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8-K - FORM 8-K - Net Element, Inc.nete20200902b_8k.htm

                                      Exhibit 99.1

  

Net Element Reports Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results 

 

 

 

MIAMI, November 16, 2020 - Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) (“Net Element” or the “Company”), a global technology and value-added solutions group that supports electronic payments acceptance in a multi-channel environment including point-of-sale (“POS”), e-commerce and mobile devices, today reports its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020.

 

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

 

 

Total transaction processing volume increased to $956.2 million, as compared to $953.7 million for the same comparable period in 2019.

 

Net revenues decreased to $16.7 million, as compared to $16.8 million for the same comparable period in 2019. 

 

North American Transactions Solutions revenue increased to $16.07 million a slight increase from $15.59 million for the same comparable period

 

International Transaction Solutions revenue decreased to $0.67 million, as compared to $0.90 million for the same comparable period in 2019. 

 

Operating expenses increased to $4.1 million, as compared to $3.6 million for the same comparable period.

 

Gross margin decreased to $2.2 million, as compared to $2.7 million for the same comparable period in 2019.

 

“We continue working diligently in an effort to finalize the Mullen merger for the benefit of our shareholders,” commented Oleg Firer, Executive Chairman of Net Element.

 

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

The Company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of approximately $2.3 million or $0.52 per share loss for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2020 as compared to a net loss of approximately $1.0 million or $0.24 per share loss for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2019. The increase in net loss attributable to stockholders of approximately $1.3 million was primarily due to an increase in non- cash compensation of approximately $1.1 million and an increase in bad debt expense of approximately $200,000.

 

The following tables set forth the Company’s sources of revenues, cost of revenues and the respective gross margins for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

   

Three

           

Three

                 
   

Months Ended

           

Months Ended

           

Increase /

 

Source of Revenues

 

September 30, 2020

   

Mix

   

September 30, 2019

   

Mix

   

(Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 16,072,518       96.0 %   $ 15,923,805       94.7 %   $ 148,713  

International Transaction Solutions

    661,856       4.0 %     895,881       5.3 %     (234,025 )

Total

  $ 16,734,374       100.0 %   $ 16,819,686       100.0 %   $ (85,312 )

 

   

Three

           

Three

                 
   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Increase /

 

Cost of Revenues

 

September 30, 2020

   

revenues

   

September 30, 2019

   

revenues

   

(Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 14,083,449       87.6 %   $ 13,414,334       84.2 %   $ 669,115  

International Transaction Solutions

    476,741       72.0 %     664,907       74.2 %     (188,166 )

Total

  $ 14,560,190       87.0 %   $ 14,079,241       83.7 %   $ 480,949  

 

   

Three

           

Three

                 
   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Increase /

 

Gross Margin

 

September 30, 2020

   

revenues

   

September 30, 2019

   

revenues

   

(Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 1,989,069       12.4 %   $ 2,509,471       15.8 %   $ (520,402 )

International Transaction Solutions

    185,115       28.0 %     230,974       25.8 %     (45,859 )

Total

  $ 2,174,184       13.0 %   $ 2,740,445       16.3 %   $ (566,261 )

 

 

 

   

Nine

           

Nine

                 
   

Months Ended

           

Months Ended

           

Increase /

 

Source of Revenues

 

September 30, 2020

   

Mix

   

September 30, 2019

   

Mix

   

(Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 44,204,134       95.5 %   $ 46,025,308       95.2 %   $ (1,821,174 )

International Transaction Solutions

    2,086,415       4.5 %     2,328,871       4.8 %     (242,456 )

Total

  $ 46,290,549       100.0 %   $ 48,354,179       100.0 %   $ (2,063,630 )
   

Nine

           

Nine

                 
   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Increase /

 

Cost of Revenues

 

September 30, 2020

   

revenues

   

September 30, 2019

   

revenues

   

(Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 37,923,749       85.8 %   $ 38,627,147       83.9 %   $ (703,398 )

International Transaction Solutions

    1,473,635       70.6 %     1,613,607       69.3 %     (139,972 )

Total

  $ 39,397,384       85.1 %   $ 40,240,754       83.2 %   $ (843,370 )
   

Nine

           

Nine

                 
   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Increase /

 

Gross Margin

 

September 30, 2020

   

revenues

   

September 30, 2019

   

revenues

   

(Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 6,280,385       14.2 %   $ 7,398,161       16.1 %   $ (1,117,776 )

International Transaction Solutions

    612,780       29.4 %     715,264       30.7 %     (102,484 )

Total

  $ 6,893,165       14.9 %   $ 8,113,425       16.8 %   $ (1,220,260 )

 

Net revenues consist primarily of service fees from transaction processing. Net revenues were approximately $16.8 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2020 and 2019. 

