Spark Networks(R) Reports First Quarter Financial Results
- Christian Networks contribution improved 83% Y/Y
- Total contribution1 grew 15% Y/Y
- Christian Networks advertising revenue grew 28% Y/Y
Financial Highlights
Q1 2013 | Q1 2014 | |||||||
Revenue | $ | 17.3 Million | $ | 16.6 Million | ||||
Contribution Margin2 | 26 | % | 31 | % | ||||
Net Loss | $ | 2.9 Million | $ | 2.9 Million | ||||
Net Loss Per Share | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.12 | ||||
Management Commentary
"We are pleased with our first quarter results that clearly demonstrate the value being created by the successful execution of our strategic plan. After reaching critical mass in subscribers and building ChristianMingle into the undisputed leader in Christian dating, we are now focused on driving greater efficiencies and profitability," said
"Our focus on realizing the operating leverage inherent in our business model yielded significant benefits in the first quarter. Company-wide contribution grew 15% to hit its highest mark in nearly three years, largely driven by an 83% improvement in contribution in our Christian Networks business. That improvement was driven by increases in marketing efficiency, growth in our winback and renewal subscriber bases and a 28% increase in Christian Networks' advertising revenue. As we focus on driving further efficiencies in the business, we expect our profitability to continue to improve.
"Additionally, as we focus on high growth opportunities in adjacent markets, we are especially excited about the early success we are seeing in our media business. Not only is it starting to generate cash for us, but the continued expansion of our media-focused assets demonstrates the further potential to leverage our Christian platform to scale beyond dating and into the
Financial Results
Revenue in the first quarter of 2014 was
Contribution in the first quarter of 2014 was
Total cost and expenses in the first quarter of 2014 were
Net loss in the first quarter of 2014 was
Adjusted EBITDA3 in the first quarter of 2014 was a loss of
Total average paying subscribers4 in the first quarter of 2014 were 286,042, a decrease of 3% compared to the year ago period and a decrease of 2% compared to the prior quarter.
Balance Sheet, Cash, Debt
As of
SPARK NETWORKS, INC. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
SEGMENT RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands except subscriber and ARPU information) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Q1 2013 | Q2 2013 | Q3 2013 | Q4 2013 | Q1 2014 | Q1 '14 v. Q1 '13 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Net Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jewish Networks | $ | 6,452 | $ | 6,460 | $ | 6,433 | $ | 6,444 | $ | 6,124 | -5.1 | % | ||||||||||||
Christian Networks | 9,908 | 10,260 | 10,088 | 9,989 | 9,789 | -1.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Other Networks | 815 | 775 | 715 | 667 | 610 | -25.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Offline & Other Businesses | 88 | 86 | 125 | 104 | 93 | 5.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Total Net Revenue | $ | 17,263 | $ | 17,581 | $ | 17,361 | $ | 17,204 | $ | 16,616 | -3.7 | % | ||||||||||||
Direct Mktg. Exp. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jewish Networks | $ | 751 | $ | 776 | $ | 822 | $ | 991 | $ | 1,115 | 48.5 | % | ||||||||||||
Christian Networks | 11,722 | 12,866 | 11,659 | 11,769 | 10,104 | -13.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Other Networks | 199 | 152 | 123 | 121 | 142 | -28.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Offline & Other Businesses | 26 | 31 | 30 | 36 | 25 | -3.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Total Direct Mktg. Exp. | $ | 12,698 | $ | 13,825 | $ | 12,634 | $ | 12,917 | $ | 11,386 | -10.3 | % | ||||||||||||
Contribution | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jewish Networks | $ | 5,701 | $ | 5,684 | $ | 5,611 | $ | 5,453 | $ | 5,009 | -12.1 | % | ||||||||||||
