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8-K - FORM 8-K DATED MAY 3, 2012 - THESTREET, INC.form8-k.htm

TheStreet Reports First Quarter 2012 Results

 
NEW YORK (May 3, 2012) – TheStreet (NASDAQ: TST), a leading digital financial media company, today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2012.  The Company reported revenue of $12.8 million, a net loss of $4.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA(1) loss of $1.0 million for the quarter.
 
 
The Company’s revenue was $12.8 million for the first quarter, a decrease of 9% compared to the first quarter of 2011. Premium Services revenue was $9.2 million for the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of 4% compared to the prior year period.  Media (previously referred to as Marketing Services) revenue was $3.6 million for the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of 20% compared to the prior year period.
 
 
“The macro-environment has been challenging recently for our businesses, but we have valuable, scalable businesses and we are keenly focused on improving our execution both on the revenue and expense sides,” said Elisabeth DeMarse, the Company’s Chief Executive Offer and President.  “In my first few weeks at TheStreet, we diligently have taken several measures to bring our cost structure in line with current revenue levels, such as pivoting more towards a contributor/freelance model with a select few full time editorial staff, a strategy I have successfully implemented previously.  We will continue to focus on implementing other initiatives to grow and improve the Company’s operations and create value.  I couldn’t be more excited about the core assets we have to work with as I focus my energy on maximizing the monetization of these assets,” concluded DeMarse.
 
Selected Operating Results of First Quarter 2012
 
·  
TheStreet Business Desk service has been successfully implemented in approximately 270 of the nearly 400 newspapers under contract, notably the Denver Post and San Jose Mercury News.
 
 
·  
Average monthly unique visitors to the Company’s network of sites, as measured internally, increased approximately 8% as compared to the prior year period.
 
 
·  
Premium Services bookings decreased 22% as compared to the prior year period.
 
 
·  
The average number of paid subscriptions was 83,154 compared to an average of 92,228 in the first quarter of 2011.
 
 
·  
Average monthly churn(2) increased to 5.1% compared to 3.4% in the first quarter of 2011.
 
 
Operating expenses in the first quarter of 2012 were $17.3 million, an increase of 2% as compared to the prior year period.  Excluding the restructuring charge of $1.7 million, operating expenses decreased 8% compared to the prior year period.
 
 
The Company’s net loss was $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to a net loss of $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2011.  Excluding the restructuring charge of $1.7 million, net loss was $2.7 million, an increase of 3% compared to the prior year period.  The Company reported diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of $0.14 in the first quarter of 2012, as compared to $0.09 in the first quarter of 2011.
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2012, as compared to a loss of $0.5 million in the same period last year.
 
 
The Company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities of $71.0 million, a decrease of $4.3 million as compared to December 31, 2011.
 
 
The Company paid a dividend of 2.5 cents per share during the quarter.
 
Conference Call Information

TheStreet will discuss its financial results for the first quarter 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 73333145.  This call is being webcast and can be accessed in 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, May 9, 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 73333145. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and remain available for approximately ninety calendar days.
 

 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, 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 other items 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 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) 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
 
March 31, 2012
   
December 31,2011
 
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 19,256,130     $ 44,865,191  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
               
   accounts of $140,026 at March 31, 2012 and $158,870 at
               
   December 31, 2011
    5,638,503       6,225,424  
Marketable securities
    15,974,752       20,895,238  
Other receivables
    271,374       356,219  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    1,690,024       1,421,955  
Restricted cash
    660,370       660,370  
      Total current assets
    43,491,153       74,424,397  
                 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
               
   and amortization of $14,441,088 at March 31, 2012
               
   and $13,466,365 at December 31, 2011
    7,345,141       8,494,648  
Marketable securities
    34,083,681       7,894,365  
Other assets
    136,978       172,055  
Goodwill
    24,057,616       24,057,616  
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $5,825,510
               
   at March 31, 2012 and $5,529,730 at December 31, 2011
    5,074,355       5,370,135  
Restricted cash
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
      Total assets
  $ 115,188,924     $ 121,413,216  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 2,344,854     $ 2,305,589  
Accrued expenses
    6,594,508       7,970,802  
Deferred revenue
    18,280,371       17,625,666  
Other current liabilities
    585,065       509,214  
      Total current liabilities
    27,804,798       28,411,271  
Deferred tax liability
    288,000       288,000  
Other liabilities
    4,299,160       4,569,497  
      Total liabilities
    32,391,958       33,268,768  
                 
