Altisource Announces Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Third Quarter 2020

• Service revenue of $85.4 million
• Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interests of $(11.1) million
• Adjusted pretax loss attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $(1.4) million
• Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”)⁽¹⁾ of $6.4 million

LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 29, 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 third quarter 2020.

“We are pleased with the progress we are making in a very difficult operating environment.  We increased adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ by $8.5 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2020, and we are implementing our 2021 operating plan that targets $250 million to $270 million of service revenue and $35 million to $43 million of adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾.  Our operating plan assumes continued COVID-19 related headwinds in our default businesses throughout most of the year,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William B. Shepro. 

Mr. Shepro further commented, “We also continue to develop and grow our customer base increasing the backlog of potential default related business which we anticipate will be available to us in late 2021 and into 2022 when we forecast that the market returns to a more normal operating environment.”

Third Quarter 2020 Highlights⁽²⁾

Financial and Corporate:

• Ended the third quarter 2020 with $67.0 million of cash and cash equivalents and $30.2 million of investment in equity securities
• Ended the third quarter 2020 with $196.6 million of net debt less investment in equity securities⁽¹⁾
• On October 19, 2020, Front Yard Residential Corporation (“RESI”) announced it entered into a definitive agreement to sell the company for $13.50 per share in cash; adjusting Altisource’s investment in RESI to $13.50 per share results in a $16.4 million increase in investment in equity securities to $46.6 million compared to the amount reflected on the balance sheet as of September 30, 2020
• Subsequent to the end of the third quarter 2020, Altisource sold 1.6 million shares of RESI for net proceeds of $21.1 million and will use the net proceeds to repay a portion of its Senior Secured Term Loan
• To address lower than previously anticipated revenue from (1) the extension of foreclosure and eviction moratoriums and (2) an MSR investor’s instructions to Ocwen Financial Corporation (“Ocwen”) to move certain services to another service provider, the Company has developed an operating plan targeting 2021 adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ margins of 14% to 16% on $250 million to $270 million of forecasted revenue

Business Highlights:

• The Company’s third quarter 2020 performance in its default related services businesses, including revenue from customers other than Ocwen, New Residential Investment Corp. (“NRZ”) and RESI, continues to be negatively impacted by COVID-19 related governmental and, in some instances, servicer measures to provide support to borrowers (i.e., foreclosure and eviction moratoriums, forbearance plans and higher unemployment benefits) as well as the transition of certain of Ocwen’s Field Services referrals on the NRZ MSRs to another service provider which began in July 2020
• Service revenue from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI was relatively flat in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to COVID-19 foreclosure moratoriums and forbearance programs offset by strong originations demand (year-to-date 2020 service revenue from these customers is 11% higher than the same period in 2019)

Field Services

• Field Services service revenue from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI was 34% lower in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to COVID-19 foreclosure moratoriums and forbearance programs (year-to-date 2020 service revenue from these customers is 17% higher than the same period in 2019)
• Finalized the work to begin receiving Field Services referrals, anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2021, on a recently won government contract
• Notified by a top 25 non-bank servicer that it is expanding its use of Altisource’s Field Services on its FHA portfolio to an additional 29 states over the next couple of quarters

Marketplace

• Hubzu inventory from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI declined by 22% since September 30, 2019 primarily due to the COVID-19 foreclosure moratoriums and forbearance programs, with such inventory representing 45% of total Hubzu inventory as of September 30, 2020 (an increase from 31% of total inventory as of September 30, 2019)
• Hubzu service revenue from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI was 7% lower in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to the COVID-19 foreclosure moratoriums and forbearance programs (year-to-date 2020 service revenue from these customers is 8% higher than the same period in 2019)
• Executed a Statement of Work to expand our auction services for a top 25 servicer to include foreclosure auctions and expect to begin receiving referrals in the first quarter of 2021

Mortgage and Real Estate Solutions

• Grew Mortgage and Real Estate Solutions service revenue from customers other than Ocwen, NRZ and RESI by 17% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to a growing customer base and higher origination volumes from a lower interest rate environment (year-to-date 2020 service revenue from these customers is 25% higher than the same period in 2019)
• Began providing loss mitigation services for a Top 10 servicer

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Third quarter 2020 service revenue of $85.4 million was 36% lower than the third quarter 2019 primarily from COVID-19 pandemic related governmental restrictions, Ocwen’s transition of Field Services referrals associated with certain MSRs to another service provider (which began in July 2020), the reduction in the size of Ocwen’s portfolio, and NRZ’s higher percentage of home sales at the foreclosure auction (resulting in a lower percentage of foreclosures converting to real estate owned properties (“REO”), which in turn reduces our REO auction, brokerage, field services and title service revenue).  Service revenue also declined from the discontinuation and exit from certain businesses resulting in a 4% decline in service revenue.  These decreases were partially offset by a 30% increase in service revenue from the origination businesses in Mortgage and Real Estate Solutions from sales wins and higher origination volumes from a lower interest rate environment.

Third quarter 2020 loss from operations of $(6.8) million was lower than third quarter 2019 income from operations of $19.7 million primarily from lower revenue (as discussed above) and a $17.6 million gain on sale on the sale of business during the third quarter of 2019, partially offset by lower outside fees and services from lower referral volumes and lower selling, general and administrative expenses, which include the benefits of our COVID-19 cash cost savings measures and Project Catalyst cost reduction initiatives.

