Altisource Announces Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Second Quarter 2019

• Service revenue of $190.5 million
• Income from operations of $6.1 million and adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ of $16.2 million
• Income before income taxes and non-controlling interests of $11.9 million and adjusted pre-tax income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $8.9 million
• Net loss attributable to Altisource of $(5.8) million, or $(0.36) per diluted share, and adjusted net income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $5.9 million, or $0.36 per diluted share

LUXEMBOURG, July 25, 2019 (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 2019.

“I am very pleased with our progress in streamlining Altisource.  We recently sold the majority of the Buy-Renovate-Lease-Sell (“BRS”) properties and our Financial Services and Mortgage Charge-Off Collections business, and began selling our shares in Front Yard Residential Corporation (“RESI”).  As we believe our share price doesn’t reflect the inherent value of Altisource, we continue to explore ways to maximize shareholder value, which may include, from time to time, exploring the potential sale of one or more of our businesses, third party investments in certain of our businesses or other forms of strategic transactions,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William B. Shepro.

Mr. Shepro further commented, “We are also focusing on larger opportunities, including those in our Marketplace and Field Services businesses, where we are making considerable progress.  Our ongoing success at winning and on-boarding new business is demonstrated by our 131% growth in Hubzu inventory and 17% growth in Field Services revenue, from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI, compared to the second quarter of 2018.  Given recent market expansion, program launches with new clients, and scheduled on-boardings, we anticipate these trends to continue.”

Second quarter 2019 service revenue of $190.5 million was 9% lower than the second quarter 2018, primarily from the reduction in size of the Ocwen Financial Corporation (“Ocwen”) and RESI portfolios, a delay in referrals associated with Ocwen’s transition to a new servicing platform and the higher cooperative brokerage commission paid to New Residential Investment Corp. (“NRZ”), partially offset by higher revenue from the sale of the majority of the BRS inventory.  The Company believes the delay in referrals from Ocwen is largely a matter of timing and it is anticipated that most of these impacted referrals will be received in the second half of 2019.

Second quarter 2019 operating income of $6.1 million was 51% lower than the second quarter 2018, primarily from the impact of revenue declines discussed above, revenue mix with higher revenue from the sale of the BRS inventory at a $1.8 million loss and restructuring charges of $1.9 million related to Project Catalyst, partially offset by the benefits of Project Catalyst.  Project Catalyst was initiated in 2018 to better align the Company’s cost structure with anticipated revenue, and improve operating margins and performance.

Second quarter 2019 adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ of $16.2 million was 26% lower than the second quarter 2018, primarily from the impact of revenue declines and revenue mix discussed above, partially offset by the benefits of Project Catalyst.

Second quarter 2019 income before income taxes and non-controlling interests of $11.9 million was 288% higher than the second quarter 2018, primarily from higher unrealized gains on our investment in RESI, partially offset by lower operating income discussed above.

Second quarter 2019 adjusted pre-tax income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $8.9 million was 39% lower than the second quarter 2018, primarily from lower operating income discussed above.

Second quarter 2019 loss per share was $(0.36) compared to second quarter 2018 earnings per share of $0.09.  The decline in earnings per share was primarily due to the increase in the income tax provision for the second quarter 2019 and lower operating income discussed above.  The income tax provision increased from a non-cash expense of $12.3 million to reflect the revaluation of Luxembourg net deferred tax assets from a change in the statutory income tax rate from 26.0% to 24.9% and a $0.9 million increase in foreign income taxes in connection with an internal legal entity reorganization in advance of the sale of the Financial Services business.  These decreases were partially offset by higher unrealized gains on our investment in RESI and fewer outstanding shares.

Second quarter 2019 adjusted earnings per share⁽¹⁾ of $0.36 was 40% lower than the second quarter 2018, primarily from lower adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ discussed above, partially offset by fewer diluted shares outstanding.

Second quarter 2019 adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $23.3 million was 22% lower than the second quarter 2018, primarily from the impact of revenue declines and revenue mix discussed above, partially offset by the benefits of Project Catalyst.

