Travelzoo Reports First Quarter 2021 Results


NEW YORK, April 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO):

  • Consolidated revenue of $14.3 million, down 30% year-over-year and up 14% quarter-over-quarter
  • Non-GAAP consolidated operating profit of $0.6 million
  • Earnings per share (EPS) of ($0.14) attributable to Travelzoo from continuing operations
  • Cash flow from operations of $11.9 million

Travelzoo, a global Internet media company that publishes exclusive offers and experiences for members, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021. Consolidated revenue was $14.3 million, down 30% from $20.3 million year-over-year and up 14% from $12.5 million in the prior quarter. Reported revenue excludes revenue from discontinued operations in Asia Pacific. Travelzoo's reported revenue consists of advertising revenues and commissions, derived from and generated in connection with purchases made by Travelzoo members.

The reported net loss attributable to Travelzoo from continuing operations was $1.6 million for Q1 2021. At the consolidated level, including minority interests, the reported net loss from continuing operations was $1.7 million. EPS from continuing operations was ($0.14), compared to ($0.32) in the prior-year period.

Non-GAAP operating profit was $0.6 million. The calculation of non-GAAP operating profit excludes amortization of intangibles ($0.3 million), stock option expenses ($0.9 million), and severance-related expenses ($0.2 million). See section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

“We see continued improvement in our business. Travelzoo is loved by travel enthusiasts who look for quality offers. Travelzoo members are affluent, active, and open for new experiences. 75% say Travelzoo influences their travel destinations because they trust Travelzoo. We believe that trust is becoming an important competitive advantage for Travelzoo,” said Holger Bartel, Global CEO.

Cash Position
As of March 31, 2021, consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $72.0 million. Cash flow from operations was $11.9 million. There were no significant capital expenditures.

Reserve
Reported revenues include a reserve of $4.0 million related to commissions to be earned from vouchers sold. The reserve is booked as contra revenue. For Q1 2021, an adjustment to the reserve reduced reported revenue by $56,000.

Travelzoo North America
North America business segment revenue decreased 23% year-over-year to $9.8 million. Operating profit for Q1 2021 was $39,000, or 0.4% of revenue, compared to an operating loss of $976,000 in the prior-year period.

Travelzoo Europe
Europe business segment revenue decreased 48% year-over-year to $3.6 million. Operating loss for Q1 2021 was $696,000, compared to an operating loss of $1.3 million in the prior-year period.

Jack’s Flight Club
On January 13, 2020, Travelzoo acquired 60% of Jack’s Flight Club, a membership subscription service. Jack’s Flight Club revenue increased 30% year-over-year to $887,000. Operating loss for Q1 2021 was $110,000, compared to an operating loss of $3.0 million in the prior-year period. After consolidation with Travelzoo, Jack’s Flight Club's net loss was $121,000, with $73,000 attributable to Travelzoo as a result of recording $284,000 of amortization of intangible assets related to the acquisition.

Licensing
In June 2020, Travelzoo sold its subsidiary in Japan, Travelzoo Japan K.K., to Mr. Hajime Suzuki. In connection with the sale, Travelzoo and Travelzoo Japan K.K. entered into a royalty-bearing licensing agreement for the exclusive use of Travelzoo members in Japan. In August 2020, Travelzoo sold its Singapore subsidiary to Mr. Julian Rembrandt and entered into a royalty-bearing licensing agreement for, among other things, the exclusive use of Travelzoo's members in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Under the licensing agreements, Travelzoo's existing members in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore will continue to be owned by Travelzoo as the licensor. Licensing revenue is booked with a lag of one quarter. Licensing revenue from Japan of $9,000 generated in Q4 2020 was recognized in Q1 2021.

Members and Subscribers
As of March 31, 2021, we had 31.8 million members worldwide. In North America, the unduplicated number of Travelzoo members was 18.1 million as of March 31, 2021, up 7% from March 31, 2020. In Europe, the unduplicated number of Travelzoo members was 8.6 million as of March 31, 2021, down 6% from March 31, 2020. On March 15, 2021, Travelzoo added more than 2 million new members in the U.S. in connection with a direct competitor from Europe exiting the U.S. market. Jack’s Flight Club had 1.6 million subscribers as of March 31, 2021, down from 1.7 million subscribers as of March 31, 2020.