Third quarter 2020 adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ of $3.7 million was lower than third quarter 2019 adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ of $9.3 million primarily from the impact of revenue declines discussed above, partially offset by lower outside fees and services from lower referral volumes and lower selling, general and administrative expenses, which include the benefits of our COVID-19 cash cost savings measures and Project Catalyst cost reduction initiatives.

Third quarter 2020 loss before income taxes and non-controlling interests of $(11.1) million was lower than third quarter 2019 income before income taxes and non-controlling interests of $13.0 million primarily from lower operating income discussed above, partially offset by an unrealized gain on our investment in RESI of $0.1 million in the third quarter 2020 compared to an unrealized loss on our investment in RESI of $(2.3) million in the third quarter 2019 and lower interest expense.

Third quarter 2020 adjusted pretax loss attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $(1.4) million was lower than third quarter 2019 adjusted pretax income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $4.4 million primarily from lower adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ discussed above, partially offset by lower interest expense.

Third quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $6.4 million was lower than third quarter 2019 adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $12.9 million primarily from lower adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ discussed above.

Third quarter 2020 net loss attributable to Altisource of $(13.2) million was lower than third quarter 2019 net income of $7.2 million primarily from lower income before income taxes and non-controlling interests discussed above, partially offset by lower income tax expense.

Third quarter 2020 adjusted net loss attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $(3.8) million was lower than third quarter 2019 adjusted net income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $4.0 million primarily from lower adjusted pretax income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ discussed above, partially offset by lower income tax expense.

Third quarter 2020 diluted loss per share of $(0.85) was lower than third quarter 2019 diluted earnings per share of $0.44 diluted primarily due to lower net income attributable to Altisource discussed above, partially offset by fewer diluted shares outstanding from share repurchases during 2019.

Third quarter 2020 adjusted diluted loss per share⁽¹⁾ of $(0.24) was lower than third quarter 2019 diluted earnings per share of $0.25 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.

Third Quarter and Year-to-Date September 30, 2020 Results Compared to the Third Quarter and Year-to-Date September 30, 2019:

N/M - not meaningful.

• Third quarter 2020 and 2019 (loss) income from operations include $2.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively ($10.9 million and $9.1 million for year-to-date September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively) of restructuring charges related to Project Catalyst.  Third quarter 2020 and 2019 (loss) income from operations also include $(0.6) million and $(1.7) million, respectively ($(0.6) million and $0.3 million for year-to-date September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively) of sales tax net accruals (reimbursements).  Third quarter and year-to-date September 30, 2020 loss from operations include Pointillist losses of $2.1 million and $7.2 million, respectively (no comparable amounts in 2019) and third quarter 2020 cost savings initiatives of $0.7 million (no comparable amounts in 2019).  Year-to-date September 30, 2019 income from operations includes a loss on the BRS portfolio sale of $1.8 million (no comparable amounts in 2020).  Third quarter and year-to-date September 30, 2019 (loss) income from operations include a $17.6 million gain on the sale of the Financial Services business (no comparable amounts in 2020).  Year-to-date September 30, 2019 income from operations includes an other asset write-off from a business exit of $0.2 million (no comparable amounts in 2020).
• Third quarter 2020 and 2019 pretax (loss) income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ include unrealized mark-to-market gains (losses) on our equity investment in RESI of $0.1 million and $(2.3) million, respectively ($(12.4) million and $11.7 million for year-to-date September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively).
• Third quarter 2019 net (loss) income attributable to Altisource includes $(0.9) million of certain income tax items (no comparable amount for the third quarter 2020) ($2.4 million and $12.3 million for year-to-date September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively) related to adjustments to foreign income tax reserves and the impact of a decrease in the India and Luxembourg income tax rates on deferred tax assets.

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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; 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 third 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.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (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 income, pretax (loss) income attributable to Altisource, adjusted pretax (loss) income attributable to Altisource, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“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) income attributable to Altisource, diluted (loss) earnings 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 income is calculated by removing intangible asset amortization expense, share-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, Pointillist losses, third quarter 2020 cost savings initiatives, loss on BRS portfolio sale, gain on sale of business, sales tax net accrual (reimbursement) 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, third quarter 2020 cost savings initiatives, unrealized gain (loss) on investment in equity securities, loss on BRS portfolio sale, gain on sale of business, sales tax net accrual (reimbursement) 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, third quarter 2020 cost savings initiatives, unrealized gain (loss) on investment in equity securities, loss on BRS portfolio sale, gain on sale of business, sales tax net accrual (reimbursement) and other asset write-off from business exit from net (loss) income 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), third quarter 2020 cost savings initiatives (net of tax), unrealized gain (loss) on investment in equity securities (net of tax), loss on BRS portfolio sale (net of tax), gain on sale of business (net of tax), sales tax net accrual (reimbursement) (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) income attributable to Altisource.  Adjusted diluted (loss) 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), restructuring charges (net of tax), Pointillist losses (net of tax), third quarter 2020 cost savings initiatives (net of tax), unrealized gain (loss) on investment in equity securities (net of tax), loss on BRS portfolio sale (net of tax), gain on sale of business (net of tax), sales tax net accrual (reimbursement) (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.