Second Quarter 2019 Highlights⁽²⁾

• Grew Hubzu inventory from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI by 131% compared to June 30, 2018, with such inventory representing 31% of total Hubzu inventory as of June 30, 2019
• Grew Field Services revenue from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI by 17% compared to the second quarter of 2018
• Selected by an existing customer, one of the largest institutional real estate and mortgage investors in the U.S., to provide Field Services (pre- and post-foreclosure) for a portion of its portfolio
• Began receiving referrals from two new Hubzu customers, two new Trelix customers and one new loss draft inspection customer
• In July, began receiving Field Services referrals from a Top Five servicer, Hubzu REO auction referrals from a servicer and pre-foreclosure Field Services referrals from another servicer
• Sold the majority of remaining BRS inventory for net proceeds of $38.9 million
• Sold 565,757 RESI shares for net proceeds of $6.5 million
• On July 1, 2019, closed on the sale of the Financial Services business, consisting of the Asset Recovery Management, Customer Relationship Management and Mortgage Charge-Off Collections businesses, for $44 million, consisting of an up-front payment of $40 million less adjustments for targeted working capital and transaction costs, and an additional $4 million scheduled to be paid on the one year anniversary of the closing
• On July 17, 2019, used net proceeds from the sale of the Financial Services business to repay $37 million of the senior secured term loan
• Repurchased 0.3 million shares of Altisource common stock at an average price of $21.89 per share
• Ended the second quarter 2019 with $129.1 million of cash, cash equivalents and investment in equity securities
• Ended the second quarter 2019 with $203.9 million of net debt less investment in equity securities⁽¹⁾, 26% lower than June 30, 2018; adjusting for the July 2019 sale of the Financial Services business and related debt repayment, pro forma net debt less investment in equity securities⁽¹⁾ is $166.9 million

• Second quarter and year-to-date June 30, 2019 income from operations includes a loss on BRS portfolio sale of $1.8 million (no comparable amounts in 2018).  Second quarter and year-to-date June 30, 2019 include restructuring charges of $1.9 million and $6.3 million, respectively, related to Project Catalyst (no comparable amounts in 2018).  Year-to-date June 30, 2019 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 2018).
  
• Second quarter and year-to-date June 30, 2019 pretax income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ include unrealized mark-to-market gains on our equity investment in RESI of $11.8 million and $14.0 million, respectively, compared to the second quarter and year-to-date June 30, 2018 unrealized mark-to-market gain (loss) on our equity investment in RESI of $1.5 million and $(6.0) million, respectively.  Second quarter and year-to-date June 30, 2018 include the write-off of net discount and debt issuance costs from debt refinancing of $4.4 million (no comparable amounts in 2019).
• Second quarter and year-to-date June 30, 2019 net loss attributable to Altisource include non-cash income tax provision of $12.3 million to reflect a change in the Luxembourg statutory income tax rate from 26.0% to 24.9% and a $0.9 million income tax provision for foreign income taxes in connection with an internal legal entity reorganization in advance of the sale of the Financial Services business (no comparable amounts in 2018).

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, our ability to retain existing customers and attract new customers and the potential for changes in our customer relationships; 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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michelle D. Esterman
Chief Financial Officer
T:  (770) 612-7007
E:  Michelle.Esterman@altisource.com

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

Adjusted operating income, pretax income (loss) attributable to Altisource, adjusted pretax income attributable to Altisource, adjusted net income attributable to Altisource, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted cash flows from operating activities, adjusted cash flows from operating activities less additions to premises and equipment, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) 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 income from operations, income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests, net (loss) income attributable to Altisource, diluted earnings (loss) per share, cash flows from 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 income is calculated by removing intangible asset amortization expense, share-based compensation expense, loss on BRS portfolio sale, sales tax accrual, restructuring charges and other asset write-off from business exit from income from operations.  Pretax income (loss) attributable to Altisource is calculated by removing non-controlling interests from income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests.  Adjusted pretax income attributable to Altisource is calculated by removing non-controlling interests, intangible asset amortization expense, share-based compensation expense, loss on BRS portfolio sale, sales tax accrual, restructuring charges, other asset write-off from business exit, write-off of net discount and debt issuance costs from debt refinancing and unrealized (loss) gain on investment in equity securities from income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests.  Adjusted net income attributable to Altisource is calculated by removing intangible asset amortization expense (net of tax), share-based compensation expense (net of tax), loss on BRS portfolio sale (net of tax), sales tax accrual (net of tax), restructuring charges (net of tax), other asset write-off from business exit (net of tax), write-off of net discount and debt issuance costs from debt refinancing (net of tax), unrealized (loss) gain on investment in equity securities (net of tax) and certain income tax related items from net (loss) income attributable to Altisource.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net (loss) income attributable to Altisource after removing intangible asset amortization expense (net of tax), share-based compensation expense (net of tax), loss on BRS portfolio sale (net of tax), sales tax accrual (net of tax), restructuring charges (net of tax), other asset write-off from business exit (net of tax), write-off of net discount and debt issuance costs from debt refinancing (net of tax), unrealized (loss) gain on investment in equity securities (net of tax) and certain income tax related items by the weighted average number of diluted shares.  Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding income tax provision, adding interest expense (net of interest income), adding depreciation and amortization, deducting unrealized gain on investment in equity securities, adding share-based compensation, adding loss on BRS portfolio sale, adding restructuring charges and adding write-off of net discount and debt issuance costs from debt refinancing to net (loss) income attributable to Altisource.  Adjusted cash flows from operating activities is calculated by removing the decrease (increase) in short-term investments in real estate and payment of sales tax accrual from cash flows from operating activities.  Adjusted cash flows from operating activities less additions to premises and equipment is calculated by removing the decrease (increase) in short-term investments in real estate, payment of sales tax accrual and additions to premises and equipment from cash flows from 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: