THESTREET, INC. NEW YORK, May 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- TheStreet, Inc. (Nasdaq: TST) today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.
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For the first quarter of 2016, the Company reported revenue of $16.1 million, net loss attributable to common stockholders of $3.4 million, or ($0.10) per basic and diluted share, and Adjusted EBITDA((1)) of $0.7 million.
"This is the beginning of our transition year," said Larry Kramer, Chairman and Interim CEO. "We have launched product improvement projects in all of our businesses, and begun to add resources in technology, sales and content that will give us the products we need to grow. New technology investment and significant improvement in content, including this month's launch of our European news operations, will provide new opportunities for growth by the end of this year."
"In pursuing these strategic goals we have incurred certain restructuring costs and will continue to invest in operational improvements. To offset some of these expenditures, as we announced last quarter, we suspended the dividend payments for 2016," Kramer added. "We have also begun to report our business-to-business and business-to-consumer business lines separately to help investors understand each business better. Finally, we have added key people to the management team and continue to evaluate several strong candidates for the role of permanent CEO."
Revenue for the first quarter of 2016 was $16.1 million, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 5%, from $16.9 million in the prior year. This represents the first full quarterly comparison that includes revenue associated with Management Diagnostics Limited ("MDL", or "BoardEx"), which was acquired on October 31, 2014.
Business-to-business revenue including The Deal, BoardEx and RateWatch totaled $7.2 million, essentially unchanged compared to the first quarter of 2015. Business-to-consumer revenue was $8.9 million, a decline of $0.8 million, or 8%, compared to the first quarter of 2015.
Operating expenses for the first quarter of 2016 were $19.2 million, an increase of $1.6 million, or 9%, from $17.6 million in the prior year period. The increase included a $1.4 million charge related to the departure of former CEO and President, Elisabeth DeMarse, as well as $1.2 million in accrued sales tax expenses. Excluding these one-time charges, operating expenses were $16.6 million, or 6% better than the prior year period. Net loss attributable to common stockholders for the first quarter of 2016 was $3.4 million compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $1.1 million in the prior year period. The Company reported a basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of ($0.10) for the first quarter of 2016, compared to a net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of ($0.03) for the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2016 was $0.7 million, increase of $0.1 million, or 25% from the prior year period.
The company generated $2.2 million in operating cash flow for first quarter of 2016, compared to $0.8 million for the prior year period. The increase was the result of changes in the Company's assets and liabilities over the periods, partially offset by the increased net loss. The Company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities of $32.0 million, as compared to $30.7 million as of December 31, 2015.
"In order to provide additional insight into our business, on our fourth quarter and year-end earnings call we promised to breakout revenue by business-to-business and business-to-consumer business lines in our quarterly reports," said TheStreet Chief Financial Officer Eric F. Lundberg. "As we continue to grow and improve our product offerings, we believe this additional transparency will provide our investors with a better understanding of our performance and the drivers of growth for each of our businesses."
Business-to-Business Revenue
Business-to-business revenue for the first quarter of 2016 was $7.2 million, essentially unchanged from the prior year period. Revenue for TheDeal was flat year-over-year, and the small increase in revenue from our RateWatch subsidiary was offset by a small decrease in revenue in BoardEx due to the strengthening of the US Dollar relative to the British Pound.
Business-to-Business Highlights
-- BoardEx released its Alumni Module allowing investment banks and law
firms to track supportive and competitive alumni. This is a service
unique to BoardEx.
-- BoardEx released its first version of Advisory Relationships, which
tracks past banking and legal advisory work at the individual level.
-- The company has just began to ramp up European editorial coverage for
The Deal, adding several editorial staffers in London at the end of the
first quarter.
-- Bookings totaled $6.2 million for the first quarter of 2016, an increase
of $0.2 million, or 3%, from the prior year period.
-- Bookings for the trailing four quarters were $27.8 million, an increase
of $5.4 million, or 24%, from the prior period. Excluding the impact of
BoardEx, bookings for the trailing four quarters were $17.4 million, a
decrease of $0.8 million, or 5%, from the prior period.
Business-to-Consumer Revenue
Business-to-consumer subscription revenue for the first quarter of 2016 was $6.3 million, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 14%, from $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2015. This decrease primarily related to an 11% decline in the weighted-average number of subscriptions combined with a 3% decrease in the average revenue recognized per subscription. Business-to-consumer media revenue for the first quarter of 2016 was $2.6 million, an increase of $0.3 million, or 11%, from $2.3 million in the prior year period.
Business-to-Consumer Highlights: ((2))
-- The number of paid subscriptions at March 31, 2016 was 71,900, a
decrease of 11,700, or 14%, when compared to March 31, 2015, and a
decrease of 4,900, or 6%, when compared to December 31, 2015.
