101,788 $ 128,203 $ (1,191) $ 127,012 $ 103,146 $ 4,359 $ 107,505 Temporary contracting gross margin as a percent of temporary contracting revenue: Hudson Americas Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Total 20.25% 15.51% 17.44% 17.55% 22.18% 15.39% 18.87% 18.51% N/A N/A N/A N/A 22.18% 15.39% 18.80% 18.47% 21.58% 15.45% 16.86% 17.62% N/A N/A N/A N/A 21.58% 15.44% 16.77% 17.49% (a) Temporary contracting gross margin and gross margin as a percentage of revenue are shown to provide additional information regarding the Company’s ability to manage its cost structure and to provide further comparability relative to the Company’s peers. Temporary contracting gross margin is derived by deducting the direct costs of temporary contracting from temporary contracting revenue. The Company’s calculation of gross margin may differ from those of other companies. - 24 - Results of Operations Hudson Americas (reported currency) Revenue $ in millions Hudson Americas Revenue Year Ended December 31, 2012 As reported 2011 As reported Change in amount Change in % 2010 As reported Change in amount Change in % $ 169.2 $ 192.2 $ (23.0) (12.0)% $ 162.4 $ 29.8 18.3% For the year ended December 31, 2012, contracting revenue decreased $23.7 million, or 13.1%, and was partially offset by a $0.7 million, or 6.4%, increase in permanent recruitment revenue, as compared to 2011. Contracting revenue represented approximately 93% of Hudson Americas' 2012 revenue. The decline in contracting revenue compared to 2011 was in Legal and resulted principally from the non-recurrence of certain large projects, including M&A projects, present in 2011. RPO revenue accounted for all of the growth in permanent recruitment revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2011, contracting and permanent recruitment revenue increased $24.3 million and $5.5 million, or 15.5% and 100.6%, respectively, as compared to 2010. The increase in revenue reflected the Company's sale of higher-value recruitment services and solutions to new and existing clients. Contracting revenue in Legal increased $24.2 million, or 22.3%, primarily due to the eDiscovery practice. RPO accounted for the increase in permanent recruitment revenue compared to 2010. The revenue increase in this practice in 2011 featured new client wins and our achievement of incentive levels with certain existing clients. Gross margin $ in millions Hudson Americas Gross margin Gross margin as a percentage of revenue Contracting gross margin as a percentage of contracting revenue Year Ended December 31, 2012 As reported 2011 As reported Change in amount Change in % 2010 As reported Change in amount Change in % $ 43.2 $ 50.8 $ (7.6) (15.0)% $ 39.4 $ 11.4 28.8% 25.5% 26.4% N/A N/A 24.3% N/A N/A 20.3% 22.2% N/A N/A 21.6% N/A N/A For the year ended December 31, 2012, contracting gross margin decreased $8.3 million, or 20.6%, and was partially offset by an increase in permanent recruitment gross margin of $0.7 million, or 6.4%, as compared to 2011. The changes in gross margin were attributable to the same factors as described above for revenue. Contracting gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 20.3% for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to 22.2% for 2011. The change was due to a stronger mix of projects in the prior year. Total gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 25.5% for the year as compared to 26.4% for 2011 and was attributable principally to the decline in contracting gross margin. For the year ended December 31, 2011, contracting and permanent recruitment gross margins increased $6.3 million and $5.1 million, or 18.7% and 94.7%, respectively, as compared to 2010. Almost the entire increase in contracting gross margin was in Legal and was driven principally by eDiscovery as noted above for revenue. The increase in permanent recruitment gross margin was attributable to RPO also as noted above for revenue. Contracting gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 22.2% for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to 21.6% for 2010. The increase was driven by the higher margins in Legal eDiscovery in 2011. Total gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 26.4% for the year ended December 31, 2011 from 24.3% in 2010 and resulted from the significant growth in RPO in 2011, as well as the higher contracting gross margin as described above. - 25 - Selling, general and administrative expenses and non-operating income (expense) (“SG&A and Non-Op”) 2012 2011 2010 Year Ended December 31, As reported As reported Change in amount Change in % As reported Change in amount Change in % $ in millions Hudson Americas SG&A and Non-Op $ 40.9 $ 47.3 $ (6.4) (13.6)% $ 37.3 $ 10.0 26.8% SG&A and Non-Op as a percentage of revenue 24.2% 24.6% N/A N/A 23.0% N/A N/A For the year ended December 31, 2012, SG&A and Non-Op decreased $6.4 million, or 13.6%, as compared to 2011. The decrease was primarily due to actions taken in 2012 to streamline business processes as well as lower gross margin-related compensation and a $0.6 million gain on the disposal of a non-strategic business line. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was 24.2% for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to 24.6% for 2011. The decrease in SG&A and Non- Op, as a percentage of revenue, was principally due to the business line disposal described above. For the year ended December 31, 2011, SG&A and Non-Op increased $10.0 million, or 26.8%, as compared to 2010. The increase was primarily due to greater staff compensation resulting from the higher gross margin, which increased 28.8%. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was 24.6% as compared to 23.0% for 2010. The increase resulted from the non-recurrence of approximately $3.9 million in gains from the collection of a note receivable, sale of warrants and recovery for unclaimed property in 2010. Excluding these gains, SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was nearly flat in 2011 as compared to 2010. Business reorganization expenses For the year ended December 31, 2012, business reorganization expenses were $1.0 million, as compared to nil and $0.3 million for 2011 and 2010, respectively. Business reorganization expenses incurred in 2012 were attributable to the downsizing of unprofitable lines of business and the reduction of back-office support functions. The reorganization expenses incurred in 2010 were related primarily to amounts provided for employee termination benefits and lease termination payments related to the 2009 restructuring plan. Operating Income and EBITDA $ in millions Hudson Americas 2012 2011 2010 Year Ended December 31, As reported As reported Change in amount Change in % As reported Change in amount Change in % Operating income (loss): EBITDA $ $ 3.3 1.3 $ $ 5.4 3.5 $ $ (2.0) (2.2) (38.0)% $ (63.6)% $ (2.5) 1.7 $ $ 7.9 1.8 (a) (a) EBITDA as a percentage of revenue N/A (a) Information was not provided because the Company did not consider the change in percentage as a meaningful measure for the years in comparison. 0.7% 1.8% 1.0% N/A N/A N/A For the year ended December 31, 2012, EBITDA was $1.3 million, or 0.7% of revenue, as compared to $3.5 million, or 1.8% of revenue, for 2011. The decrease in EBITDA was due to lower gross margin and business reorganization expenses in 2012. Operating income was $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $5.4 million for 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2011, EBITDA was $3.5 million, or 1.8% of revenue, as compared to EBITDA of $1.7 million, or 1.0% of revenue, for 2010. The increase in EBITDA was primarily due to the growth in gross margin. Operating income was $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to an operating loss of $2.5 million for 2010. The difference between operating income and EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was principally due to the inclusion of corporate management fees and depreciation in the determination of operating income. - 26 - Hudson Asia Pacific (constant currency) Revenue $ in millions Hudson Asia Pacific Revenue Year Ended December 31, 2012 As reported 2011 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % 2010 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % $ 288.1 $ 360.9 $ (72.7) (20.1)% $ 339.2 $ 21.6 6.4% For the year ended December 31, 2012, contracting and permanent recruitment revenue decreased $50.2 million and $26.6 million, or 20.4% and 26.4%, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by talent management revenue, which increased $5.1 million, or 43.2%, as compared to 2011. Contracting and permanent recruitment revenue in Australia declined $43.0 million and $19.7 million, or 20.9% and 32.8%, respectively, and were partially offset by talent management revenue, which increased $4.3 million, or 43.4%, as compared to 2011. In Asia, revenue decreased $4.8 million, or 12.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to 2011. The decline in both contracting and permanent recruitment revenue across the region was attributable to increasingly cautious client hiring activities, particularly in corporate management roles, and cost controls implemented in response to the economic environment. For the year ended December 31, 2011, contracting and permanent recruitment revenue accounted for the vast majority of the region's revenue, which increased $11.5 million and $12.2 million, or 4.9% and 13.7%, respectively, compared to 2010. Talent management revenue decreased $1.6 million, or 11.8%, as compared to 2010. Australia accounted for the vast majority of the increase in revenue for the region, which was principally driven by increased permanent recruitment and contracting revenue of $11.6 million and $6.6 million, or 23.9% and 3.3%, respectively, compared to 2010. The increase in permanent recruitment revenue was led by RPO, which accounted for nearly one-third of the increase, followed by the accounting & finance and information technology & telecom (“IT&T”) practices. The revenue increase in contracting was led by the natural resources sector, which benefited almost all of our practices, particularly accounting & finance and marketing. In Mainland China, permanent recruitment revenue increased $3.5 million, or 22.3%, compared to 2010, and the increase was primarily in our industrial practice. Gross margin Hudson Asia Pacific Gross margin Gross margin as a percentage of revenue Contracting gross margin as a percentage of contracting revenue Year Ended December 31, 2012 As reported 2011 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % 2010 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % $ 117.4 $ 147.8 $ (30.3) (20.5)% $ 135.1 $ 12.7 40.8% 40.9% N/A N/A 39.8% N/A 9.4% N/A 15.5% 15.4% N/A N/A 15.4% N/A N/A For the year ended December 31, 2012, permanent recruitment and contracting gross margins decreased $25.9 million and $7.5 million, or 26.0% and 19.8%, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in talent management of $3.3 million, or 35.6%, as compared to 2011. Australia accounted for the majority of the decrease in gross margin with a decrease of $18.9 million in permanent recruitment gross margin and a decrease of $5.9 million in contracting gross margin. Contracting gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 15.5%, and remained consistent as compared to 15.4% for 2011. Total gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 40.8%, as compared to 40.9% for 2011. The changes in gross margin were attributable to the same factors as described above for revenue. - 27 -  For the year ended December 31, 2011, permanent recruitment and contracting gross margins increased $12.1 million and $1.7 million, or 13.8% and 4.6%, respectively compared to 2010. Australia accounted for the vast majority of the increase in gross margin, with an increase of $11.3 million, or 23.6%, in permanent recruitment and an increase of $0.6 million, or 2.0%, in contracting compared to 2010. RPO led the increase in permanent recruitment gross margin and accounted for nearly half of the increase, followed by the accounting & finance and IT&T practices. The gross margin increase in contracting was led by the accounting and finance and engineering practices. In Mainland China, permanent recruitment gross margin increased $3.6 million, or 23.1%, primarily in the industrial practice. Contracting gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 15.4%, and remained consistent as compared to 2010. Total gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 40.9%, as compared to 39.8% for 2010 and resulted principally from the higher proportion of permanent recruitment revenue. SG&A and Non-Op $ in millions Hudson Asia Pacific Year Ended December 31, 2012 As reported 2011 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % 2010 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % SG&A and Non-Op $ 110.8 $ 133.4 $ (22.6) (16.9)% $ 125.2 $ 8.2 SG&A and Non-Op as a percentage of revenue 38.5% 37.0% N/A N/A 36.9% N/A 6.5% N/A Actions taken to streamline business processes as well as lower gross margin related compensation and lesser corporate management fees accounted for the decrease in SG&A and Non-Op for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was 38.5% as compared to 37.0% for 2011. The increase in SG&A and Non-OP, as a percentage of revenue, was primarily due to proportionally lower revenue in 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the increase in SG&A and Non-Op was primarily due to the salaries and costs related to the higher gross margin and higher corporate management fees as compared to 2010. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, remained consistent at 37.0% as compared to 36.9% in 2010. Business reorganization expenses For the year ended December 31, 2012, business reorganization expenses were $1.3 million, as compared to nil for 2011. Business reorganization expenses incurred in 2012 were primarily for employee termination benefits for the reduction of back- office support functions and lease exit costs associated with the relocation of our Sydney, Australia office. Operating Income and EBITDA $ in millions Hudson Asia Pacific Operating income: EBITDA EBITDA as a percentage of revenue Year Ended December 31, 2012 As reported 2011 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % 2010 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % $ $ 8.0 5.4 $ $ 18.6 14.3 $ $ (10.6) (8.9) (57.0)% $ (62.5)% $ 11.9 9.9 $ $ 6.7 4.4 56.6% 44.6% 1.9% 4.0% N/A N/A 2.9% N/A N/A For the year ended December 31, 2012, EBITDA was $5.4 million, or 1.9% of revenue, as compared to $14.3 million, or 4.0% of revenue, for 2011. The decrease in EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2012 was principally due to the decline in gross margin and business reorganization expenses. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $8.0 million, as compared to $18.6 million for 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2011, EBITDA was $14.3 million, or 4.0% of revenue, as compared to $9.9 million, or 2.9% of revenue, for 2010. The increase in EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2011 was primarily due to a higher mix of permanent recruitment. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $18.6 million, as compared to $11.9 million for 2010. - 28 - The difference between operating income and EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was principally due to the inclusion of corporate management fees and depreciation in the determination of operating income. Hudson Europe (constant currency) Revenue $ in millions Hudson Europe Revenue Year Ended December 31, 2012 As reported 2011 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % 2010 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % $ 320.2 $ 370.4 $ (50.2) (13.6)% $ 331.6 $ 38.8 11.7% For the year ended December 31, 2012, contracting, permanent recruitment and talent management revenue decreased $33.7 million, $14.9 million and $1.5 million, or 12.9%, 19.9% and 4.6%, respectively, as compared to 2011. In the U.K., contracting and permanent recruitment revenue declined $39.9 million and $5.4 million, or 18.5% and 15.2%, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in talent management revenue of $0.7 million, or 15.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to 2011. The decrease was due to retrenchment generally across permanent recruitment and contracting, with the single largest decline in the banking and financial services sector. In Continental Europe, revenue declined $4.0 million, or 3.6%, as compared to 2011. Contracting revenue increased $6.2 million, or 13.7%. The increase was offset by decreases in permanent recruitment and talent management revenue of $7.9 million and $2.0 million, or 21.2% and 7.2%, respectively. Contracting Solutions in the Netherlands and interim management in Belgium accounted for the most of the increase in contracting revenue. The decline in permanent recruitment and talent management revenue occurred principally in France and Belgium. For the year ended December 31, 2011, contracting revenue increased $37.0 million, or 16.5%, as compared to 2010. Permanent recruitment and talent management revenue was essentially flat. U.K. led the increase in contracting revenue with an increase of $31.0 million, or 16.8%. The increase was primarily in Legal, including eDiscovery, and IT&T. Permanent recruitment revenue decreased $2.8 million, or 7.2%, largely due to a contraction of the banking and finance industry, which affected the majority of our practices. In Continental Europe, revenue increased $11.1 million, or 10.8%. Contracting and permanent recruitment revenue increased $5.8 million and $4.1 million, or 14.8% and 12.4%, respectively. The increase in contracting revenue was primarily driven by interim management, a practice which provides temporary senior management professionals, in Belgium, and the legal and finance practices in the Netherlands. Permanent recruitment revenue increased primarily from the retained placement practices in Belgium and France. Gross margin $ in millions Hudson Europe Gross margin Gross margin as a percentage of revenue Contracting gross margin as a percentage of contracting revenue Year Ended December 31, 2012 As reported 2011 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % 2010 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % $ 124.3 $ 149.9 $ (25.6) (17.1)% $ 137.2 $ 12.8 9.3% 38.8% 40.5% N/A N/A 41.4% N/A N/A 17.4% 18.8% N/A N/A 16.8% N/A N/A - 29 - For the year ended December 31, 2012, permanent recruitment, contracting and talent management gross margins decreased $14.8 million, $9.4 million and $1.1 million, or 20.4%, 19.2% and 3.9%, respectively, as compared to 2011. In the U.K., contracting and permanent recruitment gross margins declined $9.6 million and $5.4 million, or 25.5% and 15.7%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to 2011. In Continental Europe, permanent recruitment and talent management gross margins decreased $7.9 million and $1.2 million, or 21.6% and 5.0%, respectively, partially offset by a nominal increase in contracting gross margin as compared to 2011. The decreases in permanent recruitment and talent management gross margins were attributable to the same factors as described above for revenue. Contracting gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 17.4% for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to 18.8% for 2011. The decline in contracting gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was attributable to a lower proportion of high-margin transactional projects in 2012. Total gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 38.8% for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to 40.5% for 2011. The change in total gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was primarily related to a lower proportion of permanent recruitment gross margin in 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2011, contracting gross margin increased by $11.5 million, or 30.7%, as compared to 2010. Talent management and permanent recruitment was flat, as compared to 2010. The U.K. led the increase in contracting gross margin with an increase of $9.8 million, or 34.9%. The increase was primarily in Legal, including eDiscovery, and IT&T. Permanent recruitment gross margin decreased $3.0 million, or 8.1%, largely due to a contraction of the banking and finance industry, but was partially offset by an increase in the Legal practice. In Continental Europe, gross margin increased $6.8 million, or 10.1%. Permanent recruitment and contracting gross margins increased $4.1 million and $1.7 million, or 12.5% and 18.1%, respectively. The increases in permanent recruitment and contracting gross margins were for the same reasons as described above for revenue. Contracting gross margin, as a percentage of contracting revenue, was 18.8% for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to 16.8% for 2010. The increase was largely driven by the higher margins in our Legal eDiscovery business. Total gross margin, as a percentage of total revenue, was 40.5% for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to 41.4% for 2010 and was primarily due to mix between contracting and permanent placement. SG&A and Non-Op $ in millions Hudson Europe Year Ended December 31, 2012 As reported 2011 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % 2010 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % SG&A and Non-Op $ 122.1 $ 141.3 $ (19.2) (13.6)% $ 134.5 $ 6.8 5.0% SG&A and Non-Op as a percentage of revenue 38.1% 38.1% N/A N/A 40.6% N/A N/A For the year ended December 31, 2012, actions taken to streamline business processes, lower gross margin-related compensation and lesser corporate management fees accounted for the decrease in SG&A and Non-Op as compared to 2011. