Payment Data Systems Announces Fourth Quarter and Year End 2015 Results


SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 24, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Payment Data Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PYDS), an integrated payment solutions provider, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Financial Highlights 

  • Revenues were $3.7 million
  • Gross margins were $1.4 million, or 37.8% of revenues
  • Operating income was $136,991
  • Adjusted EBITDA1 was $670,625, or 18.3% of revenues
  • Net income was $164,842, or $0.01 per diluted share

1See Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA in the accompanying financial tables

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Financial Highlights

  • Revenues were $14.4 million; up 7.4% from $13.4 million in 2014
  • Gross margins were $5.0 million, or 34.5% of revenues; up 18.8% from $4.2 million, or 31.2% of revenues in 2014
  • Operating income was $946,877, compared to $2.3 million a year ago
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 was $2.9 million, or 20.1% of revenues; up 12.1% from $2.6 million, or 19.2% of revenues in 2014 
  • Net income was $1.0 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to $3.8 million, or $0.41 per diluted share in 2014
  • Cash flow from operations was $2.1 million; up 4.2% from $2.0 million in 2014

2See Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA in the accompanying financial tables

2015 Full Year Operating Highlights

  • Total dollars processed for 2015 set a new record, exceeding $3.3 billion, an 18% increase from 2014. 
  • Total transactions processed for 2015 also reached a new high at more than 14.3 million, a 10% increase from 2014.

Management Commentary

“I am proud to report that our focus on innovation and delivery of world-class payments processing technology for our customers drove record revenues and results across all key operating metrics in 2015, and for the first time we exceeded the $3 billion mark for total dollars processed in a year,” said Michael Long, Chairman and CEO, Payment Data Systems, Inc. 

“This is truly an exciting time to be in the payments space. The rapid growth of e-commerce, online mobile payments and new alternative payment methods is driving significant change in the payments market, with electronic payments now exceeding 85% of all non-cash payments,” added Long.  “As never before, merchants need to manage the complexity to thrive and are looking at payments and payment innovators much more strategically than in the past.  We serve unmet needs in a fast growing market that demands secure, adaptive, and convenient payments and prepaid products – and because of the customization and innovation we provide in meeting these needs, we have created a loyal base of customers.”

Payment Data Systems, Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Louis Hoch said, “2015 marked a year of significant accomplishments that position Payment Data Systems for long-term growth. Our strategies for long-term value creation are two-fold.  We plan to drive organic growth by continuing to expand our payment processing business with new customer verticals through resellers and integrators and by increasing prepaid product sales by leveraging our powerful Akimbo user interface.  On the acquisition front, we will selectively evaluate strategic acquisitions that enhance or bring additional products and services to our current model, with the goals of increasing customer satisfaction, generating additional opportunities to cross-sell, and creating opportunities to engage new clients.  We will also evaluate portfolio acquisitions at accretive multiples.”

Hoch added, “During the fourth quarter, our revenues were down slightly due primarily to lower ACH volumes.  In addition, in October, we introduced our new eCheck verification service that significantly reduced return check rates for our customers.  The eCheck service improves quality for merchants and we expect it to continue to provide an attractive revenue stream.  Although each eCheck verification transaction generates lower gross revenue than a returned check fee, an eCheck transaction has a higher gross margin and is more profitable than returned check fees.  As a result, our gross margins remain intact even though our total revenues are unfavorably impacted by this mix shift.

“Based on a strong customer pipeline, we expect to resume revenue growth in the second half of 2016.  We are excited about the growth prospects ahead for 2016 and beyond, and we look forward to reporting on our progress on our growth strategies in future quarterly calls.”

“Our 2015 results reflect continued investment in technology, product development, sales, customer service, and compliance while remaining profitable,” said Habib Yunus, CFO, Payment Data Systems, Inc.  “Our revenues, gross margins and Adjusted EBITDA margins each grew versus last year but net income was impacted by higher SG&A, and one-time expenses related to the Akimbo acquisition and NASDAQ uplisting.”

“Our balance sheet is strong, with $4.1 million of cash.  We remain debt free and generated positive cash flow from operations of $2.1 million in 2015.  This positions us well to pursue future growth opportunities,” said Yunus.   

Financial Results

Three Months Ended December 31, 2015

Revenues of $3.7 million decreased 2.7% compared to $3.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, as record credit card processing volumes were offset by a decline in ACH volumes and returned check processing fees.

Gross margins of $1.4 million, or 37.8% of revenues, compared to $1.4 million, or 38.0% of revenues, in the corresponding prior-year period.

Operating income was $136,991, compared to $931,390 in the fourth quarter of 2014, reflecting higher selling, general and administrative expenses, including higher non-cash compensation expense, to support the Company’s growth, and higher amortization expense related to the amortization of assets purchased from Akimbo.

Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization adjusted for non-recurring and non-cash items) was $670,625 compared to $1.0 million in the corresponding prior-year period.  Please see a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income in the accompanying financial tables.

