Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8-K DATED MARCH 7, 2012 - THESTREET, INC.form8-k.htm
EX-99.2 - PRESS RELEASE DATED MARCH 7, 2012 - THESTREET, INC.exhibit99-2.htm

TST LOGO

TheStreet Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Results
 
NEW YORK (March 7, 2012) – TheStreet (NASDAQ: TST), a leading digital financial media company, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2011.  The Company reported revenue of $57.8 million, a net loss of $(8.2) million and Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $2.0 million for the year and revenue of $14.3 million, a net loss of $(2.4) million and Adjusted EBITDA of $1.2 million for the quarter.
 
“During the fourth quarter, our business continued to make solid progress in a number of our key strategic initiatives,” said Daryl Otte, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.  “The size of our audience continued to grow, fueled in large part by the expanding distribution associated with our new TheStreet Business Desk™ service, which is seeing excellent adoption rates.  Download and usage patterns of our new mobile services accelerated and we saw steady growth from our new institutional premium service.   We faced certain challenges in monetizing our growing audiences during the quarter, which we believe was due in part to a softness in the digital financial media vertical during the quarter, as retail investors were less active, and due in part to some execution issues.  To address the latter, we initiated changes late in 2011 to flatten parts of the organization, lower costs and improve our capabilities.  Even with this quarter’s challenges, we benefited from the diversity of our revenue streams and careful cost management.  For the full year, we delivered on our promise of maintaining good progress on our key investment initiatives while showing revenue growth, positive Adjusted EBITDA and positive operating cash flow,” Mr. Otte concluded.

Financial Highlights of Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2011
 
The Company’s revenue from ongoing businesses(2) of $57.8 million during fiscal year 2011 was an increase of 2% as compared to the prior year.  For the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company’s revenue was $14.3 million, a decrease of 3% as compared to the prior year period.
 
·  
Premium Services revenue from ongoing businesses increased 4% in fiscal year 2011 and 4% in the fourth quarter of 2011, as compared to the respective prior year periods.
 
·  
Premium Services bookings increased 6% in fiscal year 2011 and decreased 7% in the fourth quarter of 2011, as compared to the respective prior year periods. Bookings grew sequentially by 7% in the fourth quarter of 2011 over the third quarter of 2011.
 
·  
The average number of paid subscriptions was 88,422 in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to an average of 90,640 in the fourth quarter of 2010, a decrease of 2%.
 
·  
Average monthly churn(3) increased to 3.8% in fourth quarter of 2011, compared to 2.7% in the third quarter of 2011 and 3.6% in the fourth quarter of 2010.  As a reminder, there will be moderate quarterly fluctuations in churn due to the quarterly fluctuations in the size of the subscription renewal pools and other factors.
 
·  
Marketing Services revenue decreased 2% in fiscal year 2011 and decreased 16% in the fourth quarter of 2011, as compared to the respective prior year periods.
 
·  
Average monthly unique visitors to the Company’s network of sites for the fourth quarter of 2011, as measured internally, were up 25% as compared to the prior year period.
 
Operating expenses from ongoing businesses for the full year 2011 were $66.6 million, an increase of 6% as compared to the prior year.  The increase in operating expenses from ongoing businesses for the year is primarily due to restructuring and other costs of $1.8 million and investments in cost of sales and sales and marketing offset in part by a 12% decrease in general and administrative expenses.  In addition, 2010 operating expenses from ongoing businesses were positively impacted by a $1.3 million gain on the disposition of assets, offset in part by a $0.6 million asset impairment charge.  Operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $16.8 million, an increase of 1% as compared to the prior year period, as decreases in cost of sales, sales and marketing, general and administrative and depreciation and amortization expenses were more than offset by the $1.8 million restructuring charge.
 
The Company had a net loss from ongoing businesses of $(8.2) million and $(2.4) million in fiscal year 2011 and the fourth quarter of 2011, respectively, as compared to a net loss from ongoing businesses of $(5.4) million and $(1.7) million during the respective prior year periods.  The Company reported basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of $(0.27) for the full year of 2011, as compared to $(0.18) for the full year of 2010.  The Company reported basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of $(0.08) and $(0.08), respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2011, as compared to $(0.06) and $(0.06), respectively, in the prior year period.
 
