Reis, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2017 Results


Total Revenue Grows 4.8%; Subscription Revenue Rises 6.2%

— Revenue Growth and Margin Expansion Drive Results —

NEW YORK, Nov. 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reis, Inc. (NASDAQ:REIS) (“Reis” or the “Company”), a leading provider of commercial real estate market information and analytical tools, announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. 

Financial Highlights

Total revenue was $12.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, growth of 4.8% over the third quarter 2016 reported amount of $11.5 million.  Total revenue in the 2017 third quarter was comprised of subscription revenue of $12.0 million and other revenue of $0.1 million.  Total revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $35.9 million, a slight decline of (0.1)% from the 2016 reported amount.  Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was comprised of $34.9 million of subscription revenue and $1.0 million of other revenue.  Subscription revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 grew 6.2% and 2.7%, respectively, over the corresponding 2016 periods.  The third quarter 2017 marks the fifth consecutive quarter over quarter growth in subscription revenue and the second consecutive quarter over quarter growth in total revenue.

Net income was $458,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to net income of $466,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the corresponding 2016 period.  Net income was $1.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to net income of $3.0 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for the corresponding 2016 period.

Reis Services EBITDA was $4.0 million during the third quarter of 2017, growth of 19.4% over the third quarter 2016 reported amount of $3.4 million.  The Reis Services EBITDA margins were 33.2% and 29.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively (see the “Supplemental Financial Information and Reconciliations from GAAP to Non-GAAP Metrics” section at the end of this earnings release for a definition and reconciliations of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the Reis Services segment and on a consolidated basis).  Reis Services EBITDA was $10.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decline of (16.1)% from the 2016 reported amount of $12.9 million.  The Reis Services EBITDA margins were 30.1% and 35.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $3.4 million during the third quarter of 2017, growth of 13.7% over the third quarter 2016 reported amount of $3.0 million.  The consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margins were 27.8% and 25.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $9.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decline of (19.5)% from the 2016 reported amount of $11.2 million.  The consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margins were 25.2% and 31.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Reis’s CEO, Lloyd Lynford, noted, “Reis’s continuing progress with respect to both year-over-year and sequential revenue and EBITDA growth is particularly rewarding given that it is the direct result of the capital and operational investments we have made over the last two years.  As our “Every Sale, Everywhere” marketing campaign is launched, and we begin to integrate our API into the work flow of our clients, Reis has returned to stronger and positive revenue growth.  Our operating expense growth has flattened after the necessary investments to support data collection and sales and marketing; the combination of stronger revenue growth and a more moderate pace of expense growth is providing the required operating leverage to sustain the positive EBITDA results we are reporting today.”

Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Other Metrics

Following are balance sheet, liquidity and other metrics reported by the Company as of September 30, 2017:

  • cash at September 30, 2017 was $17.4 million;
  • investments in the Company’s website and database intangible assets aggregated $6.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from our continuing strategy of providing more granular data at the property level;
  • dividends declared and paid quarterly to shareholders during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 aggregated $1.97 million and $5.91 million, respectively, or a rate of $0.17 per share in the first, second and third quarters;
  • repurchases of the Company’s common stock during the third quarter of 2017 aggregated $0.6 million, for the purchase of 35,709 shares at an average price of $17.95 per share, leaving approximately $0.7 million available on our existing program to strategically purchase additional shares in the future;
  • deferred revenue ($25.0 million), Aggregate Revenue Under Contract ($52.4 million) (see the “Supplemental Financial Information and Reconciliations from GAAP to Non-GAAP Metrics” section at the end of this earnings release for a definition and reconciliations of deferred revenue to Aggregate Revenue Under Contract) and the forward twelve-month component of Aggregate Revenue Under Contract ($34.5 million) at September 30, 2017 each continue to demonstrate strong visibility into future revenue; and
  • for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2017, the Company’s base renewal rate (renewal rate, excluding price increases) was 86.5% and the renewal rate, including price increases, was 92.0%.  These rates are improved from the reported trailing twelve-month rates at December 31, 2016 of 81.6% for our base renewal rate and 85.7% for the renewal rate, including price increases.