Net income was $164,842, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared to $2.5 million, or $0.27 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2014, primarily reflecting higher expenses in the fourth quarter of 2015 and the release of a deferred tax allowance in the fourth quarter a year ago. 

Year Ended December 31, 2015

Revenues of $14.4 million increased 7.4% from $13.4 million in 2014, driven primarily by increased ACH and credit card transaction volumes.

Gross margins increased 18.8% to $5.0 million, or 34.5% of revenue, from $4.2 million, or 31.2% of revenue a year ago.

Operating income was $946,877, compared to $2.3 million a year ago, reflecting higher selling, general and administrative expenses, including higher non-cash stock compensation expense, to support the Company’s growth, one-time expenses related to the Akimbo acquisition and listing on NASDAQ, and higher amortization expense related to the amortization of assets purchased from Akimbo.

Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization adjusted for non-recurring and non-cash items) of $2.9 million increased 12.1% from $2.6 million in 2014.  Please see a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income in the accompanying financial tables.

Net income was $1.0 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to $3.8 million, or $0.41 per diluted share a year ago.

Balance Sheet

At December 31, 2015, the Company had $4.1 million of cash and cash equivalents. 

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, as defined in Regulation G of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company reports its financial results in compliance with GAAP, but believes that also discussing non-GAAP measures provides investors with financial measures it uses in the management of its business. The Company defines EBITDA as operating income (loss), before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of intangibles. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, as defined above, plus non-cash stock option costs and certain non-recurring items, such as acquisitions. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Management uses EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as indicators of the Company's operating performance and ability to fund acquisitions, capital expenditures and other investments and, in the absence of refinancing options, to repay debt obligations.

Management believes EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are helpful to investors in evaluating the Company's operating performance because non-cash costs and other items that management believes are not indicative of its results of operations are excluded. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are supplemental non-GAAP measures, which have limitations as an analytical tool. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect a comprehensive system of accounting, may differ from GAAP measures with the same names, and may differ from non-GAAP financial measures with the same or similar names that are used by other companies. For a description of our use of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, and a reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to operating income (loss), see the section of this press release titled "Non-GAAP Reconciliation."

Conference Call and Webcast

Payment Data Systems, Inc.’s management will host a conference call with a live webcast today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to provide a business update.

Individuals interested in dialing in to the conference call may do so by dialing (866) 777-2509 for U.S. participants and (412) 317-5413 for participants outside the U.S., referencing “Payment Data Systems”. The call may also be accessed via webcast on the Company’s website at www.paymentdata.com/invest. If you would like to submit a question via email in advance please email ebrossy@finprofiles.com.

A replay of the call will be available through Thursday, April 7, 2016 by dialing (877) 344-7529 (U.S.) or (412) 317-0088 (international), using the passcode 10082920.

About Payment Data Systems, Inc.

Payment Data Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PYDS), a leading integrated payment solutions provider, offers a wide range of payment solutions to merchants, billers, banks, service bureaus, and card issuers. The Company operates credit, debit/prepaid and ACH payment processing platforms to deliver convenient, world-class payment solutions and service to their clients. The strength of the Company lies in its ability to provide tailored solutions for card issuance, payment acceptance, and bill payments as well as its unique technology in the prepaid sector. Payment Data Systems is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, and has offices in New York, New York; and Long Beach, California. 

For additional information please visit www.paymentdata.com.  Websites: www.ficentive.com, www.akimbocard.com, www.streamprepaid.com,  www.zbill.com. Find us on Facebook®

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLAIMER

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this release include certain forward-looking statements, which are intended to be covered by safe harbors. Those statements include, but may not be limited to, all statements regarding our management’s intent, belief and expectations, such as statements concerning our future and our operating and growth strategy. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. One or more of these factors have affected, and in the future could affect our businesses and financial results in the future and could cause actual results to differ materially from plans and projections. We believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements included in this release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved. All forward-looking statements made in this release are based on information presently available to our management. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

(Financial Tables Follow)

PAYMENT DATA SYSTEMS, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
  
         
  December 31,   December 31,  
  2015   2014  
ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents$  4,059,606  $  2,803,455  
Accounts receivable, net 1,135,384   1,037,208  
Settlement processing assets 39,797,232   36,525,819  
Prepaid expenses and other 149,118   129,258  
Current assets before restricted cash 45,141,340   40,495,740  
Restricted cash  17,972,065   15,660,577  
Total current assets  63,113,405   56,156,317  
      
Property and equipment, net 3,077,421   2,705,517  
     
Other assets:    
Intangibles 341,816   412,363  
Deferred tax asset, noncurrent 1,621,000   1,621,000  
Other assets 202,849   204,112  
Total other assets 2,165,665   2,237,475  
     