Adjusted EBITDA from ongoing businesses improved $0.8 million to $2.0 million in the fiscal year 2011, as compared to $1.2 million in the prior year.  For the fourth quarter of 2011, Adjusted EBITDA from ongoing businesses improved $1.2 million to $1.2 million, as compared to $0.0 million in the prior year period.
 
The Company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities of $75.3 million, a decrease of $1.5 million as compared to September 30, 2011.  The Company achieved free cash flow (1) for the full year 2011 of $1.6 million.
 
The Company paid a dividend of 2.5 cents per share during the quarter and 10 cents per share during the year.
 
Today, the Company also announced that it has hired Elisabeth DeMarse as Chief Executive Officer and President and a director of the Company, effective later today.  In December, the Company announced that Daryl Otte, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and a director, would be resigning his positions by March 31, 2012 and assisting the Company with the transition to a successor and he will do so.  “We are very excited to announce the hiring of Elisabeth, who previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Bankrate and CreditCards.com, and we again wish to express our appreciation to Daryl for the putting in place during the past three years many of the foundations for the Company’s future growth,” said Woody Marshall, the Company’s Chairman.

Conference Call Information

TheStreet will discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2011 today at 4:30 p.m. ET.
 
To participate in the call, please dial 800-649-5127 (domestic) or 914-495-8549 (international).  The passcode for the call is 48050825.  This call is being webcast and can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of TheStreet website at www.t.st.
 
An audio replay of the conference call also will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call.  The audio replay will remain available until Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. ET and can be accessed by dialing 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international) and entering the replay passcode 48050825. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and remain available for approximately ninety calendar dys.
 
 

 
About TheStreet
 
TheStreet, Inc. is a leading digital financial media company that distributes its content through online, social media, tablet and mobile channels. The Company’s network of brands include: TheStreet, RealMoney, RealMoney Pro, Stockpickr, Action Alerts PLUS, Options Profits, ETF Profits, Chat on TheStreet, MainStreet and Rate-Watch. For more information on TheStreet’s business, visit www.t.st. For financial and business news, actionable trading ideas, stock quotes and more, visit TheStreet.com via your web browser, follow TheStreet on Facebook and Twitter, visit TheStreet.mobi from your mobile device and access TheStreet through all major tablet platforms.
 
(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 capital expenditures.  EBITDA eliminates the uneven effect of considerable amounts of noncash depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of certain intangible assets that were recognized in business combinations.  Adjusted EBITDA further eliminates the impact of noncash stock compensation and impairment expenses, and other non-standard one-time charges.  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 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) The Company’s ongoing businesses exclude (i) the banking and insurance ratings business of TheStreet Ratings, which the Company divested in May 2010 and (ii) revenue derived from the global research legal settlement that expired in July 2009.
 
 (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, 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.
 
All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts are deemed forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.  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.
 
Contacts:
Thomas Etergino
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
TheStreet, Inc.
212-321-5234
ir@thestreet.com

Erica Mannion
Investor Relations
Sapphire Investor Relations, LLC
415-471-2700
ir@thestreet.com
 




THESTREET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
             
ASSETS
 
December 31,
       
   
2011
   
2010
 
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 44,865,191     $ 20,089,660  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
               
   accounts of $158,870 at December 31, 2011 and $238,228 at
               
   December 31, 2010
    6,225,424       6,623,261  
Marketable securities
    20,895,238       26,502,945  
Other receivables
    356,219       663,968  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    1,421,955       1,785,007  
Restricted cash
    660,370       -  
      Total current assets
    74,424,397       55,664,841  
                 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
               
   and amortization of $13,466,365 at December 31, 2011
               
   and $12,845,359 at December 31, 2010
    8,494,648       10,887,732  
Marketable securities
    7,894,365       30,302,428  
Other assets
    172,055       243,611  
Goodwill
    24,057,616       24,057,616  
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $5,529,730
               