Additional Information

This press release should be read in conjunction with the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 7, 2017.  In addition, see the “Supplemental Financial Information and Reconciliations from GAAP to Non-GAAP Metrics” section at the end of this earnings release for a definition and reconciliations of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the Reis Services segment and on a consolidated basis, as well as for other information.

Investor Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at 11:00 AM (EST). This call is for the benefit of existing and prospective stockholders, stock analysts, and other interested parties to discuss the third quarter 2017 results, management’s outlook for the remainder of 2017 and other matters.

The dial-in number from inside the U.S. and Canada for this teleconference is (877) 390-5537.  The dial-in number for outside the U.S. and Canada is (760) 666-3763.  The conference ID is 9268049, or “Reis.”  A replay of the conference call will be available from shortly after the conference call through 2:00 PM (EST) on November 14, 2017 by dialing (855) 859-2056 from inside the U.S. and Canada or (404) 537-3406 from outside the U.S. and Canada, and referring to the conference ID: 9268049 or “Reis.”  An audio webcast of the conference call will also be available on Reis’s website at www.reis.com/events and will remain on the website for a period of time following the call.

About Reis

Reis provides commercial real estate market information and analytical tools to real estate professionals through its Reis Services subsidiary. Reis Services, including its predecessors, was founded in 1980. Reis maintains a proprietary database containing detailed information on commercial properties in metropolitan markets and neighborhoods throughout the U.S. The database contains information on apartment, office, retail, warehouse/distribution, flex/research & development, self storage, seniors housing, student housing and affordable housing properties, and is used by real estate investors, lenders and other professionals to make informed buying, selling and financing decisions. In addition, Reis data is used by debt and equity investors to assess, quantify and manage the risks of default and loss associated with individual mortgages, properties, portfolios and real estate backed securities. Reis currently provides its information services to many of the nation’s leading lending institutions, equity investors, brokers and appraisers.

The Company’s product portfolio features: Reis SE, its flagship delivery platform aimed at larger and mid-sized enterprises; ReisReports, aimed at prosumers and smaller enterprises; and Reis Portfolio CRE, and other portfolio support products and services, aimed primarily at risk managers and credit administrators at banks and non-bank lending institutions. It is through these products that Reis provides online access to a proprietary database of commercial real estate information and analytical tools designed to facilitate debt and equity transactions as well as ongoing asset and portfolio evaluations. Depending on the product or level of entitlement, users have access to market trends and forecasts at metropolitan and neighborhood levels throughout the U.S. and/or detailed building-specific information such as rents, vacancy rates, lease terms, property sales, new construction listings and property valuation estimates. Reis’s products are designed to meet the demand for timely and accurate information to support the decision-making of property owners, developers, builders, banks and non-bank lenders, equity investors and service providers.  These real estate professionals require access to timely information on both the performance and pricing of assets, including detailed data on market transactions, supply, absorption, rents and sale prices. This information is critical to all aspects of valuing assets and financing their acquisition, development and construction.

For more information regarding Reis’s products and services, visit www.reis.com and www.reisreports.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may relate to the Company’s or management’s outlook or expectations for earnings, revenues, expenses, margins, asset quality, or other future financial or business performance, strategies, prospects or expectations, or the impact of legal, regulatory or supervisory matters on our business, operations or performance. Specifically, forward-looking statements may include:

  • statements relating to future services and product development of the Reis Services segment;

  • statements relating to business prospects, potential acquisitions, sources and uses of cash, revenue, expenses, margins, net income, cash flows, renewal rates, valuation of assets and liabilities and other business metrics of the Company and its businesses, including EBITDA (as defined herein), Adjusted EBITDA (as defined herein) and Aggregate Revenue Under Contract (as defined herein); and

  • statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or similar expressions relating to future periods.

