Domain Name Services Revenue Increases 15% Year-over-Year
Total Revenue Growth of 7% Year-over-Year
33 gTLD Registry Operator Agreements Signed to Date
KIRKLAND, Wash., Nov. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rightside Group, Ltd. (Nasdaq:NAME), a leading provider of domain name services that advance the way businesses and consumers define and present themselves online, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014.
"Rightside's solid growth in domain name services revenue for the third quarter demonstrates accelerating momentum through our vertically integrated registry-registrar platform and validates our margin expansion opportunity through new gTLDs," said Chief Executive Officer Taryn Naidu. "Rightside Registry now has 23 owned and operated gTLDs in 'general availability' with five more expected to launch before year-end. At the same time, the organic revenue growth in our registrar business remains robust as our domain registrations continue to increase. After only three months as a stand-alone company, the foundation for growth that we put in place for Rightside is beginning to show its long-term potential."
Financial Summary
(in thousands)
| Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
| Domain name services | $ 41,332 | $ 36,034 | $ 118,432 | $ 104,366 | ||||
| Aftermarket and other | 7,442 | 9,472 | 21,583 | 35,254 | ||||
| Total revenue | $ 48,774 | $ 45,506 | $ 140,015 | $ 139,620 | ||||
| Gain on other assets, net | $ (8,558) | $ (1,336) | $ (14,303) | $ (2,565) | ||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ 2,489 | $ (3,928) | $ (4,964) | $ (6,907) | ||||
| Income tax benefit | (1,608) | (1,366) | (1,650) | (1,930) | ||||
| Net income (loss) | $ 4,097 | $ (2,562) | $ (3,314) | $ (4,977) | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA (1) | $ (593) | $ 805 | $ (3,648) | $ 8,884 | ||||
| (1) This Non-GAAP financial measure is described below and reconciled to GAAP net income (loss) in the accompanying table. | ||||||||
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Domain name services revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased 15% to $41.3 million compared to $36.0 million for the same period in 2013. Organic growth of 10.5%, which excludes the acquisition related benefit from Name.com, was primarily due to an increase in domain name registrations associated with the continued onboarding of eNom wholesale partners.
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Aftermarket and other revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2014 decreased to $7.4 million compared to $9.5 million for the same period in 2013, primarily due to a decrease in the sales of domain names owned by Rightside. On a sequential quarterly basis, the Aftermarket business was consistent with and performed favorably as compared to the stabilized level of $7 million for each of the first two quarters of 2014.
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Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased 7% to $48.8 million compared to $45.5 million for the same period in 2013.
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During the third quarter of 2014, Rightside recorded a gain on other assets, net of $8.6 million representing the gain on withdrawals of its interest in seven gTLD applications during the period.
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During the third quarter of 2014, Rightside recorded an income tax benefit of $1.6 million resulting from taxable losses in the U.S. during the period.
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Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $4.1 million compared to a net loss of $2.6 million for the same period in 2013.
- Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was ($0.6 million), compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $0.8 million for the same period in 2013. The change was primarily due to the decrease in Aftermarket and other revenue described above.
Business Highlights
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Rightside has signed registry operator agreements with ICANN for 33 gTLDs to date, including four gTLDs added during the third quarter of 2014, and has an interest in approximately 40 additional gTLD applications that have yet to be awarded to their ultimate registry operator.
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Rightside Registry launched eight new gTLDs into "general availability" during the third quarter of 2014 and now has distribution agreements with over 90 leading registrars to distribute its gTLDs.
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As of September 30, 2014, 15 of Rightside's owned and operated gTLDs were in "general availability" for an average of just 89 days each, but had generated over 80,000 registrations with almost $2.5 million in total cash sales.
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Rightside expects to have 28 gTLDs in "general availability" by year-end 2014.
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With 16 million total domains under management as of September 30, 2014, including over 2 million domain names registered through its own retail outlets, Rightside remains one of the world's largest registrars.
- Rightside signed agreements with vertical industry partners to integrate its technology and distribute its gTLDs, expanding its reach in key markets like legal and music.
