Adopts Streamlined Plan of Operation, Right Sizes Spending and Reduces Total Expenses
NEW YORK, NY, March 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- PeerStream, Inc. (“PeerStream,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) (OTCQB: PEER), a leading communications software innovator that powers multimedia social applications and developer of secure communications software, today announced financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019.
Jason Katz, Chairman and CEO of PeerStream, commented, “During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company adopted a streamlined plan of operations, whereby we reduced operating expenses to better align with our revenue. Even after accounting for one-time severance costs incurred in the fourth quarter, we decreased total costs and expenses by over 13%, or $2.7 million, compared to the prior year, with most of the decrease occurring in the fourth quarter. We intend to continue making further sustainable cost reductions to right-size operations and reduce cash consumption. Our secure communications business has been costly to operate and had a long sales cycle with no revenue generated in the past twelve months. Accordingly, the Board of Directors decided to pursue the monetization of the secure communications business, either through residual ownership or sale. Based on the Board’s decision, in February 2020, we entered into an asset purchase agreement, pursuant to which we agreed to sell substantially all of the assets related to our secure communications business, subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement. We believe that the decision to try to monetize our secure communications business, coupled with a streamlined plan of operation, positions us well for 2020.
Although we cannot predict the impact that the recent outbreak of coronavirus will have on our business or results of operations in 2020, to date, our core multimedia social applications have been able to support the increased demand we have experienced. PeerStream continues to serve as a form of safe and entertaining communication during this global pandemic and in order to help those affected in hardest hit countries will continue to offer some of our group video conferencing services free of charge.
PeerStream began 2020 focused intently on the opportunities for growth of our core video applications, Paltalk and Camfrog. At the end of 2019, we launched our consumer application platform strategy, under which we plan to co-brand our video chat applications and promote them in partnership with large third-party communities. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we reached our first agreement with a well-known launch partner that has over 30 million active worldwide users who has agreed to a trial of our consumer application platform. We’re also excited to be the first company to integrate SEC Reg A+ qualified Props tokens into our applications via a partnership with YouNow, Inc. We began distributing Props tokens through Camfrog in February 2020 and we expect to launch Props distributions through Paltalk in the second quarter of 2020.
Looking ahead, we plan to continue to advance our product offerings by implementing enhancements to our live video chat applications, as well as other features that focus on new user acquisition, retention and monetization. With solid cash flow from our core video chat applications, a good cash position and a clean balance sheet, we believe that PeerStream has a sturdy foundation to grow our core business in a cost efficient manner as we continue to pursue profitability and organic growth,” concluded Mr. Katz.
2019 Business Highlights:
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we executed key components of our objectives:
2019 Full Year Financial Highlights:
2019 Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights:
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Financial Overview (in thousands, except for percentages and active subscriber counts)
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 compared to fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:
GAAP Results (unaudited)
Year Ended December 31, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | Change | |||
Subscription revenue | $ 11,406 | $ 14,336 | -20.4% | ||
Advertising revenue | 439 | 1,007 | -56.4% | ||
Technology service revenue | 3,439 | 4,989 | -31.1% | ||
Total revenues | $ 15,284 | $ 20,332 | -24.8% | ||
Loss from continuing operations | $ (8,943) | $ (2,006) | 345.8% | ||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | $ 563 | $ (1,791) | -131.4% | ||
Net loss | $ (8,380) | $ (3,797) | 120.7% | ||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | $ (4,465) | $ 2,733 | -263.4% | ||
Financial Metrics (unaudited) | |||||
Active subscribers (at period end) | 103,800 | 109,200 | -4.9% | ||
Subscription bookings | $ 11,767 | $ 14,219 | -17.2% | ||
Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) | $ 135 | $ 2,932 | -95.4% |
Three months ended December 31, 2019 compared to three months ended December 31, 2018:
Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||
GAAP Results (unaudited) | 2019 | 2018 | Change | ||
Subscription revenue | $ 2,504 | $ 3,429 | -27.0% | ||
Advertising revenue | 118 | 254 | -53.5% | ||
Technology service revenue | (44) | 1,448 | -103.0% | ||
Total revenues | $ 2,579 | $ 5,132 | -49.7% | ||
Loss from continuing operations | $ (7,896) | $ (147) | 5272.0% | ||
Loss from discontinued operations | $ - | $ (407) | 100.0% | ||
Net loss | $ (7,896) | $ (554) | 1325.3% | ||
Net cash used in operating activities | $ (178) | $ (568) | 68.6% | ||
Financial Metrics (unaudited) | |||||
Active subscribers (at period end) | 103,800 | 109,200 | -4.9% | ||
Subscription bookings | $ 2,900 | $ 3,390 | -14.4% | ||
Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) | $ (783) | $ 391 | -300.4% |
Quarterly Results Conference Call
Management is suspending holding quarterly results conference calls until further notice. Please contact ir@peerstream.com or Kirin Smith or Stephanie Prince at PCG Advisory at ksmith@pcgadvisory.com and sprince@pcgadvisory.com, respectively, with any questions.