 

 

Cost of revenues represents direct costs of generating revenues, including commissions, mobile operator fees, interchange expense, processing, and non-processing fees. Cost of revenues for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2020 were approximately $14.6 million as compared to approximately $14.1 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2019.

 

 

The gross margin for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2020 was approximately $2.2 million, or 13.0% of net revenues, as compared to approximately $2.7 million, or 16.3% of net revenues, for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2019. The primary reason for the decrease in the overall gross margin percentage was primarily the result of the competitive pressure in our industry, relating to costs that can be passed through to our merchants.

 

Operating Expenses Analysis:

 

Operating expenses were approximately $4.1 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2020, as compared to $3.6 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2019. Operating expenses for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2020, primarily consisted of selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $1.6 million, non-cash compensation of approximately $1.1 million, bad debt expense of approximately $600,000, and depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $750,000. Operating expenses for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2019, primarily consisted of selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $2.4 million, bad debt expense of approximately $400,000, and depreciation and amortization expenses of approximately $750,000. The increase in operating expenses was primarily related to the non-cash compensation with a corresponding decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses due to the reduction of the labor force and the compensation of certain employees and executives of the Company, as compared to the previous corresponding quarter.

 

The components of the Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses are reflected in the tables below.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2020 and 2019 consisted of operating expenses not otherwise delineated in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, as follows:

 

Three months ended September 30, 2020

                               
                                 

Category

 

North American Transaction Solutions

   

International Transaction Solutions

   

Corporate Expenses & Eliminations

   

Total

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments

  $ 563,948     $ 95,254     $ 84,688     $ 743,890  

Professional fees

    91,468       29,523       251,262       372,253  

Rent

    16,664       16,183       10,568       43,415  

Business development

    42,198       2,500       2,929       47,627  

Travel expense

    1,306       12,396       39,506       53,208  

Filing fees

    -       -       18,916       18,916  

Transaction gains

    -       12,641       -       12,641  

Office expenses

    65,208       2,961       18,091       86,260  

Communications expenses

    33,387       32,210       25,707       91,304  

Insurance expense

    -       -       46,772       46,772  

Other expenses

    2,561       2,065       126,684       131,310  

Total

  $ 816,740     $ 205,733     $ 625,123     $ 1,647,596  

 

Three months ended September 30, 2019

                               
                                 

Category

 

North American Transaction Solutions

   

International Transaction Solutions

   

Corporate Expenses & Eliminations

   

Total

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments

  $ 304,391     $ 124,921     $ 729,426     $ 1,158,738  

Professional fees

    125,713       58,478       486,984       671,175  

Rent

    -       23,048       51,795       74,843  

Business development

    75,414       540       18,707       94,661  

Travel expense

    36,337       10,553       18,466       65,356  

Filing fees

    -       -       37,213       37,213  

Transaction losses

    -       7,169       -       7,169  

Office expenses

    91,051       4,460       12,093       107,604  

Communications expenses

    39,530       61,428       17,710       118,668  

Insurance expense

    -       -       42,418       42,418  

Other expenses

    15,073       1,672       4,196       20,941  

Total

  $ 687,509     $ 292,269     $ 1,419,008     $ 2,398,786  

 

Variance

                               
                                 

Category

 

North American Transaction Solutions

   

International Transaction Solutions

   

Corporate Expenses & Eliminations

   

Total

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments

  $ 259,557     $ (29,667 )   $ (644,738 )   $ (414,848 )

Professional fees

    (34,245 )     (28,955 )     (235,722 )     (298,922 )

Rent

    16,664       (6,865 )     (41,227 )     (31,428 )

Business development

    (33,216 )     1,960       (15,778 )     (47,034 )

Travel expense

    (35,031 )     1,843       21,040       (12,148 )

Filing fees

    -       -       (18,297 )     (18,297 )

Transaction gains

    -       5,472       -       5,472  

Office expenses

    (25,843 )     (1,499 )     5,998       (21,344 )

