Rosetta Stone Inc. Reports First Quarter 2017 Results

Operating expenses decrease 20% year-over-year; Lexia posts strong double-digit revenue growth; Company receives initial payment from previously announced strategic partnership with SOURCENEXT in Japan


ARLINGTON, Va., May 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rosetta Stone Inc. (NYSE:RST), a world leader in technology-based learning solutions, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017. Revenue in the first quarter 2017 totaled $47.7 million, a decline of $0.3 million from $48.0 million in the year-ago period. First quarter 2017 net income totaled $0.5 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. In the first quarter last year, the Company had a net loss of $7.5 million, or $(0.34) per diluted share. Included in the first quarter 2017 results were (pre-tax) restructuring charges totaling $0.8 million, compared to (pre-tax) restructuring charges totaling $2.5 million in the year-ago period.

First Quarter 2017 Overview

  • Total revenue declined approximately 1% year-over-year to $47.7 million

  • Revenue at Lexia, the Company’s Literacy segment, grew 34% year-over-year to a record high $10.2 million. Adjusting for the impact of purchase accounting on Lexia's revenue, first quarter 2017 revenue would have been $10.8 million, up $1.8 million or 20% year-over-year, compared to $9.0 million in the year-ago period

  • Total operating expenses decreased $9.5 million or 20% year-over-year, representing the Company's ninth consecutive quarter of year-over-year expense reductions. General and administrative expenses decreased 26% year-over-year and sales and marketing expenses decreased 22% year-over-year

  • The Company posted net income of $0.5 million or $0.02 per diluted share; first quarter 2017 results included (pre-tax) restructuring charges of $0.8 million

  • Cash and cash equivalents totaled $39.7 million at March 31, 2017, up $3.5 million from December 31, 2016 reflecting normal seasonality that was more than offset by the receipt of the first $9.0 million in payments from the previously announced strategic Japan transaction with SOURCENEXT, and the Company had zero debt outstanding

“Consolidated revenue was essentially flat year-over-year, reflecting another strong quarter at Lexia that offset expected declines in our Consumer and Enterprise & Education Language segments following the significant restructuring of those businesses over the last two years,” said John Hass, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “I am also excited to begin our strategic partnership with SOURCENEXT in Japan, which is progressing as planned starting with the receipt of $9.0 million of an expected $13.0 million of initial payments. We also recently entered into an agreement to sell our Japanese entity to SOURCENEXT and we expect to close that transaction in the near term.”

Earlier this year, Rosetta Stone announced that it had entered into a strategic partnership with Japanese software pioneer SOURCENEXT to expand the Company’s language-learning offerings and geographic reach. SOURCENEXT has been granted a perpetual, exclusive license to sell and develop language and education products and services in Japan using the Rosetta Stone brand and trademark.  As part of the license agreement, Rosetta Stone will have first rights to license products developed by SOURCENEXT under the Rosetta Stone brand and trademark for resale in territories outside of Japan.

First Quarter 2017 Review

Revenue: Total revenue declined $0.3 million year-over-year to $47.7 million in the first quarter 2017. Revenue at Lexia, the Company's Literacy segment, grew 34% year-over-year to a record high $10.2 million. Adjusting for the impact of purchase accounting, Lexia's revenue would have been $10.8 million in the first quarter 2017 compared to $9.0 million in the year-ago period, and Lexia's pro forma revenue growth rate would have been 20% year-over-year.

Enterprise & Education ("E&E") Language segment revenue decreased 10% year-over-year to $16.5 million in the first quarter 2017, in part due to the exit of certain geographies on a direct sales basis as part of the E&E Restructuring announced in March 2016. First quarter revenue from continuing E&E Language geographies was down 7% year-over-year.

Consumer segment revenue decreased $1.1 million or 5% year-over-year to $21.0 million in the first quarter 2017, reflecting lower bookings and an increased mix of shorter-duration subscriptions, which the Company had recently begun testing.

US$ thousands, except for percentages

  Three Months Ended March 31,  
  2017 Mix % 2016 Mix % % change
Revenue from:          
Literacy $10,170  21% $7,577  16% 34%
E&E Language   16,500  35% 18,331  38%      (10)%
Consumer 21,023  44% 22,094  46% (5)%
Total $ 47,693    100% $ 48,002    100% (1)%
                  

Net Income (Loss):  In the first quarter 2017 the Company reported net income of $0.5 million or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $7.5 million or $(0.34) per diluted share in the year-ago period. Included in the first quarter 2017 were (pre-tax) restructuring charges of $0.8 million, and included in the year-ago period were (pre-tax) restructuring charges of $2.5 million.

