IRVINE, Calif., July 31, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq:ABTL), pioneer of the automotive Internet and the company dedicated to connecting automotive consumers with dealers, today announced sharply improved financial results for the second quarter and six-months ended June 30, 2014.
"Our solid performance reflects continued favorable conditions in the automotive market, excellent momentum in our core leads business and contributions from AutoUSA, which we acquired in January of this year," said Jeffrey H. Coats, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The integration of AutoUSA is now complete. We eliminated $4.5 million, or 75%, of AutoUSA's costs, well ahead of our original target, added hundreds of incremental dealers to our network, gained new dealer products, and enhanced our competitive position. We remain steadfastly focused on delivering high-quality leads and value-added products to our dealer network and OEM customers throughout the nation to help them sell more cars."
Total revenues for the 2014 second quarter grew approximately 46% to $25.9 million from $17.8 million a year ago. Revenues generated from automotive leads and services for the 2014 second quarter increased 52% to $23.2 million, from $15.3 million for last year's second quarter. The improvement primarily reflected ongoing demand from automotive dealers (retail) and auto manufacturers (wholesale). Retail revenues rose approximately 81% and wholesale revenues grew approximately 29% for the 2014 second quarter, compared with the corresponding period last year.
"During the quarter, revenues were slightly impacted by changes in an OEM lead program that we acquired through AutoUSA, and by our decision to reduce the number of leads purchased from one of AutoUSA's largest suppliers whose lead conversion rates no longer met Autobytel's stringent quality standards," said Coats. "The decision to reduce lead purchases from this supplier was the right one for our customers, and had a positive effect on our sales conversion rates and margins. Even though the decision to reduce these lead purchases is resulting in a short-term impact on revenues, we take our quality commitment to our customers seriously, which we believe will translate to long-term, profitable growth for our business."
Gross profit increased approximately 48% to $10.3 million, or 39.8% of total revenues, for the 2014 second quarter, from $7.0 million, or 39.1% of total revenues, last year.
Total operating expenses were $8.9 million, or 34.2% of total revenues, for the second quarter of 2014, which included approximately $116,000 in acquisition-related costs. Total operating expenses were $6.4 million, or 36.0% of revenues, for the second quarter of last year.
Net income for the 2014 second quarter totaled $801,000, or $0.08 per diluted share, versus $386,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the 2013 second quarter. The per share calculations were based on 11.3 million diluted average weighted shares outstanding for the 2014 second quarter and 9.1 million diluted average weighted shares outstanding for the 2013 second quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA, defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and acquisition expenses, plus stock-based compensation, was $2.5 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2014, versus $1.3 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for last year's second quarter. Autobytel is providing the non-GAAP measure of adjusted EBITDA since it believes this is a better metric for monitoring the company's financial performance given its net operating loss (NOL) tax credits and recent acquisitions.
Six-Month Results
Total revenues rose 46.7% to $52.9 million for the first half of 2014 from $36.0 million for the same period last year. Automotive leads and services revenues increased 53% for the 2014 year-to-date period from the same period last year. Retail revenues grew approximately 79%, and wholesale revenues improved 34% for the first six months of 2014, compared with the first six months of 2013.
Gross profit increased substantially to $20.4 million, or 38.6% of total revenues, for the 2014 year-to-date period, versus $13.5 million, or 37.6% of total revenues, for the same period last year.
Total operating expenses for the first half of 2014 amounted to $18.2 million, or 34.4% of total revenues, versus $13.0 million, or 36.0% of total revenues, for the first six months of last year.
Net income for the 2014 year-to-date period rose to $1.2 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, based on 11.3 million diluted average weighted shares outstanding. Net income for the year-ago period was $721,000, or $0.08 per share, based on 9.1 million diluted average weighted shares outstanding.
Adjusted EBITDA grew to $5.0 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the first half of 2014, versus $2.5 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the first half of 2013.
Cash and cash equivalents increased to $20.5 million at June 30, 2014, up from $18.9 million at December 31, 2013 and $15.8 million one year ago.
Cash flow provided by operations was $1.9 million for the 2014 second quarter, compared with $1.3 million for the same period last year. Cash flow provided by operations was $2.8 million for the first six months of 2014, compared with $918,000 for the corresponding period of 2013.