   at December 31, 2011 and $4,174,403 at December 31, 2010
    5,370,135       6,725,462  
Restricted cash
    1,000,000       1,660,370  
      Total assets
  $ 121,413,216     $ 129,542,060  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 2,305,589     $ 2,455,894  
Accrued expenses
    7,970,802       8,239,064  
Deferred revenue
    17,625,666       17,431,381  
Other current liabilities
    509,214       184,328  
Liabilities of discontinued operations
    -       1,871  
      Total current liabilities
    28,411,271       28,312,538  
Deferred tax liability
    288,000       288,000  
Other liabilities
    4,569,497       2,948,181  
      Total liabilities
    33,268,768       31,548,719  
                 
Stockholders' Equity:
               
Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares
               
   authorized; 5,500 shares issued and 5,500 shares
               
   outstanding at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010;
               
   the aggregate liquidation preference totals $55,000,000 as of
               
   December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010
    55       55  
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares
               
   authorized; 38,461,595 shares issued and 32,131,188
               
   shares outstanding at December 31, 2011, and 37,775,381
               
   shares issued and 31,667,600 shares outstanding at
               
   December 31, 2010
    384,616       377,754  
Additional paid-in capital
    270,230,246       270,644,658  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (394,600 )     331,311  
Treasury stock at cost; 6,330,407 shares at December 31, 2011
               
   and 6,107,781 shares at December 31, 2010
    (11,010,149 )     (10,478,838 )
Accumulated deficit
    (171,065,720 )     (162,881,599 )
      Total stockholders' equity
    88,144,448       97,993,341  
                 
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 121,413,216     $ 129,542,060  

 

 
THESTREET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                         
   
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
   
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net revenue:
                       
Premium services
  $ 9,835,537     $ 9,432,205     $ 39,514,153     $ 38,597,877  
Marketing services
    4,433,703       5,253,194       18,245,847       18,588,502  
   Total net revenue
    14,269,240       14,685,399       57,760,000       57,186,379  
                                 
Operating expense:
                               
Cost of services
    6,462,815       6,584,437       26,499,085       25,557,162  
Sales and marketing
    3,559,380       4,551,870       16,681,562       15,841,470  
General and administrative
    3,651,415       4,049,472       15,810,994       18,052,633  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,264,840       1,466,552       5,757,365       4,692,520  
Restructuring and other charges
    1,825,799       -       1,825,799       -  
Asset impairments
    -       -       -       555,000  
Gain on disposition of assets
    -       -       -       (1,318,607 )
     Total operating expense
    16,764,249       16,652,331       66,574,805       63,380,178  
     Operating loss
    (2,495,009 )     (1,966,932 )     (8,814,805 )     (6,193,799 )
Net interest income
    137,924       203,674       667,822       846,157  
Loss on sale of marketable securities
    (35,340 )     -       (35,340 )     -  
Other income
    -       -       -       20,374  
  Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
    (2,392,425 )     (1,763,258 )     (8,182,323 )     (5,327,268 )
Benefit (provision) for income taxes
    -       -       -       -  
  Loss from continuing operations
    (2,392,425 )     (1,763,258 )     (8,182,323 )     (5,327,268 )
Discontinued operations:
                               
  Gain (loss) from discontinued operations
    -       16,091       (1,798 )     (7,339 )
Net loss
    (2,392,425 )     (1,747,167 )     (8,184,121 )     (5,334,607 )
Preferred stock cash dividends
    96,424       96,424       385,696       385,696  
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
  $ (2,488,849 )   $ (1,843,591 )   $ (8,569,817 )   $ (5,720,303 )
                                 
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
                               
  Loss from continuing operations
  $ (0.08 )   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.26 )   $ (0.17 )
  Loss from discontinued operations
    -       0.00       (0.00 )     (0.00 )
  Net loss
    (0.08 )     (0.06 )     (0.26 )     (0.17 )
  Preferred stock dividends
    (0.00 )     (0.00 )     (0.01 )     (0.01 )
     Net loss attributable to common stockholders
  $ (0.08 )   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.27 )   $ (0.18 )
                                 
Weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding
    32,014,179       31,660,752       31,953,683       31,593,341  