Communications expenses

    (6,143 )     (29,218 )     7,997       (27,364 )

Insurance expense

    -       -       4,354       4,354  

Other (income) expenses

    (12,512 )     393       122,488       110,369  

Total

  $ 129,231     $ (86,536 )   $ (793,885 )   $ (751,190 )

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2020

                               
                                 

Category

 

North American Transaction Solutions

   

International Transaction Solutions

   

Corporate Expenses & Eliminations

   

Total

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments

  $ 1,649,488     $ 300,221     $ 753,983     $ 2,703,692  

Professional fees

    253,046       117,951       748,210       1,119,207  

Rent

    34,307       46,341       102,076       182,724  

Business development

    153,547       2,517       8,836       164,900  

Travel expense

    6,615       46,892       135,032       188,539  

Filing fees

    -       -       56,254       56,254  

Transaction gains

    -       89,140       -       89,140  

Office expenses

    184,692       13,688       63,065       261,445  

Communications expenses

    122,158       121,574       61,578       305,310  

Insurance expense

    -       -       127,457       127,457  

Other expenses

    2,990       4,168       142,991       150,149  

Total

  $ 2,406,843     $ 742,492     $ 2,199,482     $ 5,348,817  

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2019

                               
                                 

Category

 

North American Transaction Solutions

   

International Transaction Solutions

   

Corporate Expenses & Eliminations

   

Total

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments

  $ 926,868     $ 400,943     $ 2,294,391     $ 3,622,202  

Professional fees

    400,058       186,440       1,334,367       1,920,865  

Rent

    -       57,144       157,086       214,230  

Business development

    168,582       1,655       28,821       199,058  

Travel expense

    95,984       24,038       83,833       203,855  

Filing fees

    -       -       78,125       78,125  

Transaction losses

    -       (36,923 )     -       (36,923 )

Office expenses

    249,232       14,485       38,406       302,123  

Communications expenses

    119,233       158,495       59,584       337,312  

Insurance expense

    -       -       112,932       112,932  

Other expenses

    12,639       7,610       108,693       128,942  

Total

  $ 1,972,596     $ 813,887     $ 4,296,238     $ 7,082,721  

 

Variance

                               
                                 

Category

 

North American Transaction Solutions

   

International Transaction Solutions

   

Corporate Expenses & Eliminations

   

Total

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments

  $ 722,620     $ (100,722 )   $ (1,540,408 )   $ (918,510 )

Professional fees

    (147,012 )     (68,489 )     (586,157 )     (801,658 )

Rent

    34,307       (10,803 )     (55,010 )     (31,506 )

Business development

    (15,035 )     862       (19,985 )     (34,158 )

Travel expense

    (89,369 )     22,854       51,199       (15,316 )

Filing fees

    -       -       (21,871 )     (21,871 )

Transaction gains

    -       126,063       -       126,063  

Office expenses

    (64,540 )     (797 )     24,659       (40,678 )

Communications expenses

    2,925       (36,921 )     1,994       (32,002 )

Insurance expense

    -       -       14,525       14,525  

Other (income) expenses

    (9,649 )     (3,442 )     34,298       21,207  

Total

  $ 434,247     $ (71,395 )   $ (2,096,756 )   $ (1,733,904 )

 

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments decreased by approximately $0.4 million on a consolidated basis for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended Sept. 30, 2019. This was primarily due to necessary reductions in staffing and the reduction of compensation of certain employees and executives of the Company, due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Net Element’s operations.

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Regulation G Disclosure

 

To supplement its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company provides additional measures of its operating results by disclosing its adjusted net loss attributable to Net Element, Inc. stockholders. Adjusted net loss attributable to Net Element stockholders is calculated as net loss attributable to Net Element stockholders excluding non-cash share-based compensation. The Company discloses this amount on an aggregate and per-share basis. These measures meet the definition of non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that application of these non-GAAP financial measures is appropriate to enhance the understanding of the Company’s investors regarding its historical performance through the use of a metric that seeks to normalize period-to-period earnings. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures with the comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2019, is presented in the following tables.