Christian Networks | (1,814 | ) | (2,606 | ) | (1,571 | ) | (1,780 | ) | (315 | ) | 82.6 | % | ||||||||||||
Other Networks | 616 | 623 | 592 | 546 | 468 | -24.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Offline & Other Businesses | 62 | 55 | 95 | 68 | 68 | 9.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Total Contribution | $ | 4,565 | $ | 3,756 | $ | 4,727 | $ | 4,287 | $ | 5,230 | 14.6 | % | ||||||||||||
Average Paying Subs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jewish Networks | 85,200 | 84,487 | 83,732 | 83,175 | 80,395 | -5.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Christian Networks | 186,896 | 196,598 | 197,420 | 192,349 | 189,251 | 1.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Other Networks | 23,435 | 21,183 | 19,073 | 17,236 | 16,396 | -30.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Total Avg. Paying Subs.6 | 295,531 | 302,268 | 300,225 | 292,760 | 286,042 | -3.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
ARPU7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jewish Networks | $ | 24.86 | $ | 25.15 | $ | 25.28 | $ | 25.34 | $ | 24.87 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Christian Networks | 16.84 | 16.55 | 16.07 | 16.14 | 16.19 | -3.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Other Networks | 10.84 | 11.49 | 12.08 | 12.44 | 12.08 | 11.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Total ARPU7 | $ | 18.68 | $ | 18.60 | $ | 18.38 | $ | 18.54 | $ | 18.40 | -1.5 | % | ||||||||||||
Distribution of New Subscription Purchases8 | ||||||||||||||||
Q1 2013 | Q2 2013 | Q3 2013 | Q4 2013 | Q1 2014 | ||||||||||||
Jewish Networks | ||||||||||||||||
1 month plans | 40.1 | % | 42.2 | % | 40.1 | % | 39.9 | % | 39.5 | % | ||||||
3 month plans | 24.8 | % | 25.0 | % | 27.3 | % | 26.2 | % | 26.7 | % | ||||||
6 month plans | 35.1 | % | 32.8 | % | 32.6 | % | 33.9 | % | 33.8 | % | ||||||
100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Christian Networks | ||||||||||||||||
1 month plans | 47.0 | % | 44.9 | % | 43.6 | % | 43.5 | % | 44.4 | % | ||||||
3 month plans | 23.3 | % | 25.3 | % | 23.1 | % | 25.9 | % | 21.7 | % | ||||||
6 month plans | 29.7 | % | 29.8 | % | 33.3 | % | 30.6 | % | 33.9 | % | ||||||
100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Other Networks | ||||||||||||||||
1 month plans | 57.8 | % | 58.5 | % | 60.8 | % | 57.5 | % | 57.9 | % | ||||||
3 month plans | 15.8 | % | 13.0 | % | 12.6 | % | 12.8 | % | 13.2 | % | ||||||
6 month plans | 26.4 | % | 28.5 | % | 26.5 | % | 29.7 | % | 28.9 | % | ||||||
100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Composition of Average Paying Subscriber Base9 | |||||||||||||||
Q1 2013 | Q2 2013 | Q3 2013 | Q4 2013 | Q1 2014 | |||||||||||
Jewish Networks | |||||||||||||||
First Time Subscribers | 25.1 | % | 24.8 | % | 25.3 | % | 24.2 | % | 23.1 | % | |||||
Winback Subscribers | 31.7 | % | 31.5 | % | 30.6 | % | 29.9 | % | 29.3 | % | |||||
Renewal Subscribers | 43.2 | % | 43.7 | % | 44.1 | % | 45.9 | % | 47.6 | % | |||||
Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||
Christian Networks | |||||||||||||||
First Time Subscribers | 55.8 | % | 55.0 | % | 53.8 | % | 52.0 | % | 49.1 | % | |||||
Winback Subscribers | 18.0 | % | 18.4 | % | 18.5 | % | 18.9 | % | 19.3 | % | |||||
Renewal Subscribers | 26.2 | % | 26.6 | % | 27.7 | % | 29.1 | % | 31.6 | % | |||||
Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||
Other Networks | |||||||||||||||
First Time Subscribers | 35.4 | % | 34.3 | % | 33.9 | % | 31.8 | % | 32.1 | % | |||||
Winback Subscribers | 21.6 | % | 22.9 | % | 24.7 | % | 24.2 | % | 23.2 | % | |||||
Renewal Subscribers | 43.0 | % | 42.8 | % | 41.4 | % | 44.0 | % | 44.7 | % | |||||
Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||
Investor Conference Call
The company will discuss its financial results during a live teleconference today at
Toll-Free (
International: 1-201-689-8562
In addition, the company will host a webcast of the call which will be accessible in the Investor Relations section of the company's website at www.spark.net or by clicking http://investor.spark.net.