Management's ongoing efforts to improve the profitability of the Company have resulted in nine consecutive quarters of favorable year-over-year operating expense improvements on both a reported basis as well as before restructuring charges in all periods. Total operating expenses decreased $9.5 million or 20% year-over-year to $38.6 million in the first quarter 2017, which included a year-over-year decrease of $1.7 million in restructuring charges.

Decreases were realized in all three major operating expense categories in the first quarter 2017, with the most significant percentage reduction being a $2.7 million or 26% year-over-year decrease in general and administrative expenses and the most significant dollar reduction being a $6.6 million or 22% year-over-year decrease in sales and marketing expenses. In both cases the declines were largely due to the restructuring of the E&E Language segment announced in 2016.  Research and development expenses also decreased $0.2 million or 2% year-over-year, as increased investment in Lexia was more than offset by investment declines in Consumer and E&E Language.

Balance Sheet:  The Company had zero debt and a cash and cash equivalents balance of $39.7 million at March 31, 2017, reflecting the receipt of the first $9.0 million in payments from the previously announced strategic partnership agreement in Japan. Deferred revenue decreased to $126.5 million at March 31, 2017, compared to $141.5 million at December 31, 2016 and $132.3 million at March 31, 2016. Short-term deferred revenue, which will be recognized as revenue over the next 12 months, totaled $101.5 million or approximately 80% of the total March 31, 2017 balance.

Free Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA:  Free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $3.5 million in the first quarter 2017, compared to $(5.1) million in the first quarter 2016. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, improved $6.8 million year-over-year to $5.2 million in the first quarter, compared to $(1.6) million in the year-ago period. The improvement in free cash flow is due to the receipt of the first $9.0 million in payments from the previously announced strategic partnership in Japan, which more than offset the expected seasonal decline in cash. The Company's cash flow has historically been seasonal, with a net use of cash during the first half of the year and positive cash generation during the second half of the year.

Investor Day Webcast

In conjunction with this announcement, Rosetta Stone will host an Investor Day webcast today at 10:00 a.m. ET during which time there will be a discussion of the results and the Company's outlook. The webcast will be available live on the Investor Relations page of the Company's website at http://investors.rosettastone.com and a recorded replay of the webcast will be available on the Investor Relations page soon after the live presentation.

Caution on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by non-historical statements and often include words such as "outlook," "potential," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "seeks" or words of similar meaning, or future-looking or conditional verbs, such as "will," "should," "could," "may," "might, " "aims," "intends," "projects," or similar words or phrases. These statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: our business strategy; guidance or projections related to revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, bookings, and other measures of future economic performance; the contributions and performance of our businesses including acquired businesses and international operations; projections for future capital expenditures; and other guidance, projections, plans, objectives, and related estimates and assumptions. A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances. In addition, forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current assumptions, expectations and beliefs and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our present expectations or projections. Some important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievement to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the risk that we are unable to execute our business strategy; declining demand for our language learning solutions; the risk that we are not able to manage and grow our business; the impact of any revisions to our pricing strategy; the risk that we might not succeed in introducing and producing new products and services; the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations; the adequacy of internally generated funds and existing sources of liquidity, such as bank financing, as well as our ability to raise additional funds; the risk that we cannot effectively adapt to and manage complex and numerous technologies; the risk that businesses acquired by us might not perform as expected; and the risk that we are not able to successfully expand internationally. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements, risks and uncertainties that are more fully described in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent quarterly Form 10-Q filings and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and those updated from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"), the Company uses, and this press release contains references to, the non-GAAP financial measures of financial performance listed below.

  • Bookings represent executed sales contracts received by the Company that are either recorded immediately as revenue or as deferred revenue.
  • Adjusted EBITDA is GAAP net income/(loss) plus interest income and expense, other income/expense, income tax benefit and expense, impairment, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and restructuring expenses. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA excludes "Other" items related to the litigation with Google Inc., consulting and other related costs associated with the development and implementation of the accelerated strategy and cost reductions, non-restructuring wind down and severance costs, and transaction and other costs associated with mergers and acquisitions, as well as all adjustments related to recording the non-cash tax valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Adjusted EBITDA for prior periods has been revised to conform to current definition.
  • Free cash flow is cash flow from operating activities minus cash used in purchases of property and equipment.
  • Segment contribution is calculated as segment revenue less expenses directly incurred by or allocated to the segment. Direct segment expenses include costs and expenses that are directly incurred by or allocated to the segment and include materials costs, service costs, customer care and coaching costs, sales and marketing expenses, and bad debt expense. In addition to the previously referenced expenses, the Literacy segment includes direct research and development expenses and Combined Language includes shared research and development expenses, cost of revenue, and sales and marketing expenses applicable to the Consumer Language and Enterprise & Education Language segments.