About PeerStream, Inc. (OTCQB: PEER)
PeerStream is a communications software innovator that powers multimedia social applications. We have also developed a suite of secure communications software for use worldwide. Our product portfolio includes Paltalk and Camfrog, which together host one of the world’s largest collections of video-based communities. Our other products include Tinychat and Vumber. The Company has an over 20-year history of technology innovation and holds 18 patents. For more information, please visit: http://www.peerstream.com.
To be added to our news distribution list, please visit: http://www.peerstream.com/investor-alerts/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential," or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, our ability to effectively market and generate revenue from our applications, risks and uncertainties related to our increasing focus on the use of new and novel technologies, such as blockchain and Props tokens, to enhance our applications, and our ability to timely complete development of applications using new technologies; our ability to effectively integrate Props tokens into our existing applications; our ability to effectively secure new software development and licensing customers; legal and regulatory requirements related to the use of blockchain, including us holding and distributing cryptocurrencies and accepting cryptocurrencies as a method of payment for our services; the use of the internet and privacy and protection of user data; risks related to our holdings of digital tokens, including risks related to the volatility of the trading price of digital tokens and our ability to convert digital tokens into fiat currency; and our ability to manage our partnerships and strategic alliances. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.
Contacts:
Kirin Smith / Stephanie Prince
PCG Advisory
ksmith@pcgadvisory.com
646-863-6519
PEERSTREAM, INC
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP RESULTS
(dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Year Ended | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA: | ||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (8,380) | $ | (3,797) | $ | (7,896) | $ | (554) | ||||
Interest income, net | (156) | (81) | (83) | (33) | ||||||||
Net loss from discontinued operations | 105 | 1,791 | - | 407 | ||||||||
Gain on sale of dating applications | (827) | - | - | - | ||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations | 18 | 3 | 11 | 1 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 605 | 889 | 151 | 183 | ||||||||
Impairment loss on goodwill | 6,760 | - | 6,760 | - | ||||||||
Impairment loss on digital tokens | 625 | 2,535 | 122 | - | ||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 1,385 | 1,592 | 151 | 386 | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 135 | $ | 2,932 | $ | (783) | $ | 391 |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Metrics
The Company has provided in this release certain non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, and other key metrics, including active subscribers and subscription bookings, to supplement the consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net loss adjusted to exclude net loss from discontinued operations, interest income, gain on the sale of dating applications, income tax expense (benefit) from discontinued operations, income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations, depreciation and amortization expense, goodwill impairment, impairment loss on digital tokens and stock-based compensation expense. Active subscribers means users of the Company’s consumer applications that have prepaid a fee, redeemed credits or received an upgrade from another user as a gift for current unlocked application features such as enhanced voice and video access, elevated status in the community or unrestricted communication on our applications and whose subscription period has not yet expired. The Company calculates subscription bookings as subscription revenue recognized during the period plus the change in deferred subscription revenue recognized during the period.
Management uses these financial metrics internally in analyzing the Company’s financial results to assess operational performance and to determine the Company’s future capital requirements. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these financial metrics in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. The Company believes these financial metrics are useful to investors and others to understand and evaluate the Company’s operating results and it allows for a more meaningful comparison between the Company’s performance and that of competitors. Our use of Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider this performance measure in isolation from or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
Because of these limitations, you should consider these financial metrics along with other financial performance measures, including total revenues, subscription revenue, deferred revenue, net income (loss), cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, net cash used in operating activities and our financial results presented in accordance with GAAP.
PEERSTREAM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, | ||||||||
2019 | 2018 | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,427,058 | $ | 6,555,376 | ||||
Credit card holdback receivable | 11,323 | 94,498 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowances and reserves of $23,832 and $34,546, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively | 130,686 | 326,786 | ||||||
Prepaid expense and other current assets | 156,118 | 269,668 | ||||||
Current assets held for sale | - | 19,053 | ||||||
Total current assets | 3,725,185 | 7,265,381 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use asset | 685,042 | 232,423 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 620,059 | 577,911 | ||||||
Goodwill | 6,326,250 | 13,086,472 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net | 627,891 | 884,223 | ||||||
Digital tokens | 148,229 | 832,892 | ||||||
Other assets | 86,876 | 116,767 | ||||||
Noncurrent assets held for sale | - | 1,436,499 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 12,219,532 | $ | 24,432,568 | ||||
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 1,007,851 | $ | 2,842,947 | ||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 434,739 | 737,945 | ||||||
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 178,479 | 114,789 | ||||||
Deferred subscription revenue | 1,829,493 | 1,468,571 | ||||||
Deferred technology service revenue | - | 3,379,435 | ||||||
Current liabilities held for sale | - | 617,410 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 3,450,562 | 9,161,097 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities, non-current portion | 583,075 | 117,634 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 4,033,637 | 9,278,731 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, 6,878,904 and 6,868,679 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively | 6,879 | 6,869 | ||||||
Treasury stock, 1,900 and no shares, at par as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively | (2,015 | ) | - | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 21,281,382 | 19,867,259 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (13,100,351 | ) | (4,720,291 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 8,185,895 | 15,153,837 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 12,219,532 | $ | 24,432,568 |
PEERSTREAM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2019 | 2018 | |||||||
Revenues | ||||||||
Subscription revenue | $ | 11,405,787 | $ | 14,336,146 | ||||
Advertising revenue | 438,503 | 1,006,962 | ||||||
Technology service revenue | 3,439,327 | 4,988,692 | ||||||
Total revenue | 15,283,617 | 20,331,800 | ||||||
Costs and expenses | ||||||||
Costs of revenue | 3,174,453 | 3,611,479 | ||||||
Sales and marketing expense | 1,056,967 | 1,804,317 | ||||||
Product development expense | 6,563,449 | 6,590,943 | ||||||
General and administrative expense | 6,343,859 | 7,873,936 | ||||||
Impairment loss on goodwill | 6,760,222 | - | ||||||
Total costs and expenses | 23,898,950 | 19,880,675 | ||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | (8,615,333 | ) | 451,125 | |||||
Interest income, net | 156,423 | 81,180 | ||||||
Impairment loss on digital tokens | (625,368 | ) | (2,535,235 | ) | ||||
Loss from continuing operations before provision for income taxes | (9,084,278 | ) | (2,002,930 | ) | ||||
Benefit (expense) for income taxes | 141,593 | (3,001 | ) | |||||
Net loss from continuing operations | (8,942,685 | ) | (2,005,931 | ) | ||||
Discontinued Operations: | ||||||||
Gain on sale from discontinued operations | 826,770 | - | ||||||
Loss from discontinued operations | (104,880 | ) | (1,791,286 | ) | ||||
Income tax expense from discontinued operations | (159,265 | ) | - | |||||
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations | 562,625 | (1,791,286 | ) | |||||
Net loss | (8,380,060 | ) | (3,797,217 | ) | ||||
Basic net income (loss) per share of common stock: | ||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | (1.30 | ) | $ | (0.30 | ) | ||
Discontinued operations | 0.08 | (0.26 | ) | |||||
Net loss per share of common stock | $ | (1.22 | ) | $ | (0.56 | ) | ||
Diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock: | ||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | (1.30 | ) | $ | (0.30 | ) | ||
Discontinued operations | 0.08 | (0.26 | ) | |||||
Net loss per share of common stock | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | (0.56 | ) | ||
Weighted average number of shares of common stock used in calculating net loss per share of common stock: | ||||||||
Basic and diluted continuing operations | 6,873,652 | 6,721,633 | ||||||
Basic and diluted discontinued operations | 6,873,652 | 6,721,633 |
PEERSTREAM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2019 | 2018 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (8,380,060 | ) | $ | (3,797,217 | ) | ||
Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations | 562,625 | (1,791,286 | ) | |||||
Loss from continuing operations | (8,942,685 | ) | (2,005,931 | ) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of continuing operations: | ||||||||
Depreciation of property and equipment | 349,082 | 387,452 | ||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 256,332 | 1,599,721 | ||||||
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets | 178,158 | - | ||||||
Reconciliation of shares issued in stock-based compensation arrangement | - | 1 | ||||||
Surrender of common stock for tax withholding | - | (100,000 | ) | |||||
Stock-based compensation | 1,385,118 | 1,592,121 | ||||||
Common stock issued for consulting services | 29,015 | - | ||||||
Bad debt expense | - | 8,552 | ||||||
Digital tokens received as payment for services | - | (3,368,127 | ) | |||||
Impairment loss on goodwill | 6,760,222 | - | ||||||
Impairment loss on digital tokens | 625,368 | 2,535,235 | ||||||
Realized gain from the sale of digital tokens | (70,995 | ) | - | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Credit card holdback receivable | 83,175 | 46,291 | ||||||
Accounts receivable | 196,100 | 143,810 | ||||||
Operating lease liability | (101,647 | ) | - | |||||
Prepaid expense and other current assets | 113,550 | (60,425 | ) | |||||
Other assets | 29,891 | 32,770 | ||||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | (2,138,302 | ) | 800,993 | |||||
Deferred subscription revenue | 360,922 | (467,845 | ) | |||||
Deferred technology service revenue | (3,379,435 | ) | 3,379,435 | |||||
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operating activities | (4,266,131 | ) | 4,524,053 | |||||
Net cash used in discontinued operating activities | (199,232 | ) | (1,791,286 | ) | ||||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (4,465,363 | ) | 2,732,767 | |||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (391,230 | ) | (342,651 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from the sale of digital tokens | 130,290 | - | ||||||
Net cash used in continuing investing activities | (260,940 | ) | (342,651 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by discontinued investing activities | 1,600,000 | - | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 1,339,060 | (342,651 | ) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for stock option exercises | - | 28,210 | ||||||
Purchase of treasury stock | (2,015 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing financing activities | (2,015 | ) | 28,210 | |||||
Net cash provided by discontinued financing activities | - | - | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (2,015 | ) | 28,210 | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (3,128,318 | ) | 2,418,326 | |||||
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 6,555,376 | 4,137,050 | ||||||
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 3,427,058 | $ | 6,555,376 | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||||||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use asset and liability | $ | 630,776 | $ | 232,423 |