Forward-looking statements reflect management’s judgment based on currently available information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. With respect to these forward-looking statements, management has made certain assumptions. Future performance cannot be assured. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:

  • lower than expected revenues and other performance measures such as net income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA;

  • inability to retain and increase the Company’s subscriber base;

  • inability to execute properly on new products and services, or failure of subscribers to accept these products and services;

  • competition;

  • inability to attract and retain sales and senior management personnel;

  • inability to access adequate capital to fund operations and investments in our business;

  • difficulties in protecting the security, confidentiality, integrity and reliability of the Company’s data;

  • changes in accounting policies or practices;

  • legal and regulatory issues;

  • the results of pending, threatening or future litigation; and

  • the risk factors listed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 9, 2017, including the “Risk Factors” section of these filings and the Company’s other filings with the SEC, and are available at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect any events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Press Contact:  Mark P. Cantaluppi
                          Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
                          Reis, Inc.                    
                          (212) 921-1122

Supplemental Financial Information and Reconciliations from GAAP to Non-GAAP Metrics 

   
REIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
   
 September 30,
2017

 December 31,
2016

 
 (Unaudited)
  
ASSETS  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$  17,443,113 $  21,490,586 
Accounts receivable, net   10,014,544    10,743,505 
Prepaid and other assets   1,040,049    792,991 
Total current assets   28,497,706    33,027,082 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,845,990
   and $1,082,793, respectively
   5,163,799    5,260,443 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $46,995,686 and
   $41,861,561, respectively
   19,441,536    17,922,282 
Deferred tax asset, net   17,662,768    16,814,737 
Goodwill   54,824,648    54,824,648 
Other assets   236,894    295,349 
Total assets$  125,827,351 $  128,144,541 
   
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
Current liabilities:  
Current portion of debt$  — $  — 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   3,646,253    4,031,444 
Deferred revenue   24,971,999    25,031,100 
Total current liabilities   28,618,252    29,062,544 
Other long-term liabilities   2,491,237    1,902,081 
Total liabilities   31,109,489    30,964,625 
Commitments and contingencies  
Stockholders’ equity:  
Common stock, $0.02 par value per share, 101,000,000 shares authorized,
   11,476,776 and 11,272,150 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
   229,536    225,443 
Additional paid in capital   109,050,093    107,668,599 
Retained earnings (deficit)   (14,561,767)   (10,714,126)
Total stockholders’ equity   94,717,862    97,179,916 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$  125,827,351 $  128,144,541 
   

 

 
REIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
   
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2017 2016 2017 2016 
     
Revenue:    
      Subscription revenue$  11,954,591 $  11,261,831 $  34,963,042 $  34,059,230 
      Other revenue   137,178    275,344    963,901    1,916,367 
      Total revenue   12,091,769    11,537,175    35,926,943    35,975,597 
Cost of sales   2,944,607    2,925,212    9,527,037    7,881,536 
Gross profit   9,147,162    8,611,963    26,399,906    28,094,061 
Operating expenses:    
Sales and marketing   3,189,695    2,890,739    9,622,811    8,583,395 
Product development   1,194,925    1,001,072    3,467,223    3,021,726 
General and administrative expenses   3,987,280    3,933,992    11,820,321    11,555,444 
  Total operating expenses   8,371,900    7,825,803    24,910,355    23,160,565 
Other income (expenses):    
Interest and other income   979    5,214    2,681    19,380 
Interest expense   (32,511)   (28,709)   (97,117)   (78,250)
  Total other income (expenses)   (31,532)   (23,495)   (94,436)   (58,870)
Income before income taxes   743,730    762,665    1,395,115    4,874,626 
Income tax expense   286,000    297,000    5,000    1,864,000 
Net income$  457,730 $  465,665 $  1,390,115 $  3,010,626 
     
Net income per common share:    
Basic$  0.04 $  0.04 $  0.12 $  0.27 
Diluted$  0.04 $  0.04 $  0.12 $  0.26 
     
Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding:
    
Basic   11,499,832    11,320,904    11,487,280    11,308,833 
Diluted   11,774,684    11,764,210    11,758,368    11,745,499 
     
Dividends declared per common share$  0.17 $  0.17 $  0.51 $  0.51 
             

Revenue Comparisons

In order to provide insight into 2017 and 2016 relative performance, we have disaggregated total revenue into two components: “Subscription” and “Other.”  Other revenue specifically includes revenue related to contracts for one-time custom data deliverables and one-time fees for settlements of previous unauthorized usage of Reis data.  The following tables present subscription revenue, other revenue and total revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

 
(amounts in thousands, excluding percentages)


 For the Three Months Ended September 30, 
 2017
2016Variance
 $
 % of Total $
 % of Total
 $
 %
       
Subscription revenue$11,955 98.9% $  11,262 97.6% $  693  6.2%
Other revenue (A) 137 1.1%    276 2.4%    (139) (50.4)%
Total revenue$12,092 100.0% $  11,538 100.0% $  554  4.8%
 


 
 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 
 2017
2016 Variance
 $
 % of Total $
 % of Total
 $
 %
       
Subscription revenue$ 34,963 97.3% $  34,060 94.7% $  903   2.7%
Other revenue (A) 964 2.7%    1,916 5.3%    (952) (49.7)%
Total revenue$ 35,927 100.0% $  35,976 100.0% $  (49) (0.1)%
       


(A)Other revenue includes non-subscription revenue comprised of (1) non-subscription custom data deliverables and (2) one-time settlements. 
  

Reconciliations of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

We define EBITDA as earnings (net income) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock based compensation. Although EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, senior management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to measure operational and management performance. Management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are appropriate supplemental financial measures to be considered in addition to the reported GAAP basis financial information which may assist investors in evaluating and understanding: (1) the performance of the Reis Services segment, the primary business of the Company and (2) the Company’s consolidated results, from year to year or period to period, as applicable. Further, these measures provide the reader with the ability to understand our operational performance while isolating non-cash charges, such as depreciation and amortization expenses, as well as other non-operating items, such as interest income, interest expense and income taxes and, in the case of Adjusted EBITDA, isolates non-cash charges for stock based compensation.  Management also believes that disclosing EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA will provide better comparability to other companies in the information services sector.  However, because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they may not necessarily be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.  EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are presented both for the Reis Services segment and on a consolidated basis.  We believe that these metrics, for Reis Services, provide the reader with valuable information for evaluating the financial performance of the core Reis Services business, excluding public company costs, and for making assessments about the intrinsic value of that stand-alone business to a potential acquirer.  Management primarily monitors and measures its performance, and is compensated, based on the results of the Reis Services segment. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, on a consolidated basis, allow the reader to make assessments about the current trading value of the Company’s common stock, including expenses related to operating as a public company.  However, investors should not consider these measures in isolation or as substitutes for net income (loss), operating income, or any other measure for determining operating performance that is calculated in accordance with GAAP.  Reconciliations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable GAAP financial measure, net income, follow for each identified period on a segment basis (including the Reis Services segment), as well as on a consolidated basis:

   
(amounts in thousands)  


Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 By Segment 
 Reis Services Other (A)
 Consolidated
     
Net income    $  458
Income tax expense       286
Income (loss) before income taxes $  1,942 $  (1,198)    744
Add back:    
Depreciation and amortization expense    2,042    —     2,042
Interest expense (income), net    32    —     32
EBITDA    4,016    (1,198)    2,818
Add back:    
Stock based compensation expense, net    —    546     546
Adjusted EBITDA $  4,016 $  (652) $  3,364
   


 
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 By Segment 
 Reis Services Other (A)
 Consolidated
     
Net income    $  466
Income tax expense       297
Income (loss) before income taxes $  1,692 $  (929)    763
Add back:    
Depreciation and amortization expense    1,647    1     1,648
Interest expense, net    24    —     24
EBITDA    3,363    (928)    2,435
Add back:    
Stock based compensation expense    —    524     524
Adjusted EBITDA $  3,363 $  (404) $  2,959
   


