Points International Ltd. Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results


–        Revenue of $32.7 million increased 51% over the prior year period

–        Gross Margin1 of $6.2 million increased 44% over prior year period

–        EBITDA2 of $1.4 million increased 490% year over year

–        Reiterated full year 2011 guidance

–        Strong new partner and product launches and global business opportunities; continued robust 2011 partner and product pipeline

TORONTO, Aug. 9, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Points International Ltd. (TSX:PTS) (Nasdaq:PCOM), owner of the loyalty reward management program platform www.Points.com, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011. All financial results are in U.S. dollars and both 2011 and 2010 comparatives have been presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").

"Our second quarter performance highlights Points' continued financial and operational success, as evidenced by our strong growth in revenue and profitability and continued expansion of our loyalty reward program management platform," said CEO Rob MacLean. "Our exceptional revenue growth was led by increased transactional activity among our existing partners as well as new transactional products and partners added to our platform over the past twelve months.  In addition, we were able to deliver meaningful improvements in our profitability metrics with net income and EBITDA expanding nearly six-fold as compared to the prior year period. Expansion in our profitability metrics was driven not only by our year-over-year revenue growth, but also from our continued focus on margin expansion and operating expense discipline."

MacLean continued, "The second quarter also marked a continuation of our positive momentum in adding new products and transactional partners across our loyalty reward program management platform. Year-to-date, we have welcomed 5 new transactional partners and deployed 23 new products, to end the second quarter with over 163 products and services with approximately 50 partners worldwide.  Importantly, during, or just subsequent to the second quarter, we extended several strategic partnerships including American Airlines AAdvantage, Air France KLM, Hawaiian Airlines' Hawaiian Miles, Hyatt Gold Passport, Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club, Best Buy's Reward Zone and Cathay Pacific's Asia Miles. Our continued ability to expand our pre-existing relationships across our private label and Points.com branded platforms is a key driver of our future growth and ultimately speaks to Points' growing importance in the loyalty reward program ecosystem."

Mr. MacLean continued, "Looking forward, we expect to build upon our positive momentum in the back-half of the year and are on track to deliver strong results in-line with our financial objectives for 2011. Critical to our success will be the on-going expansion of our loyalty reward program management platform. As such, we are pleased with our most recent announcement, the addition of Iberia Airlines' Iberia Plus Frequent Flyer Program to our partner platform. We are very pleased to enter the third quarter with a strong product and partner pipeline and expect the volume of our deployments in the second half of 2011 to be consistent with that of the first half of 2011. We look forward to sharing our success in the coming months."

1 Gross Margin is considered by Management to be an integral measure of financial performance and is defined as total revenues less the direct cost of principal revenues. However, gross margin is not a recognized measure of profitability under IFRS.

2 EBITDA [Earnings (loss) before interest, amortization, foreign exchange and impairment costs] is considered by management to be a useful supplemental measure of performance. However, EBITDA is not a recognized earnings measure under IFRS.

Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results

Total revenue was $32.7 million for the second quarter of 2011. Revenue was up 51% over the $21.7 million reported in the second quarter of 2010, and up 15% over the $28.5 million reported in the first quarter of 2011. Principal revenue totaled $30.8 million, an increase of 53% over the $20.1 million in the same period last year and up 15% over the $26.7 million reported in the first quarter of 2011. Other partner revenue was $2.0 million, up from $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2010 and up from $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2011.

Gross margin for the second quarter of 2011 was $6.2 million, or 19.0% of total revenue, compared to gross margin of $4.3 million or 19.9% of revenue in the second quarter of 2010. Gross margin for the first quarter of 2011 was $5.1 million, or 17.9% of revenue.

Net income for the second quarter of 2011 was $501,000, or $0.03 per share. This compares to net income of $88,000, or $0.01 per share, in the second quarter of 2010 and a net loss of $189,000, or ($0.01) per share, in the first quarter of 2011.

During the second quarter of 2011, Points reported positive EBITDA of $1.4 million compared to positive EBITDA of $233,000 in the same period of 2010 and positive EBITDA of $313,000 in the first quarter of 2011.

As of June 30, 2011, total funds available, comprised of cash and cash equivalents together with security deposits, restricted cash and amounts with payment processors was $43.1 million, up from $41.3 million at the end of the first quarter of 2011. The company remains debt free and is pleased with its overall financial position and its ability to generate positive cash flow.