 

 
THESTREET, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
             
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
Net loss
  $ (8,184,121 )   $ (5,334,607 )
Loss from discontinued operations
    1,798       7,339  
Loss from continuing operations
    (8,182,323 )     (5,327,268 )
Adjustments to reconcile loss from continuing operations
         
   to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Stock-based compensation expense
    2,777,886       2,336,443  
Restructuring and other charges
    647,152       -  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    150,825       62,559  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,757,365       4,692,520  
Deferred rent
    663,020       1,703,614  
Noncash barter activity
    (107,210 )     (76,060 )
Impairment charges
    -       555,000  
Gain on disposition of assets
    -       (1,318,607 )
Gain on disposal of equipment
    -       (20,600 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
    Accounts receivable
    214,891       (672,611 )
    Other receivables
    74,870       314,054  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    469,366       (53,061 )
    Other assets
    37,904       (97,115 )
    Accounts payable
    (150,305 )     292,477  
    Accrued expenses
    (69,262 )     659,907  
    Deferred revenue
    1,272,137       488,571  
    Other current liabilities
    6,330       50,455  
    Other liabilities
    -       15,167  
          Net cash provided by continuing operations
    3,562,646       3,605,445  
          Net cash used in discontinued operations
    (3,669 )     (228,633 )
          Net cash provided by operating activities
    3,558,977       3,376,812  
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Purchase of marketable securities
    (24,854,469 )     (130,963,472 )
Sale of marketable securities
    52,144,328       94,473,125  
Sale of Promotions.com
    265,000       1,746,876  
Sale of certain assets of TheStreet Ratings
    -       1,348,902  
Capital expenditures
    (1,974,406 )     (6,717,749 )
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets
    -       43,300  
          Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    25,580,453       (40,069,018 )
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Cash dividends paid on common stock
    (3,446,892 )     (3,349,755 )
Cash dividends paid on preferred stock
    (385,696 )     (385,696 )
Restricted stock
    -       41,709  
Purchase of treasury stock
    (531,311 )     (66,886 )
          Net cash used in financing activities
    (4,363,899 )     (3,760,628 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    24,775,531       (40,452,834 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    20,089,660       60,542,494  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 44,865,191     $ 20,089,660  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
                 
Cash payments made for interest
  $ -     $ 1,720  
Cash payments made for income taxes
  $ -     $ -  
                 
Net loss
  $ (8,184,121 )   $ (5,334,607 )
Noncash expenditures
    9,889,038       7,934,869  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
    1,854,060       776,550  
Capital expenditures
    (1,974,406 )     (6,717,749 )
Free cash flow
  $ 1,584,571     $ (3,340,937 )
 

 

 THESTREET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS  OF OPERATIONS
                                     
   
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2011
   
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010
 
   
As Reported
   
Pro Forma Adjustments
   
Pro Forma Results
   
As Reported
   
Pro Forma Adjustments
   
Pro Forma Results
 
Net revenue:
                                   
Premium services
  $ 9,835,537     $ -     $ 9,835,537     $ 9,432,205     $ 2,000     $ 9,430,205  
Marketing services
    4,433,703       -       4,433,703       5,253,194       -       5,253,194  
   Total net revenue
    14,269,240       -       14,269,240       14,685,399       2,000       14,683,399  
                                                 
Operating expense:
                                               
Cost of services
    6,462,815       -       6,462,815       6,584,437       -       6,584,437  
Sales and marketing
    3,559,380       -       3,559,380       4,551,870       -       4,551,870  
General and administrative
    3,651,415       -       3,651,415       4,049,472       -       4,049,472  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,264,840       -       1,264,840       1,466,552       -       1,466,552  
Restructuring and other charges
    1,825,799       -       1,825,799       -       -       -  
     Total operating expense
    16,764,249       -       16,764,249       16,652,331       -       16,652,331  
     Operating loss
  $ (2,495,009 )   $ -     $ (2,495,009 )   $ (1,966,932 )   $ 2,000     $ (1,968,932 )
                                                 