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was flat at 38.1% for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the increase in SG&A and Non-Op was primarily due to higher performance-based compensation resulting from the higher gross margin, which increased 9.3% compared to 2010. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was 38.1% for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to 40.6% for 2010. The improvement was primarily due to proportionately lower support staff costs in relation to the increase in contracting revenue. Business reorganization expenses For the year ended December 31, 2012, business reorganization expenses were $5.1 million, as compared to $0.7 million and $1.4 million for the same periods in 2011 and 2010, respectively. Business reorganization expenses in 2012 were attributable to employee termination benefits and lease exit costs. Business reorganization expenses incurred in 2011 and 2010 were primarily for changes in estimate of lease exit costs for an office in the U.K. - 30 - Operating Income and EBITDA $ in millions Hudson Europe Operating income: EBITDA (loss) EBITDA (loss) as a percentage of revenue Year Ended December 31, 2012 As reported 2011 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % 2010 Constant currency Change in amount Change in % $ $ 1.3 (3.0) $ $ 13.6 8.0 $ $ (12.3) (11.0) (90.3)% $ $ (a) 5.1 1.3 $ $ 8.5 6.7 (a) (a) (0.9)% 2.2% N/A N/A 0.4% N/A N/A (a) Information was not provided because the Company did not consider the change in percentage as a meaningful measure for the years in comparison. For the year ended December 31, 2012, EBITDA loss was $3.0 million, or 0.9% of revenue, as compared to EBITDA of $8.0 million, or 2.2% of revenue, for 2011. The decrease in EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2012 was principally due to the decline in gross margin and business reorganization expenses. Operating income was $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to operating income of $13.6 million for 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2011, EBITDA was $8.0 million, or 2.2% of revenue, as compared to $1.3 million, or 0.4% of revenue, for 2010. The increase in EBITDA was primarily from higher contracting margins and higher productivity. Operating income was $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to $5.1 million for 2010. The difference between operating income and EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was principally due to the inclusion of corporate management fees and depreciation in the determination of operating income. The following are discussed in reported currency Corporate expenses, net of corporate management fee allocations Corporate expenses were $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $2.1 million for 2011, an increase of $1.2 million, or 57.7%. The increase was principally due to lower management fee allocations in 2012. Corporate expenses were $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to $4.6 million for 2010, a decrease of $2.5 million, or 54.7%. The decrease was primarily due to a larger allocation of corporate management fees charged to the reportable segments and decreased professional fees. These reductions were partially offset by increased staff costs for incentive compensation based on improved results for 2011 and costs incurred in connection with the change in the Company's Chief Executive Officer. For the year ended December 31, 2012, business reorganization expenses were $0.4 million primarily for employee termination benefits. There were no business reorganization expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Depreciation and Amortization Expense Depreciation and amortization expense was $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $6.3 million for 2011. Depreciation and amortization expense was $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to $8.2 million for 2010, a decrease of $1.9 million, or 23.6%. The decrease was primarily due to reduced capital expenditures in 2011 and recent years prior to 2011. - 31 - Interest Expense Interest expense was $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $1.1 million and $1.3 million for 2011 and 2010, respectively. The decrease in interest expense was entirely due to lower borrowings under the Company's credit facilities. Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes The benefit from income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $1.7 million on $7.0 million of pre-tax loss, as compared to a provision for income taxes of $5.3 million on $16.2 million of pre-tax income for 2011. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2012 was 24.0%, as compared to 32.9% for 2011. The change in the Company's effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily attributable to the Company's reduction of reserves of approximately $3.6 million for uncertain tax positions, principally in connection with the settlement of an appeal with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and lower foreign withholding taxes, partially offset by the inability to benefit from losses in certain foreign jurisdictions in 2012. The effective tax rate differed from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a reduction in reserves for uncertain tax positions and lower foreign withholding taxes, partially offset by the inability to recognize tax benefits on net losses in certain foreign jurisdictions, state taxes, non-deductible expenses and foreign tax rates that vary from the U.S. Federal statutory rate. The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $5.3 million on $16.2 million of pre-tax income, as compared to a provision for income taxes of $1.5 million on a $3.0 million pre-tax loss for 2010. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 32.9%, as compared to negative 50.1% for 2010. The change in the Company's effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010 resulted from an overall increase in worldwide pre-tax income, including the U.S., Canada and New Zealand in which regions the Company has historically been unable to record tax benefits on operating losses. The effective tax rate differed from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the utilization of U.S. net operating losses, partially offset by the inability to recognize tax benefits on net losses in certain foreign jurisdictions, state taxes, non-deductible expenses and foreign tax rates that vary from the U.S. Federal statutory rate. Net Income (Loss) Net loss was $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to net income of $10.9 million for 2011, a decrease in net income of $16.2 million. Basic and diluted loss per share were $0.17 for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.35 and $0.34, respectively, for 2011. Net income was $10.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to a net loss of $4.7 million for 2010, an increase in net income of $15.6 million. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.35 and $0.34, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $0.16 for 2010. - 32 - Liquidity and Capital Resources As of December 31, 2012, cash and cash equivalents totaled $38.7 million, as compared to $37.3 million as of December 31, 2011 and $29.5 million as of December 31, 2010. The following table summarizes the cash flow activities for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010: (In millions) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash Flows from Operating Activities For the Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 $ $ 13.2 (8.3) (4.3) 0.7 1.4 $ 13.4 (6.6) 1.6 (0.7) 7.8 (15.7) 1.1 7.6 0.4 (6.5) For the year ended December 31, 2012, net cash provided by operating activities was $13.2 million and was essentially the same as compared to 2011. The net cash provided by operating activities in the current year was driven by strong working capital management and $3.9 million of landlord-funded leasehold improvements in Asia Pacific (offset in cash flow from investing), with some reduction for lower current year operating results. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net cash provided by operating activities was $13.4 million, as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $15.7 million for 2010, an increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $29.1 million. The improvement was driven by the increase in net income, lower payments for 2010 restructuring programs and improved accounts receivable collection in 2011. Cash Flows from Investing Activities For the year ended December 31, 2012, net cash used in investing activities was $8.3 million, as compared to $6.6 million for 2011, an increase of $1.7 million. The increase was primarily attributable to $3.9 million of landlord funded leasehold improvements in connection with a newly leased property in 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net cash used in investing activities was $6.6 million, as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $1.1 million for 2010, an increase in net cash used in investing activities of $7.7 million. The driver of the increase was higher capital expenditures, primarily for investments in information technology, and the non- recurrence of the sale of warrants, partially offset by the final earn-out payment for the Tony Keith acquisition in 2010. Cash Flows from Financing Activities For the year ended December 31, 2012, net cash used in financing activities was $4.3 million, as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $1.6 million for 2011, an increase in cash used in financing activities of $5.9 million. The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to repayments under the Company's credit agreements in 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net cash provided by financing activities was $1.6 million, as compared to $7.6 million for 2010, a decrease in net cash provided by financing activities of $5.9 million. The decrease was primarily due to the non-recurrence of $19.2 million from the issuance of common stock, partially offset by increased net borrowings of $11.4 million for incremental working capital and the non-recurrence of $2.1 million of payments in 2010 associated with a change in our credit facility. - 33 - Credit Agreements Credit Agreement with RBS Citizens Business Capital On August 5, 2010, the Company and certain of its North American and U.K. subsidiaries entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility with RBS Citizens Business Capital, a division of RBS Asset Finance, Inc. (“RBS”), and on February 22, 2012, June 26, 2012 and December 31, 2012, the Company and certain of its North American and U.K. subsidiaries entered into Amendments No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, to the senior secured revolving credit facility with RBS (as amended, the “Revolver Agreement”). The Revolver Agreement provides the Company with the ability to borrow up to $40.0 million, including the issuance of letters of credit. The Company may increase the maximum borrowing amount to $50.0 million, subject to certain conditions including lender acceptance. Extensions of credit are based on a percentage of the eligible accounts receivable from the U.K. and North America operations, less required reserves. In connection with the Revolver Agreement, the Company incurred and capitalized approximately $1.5 million of deferred financing costs, which are being amortized over the term of the agreement. The maturity date of the Revolver Agreement is August 5, 2014. Borrowings under the Revolver Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and can be made with an interest rate based on a base rate plus an applicable margin or on the LIBOR rate for the applicable period plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for each rate is based on the Company’s Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Revolver Agreement) and is determined as follows: Level I II III Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Greater than or equal to 1.25:1.0 Less than 1.25:1.0 but greater than or equal to 1.10:1.0 Less than 1.10:1.0 Base Rate Revolving Loans LIBOR Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit Obligations 1.25% 1.50% 1.75% 2.25% 2.50% 2.75% The details of the Revolver Agreement as of December 31, 2012 were as follows: (In millions) Borrowing base Less: adjustments to the borrowing base Minimum excess availability Outstanding letters of credits Adjusted borrowing base Less: outstanding borrowing Additional borrowing availability Interest rates on outstanding borrowing December 31, 2012 $ 29.0 (10.0) (2.1) 16.9 — 16.9 4.50% $ The Revolver Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants including: (1) a requirement to maintain a minimum excess availability of $10 million until such time that, for two consecutive fiscal quarters, the Company’s Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is at least 1.2x (such occurrence, a “Trigger Event”), at which time the Company’s required minimum excess availability is reduced to $5 million; (2) upon the occurrence of a Trigger Event, a minimum required Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.1x; (3) a requirement to maintain minimum EBITDA (as defined in the Revolver Agreement) for the Company’s North American and U.K. operations of at least $1 million; (4) a limit on the payment of dividends of not more than $5 million per year and subject to certain conditions; (5) restrictions on the ability of the Company to make additional borrowings, acquire, merge or otherwise fundamentally change the ownership of the Company or repurchase the Company’s stock; (6) a limit on investments, and a limit on acquisitions of not more than $25 million in cash and $25 million in non-cash consideration per year, subject to certain conditions set forth in the Revolver Agreement; and (7) a limit on dispositions of assets of not more than $4 million per year. The Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Revolver Agreement as of December 31, 2012. - 34 - Credit Agreement with Westpac Banking Corporation On November 29, 2011, certain Australian and New Zealand subsidiaries of the Company entered into a Facility Agreement, dated November 29, 2011 (the “Facility Agreement”), with Westpac Banking Corporation and Westpac New Zealand Limited (collectively, “Westpac”). The Facility Agreement provides three tranches: (a) an invoice discounting facility of up to $16.4 million (AUD20 million) (“Tranche A”) for an Australian subsidiary of the Company, which is based on an agreed percentage of eligible accounts receivable; (b) an overdraft facility of up to $2.9 million (NZD3.5 million) (“Tranche B”) for a New Zealand subsidiary of the Company; and (c) a financial guarantee facility of up to $5.2 million (AUD5 million) (“Tranche C”) for the Australian subsidiary. The Facility Agreement does not have a stated maturity date and can be terminated by Westpac upon 90 days written notice. Borrowings under Tranche A may be made with an interest rate based on the Invoice Finance 30-day Bank Bill Rate (as defined in the Facility Agreement) plus a margin of 0.75%. Borrowings under Tranche B may be made with an interest rate based on the Commercial Lending Rate (as defined in the Facility Agreement) plus a margin of 0.83%. Each of Tranche A and Tranche B bears a fee, payable monthly, equal to 0.65% of the size of Westpac’s commitment under such tranche. Borrowings under Tranche C may be made incurring a fee equal to 1.10% of the face value of the financial guarantee requested. Amounts owing under the Facility Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Australian subsidiary, its Australian parent company and the New Zealand subsidiary (collectively, the “Obligors”) and certain of their subsidiaries. The details of the Facility Agreement as of December 31, 2012 were as follows: (In millions) Tranche A: Borrowing capacity Less: outstanding borrowing Additional borrowing availability Interest rates on outstanding borrowing Tranche B: Borrowing capacity Less: outstanding borrowing Additional borrowing availability Interest rates on outstanding borrowing Tranche C: Borrowing capacity Less: outstanding borrowing Additional borrowing availability Interest rates on outstanding borrowing December 31, 2012 $ $ $ $ $ $ 16.4 — 16.4 5.08% 2.9 — 2.9 6.03% 5.2 (2.9) 2.3 1.10% The Facility Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants applicable to the Obligors and certain of their subsidiaries, including (a) a requirement that the Obligors maintain (1) a minimum Tangible Net Worth (as defined in the Facility Agreement) as of the last day of each calendar quarter of not less than the higher of 85% of the Tangible Net Worth as of the last day of the previous calendar year and $18.2 million (AUD$17.5 million); (2) at all times, a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Facility Agreement) of 1.5x for the trailing twelve month period; and (3) a maximum Borrowing Base Ratio (as defined in the Facility Agreement) as of the last day of each calendar quarter of not more than 0.8; and (b) a limitation on certain intercompany payments with permitted payments outside the Obligor group restricted to a defined amount derived from the net profits of the Obligors and their subsidiaries. The Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Facility Agreement as of December 31, 2012. - 35 - Other Credit Agreements The Company also has lending arrangements with local banks through its subsidiaries in the Netherlands, Belgium, Singapore and Mainland China. As of December 31, 2012, the Netherlands subsidiary could borrow up to $2.3 million (€ $1.7 million) based on an agreed percentage of accounts receivable related to its operations. The Belgium subsidiary had a $1.3 million (€1 million) overdraft facility as of December 31, 2012. Borrowings under the Belgium and the Netherlands lending arrangements may be made with an interest rate based on the one month EURIBOR plus a margin, and were 2.61% as of December 31, 2012. The lending arrangement in the Netherlands expires annually each June, but can be renewed for one year periods at that time. The lending arrangement in Belgium has no expiration date and can be terminated with a 15 day notice period. In Singapore, the Company’s subsidiary can borrow up to $0.8 million (SGD1 million) for working capital purposes. Interest on borrowings under this overdraft facility is based on the Singapore Prime Rate plus 1.75%, and it was 6.00% on December 31, 2012. The Singapore overdraft facility expires annually each August, but can be renewed for one year periods at that time. In Mainland China, the Company’s subsidiary can borrow up to $1 million for working capital purposes. Interest on borrowings under this overdraft facility is based on the People’s Republic of China’s six month rate plus 200 basis points, and it was 7.60% on December 31, 2012. This overdraft facility expires annually each September, but can be renewed for one year periods at that time. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Belgium, the Netherlands, Singapore and Mainland China lending agreements as of December 31, 2012. The average monthly outstanding borrowings for the Revolver Agreement, Facility Agreement and the various credit agreements in Belgium, the Netherlands, Singapore and Mainland China was $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The weighted average interest rate on all outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2012 was 4.90%. The Company continues to use the aforementioned credit to support its ongoing global working capital requirements, capital expenditures and other corporate purposes and to support letters of credit. Letters of credit and bank guarantees are used primarily to support office leases. Shelf Registration and Common Stock Offering In December 2009, the Company filed a shelf registration statement (the “2009 Shelf Registration”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to enable it to issue up to $30.0 million equivalent of securities or combinations of securities. The types of securities permitted for issuance under the 2009 Shelf Registration are debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units. As a result of a 2010 public offering of common stock, the Company may issue up to $9 million equivalent of securities or combinations of securities under the 2009 Shelf Registration. Liquidity Outlook As of December 31, 2012, the Company had cash and cash equivalents on hand of $38.7 million supplemented by additional borrowing availability of $16.9 million under the Revolver Agreement, and $24.8 million of additional borrowing availability under the Facility Agreement and other lending arrangements in Belgium, the Netherlands, Singapore and Mainland China. The Company believes that it has sufficient liquidity to satisfy its needs through at least the next 12 months, based on the Company's total liquidity as of December 31, 2012. The Company's near-term cash requirements during 2013 are primarily related to funding operations, restructuring actions and capital expenditures. For 2013, the Company expects to make capital expenditures of approximately $6.0 million to $8.0 million and payments in connection with the 2012 Plan of approximately $2.0 million. The Company is closely managing its capital spending and will perform capital additions where economically prudent, while continuing to invest strategically for future growth. As of December 31, 2012, $9.5 million of the Company's cash and cash equivalents noted above was held in the United States and the remainder was held internationally, primarily in Australia ($8.3 million), the United Kingdom ($9.0 million), the Netherlands ($2.6 million) and Mainland China ($2.3 million). The majority of the Company's offshore cash is available to it as a source of funds, net of any tax obligations or assessments. Unrepatriated cumulative earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries are considered to be invested indefinitely outside of the United States, except where the Company is able to repatriate these earnings to the United States without a material incremental tax provision. In managing its day-to-day liquidity and its capital structure, the Company does not rely on the unrepatriated earnings as a source of funds. The Company has not provided for Federal income or foreign withholding taxes on these undistributed foreign earnings. The Company has not done so because a distribution of these foreign earnings with material incremental tax provision is unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, it is not practicable to determine the amount of tax associated with such undistributed earnings. - 36 - For the year ended December 31, 2012, the sovereign debt crisis in Europe and the slowing of the recovery in other major economies continued to negatively impact the markets where the Company operates. The Company believes that future external market conditions remain uncertain, particularly the access to credit, rates of near-term projected economic growth and levels of unemployment in the markets in which it operates. Due to these uncertain external market conditions, the Company cannot provide assurance that its actual cash requirements will not be greater in the future than those currently expected, especially if market conditions deteriorate substantially. If sources of liquidity are not available or if the Company cannot generate sufficient cash flow from operations, the Company could be required to obtain additional sources of funds through additional operating improvements, capital market transactions, asset sales or financing from third parties, or a combination of those sources. The Company cannot provide assurance that these additional sources of funds will be available or, if available, would have reasonable terms. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements. Contractual Obligations. The Company has entered into various commitments that will affect its cash generation capabilities going forward. Specifically, it has entered into a number of non-cancelable operating leases for facilities and equipment worldwide. Future contractual obligations as of December 31, 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands) (commitments based in currencies other than U.S. dollars were translated using exchange rates as of December 31, 2012): Contractual Obligation (a) Operating lease obligations Other long term liabilities: Reorganization expenses Total Less than 1 year 24,024 1 to 3 years 34,408 $ 3 to 5 years 24,454 $ 1,916 25,940 $ 1,504 35,912 $ — 24,454 $ $ More than 5 years Total 21,840 $ 104,726 — 21,840 $ 3,420 108,146 $ $ a. The Company's other non-current liabilities of $18.3 million in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2012 are primarily comprised of income taxes, unrecognized tax benefits, deferred rent, and other various accruals. As the timing and/or amounts of any cash payment is uncertain, the related amounts have not been reflected in the table above. Contingencies From time to time in the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to compliance audits by U.S. Federal, state and local and foreign government regulatory, tax and other authorities relating to a variety of regulations, including wage and hour laws, unemployment taxes, workers’ compensation, immigration, income, value-added and sales taxes. The Company is also subject to, from time to time in the ordinary course of business, various claims, lawsuits and other complaints from, for example, clients, candidates, suppliers, landlords for both leased and subleased properties, former and current employees, and regulators or tax authorities. Periodic events and management actions such as business reorganization initiatives can change the number and type of audits, claims, lawsuits, contract disputes or complaints asserted against the Company. Events can also change the likelihood of assertion and the behavior of third parties to reach resolution regarding such matters. The economic circumstances of the past several years have given rise to many news reports and bulletins from clients, tax authorities and other parties about changes in their procedures for audits, payment, plans to challenge existing contracts and other such matters aimed at being more aggressive in the resolution of such matters in their own favor. The Company believes that it has appropriate procedures in place for identifying and communicating any matters of this type, whether asserted or likely to be asserted, and it evaluates its liabilities in light of the prevailing circumstances. Changes in the behavior of third parties could cause the Company to change its view of the likelihood of a claim and what might constitute a trend. In the last twelve months, the Company has not seen a marked difference in employee or client disputes. For matters that have reached the threshold of probable and estimable, the Company has established reserves for legal, regulatory and other contingent liabilities. The Company’s reserves were not significant as of December 31, 2012. Although the outcome of these matters cannot be determined, the Company believes that none of the currently pending matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. - 37 - Critical Accounting Policies Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. GAAP provides the framework from which to make these estimates, assumptions and disclosures. We choose accounting policies within GAAP that our management believes are appropriate to accurately and fairly report our operating results and financial position in a consistent manner. Our management regularly assesses these policies in light of current and forecasted economic conditions. Our accounting policies are stated in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. We believe the following accounting policies are critical to understanding our results of operations and affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements that are inherently uncertain: Accounts Receivable The Company's accounts receivable balances are composed of trade and unbilled receivables. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts and makes ongoing estimates as to the collectability of the various receivables. If the Company determines that the allowance for doubtful accounts is not adequate to cover estimated losses, an expense to provide for doubtful accounts is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. If an account is determined to be uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Management's assessment and judgment are vital requirements in assessing the ultimate realization of these receivables, including the current credit-worthiness, financial stability and effect of market conditions on each customer. Income Taxes We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. This standard establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for the effects of income taxes that result from an enterprise's activities. It requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting of income taxes. The calculation of net deferred tax assets assumes sufficient future earnings for the realization of such assets as well as the continued application of currently anticipated tax rates. Included in net deferred tax assets is a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets where management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the relevant jurisdiction. If we determine that a deferred tax asset will not be realizable, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will result in a reduction of earnings at that time. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding deferred tax assets and valuation allowance. ASC 740-10-55-3 “Recognition and Measurement of Tax Positions - a Two Step Process” provides implementation guidance related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements and prescribes a two-step evaluation process for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The first step is recognition and the second is measurement. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, disclosures, transition and accounting for interim periods. In addition, ASC 740-10-25-9 provides guidance on how to determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits. The Company's unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized in the future, would affect the annual effective income tax rate. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding unrecognized tax benefits. We elected to continue our historical practice of classifying applicable interest and penalties as a component of the provision for income taxes. - 38 - We provide tax reserves for Federal, state, local and international exposures relating to periods subject to audit. The development of reserves for these exposures requires judgments about tax issues, potential outcomes and timing, and is a subjective critical estimate. We assess our tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management's evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting dates. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Where applicable, associated interest and penalties have also been recognized. Although the outcome relating to these exposures are uncertain, we believe that our reserves reflect the probable outcome of known tax contingencies. In certain circumstances, the ultimate outcome of exposures and risks involves significant uncertainties which render them inestimable. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, including those that cannot be quantified, they could have a material impact on our results of operations. Unrepatriated cumulative earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries are considered to be invested indefinitely outside of the United States, except where the Company is able to repatriate these earnings to the United States without a material incremental tax provision. The Company has not provided for Federal income or foreign withholding taxes on these undistributed foreign earnings. The Company has not done so because a distribution of these foreign earnings with a material incremental tax provision is unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, it is not practicable to determine the amount of tax associated with such undistributed earnings. Intangibles and Long-lived Assets The Company evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of its long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Under such circumstances, the Company assesses whether the projected un-discounted cash flows of its businesses are sufficient to recover the existing unamortized cost of its long-lived assets. If the un-discounted projected cash flows are not sufficient, the Company calculates the impairment amount by discounting the cash flows using its weighted average cost of capital. The amount of the impairment is written-off against earnings in the period in which the impairment has been determined in accordance with ASC 360-10-35, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Self-Insurance Liabilities In the Company's U.S. operation, the Company utilizes a combination of insurance and self-insurance for employee related health care benefits (a portion of which is paid by its employees). Self-insurance claims filed and claims incurred but not reported are accrued based upon our estimates of ultimate cost for self-insured claims incurred using actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry and historical experience. Liabilities associated with the risks that the Company retains are estimated by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Although the Company's claims experience has not displayed substantial volatility in the past, actual experience could materially vary from its historical experience in the future. Factors that affect these estimates include, but are not limited to, inflation, the number and severity of claims and regulatory changes. In the future, if the Company concludes an adjustment to self insurance accruals is required, the liability will be adjusted accordingly. Stock-Based Compensation Under ASC 718 "Compensation - Stock Compensation", the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of its stock options. The Black-Scholes model includes various assumptions, including the expected life of stock options, the expected risk free interest rate and the historic volatility of the Company's stock price. These assumptions reflect the Company's best estimates, but they involve inherent uncertainties based on market conditions generally outside the control of the Company. As a result, if other assumptions had been used, total stock-based compensation cost, as determined in accordance with ASC 718 could have been materially impacted. Furthermore, if the Company uses different assumptions for future grants, stock-based compensation cost could be materially impacted in future periods. For awards with graded vesting conditions, the values of the awards are determined by valuing each tranche separately and expensing each tranche over the required service period. The Company is required to record stock-based compensation expense net of estimated forfeitures. The Company estimated its forfeiture rate based on historical data. The future forfeiture rate could differ from these estimates. - 39 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, an amendment to FASB ASC Topic 220. The update requires disclosure of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present either on the face of the statement of operations or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts not reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. This ASU is effective prospectively for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2013. The Company will comply with the disclosure requirements of this ASU for the quarter ending March 31, 2013. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This Form 10-K 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 Form 10-K, including 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 important factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including industry and economic conditions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, (1) global economic fluctuations, (2) risks related to fluctuations in the Company’s operating results from quarter to quarter, (3) the ability of clients to terminate their relationship with the Company at any time, (4) competition in the Company’s markets, (5) risks associated with the Company’s investment strategy, (6) risks related to international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations, (7) the Company’s dependence on key management personnel, (8) the Company’s ability to attract and retain highly-skilled professionals, (9) the Company’s ability to collect its accounts receivable, (10) the negative cash flows and operating losses that the Company has experienced from time to time, (11) restrictions on the Company’s operating flexibility due to the terms of its credit facilities, (12) the Company’s ability to achieve anticipated cost savings through the Company’s cost reduction initiatives, (13) the Company’s heavy reliance on information systems and the impact of potentially losing or failing to develop technology, (14) risks related to providing uninterrupted service to clients, (15) the Company’s exposure to employment-related claims from clients, employers and regulatory authorities and limits on related insurance coverage, (16) the Company’s ability to utilize net operating loss carry-forwards, (17) volatility of the Company’s stock price, (18) the impact of government regulations, and (19) restrictions imposed by blocking arrangements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-K. The Company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK The Company conducts operations in various countries and faces both translation and transaction risks related to foreign currency exchange. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company earned approximately 86% of its gross margin outside the United States (“U.S.”), and it collected payments in local currency and paid related operating expenses in such corresponding local currency. Revenues and expenses in foreign currencies translate into higher or lower revenues and expenses in U.S. dollars as the U.S. dollar weakens or strengthens against other currencies. Therefore, changes in exchange rates may affect our consolidated revenues and expenses (as expressed in U.S. dollars) from foreign operations. Amounts invested in our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The translation of the foreign currency into U.S. dollars is reflected as a component of stockholders’ equity and does not impact our operating results. As more fully described in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the Company has credit agreements with RBS Citizens Business Capital, Westpac Banking Corporation and other credit agreements with lenders in Belgium, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and Mainland China. The Company does not hedge the interest risk on borrowings under the credit agreements, and accordingly, it is exposed to interest rate risk on the borrowings under such credit agreements. Based on our annual average borrowings, a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates on our borrowings would not have a material impact on our earnings. - 40 - ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15 (f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. The Company's management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 using the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, the Company's management believes that, as of December 31, 2012, the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria. The Company's independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued a report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. That report is set forth immediately following the report of KPMG LLP on the financial statements included herein. - 41 - Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Stockholders Hudson Global, Inc.: We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hudson Global, Inc. and subsidiaries (Hudson Global, Inc.) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012. In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedules included in Item 15 of Form 10-K. These consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hudson Global, Inc. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Hudson Global, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 26, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effective operation of internal control over financial reporting. /s/ KPMG LLP New York, New York February 26, 2013 - 42 - Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Stockholders Hudson Global, Inc.: We have audited Hudson Global Inc.'s and subsidiaries (Hudson Global, Inc.) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Hudson Global, Inc.'s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. In our opinion, Hudson Global, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Hudson Global, Inc. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, and our report dated February 26, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. /s/ KPMG LLP New York, New York February 26, 2013 - 43 - HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Revenue Direct costs Gross margin Operating expenses: Salaries and related Office and general Marketing and promotion Depreciation and amortization Business reorganization expenses Total operating expenses Operating income (loss) Non-operating income (expense): Interest income (expense), net Other income (expense), net Fee for early extinguishment of credit facility Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes Provision for (benefit from) income taxes Income (loss) from continuing operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes Net income (loss) Earnings (loss) per share: Basic Income (loss) from continuing operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations Net income (loss) - basic Diluted Income (loss) from continuing operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations Net income (loss) - diluted Weighted-average shares outstanding: Basic Diluted Comprehensive income (loss): Net income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss): Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 $ 777,577 $ 933,736 $ 492,710 284,867 205,412 65,747 6,126 6,438 7,782 291,505 (6,638) (635) 254 — (7,019) (1,684) (5,335) — (5,335) $ (0.17) $ — (0.17) $ (0.17) $ — (0.17) $ 579,431 354,305 252,785 69,298 7,816 6,251 720 336,870 17,435 (1,143) (44) — 16,248 5,339 10,909 — 10,909 $ 0.35 — 0.35 0.34 — 0.34 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 794,542 495,969 298,573 222,185 65,185 6,943 8,184 1,694 304,191 (5,618) (1,278) 4,500 (563) (2,959) 1,482 (4,441) (244) (4,685) (0.15) (0.01) (0.16) (0.15) (0.01) (0.16) 32,060 32,060 31,566 31,989 29,931 29,931 $ (5,335) $ 10,909 $ (4,685) Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes 2,169 (647) Defined benefit pension plans - unrecognized net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service costs (credit), net of income taxes Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes Comprehensive income (loss) (290) 1,879 (3,456) $ — (647) 10,262 $ $ 393 — 393 (4,292) See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. - 44 - HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share amounts) Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents ASSETS Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,167 and $1,772, respectively Prepaid and other Total current assets Property and equipment, net Deferred tax assets, non-current Other assets Total assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Short-term borrowings Accrued business reorganization expenses Total current liabilities Other non-current liabilities Deferred rent and tenant improvement contributions Income tax payable, non-current Total liabilities 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 33,100 and 32,776 shares, respectively Additional paid-in capital Accumulated deficit Accumulated other comprehensive income Treasury stock, 79 and 79 shares, respectively, at cost Total stockholders’ equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity December 31, 2012 2011 $ 38,653 $ 37,302 $ $ 107,216 11,543 157,412 20,050 9,816 6,190 131,489 13,132 181,923 17,838 8,628 8,157 193,468 $ 216,546 9,292 $ 55,960 — 1,916 67,168 7,853 8,061 3,845 86,927 — 33 473,372 (387,027) 20,536 (373) 106,541 12,025 74,248 3,384 858 90,515 6,388 4,479 7,807 109,189 — 33 470,786 (381,692) 18,657 (427) 107,357 $ 193,468 $ 216,546 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. - 45 - HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes Stock-based compensation Fee for early extinguishment of credit facility Gains on sale of assets Other, net Changes in assets and liabilities: Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable Decrease (increase) in prepaid and other assets Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities Increase (decrease) in accrued business reorganization expenses Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures Proceeds from sale of assets Proceeds from note and sale of warrants Payment for acquisitions Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Borrowings under credit agreements Repayments under credit agreements Repayment of capital lease obligations Payment for early extinguishment of credit facility Payment of deferred financing costs Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net Purchase of restricted stock from employees Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Cash payments during the period for interest Cash payments during the period for income taxes, net of refunds Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 $ (5,335) $ 10,909 $ (4,685) 6,438 (149) (310) 2,574 — (558) 481 27,144 3,448 (22,452) 1,878 13,159 (8,647) 375 — — (8,272) 74,534 (77,765) (443) — — — (600) (4,274) 738 1,351 37,302 38,653 333 2,985 $ $ $ 6,251 132 1,272 3,221 — — 131 (3,983) (202) (2,534) (1,801) 13,396 (6,832) 248 — — (6,584) 237,779 (235,752) — — — — (388) 1,639 (672) 7,779 29,523 37,302 1,059 4,046 $ $ $ $ $ $ 8,184 392 (223) 1,724 563 (3,369) 462 (27,252) (2,789) 17,366 (6,031) (15,658) (3,264) 81 6,179 (1,856) 1,140 99,914 (109,304) — (563) (1,565) 19,167 (71) 7,578 399 (6,541) 36,064 29,523 1,098 1,905 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. - 46 - HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (in thousands) Balance at January 1, 2010 Net income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss), translation adjustments Issuance of shares Purchase of restricted stock from employees Issuance of shares for 401(k) plan contribution Stock-based compensation Balance at December 31, 2010 Net income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss), translation adjustments Purchase of restricted stock from employees Issuance of shares for 401(k) plan contribution Stock-based compensation Balance at December 31, 2011 Net income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss), translation adjustments Other comprehensive income (loss), pension liability adjustment Purchase of restricted stock from employees (124) Issuance of shares for 401(k) plan contribution Stock-based compensation Balance at December 31, 2012 124 324 33,021 $ Common stock Shares Value 26,722 $ — — 4,830 (16) 121 514 32,171 $ 27 — — 5 — — — 32 Additional paid-in capital Accumulated deficit Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Treasury stock Total $ 445,541 $ (387,916) $ 18,911 $ (303) $ 76,260 — — 19,111 — 206 1,724 (4,685) — — — — — — 393 — — — — — — — (4,685) 393 19,116 (71) (71) 335 — 541 1,724 $ 466,582 $ (392,601) $ 19,304 $ (39) $ 93,278 — $ — $ — $ 10,909 $ — $ — $ (70) $ 92 504 32,697 $ $ $ — — — $ — $ 602 3,602 470,786 $ $ $ — — — 12 2,574 — $ — $ — $ $ $ 1 33 — — — — — 33 — — (647) $ — $ (388) — $ — $ — — 10,909 (647) (388) 602 3,603 — $ — — $ — $ (381,692) $ 18,657 $ (427) $ 107,357 (5,335) — — — — — 2,169 (290) — — — — — (600) 654 — (5,335) 2,169 (290) (600) 666 2,574 $ 473,372 $ (387,027) $ 20,536 $ (373) $ 106,541 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. - 47 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) NOTE 1 – DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS Hudson Global, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) are comprised of the operations, assets and liabilities of the three Hudson regional businesses of Hudson Americas, Hudson Asia Pacific, and Hudson Europe (“Hudson regional businesses” or “Hudson”). The Company provides specialized professional-level recruitment and related talent solutions worldwide. The Company’s core service offerings include Permanent Recruitment, Contract Consulting, Legal eDiscovery, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (“RPO”) and Talent Management Solutions. The Company has operated as an independent publicly-held company since April 1, 2003 when the eResourcing division of Monster Worldwide, Inc., formerly TMP Worldwide, Inc., composed of 67 acquisitions made between 1999 and 2001, was spun off. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately 2,000 employees operating in 20 countries with three reportable geographic business segments: Hudson Americas, Hudson Asia Pacific, and Hudson Europe. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the amounts and percentage of the Company’s total gross margin from the three reportable segments were as follows: For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Gross Margin ($) $ 43,164 117,428 124,275 % Gross Margin ($) % Gross Margin ($) 15.15% $ 50,778 14.33% $ 39,417 41.22% 43.63% 146,917 156,610 41.47% 44.20% 121,965 137,191 % 13.20% 40.85% 45.95% $ 284,867 100.00% $ 354,305 100.00% $ 298,573 100.00% Hudson Americas Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Total The Company’s core service offerings include those services described below. Permanent Recruitment: Offered on both a retained and contingent basis, Hudson’s Permanent Recruitment services leverage its consultants, psychologists and other professionals in the development and delivery of its proprietary methods to identify, select and engage the best-fit talent for critical client roles. Contract Consulting: In Contract Consulting, Hudson provides a range of project management, interim management and professional contract staffing services. These services draw upon a combination of specialized recruiting and project management competencies to deliver a wide range of solutions. Hudson-employed professionals – either individually or as a team – are placed with client organizations for a defined period of time based on a client's specific business need. Legal eDiscovery: Hudson’s Legal eDiscovery services are composed of eDiscovery solutions, managed document review (encompassing logistical deployment, project management, process design and productivity management), and contract attorney staffing. The most comprehensive of these is the Company’s full-service eDiscovery solution, providing an integrated system of discovery management and review technology deployment for both corporate and law firm clients. RPO: Hudson RPO delivers outsourced recruitment solutions tailored to the individual needs of mid- to large-cap multinational companies. Hudson RPO’s delivery teams utilize state-of-the-art recruitment process methodologies and project management expertise in their flexible, turnkey solutions to meet clients’ ongoing business needs. Hudson RPO services include complete recruitment outsourcing, project-based outsourcing, contingent workforce solutions and recruitment consulting. Talent Management Solutions: Featuring embedded proprietary talent assessment and selection methodologies, Hudson’s Talent Management Solutions capability encompasses services such as talent assessment (utilizing a variety of competency, attitude and experiential testing), interview training, executive coaching, employee development and outplacement. - 48 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Unless otherwise stated, amounts are presented in United States of America (“U.S.”) dollars and all amounts are in thousands, except for number of shares and per share amounts. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Revision of Prior Period Balances During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, the Company identified certain balances requiring correction in its consolidated financial statements that originated during the year ended December 31, 2003. The balances were isolated and limited to the reported balance of Cumulative Translation Adjustment “CTA” and include amounts principally for (i) the incorrect retention of CTA upon the substantial liquidation of two foreign subsidiaries; and (ii) the write-off of CTA in connection with the recording of goodwill impairment charges. The corrections, have been recorded in this Form 10-K as an adjustment to the January 1, 2010 opening balance in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and the December 31, 2011 Consolidated Balance Sheet as a decrease to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and a corresponding decrease to Accumulated Deficit for $15,598. The revision did not affect the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows or Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for any of the periods presented in this Form 10-K. The revision is not material to any previously issued financial statements. Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly-owned and majority- owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions between and among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Such estimates include the value of purchase consideration, allowances for doubtful accounts, insurance recovery receivable, goodwill, intangible assets, and other long-lived assets, legal reserve and provision, estimated self-insured liabilities, assumptions used in the fair value of stock-based compensation and the valuation of deferred tax assets. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates the estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Instability in the global credit markets, including the recent European economic and financial turmoil experienced in 2012 related to sovereign debt issues in certain countries, the instability in the geopolitical environment in many parts of the world and other factors may continue to put pressure on global economic conditions and may in turn impact the aforementioned estimates and assumptions. - 49 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Nature of Business and Credit Risk The Company's revenue is earned from professional placement services, mid-level employee professional staffing and temporary contracting services and human capital services. These services are provided to a large number of customers in many different industries. The Company operates throughout North America, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. During 2012, no single client accounted for more than 10% of the Company's revenue. As of December 31, 2012, no single client accounted for more than 10% of the Company's outstanding accounts receivable. Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, are primarily cash and accounts receivable. The Company performs continuing credit evaluations of its customers and does not require collateral. The Company has not experienced significant losses related to receivables. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue for temporary services at the time services are provided and revenue is recorded on a time and materials basis. Temporary contracting revenue is reported on a gross basis when the Company acts as the principal in the transaction and is at risk for collection in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 605-45, “Overall Considerations of Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent”. The Company's revenues are derived from its gross billings, which are based on (i) the payroll cost of its worksite employees; and (ii) a markup computed as a percentage of the payroll cost. The Company recognizes revenue for permanent placements based on the nature of the fee arrangement. Revenue generated when the Company permanently places an individual with a client on a contingent basis is recorded at the time of acceptance of employment, net of an allowance for estimated fee reversals. Revenue generated when the Company permanently places an individual with a client on a retained basis is recorded ratably over the period services are rendered, net of an allowance for estimated fee reversals. The ASC 605-45-50-3 and ASC 605-45-50-4, “Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities” provide that the presentation of taxes on either a gross or net basis is an accounting policy decision. The Company collects various taxes assessed by governmental authorities and records these amounts on a net basis. Operating Expenses Salaries and related expenses include the salaries, commissions, payroll taxes and employee benefits related to recruitment professionals, executive level employees, administrative staff and other employees of the Company who are not temporary contractors. Office and general expenses include occupancy, equipment leasing and maintenance, utilities, travel expenses, professional fees and provision for doubtful accounts. The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred. Stock-Based Compensation The Company applies the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718 "Compensation - Stock Compensation". ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The Company determines the fair value as of the grant date. For awards with graded vesting conditions, the values of the awards are determined by valuing each tranche separately and expensing each tranche over the required service period. The service period is the period over which the related service is performed, which is generally the same as the vesting period. The Company records stock-based compensation expense net of estimated forfeitures. The Company estimates its forfeiture rate based on historical data such as stock option exercise activities and employee termination patterns. The Company analyzed its historical forfeiture rate, the remaining lives of unvested awards and the amount of vested awards as a percentage of total awards outstanding. If the Company's actual forfeiture rate is materially different from its estimate, or if the Company reevaluates the forfeiture rate in the future, the stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what was recorded in the current periods. - 50 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) For stock options, the Black-Scholes option pricing model considers, among other factors, the expected volatility of the Company's stock price, risk-free interest rates, dividend rate and the expected life of the award. Expected volatilities are calculated based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock. Volatility is determined using historical prices to estimate the expected future fluctuations in the Company's share price. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury, the term of which is consistent with the expected term of the option. The dividend rate is assumed to be zero as the Company has never paid dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. When the Company estimates the expected life of stock options, the Company determines its assumptions for the Black- Scholes option-pricing model in accordance with ASC 718 and SAB No. 107. Significant assumptions used in the valuation of stock options include: · The expected term of stock options is estimated using the simplified method since the Company currently does not have sufficient stock option exercise history. · The expected risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity interest rate which term is consistent with the expected term of the stock options. · The expected volatility is based on the historic volatility. In December 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff issued SAB No. 110, “Certain Assumptions Used In Valuation Methods - Expected Term”. SAB No. 110 allows companies to continue to use the simplified method, as defined in SAB No. 107, to estimate the expected term of stock options under certain circumstances. The simplified method for estimating expected term uses the mid-point between the vesting term and the contractual term of the stock option. The Company has analyzed the circumstances in which the use of the simplified method is allowed. The Company has opted to use the simplified method for stock options the Company granted because management believes that the Company does not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term. In accordance with ASC 718, the Company reflects the tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of income tax benefits as a financing cash flow in its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Income Taxes Earnings from the Company's global operations are subject to tax in various jurisdictions both within and outside the United States. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. This standard establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for the effects of income taxes that result from an enterprise's activities. It requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting of income taxes. ASC 740-10-55-3 “Recognition and Measurement of Tax Positions - a Two Step Process” provides implementation guidance related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements and prescribes a two-step evaluation process for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The first step is recognition and the second is measurement. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, disclosures, transition and accounting for interim periods. The Company provides tax reserves for U.S. Federal, state and local and international unrecognized tax benefits for all periods subject to audit. The development of reserves for these exposures requires judgments about tax issues, potential outcomes and timing, and is a subjective critical estimate. The Company assesses its tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management's evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting dates. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements. Where applicable, associated interest and penalties have also been recognized. Although the outcome related to these exposures is uncertain, in management's opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for estimable potential liabilities emanating from these exposures. In certain circumstances, the ultimate outcome for exposures and risks involve significant uncertainties which render them inestimable. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, including those that cannot be quantified, they could have material impact on the Company's results of operations. - 51 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) U.S. Federal income and foreign withholding taxes have not been provided on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Company intends to reinvest these earnings in its foreign operations indefinitely, except where it is able to repatriate these earnings to the United States without a material incremental tax provision. The determination and estimation of the future income tax consequences in all relevant taxing jurisdictions involves the application of highly complex tax laws in the countries involved, particularly in the United States, and is based on the tax profile of the Company in the year of earnings repatriation. Accordingly, it is not practicable to determine the amount of tax associated with such undistributed earnings. Earnings (Loss) Per Share Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) are computed by dividing the Company’s net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. When the effects are not anti-dilutive, diluted earnings (loss) per share are computed by dividing the Company’s net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding and the impact of all dilutive potential common shares, primarily stock options “in-the-money” and unvested restricted stock. The dilutive impact of stock options and unvested restricted stock is determined by applying the “treasury stock” method. Performance-based restricted stock awards are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share only to the extent that the underlying performance conditions: (i) are satisfied prior to the end of the reporting period, or (ii) would be satisfied if the end of the reporting period were the end of the related performance period and the result would be dilutive under the treasury stock method. Stock awards subject to vesting or exercisability based on the achievement of market conditions are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share only when the market conditions are met. Income (loss) per share calculations for each quarter include the weighted average effect for the quarter; therefore, the sum of quarterly income (loss) per share amounts may not equal year-to-date income (loss) per share amounts, which reflect the weighted average effect on a year-to-date basis. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, which consist primarily of money market funds, are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. For financial statement presentation purposes, the Company considers all highly liquid investments having an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents. Outstanding checks in excess of cash account balances that are included in accounts payable on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets were insignificant as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. Accounts Receivable The Company's accounts receivable balances are composed of trade and unbilled receivables. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts and makes ongoing estimates as to the ability to collect on the various receivables. If the Company determines that the allowance for doubtful accounts is not adequate to cover estimated losses, an expense to provide for doubtful accounts is recorded in office and general expenses. If an account is determined to be uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Management's assessment and judgment are vital requirements in assessing the ultimate realization of these receivables, including the current credit-worthiness, financial stability and effect of market conditions on each customer. - 52 - Index Property and Equipment HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight line method over the following estimated useful lives: Furniture and equipment Capitalized software costs Computer equipment Years 3 - 8 3 - 5 2 - 5 Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the lease term. The amortization periods of material leasehold improvements are estimated at the inception of the lease term. Capitalized Software Costs Capitalized software costs consist of costs to purchase and develop software for internal use. The Company capitalizes certain incurred software development costs in accordance with the ASC 350-40, “Intangibles Goodwill and Other: Internal- Use Software.” Costs incurred during the application-development stage for software purchased and further customized by outside vendors for the Company's use and software developed by a vendor for the Company's proprietary use have been capitalized. Costs incurred for the Company's own personnel who are directly associated with software development are capitalized as appropriate. Capitalized software costs are included in property and equipment. Long-Lived Assets and Amortizable Intangibles Intangible assets are amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful life. The Company evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of its long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Under such circumstances, the Company assesses whether the projected undiscounted cash flows of its businesses are sufficient to recover the existing unamortized cost of its long-lived assets. If the undiscounted projected cash flows are not sufficient, the Company calculates the impairment amount by discounting the cash flows using its weighted average cost of capital. The amount of the impairment is written-off against earnings in the period in which the impairment has been determined in accordance with ASC 360-10-35, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Goodwill ASC 350-20-35 “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, Goodwill Subsequent Measurement” requires that goodwill not be amortized but be tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if circumstances warrant. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that its carrying value might exceed its current fair value. Per the provisions of ASC 350, the Company elects to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In the qualitative assessment, the Company considers events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance and the trend of cash flows, other relevant company-specific events and the ''cushion'' between a reporting unit's fair value and carrying amount in the recent fair value calculation. If it is concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, it is necessary to perform the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component). A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. The Company's reporting units are the components within the reportable segments identified in Note 15. - 53 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Step two compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill with the current carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment amount equal to the difference is recorded. Foreign Currency Translation The financial position and results of operations of the Company's international subsidiaries are determined using local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each year-end. Statements of Operations accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during each period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) account in stockholders' equity, other than translation adjustments on short-term intercompany balances, which are included in other income (expense). Gains and losses resulting from other foreign currency transactions are included in other income (expense). Intercompany receivable balances of a long-term investment nature are considered part of the Company's permanent investment in a foreign jurisdiction and the gains or losses on these balances are reported in other comprehensive income. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) is defined to include all changes in equity except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. The Company's other comprehensive income (loss) is primarily comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments, which relate to investments that are permanent in nature, and changes in unrecognized pension and post-retirement benefit costs. To the extent that such amounts relate to investments that are permanent in nature, no adjustments for income taxes are made. - 54 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) NOTE 3 – REVENUE, DIRECT COSTS AND GROSS MARGIN The Company’s revenue, direct costs and gross margin were as follows: 2012 For The Year Ended 2011 2010 Temporary Contracting Other Total Temporary Contracting Other Total Temporary Contracting Other Total Revenue Direct costs (1) Gross margin $ $ 579,914 478,126 101,788 $ $ 197,663 14,584 183,079 $ $ 777,577 492,710 284,867 $ $ 692,665 564,462 128,203 $ $ 241,071 14,969 226,102 $ $ 933,736 579,431 354,305 $ $ 585,321 482,175 103,146 $ $ 209,221 13,794 195,427 $ $ 794,542 495,969 298,573 (1) Direct costs include the direct staffing costs of salaries, payroll taxes, employee benefits, travel expenses and insurance costs for the Company’s contractors and reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses and other direct costs. Other than reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses, there are no other direct costs associated with the Other category, which includes the search, permanent recruitment and other human resource solutions’ revenue. Gross margin represents revenue less direct costs. The region where services are provided, the mix of contracting and permanent recruitment, and the functional nature of the staffing services provided can affect gross margin. The salaries, commissions, payroll taxes and employee benefits related to recruitment professionals are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. NOTE 4 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Equity Compensation Plans The Company maintains the Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan (the “ISAP”) pursuant to which it can issue equity-based compensation incentives to eligible participants. The ISAP permits the granting of stock options and restricted stock as well as other types of equity-based awards. The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) will establish such conditions as it deems appropriate on the granting or vesting of stock options or restricted stock. While the Company historically granted both stock options and restricted stock to its employees, since 2008 the Company has primarily granted restricted stock to its employees. The Compensation Committee administers the ISAP and may designate any of the following as a participant under the ISAP: any officer or other employee of the Company or its affiliates or individuals engaged to become an officer or employee, consultants or other independent contractors who provide services to the Company or its affiliates and non-employee directors of the Company. On April 26, 2012, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the ISAP to, among other things, increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that are reserved for issuance to participants by 2,500,000 shares. As of December 31, 2012, there were 2,746,145 shares of the Company’s common stock available for future issuance. The Company also maintains the Director Deferred Share Plan (the “Director Plan”) pursuant to which it can issue restricted stock units to its non-employee directors. A restricted stock unit is equivalent to one share of the Company’s common stock and is payable only in common stock issued under the ISAP upon a director ceasing service as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company. All share issuances related to stock compensation plans are issued from unissued shares of stockholder approved compensation plans. - 55 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company’s stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, which are included under the caption “Salaries and related” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, were as follows: Stock options Restricted stock Restricted stock units Total Tax benefits recognized in jurisdictions where the Company has taxable income For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 $ $ $ 704 $ 515 $ 1,275 595 2,574 105 $ $ 2,411 295 3,221 285 $ $ 158 1,566 — 1,724 132 As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, unrecognized compensation expense and weighted average period over which the compensation expense is expected to be recognized relating to the unvested portion of the Company's stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock unit awards, in each case, based on the Company's historical valuation treatment, were as follows: As of December 31, 2012 2011 Unrecognized Expense $ $ $ 445 1,806 182 Weighted Average Period in Years Unrecognized Expense Weighted Average Period in Years 1.08 1.38 1.52 $ $ $ 1,037 2,426 387 1.89 1.46 2.19 Stock options Restricted stock Restricted stock units Stock Options Stock options granted by the Company generally expire ten years after the date of grant and have an exercise price of at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying share of common stock on the date of grant and generally vest ratably over a four-year period. The following were the weighted average assumptions used to determine the fair value of stock options granted by the Company and the details of option activity as of and for the respective periods: Volatility Risk free interest rate Dividends Expected life (years) Weighted average fair value of options granted during the period For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) 75.1% 2.3% —% 6.25 $ 3.50 (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) Stock option assumptions are not provided above because there were no options granted during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2010. - 56 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Changes in the Company’s stock options for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follows: For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share Options outstanding at January 1, 1,396,350 $ 11.36 1,548,300 $ Granted Expired — (157,700) Options outstanding at December 31, 1,238,650 Options exercisable at December 31, 838,650 $ $ — 12.55 11.21 14.09 400,000 (551,950) 1,396,350 983,850 $ $ 12.64 5.18 10.47 11.36 13.96 1,763,250 $ 12.79 — (214,950) 1,548,300 1,508,000 $ $ — 13.86 12.64 12.71 The cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options, associated income tax benefits, total fair value of stock options vested, and total intrinsic value for stock options exercised based on the closing price of the Company's common stock were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. The weighted average remaining contractual term and the aggregated intrinsic value for stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 were as follows: As of December 31, 2012 2011 Remaining Contractual Term in Years Aggregated Intrinsic Value Remaining Contractual Term in Years Aggregated Intrinsic Value 4.4 2.5 $ $ — — 5.1 3.4 $ $ — — Stock options outstanding Stock options exercisable Restricted Stock A summary of the quantity and vesting conditions for shares of restricted stock granted for the year ended December 31, 2012 was as follows: Performance and service conditions (1) (2) Vest 50% on each of the second and third anniversaries of the grant date with service conditions only Vesting conditions Immediately vested Vest two-thirds on the second anniversary of the grant date and one-third on the third anniversary of the grant date with service conditions only Vest one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date with service conditions only Total shares of restricted stock granted for the year ended December 31, 2012 Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Granted 566,830 35,000 1,400 20,000 15,000 638,230 - 57 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (1) The performance conditions with respect to restricted stock may be satisfied as follows: (a) 50% of the shares of restricted stock may be earned on the basis of performance as measured by a “Take- out Ratio,” defined as the percentage of the direct, front line costs incurred for the year ended December 31, 2012 divided by the gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2012; (b) 25% of the shares of restricted stock may be earned on the basis of performance as measured by an employee engagement score for the year ended December 31, 2012 based on an employee survey conducted by a global human resources consulting firm; and (c) 25% of the shares of restricted stock may be earned on the basis of performance as measured by “Cash Efficiency,” defined as (1) cash flow from operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 divided by (2) gross margin minus selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012. (2) To the extent shares are earned on the basis of performance, such shares will vest on the basis of service as follows: (a) 33% of the shares vest on the later of the first anniversary of the grant date or the determination that the performance conditions have been satisfied; (b) 33% of the shares vest on the second anniversary of the grant date; and (c) 34% of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant date; provided that, in each case, the named executive officer remains employed by the Company from the grant date through the applicable service vesting date. Changes in the Company’s restricted stock for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follows: For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Unvested restricted stock at January 1, 1,166,082 $ Granted Vested Forfeited 638,230 (461,200) (314,196) Unvested restricted stock at December 31, 1,028,916 $ 5.12 4.59 4.86 5.26 4.87 953,037 $ 743,625 (295,065) (235,515) 1,166,082 $ 3.64 6.22 4.09 3.86 5.12 531,083 $ 597,732 (111,112) (64,666) 953,037 $ 2.70 4.56 4.33 3.19 3.64 The total fair value of restricted stock vested during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follow: Fair value of restricted stock vested $ 2,239 $ 1,207 $ 481 For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 - 58 - Index Restricted Stock Units HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company granted 76,023 restricted stock units to its non-employee directors pursuant to the Director Plan. The restricted stock units vest immediately upon grant and are credited to each non- employee director's retirement account under the Director Plan. Changes in the Company’s restricted stock units for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follows: For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Unit Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Unit Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Unit Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Unvested restricted stock units at January 1, 100,000 $ Granted Vested 76,023 (76,023) 5.18 5.13 5.13 — $ 127,376 (27,376) — 5.37 6.05 — $ 25,521 (25,521) — 5.76 5.76 Unvested restricted stock units at December 31, 100,000 $ 5.18 100,000 $ 5.18 — $ — The total fair value of restricted stock units vested during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follows: For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Fair value of restricted stock units vested $ 390 $ 166 $ 147 Defined Contribution Plan and Non-cash Employer-matching contributions The Company maintains the Hudson Global, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (the “401(k) plan”). The 401(k) plan allows eligible employees to contribute up to 15% of their earnings to the 401(k) plan. The Company has the discretion to match employees’ contributions up to 3% of the employees' earnings through a contribution of the Company’s common stock. Vesting of the Company’s contribution occurs over a five-year period. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company’s expenses and contributions to satisfy the prior years’ employer-matching liability for the 401(k) plan were as follows: ($ in thousands, except otherwise stated) Expense recognized for the 401(k) plan Contributions to satisfy prior years' employer-matching liability Number of shares of the Company's common stock issued (in thousands) Market value per share of the Company's common stock on contribution date (in dollars) Non-cash contribution made for employer matching liability Additional cash contribution made for employer-matching liability Total contribution made for employer-matching liability For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 635 $ 686 $ 610 124 5.35 666 — 666 $ $ $ 92 6.55 602 — 602 $ $ $ 121 4.47 541 111 652 $ $ $ $ - 59 - HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Index NOTE 5 – INCOME TAXES Income Tax Provision The domestic and foreign components of income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations were as follows: Domestic Foreign $ Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes $ Year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 (400) $ (6,619) (7,019) $ 6,313 9,935 16,248 $ $ 1,821 (4,780) (2,959) The provision for (benefit from) income taxes from continuing operations was as follows: Year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Current tax provision (benefit): U.S. Federal State and local Foreign Total current provision for (benefit from) income taxes Deferred tax provision (benefit): U.S. Federal State and local Foreign Total deferred provision for (benefit from) income taxes Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes from continuing operations $ Tax Rate Reconciliation $ — $ — $ (3,214) 1,840 (1,374) — — (310) (310) (1,684) $ 239 3,828 4,067 — — 1,272 1,272 5,339 $ — (819) 2,524 1,705 — — (223) (223) 1,482 The effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were 24.0%, 32.9% and negative 50.1%, respectively. These effective tax rates differ from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% due to the inability to recognize tax benefits on net U.S. losses, state taxes, non-deductible expenses such as certain acquisition related payments, variations from the U.S. tax rate in foreign jurisdictions and taxes on repatriations of foreign profits. The following is a reconciliation of the effective tax rate from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 to the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35%: Provision for (benefit from) continuing operations at Federal statutory rate of 35% $ State income taxes, net of Federal income tax effect Change in valuation allowance Taxes related to foreign income Nondeductible expenses and others Provision for (benefit from) income tax $ - 60 - Year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 (2,457) $ (2,089) 2,545 (2,505) 2,822 (1,684) $ 5,687 $ 155 (3,284) (112) 2,893 (1,036) (532) 2,970 (467) 547 5,339 $ 1,482 Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Deferred Taxes Assets (Liabilities) Deferred income taxes are provided for the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Net deferred tax assets were included in other current assets and other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Significant temporary differences at December 31, 2012 and 2011 were as follows: Current deferred tax assets (liabilities): Allowance for doubtful accounts Prepaid expenses Accrued and other current liabilities Accrued compensation liabilities Tax loss carry-forwards Current deferred tax assets (liabilities), gross, total Valuation allowance Total current deferred tax asset, net of valuation allowance Non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities): Property and equipment Goodwill and intangibles Accrued and other non-current liabilities Deferred compensation Other Tax loss carry-forwards Non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities), gross, total Valuation allowance Total non-current deferred tax asset (liabilities), net of valuation allowance As of December 31, 2012 2011 $ 145 $ — 1,015 2,886 — 4,046 (610) 3,436 3,355 14,434 1,775 3,613 — 140,068 163,245 (153,718) 9,527 362 (543) 1,077 3,763 — 4,659 (566) 4,093 2,093 18,467 1,062 3,735 1,873 132,298 159,528 (151,217) 8,311 Deferred tax assets (liabilities), net of valuation allowance, total $ 12,963 $ 12,404 Net Operating Losses (“NOLs”) and Valuation Allowance At December 31, 2012, the Company had net NOLs for U.S. Federal tax purposes of approximately $288,747. This total includes approximately $16,584 of tax losses that were not absorbed by Monster on its consolidated U.S. Federal tax returns through the Distribution Date. NOLs expire at various dates through 2032. The NOL balance does not include a deduction in the amount of $5,030 attributable to stock options and restricted stock until such time as the Company recognizes the deferred tax asset associated with such deduction. The Company's utilization of NOLs is subject to an annual limitation imposed by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, which may limit our ability to utilize all of the existing NOLs before the expiration dates. As of December 31, 2012, certain international subsidiaries had NOLs for local tax purposes of $108,271. With the exception of $95,936 of NOLs with an indefinite carry forward period as of December 31, 2012, these losses will expire at various dates through 2032, with $235 scheduled to expire during 2013. ASC 740-10-30-5 requires that a valuation allowance be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In making this assessment, management considers the level of historical taxable income, scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning strategies, and projected future taxable income. As of December 31, 2012, the valuation allowance of $132,524 relates to the deferred tax asset for NOLs, $109,724 of which is U.S. Federal and state, and $22,800 of which is foreign, that management has determined will more likely than not expire prior to realization, and $21,804 which relates to deferred tax assets on U.S. and foreign temporary differences that management estimates will not be realized due to the Company's U.S. and foreign tax losses. - 61 - Index Uncertain Tax Positions HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company's unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, which would lower the Company’s annual effective income tax rate if recognized in the future, were as follows: Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties Accrued interest and penalties Total unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate As of December 31, 2012 2011 $ $ 3,144 701 3,845 $ $ 6,163 1,644 7,807 The following table shows a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, exclusive of interest and penalties: Balance at January 1, 2012 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year Additions for tax positions of prior years Reductions for tax positions of prior years Settlements Lapse of statute of limitations Currency Translation Balance at December 31, 2012 $ $ 6,163 225 65 (2,868) (83) (410) 52 3,144 Estimated interest and penalties classified as part of the provision for income taxes in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follow: Year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Expense for (benefit of) estimated interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits $ (909) $ (230) $ (93) Based on information available as of December 31, 2012, it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease in the range of $200 to $700 over the next 12 months as a result of projected resolutions of global tax examinations and controversies and potential lapses of the applicable statutes of limitations. In many cases, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits are related to tax years that remain subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities. Tax years with NOLs remain open until such losses expire or the statutes of limitations for those years when the NOLs are used or expire. As of December 31, 2012, the Company's open tax years remain subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities and currently under income tax examination were principally as follows: Earliest tax years remain subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities: U.S. Federal Other U.S. state and local jurisdictions U.K. Australia Other foreign jurisdictions Currently under income tax examination: New Zealand The Company believes that its tax reserves are adequate for all years subject to examination above. - 62 - Year 2009 2008 2011 2008 2007 2009 Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) NOTE 6 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share calculations were as follows: Earnings (loss) per share ("EPS"): Basic Income (loss) from continuing operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations Net income (loss) - basic EPS Diluted Income (loss) from continuing operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations Net income (loss) - diluted EPS EPS numerator - basic and diluted: Income (loss) from continuing operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes Net income (loss) EPS denominator (in thousands): Weighted average common stock outstanding - basic Common stock equivalents: stock options and other stock-based awards (a) Weighted average number of common stock outstanding - diluted Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 $ $ $ $ $ $ (0.17) $ — (0.17) $ (0.17) $ — (0.17) $ (5,335) $ — (5,335) $ 32,060 — 32,060 $ $ $ $ $ $ 0.35 — 0.35 0.34 — 0.34 10,909 — 10,909 31,566 423 31,989 (0.15) (0.01) (0.16) (0.15) (0.01) (0.16) (4,441) (244) (4,685) 29,931 — 29,931 (a) For the periods in which net losses are presented, the diluted weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding did not differ from the basic weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding because the effects of any potential common stock equivalents (see Note 4 for further details on outstanding stock options, unvested restricted stock units and unvested restricted stock) were anti-dilutive and therefore not included in the calculation of the denominator of dilutive earnings per share. The weighted average number of shares outstanding used in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 did not include the effect of the following potentially outstanding shares of common stock because the effect would have been anti-dilutive: Unvested restricted stock Unvested restricted stock units Stock options Total Year Ended December 31, 2012 1,028,916 100,000 1,238,650 2,367,566 2011 2010 104,175 1,034,597 — 1,396,350 1,500,525 — 1,548,300 2,582,897 - 63 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) NOTE 7 – RESTRICTED CASH A summary of the Company’s restricted cash included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 was as follows: Included under the caption "Other assets": Collateral accounts Rental deposits Total amount under the caption "Other assets": Included under the caption "Prepaid and other": Client guarantees Collateral accounts Other Total amount under the caption "Prepaid and other" Total restricted cash As of December 31, 2012 2011 $ $ $ $ $ 619 1,301 1,920 102 — 142 244 2,164 $ $ $ $ $ 3,120 268 3,388 133 117 3 253 3,641 Collateral accounts primarily include deposits held under a collateral trust agreement, which supports the Company’s workers’ compensation policy. The rental deposits with banks include amounts held as guarantees for the rent on the Company’s offices in the Netherlands and Spain and amounts received from sub-tenants in the U.K. Other includes social tax payment reserves, which were held with banks for employee social tax payments required by law in the Netherlands. The client guarantees were held in banks in Belgium as deposits for various client projects. NOTE 8 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, property and equipment, net were as follows: Computer equipment Furniture and equipment Capitalized software costs Leasehold and building improvements Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization Property and equipment, net As of December 31, 2012 2011 $ 10,889 $ 7,840 28,877 24,650 72,256 52,206 $ 20,050 $ 13,666 9,692 30,920 21,650 75,928 58,090 17,838 The Company had expenditures of approximately $778 and $1,137 for acquired property and equipment, mainly consisting of software development, fixtures, computer equipment and leasehold improvements, which had not been placed in service as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Depreciation expense is not recorded for such assets until they are placed in service. - 64 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Non-Cash Capital Expenditures The Company has acquired certain computer equipment under capital lease agreements. The current portion of the capital lease obligations are included under the caption “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the non-current portion of the capital lease obligations are included under the caption “Other non-current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. A summary of the Company’s equipment acquired under capital lease agreements was as follows: Capital lease obligation, current Capital lease obligation, non-current As of December 31, 2012 2011 $ $ 467 324 $ $ 420 720 The Company acquired $61 and $1,318 of property and equipment under capital lease agreements for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2012 included $3,949 of landlord-funded tenant improvements for the Company's leased property in Sydney, Australia. NOTE 9 – GOODWILL The following is a summary of the changes in the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. Goodwill, January 1, Additions Impairments Currency translation Goodwill, December 31, Carrying Value 2012 2011 1,992 $ 1,909 — — 28 — — 83 2,020 $ 1,992 $ $ On October 1, 2012 and 2011, the Company applied ASU 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment” and performed a qualitative assessment to determine whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of its China reporting unit was less than its carrying value. At the conclusion of its assessment, the Company determined that no impairment of goodwill existed in its China reporting unit as of October 1, 2012 and 2011. NOTE 10 – ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company's accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following: December 31, 2012 2011 Salaries, commissions and benefits Sales, use and income taxes Fees for professional services Rent Deferred revenue Other accruals $ 30,051 $ 11,161 1,773 2,299 1,623 9,053 Total accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 55,960 $ 44,625 13,119 1,635 1,806 1,840 11,223 74,248 - 65 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) NOTE 11 – BUSINESS REORGANIZATION EXPENSES In January 2012, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer approved a $1,000 plan of reorganization (“2012 Plan”) to streamline the Company’s support operations in each of Hudson’s regional businesses to match the aggregated operating segments and to improve support services to the Company’s regional and global professional business practices. The 2012 Plan primarily includes costs for actions to reduce support functions to match them to the revised operating structure. In April 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved an addition to the 2012 Plan of up to $10,000 for additional actions to accelerate the Company’s plans for increased global alignment and redirection of resources from support to client facing activities. Restructuring charges associated with these initiatives for the 2012 Plan primarily included employee separation costs for the elimination of 220 positions. The headcount reductions identified in this action are expected to be completed in the first half of fiscal 2013 with the related payments to be completed in fiscal 2013. The payments include, but are not limited to, salaries, social pension fund payments, health care and unemployment insurance costs to be paid to or on behalf of the affected employees. The Board approved other reorganization plans in 2009 (“2009 Plan”), 2008 (“2008 Plan”) and 2006 (“2006 Plan”) to streamline the Company’s support operations and included actions to reduce support functions to match them to the scale of the business, to exit underutilized properties and to eliminate contracts for certain discontinued services. These actions resulted in costs for lease termination payments, employee termination benefits and contract cancellations. Business reorganization expenses for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 by plan were as follows: 2006 Plan 2008 Plan 2009 Plan 2012 Plan Total Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 2,280 $ 739 $ 1,393 — 49 5,453 7,782 $ — (19) — 74 227 — 720 $ 1,694 $ $ The following table contains amounts for Changes in Estimate, Additional Charges, and Payments related to prior restructuring plans that were incurred or recovered during the year ended December 31, 2012. The amounts for Changes in Estimate and Additional Charges are classified as business reorganization expenses in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Amounts in the “Payments” column represent primarily the cash payments associated with the reorganization plans. Changes in the accrued business reorganization expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012 were as follows: For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 Lease termination payments Employee termination benefits Other associated costs Total December 31, 2011 Changes in Estimate Additional Charges Payments December 31, 2012 $ $ 1,309 $ 2,230 $ 1,053 $ 75 5 97 — 4,286 116 1,389 $ 2,327 $ 5,455 $ (1,914) $ (3,743) (94) (5,751) $ 2,678 715 27 3,420 - 66 - Index Lease Termination Payments HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) The business reorganization expenses incurred for lease termination payments for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 by segment were as follows: Lease termination payments for the year ended December 31, Hudson America Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Corporate Total 2012 2011 2010 $ $ $ 179 $ — $ 134 $ 613 $ — $ (18) $ 2,491 708 1,348 $ $ $ — $ — $ — $ 3,283 708 1,464 Employee Termination Benefits The business reorganization expenses incurred for employee termination benefits for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 by segment were as follows: Employee termination benefits for the year ended December 31, Hudson America Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Corporate Total 2012 2011 2010 Contract Cancellation Costs $ $ $ 811 $ — $ 173 $ 674 $ — $ (17) $ 2,539 $ 359 $ 4,383 — $ 67 $ — $ — $ — 223 The business reorganization expenses incurred for contract cancellation costs were not material for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. NOTE 12 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Leases The Company leases facilities and equipment under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2027. Some of the operating leases provide for increasing rents over the term of the lease. Total rent expense under these leases is recognized ratably over the lease terms. As of December 31, 2012, future minimum lease commitments under non-cancelable operating leases, which will be expensed as direct costs (for contractor project space) and office and general expenses, were as follows: 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Thereafter $ 24,024 18,837 15,571 13,926 10,528 21,840 $ 104,726 Rent and related expenses for operating leases of facilities and equipment recorded under the caption “Office and general” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations were $19,669, $20,193, and $19,285 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Commitments based in currencies other than U.S. dollars were translated using exchange rates as of December 31, 2012. - 67 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Asset Retirement Obligations The Company has certain asset retirement obligations that are primarily the result of legal obligations for the removal of leasehold improvements and restoration of premises to their original condition upon termination of leases. The current portion of asset retirement obligations are included under the caption “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The non-current portion of asset retirement obligations are included under the caption “Other non-current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s asset retirement obligations that are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 were as follows: Current portion of asset retirement obligations Non-current portion of asset retirement obligations Total asset retirement obligations Consulting, Employment and Non-compete Agreements As of December 31, 2012 2011 $ $ 52 2,769 2,821 $ $ 301 2,507 2,808 The Company has entered into various consulting, employment and non-compete agreements with certain key management personnel and former owners of acquired businesses. Agreements with key members of management are generally one year in length, on an at-will basis, provide for compensation and severance payments under certain circumstances and are automatically renewed annually unless either party gives sufficient notice of termination. Litigation and Complaints The Company is subject, from time to time, to various claims, lawsuits, contracts disputes and other complaints from, for example, clients, candidates, suppliers, landlords for both leased and subleased properties, former and current employees, and regulators or tax authorities arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company routinely monitors claims such as these, and records provisions for losses when the claim becomes probable and the amount due is estimable. Although the outcome of these claims cannot be determined, the Company believes that the final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. For matters that have reached the threshold of probable and estimable, the Company has established reserves for legal, regulatory and other contingent liabilities. The Company’s reserves were not significant as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. NOTE 13 – CREDIT AGREEMENTS Credit Agreement with RBS Citizens Business Capital On August 5, 2010, the Company and certain of its North American and U.K. subsidiaries entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility with RBS Citizens Business Capital, a division of RBS Asset Finance, Inc. (“RBS”), and on February 22, 2012, June 26, 2012 and December 31, 2012, the Company and certain of its North American and U.K. subsidiaries entered into Amendments No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, to the senior secured revolving credit facility with RBS (as amended, the “Revolver Agreement”). The Revolver Agreement provides the Company with the ability to borrow up to $40,000, including the issuance of letters of credit. The Company may increase the maximum borrowing amount to $50,000, subject to certain conditions including lender acceptance. Extensions of credit are based on a percentage of the eligible accounts receivable from the U.K. and North America operations, less required reserves. In connection with the Revolver Agreement, the Company incurred and capitalized approximately $1,457 of deferred financing costs, which are being amortized over the term of the agreement. The maturity date of the Revolver Agreement is August 5, 2014. Borrowings under the Revolver Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and can be made with an interest rate based on a base rate plus an applicable margin or on the LIBOR rate for the applicable period plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for each rate is based on the Company’s Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Revolver Agreement) and is determined as follows: - 68 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Level Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio I II III Greater than or equal to 1.25:1.0 Less than 1.25:1.0 but greater than or equal to 1.10:1.0 Less than 1.10:1.0 The details of the Revolver Agreement as of December 31, 2012 were as follows: Base Rate Revolving Loans LIBOR Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit Obligations 1.25% 1.50% 1.75% 2.25% 2.50% 2.75% Borrowing base Less: adjustments to the borrowing base Minimum excess availability Outstanding letters of credits Adjusted borrowing base Less: outstanding borrowing Additional borrowing availability Interest rates on outstanding borrowing December 31, 2012 $ 29,012 (10,000) (2,099) 16,913 — $ 16,913 4.50% The Revolver Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants including: (1) a requirement to maintain a minimum excess availability of $10,000 until such time that, for two consecutive fiscal quarters, the Company’s Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is at least 1.2x (such occurrence, a “Trigger Event”), at which time the Company’s required minimum excess availability is reduced to $5,000; (2) upon the occurrence of a Trigger Event, a minimum required Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.1x; (3) a requirement to maintain minimum EBITDA (as defined in the Revolver Agreement) for the Company’s North American and U.K. operations of at least $1,000; (4) a limit on the payment of dividends of not more than $5,000 per year and subject to certain conditions; (5) restrictions on the ability of the Company to make additional borrowings, acquire, merge or otherwise fundamentally change the ownership of the Company or repurchase the Company’s stock; (6) a limit on investments, and a limit on acquisitions of not more than $25,000 in cash and $25,000 in non-cash consideration per year, subject to certain conditions set forth in the Revolver Agreement; and (7) a limit on dispositions of assets of not more than $4,000 per year. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Revolver Agreement as of December 31, 2012. Credit Agreement with Westpac Banking Corporation On November 29, 2011, certain Australian and New Zealand subsidiaries of the Company entered into a Facility Agreement, dated November 29, 2011 (the “Facility Agreement”), with Westpac Banking Corporation and Westpac New Zealand Limited (collectively, “Westpac”). The Facility Agreement provides three tranches: (a) an invoice discounting facility of up to $16,434 (AUD15,813) (“Tranche A”) for an Australian subsidiary of the Company, which is based on an agreed percentage of eligible accounts receivable; (b) an overdraft facility of up to $2,898 (NZD3,500) (“Tranche B”) for a New Zealand subsidiary of the Company; and (c) a financial guarantee facility of up to $5,197 (AUD5,000) (“Tranche C”) for the Australian subsidiary. The Facility Agreement does not have a stated maturity date and can be terminated by Westpac upon 90 days written notice. Borrowings under Tranche A may be made with an interest rate based on the Invoice Finance 30-day Bank Bill Rate (as defined in the Facility Agreement) plus a margin of 0.75%. Borrowings under Tranche B may be made with an interest rate based on the Commercial Lending Rate (as defined in the Facility Agreement) plus a margin of 0.83%. Each of Tranche A and Tranche B bears a fee, payable monthly, equal to 0.65% of the size of Westpac’s commitment under such tranche. Borrowings under Tranche C may be made incurring a fee equal to 1.10% of the face value of the financial guarantee requested. Amounts owing under the Facility Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Australian subsidiary, its Australian parent company and the New Zealand subsidiary (collectively, the “Obligors”) and certain of their subsidiaries. - 69 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) The details of the Facility Agreement as of December 31, 2012 were as follows: Tranche A: Borrowing capacity Less: outstanding borrowing Additional borrowing availability Interest rates on outstanding borrowing Tranche B: Borrowing capacity Less: outstanding borrowing Additional borrowing availability Interest rates on outstanding borrowing Tranche C: Financial guarantee capacity Less: outstanding financial guarantee requested Additional availability for financial guarantee Interest rates on financial guarantee requested December 31, 2012 $ $ $ $ $ $ 16,434 — 16,434 5.08% 2,898 — 2,898 6.03% 5,197 (2,934) 2,263 1.10% The Facility Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants applicable to the Obligors and certain of their subsidiaries, including (a) a requirement that the Obligors maintain (1) a minimum Tangible Net Worth (as defined in the Facility Agreement) as of the last day of each calendar quarter of not less than the higher of 85% of the Tangible Net Worth as of the last day of the previous calendar year and $18,188 (AUD17,500); (2) at all times, a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Facility Agreement) of 1.5x for the trailing twelve month period; and (3) a maximum Borrowing Base Ratio (as defined in the Facility Agreement) as of the last day of each calendar quarter of not more than 0.8; and (b) a limitation on certain intercompany payments with permitted payments outside the Obligor group restricted to a defined amount derived from the net profits of the Obligors and their subsidiaries. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Facility Agreement as of December 31, 2012. Other Credit Agreements The Company also has lending arrangements with local banks through its subsidiaries in the Netherlands, Belgium, Singapore and Mainland China. As of December 31, 2012, the Netherlands subsidiary could borrow up to $2,289 (€ 1,734) based on an agreed percentage of accounts receivable related to its operations. The Belgium subsidiary had a $1,320 (€ 1,000) overdraft facility as of December 31, 2012. Borrowings under the Belgium and the Netherlands lending arrangements may be made using an interest rate based on the one month EURIBOR plus a margin, and the interest rate under each of these arrangements was 2.61% as of December 31, 2012. The lending arrangement in the Netherlands expires annually each June, but can be renewed for one year periods at that time. The lending arrangement in Belgium has no expiration date and can be terminated with a 15 day notice period. In Singapore, the Company’s subsidiary can borrow up to $819 (SGD1,000) for working capital purposes. Interest on borrowings under this overdraft facility is based on the Singapore Prime Rate plus a margin of 1.75%, and it was 6.0% on December 31, 2012. The Singapore overdraft facility expires annually each August, but can be renewed for one year periods at that time. In Mainland China, the Company’s subsidiary can borrow up to $1,000 for working capital purposes. Interest on borrowings under this overdraft facility is based on the People’s Republic of China’s six month rate plus 200 basis points, and it was 7.6% on December 31, 2012. This overdraft facility expires annually each September, but can be renewed for one year periods at that time. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Belgium, the Netherlands, Singapore and Mainland China lending agreements as of December 31, 2012. - 70 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) The average monthly outstanding borrowings for the Revolver Agreement, Facility Agreement and the various credit agreements in Belgium, the Netherlands, Singapore and Mainland China was $1,140 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The weighted average interest rate on all outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2012 was 4.90%. The Company continues to use the aforementioned credit to support its ongoing global working capital requirements, capital expenditures and other corporate purposes and to support letters of credit. Letters of credit and bank guarantees are used primarily to support office leases. NOTE 14 – SHELF REGISTRATION AND STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN Acquisition Shelf Registration Statement The Company has a shelf registration on file with the SEC to enable it to issue up to 1,350,000 shares of its common stock from time to time in connection with acquisitions of businesses, assets or securities of other companies, whether by purchase, merger or any other form of acquisition or business combination. If any shares are issued using this shelf registration, the Company will not receive any proceeds from these offerings other than the assets, businesses or securities acquired. As of December 31, 2012, all of the 1,350,000 shares were available for issuance. Stockholder Rights Plan On February 5, 2005, the Board declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of common stock of the Company. The dividend was paid upon the close of business on February 28, 2005 to the stockholders of record on that date. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 (“Preferred Shares”), of the Company, at a price of $60 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, subject to adjustment. If any person becomes a 15% or more stockholder of the Company, then each Right (subject to certain limitations) will entitle its holder to purchase, at the Right's then current exercise price, a number of shares of common stock of the Company or of the acquirer having a market value at the time of twice the Right's per share exercise price. The Company's Board of Directors may redeem the Rights for $0.001 per Right at any time prior to the time when the Rights become exercisable. Unless the Rights are redeemed, exchanged or terminated earlier, they will expire on February 28, 2015. - 71 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) NOTE 15 – SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA Segment Reporting The Company operates in three reportable segments: the Hudson regional businesses of Hudson Americas, Hudson Asia Pacific, and Hudson Europe. Corporate expenses are reported separately from the three reportable segments and pertain to certain functions, such as executive management, corporate governance, human resources, accounting, administration, tax and treasury, the majority of which are attributable to and have been allocated to the reportable segments. Segment information is presented in accordance with ASC 280, “Segments Reporting.” This standard is based on a management approach that requires segmentation based upon the Company’s internal organization and disclosure of revenue and certain expenses based upon internal accounting methods. The Company’s financial reporting systems present various data for management to run the business, including internal profit and loss statements prepared on a basis not consistent with U.S. GAAP. Accounts receivable, net and long-lived assets are the only significant assets separated by segment for internal reporting purposes. Hudson Americas Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Corporate Inter- segment elimination Total For the Year Ended December 31, 2012 Revenue, from external customers $ 169,216 $ 288,144 $ 320,217 Inter-segment revenue Total revenue — 91 88 $ 169,216 $ 288,235 $ 320,305 Gross margin, from external customers $ 43,164 $ 117,428 $ 124,275 Inter-segment gross margin Total gross margin (13) 12 1 $ 43,151 $ 117,440 $ 124,276 $ $ $ $ — $ — $ 777,577 — — $ — $ — (179) — (179) $ 777,577 — $ 284,867 — — — $ — $ 284,867 Business reorganization expenses (recovery) EBITDA (loss) (a) Depreciation and amortization Intercompany interest income (expense), net Interest income (expense), net Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Provision for (benefit from) income taxes As of December 31, 2012 $ $ $ $ 1,007 1,268 1,097 — (57) $ $ 1,285 5,355 $ $ 3,197 (3,988) (236) $ 5,131 (2,955) $ 1,503 (435) 51 $ 359 (3,614) $ 641 4,423 (393) 114 $ (2,066) $ (4,842) $ (225) $ (3,061) $ (527) $ 1,486 $ 418 $ — $ — $ — — — 7,782 54 6,438 — (635) — $ — $ (7,019) (1,684) — $ — $ 107,216 1,971 $ $ — $ 22,158 — $ 193,468 Accounts receivable, net $ 26,168 $ 32,835 $ 48,213 Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization $ 2,230 $ 12,909 $ 5,048 $ $ Total assets $ 31,399 $ 72,517 $ 76,381 $ 13,171 - 72 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Hudson Americas Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Corporate Inter- segment elimination Total For the Year Ended December 31, 2011 Revenue, from external customers $ 192,217 $ 359,108 $ 382,411 Inter-segment revenue Total revenue 20 39 135 $ 192,237 $ 359,147 $ 382,546 Gross margin, from external customers $ 50,778 Inter-segment gross margin Total gross margin (1) $ 50,777 $ 146,917 (83) $ 146,834 $ 156,610 107 $ 156,717 — $ — $ 933,736 $ $ $ $ $ $ — — $ — $ — — $ — $ (2,091) $ 595 7,864 (497) (194) — (194) $ 933,736 — $ 354,305 (23) — (23) $ 354,305 720 — $ — $ 23,642 — (2) — 6,251 — (1,143) (2) $ 16,248 5,339 — $ $ — $ — $ 720 3,482 $ 14,180 $ 8,071 1,092 — (42) 2,922 (7,339) (659) 1,642 (523) 55 $ 2,348 $ 3,260 $ 5,961 $ 4,681 $ 500 900 3,214 725 $ 24,750 $ 49,918 $ 56,821 $ 2,557 $ 9,997 $ 4,939 $ $ 2,536 $ 29,818 $ 81,161 $ 86,156 $ 19,411 Hudson Americas Hudson Asia Pacific Hudson Europe Corporate — $ — $ 131,489 $ $ — $ 20,029 — $ 216,546 Inter- segment elimination Total Business reorganization expenses (recovery) EBITDA (loss) (a) Depreciation and amortization Intercompany interest income (expense), net Interest income (expense), net Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Provision for (benefit from) income taxes As of December 31, 2011 Accounts receivable, net Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization Total assets For the Year Ended December 31, 2010 Revenue, from external customers $ 162,432 $ 303,619 $ 328,491 Inter-segment revenue Total revenue (3) 70 195 $ 162,429 $ 303,689 $ 328,686 Gross margin, from external customers Inter-segment gross margin Total gross margin Business reorganization expenses (recovery) EBITDA (loss) (a) Depreciation and amortization Intercompany interest income (expense), net Interest income (expense), net Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Provision for (benefit from) income taxes As of December 31, 2010 $ $ $ $ $ 39,417 $ 121,965 (1) $ 121,964 $ 39,301 (116) $ 137,191 125 $ 137,316 307 $ 1,687 $ 2,356 — (7) (15) $ $ 8,847 2,887 (8,198) (36) 1,402 1,086 2,789 (290) (16) $ $ $ $ $ $ — $ — $ 794,542 — — $ — $ — — $ — $ (5,117) $ 152 8,487 (1,219) (262) — (262) $ 794,542 — $ 298,573 (8) — (8) $ 298,573 1,694 — $ — $ — 1 — 6,503 8,184 — (1,278) (676) $ (2,274) $ (2,009) $ 1,999 (504) $ (120) $ 1,266 $ 840 $ $ 1 $ — $ (2,959) 1,482 Accounts receivable, net $ 26,388 $ 45,913 $ 56,275 Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization $ 1,487 $ 10,271 $ 4,819 $ $ Total assets $ 30,130 $ 77,204 $ 86,133 $ 12,367 - 73 - — $ — $ 128,576 2,248 $ $ — $ 18,825 — $ 205,834 Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (a) SEC Regulation S-K 229.10(e)1(ii)(A) defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is presented to provide additional information to investors about the Company's operations on a basis consistent with the measures that the Company uses to manage its operations and evaluate its performance. Management also uses this measurement to evaluate working capital requirements. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income and net income prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as a measure of the Company's profitability. Geographic Data Reporting A summary of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and long-lived assets and net assets by geographic area as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follows: Information by geographic region For the Year Ended December 31, 2012 Revenue (a) For the Year Ended December 31, 2011 Revenue (a) For the Year Ended December 31, 2010 Revenue (a) As of December 31, 2012 Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization (b) Net assets As of December 31, 2011 Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization (b) Net assets As of December 31, 2010 Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization (b) Net assets United Kingdom Australia United States Continental Europe Other Asia Pacific Other Americas Total $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 210,933 258,766 221,538 3,629 26,750 3,122 29,290 3,086 27,636 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 218,537 277,646 232,936 9,015 31,036 5,972 30,521 6,841 23,348 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 167,196 190,094 161,241 4,152 26,404 5,067 22,223 3,743 16,947 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 109,100 121,935 104,984 1,411 7,975 1,805 10,933 1,725 13,099 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 69,791 83,172 72,652 3,895 14,122 4,029 14,028 3,430 11,774 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 2,020 2,123 1,191 56 254 34 362 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 777,577 933,736 794,542 22,158 106,541 20,029 107,357 — $ 18,825 474 $ 93,278 (a) Revenue by geographic region disclosed above is net of any inter-segment revenue and, therefore, represents only revenue from external customers according to the location of the operating subsidiary. (b) Comprised of property and equipment and intangibles. Corporate assets are included in the United States. - 74 - Index HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) NOTE 16 – SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited) Revenue Gross margin Operating income (loss) Net income (loss) Basic earnings (loss) per share Diluted earnings (loss) per share Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands) Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands) Common stock equivalents and outstanding stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands) Revenue Gross margin Operating income (loss) Net income (loss) Basic earnings (loss) per share Diluted earnings (loss) per share Basic weighted average shares outstanding Diluted weighted average shares outstanding Common stock equivalents and outstanding stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands) $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter 200,590 73,208 $ $ (3,702) $ (3,221) $ (0.10) $ (0.10) $ 31,765 31,765 204,838 77,068 $ $ (3,167) $ 394 0.01 0.01 $ $ $ 32,122 32,486 187,873 67,666 $ $ (1,600) $ (2,165) $ (0.07) $ (0.07) $ 32,156 32,156 184,276 66,925 1,831 (343) (0.01) (0.01) 32,169 32,169 2,793 1,939 2,654 2,368 For The Year Ended December 31, 2011 First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter 218,539 81,198 463 $ $ $ (6) $ — $ — $ 31,325 31,325 $ $ $ $ $ $ 247,378 95,467 6,030 4,224 0.13 0.13 31,593 32,039 $ $ $ $ $ $ 245,081 92,992 6,150 3,382 0.11 0.11 31,620 32,085 222,738 84,648 4,792 3,309 0.10 0.10 31,639 32,118 2,928 2,224 1,717 1,396 Earnings (loss) per share calculations for each quarter include the weighted average effect for the quarter; therefore, the sum of quarterly earnings (loss) per share amounts may not equal year-to-date earnings (loss) per share amounts, which reflect the weighted average effect on a year-to-date basis. - 75 - ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES Not applicable. ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES Disclosure Controls and Procedures The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has conducted an evaluation of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2012. Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting The report of management required under this Item 9A is contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” on page 41. Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The audit report required under this Item 9A is contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” on page 42. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION None. - 76 - PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE The information included under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company's definitive proxy statement, which is expected to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days following the end of the fiscal year covered by this report (the “Proxy Statement”), is hereby incorporated by reference. The information required by Item 10 with respect to our Executive Officers is included in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees and a Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Financial and Accounting Officers. We have posted a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Ethics on our Web site at www.hudson.com. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Ethics are also available in print to any stockholder who requests them in writing from the Corporate Secretary at 560 Lexington Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, New York 10022. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Ethics by posting such information on our Web site at www.hudson.com. We are not including the information contained on our Web site as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this report. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The information required in Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Director Compensation”, “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, “Compensation Committee Report”, “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation Policies and Practices and Risk.” ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The information required in Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Principal Stockholders.” - 77 - Equity Compensation Plan Information The following table presents information on the Company's equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2012. Number of shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options A Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options B 838,650 $ 14.09 — — — — 5.18 11.21 Number of shares remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding shares reflected in Column A) C — (1) 2,746,145 (1) 116,329 (2) — (4) 2,862,474 Equity Compensation Plans approved by stockholders: Long Term Incentive Plan 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Employee Stock Purchase Plan Equity Compensation Plans not approved by stockholders 400,000 (3) Total 1,238,650 $ (1) (2) (3) (4) Excludes 1,028,916 shares of unvested restricted common stock previously issued under the Hudson Global, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan and 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan. The Company suspended the Hudson Global, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan effective January 1, 2009. Represents stock options granted to Manuel Marquez on May 13, 2011 pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement as an inducement to him to join the Company as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Excludes 100,000 unvested restricted stock units granted to Manuel Marquez on May 13, 2011 pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement as an inducement to him to join the Company as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE The information required in Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance-Independent Directors” and “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance-Policies and Procedures Regarding Related Person Transactions.” ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES The information required in Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Ratification of the Appointment of KPMG LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.” - 78 - ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES PART IV 1. Financial statements - The following financial statements and the reports of independent registered public accounting firm are contained in Item 8. Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) For The Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 Consolidated Balance Sheets As Of December 31, 2012 and 2011 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For The Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity For The Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Page 41 43 45 46 47 48 2. Financial statement schedules Schedule I - Condensed financial information of the registrant Schedule II - Valuation and qualifying accounts and reserves All other schedules are omitted since the required information is not present, or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. 3. Exhibits - The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10- K. - 79 - SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. (in thousands) Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 18,272 $ 19,860 $ 18,848 Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Depreciation and amortization Business reorganization expenses Operating loss Other income (expense): Interest, net Corporate costs allocation and other, net Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of income taxes Fee for early extinguishment of credit facility Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes Provision for (benefit from) income taxes Income (loss) from continuing operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes Net income (loss) $ See notes to condensed financial statements. 641 359 (19,272) 43 15,016 (1,103) — (5,316) 19 (5,335) — (5,335) $ 595 — (20,455) 28 17,770 13,557 — 10,900 (9) 10,909 — 10,909 $ 152 — (19,000) 3,084 14,293 (1,833) (563) (4,019) 422 (4,441) (244) (4,685) - 80 - HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) (in thousands) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Prepaid and other Total current assets Property and equipment, net Investment in and advances to/from subsidiaries Other assets Total assets Current liabilities: LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities Total current liabilities Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities Total liabilities Stockholders’ equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity See notes to condensed financial statements. December 31, 2012 2011 $ 9,475 $ 13,628 534 10,009 1,971 98,648 1,193 869 14,497 2,536 95,755 2,377 $ 111,821 $ 115,165 3,523 $ 3,523 1,757 5,280 5,417 5,417 2,391 7,808 106,541 107,357 $ 111,821 $ 115,165 - 81 - CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. (in thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Dividends received from subsidiaries Non-cash (income) losses from subsidiaries, net of taxes Depreciation and amortization Stock-based compensation Fee for early extinguishment of credit facility Other, net Changes in assets and liabilities: (Increase) decrease in prepaid and other assets (Increase) decrease in due from subsidiaries Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities Increase (decrease) in accrued business reorganization expenses Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures Payment for acquisitions Advances to and investments in subsidiaries, net Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Borrowings under credit facility Repayments under credit facility Payment for early extinguishment of credit facility Payment of deferred financing costs Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net Purchase of restricted stock from employees Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 $ (5,335) $ 10,909 $ (4,685) 6,255 1,103 641 1,479 — 368 1,151 (6,736) (2,443) 40 (3,477) (76) — — (76) 6,862 (6,862) — — — (600) (600) (4,153) 13,628 4,515 (13,557) 595 1,292 — 365 (987) 7,093 (828) — 9,397 (367) — (1,438) (1,805) 37,963 (37,963) — — — (388) (388) 7,204 6,424 3,123 5,599 152 693 563 460 1,751 (13,200) 2,696 (210) (3,058) (16) (2,438) (5,667) (8,121) 10,869 (21,325) (563) (1,565) 19,116 (71) 6,461 (4,718) 11,142 $ 9,475 $ 13,628 $ 6,424 See notes to condensed financial statements. - 82 - HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands) NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION Hudson Global, Inc. (the “Parent Company”) is a holding company that conducts substantially all of its business through its subsidiaries. As specified in certain of its subsidiaries' credit agreements in The Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand, there are restrictions on the Parent Company's ability to obtain funds from certain of its subsidiaries through dividends, intercompany expenses or interest (refer to Note 13, “Credit Agreements”, to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements). As of December 31, 2012, the Company was in a stockholders' equity position of $106,541, and approximately $37,926 constituted restricted net assets as defined in Rule 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X. The restricted net assets of the Company's subsidiaries exceeded 25% of the consolidated net assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, thus requiring this Schedule I, “Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant.” Accordingly, the results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, and the balance sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 have been presented on a “Parent-only” basis. In these statements, the Company's investments in its consolidated subsidiaries are presented under the equity method of accounting. The Parent-only financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. NOTE 2 - DIVIDENDS RECEIVED The Company received dividends of $6,255, $4,515 and $3,123 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, from its consolidated subsidiaries. NOTE 3 - CREDIT AGREEMENTS Several of the Company's subsidiaries have credit agreements with lenders. Borrowings under the credit agreements are based on agreed percentage of eligible account receivable. The borrowings of the holding company are secured by the accounts receivable of the Company's U.S. and U.K. subsidiaries. Refer to Note 13, “Credit Agreements” to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. - 83 - SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (IN THOUSANDS) Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Descriptions Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (a) For the Year Ended December 31, 2012 For the Year Ended December 31, 2011 For the Year Ended December 31, 2010 Additions Balance at Charged to Beginning Costs/Expenses Balance at End of Period (Recoveries) Deductions of Period $ $ $ 1,772 2,145 2,422 (76) 175 392 529 $ 548 $ 669 $ 1,167 1,772 2,145 (a) Included in the balances presented here are the allowances for doubtful accounts for the Company's discontinued operations. - 84 -  Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. SIGNATURES HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. (Registrant) By: /s/ MANUEL MARQUEZ DORSCH Manuel Marquez Dorsch Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Date: February 26, 2013 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date /s/ MANUEL MARQUEZ DORSCH Manuel Marquez Dorsch Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) February 26, 2013 /s/ MARY JANE RAYMOND Mary Jane Raymond Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) February 26, 2013 /s/ FRANK P. LANUTO Frank P. Lanuto /s/ ROBERT B. DUBNER Robert B. Dubner /s/ JOHN J. HALEY John J. Haley /s/ JENNIFER LAING Jennifer Laing /s/ DAVID G. OFFENSEND David G. Offensend /s/ RICHARD J. STOLZ Richard J. Stolz Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) February 26, 2013 February 26, 2013 February 26, 2013 February 26, 2013 February 26, 2013 February 26, 2013 Director Director Director Director Director - 85 - Exhibit Number (3.1) (3.2) (3.3) (4.1) (4.2) (4.3) (4.4) (4.5) (4.6) (10.1)* (10.2)* (10.3)* (10.4)* (10.5)* (10.6)* (10.7)* HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. FORM 10-K EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Description Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Hudson Global, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2012 (File No. 0-50129)). Certificate of Designations of the Board of Directors Establishing the Series and Fixing the Relative Rights and Preferences of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 2, 2005 (File No. 0-50129)). Amended and Restated By-laws of Hudson Global, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2012 (File No. 0-50129)). Rights Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2005, between Hudson Global, Inc. and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A of Hudson Global, Inc. dated February 3, 2005 (File No. 0-50129)). Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2010, by and among Hudson Global, Inc. and each of its subsidiaries that are signatories thereto, as Borrowers, the lenders that are signatories thereto, as Lenders, and RBS Citizens Business Capital, a division of RBS Asset Finance, Inc., as Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2010 (File No. 0-50129)). Facility Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2011, among Hudson Global Resources (Aust) Pty Limited, Hudson Global Resources (NZ) Limited, Hudson Highland (APAC) Pty Limited, Westpac Banking Corporation and Westpac New Zealand Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 5, 2011 (File No. 0-50129)) Amendment No. 1 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2012, by and among Hudson Global, Inc. and each of its subsidiaries that are signatories thereto, as Borrowers, the lenders that are signatories thereto, as Lenders, and RBS Citizens Business Capital, a division of RBS Asset Finance, Inc., as Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 0-50129)). Amendment No. 2 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2012, by and among Hudson Global, Inc. and each of its subsidiaries that are signatories thereto, as Borrowers, the lenders that are signatories thereto, as Lenders, and RBS Citizens Business Capital, a division of RBS Asset Finance, Inc., as Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 26, 2012 (File No. 0-50129)). Amendment No. 3 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2012, by and among Hudson Global, Inc. and each of its subsidiaries that are signatories thereto, as Borrowers, the lenders that are signatories thereto, as Lenders, and RBS Citizens Business Capital, a division of RBS Asset Finance, Inc., as Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 31, 2012 (File No. 0-50129)). Hudson Global, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended through October 29, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (File No. 0-50129)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 1, 2007 (File No. 0-50129)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement for share price vesting awards (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 9, 2009 (File No. 0-50129)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement (Employees) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 (File No. 0-50129)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement (Directors) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 11, 2006 (File No. 0-50129)). Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan, as Amended and Restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company's definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on Schedule 14A on March 16, 2012 (File No. 0-50129)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Stock Option Agreement (Employees) for awards made prior to April 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated August 7, 2009 (Reg. No. 333-161171)). - 86 - HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. FORM 10-K EXHIBIT INDEX (10.8)* (10.9)* (10.10)* (10.11)* (10.12)* (10.13)* (10.14)* (10.15)* (10.16)* (10.17)* (10.18)* (10.19)* (10.20)* (10.21)* (10.22)* (10.23)* (10.24)* Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Stock Option Agreement (Employees) for awards made on or after April 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated August 1, 2012 (Reg. No. 333-182973)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Stock Option Agreement (Directors) for awards made prior to April 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated August 7, 2009 (Reg. No. 333-161171)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Stock Option Agreement (Directors) for awards made on or after April 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated August 1, 2012 (Reg. No. 333-182973)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement for awards made prior to April 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated August 7, 2009 (Reg. No. 333-161171)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement for awards made on or after April 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated August 1, 2012 (Reg. No. 333-182973)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement for EBITDA and gross margin growth performance vesting awards made prior to April 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 11, 2010 (File No. 0-50129)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement for EBITDA and gross margin growth performance vesting awards made on or after April 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated August 1, 2012 (Reg. No. 333-182973)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement for EBITDA and gross margin growth performance vesting awards with vesting also upon a termination without cause (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 14, 2011 (File No. 0-50129)). Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Take-Out Ratio, Employee Engagement Score and Cash Efficiency Score performance vesting awards (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 (File No. 0-50129)). CEO Employment Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2011, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Manuel Marquez Dorsch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 7, 2011 (File No. 0-50129)). Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of March 23, 2011, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Manuel Marquez Dorsch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 (File No. 0-50129)). Executive Employment Agreement, amended and restated effective as of March 1, 2009, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Margaretta R. Noonan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 0-50129)). Executive Agreement, dated as of January 20, 2012, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Richard S. Gray (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 0-50129)). Executive Employment Agreement, amended and restated effective as of January 25, 2012, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Latham Williams (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 0-50129)). Executive Employment Agreement, amended and restated effective as of January 26, 2012, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Neil J. Funk (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 0-50129)). Executive Employment Agreement, amended and restated effective as of February 8, 2012, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Frank P. Lanuto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 0-50129)). Executive Employment Agreement, amended and restated effective as of February 7, 2012, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Mary Jane Raymond (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 0-50129)). - 87 - HUDSON GLOBAL, INC. FORM 10-K EXHIBIT INDEX (10.25)* (10.26)* (21) (23) (31.1) (31.2) (32.1) (99.1) (101) Summary of Hudson Global, Inc. Compensation for Non-employee Members of the Board of Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 (File No. 0-50129)). Hudson Global, Inc. Amended and Restated Director Deferred Share Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 (File No. 0-50129)). Subsidiaries of Hudson Global, Inc. Consent of KPMG LLP. Certification by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Certification by the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Certification of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders [To be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Regulation 14A within 120 days after December 31, 2012; except to the extent specifically incorporated by reference, the Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall not be deemed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.] The following materials from Hudson Global, Inc’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 are furnished herewith, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. * A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement - 88 - Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Exhibit 23 The Board of Directors and Stockholders Hudson Global, Inc.: We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements on Form S-3 (No. 333-163605), Form S-4 (No. 333-119563) and Form S-8 (Nos. 333-104209, 333-104210, 333-104212, 333-117005, 333-117006, 333-126915, 333-161170, 333-161171, 333-176007 and 333-182973) of Hudson Global, Inc. of our reports dated February 26, 2013, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Hudson Global, Inc. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, and the financial statement schedules included in Item 15 of Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, which reports appear in the December 31, 2012 annual report on Form 10-K of Hudson Global, Inc. /s/ KPMG LLP New York, New York February 26, 2013 I, Manuel Marquez Dorsch, certify that: CERTIFICATIONS Exhibit 31.1 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Hudson Global, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Dated: February 26, 2013 /s/ MANUEL MARQUEZ DORSCH Manuel Marquez Dorsch Chairman and Chief Executive Officer I, Mary Jane Raymond, certify that: CERTIFICATIONS Exhibit 31.2 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Hudson Global, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Dated: February 26, 2013 /s/ MARY JANE RAYMOND Mary Jane Raymond Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Written Statement of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Exhibit 32.1 Solely for the purposes of complying with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, I, the undersigned Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hudson Global, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify, based on my knowledge, that the Annual Report on Form 10- K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ MANUEL MARQUEZ DORSCH Manuel Marquez Dorsch February 26, 2013 Written Statement of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Exhibit 32.2 Solely for the purposes of complying with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, I, the undersigned Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hudson Global, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify, based on my knowledge, that the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ MARY JANE RAYMOND Mary Jane Raymond February 26, 2013 

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