Altisource Announces Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Second Quarter 2020

• Service revenue of $91.0 million
• Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interests of $(33.7) million
• Adjusted pretax loss attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $(10.0) million
• Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”)⁽¹⁾ of $(2.1) million

LUXEMBOURG, Aug. 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. (“Altisource” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ASPS), a leading provider and marketplace for the real estate and mortgage industries, today reported financial results for the second quarter 2020.

“In the second quarter, Altisource faced an unprecedented and challenging business environment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As anticipated, Altisource’s second quarter financial results reflect this impact with industrywide foreclosure initiations down by approximately 85% and lender completed foreclosures down by 75% compared to the second quarter of 2019.  Despite this difficult environment, we acted quickly to reduce costs, work to mitigate the impact to our customers and support the safety of our employees.  As result, the vast majority of our staff are working from home and we were able to preserve cash, ending the quarter with $68 million in cash and cash equivalents.”

“We anticipate this short to medium term pressure on our default related businesses to continue with governmental forbearance programs and moratoriums temporarily preventing servicers from pursuing foreclosure of delinquent loans and with the news from Ocwen that an MSR investor instructed it to move certain referrals for field services to another service provider beginning in July. To address these challenges and protect our business, we are developing a plan to further reduce our costs.  Based upon our current planning, we are forecasting Altisource to generate 2021 service revenue of $250 million to $270 million, adjusted EBITDA of $35 million to $43 million and adjusted EBITDA margins of 14% to 16%,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William B. Shepro. 

Mr. Shepro further commented, “Longer term, we believe that the overall market for our default related services will stabilize at a much higher rate than it was before the pandemic began, positioning Altisource to become a stronger, more diversified and fast growing company.”

Second Quarter 2020 Highlights⁽²⁾

Financial and Corporate:

• Ended the second quarter 2020 with $68.2 million of cash and cash equivalents and $30.0 million of investment in equity securities
  
  
• Ended the second quarter 2020 with $195.6 million of net debt less investment in equity securities⁽¹⁾, 4% lower than June 30, 2019
  
  
• The Company’s second quarter 2020 financial performance in its default related services businesses, including revenue from customers other than Ocwen Financial Corporation (“Ocwen”), New Residential Investment Corp. (“NRZ”) and Front Yard Residential Corporation (“RESI”), was negatively impacted by COVID-19 related governmental restrictions, government measures to provide financial support to borrowers (i.e., foreclosure and eviction moratoriums, forbearance plans and higher unemployment benefits) and changing vendor and consumer behavior
  
  
• To address lower anticipated revenue as a result of the pandemic, Altisource took several measures in the second quarter 2020 to reduce its 2020 cash expenses including employee furloughs and terminations, the elimination of certain discretionary spending and temporary employee and Board compensation reductions
  
  
• To address lower than previously anticipated revenue from Ocwen and the extension of foreclosure and eviction moratoriums, the Company is developing a plan to further reduce its costs with an objective to achieve 2021 Adjusted EBITDA margins of 14% to 16%

Business Highlights:

Field Services

• Grew Field Services revenue from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI by 9% in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2019

Marketplace

• Grew Hubzu inventory from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI by 1% since June 30, 2019, with such inventory representing 43% of total Hubzu inventory as of June 30, 2020
  
  
• Hubzu revenue from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI was 2% lower in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2019

Mortgage and Real Estate Solutions

• Grew Mortgage and Real Estate Solutions revenue from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI by 18% in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2019

Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Second quarter 2020 service revenue of $91.0 million was 52% lower than the second quarter 2019 primarily from the 2019 sale, discontinuation and exit from certain businesses (resulting in a 33% decline in service revenue), including the July 1, 2019 sale of the Financial Services Business, lower REALServicing revenue from Ocwen’s migration to another servicing system, the discontinuation of the Buy-Renovate-Lease-Sell (“BRS”) business and the wind down of Owners.com.  In addition, Service revenue was lower from COVID-19 pandemic related governmental restrictions and changing vendor and consumer behavior on demand for Field Services, Marketplace and default related services in Mortgage and Real Estate Solutions, the reduction in the size of Ocwen’s portfolio and NRZ’s more aggressive sale of homes at the foreclosure auction (which reduces our real estate owned auction, brokerage, field services and title service revenue).  These decreases were partially offset by a 5% increase in revenue from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI in our Field Services, Marketplace and Mortgage and Real Estate Solutions businesses from new customer on-boardings, market share expansion with existing customers, and higher origination related volumes driven by lower interest rates and business development efforts.

Second quarter 2020 loss from operations of $(17.8) million was lower than second quarter 2019 income from operations of $5.4 million primarily as a result of lower revenue (as discussed above), changes in service mix with lower revenue from higher margin Marketplace businesses, the impact of the July 1, 2019 sale of the Financial Services business and higher restructuring costs.  These decreases were partially offset by lower selling, general and administrative expenses and the benefits of our COVID-19 cash cost savings measures and higher revenue in the second quarter of 2019 from the sale of the majority of our BRS portfolio that resulted in a $1.8 million loss.

