QuinStreet Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2011 Financial Results

Annual Revenues Grow 20% to $403 Million; Adjusted EBITDA Margin 22%


FOSTER CITY, Calif., Aug. 10, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QuinStreet, Inc. (Nasdaq:QNST), a leader in vertical marketing and media online, today announced its financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.

For the fiscal year, the Company reported total revenue of $403.0 million, an increase of 20% over fiscal 2010. Fourth quarter revenue was $94.1 million, an increase of 6% over the same quarter last year.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year was $90.3 million, or 22% of revenue; adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $20.8 million, or 22% of revenue.

For fiscal year 2011, the Company reported GAAP net income of $27.2 million, or $0.55 per diluted share. Adjusted net income for the year was $50.3 million, or $1.02 per diluted share.

For the fourth quarter, the Company reported GAAP net income of $6.4 million, or $0.13 per diluted share. Adjusted net income for the quarter was $11.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share. Adjusted net income excludes stock-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets, net of estimated tax.

For fiscal year 2011, revenue for the Education client vertical was $175.5 million, an increase of 15% compared to the prior year. Revenue for the Financial Services client vertical was $181.9 million, an increase of 26% compared to the prior year. Revenue for Other client verticals was $45.7 million, an increase of 18% over the prior year.

For the fourth quarter, revenue for the Education client vertical was $41.7 million, an increase of 12% compared to the year-ago quarter. Revenue for the Financial Services client vertical was $39.3 million, an increase of 2% compared to the same quarter last year. Revenue for Other client verticals was $13.0 million, an increase of 4% compared to the year-ago quarter.

The Company generated $78.2 million in cash flow from operations in the fiscal year and $19.6 million in cash flow from operations in the fourth quarter.

QuinStreet closed the year with $167.2 million in cash and marketable securities.

Reconciliations of adjusted net income to net income, adjusted EBITDA to net income, and free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities are included in the accompanying tables.

"We are pleased with our financial results for fiscal 2011. Revenue growth of 20% to $403 million and adjusted EBITDA of 22% were both at the high end of our long-term objectives despite obvious challenges in the economy and in some of our markets," commented Doug Valenti, QuinStreet CEO. "Fourth quarter results came in at the high end of our outlook provided in June. We also made progress continuing to develop our competitive advantages and footprint for future growth."

Conference Call

QuinStreet will host a conference call and corresponding live webcast at 2:00 p.m. PT today. To access the conference call, dial 1-866-240-0819 for the U.S. and Canada and 1-973-200-3360 for international callers. The webcast will be available live on the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.quinstreet.com, and via replay beginning approximately two hours after the completion of the call until the Company's announcement of its financial results for the next quarter. An audio replay of the call will also be available to investors beginning at approximately 5:00 p.m. PT on August 10, 2011 until 11:59 p.m. PT on August 17, 2011 by dialing 1-800-642-1687 in the U.S. and Canada, or 1-706-645-9291 for international callers, using passcode 82236077#. This press release, the financial tables, as well as other supplemental financial information are also available on the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.quinstreet.com.

Final operating results will be included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than September 13, 2011.

About QuinStreet

QuinStreet, Inc. (Nasdaq:QNST) is a leader in vertical marketing and media online. QuinStreet is headquartered in Foster City, CA. For more information, please visit www.quinstreet.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release and the accompanying tables include a discussion of adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted net income per share and free cash flow, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures that are provided as a complement to results provided in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The term "adjusted EBITDA" refers to a financial measure that we define as net income less provision for taxes, depreciation expense, amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, interest and other income (expense), net. The term "adjusted net income" refers to a financial measure that we define as net income adjusted for amortization expense and stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated taxes. The term "adjusted diluted net income per share" refers to a financial measure that we define as adjusted net income divided by weighted average diluted shares outstanding. The term "free cash flow" refers to a financial measure that we define as net cash provided by operating activities, less capital expenditures and internal software development costs. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. In addition, our definition of adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted net income per share and free cash flow may not be comparable to the definitions as reported by other companies.

We believe adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted net income per share and free cash flow are relevant and useful information because they provide us and investors with additional measurements to analyze the Company's operating performance.

Adjusted EBITDA is part of our internal management reporting and planning process and one of the primary measures used by our management to evaluate the operating performance of our business, as well as potential acquisitions. Adjusted EBITDA is useful to us and investors because it provides information related to the Company's ability to provide cash flow for acquisitions, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Internally, adjusted EBITDA is used by management for planning purposes, including preparation of internal budgets; to allocate resources to enhance financial performance; to evaluate the effectiveness of operational strategies; and to evaluate the Company's capacity to fund acquisitions and capital expenditures as well as the capacity to service debt. Adjusted EBITDA is used as a key financial metric in senior management's annual incentive compensation program. The Company believes that analysts and investors use adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measurement to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies in its industry and use adjusted EBITDA multiples as a metric for analyzing company valuations. It is also an element of certain maintenance covenants under our debt agreements.

Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per share are useful to us and investors because they present an additional measurement of our financial performance, taking into account depreciation, which we believe is an ongoing cost of doing business, but excluding the impact of certain non-cash expenses (stock-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets). The Company believes that analysts and investors use adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per share as supplemental measures to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies in our industry.

Free cash flow is useful to us and investors because it represents the cash that our business generates from operations, before taking into account cash movements that are non-operational, and is a metric commonly used in our industry to understand the underlying cash generating capacity of a company's financial model. The Company believes that analysts and investors use free cash flow multiples as a metric for analyzing company valuations in our industry. Free cash flow has certain limitations in that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in the cash balance for the period, nor does it represent the residual cash flow for discretionary expenditures. Therefore, we think it is important to evaluate free cash flow along with our consolidated statement of cash flows.

We intend to provide these non-GAAP financial measures as part of our future earnings discussions and, therefore, the inclusion of these non-GAAP financial measures will provide consistency in our financial reporting. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to GAAP is provided in the accompanying tables.

Legal Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release and its attachments contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as "will, " "believe, " "intend, " "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include the quotations from management in this press release, as well as any statements regarding the Company's anticipated financial results and strategic and operational plans. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the Company's ability to deliver an adequate rate of growth and manage such growth; the impact of changes in government regulation and industry standards; the Company's ability to maintain and increase the number of visitors to its websites; the Company's ability to identify and manage acquisitions; the impact of the current economic climate on the Company's business; the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified executives and employees; the Company's ability to compete effectively against others in the online marketing and media industry; the impact and costs of any failure by the Company to comply with government regulations and industry standards; and costs associated with defending intellectual property infringement and other claims. More information about potential factors that could affect the Company's business and financial results is contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional information will also be set forth in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, which will be filed with the SEC no later than September 13, 2011. The Company does not intend and undertakes no duty to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein.

QUINSTREET, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
     
  June 30, June 30,
  2011 2010
Assets    
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 132,290  $ 155,770
Marketable securities 34,927 --
Accounts receivable, net  48,225 51,466
Deferred tax assets 10,253 8,528
Prepaid expenses and other assets 5,773 3,123
Total current assets 231,468 218,887
     
Property and equipment, net 8,875 5,419
Goodwill 211,856 158,582
Other intangible assets, net 65,847 47,156
Deferred tax assets, noncurrent 5,866 3,972
Other assets, noncurrent 1,012 614
Total assets  $ 524,924  $ 434,630
     
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable  $ 23,300  $ 16,776
Accrued liabilities 33,238 30,144
Deferred revenue 2,531 1,241
Debt 10,038 15,562
Total current liabilities 69,107 63,723
     
Deferred revenue, noncurrent 58 305
Debt, noncurrent 96,010 78,046
Other liabilities, noncurrent  4,360 2,534
Total liabilities 169,535 144,608
     
Stockholders' equity    
Common stock 50 47
Additional paid-in capital 255,689 217,581
Treasury stock (7,779) (7,779)
Accumulated other comprehensive income  51 9
Retained earnings 107,378 80,164
Total stockholders' equity 355,389 290,022
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 524,924  $ 434,630
 
QUINSTREET, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 (In thousands, except per share data)
 (Unaudited)
         
  Three Months Ended Fiscal Year Ended
  June 30, June 30,
  2011 2010 2011 2010
Net revenue  $ 94,118  $ 88,547  $ 403,021  $ 334,835
Cost of revenue (1)  69,122  62,858  291,991  240,730
Gross profit  24,996  25,689  111,030  94,105
Operating expenses: (1)        
Product development  5,843  5,192  24,163  19,726
Sales and marketing  3,285  4,508  17,382  16,698
General and administrative  5,206  4,353  20,396  18,464
Operating income  10,662  11,636  49,089  39,217
Interest income  30  64  169  97
Interest expense  (1,105)  (1,046)  (4,213)  (3,977)
Other income (expense), net  (95)  1,302  56  1,523
Income before income taxes  9,492  11,956  45,101  36,860
Provision for taxes  (3,046)  (5,545)  (17,887)  (16,276)
Net income  $ 6,446  $ 6,411  $ 27,214  $ 20,584
         
Net income attributable to common stockholders         
Basic  $ 6,446  $ 6,411  $ 27,214  $ 12,782
Diluted  $ 6,446  $ 6,411  $ 27,214  $ 13,201
         
Net income per share attributable to common stockholders        
Basic  $ 0.14  $ 0.14  $ 0.59  $ 0.50
Diluted  $ 0.13  $ 0.13  $ 0.55  $ 0.46
         
         
Weighted average shares used in computing net income per share attributable to common stockholders  
Basic  47,161  45,067  46,222  25,616
Diluted  49,645  47,762  49,130  28,429
         
