Points International Reports Strong Second Quarter 2021 Results


- Sustained Performance Improvements Drive Third Consecutive Quarter of Sequential Revenue, Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA Growth -

- Revenue Increased 152% on a Year-Over-Year and 58% Sequentially -

- Gross Profit Increased 76% from the Year-Ago Quarter and 37% Sequentially -

- Adjusted EBITDA Increased 10 X from the Year-Ago Quarter and 184% Sequentially -

- Continued Execution on Pipeline Expands Presence by Geographies and Verticals -

TORONTO, Aug. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Points International Ltd. (TSX: PTS) (Nasdaq: PCOM) (Points or the Company), the global leader in powering loyalty commerce, is reporting financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are in USD. The complete second quarter Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion & Analysis are available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.

“Our second quarter performance continued our momentum from last quarter, with strong sequential and year-over-year improvements across our key financial metrics,” said Rob MacLean, CEO of Points. “We generated over $100 million in revenue for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2019, with growth across gross profit and Adjusted EBITDA1 also outpacing our expectations. While we have continued to drive transactions through our promotional activity, our services more closely tied to near-term travel also began to reaccelerate as a result of vaccine-related tailwinds. These trends demonstrate the continued progress of our recovery from the lows of the pandemic last year, as well as the resilience of our platform and growth strategy.

“We have delivered robust progress on our core growth drivers through deepening our existing engagements, establishing new global partnerships, and enhancing our in-market services through our growing automated marketing capabilities. In addition to further expanding our presence in the Middle East, we have signed a new long term partnership with a prominent carrier in the Asia-Pacific region. We will be launching a number of services with this partner in the coming months and look forward to updating you on the progress. We have also increased our deployments in non-travel verticals, both through further developing pre-pandemic engagements and expanding our services into new types of loyalty programs. Looking ahead, we continue to have a very healthy pipeline of business, and I expect discussions with both new and existing partners to remain positive.”

Mr. MacLean concluded: “Amid ongoing positive industry trends, we recognize that the pace of global recovery remains fluid. We continue to monitor changes in health protocols around the world, especially those related to the Delta variant. Within our business, we remain cautiously optimistic about our growth trajectory for the second half of 2021, and are encouraged by the strong sequential growth we have generated over the last three quarters. We look forward to leveraging our strong financial and operational foundation to further optimize the value we create for our partners, loyalty customers, and shareholders alike.”

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights

 For the three months ended
(in millions USD)June 30, 2021March 31, 2021June 30, 2020
Total Revenue$103.0$65.0$40.9
Gross Profit$12.3$9.0$7.0
Total Operating Expenses$11.6$10.2$10.6
Net Income/(Loss)$0.5($1.1)($3.3)
Adjusted EBITDA$3.4$1.2$0.3
  • Total revenue in the second quarter of 2021 increased 58% on a quarter-over-quarter basis, driven by continued improvements across both marketing activity and non-promotional or “baseline” activity more closely associated with near-term travel. On a year-over-year basis, total revenue increased 152%, reflecting strong sales recovery from the lows of the COVID-19-related impacts in the prior year quarter.
  • Gross profit in the second quarter of 2021 improved 37% compared to the first quarter of 2021 and increased 76% compared to the prior year quarter. The sequential and year-over-year increases were driven by the Company’s aforementioned marketing, promotional and baseline improvements, as well as continued recovery from pandemic-related impacts.
  • Operating expenses in the second quarter of 2021 increased both sequentially and year-over-year due to an expected decrease in the amount of wage subsidy funding received under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program, the gradual easing of some spending restrictions implemented at the outset of the pandemic as financial performance continues to improve, and, to a lesser extent, the impacts of foreign exchange headwinds on the Canadian dollar. The Company recognized wage subsidies of approximately $0.6 million as an offset to operating expenses in the second quarter of 2021 and does not anticipate participating in further subsidies for the remainder of the year.
  • Total funds available, which is defined as the sum of cash and cash equivalents, cash held in trust and funds receivable from payment processors, at the end of the second quarter were $94.5 million compared to $79.1 million at the end of 2020. As at December 31, 2020, total funds available included $15.0 million of borrowings on the Company’s senior secured credit facility, which was repaid in the first quarter of 2021. The increase primarily reflects the proceeds from the bought deal financing the Company completed in the first quarter of 2021, as well as the aforementioned strong sales activity.

Recent Operational Highlights

New Partnerships

  • In May, signed a long term and multi service agreement with a prominent carrier in the Asia-Pacific region. These services are expected to launch in the second half of 2021.
  • In April, launched a previously announced new partnership with Mashreq Bank, a leading United Arab Emirates financial institution, to allow members of Mashreq’s Salaam program to exchange points into Emirates Skywards miles.
  • Launched Exchange service with Bilt Rewards, the rewards program that allows renters to earn points on rent and build a path towards homeownership.

Expanded Partnerships

  • In April, announced the Rapid Rewards Subscription Plan with Southwest Airlines, allowing members to build towards a predetermined rewards balance through monthly points deposits.
  • Expanded partnership with the Qatar Airways Privilege Club program during the second quarter with two additional services: (1) Hotel & Car Rewards service, enabling members to earn and redeem their miles on hotel bookings and car rentals; and (2) Launched our Accelerate Anything service for Privilege Club members.
  • In July, deployed the Accelerate Anything Service with the Etihad Guest program. The Accelerate Anything service allows members to accelerate their current miles balance—regardless of how these miles were earned. Etihad is the third loyalty program partner in the growing Middle East region to take advantage of this new capability.
  • In June, facilitated new integration between Frontier Airlines and meal kit delivery service Home Chef, further developing the Home Chef deployment after its pre-pandemic launch.
  • Expanded exchange opportunities across the platform. In July, increased the number of exchange options with Citi Thankyou Rewards, initiating real time exchange availability with the American Airlines AAdvantage program. In August, added Air Canada’s Aeroplan program as an additional exchange option with the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.

Points Announces Renewal of Share Repurchase

Points also announced today that the board of directors has approved a normal course issuer bid to repurchase up to 5% of its issued and outstanding common shares (the “Repurchase”), and that it intends to enter into an automatic share purchase plan with a broker in order to facilitate the Repurchase.

The Repurchase is subject to approval by the TSX, and is expected to commence in September 2021. Points’ previous normal course issuer bid commenced on September 9, 2020 and will terminate on September 8, 2021.

____________________________________
1
Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings before income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, foreign exchange, finance costs, share-based compensation expense and other one-time costs such as impairment charges) is considered by management to be a useful supplemental measure when assessing financial performance. Management also believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an important indicator of the Company’s ability to generate liquidity through operating cash flow to fund future capital expenditures and working capital needs. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under IFRS and should not be considered a substitute for Net Income, which we believe to be the most directly comparable IFRS measure. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Conference Call

Points will hold a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its second quarter 2021 results, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Date: Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time)
Toll-free dial-in number: 1-877-407-0784
International dial-in number: 1-201-689-8560
Conference ID: 13721291

Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Investor Relations at 1-949-574-3860.

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here and via the Events section of Points International’s IR site here.

A replay of the conference call will be available after 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through August 25, 2021.

Toll-free dial-in number: 1-844-512-2921
International dial-in number: 1-412-317-6671
Conference ID: 13721291

About Points International Ltd.

Points, (TSX: PTS) (Nasdaq: PCOM) is a trusted partner to the world’s leading loyalty programs, leveraging its unique Loyalty Commerce Platform to build, power, and grow a network of ways members can get and use their favourite loyalty currency. Our platform combines insights, technology, and resources to make the movement of loyalty currency simpler and more intelligent for nearly 60 reward programs worldwide. Founded in 2000, Points is headquartered in Toronto with teams operating around the globe.