Second quarter 2020 adjusted operating loss⁽¹⁾ of $(4.8) million compared to adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ of $15.5 million in the second quarter 2019, primarily from the impact of revenue declines discussed above, partially offset by the benefits of our COVID-19 cash cost savings measures.

Second quarter 2020 loss before income taxes and non-controlling interests of $(33.7) million compared to income before income taxes and non-controlling interests of $11.9 million in the second quarter 2019, primarily from an unrealized loss on our investment in RESI of $(11.2) million in the second quarter 2020 compared to an unrealized gain on our investment in RESI of $11.8 million in the second quarter 2019 and lower operating income discussed above, partially offset by lower interest expense.

Second quarter 2020 adjusted pretax loss attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $(10.0) million compared to adjusted pretax income  attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $8.9 million in the second quarter 2019, primarily from lower adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ discussed above, partially offset by lower interest expense.

Second quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $(2.1) million compared to adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $19.5 million in the second quarter 2019, primarily from lower adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ discussed above, excluding the decrease in depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment.

Second quarter 2020 net loss attributable to Altisource of $(35.1) million compared to $(5.8) million for the second quarter 2019, primarily due to lower income before income taxes and non-controlling interests discussed above, partially offset by a lower tax provision driven by a deferred tax adjustment of $12.3 million from an income tax rate change in Luxembourg in the second quarter 2019.

Second quarter 2020 adjusted net loss attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $(11.8) million compared to adjusted net income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $5.9 million for the second quarter 2019, primarily from lower adjusted pretax income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ discussed above, partially offset by a lower tax provision excluding the Luxembourg deferred tax adjustment discussed above.

Second quarter 2020 loss per diluted share of $(2.25) compared to $(0.36) for the second quarter 2019, primarily due to higher net loss attributable to Altisource discussed above, partially offset by fewer diluted shares outstanding from share repurchases during 2019.

Second quarter 2020 adjusted loss per share⁽¹⁾ of $(0.76) compared to $0.36 earnings per share for the second quarter 2019, primarily due to lower adjusted net income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ discussed above, partially offset by fewer diluted shares outstanding from share repurchases during 2019.

Second Quarter and Year-to-Date June 30, 2020 Results Compared to the Second Quarter and Year-to-Date June 30, 2019:

N/M - not meaningful.

• Second quarter 2020 and 2019 (loss) income from operations include $5.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively ($8.7 million and $6.3 million for year-to-date June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively) of restructuring charges related to Project Catalyst.  Second quarter and year-to-date June 30, 2020 loss from operations include Pointillist losses of $2.4 million and $5.1 million, respectively (no comparable amounts in 2019).  Second quarter and year-to-date June 30, 2019 income from operations include a loss on the BRS portfolio sale of $1.8 million (no comparable amounts in 2020).  Year-to-date June 30, 2019 income from operations includes a sales tax accrual of $2.1 million and an other asset write-off from a business exit of $0.2 million (no comparable amounts in 2020).
• Second quarter 2020 and 2019 pretax (loss) income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ include $(11.2) million and $11.8 million, respectively ($(12.6) million and $14.0 million for year-to-date June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively) of unrealized mark-to-market (losses) gains on our equity investment in RESI.
• Second quarter 2020 and 2019 net loss attributable to Altisource include $0.5 million and $13.2 million, respectively ($2.4 million and $13.2 million for year-to-date June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively) of certain income tax items related to adjustments to foreign income tax reserves, the impact of a decrease in the India and Luxembourg income tax rates on deferred tax assets and an India restructuring from net loss attributable to Altisource. 

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(1) This is a non-GAAP measure that is defined and reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measure herein.
(2) Applies to 2020 unless otherwise indicated.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  These forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical fact, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations.  These statements may be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “estimate,” “seek,” “believe,” “potential” and similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management.  Because such statements are based on expectations as to the future and are not statements of historical fact, actual results may differ materially from what is contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  Altisource does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  The risks and uncertainties to which forward-looking statements are subject include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties related to pandemics, epidemics or other force majeure events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated impacts to the economy, supply chain, transportation, movement of people, availability of vendors, demand for our products or services, increased costs, recommendations or restrictions imposed by governmental entities, changes in relevant business practices undertaken or imposed by our clients, vendors or regulators, impacts on contracts and client relationships and potential litigation exposure; our ability to retain existing customers and attract new customers and the potential for changes in our customer relationships, including the timing and extent of Ocwen or NRZ directing referrals of services to providers other than Altisource; various risks relating to our ability to effectively manage our regulatory and contractual obligations; the adequacy of our financial resources, including our sources of liquidity and ability to repay borrowings and comply with our Credit Agreement, including the financial and other covenants contained therein; as well as Altisource’s ability to retain key executives or employees, general economic and market conditions, behavior of customers, suppliers and/or competitors, technological developments, governmental regulations, taxes and policies, and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and other sections of Altisource’s Form 10-K, March 31, 2020 Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Webcast

Altisource will host a webcast at 8:30 a.m. EDT today to discuss our second quarter.  A link to the live audio webcast will be available on Altisource’s website in the Investor Relations section.  Those who want to listen to the call should go to the website at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software.  A replay of the conference call will be available via the website approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for approximately 30 days.

