HAKI Hall, Kinion & Associates (MM)

Hall Kinion Expresses Strong Disappointment in Kforce's Announcement Today and Releases Its Unaudited Fourth Quarter and 2003 Year-End Results NOVATO, Calif., March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hall, Kinion & Associates, Inc. , The Talent Source(R),expresses strong disappointment in Kforce Inc.'s announcement today undermining the proposed merger. In its Form 10-K filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Kforce stated that its has notified Hall Kinion(R) that it believes certain conditions exist or will exist in the future that constitute a material adverse effect on Hall Kinion. It also stated that Kforce had failed to confirm its intention to recommend the merger to the Kforce shareholders, as requested by Hall Kinion. The failure by Kforce to confirm its recommendation is a violation of the merger agreement. Hall Kinion adamantly denies that any conditions exist that would permit Kforce to terminate the merger agreement. The merger agreement contains provisions requiring a party to provide written notice of an alleged breach of the agreement and also provides for an opportunity to cure any alleged breach. Hall Kinion has not received from Kforce a formal notice of alleged breach of the material adverse effect provisions of the merger agreement. Given the Kforce statements, the outcome of the merger is uncertain. We are continuing discussions with Kforce representatives. "We have a valid and binding contract with Kforce. We do not believe that we are in breach of the agreement, and we expect Kforce to live up to its obligations to complete the merger on the terms negotiated. We plan to take all steps necessary to protect our rights under the merger agreement," said Brenda Rhodes, CEO of Hall Kinion. For the fourth quarter of 2003, net revenues were $33.6 million, compared with net revenues of $39.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2002. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2003 was $9.2 million or 27.4% of net revenues, versus $12.0 million or 30.6% of net revenues, for the fourth quarter of 2002. The fourth quarter of 2003 net loss was $15.1 million, or a loss of $1.20 per share versus a net loss of $17.7 million, or a loss of $1.39 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2002. The fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 28, 2003 results include an income tax provision of $14.2 million, of which $14.0 million results from a 100% valuation allowance recorded against the Company's deferred tax assets. For the year ended December 28, 2003, net revenues were $156.9 million, compared with net revenues of $120.4 million for the year ended December 29, 2002. Gross profit for fiscal year 2003 was $45.3 million or 28.9% of net revenues, versus $39.7 million or 32.9% of net revenues, for fiscal year2002. Net loss for fiscal year 2003 was $18.6 million, or a loss of $1.47 per share compared with a net loss of $20.6 million, or a loss of $1.66 per share, for fiscal year 2002. The foregoing results are unaudited and the Company expects to file its audited financials in its Form 10-K on or around March 29, 2004. About Hall Kinion & Associates Hall, Kinion & Associates, Inc., The Talent Source for specialized professionals, delivers world-class talent on a contract and full-time basis to high-demand sectors. The Company finds, evaluates and places industry- specific Technology and Corporate Professionals. Founded in 1991, Hall Kinion completed its initial public offering in 1997. The Company operates two divisions, both of which provide consultants and direct-hire talent: The Technology Professional Division places highly- skilled experts in positions ranging from software engineering to CTO into technology, financial services, healthcare, government and energy sectors. The Corporate Professional Services Division (OnStaff) places specialists at all levels into real estate, financial services and healthcare sectors. For the most current corporate and financial information, visit the Company's Web site at http://www.hallkinion.com/ . About OnStaff OnStaff is a premier national specialty staffing firm placing temporary and full-time professionals in the Title, Escrow, Mortgage, Financial Services and Healthcare industries. The Company operates industry-specific recruiting and placement Web sites including: http://www.titleboard.com/ , http://www.escrowboard.com/ , http://www.bankingboard.com/ and MediCenter.com . OnStaff's Web site address is http://www.onstaff.com/ . OnStaff is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hall Kinion & Associates, Inc. The statements contained in this release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding Hall Kinion's expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions, models or strategies regarding the future. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based upon information available to Hall Kinion as of the date thereof, and Hall Kinion assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. Actual results could differ materially from Hall Kinion's current expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to the rate of hiring and productivity of sales and sales support personnel; the availability of qualified professionals; changes in the relative mix between contract and permanent placement services; changes in the pricing of Hall Kinion's services; the timing and rate of entrance into or exit from new geographic markets and the addition and closing of offices; the structure and timing of acquisitions, changes in demand for professionals; changes in the economic outlook for the high technology industry and general economic factors. Please refer to the discussion of risk factors and other factors included in Hall Kinion's Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2002 and other filings made with the Securities & Exchange Commission ("SEC"). This press release speaks only as of the date it was issued and readers are cautioned that changes in general economic, business or other conditions or in the business condition, financial results or operations of Hall Kinion may have occurred since such date. Hall Kinion undertakes no duty to update the information appearing in the press release. Also, subsequent press releases may have been issued, subsequent public conference calls may have been held or documents containing later or additional information may have been filed with the SEC or NASDAQ or otherwise become available or come into existence. FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW Hall, Kinion & Associates, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended Dec. 28, Dec. 29, Dec. 28, Dec. 29, 2003 2002 2003 2002 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Net revenues: Contract services $32,965 $38,378 $152,840 $115,644 Permanent placement 656 779 4,079 4,784 Total net revenues 33,621 39,157 156,919 120,428 Cost of contract services 24,404 27,191 111,616 80,744 Gross profit 9,217 11,966 45,303 39,684 Operating expenses: Operating expenses 10,245 13,906 46,607 47,407 Impairment of goodwill 15,478 15,478 Restructuring costs (income) (114) 870 2,792 (6) Total operating expenses 10,131 30,254 49,399 62,879 Loss from operations (914) (18,288) (4,096) (23,195) Other expense, net (28) (601) (295) (323) Loss before income taxes (942) (18,889) (4,391) (23,518) Income taxes provision (benefit) 14,181 (1,236) 14,181 (2,870) Net loss $(15,123) $(17,653) $(18,572) $(20,648) Net loss per share: Basic $(1.20) $(1.39) $(1.47) $(1.66) Diluted $(1.20) $(1.39) $(1.47) $(1.66) Shares used in per share calculations: Shares Outstanding - Basic 12,586 12,681 12,592 12,475 Shares Outstanding - Diluted 12,586 12,681 12,592 12,475 Hall, Kinion & Associates, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) Dec. 28, Dec. 29, 2003 2002 (Unaudited) Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $4,517 $8,571 Accounts receivable, net 15,787 17,804 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,653 1,554 Property held for sale 1,593 Deferred income tax 3,925 Total current assets 24,550 31,854 Property and equipment, net 3,501 7,511 Goodwill 15,390 11,849 Intangible assets, net 9,982 10,859 Deferred income taxes and other assets 1,620 12,833 Total assets $55,043 $74,906 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current Liabilities: Line of credit $8,528 $10,000 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 16,844 14,836 Income taxes payable 150 102 Total current liabilities 25,522 24,938 Long-term debt and other non-current obligations 4,228 6,201 Total liabilities 29,750 31,139 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' Equity: Common stock 84,716 85,036 Stockholder notes receivable (400) (800) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (85) (103) Accumulated deficit (58,938) (40,366) Total stockholders' equity 25,293 43,767 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $55,043 $74,906 DATASOURCE: Hall, Kinion & Associates, Inc. CONTACT: investors, Martin Kropelnicki, Vice President & CFO of Hall, Kinion & Associates, Inc., +1-415-895-2200 Web site: http://www.onstaff.com/ Web site: http://www.hallkinion.com/

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