-- Average revenue per subscription for the first quarter of 2016 decreased
3% when compared to the first quarter of 2015, and was essentially
unchanged when compared to the fourth quarter of 2015.
-- Average monthly churn((3)) was 5.6% for the first quarter of 2016,
compared to 4.7% for the first quarter of 2015, and 4.7% for the fourth
quarter of 2015.
-- First quarter 2016 page views increased 43% when compared to the first
quarter of 2015, and increased 14% when compared to the fourth quarter
of 2015.
-- First quarter 2016 organic page views increased 116% when compared to
the first quarter of 2015, and increased 23% when compared to the fourth
quarter of 2015.
Conference Call Information
TheStreet will discuss its financial results for the first quarter today at 8:30 a.m. EDT.
To participate in the call, please dial 888-576-4398 (domestic) or 719-325-2454 (international). The conference code is 3475096. This call is being webcast and can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of TheStreet website at. http://investor-relations.thestreet.com/events.cfm.
A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and remain available for approximately 90 calendar days.
About TheStreet
TheStreet, Inc. (www.t.st) is a leading independent digital financial information services company providing business and financial news, investing ideas and analysis to personal and institutional investors worldwide. The Company's portfolio of business and personal finance brands includes: TheStreet, RealMoney, Action Alerts PLUS and MainStreet. To learn more, visit www.thestreet.com. The Deal, the Company's institutional business, provides intraday coverage of mergers and acquisitions and all other changes in corporate control, and through its BoardEx product, director and officer profiles. To learn more, visit www.thedeal.com and www.boardex.com. RateWatch provides rate and fee data from banks and credit unions across the U.S. for a wide variety of banking products. To learn more, visit www.rate-watch.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
((1) )To supplement the Company's financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company uses non-GAAP measures of certain components of financial performance, including "EBITDA," "Adjusted EBITDA" and "free cash flow." EBITDA is adjusted from results based on GAAP to exclude interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. This non-GAAP measure is provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and its prospects for the future. Specifically, the Company believes that the non-GAAP EBITDA results are an important indicator of the operational strength of the Company's business and provide an indication of the Company's ability to service debt and fund acquisitions and capital expenditures. EBITDA eliminates the uneven effect of considerable amounts of non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of certain intangible assets that were recognized in business combinations. Adjusted EBITDA further eliminates the impact of non-cash stock compensation, restructuring, transaction related costs and other charges affecting comparability. A limitation of these measures, however, is that they do not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in the Company's businesses. Management evaluates the investments in such tangible and intangible assets through other financial measures, such as capital expenditure budgets and investment spending levels. "Free cash flow" means net income/loss plus non-cash expenses net of gains/losses on dispositions of assets, less changes in operating assets and liabilities and capital expenditures. The Company believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is an important indicator of the Company's financial results because it gives investors a view of the Company's ability to generate cash.
((2) )Consumer subscriptions include investing newsletters and exclude subscriptions from The Deal, DealFlow Media, BoardEx and RateWatch.
((3) )Average monthly churn rate is defined as subscriber terminations/expirations in the quarter divided by the sum of the beginning subscribers and gross subscriber additions for the quarter, and then divided by three. Subscriptions that are on a free-trial basis are not regarded as added or terminated unless the subscription is active at the end of the free-trial period.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding planned investments in our business, improved premium subscription products and expectations for 2016. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might contribute to such differences include, among others, economic downturns and the general state of the economy, including the financial markets and mergers and acquisitions environment; our ability to drive revenue, and increase or retain current subscription revenue, particularly in light of the investments in our expanded news operations; our ability to develop new products; competition and other factors set forth in our filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee future results or occurrences. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Contact: Eric Lundberg, Chief Financial Officer, TheStreet, Inc., ir at thestreet.com or John Evans, Investor Relations, PIR Communications, 415-309-0230, ir at thestreet.com
THESTREET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
-------------- -----------------
(unaudited)
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $29,831,758 $28,445,416
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$287,984 at March 31, 2016 and $357,417 at December 31, 2015 3,481,733 5,102,464
Other receivables 578,549 790,148
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,161,447 1,205,708
Restricted cash 161,250 161,250
------- -------
Total current assets 35,214,737 35,704,986
