Press Release
AutoWeb Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results
Gross Profit up 11% to
Cost Controls and Operating Efficiencies Continue to Improve Profitability
“Our second quarter performance demonstrates the strong progress we have made in our turnaround, even as we navigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” said
Second Quarter 2020 Financial Summary
Q2 2020 | Q1 2020 | Q2 2019 | |||||||
Total Revenues (millions) | $ | 17.0 | $ | 24.5 | $ | 27.1 | |||
Advertising Revenues (millions) | $ | 2.8 | $ | 6.0 | $ | 5.4 | |||
Gross Profit (millions) | $ | 6.0 | $ | 5.4 | $ | 5.4 | |||
Gross Margin | 35.5 | % | 21.9 | % | 19.8 | % | |||
Net Income/(Loss) (millions) | $ | (1.4 | ) | $ | (4.1 | ) | $ | (5.0 | ) |
Net Income/(Loss) per share | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.31 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) |
Adjusted EBITDA1 (millions) | $ | 0.4 | $ | (1.7 | ) | $ | (2.1 | ) |
Second Quarter 2020 Key Operating Metrics2
Q2 2020 | Q1 2020 | Q2 2019 | ||||
Lead Traffic3 (millions) | 18.3 | 27.3 | 33.1 | |||
Lead Volume4 (millions) | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.8 | |||
Retail Dealer Count5 | 1,854 | 1,822 | 2,510 | |||
Retail Lead Capacity6 | 100,000 | 106,000 | 142,000 | |||
Click Traffic7 (millions) | 23.0 | 31.8 | 26.7 | |||
Click Volume8 (millions) | 5.5 | 8.6 | 5.9 | |||
Net Revenue per Click9 | $ | 0.42 | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.75 |
________________________
1 Refer to the Non-GAAP financial measures discussed below.
2 Certain website properties have been added and removed from tracking metrics as
3 Lead traffic = total visits to AutoWeb’s owned lead websites.
4 Lead volume = total new and used vehicle leads invoiced to retail and wholesale customers.
5 Retail dealer count = the number of franchised dealers contracted for delivery of retail new vehicle leads plus the number of vehicle dealers (franchised or independent) contracted for delivery of retail used vehicle leads.
6 Retail lead capacity = the number of new and used vehicle leads contracted for by new or used retail vehicle dealers that the dealers wish to receive each month (i.e., “targets”) at the end of the applicable quarter.
7 Click traffic = total visits to AutoWeb’s owned click referral websites and
8 Click volume = the number of times during the applicable quarter that consumers clicked on advertisements on AutoWeb’s owned click referral websites and on
9 Net revenue per click = total click revenue divided by click volume for owned & affiliated sites.
“Across our business, our team has remained almost entirely intact with limited furloughs or layoffs, even during the lowest points in April. It was very important that we ensured job continuity for our team and maintained critical health benefits for the few employees that were furloughed. Since the lows in April, we have sequentially grown revenue, gross margin and adjusted EBITDA every month during the second quarter, and our overall operational and financial performance in July continued this positive trajectory. Our retail dealer ‘suspend status’ has also continued to improve since our last corporate update and revenues in suspend status are now down more than 75% from mid-April, which is when it peaked.
“In our clicks business, volumes remain challenged like other traditional impression-based media, however our high-quality leads have become an even more valuable asset. We have historically referenced that dealers and OEMs turn to leads when there is market uncertainty given their high attribution and ‘lower funnel’ targeting. In fact, we recently conducted an email survey of our users that showed more than 70% of respondents had no plans to delay their automotive purchase due to COVID-19, which indicates that AutoWeb’s leads are submitted by committed car buyers, not just shoppers.
“One of our key strategic decisions this quarter has also panned out. Instead of implementing widespread product discounts, we focused on matching our consumer marketing spend to projected industry selling rates, which better aligned with the true consumer demand in the market. By focusing on the changing market dynamics in a targeted manner, we believe we were able to better meet the true needs of our dealer and OEM customers by delivering them actionable car buyers, not discounted traffic made up of shoppers.
“Throughout the automotive industry, new car sales remain well below pre-COVID levels, and dealers are still contending with the broader macroeconomic impacts of the pandemic on consumer behavior. Analysts project that second quarter
“The progress we have made this quarter would not be possible without our work to realign our organizational structure, reduce costs, and improve our operational focus over the past two years. Our work in this turnaround is not yet complete, however we remain optimistic and focused on continuing our momentum to improve profitability.”
Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Total revenues in the second quarter of 2020 were
Gross profit in the second quarter increased 11% to
Total operating expenses in the second quarter decreased 30% to
Net loss in the second quarter of 2020 improved significantly to
Adjusted EBITDA improved to
At
At
Conference Call
Date:
Time:
Toll-free dial-in number: 1-877-852-2929
International dial-in number: 1-404-991-3925
Conference ID: 8050647
The conference call will also be broadcast live at www.autoweb.com (click on “Investors” and then click on “Events & Presentations”). Please visit the website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register and download any necessary software. For those who will be joining the call by phone, please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time, and an operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Investor Relations at 1-949-574-3860.
A replay of the conference call will be available after
Toll-free replay number: 1-855-859-2056
International replay number: 1-404-537-3406
Replay ID: 8050647
Tax Benefit Preservation Plan
At
The Plan was adopted by the company’s board of directors to preserve the company’s NOLs and other tax attributes, and thus reduce the risk of a possible change of ownership under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Any such change of ownership under Section 382 would limit or eliminate the ability of the company to use its existing NOLs for federal income tax purposes. In general, an ownership change will occur if the company’s 5% shareholders, for purposes of Section 382, collectively increase their ownership in the company by an aggregate of more than 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period. The Plan is designed to reduce the likelihood that the company experiences such an ownership change by discouraging any person or group from becoming a new 5% shareholder under Section 382. Rights issued under the Plan could be triggered upon the acquisition by any person or group of 4.9% or more of the company’s outstanding common stock and could result in substantial dilution of the acquirer’s percentage ownership in the company. There is no guarantee that the Plan will achieve the objective of preserving the value of the company’s NOLs.
As of
About
Investors and other interested parties can receive
Note about Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The company’s management believes that presenting Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the company’s ongoing operations, as well as providing for more consistent period-over-period comparisons. This non-GAAP measure assists management in its operational and financial decision-making and monitoring the company’s performance. In addition, we use Adjusted EBITDA as a measure for determining incentive compensation targets. Adjusted EBITDA is used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. Management strongly encourages investors to review the company’s consolidated financial statements in their entirety and to not rely on any single financial measure.
Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
The statements contained in this press release or that may be made during the conference call described above that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. Words such as “anticipates,” “could,” “may,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “pending,” “plans,” “believes,” “will” and words of similar substance, or the negative of those words, used in connection with any discussion of future operations or financial performance identify forward-looking statements. In particular, statements regarding expectations and opportunities, new product expectations and capabilities, projections, statements regarding future events, and our outlook regarding our performance and growth are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, including, that (i) while the company cannot predict how market forces will evolve in the coming months, the company will continue to support its dealer and OEM customers as they continue to turn to leads to support their sales recovery; and (ii) while the company’s work in its turnaround is not yet complete, the company remains remain optimistic and focused on continuing its momentum to improve profitability, are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.
Company Contact
Chief Financial Officer
1-949-437-4651
jp.hannan@autoweb.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Gateway Investor Relations
1-949-574-3860
AUTO@gatewayir.com
AUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
||||||
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) |
||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||
ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets: | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 5,210 | $ | 892 | ||
Restricted cash | 3,300 | 5,054 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for bad debts and customer credits of |
||||||
and net of allowances for bad debt and customer credits of |
14,679 | 24,051 | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,939 | 1,265 | ||||
Total current assets | 25,128 | 31,262 | ||||
Property and equipment, net | 3,026 | 3,349 | ||||
Right-of-use assets | 3,246 | 2,528 | ||||
Intangibles assets, net | 5,537 | 7,104 | ||||
Other assets | 745 | 661 | ||||
Total assets | $ | 37,682 | $ | 44,904 | ||
LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTEREST AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 5,899 | $ | 14,080 | ||
Borrowings under revolving credit facility | 7,181 | 3,745 | ||||
Current portion of PPP Loan | 615 | - | ||||
Accrued employee-related benefits | 1,928 | 1,004 | ||||
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 1,257 | 2,315 | ||||
Current portion of lease liabilities | 820 | 1,167 | ||||
Total current liabilities | 17,700 | 22,311 | ||||
PPP Loan | 769 | - | ||||
Lease liabilities, net of current portion | 2,524 | 1,497 | ||||
Total liabilities | 20,993 | 23,808 | ||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||
Stockholders' equity | ||||||
Preferred stock, |
||||||
Series A Preferred stock, none issued and outstanding | - | - | ||||
Common stock, |
||||||
13,146,831 shares issued and outstanding at |
13 | 13 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital | 365,056 | 364,028 | ||||
Accumulated deficit | (348,380) | (342,945) | ||||
Total stockholders' equity | 16,689 | 21,096 | ||||
Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders' equity | $ | 37,682 | $ | 44,904 | ||
AUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Lead generation | $ | 14,263 | $ | 21,691 | $ | 32,723 | $ | 47,389 | |||||||||||||||
Digital advertising | 2,756 | 5,432 | 8,768 | 11,310 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other | 14 | 19 | 14 | 47 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 17,033 | 27,142 | 41,505 | 58,746 | |||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues | 10,993 | 21,758 | 30,108 | 47,605 | |||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit | 6,040 | 5,384 | 11,397 | 11,141 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 2,026 | 2,956 | 4,158 | 5,834 | |||||||||||||||||||
Technology support | 1,786 | 2,182 | 3,643 | 4,962 | |||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative | 2,901 | 4,026 | 6,844 | 8,316 | |||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 559 | 1,201 | 1,281 | 2,440 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 7,272 | 10,365 | 15,926 | 21,552 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating loss | (1,232) | (4,981) | (4,529) | (10,411) | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest and other income (expense), net | (142) | 33 | (906) | 103 | |||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income tax provision | (1,374) | (4,948) | (5,435) | (10,308) | |||||||||||||||||||
Income taxes provision | - | 5 | - | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net loss and comprehensive loss | $ | (1,374) | $ | (4,953) | $ | (5,435) | $ | (10,313) | |||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted loss per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic loss per common share | $ | (0.10) | $ | (0.38) | $ | (0.41) | $ | (0.78) | |||||||||||||||
Diluted loss per common share | $ | (0.10) | $ | (0.38) | $ | (0.41) | $ | (0.78) | |||||||||||||||
Shares used in computing net loss per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 13,133 | 13,111 | 13,133 | 13,018 | |||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | 13,133 | 13,111 | 13,133 | 13,018 | |||||||||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||
(amounts in thousands) | |||||
Six Months Ended |
|||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (5,435) | $ | (10,313) | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 2,278 | 3,509 | |||
Provision for bad debt | 94 | 122 | |||
Provision for customer credits | 33 | 120 | |||
Share-based compensation | 1,028 | 1,111 | |||
Right-of-use assets | 767 | 924 | |||
Lease Liabilities | (805) | (924) | |||
Changes in assets and liabilities | |||||
Accounts receivable | 9,245 | 3,325 | |||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (674) | (410) | |||
Other non-current assets | (84) | (303) | |||
Accounts payable | (8,181) | (1,945) | |||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | (135) | (787) | |||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (1,869) | (5,571) | |||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (388) | (990) | |||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (388) | (990) | |||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||
Borrowings under PNC credit facility | 28,564 | 16,940 | |||
Payments under PNC credit facility | (32,308) | (16,940) | |||
Borrowings under CNC credit facility | 33,201 | - | |||
Payments under CNC credit facility | (26,020) | - | |||
Borrowings under the PPP Loan | 1,384 | - | |||
Payments on convertible note | - | (1,000) | |||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | - | 408 | |||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 4,821 | (592) | |||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | 2,564 | (7,153) | |||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 5,946 | 13,600 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 8,510 | $ | 6,447 | |
RECONCILIATION OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | $ | 892 | $ | 13,600 | |
Restricted cash at beginning of period | 5,054 | - | |||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | $ | 5,946 | $ | 13,600 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 5,210 | $ | 1,431 | |
Restricted cash at end of period | 3,300 | 5,016 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 8,510 | $ | 6,447 | |
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | |||||
Cash paid for income taxes | - | 1 | |||
Cash refunds for income taxes | 381 | 124 | |||
Cash paid for interest | 449 | 40 | |||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities: | |||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities | 1,485 | - | |||
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA | |||||||||||
(Amounts in thousands) | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended |
Three Months Ended |
||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (4,061) | $ | (5,360) | $ | (1,374) | $ | (4,953) | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,213 | 1,787 | 1,066 | 1,723 | |||||||
Interest income | (12) | (6) | - | (20) | |||||||
Interest expense | 844 | 5 | 205 | 56 | |||||||
Other income (expense) | (6) | - | - | - | |||||||
Income taxes | (186) | - | (34) | 5 | |||||||
Non-cash stock compensation expense | 509 | 551 | 518 | 560 | |||||||
Gain on government grant | - | - | (10) | - | |||||||
Personnel Restructuring | - | - | - | 496 | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (1,699) | $ | (3,023) | $ | 371 | $ | (2,133) | |||
Source: AutoWeb, Inc.