Discontinued Operations
As announced in a press release on March 10, 2020, Travelzoo decided to exit its Asia Pacific business which in 2019 reduced EPS by $0.60. The Asia Pacific business has been classified as discontinued operations since March 31, 2020. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform with the current presentation. Certain reclassifications have been made for current and prior periods between the continued operations and the discontinued operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $742,000 in Q1 2021, compared to an income tax benefit of $517,000 in the prior-year period.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management calculates non-GAAP operating income when evaluating the financial performance of the business. Travelzoo’s calculation of non-GAAP operating income, also called “non-GAAP operating profit” in this press release and today’s earnings conference call, excludes the following items: impairment of intangibles and goodwill, amortization of intangibles, stock option expenses, and severance-related expenses. This press release includes a table which reconciles GAAP operating income to the calculation of non-GAAP operating income. Non-GAAP operating income is not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"). This information should be considered as supplemental in nature and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Looking Ahead
We currently expect for Q2 2021 to report significantly higher revenue and profitability. We see a trend of recovery of our revenue. We have been able to reduce our operating expenses, and we believe we can contain many of the lower costs in the foreseeable future.

Conference Call
Travelzoo will host a conference call to discuss first quarter results today at 11:00 a.m. ET. Please visit http://ir.travelzoo.com/events-presentations to download the management presentation (PDF format) to be discussed in the conference call; and access the webcast.

About Travelzoo

Travelzoo® provides our 30 million members insider deals and one-of-a-kind experiences personally reviewed by one of our deal experts around the globe. We have our finger on the pulse of outstanding travel, entertainment, and lifestyle experiences. For over 20 years we have worked in partnership with more than 5,000 top travel suppliers—our long-standing relationships give Travelzoo members access to irresistible deals.

Certain statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, prospects and intentions, markets in which we participate and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts. When used in this press release, the words “expect”, “predict”, “project”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “seek” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including changes in our plans, objectives, expectations, prospects and intentions and other factors discussed in our filings with the SEC. We cannot guarantee any future levels of activity, performance or achievements. Travelzoo undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

Travelzoo, Top 20, and Jack's Flight Club are registered trademarks of Travelzoo.

 
Travelzoo
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
  
 Three months ended
 March 31,
 2021 2020
Revenues$14,284  $20,327 
Cost of revenues3,018  2,703 
Gross profit11,266  17,624 
Operating expenses:   
Sales and marketing6,790  13,094 
Product development683  1,428 
General and administrative4,560  5,522 
Impairment of intangible asset and goodwill  2,920 
Total operating expenses12,033  22,964 
Operating loss(767) (5,340)
Other income (loss), net(166) (6)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes(933) (5,346)
Income tax expense (benefit)742  (517)
Loss from continuing operations(1,675) (4,829)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(15) (2,919)
Net loss(1,690) (7,748)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest(48) (1,139)
Net loss attributable to Travelzoo$(1,642) $(6,609)
    
Net loss attributable to Travelzoo—continuing operations$(1,627) $(3,690)
Net loss attributable to Travelzoo—discontinued operations$(15) $(2,919)
    
Loss per share—basic   
Continuing operations$(0.14) $(0.32)
Discontinued operations$  $(0.26)
Net loss per share —basic$(0.14) $(0.58)
    
Loss per share—diluted   
Continuing operations$(0.14) $(0.32)
Discontinued operations$  $(0.26)
Net loss per share—diluted$(0.14) $(0.58)
Shares used in per share calculation from continuing operations—basic11,391  11,439 
Shares used in per share calculation from discontinued operations—basic11,391  11,439 
Shares used in per share calculation from continuing operations—diluted11,391  11,439 
Shares used in per share calculation from discontinued operations—diluted11,391  11,439 
      