A replay will begin approximately three hours after completion of the call and run until
Replay
Toll-Free (
International: 1-858-384-5517
Passcode: 13580619
Safe Harbor Statement:
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be considered to be forward-looking statements. Written words, such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "intends," "goal," "objective," "seek," "attempt," or variations of these or similar words, identify forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the near future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially, including, but not limited to our ability to: attract members; convert members into paying subscribers and retain our paying subscribers; develop or acquire new product offerings and successfully implement and expand those offerings; keep pace with rapid technological changes; maintain the strength of our existing brands and maintain and enhance those brands; continue to depend upon the telecommunications infrastructure and our networking hardware and software infrastructure; identify and consummate strategic acquisitions and integrate acquired companies or assets; obtain financing on acceptable terms; and successfully implement both cost cutting initiatives and our current long-term growth strategy. For a discussion of these and further risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the
About
The
1 "Contribution" is defined as revenue, net of credits and credit card chargebacks, less direct marketing.
2 "Contribution Margin" is defined as Contribution divided by revenue, net of credits and credit card chargebacks.
3 The company reports Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to generally accepted accounting principles in
"Adjusted EBITDA" is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, impairment of long-lived assets, non-cash currency translation adjustments for an inter-company loan and the income (loss) recognized from non-cash assets received in connection with a legal judgment.
4 "Average paying subscribers" are defined as individuals who have paid a monthly fee for access to communication and Web site features beyond those provided to our members. Average paying subscribers for each month are calculated as the sum of the paying subscribers at the beginning and end of the month, divided by two. Average paying subscribers for periods longer than one month are calculated as the sum of the average paying subscribers for each month, divided by the number of months in such period.
5 In accordance with Segment Reporting guidance, the company's financial reporting includes detailed data on four separate operating segments. The Jewish Networks segment consists of the company's JDate.com, JDate.co.il, JDate.fr, JDate.co.uk and Cupid.co.il Web sites and their respective co-branded Web sites. The Christian Networks segment consists of the company's ChristianMingle.com, ChristianMingle.co.uk, ChristianMingle.com.au, Believe.com, ChristianCards.net, ChristianDating.com, DailyBibleVerse.com and Faith.com Web sites. The Other Networks segment consists of Spark.com and related other general market Web sites as well as other properties which are primarily composed of sites targeted towards various religious, ethnic, geographic and special interest groups. The Offline & Other Businesses segment consists of revenue generated from offline activities and HurryDate events and subscriptions.
6 Total Average Paying Subscribers excludes results from the company's HurryDate business due to its relative size.
7 ARPU is defined as average revenue per user per month. Total ARPU excludes results from the company's HurryDate business due to its relative size.
8 One month plans may also include a small amount of two month plans. Three month plans may include a small amount of four month plans. Six month plans may include a small amount of twelve month plans.
9 Represents the type of subscriber comprising the average paying subscribers in that period. First Time Subscribers are defined as those subscribers that have never purchased a subscription from the company for that reporting segment. Winback Subscribers are defined as those individuals who have purchased a subscription from the company for that reporting segment, allowed their subscription to lapse, and subsequently purchased a subscription from the company for that reporting segment. Renewal Subscribers are defined as those subscribers that have auto-renewed a subscription from the company for that reporting segment.