Net loss
  $ (2,392,425 )   $ -     $ (2,392,425 )   $ (1,747,167 )   $ 2,000     $ (1,749,167 )
                                                 
                                                 
Net loss
  $ (2,392,425 )   $ -     $ (2,392,425 )   $ (1,747,167 )   $ 2,000     $ (1,749,167 )
Net interest income
    (137,924 )     -       (137,924 )     (203,674 )     -       (203,674 )
Loss on sale of marketable securities
    35,340       -       35,340       -       -       -  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,264,840       -       1,264,840       1,466,552       -       1,466,552  
EBITDA
    (1,230,169 )     -       (1,230,169 )     (484,289 )     2,000       (486,289 )
Noncash compensation
    611,725       -       611,725       529,360       -       529,360  
Restructuring and other charges
    1,825,799       -       1,825,799       -       -       -  
Transaction related costs
    40,069       -       40,069       (28,374 )     -       (28,374 )
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 1,247,424     $ -     $ 1,247,424     $ 16,697     $ 2,000     $ 14,697  
                                                 
Note: Pro forma adjustments for 2010 exclude TheStreet Ratings revenue from global research settlement.
         
 

 
THESTREET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                     
   
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
   
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
   
As Reported
   
Pro Forma Adjustments
   
Pro Forma Results
   
As Reported
   
Pro Forma Adjustments
   
Pro Forma Results
 
Net revenue:
                                   
Premium services
  $ 39,514,153     $ -     $ 39,514,153     $ 38,597,877     $ 465,008     $ 38,132,869  
Marketing services
    18,245,847       -       18,245,847       18,588,502       -       18,588,502  
   Total net revenue
    57,760,000       -       57,760,000       57,186,379       465,008       56,721,371  
                                                 
Operating expense:
                                               
Cost of services
    26,499,085       -       26,499,085       25,557,162       345,205       25,211,957  
Sales and marketing
    16,681,562       -       16,681,562       15,841,470       41,510       15,799,960  
General and administrative
    15,810,994       -       15,810,994       18,052,633       18,774       18,033,859  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,757,365       -       5,757,365       4,692,520       -       4,692,520  
Restructuring and other charges
    1,825,799       -       1,825,799       -       -       -  
Asset impairments
    -       -       -       555,000       -       555,000  
Gain on disposition of assets
    -       -       -       (1,318,607 )     -       (1,318,607 )
     Total operating expense
    66,574,805       -       66,574,805       63,380,178       405,489       62,974,689  
     Operating loss
  $ (8,814,805 )   $ -     $ (8,814,805 )   $ (6,193,799 )   $ 59,519     $ (6,253,318 )
                                                 
Net loss
  $ (8,184,121 )   $ -     $ (8,184,121 )   $ (5,334,607 )   $ 59,519     $ (5,394,126 )
                                                 
                                                 
Net loss
  $ (8,184,121 )   $ -     $ (8,184,121 )   $ (5,334,607 )   $ 59,519     $ (5,394,126 )
Net interest income
    (667,822 )     -       (667,822 )     (846,157 )     -       (846,157 )
Loss on sale of marketable securities
    35,340       -       35,340       -       -       -  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,757,365       -       5,757,365       4,692,520       -       4,692,520  
EBITDA
    (3,059,238 )     -       (3,059,238 )     (1,488,244 )     59,519       (1,547,763 )
Noncash compensation
    2,777,886       -       2,777,886       2,336,443       -       2,336,443  
Restructuring and other charges
    1,825,799       -       1,825,799       -       -       -  
Asset impairments
    -       -       -       555,000       -       555,000  
Gain on disposition of assets
    -       -       -       (1,318,607 )     -       (1,318,607 )
Other income
    -       -       -       (20,374 )     -       (20,374 )
Transaction related costs
    459,637       -       459,637       1,177,868       -       1,177,868  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 2,004,084     $ -     $ 2,004,084     $ 1,242,086     $ 59,519     $ 1,182,567  
                                                 
Note: Pro forma adjustments for 2010 exclude the Company's May 2010 divestiture of our Banking and Insurance Ratings product line as well as TheStreet Ratings revenue from global research settlement.