About Altisource

Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. is an integrated service provider and marketplace for the real estate and mortgage industries.  Combining operational excellence with a suite of innovative services and technologies, Altisource helps solve the demands of the ever-changing markets we serve.  Additional information is available at www.Altisource.com.

ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS S.A.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS S.A.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except for per share data)
(unaudited)

ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS S.A.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS S.A.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

Adjusted operating (loss) income, pretax (loss) income attributable to Altisource, adjusted pretax (loss) income attributable to Altisource, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”), adjusted net (loss) income attributable to Altisource, adjusted diluted (loss) earnings per share, adjusted cash flows used in operating activities less additions to premises and equipment and net debt less investment in equity securities, which are presented elsewhere in this earnings release, are non-GAAP measures used by management, existing shareholders, potential shareholders and other users of our financial information to measure Altisource’s performance and do not purport to be alternatives to (loss) income from operations, (loss) income before income taxes and non-controlling interests, net loss attributable to Altisource, diluted loss per share, cash flows used in operating activities and long-term debt, including current portion, as measures of Altisource’s performance.  We believe these measures are useful to management, existing shareholders, potential shareholders and other users of our financial information in evaluating operating profitability and cash flow generation more on the basis of continuing cost and cash flows as they exclude amortization expense related to acquisitions that occurred in prior periods and non-cash share-based compensation, as well as the effect of more significant non-operational items from earnings, cash flows from operating activities and long-term debt net of cash on-hand and investment in equity securities.  We believe these measures are also useful in evaluating the effectiveness of our operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance.  Furthermore, we believe the exclusion of more significant non-operational items enables comparability to prior period performance and trend analysis.

It is management’s intent to provide non-GAAP financial information to enhance the understanding of Altisource’s GAAP financial information, and it should be considered by the reader in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Each non-GAAP financial measure is presented along with the corresponding GAAP measure so as not to imply that more emphasis should be placed on the non-GAAP measure.  The non-GAAP financial information presented may be determined or calculated differently by other companies.  The non-GAAP financial information should not be unduly relied upon.

Adjusted operating (loss) income is calculated by removing intangible asset amortization expense, share-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, Pointillist losses, loss on BRS portfolio sale, sales tax accrual and other asset write-off from business exit from (loss) income from operations.  Pretax (loss) income attributable to Altisource is calculated by removing non-controlling interests from (loss) income before income taxes and non-controlling interests.  Adjusted pretax (loss) income attributable to Altisource is calculated by removing non-controlling interests, intangible asset amortization expense, share-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, Pointillist losses, unrealized (loss) gain on investment in equity securities, loss on BRS portfolio sale, sales tax accrual and other asset write-off from business exit from (loss) income before income taxes and non-controlling interests.  Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by removing the income tax provision, interest expense (net of interest income), depreciation and amortization, intangible asset amortization, share-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, Pointillist losses, unrealized (loss) gain on investment in equity securities, loss on BRS portfolio sale, sales tax accrual and other asset write-off from business exit from net loss attributable to Altisource.  Adjusted net (loss) income attributable to Altisource is calculated by removing intangible asset amortization expense (net of tax), share-based compensation expense (net of tax), restructuring charges (net of tax), Pointillist losses (net of tax), unrealized (loss) gain on investment in equity securities (net of tax), loss on BRS portfolio sale (net of tax), sales tax accrual (net of tax), other asset write-off from business exit (net of tax) and certain income tax items related to adjustments to foreign income tax reserves, the impact of a decrease in the India and Luxembourg income tax rates on deferred tax assets and an India restructuring from net loss attributable to Altisource.  Adjusted diluted (loss) earnings per share is calculated by dividing net loss attributable to Altisource after removing intangible asset amortization expense (net of tax), share-based compensation expense (net of tax), restructuring charges (net of tax), Pointillist losses (net of tax), unrealized (loss) gain on investment in equity securities (net of tax), loss on BRS portfolio sale (net of tax), sales tax accrual (net of tax), other asset write-off from business exit (net of tax) and certain income tax related items by the weighted average number of diluted shares.  Adjusted cash flows used in operating activities less additions to premises and equipment is calculated by removing the decrease in short-term investments in real estate, payment of sales tax accrual and additions to premises and equipment from cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities.  Net debt less investment in equity securities is calculated as long-term debt, including current portion, minus cash and cash equivalents and investment in equity securities.

Reconciliations of the non-GAAP measures to the corresponding GAAP measures are as follows:

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Note:  Amounts may not add to the total due to rounding.