The definitions, GAAP comparisons, and reconciliation of those measures with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are available in this press release or in the corresponding earnings presentation, which are posted on our website at www.rosettastone.com

Management believes that these non-GAAP measures of financial results provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, enabling a better understanding of the long-term performance of the Company’s business. Management uses these non-GAAP measures to compare the Company’s performance to that of prior periods for trend analysis, and for budgeting and planning purposes. Management believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results and trends and in comparing the Company’s financial measures with other software and education-technology companies, many of which present similar non-GAAP financial measures to investors.

The presentation of this additional financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company urges investors to review the reconciliation of its non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures, which it includes in press releases announcing earnings information, including this press release, or in corresponding earnings presentations, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the Company’s business. The Company’s non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to those used by other companies, and we encourage you to review and understand all our financial reporting before making any investment decision.

About Rosetta Stone Inc.

Rosetta Stone Inc. (NYSE:RST) is dedicated to changing people's lives through the power of language and literacy education. The company's innovative digital solutions drive positive learning outcomes for the inspired learner at home or in schools or workplaces around the world.

Founded in 1992, Rosetta Stone language division uses cloud-based solutions to help all types of learners read, write and speak more than 30 languages. Lexia Learning, Rosetta Stone's literacy education division, was founded more than 30 years ago and is a leader in the literacy education space. Today, Lexia helps students build foundational reading skills through its rigorously researched, independently evaluated, and widely respected instruction and assessment programs.

For more information, visit www.rosettastone.com. "Rosetta Stone" is a registered trademark or trademark of Rosetta Stone Ltd. in the United States and other countries.

 

 
ROSETTA STONE INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
  March 31,
 2017
 December 31, 2016
Assets    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $39,713  $36,195 
Restricted cash 394  402 
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $559 and $1,072, at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively) 21,072  31,788 
Inventory 6,412  6,767 
Deferred sales commissions 12,953  14,085 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,607  3,813 
Total current assets 85,151  93,050 
Deferred sales commissions 3,693  4,143 
Property and equipment, net 25,363  24,795 
Goodwill 48,452  48,251 
Intangible assets, net 21,855  22,753 
Other assets 1,338  1,318 
Total assets $185,852  $194,310 
Liabilities and stockholders' deficit    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable $9,014  $10,684 
Accrued compensation 12,528  10,777 
Income tax payable 254  785 
Obligations under capital lease 395  532 
Other current liabilities 19,584  22,150 
Deferred revenue 101,502  113,821 
Total current liabilities 143,277  158,749 
Deferred revenue 24,982  27,636 
Deferred income taxes 6,473  6,173 
Obligations under capital lease 1,961  2,027 
Other long-term liabilities 10,147  1,384 
Total liabilities 186,840  195,969 
Commitments and contingencies    
Stockholders' deficit:    
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000 and 10,000 shares authorized, zero and zero shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively    
Non-designated common stock, $0.00005 par value, 190,000 and 190,000 shares authorized, 23,747 and 23,451 shares issued and 22,747 and 22,451 shares outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively 2  2 
Additional paid-in capital 191,087  190,827 
Accumulated loss (176,890) (177,344)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (3,752) (3,709)
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,000 and 1,000 shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively (11,435) (11,435)
Total stockholders' deficit (988) (1,659)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit $185,852  $194,310 
         


ROSETTA STONE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2017 2016
Revenue:    
Subscription and service $41,450  $37,971 
Product 6,243  10,031 
Total revenue 47,693  48,002 
Cost of revenue:    
Cost of subscription and service revenue 6,534  5,403 
Cost of product revenue 1,607  2,645 
Total cost of revenue 8,141  8,048 
Gross profit 39,552  39,954 
Operating expenses:    
Sales and marketing 24,168  30,793 
Research and development 6,414  6,571 
General and administrative 8,025  10,777 
Total operating expenses 38,607  48,141 
Income (loss) from operations 945  (8,187)
Other income and (expense):    
Interest income 13  13 
Interest expense (115) (112)
Other income and (expense) 311  1,228 
Total other income and (expense) 209  1,129 
Income (loss) before income taxes 1,154  (7,058)
Income tax expense 700  449 
Net income (loss) $454  $(7,507)
Earnings (loss) per share:    
Basic $0.02  $(0.34)
Diluted $0.02  $(0.34)
Common shares and equivalents outstanding:    
Basic weighted average shares 22,125  21,867 
Diluted weighted average shares 22,590  21,867 
       