 
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 By Segment 
 Reis Services Other (A)
 Consolidated
     
Net income    $  1,390
Income tax expense       5
Income (loss) before income taxes $  4,813 $  (3,418)    1,395
Add back:    
Depreciation and amortization expense    5,897    —     5,897
Interest expense (income), net    96    (1)    95
EBITDA    10,806    (3,419)    7,387
Add back:    
Stock based compensation expense, net    —    1,656     1,656
Adjusted EBITDA $  10,806 $  (1,763) $  9,043
   


    
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 By Segment
 
 Reis Services Other (A)
 Consolidated
       
Net income    $  3,011
Income tax expense       1,864
Income (loss) before income taxes $  8,094 $  (3,219)    4,875
Add back:    
Depreciation and amortization expense    4,719    6     4,725
Interest expense, net    59    —     59
EBITDA    12,872    (3,213)    9,659
Add back:    
Stock based compensation expense    —    1,580     1,580
Adjusted EBITDA $  12,872 $  (1,633) $  11,239
     


(A) Includes interest and other income, depreciation expense and general and administrative expenses (including public company related costs) that are not associated with the Reis Services segment. 
  

Deferred Revenue and Aggregate Revenue Under Contract

Two balance-sheet based metrics management utilizes are deferred revenue and Aggregate Revenue Under Contract.  Analyzing these amounts can provide additional insight into Reis Services’s future financial performance.  Deferred revenue, which is a GAAP basis accounting concept and is reported by the Company on the consolidated balance sheet, represents revenue from annual or longer term contracts for which we have billed and/or received payments from our subscribers related to services we will be providing over the remaining contract period.  Aggregate Revenue Under Contract is the sum of deferred revenue and future revenue under non-cancellable contracts for which we do not yet have the contractual right to bill and excludes any future revenues expected to be derived from subscribers currently being billed on a monthly basis. 

Deferred revenue will be recognized as revenue ratably over the remaining life of a contract for subscriptions, or in the case of future custom reports or projects, will be recognized as revenue upon completion and delivery to the customer, provided no significant Company obligations remain.  At any given date, both deferred revenue and Aggregate Revenue Under Contract can be either positively or negatively influenced by: (1) the timing and dollar value of contracts signed and billed; (2) the quantity and timing of contracts that are multi-year; and (3) the impact of recording revenue ratably over the life of a multi-year contract, which moderates the effect of price increases after the first year.  The following table reconciles deferred revenue to Aggregate Revenue Under Contract at September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  A comparison of these balances at September 30 of each year is more meaningful than a comparison to the December 31, 2016 balances, as a greater percentage of renewals occur in the fourth quarter of each year.

  
 September 30,
2017 2016
   
Deferred revenue (GAAP basis)$  24,972,000 $  22,094,000
Amounts under non-cancellable contracts for which the
Company does not yet have the contractual right to bill at
the period end (A)
   27,443,000    24,349,000
Aggregate Revenue Under Contract$  52,415,000 $  46,443,000
   

  

(A) Amounts are billable subsequent to September 30 of each year and represent (i) non-cancellable contracts for subscribers with multi-year subscriptions where the future years are not yet billable, or (ii) subscribers with non-cancellable annual subscriptions with interim billing terms.

Included in Aggregate Revenue Under Contract at September 30, 2017 was approximately $34,510,000 related to amounts under contract for the forward twelve-month period through September 30, 2018.  The remainder reflects amounts under contract beyond September 30, 2018. The forward twelve-month Aggregate Revenue Under Contract amount is approximately 72.7% of total revenue on a trailing twelve-month basis at September 30, 2017 of approximately $47,481,000.  For comparison purposes, at September 30, 2016, the forward twelve-month Aggregate Revenue Under Contract was $31,684,000 and approximately 63.1% of total revenue.