 

 

 GAAP

 Share-based Compensation

 Adjusted Non-GAAP

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020

     

Net loss attributable to Net Element Inc stockholders

$ (2,329,570)

$ 1,089,113

$ (1,240,457)

Basic and diluted earnings per share

$ (0.52)

$ 0.24

$ (0.28)

Basic and diluted shares used in computing earnings per share

4,498,510

 

4,498,510

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

     

Net loss attributable to Net Element Inc stockholders

$ (1,010,627)

$ 15,008

$ (995,619)

Basic and diluted earnings per share

$ (0.24)

 -

$ (0.24)

Basic and diluted shares used in computing earnings per share

4,152,433

 

4,152,433

 

 

 GAAP

 Share-based Compensation

 Adjusted Non-GAAP

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

     

Net loss attributable to Net Element Inc stockholders

$ (4,021,057)

$ 1,135,013

$ (2,886,044)

Basic and diluted earnings per share

$ (0.94)

$ 0.27

$ (0.67)

Basic and diluted shares used in computing earnings per share

4,264,624

 

4,264,624

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

     

Net loss attributable to Net Element Inc stockholders

$ (3,668,921)

$ 2,035,855

$ (1,633,066)

Basic and diluted earnings per share

$ (0.91)

$ 0.50

$ (0.41)

Basic and diluted shares used in computing earnings per share

4,033,521

 

4,033,521

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

Non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP measures exclude significant expenses that are required by GAAP to be recorded in the Company's financial statements and are subject to inherent limitations.

 

About Net Element

 

Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) operates a payments-as-a-service transactional and value-added services platform for small to medium enterprise ("SME") in the U.S. and selected emerging markets. On August 5th, 2020, Net Element announced the execution of a definitive agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) to merge with privately-held Mullen Technologies, Inc. (“Mullen”), a Southern California-based electric vehicle company in a stock-for-stock reverse merger in which Mullen’s stockholders will receive a majority of the outstanding stock in the post-merger company (the “contemplated merger”). That contemplated merger is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals and shareholder approval for both companies.

 

Additional Information and Where to Find It

 

In connection with the contemplated merger, Net Element plans to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”), the registration statement on Form S-4, as well as other relevant materials regarding the contemplated merger. Following the filing of the definitive Proxy Statement and the registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC, Net Element will provide access to the definitive Proxy Statement, a proxy card and the registration statement on Form S-4 to each stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting relating to the contemplated merger and the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement requiring the Net Element’s stockholders’ approval. Net Element stockholders are urged to carefully read the Proxy Statement, the registration statement on Form S-4 and other materials relating to the contemplated merger (and any amendments or supplements thereto) and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available because they will contain important information. The definitive proxy statement, the preliminary proxy statement, the registration statement on Form S-4 and other relevant materials regarding the contemplated merger (when they become available), and any other documents filed by Net Element with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) or at the Company’s website (http://www.netelement.com).

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as "continue," "will," "may," "could," "should," "expect," "expected," "plans," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Net Element and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to what the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the Company and its  operations, whether the proposed merger with Mullen will be consummated, including the receipt and timing of required approvals and satisfaction of other conditions to the closing of the proposed merger and the related transactions contemplated in the merger agreement, whether the Company will achieve growth or achieve its goals and when the Company will reach profitability. Additional examples of such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to (i) Net Element's ability (or inability) to obtain additional financing in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms when needed; (ii) Net Element's ability to maintain existing, and secure additional, contracts with users of its payment processing services; (iii) Net Element's ability to successfully expand in existing markets and enter new markets; (iv) Net Element's ability to successfully manage and integrate any acquisitions of businesses, solutions or technologies; (v) unanticipated operating costs, transaction costs and actual or contingent liabilities; (vi) the ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel; (vii) adverse effects of increased competition on Net Element's business; (viii) changes in government licensing and regulation that may adversely affect Net Element's business; (ix) the risk that changes in consumer behavior could adversely affect Net Element's business; (x) Net Element's ability to protect its intellectual property; (xi) local, industry and general business and economic conditions; and (xii) adverse effects of potentially deteriorating U.S.-Russia relations, including, without limitation, over a conflict related to Ukraine, including a risk of further U.S. government sanctions or other legal restrictions on U.S. businesses doing business in Russia. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in the most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed by Net Element with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Net Element anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. Net Element assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s plans and expectations as of any subsequent date.

 

 

 

Contact:

Net Element, Inc.

Tel. +1 (786) 923-0502

Media@NetElement.com www.netelement.com