         
(1) Cost of revenue and operating expenses include stock-based compensation expense as follows:
         
Cost of revenue  $ 1,095  $ 968  $ 4,506  $ 3,111
Product development  621  606  2,705  2,176
Sales and marketing  631  959  3,747  3,463
General and administrative  750  619  2,992  4,621
 
QUINSTREET, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (In thousands)
 (Unaudited)
           
  Three Months Ended Fiscal Year Ended  
  June 30, June 30,  
  2011 2010 2011 2010  
           
Cash Flows from Operating Activities          
Net income  $ 6,446  $ 6,411  $ 27,214  $ 20,584  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization 7,020  5,113 27,272 18,791  
Provision for sales returns and doubtful accounts receivable 108  (517) (35) (751)  
Stock-based compensation 3,097  3,152 13,950 13,371  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation (714)  (38) (7,458) (1,859)  
Other non-cash adjustments, net (109)  (2,189) 99 (1,622)  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:        
Accounts receivable 4,371  (3,142) 3,885 (14,403)  
Prepaid expenses and other assets 3,051  5,280 4,947 29  
Other assets, noncurrent (13)  22 120 11  
Deferred taxes (3,252)  (6,771) (3,252) (6,771)  
Accounts payable (192)  (975) 6,375 3,363  
Accrued liabilities (851)  2,265 2,552 7,900  
Deferred revenue 96  (55) 1,043 (112)  
Other liabilities, noncurrent 536  (10) 1,459 (22)  
Net cash provided by operating activities 19,594 8,546 78,171 38,509  
Cash Flows from Investing Activities          
Capital expenditures  (939)  (551) (5,363) (2,710)  
Business acquisitions, net of notes payable and cash acquired (115)  (15,277) (91,838) (68,176)  
Internal software development costs (519)  (405) (1,841) (1,414)  
Purchases of marketable securities (20,510)  -- (54,433) --  
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities 10,743  -- 19,227 --  
Other investing activities (509)  -- (515) 67  
Net cash used in investing activities (11,849) (16,233) (134,763) (72,233)  
Cash Flows from Financing Activities          
Payments for issuance of common stock --  (1,286) (106) 136,790  
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options 4,130  90 16,710 1,640  
Proceeds from bank debt, net of issuance costs --  -- 24,425 43,300  
Principal payments on bank debt (1,313)  (850) (3,963) (3,100)  
Principal payments on acquisition-related notes payable (3,727)  (9,841) (11,452) (15,450)  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation 714  38 7,458 1,859  
Repurchases of common stock --  -- -- (715)  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (196) (11,849) 33,072 164,324  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 57  (12) 40 (12)  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 7,606 (19,548) (23,480) 130,588  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 124,684 175,318 155,770 25,182  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $ 132,290  $ 155,770  $ 132,290  $ 155,770  
 
QUINSTREET, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO
ADJUSTED NET INCOME
 (In thousands, except per share data)
 (Unaudited)
         
  Three Months Ended Fiscal Year Ended
  June 30, June 30,
  2011 2010 2011 2010
Net income  $ 6,446  $ 6,411  $ 27,214  $ 20,584
Amortization of intangible assets  5,590  4,219  22,165  15,289
Stock-based compensation  3,097  3,152  13,950  13,371
Tax impact of the above items  (3,222)  (2,200)  (13,040)  (9,549)
Adjusted net income  $ 11,911  $ 11,582  $ 50,289  $ 39,695
         
         
Adjusted diluted net income per share  $ 0.24    $ 1.02  
         
Weighted average shares used in computing adjusted diluted net income per share  49,645    49,130  
         
         
         
QUINSTREET, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO
ADJUSTED EBITDA
 (In thousands)
 (Unaudited)
         
         
  Three Months Ended Fiscal Year Ended
  June 30, June 30,
  2011 2010 2011 2010
Net income  $ 6,446  $ 6,411  $ 27,214  $ 20,584
Interest and other income (expense), net  1,170  (320)  3,988  2,357
Provision for taxes  3,046  5,545  17,887  16,276
Depreciation and amortization   7,020  5,113  27,272  18,791
Stock-based compensation  3,097  3,152  13,950  13,371
Adjusted EBITDA  $ 20,779  $ 19,901  $ 90,311  $ 71,379
         
         
         
QUINSTREET, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED BY
OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE CASH FLOW
 (In thousands)
 (Unaudited)
         
  Three Months Ended Fiscal Year Ended
  June 30, June 30,
  2011 2010 2011 2010
Net cash provided by operating activities   $ 19,594  $ 8,546  $ 78,171  $ 38,509
Capital expenditures  (939)  (551)  (5,363)  (2,710)
Internal software development costs  (519)  (405)  (1,841)  (1,414)
Free cash flow  $ 18,136  $ 7,590  $ 70,967  $ 34,385
         


            

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