Total Assets$   68,356,491  $  61,099,309  
      
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY     
Current Liabilities:    
Accounts payable$   143,180  $  37,808  
Accrued expenses 1,328,738   1,851,033  
Settlement processing obligations 39,797,232   36,525,819  
Current liabilities before restricted cash 41,269,150   38,414,660  
Restricted cash 17,972,065   15,660,577  
Total current liabilities 59,241,215   54,075,237  
      
Stockholders' Equity:    
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; -0- shares outstanding in 2015 and 2014    
     
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 12,379,537 and 12,278,440 issued and 12,029,915 and 11,945,413 outstanding (see Note 12) 185,533   184,177  
Additional paid-in capital 64,302,498   62,989,131  
Treasury stock, at cost; 349,632 and 333,010 shares (see Note 12) (286,394)  (238,157) 
Deferred compensation (6,031,362)  (5,839,992) 
Accumulated deficit (49,054,999)  (50,071,087) 
Total stockholders' equity 9,115,276   7,024,072  
     
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $  68,356,491  $  61,099,309  
         

The accompanying notes in our Form 10-K are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

PAYMENT DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Three Months Results Unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Year Ended
December 31,
  2015 2014 2015 2014
         
Revenues $3,662,781  $ 3,764,130   $14,380,459  $ 13,395,131  
                 
Operating expenses:                
Cost of services  2,278,885    2,335,200    9,417,334    9,216,904  
Selling, general and administrative:                
Stock-based compensation  309,586    72,995    1,275,130    291,980  
Cancellation of stock-based compensation  -    -    (163,936)   -  
Other expenses  713,271    414,405    2,408,686    1,600,287  
Depreciation and amortization  224,048    10,140    496,368    40,953  
Total operating expenses  3,525,789    2, 832,740    13,433,582    11,150,124  
                 
Operating income  136,991    931,390    946,877    2,245,007  
                 
Other income (expense):                
Interest income  20,550    18,906    79,005    66,786  
Other income (expense)  7,300    43,892    65,490    44,269  
Total other income and (expense), net  27,850    62,798    144,495    111,055  
                 
Income before income taxes  164,842    994,188    1,091,372    2,356,062  
Income taxes  -    (1,507,000)   75,285    (1,482,226) 
                 
Net income $164,842  $ 2,501,188   $1,016,088  $ 3,838,288  
                 
                 
Basic earnings per common share: $0.02  $ 0.39   $0.14  $ 0.59  
Diluted earnings per common share: $0.01  $ 0.27   $0.08  $ 0.41  
Weighted average common shares outstanding                
Basic  7,437,662    6,494,127    7,389,177    6,472,071  
Diluted  11,988,180    9,291,032    11,988,180    9,256,394  
                     

The accompanying notes in our Form 10-K are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

PAYMENT DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
 Year EndedYear Ended
 December 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
Operating Activities  
Net income$   1,016,088 $   3,838,288 
Adjustments to reconcile net income  
to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Depreciation 466,606  40,953 
Amortization 29,762  - 
Non-cash stock-based compensation 1,275,130  291,980 
Cancellation of stock-based compensation (163,936) - 
Deferred income tax (benefit) -  (1,621,000)
   
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:  
Accounts receivable (98,174) (452,171)
Prepaid expenses and other (19,860) (30,292)
Other assets 1,263  (55,518)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (416,920)   (5,621)
Settlement processing assets, net -  - 
Restricted cash, net -  - 
Net cash provided by operating activities 2,089,959  2,006,619 
   
Investing Activities  
Purchases of property and equipment (785,571) (36,772)
Net cash (used) by investing activities (785,571) (36,772)
   
Financing Activities  
Purchases of treasury stock (48,237) - 
Net cash (used) by financing activities (48,237) - 
   
Change in cash and cash equivalents 1,256,151  1,969,847 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 2,803,455  833,608 
   
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year$ 4,059,606 $  2,803,455 
   
Non-cash items:  
Acquisition of Akimbo Financial Inc. for common shares   - $     2,250,000 
   
Supplemental Disclosures  
Cash paid for interest   - $  151 
Cash paid for income taxes$  32,369 $  44,937 
       

 The accompanying notes in our Form 10-K are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Unaudited)
         
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Year
Ended December 31,
         
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
         
Reconciliation from Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA:        
Operating income $136,991  $931,390  $946,877  $2,245,007 
Depreciation and amortization  224,048   10,140   496,368   40,953 
EBITDA  361,040   941,530   1,443,245   2,285,960 
         
Expenses related to NASDAQ uplisting and reverse stock split  -   -   315,903   - 
Acquisition costs  -   -   20,000   - 
Non-cash stock compensation expense (net) 309,586   72,995   1,111,194   291,980 
Adjusted EBITDA $670,625  $1,014,525  $2,890,342  $2,577,940 
         
Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margins:        
Revenues $3,662,781  $3,764,130  $4,380,459  $3,395,131 
Adjusted EBITDA $670,625  $1,014,525  $2,890,342  $2,577,940 
Adjusted EBITDA margins  18.3%  27.0%  20.1%  19.2%

 


            

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