Operating Metrics
| Three months ended | |||
| September 30, | |||
| 2014 | 2013 | % Change | |
| End of period domains (1) | 15.8MM | 14.4MM | 9% |
| Average revenue per domain (2) | $10.56 | $10.12 | 4% |
| Renewal rate (3) | 72.5% | 69.5% | |
| (1) A domain is defined as an individual domain name registered by a third-party customer on Rightside's registrar platforms for which Rightside has begun to recognize revenue. | |||
| (2) Average revenue per domain is calculated by dividing domain name services revenue for a period by the average number of domains registered on Rightside's registrar platforms in that period. Average revenue per domain for partial year periods is annualized. | |||
| (3) The renewal rate is defined as the percentage of domain names on Rightside's registrar platforms that are renewed after their original term expires. | |||
Liquidity and Capital Resources
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As of September 30, 2014, Rightside had cash and cash equivalents of $50.9 million, compared to $26.1 million as of its spin-off from Demand Media, Inc. on August 1, 2014.
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As of September 30, 2014, Rightside had $11 million of Letters of Credit outstanding under its $30 million revolving credit facility with Silicon Valley Bank, which was established on August 1, 2014 and matures in August 2017.
- As of September 30, 2014, Rightside had fully drawn its $30 million term loan credit facility with certain funds managed by Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC, which was established on August 6, 2014 and matures in August 2019.
Business Outlook
The following forward-looking information includes certain projections made by Rightside management as of the date of this press release. Rightside does not intend to revise or update this information, except as required by law, and may not provide this type of information in the future. Due to a variety of factors, actual results may differ significantly from those projected. The factors that may affect results include, without limitation, the factors referenced later in this announcement under the caption "Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." These and other risk factors are discussed in more detail in Rightside's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Rightside reiterates the projections made in its second quarter 2014 financial results press release dated August 7, 2014, narrowing its projected total revenue range. In 2014, Rightside expects the following:
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Total revenue of $188 million to $192 million for 2014 ($185 million to $195 million projected previously)
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Adjusted EBITDA at break-even for the fourth quarter of 2014
- Registry Services revenue in the low single-digit millions of dollars for 2014
Conference Call and Webcast
Rightside will host a conference call and audio webcast with investors and analysts today, November 6, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time (2:30 p.m. Pacific Time):
- Live conference call: 844-413-1777 (domestic) or 716-247-5761 (international)
- Conference call replay available through November 13, 2014: 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international)
- Conference ID: 24333779
- Live and archived webcast: http://investors.rightside.co
About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) adjusted for interest, income taxes, gain on sale of marketable securities, gain on other assets, net, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, as well as the financial impact of acquisition and realignment costs. Acquisition and realignment costs include legal, accounting and other professional fees directly attributable to acquisition activity as well as employee severance and other payments in connection with corporate realignment activities. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is GAAP net income (loss). A reconciliation of GAAP net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA can be found in the accompanying table. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Rightside compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on its GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA only as a supplement.
About Rightside
Rightside™ inspires and delivers new possibilities for consumers and businesses to define and present themselves online. The company, with its affiliates, is a leading provider of domain name services, offering one of the industry's most comprehensive platforms for the discovery, registration, usage, and monetization of domain names. In addition to being a new gTLD registry operator, Rightside is home to some of the most admired brands in the industry, including eNom, Name.com, and NameJet (in partnership with Web.com). Headquartered in Kirkland, WA, Rightside has offices in North America, Europe and Australia. For more information please visit www.rightside.co.
Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, among others, Rightside's expected total revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, registry services revenue and the number of gTLDs it expects to have in "general availability." Statements containing words such as may, believe, anticipate, expect, intend, plan, project, and estimate or similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. Statements regarding Rightside's future performance are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, financial condition, operating performance and results of operations, including certain assumptions related thereto. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted, and reported results should not be considered an indication of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, among others: revenue and growth expectations for Rightside following its separation from Demand Media, Inc.; the ability of Rightside to operate as an independent entity following the separation; Rightside's ability to successfully pursue, acquire and operate new gTLD registries; the impact on Rightside's registry business given its limited experience in providing back-end infrastructure services to new and existing registries; the impact of any delays or limitations in the launch of new gTLDs; Rightside's ability to successfully market and sell its gTLDs; and the difficulty in predicting and developing consumer demand for new gTLDs. More information about potential risk factors that could affect Rightside's operating and financial results are contained in Rightside's Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 14, 2014. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Rightside does not intend to revise or update the information set forth in this press release, except as required by law, and may not provide this type of information in the future.