Second Quarter 2011 Business Metrics

           
  Q2/11 Q1/11 Q2/11 vs. Q1/11 Q2/10 Q2/11 vs. Q2/10
TOTAL ALL CHANNELS          
 Points/Miles Transacted (in 000s) 3,641,292 3,066,878 19% 2,724,245 34%
 No. of Points/Miles Transactions 347,134 342,012 1% 286,953 21%
LOYALTY CURRENCY SERVICES          
 Points/Miles Transacted (in 000s) 3,319,885 2,764,000 20% 2,484,218 34%
 No. of Points/Miles Transactions 329,561 321,326 3% 271,374 21%
POINTS.COM CHANNELS          
 Points/Miles Transacted (in 000s) 321,407 302,878 6% 240,027 34%
 No. of Points/Miles Transactions 17,573 20,686 -15% 15,579 13%
 Cumulative Registered Users 2,724,144 2,655,605 3% 2,525,059 8%

Business Outlook

The Company is reiterating its financial guidance for the year ended December 31, 2011, as follows:

  • The Company continues to expect revenue to be in the range of $120 million to $130 million, representing a 25% to 36% increase over 2010 revenue
  • The Company continues to expect EBITDA to be in the range of $5 million to $8 million
  • The Company continues to expect net income to be in the range of $3 million to $6 million, or $0.20 to $0.40 per diluted share

Investor Conference Call

Points' conference call with investors will be held today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To participate, investors from the US and Canada should dial (877) 941-2068 ten minutes prior to the start time. International dialers should call (480) 629-9712. In addition, the call is being webcast and can be accessed at the Company's web site: www.pointsinternational.com and will be archived online upon completion of the call. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through August 16, 2011 by dialing (877) 870-5176 in the U.S. or Canada or (858) 384-5517 internationally and entering the conference ID 445806.

About Points International Ltd

Points International Ltd. is the owner and operator of Points.com, the world's leading reward program management web site which was recently named one of the 28 Best Travel Sites by Kiplinger's. At Points.com consumers can Swap, Earn, Buy, Gift, Share and Redeem miles and points from more than 25 of the world's leading reward programs. Participating programs include American Airlines AAdvantage(R) program, Aeroplan(R), AsiaMiles(TM), British Airways Executive Club, Delta SkyMiles(R) and InterContinental Hotels Group's Priority Club(R) Rewards. Redemption partners include Amazon.com(R) and Starbucks. For more information, visit www.pointsinternational.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains or incorporates forward-looking statements within the meaning of United States securities legislation, and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements include our guidance for 2011 with respect to revenue, net income and EBITDA. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only Points' expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events.

Although Points believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to important risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Certain material assumptions or estimates are applied in making forward-looking statements, and may not prove to be correct. In particular, the financial outlooks herein assume we will be able to generate new business from our pipeline at expected margins, our in-market and newly launched products and services will perform in a manner consistent with the Company's past experience, and we will be able to contain costs and realize operational efficiencies from our upgraded technology platform. Other important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the risk factors discussed in Points' annual information form, Form-40-F, annual and interim management's discussion and analysis, and annual and interim financial statements and the notes thereto. These documents are available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date of this release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as required by law, Points does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements made or incorporated in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Transition to IFRS

The preparation of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements resulted in changes to the accounting policies as compared with the most recent annual financial statements prepared under Canadian GAAP. The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and the comparative information presented in these interim financial statements for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2010.

Points International Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Balance Sheets
       
Expressed in thousands of United States dollars
(Unaudited)
June 30,
2011
December 31,
2010
January 1,
2010
       
ASSETS      
Current assets      
Cash and cash equivalents $30,593 $28,463 $26,414
Restricted cash 1,789 1,776 802
Funds receivable from payment processors 8,066 4,624 5,855
Security deposits 2,628 2,123 2,463
Accounts receivable 2,209 2,054 1,907
Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,485 1,179 898
Total current assets 46,770 40,219 38,339
 
   
Non-current assets
   
Property and equipment 1,849 1,611 607
Intangible assets 4,873 4,844 2,014
Goodwill 2,580 2,580 2,580
Deferred tax assets 551 984 945
Other assets 467 613 1,033
Total non-current assets 10,320 10,632 7,179
Total assets $57,090 $50,851 $45,518
 
   
LIABILITIES      
Current liabilities
   
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  $2,945 $3,679 $2,820
Provisions  84 102 267
Current portion of other liabilities 654 629 609
Payable to loyalty program partners 37,413 31,337 30,215
Total current liabilities 41,096 35,747 33,911


   
Non-current liabilities
   
Other liabilities 845 951  301
Total non-current liabilities 845 951  301


   
Total liabilities 41,941 36,698  34,212
 
   
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
   
Share capital 57,288 56,683 56,662
Contributed surplus 9,441 9,255 8,677
Accumulated other comprehensive income 190 297 --
Accumulated deficit  (51,770)  (52,082)  (54,033)
Total shareholders' equity 15,149 14,153 11,306
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $57,090 $50,851 $45,518
       
 
Points International Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
         
Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts
(Unaudited)
For the three months
ended
For the six months 
ended
  June 30, 2011 June 30, 2010 June 30, 2011 June 30, 2010
 
 
 
REVENUE
 
 
Principal  $30,766 $20,063 $57,463 $41,900
 Other partner revenue  1,955  1,595  3,726  3,259
Interest  4  5  9  6
Total Revenue  32,725  21,663  61,198  45,165
 
 
 