 
Travelzoo
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
    
 March 31,
2021
 March 31,
2020
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$70,862  $63,061 
Accounts receivable, net7,293  4,519 
Prepaid income taxes1,443  931 
Deposits101  137 
Prepaid expenses and other3,275  1,166 
Assets from discontinued operations123  230 
Total current assets83,097  70,044 
Deposits and other1,351  745 
Deferred tax assets4,400  5,067 
Restricted cash1,157  1,178 
Operating lease right-of-use assets8,474  8,541 
Property and equipment, net1,152  1,347 
Intangible assets, net4,250  4,534 
Goodwill10,944  10,944 
Total assets$114,825  $102,400 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity    
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$8,750  $6,996 
Merchant payables70,094  57,104 
Accrued expenses and other10,827  8,649 
Deferred revenue2,417  2,688 
Operating lease liabilities3,796  3,587 
PPP notes payable (current portion)3,460  2,849 
Income tax payable201  326 
Liabilities from discontinued operations580  671 
Total current liabilities100,124  82,870 
PPP notes payable204  814 
Deferred tax liabilities235  357 
Long-term operating lease liabilities10,558  10,774 
Other long-term liabilities2,027  1,085 
Total liabilities113,148  95,900 
Non-controlling interest4,560  4,609 
Common stock115  114 
Treasury stock (at cost)(1,583)  
Additional paid-in capital4,279  6,239 
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)(2,045) (403)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(3,649) (4,059)
Total stockholders’ equity(2,883) 1,891 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$114,825  $102,400 
        


 
Travelzoo
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
  
 Three months ended
 March 31,
 2021 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:   
Net income (loss)$(1,690) $(7,748)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization484  551 
Stock-based compensation882  23 
Deferred income tax541  (609)
Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill  2,920 
Loss on long-lived assets  437 
Loss on equity investment in WeGo  195 
Net foreign currency effects(152) (681)
Provision of loss on accounts receivable and other(454) 1,441 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:   
Accounts receivable(2,229) 2,509 
Income tax receivable(545) 989 
Prepaid expenses and other(2,357) 862 
Accounts payable1,727  547 
Merchant payables13,212  (6,940)
Accrued expenses and other2,199  704 
Income tax payable(126) (333)
Other liabilities412  2,077 
Net cash provided by operating activities11,904  (3,056)
Cash flows from investing activities:   
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired  (679)
Purchases of property and equipment(7) (131)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(7) (810)
Cash flows from financing activities:   
Repurchase of common stock(1,583) (1,205)
Payment of promissory notes  (1,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net of taxes for net share settlement(2,840)  
Net cash used in financing activities(4,423) (2,205)
Effect of exchange rate on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash270  (272)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash7,744  (6,343)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period64,385  20,710 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$72,129  $14,367 
        


 
Travelzoo
Segment Information from Continuing Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
          
Three months ended
March 31, 2021
Travelzoo
North

America
 Travelzoo
Europe
 Jack's Flight
Club
 Elimination Consolidated
Revenue from unaffiliated customers$9,828  $3,569  $887  $  $14,284 
Intersegment revenue(9) 9       
Total net revenues9,819  3,578  887    14,284 
Operating income (loss)$39  $(696) $(110) $  $(767)
          
Three months ended
March 31, 2020
Travelzoo
North

America
 Travelzoo
Europe
 Jack's Flight
Club
 Elimination Consolidated
Revenue from unaffiliated customers$12,549  $7,103  $683  $(8) $20,327 
Intersegment revenue148  (156)   8   
Total net revenues12,697  6,947  683    20,327 
Operating loss$(976) $(1,341) $(3,015) $(8) $(5,340)
                    


 
Travelzoo
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Information
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
  
 Three months ended
March 31
 2021 2020
GAAP operating expense$12,033  $22,964 
Non-GAAP adjustments:   
Impairment of intangible and goodwill (A)  2,920 
Amortization of intangibles (B)284  215 
Stock option expenses (C)882  23 
Severance-related expenses (D)223  217 
Non-GAAP operating expense10,644  19,589 
    
GAAP operating income (loss)(767) (5,340)
Non-GAAP adjustments (A through D)1,389  3,375 
Non-GAAP operating income (loss)622  (1,965)
    

Investor Relations:
Almira Pusch
ir@travelzoo.com