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Statements of Operations (in thousands except per share data) (unaudited) |
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| Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| Revenue | $ 48,774 | $ 45,506 | $ 140,015 | $ 139,620 |
| Service costs | 41,550 | 37,232 | 119,612 | 108,661 |
| Sales and marketing | 2,239 | 2,426 | 7,210 | 7,790 |
| Product development | 2,667 | 2,620 | 9,592 | 7,865 |
| General and administrative | 5,690 | 6,590 | 17,869 | 18,639 |
| Amortization of intangible assets | 1,931 | 1,877 | 5,530 | 6,093 |
| Gain on other assets, net | (8,558) | (1,336) | (14,303) | (2,565) |
| Interest expense | 701 | -- | 701 | -- |
| Other expense (income), net | 65 | 25 | (1,232) | 44 |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 2,489 | (3,928) | (4,964) | (6,907) |
| Income tax benefit | (1,608) | (1,366) | (1,650) | (1,930) |
| Net income (loss) | $ 4,097 | $ (2,562) | $ (3,314) | $ (4,977) |
| Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders | ||||
| Basic | $ 0.22 | $ (0.14) | $ (0.18) | $ (0.27) |
| Diluted | $ 0.22 | $ (0.14) | $ (0.18) | $ (0.27) |
| Weighted average shares used in computing net income (loss) per share | ||||
| Basic | 18,444 | 18,413 | 18,424 | 18,413 |
| Diluted | 18,488 | 18,413 | 18,424 | 18,413 |
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Balance Sheets (in thousands) |
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| September 30, | December 31, | |
| 2014 | 2013 | |
| (Unaudited) | ||
| Assets | ||
| Current assets | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 50,887 | $ 66,833 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 19,378 | 9,176 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 6,006 | 4,395 |
| Deferred registration costs | 73,491 | 66,273 |
| Total current assets | 149,762 | 146,677 |
| Deferred registration costs | 14,309 | 12,514 |
| Property and equipment, net | 11,213 | 14,456 |
| Intangible assets, net | 22,049 | 15,268 |
| Goodwill | 103,042 | 103,042 |
| Deferred tax assets | 8,076 | 6,314 |
| gTLD deposits | 25,765 | 21,252 |
| Other assets | 4,731 | 1,998 |
| Total assets | $ 338,947 | $ 321,521 |
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||
| Current liabilities | ||
| Accounts payable | $ 7,723 | $ 7,585 |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 20,482 | 18,787 |
| Debt, current portion | 1,125 | -- |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 26,642 | 24,157 |
| Deferred revenue | 92,486 | 80,999 |
| Total current liabilities | 148,458 | 131,528 |
| Deferred revenue | 18,760 | 16,544 |
| Debt, less current portion | 24,573 | -- |
| Other liabilities | 1,052 | 693 |
| Total liabilities | 192,843 | 148,765 |
| Total stockholders' equity | 146,104 | 172,756 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 338,947 | $ 321,521 |
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Summarized Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) (unaudited) |
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| Nine months ended | ||
| September 30, | ||
| 2014 | 2013 | |
| Net loss | $ (3,314) | $ (4,977) |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (1,961) | 8,541 |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (12,994) | (7,005) |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (991) | 16,607 |
| Change in cash and cash equivalents | (15,946) | 18,143 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 66,833 | 40,593 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ 50,887 | $ 58,736 |
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Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands) (unaudited) |
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| Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| Net income (loss) | $ 4,097 | $ (2,562) | $ (3,314) | $ (4,977) |
| Add (deduct): | ||||
| Income tax benefit | (1,608) | (1,366) | (1,650) | (1,930) |
| Gain on sale of marketable securities | -- | -- | (1,362) | -- |
| Gain on other assets, net (1) | (8,558) | (1,336) | (14,303) | (2,565) |
| Interest expense | 701 | -- | 701 | -- |
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,620 | 3,565 | 11,560 | 11,054 |
| Stock-based compensation | 1,155 | 2,504 | 4,426 | 7,271 |
| Acquisition and realignment costs (2) | -- | -- | 294 | 31 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ (593) | $ 805 | $ (3,648) | $ 8,884 |
| (1) Net gains on withdrawals of interest in gTLD applications, included in gain on other assets, net. | ||||
| (2) Acquisition and realignment costs included employee severance and other payments attributable to acquisition or corporate realignment activities. Management does not consider these costs to be indicative of the Company's core operating results. | ||||