SPARK NETWORKS, INC. | ||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||||
(in thousands, except share data) | ||||||||||
December 31, | March 31, | |||||||||
2013 | 2014 | |||||||||
Assets | (unaudited) | |||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 14,723 | $ | 10,938 | ||||||
Restricted cash | 1,296 | 1,279 | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 1,569 | 1,263 | ||||||||
Deferred tax asset - current | 10 | 11 | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other | 1,787 | 1,800 | ||||||||
Total current assets | 19,385 | 15,291 | ||||||||
Property and equipment, net | 3,901 | 3,949 | ||||||||
Goodwill | 9,305 | 9,274 | ||||||||
Intangible assets, net | 2,269 | 2,259 | ||||||||
Deferred tax asset - non-current | 186 | 157 | ||||||||
Deposits and other assets | 208 | 212 | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | 35,254 | $ | 31,142 | ||||||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 1,516 | $ | 1,969 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities | 5,761 | 5,061 | ||||||||
Deferred revenue | 8,830 | 8,963 | ||||||||
Deferred tax liability - current portion | 526 | 526 | ||||||||
Total current liabilities | 16,633 | 16,519 | ||||||||
Deferred tax liability | 1,781 | 1,784 | ||||||||
Other liabilities - non-current | 1,717 | 1,705 | ||||||||
Total liabilities | 20,131 | 20,008 | ||||||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||||
Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||||
Authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value; issued and outstanding: 23,800,958 and 24,001,937 shares at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively: | 24 | 26 | ||||||||
Additional paid-in-capital | 70,747 | 69,649 | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 776 | 775 | ||||||||
Accumulated deficit | (56,424 | ) | (59,316 | ) | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 15,123 | 11,134 | ||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 35,254 | $ | 31,142 | ||||||
SPARK NETWORKS, INC. | |||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | |||||||||
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2013 | 2014 | ||||||||
Revenue | $ | 17,263 | $ | 16,616 | |||||
Cost and expenses: | |||||||||
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below) | 13,657 | 12,364 | |||||||
Sales and marketing | 1,262 | 1,562 | |||||||
Customer service | 703 | 788 | |||||||
Technical operations | 332 | 341 | |||||||
Development | 791 | 859 | |||||||
General and administrative | 2,934 | 2,957 | |||||||
Depreciation | 453 | 517 | |||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | - | 10 | |||||||
Total cost and expenses | 20,132 | 19,398 | |||||||
Operating loss | (2,869 | ) | (2,782 | ) | |||||
Interest (income) expense and other, net | (53 | ) | 31 | ||||||
Loss before income taxes | (2,816 | ) | (2,813 | ) | |||||
Provision for income taxes | 124 | 79 | |||||||
Net loss | $ | (2,940 | ) | $ | (2,892 | ) | |||
Net loss per share--basic and diluted | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | |||
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 20,960 | 23,922 | |||||||
Stock-based compensation: (in thousands) |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||
2013 | 2014 | |||||||
Sales and marketing | $ | 34 | $ | 38 | ||||
Technical operations | 1 | - | ||||||
Development | 4 | - | ||||||
General and administrative | 149 | 140 | ||||||
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA: (in thousands) | Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||
2013 | 2014 | |||||||
Net loss | $ | (2,940 | ) | $ | (2,892 | ) | ||
Interest | 15 | 12 | ||||||
Taxes | 124 | 79 | ||||||
Depreciation | 453 | 517 | ||||||
Amortization | - | 10 | ||||||
EBITDA | (2,348 | ) | (2,274 | ) | ||||
Stock-based compensation | 188 | 178 | ||||||
Non-cash currency translation adjustments | (79 | ) | 20 | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (2,239 | ) | $ | (2,076 | ) | ||
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