Business Outlook
Based on current business trends and an ongoing healthy automotive market, Autobytel estimates that:
- 2014 third quarter revenue growth should be in the range of 22% to 26%, compared with the 2013 third quarter.
- 2014 third quarter adjusted EBITDA per diluted share should be in the range of $0.22 to $0.25, based on 11.3 million diluted average weighted shares outstanding.
Conference Call
Autobytel management will host a conference call today at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT to discuss its 2014 second quarter financial results. Interested parties may participate in the live call by dialing (877) 852-2929, passcode 73076662. An audio broadcast will also be available through a live webcast at www.autobytel.com (click on "Investor Relations" 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 unable to listen to the live broadcast, the call will be archived for one year on Autobytel's website. A telephone replay of the call will also be available through August 6, 2014 by dialing (855) 859-2056, passcode 73076662. The slides that will be referenced during the call will be available on the company's website at www.autobytel.com (click on "Investor Relations" and then click on "Events & Presentations"). The slides will contain disclosures of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA per diluted share, which are non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures will be included in the slides.
Note about Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Autobytel has disclosed EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA per diluted share in this press release, which are non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G, for the 2014 and 2013 second quarter and six-month periods. The company defines (i) EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (ii) adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, plus stock-based compensation and acquisition-related expenses; and (iii) adjusted EBITDA per diluted share as adjusted EBITDA divided by weighted average diluted shares outstanding. The company's management believes that presenting EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA per diluted share provide useful information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the company's ongoing operations and are better metrics for monitoring the company's performance given the company's net operating loss (NOL) tax credits and recent acquisitions. These non-GAAP financial measures are 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. A table providing a reconciliation of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA per diluted share is included at the end of this press release.
About Autobytel Inc.
Autobytel Inc. provides high quality consumer leads and associated marketing services to automotive dealers and manufacturers throughout the United States and offers consumers robust and original online automotive content to help them make informed car-buying decisions. The company pioneered the automotive internet in 1995 with its flagship website www.autobytel.com and has since helped tens of millions of automotive consumers research vehicles; connected thousands of dealers nationwide with motivated car buyers; and helped every major automaker market its brand online. Investors and other interested parties can receive Autobytel news releases and invitations to special events by accessing the online registration form at investor.autobytel.com/alerts.cfm.
Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, comments that the company believes its commitment to customers regarding lead quality will translate to long-term, profitable growth for its business, that based on current business trends the company estimates 2014 third quarter revenue growth will be in the range of 22% to 26%, compared with the 2013 third quarter, and 2014 third quarter adjusted EBITDA per diluted share should be in the range of $0.22 to $0.25, based on 11.3 million diluted average weighted shares outstanding, 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. Autobytel undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements are changes in general economic conditions; the financial condition of automobile manufacturers and dealers; disruptions in automobile production; changes in fuel prices; the economic impact of terrorist attacks, political revolutions or military actions; failure of our internet security measures; dealer attrition; pressure on dealer fees; increased or unexpected competition; the failure of new products and services to meet expectations; failure to retain key employees or attract and integrate new employees; actual costs and expenses exceeding charges taken by Autobytel; changes in laws and regulations; costs of legal matters, including, defending lawsuits and undertaking investigations and related matters; and other matters disclosed in Autobytel's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are strongly encouraged to review the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could affect the business, operating results or financial condition of Autobytel and the market price of the company's stock.