ROSETTA STONE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2017 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net income (loss) $454  $(7,507)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:    
Stock-based compensation expense 147  421 
Gain on foreign currency transactions (277) (1,525)
Bad debt (recovery) expense (364) 191 
Depreciation and amortization 3,075  3,408 
Deferred income tax expense 300  172 
Gain on disposal of equipment (1)  
Amortization of deferred financing fees 71  62 
(Gain) loss from equity method investments (5) 27 
Net change in:    
Restricted cash 13  41 
Accounts receivable 11,188  17,555 
Inventory 361  116 
Deferred sales commissions 1,588  1,783 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (807) (1,331)
Income tax receivable or payable (537) 337 
Other assets 2  88 
Accounts payable (1,680) 569 
Accrued compensation 1,731  2,310 
Other current liabilities (2,989) (8,189)
Other long-term liabilities 8,762  (99)
Deferred revenue (15,263) (10,975)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 5,769  (2,546)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
Purchases of property and equipment (2,313) (2,586)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets 2   
Net cash used in investing activities (2,311) (2,586)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 74  29 
Payment of deferred financing costs   (100)
Payments under capital lease obligations (242) (244)
Net cash used in financing activities (168) (315)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,290  (5,447)
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash and cash equivalents 228  660 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,518  (4,787)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period 36,195  47,782 
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period $39,713  $42,995 
         


ROSETTA STONE INC.
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2017 2016
GAAP net income (loss) $454  $(7,507)
Total other non-operating income, net (209) (1,129)
Income tax expense 700  449 
Impairment    
Depreciation and amortization 3,075  3,408 
Stock-based compensation 147  421 
Restructuring expenses 780  2,509 
Other EBITDA adjustments 208  285 
Adjusted EBITDA* $5,155  $(1,564)
         

* Adjusted EBITDA is GAAP net income/(loss) plus interest income and expense, other income/expense, income tax benefit and expense, impairment, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and restructuring expenses. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA excludes “Other” items related to the litigation with Google Inc., consulting and other related costs associated with the development and implementation of the accelerated strategy and cost reductions, non-restructuring wind down and severance costs, and transaction and other costs associated with mergers and acquisitions, as well as all adjustments related to recording the non-cash tax valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Adjusted EBITDA for prior periods has been revised to conform to current definition.

 
 
ROSETTA STONE INC.
Reconciliation of Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended
 March 31,
  2017 2016
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $5,769  $(2,546)
Purchases of property and equipment (2,313) (2,586)
Free cash flow* $3,456  $(5,132)
         

* Free cash flow is cash flow from operations minus cash used in purchases of property and equipment.

 
 
Rosetta Stone Inc.
Supplemental Information
(unaudited)
 
  Quarter-Ended Year
Ended
 Quarter-
Ended
  Mar 31
2016
 Jun 30
2016
 Sep 30
2016
 Dec 31
2016
 Dec 31
2016
 Mar 31
2017
Revenue by Segment (in thousands, except percentages)                
             
Literacy 7,577  7,950  8,786  9,810  34,123  10,170 
Enterprise & Education Language 18,331  17,490  18,336  17,926  72,083  16,500 
Consumer 22,094  20,276  21,571  23,942  87,883  21,023 
Total 48,002  45,716  48,693  51,678  194,089  47,693 
             
YoY Growth (%)            
Literacy 82% 68% 52% 35% 56% 34%
Enterprise & Education Language (4)% (6)% (6)% (6)% (5)% (10)%
Consumer (37)% (28)% (12)% (25)% (27)% (5)%
Total (18)% (11)% (2)% (11)% (11)% (1)%
                   
% of Total Revenue                  
Literacy 16% 17% 18% 19% 18% 21%
Enterprise & Education Language 38% 38% 38% 35% 37% 35%
Consumer 46% 45% 44% 46% 45% 44%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
                   
Revenues by Geography                  
                   
United States 39,795  37,626  41,042  44,352  162,815  41,241 
International 8,207  8,090  7,651  7,326  31,274  6,452 
Total 48,002  45,716  48,693  51,678  194,089  47,693 
                   
Revenues by Geography (as a %)                  
United States 83% 82% 84% 86% 84% 86%
International 17% 18% 16% 14% 16% 14%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
                   

Prior period data has been modified where applicable to conform to current presentation for comparative purposes. Immaterial rounding differences may be present in this data in order to conform to Financial Statement totals.


            

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