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, 2012 and December 31, 2011;
               
   the aggregate liquidation preference totals $55,000,000 as of
               
   March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
    55       55  
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares
               
   authorized; 39,419,851 shares issued and 32,736,948
               
   shares outstanding at December 31, 2011, and 38,461,595
               
   shares issued and 32,131,188 shares outstanding at
               
   December 31, 2011
    394,199       384,616  
Additional paid-in capital
    269,989,546       270,230,246  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (340,686 )     (394,600 )
Treasury stock at cost; 6,682,903 shares at March 31, 2012
               
   and 6,330,407 shares at December 31, 2011
    (11,743,650 )     (11,010,149 )
Accumulated deficit
    (175,502,498 )     (171,065,720 )
      Total stockholders' equity
    82,796,966       88,144,448  
                 
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 115,188,924     $ 121,413,216  


 
THESTREET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
   
   
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Net revenue:
           
Premium services
  $ 9,189,981     $ 9,609,501  
Media
    3,625,846       4,511,380  
   Total net revenue
    12,815,827       14,120,881  
                 
Operating expense:
               
Cost of services
    6,435,162       6,959,048  
Sales and marketing
    4,090,249       4,370,773  
General and administrative
    3,822,521       4,008,666  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,287,262       1,620,849  
Restructuring and other charges
    1,713,498       -  
     Total operating expense
    17,348,692       16,959,336  
     Operating loss
    (4,532,865 )     (2,838,455 )
Net interest income
    96,087       198,027  
  Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
    (4,436,778 )     (2,640,428 )
Provision for income taxes
    -       -  
  Loss from continuing operations
    (4,436,778 )     (2,640,428 )
Discontinued operations:
               
  Loss from discontinued operations
    -       (1,616 )
Net loss
    (4,436,778 )     (2,642,044 )
Preferred stock cash dividends
    96,424       96,424  
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
  $ (4,533,202 )   $ (2,738,468 )
                 
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
               
  Loss from continuing operations
  $ (0.14 )   $ (0.09 )
  Loss from discontinued operations
    -       (0.00 )
  Net loss
    (0.14 )     (0.09 )
  Preferred stock dividends
    (0.00 )     (0.00 )
     Net loss attributable to common stockholders
  $ (0.14 )   $ (0.09 )
                 
Weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding
    32,342,541       31,880,600  
                 
Net loss
  $ (4,436,778 )   $ (2,642,044 )
Net interest income
    (96,087 )     (198,027 )
Depreciation and amortization
    1,287,262       1,620,849  
EBITDA
    (3,245,603 )     (1,219,222 )
Noncash compensation
    532,908       721,115  
Restructuring and other charges
    1,713,498       -  
Transaction related costs
    1,469       20,000  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ (997,728 )   $ (478,107 )
 

 
THESTREET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
   
   
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
Net loss
  $ (4,436,778 )   $ (2,642,044 )
Loss from discontinued operations
    -       1,616  
Loss from continuing operations
    (4,436,778 )     (2,640,428 )
Adjustments to reconcile loss from continuing operations
               
   to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Stock-based compensation expense
    532,908       721,115  
Restructuring and other charges
    847,980       -  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    65,769       53,142  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,287,262       1,620,849  
Deferred rent
    (79,989 )     335,737  
Noncash barter activity
    48,183       -  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
    Accounts receivable
    521,152       (17,429 )
    Other receivables
    84,845       96,990  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (544,764 )     (75,925 )
    Other assets
    28,186       (9,173 )
    Accounts payable
    39,265       (1,346,943 )
    Accrued expenses
    (1,386,689 )     (2,925,746 )
    Deferred revenue
    507,501       2,947,216  
    Other current liabilities
    75,207       22,519  
          Net cash provided by continuing operations
    (2,409,962 )     (1,218,076 )
          Net cash used in discontinued operations
    -       (2,257 )
          Net cash provided by operating activities
    (2,409,962 )     (1,220,333 )
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Purchase of marketable securities
    (35,700,010 )     (9,172,053 )
Sale of marketable securities
    14,485,094       13,521,347  
Capital expenditures
    (486,657 )     (490,953 )
          Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (21,701,573 )     3,858,341  
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Cash dividends paid on common stock
    (802,601 )     (862,132 )
Cash dividends paid on preferred stock
    (96,424 )     (96,424 )
Proceeds from the sale of common stock
    135,000       -  
Purchase of treasury stock
    (733,501 )     (233,533 )
          Net cash used in financing activities
    (1,497,526 )     (1,192,089 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (25,609,061 )     1,445,919  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    44,865,191       20,089,660  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 19,256,130     $ 21,535,579  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
                 
Cash payments made for interest
  $ -     $ -  
Cash payments made for income taxes
  $ -     $ -  
                 
Net loss
  $ (4,436,778 )   $ (2,642,044 )
Noncash expenditures
    2,702,113       2,730,843  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
    (675,297 )     (1,309,132 )
Capital expenditures
    (486,657 )     (490,953 )
Free cash flow
  $ (2,896,619 )   $ (1,711,286 )