(Financial Tables Follow)
| AUTOBYTEL INC. | ||
| UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS | ||
| (Amounts in thousands, except share and per-share data) | ||
| June 30, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | |
| Assets | ||
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 20,480 | $ 18,930 |
| Accounts receivable (net of allowances for bad debts and customer credits of $555 and $405 at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively) | 17,039 | 14,178 |
| Deferred tax asset | 2,951 | 3,517 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 368 | 506 |
| Total current assets | 40,838 | 37,131 |
| Property and equipment, net | 1,707 | 1,548 |
| Equity investment | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| Intangible assets, net | 4,945 | 1,821 |
| Goodwill | 20,948 | 13,602 |
| Deferred tax asset | 31,135 | 31,135 |
| Other assets | 1,014 | 456 |
| Total assets | $ 103,087 | $ 88,193 |
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Accounts payable | $ 8,611 | $ 5,267 |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 6,449 | 7,648 |
| Total current liabilities | 15,060 | 12,915 |
| Convertible note payable | 6,000 | 5,000 |
| Term loan payable | 7,875 | -- |
| Borrowings under credit facility | 5,250 | 4,250 |
| Other non-current liabilities | 937 | 1,200 |
| Total liabilities | 35,122 | 23,365 |
| Commitments and contingencies | -- | -- |
| Stockholders' equity: | ||
| Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 11,445,187 shares authorized; none outstanding | -- | -- |
| Common stock, $0.001 par value; 55,000,000 shares authorized; 9,028,733 and 8,909,737 shares issued and outstanding, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively | 9 | 9 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 309,137 | 307,171 |
| Accumulated deficit | (241,181) | (242,352) |
| Total stockholders' equity | 67,965 | 64,828 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 103,087 | $ 88,193 |
| AUTOBYTEL INC. | ||||
| UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | ||||
| (Amounts in thousands, except per-share data) | ||||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||
| June 30, | June 30, | |||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| Revenues: | ||||
| Lead fees | $ 24,835 | $ 16,843 | $ 50,848 | $ 34,360 |
| Advertising | 764 | 895 | 1,437 | 1,611 |
| Other revenues | 314 | 33 | 588 | 61 |
| Total revenues | 25,913 | 17,771 | 52,873 | 36,032 |
| Cost of revenues | 15,597 | 10,815 | 32,472 | 22,485 |
| Gross profit | 10,316 | 6,956 | 20,401 | 13,547 |
| Operating expenses: | ||||
| Sales and marketing | 3,725 | 2,136 | 7,742 | 4,376 |
| Technology support | 1,993 | 1,767 | 3,917 | 3,473 |
| General and administrative | 2,716 | 2,146 | 5,738 | 4,435 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 455 | 409 | 889 | 833 |
| Litigation settlements | (25) | (67) | (93) | (138) |
| Total operating expenses | 8,864 | 6,391 | 18,193 | 12,979 |
| Operating income | 1,452 | 565 | 2,208 | 568 |
| Interest and other income (expense), net | (175) | (96) | (341) | 307 |
| Income tax provision | 476 | 83 | 696 | 154 |
| Net income and comprehensive income | $ 801 | $ 386 | $ 1,171 | $ 721 |
| Basic earnings per common share | $ 0.09 | $ 0.04 | $ 0.13 | $ 0.08 |
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ 0.08 | $ 0.04 | $ 0.11 | $ 0.08 |
| Shares used in computing earnings per common share (in thousands): | ||||
| Basic | 9,000 | 8,865 | 8,965 | 8,861 |
| Diluted | 11,271 | 9,133 | 11,313 | 9,104 |
| AUTOBYTEL INC. | ||||||||
| RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA | ||||||||
| (Amounts in thousands, except per-share data) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||
| June 30, | June 30, | June 30, | June 30, | |||||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| (EPS Impact) | ||||||||
| Net income | $ 801 | $ 386 | $ 1,171 | $ 721 | $ 0.08 | $ 0.04 | $ 0.11 | $ 0.08 |
| Net interest | 180 | 73 | 351 | 147 | $ 0.02 | $ 0.01 | $ 0.03 | $ 0.02 |
| Income taxes | 476 | 83 | 696 | 154 | $ 0.04 | $ 0.01 | $ 0.06 | $ 0.02 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 548 | 523 | 1,075 | 1,061 | $ 0.05 | $ 0.06 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.12 |
| Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") | 2,005 | 1,065 | 3,293 | 2,083 | $ 0.18 | $ 0.12 | $ 0.29 | $ 0.23 |
| Non-cash stock based compensation | 368 | 188 | 655 | 374 | $ 0.03 | $ 0.02 | $ 0.06 | $ 0.04 |
| Acquisition costs | 116 | -- | 1,100 | -- | $ 0.01 | $ -- | $ 0.10 | $ -- |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ 2,489 | $ 1,253 | $ 5,048 | $ 2,457 | $ 0.22 | $ 0.14 | $ 0.45 | $ 0.27 |
| Weighted average diluted shares | 11,271 | 9,133 | 11,313 | 9,104 | ||||