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and
amortization of $5,020,356 at March 31, 2016 and
$4,804,411 at December 31, 2015 3,277,008 2,773,737
Marketable securities 1,490,000 1,590,000
Other assets 322,354 329,885
Goodwill 42,869,441 43,318,670
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $16,351,971
at March 31, 2016 and $15,674,328 at December 31, 2015 18,301,648 18,674,376
Restricted cash 500,000 500,000
Total assets $101,975,188 $102,891,654
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $2,893,769 $2,494,341
Accrued expenses 5,534,187 5,161,981
Deferred revenue 25,942,582 24,738,780
Other current liabilities 1,282,416 1,235,551
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities 35,652,954 33,630,653
Deferred tax liability 2,187,021 1,906,295
Other liabilities 5,873,767 5,360,467
Total liabilities 43,713,742 40,897,415
---------- ----------
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares
authorized; 5,500 shares issued and 5,500 shares
outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015;
the aggregate liquidation preference totals $55,000,000 as of
March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 55 55
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares
authorized; 42,567,444 shares issued and 35,230,812
shares outstanding at March 31, 2016, and 42,458,779
shares issued and 35,123,132 shares outstanding at
December 31, 2015 425,674 424,588
Additional paid-in capital 269,991,552 269,524,415
Accumulated other comprehensive income (2,754,567) (1,999,026)
Treasury stock at cost; 7,336,632 shares at March 31, 2016
and 7,335,647 shares at December 31, 2015 (13,057,729) (13,056,541)
Accumulated deficit (196,343,539) (192,899,252)
Total stockholders' equity 58,261,446 61,994,239
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $101,975,188 $102,891,654
============ ============
THESTREET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
---------------------------
2016 2015
---- ----
Net revenue:
Business to
business $7,132,800 $7,133,625
Business to
consumer 8,936,632 9,756,424
Total net revenue 16,069,432 16,890,049
---------- ----------
Operating
expense:
Cost of services 7,886,556 8,323,691
Sales and
marketing 3,884,426 4,511,089
General and
administrative 5,113,906 3,787,871
Depreciation and
amortization 943,156 978,236
Restructuring and
other charges 1,380,052 -
Total operating
expense 19,208,096 17,600,887
---------- ----------
Operating loss (3,138,664) (710,838)
Net interest
expense (495) (33,533)
---- -------
Net loss before
income taxes (3,139,159) (744,371)
Provision for
income taxes 305,128 232,441
------- -------
Net loss (3,444,287) (976,812)
Preferred stock
cash dividends - 96,424
--- ------
Net loss
attributable to
common
stockholders $(3,444,287) $(1,073,236)
=========== ===========
Basic and diluted
net loss per
share:
Net loss
attributable to
common
stockholders $(0.10) $(0.03)
====== ======
Cash dividends
declared and
paid per common
share $ - $0.025
===================== ======
Weighted average
basic and
diluted shares
outstanding 35,197,955 34,779,165
========== ==========
Reconciliation of
net loss to
adjusted EBITDA
-see note (1):
Net loss $(3,444,287) $(976,812)
Provision for
income taxes 305,128 232,441
Net interest
expense 495 33,533
Depreciation and
amortization 943,156 978,236
------- -------
EBITDA (2,195,508) 267,398
Restructuring and
other charges 1,380,052 -
Stock based
compensation 363,128 373,391
One-time sales
tax provision 1,245,000 -
Recovery of
previously
impaired
investment (50,800) (48,405)
Adjusted EBITDA $741,872 $592,384
======== ========
THESTREET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
------------------------------------
2016 2015
---- ----
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss $(3,444,287) $(976,812)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense 363,128 373,391
Provision for doubtful accounts (56,454) 50,013
Depreciation and amortization 943,156 978,236
Deferred taxes 280,726 185,777
Restructuring and other charges 105,113 -
Deferred rent 31,830 (81,949)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 1,661,128 1,188,264
Other receivables 210,202 16,698
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 40,331 (549,954)
Other assets 4,602 (215,314)
Accounts payable 403,023 162,968
Accrued expenses 386,873 (1,836,116)
Deferred revenue 1,385,980 1,544,495
Other current liabilities (148,288) (218,161)
Other liabilities 33,159 223,146
------ -------
Net cash provided by operating activities 2,200,222 844,682
--------- -------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Sale and maturity of marketable securities - 2,005,484
Capital expenditures (718,818) (672,791)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (718,818) 1,332,693
-------- ---------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash dividends paid on common stock (10,221) (909,106)
Cash dividends paid on preferred stock - (96,424)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options - 391
Shares withheld on RSU vesting to pay for withholding taxes (1,188) (10,741)
Net cash used in financing activities (11,409) (1,015,880)
------- ----------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (83,653) 78,081
------- ------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 1,386,342 1,239,576
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 28,445,416 32,459,009
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $29,831,758 $33,698,585
=========== ===========
Reconciliation of net loss to free cash flow - see note (1):
Net loss $(3,444,287) $(976,812)
Noncash expenditures 1,667,499 1,505,468
Changes in operating assets and liabilities 3,977,010 316,026
Capital expenditures (718,818) (672,791)
Free cash flow $1,481,404 $171,891
========== ========
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SOURCE TheStreet, Inc.