EXPENSES
 
 
Direct cost of principal revenue  26,519  17,356  49,904  36,643
Employment costs  3,258  2,650  6,502  5,331
Marketing & communications  348  282  627  544
Technology services  156  224  302  435
Depreciation and amortization  563  152  1,008  287
Foreign exchange gain  (24)  (13)  (92)  (35)
Operating expenses  1,071  918  2,177  1,750
Total Expenses  31,891  21,569  60,428  44,955
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME  834  94  770  210
Interest and other charges   (17)  6  (17)  21
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAX  851  88  787  189
Deferred income tax expense (recovery)   350  --   475  (342)
NET INCOME  501  88  312  531
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
 
 
(Loss) Gain on foreign exchange derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, net of income tax recovery of $10 and expense of $50 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 (2010 – $95 and $7)  (26)  (212)  127  16
Reclassification to net income of gain on foreign exchange derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, net of income tax expense of $46 and $92 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 (2010 – $18 and $26)
 
 
   (116)  (39)  (234)  (57)
Other comprehensive loss for the period, net of income tax  (142)  (251)  (107)  (41)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)   $ 359  $ (163)  $ 205  $ 490
EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
 
Basic earnings per share $0.03 $0.01 $0.02 $0.04
Diluted earnings per share $0.03 $0.01 $0.02 $0.04
 
Points International Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
 
  Attributable to equity holders of the Company
Expressed in thousands of United States dollars

Share Capital

Contributed
Surplus 


Total Capital

Unrealized gains/(losses)
on cash flow hedges
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income 

Accumulated
deficit 

Total shareholders'
equity
(Unaudited)              
               
Balance at December 31, 2010  $56,683  $9,255  $65,938  $297  $297  $(52,082)  $14,153
Net income   --   --   --   --   --   312  312
Other comprehensive loss  --   --   --   (107)  (107)  --   (107)
Total comprehensive income  --   --   --   (107)  (107)  312  205
Effect of stock option compensation plan  --   332  332  --   --   --   332
Share issuances   605  (146)  459  --   --   --   459
Balance at June 30, 2011  $ 57,288  $ 9,441  $ 66,729  $ 190  $ 190  $ (51,770)  $ 15,149
               
               
Balance at January 1, 2010  $ 56,662  $ 8,677  $ 65,339  $ --   $ --   $ (54,033)  $ 11,306
Net income  --   --   --   --   --   531  531
Other comprehensive loss  --   --   --   (41)  (41)  --   (41)
Total comprehensive income  --   --   --   (41)  (41)  531  490
Effect of stock option compensation plan  --   315  315  --   --   --   315
Share Issuances  3  --   3  --   --   --   3
Balance at June 30, 2010  $ 56,665  $ 8,992  $ 65,657  $ (41)  $ (41)  $ (53,502)  $ 12,114
 
 
Points International Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows
 
Expressed in thousands of United States dollars
(Unaudited)
For the three months
Ended
For the six months
Ended
  June 30, 2011 June 30, 2010 June 30, 2011 June 30, 2010
 
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
Net income for the period $501 $88 $312 $531
Adjustments for:
 
 
Depreciation of property and equipment  127  82  230  147
Amortization of intangible assets  436  70  778  140
Unrealized foreign exchange loss  738  302  394  554
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions  163  153  332  315
Deferred income tax expense (recovery)  350  --   475  (342)
Unrealized net (gain) loss on derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges  (198)  (365)  (150)  (60)
Changes in non-cash balances related to operations  (1,410)  (3,406)  981  (682)
Net cash provided (used in) by operating activities  707  (3,076)  3,352  603
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
Acquisition of property and equipment  (308)  (836)  (468)  (881)
Additions to intangible assets  (291)  (1,732)  (807)  (2,249)
Changes in restricted cash  --   471  --   (950)
Net cash used in investing activities  (599)  (2,097)  (1,275)  (4,080)
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities 
 
 
Proceeds from exercise of share options  410  2  458  2
Net cash provided by financing activities  410  2  458  2
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  518  (5,171)  2,535  (3,475)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period  30,810  27,857  28,463  26,414
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held  (735)  (300)  (405)  (553)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period  $ 30,593  $ 22,386  $ 30,593  $ 22,386
 
 
 
Interest Received  4  5  10  6
Interest Paid  --   --   --   -- 
 
Points International Ltd.
Schedule of Non-IFRS Reconciliations
         
Gross Margin Information
         
Expressed in thousands of United States dollars
(Unaudited)
For the three months
ended
For the six months
ended
  June 30, 2011 June 30, 2010 June 30, 2011 June 30, 2010
 
 
 
Total Revenue  $32,725 $21,663 $61,198 $45,165
Direct cost of principal revenue 26,519 17,356 49,904 36,643
Gross Margin $6,206 $4,307 $11,294 $8,522
Gross Margin % 19.0% 19.9% 18.5% 18.9%
         
         
         
Reconciliation of Operating Income to EBITDA
         
Expressed in thousands of United States dollars
(Unaudited)
For the three months
ended
For the six months
ended
  June 30, 2011 June 30, 2010 June 30, 2011 June 30, 2010
 
 
 
Operating income  $834 $94 $770 $210
Depreciation and amortization 563 152 1,008 287
Foreign exchange gain (24)  (13)  (92) (35)
EBITDA $1,373 $233 $1,686 $462


            

Kontaktdaten

GlobeNewswire