For more information, visit Points.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 or relate to but are not limited to, among other things, plans we have implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its expected impact on us (including with respect to: cost saving measures that have been implemented and our capitalization), our financial performance, our growth strategies, our business pipeline and ability to sign and launch new loyalty program partnerships, and our beliefs on the long-term sustainability of the loyalty industry, the role of the loyalty industry in the recovery of the travel industry, the competitive environment in which we operate, the recovery of the broader travel and hospitality industries, the Repurchase (including the expected timing of commencement), other objectives, strategic plans and business development goals, and may also include other statements that are predictive in nature, or that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and can generally be identified by words such as "may," "will," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" or similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.

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 actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. In particular, uncertainty around the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the pandemic and actions taken in response on global and regional economies, economic activity, and all elements of the travel and hospitality industry may have a significant and materially adverse impact on our business. In addition, the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may impact the results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) airline or travel industry disruptions, such as an airline insolvency and continued airline consolidation; (ii) our dependence on a limited number of large partners for a significant portion of our total revenue; (iii) our reliance on contractual relationships with loyalty program partners that are subject to termination and renegotiation; (iv) our exposure to significant liquidity risk if we fail to meet contractual performance commitments; (v) our ability to convert our pipeline of prospective partners or launch new products with new or existing partners as expected or planned; (vi) our dependence on various third-parties that provide certain solutions that we market to loyalty program partners; (vii) the fact that our operations are conducted in multiple jurisdictions and in multiple currencies and as such dramatic fluctuations in exchange rates of the foreign currencies can have a dramatic effect on our financial results and (viii) the risk of an event of default under our senior secured credit facility. These and other important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed in Points' annual information form, Form 40-F, annual and interim management's discussion and analysis (“MD&A”), 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.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Management uses certain non-GAAP measures, which are defined in the appropriate sections of this press release, to better assess the Company’s underlying performance. These measures are reviewed regularly by management and the Company's Board of Directors in assessing the Company’s performance and in making decisions about ongoing operations. In addition, we use certain non-GAAP measures to determine the components of management compensation. We believe that these measures are also used by investors as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance. Readers are cautioned that these terms are not recognized GAAP measures and do not have a standardized GAAP meaning under IFRS and should not be construed as alternatives to IFRS terms, such as net income. Refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of the Company’s Q2 2021 MD&A for reconciliation to, and description of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures.

Investor Relations Contact

Cody Slach and Jackie Keshner
Gateway Investor Relations
1-949-574-3860
IR@points.com 

 
 
Points International Ltd.
Key Financial Measures and Schedule of Non-GAAP Reconciliations
 
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA [1]
 
Expressed in thousands of United States dollars 
 For the three months ended  
 June 30, 2021
 June 30, 2020  
        
Net income (loss)$ 452 $(3,325) 
Income tax expense (recovery) 145  (420) 
Finance costs 81  280  
Depreciation and amortization 1,037  1,259  
Foreign exchange loss (gain) 84  (80) 
Share-based compensation expense 1,589  787  
Impairment charges -  1,798  
Adjusted EBITDA [1]$ 3,388 $299  
   
[1] Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as earnings before income tax expense, finance costs, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, foreign exchange and other one-time costs or benefits such as impairment charges. Management believes that adjusted EBITDA is an important indicator of the Company’s ability to generate liquidity through operating cash flow to fund future capital expenditures and working capital needs. However, adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under IFRS and should not be considered a substitute for Net Income, which we believe to be the most directly comparable IFRS measure.
 


Points International Ltd.   
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position 
     
Expressed in thousands of United States dollars    
(Unaudited)   
As atJune 30, 2021December 31, 2020 
     
ASSETS   
Current assets   
 Cash and cash equivalents$ 85,855$73,070 
 Cash held in trust1,973280 
 Funds receivable from payment processors6,7195,795 
 Accounts receivable5,9503,559 
 Prepaid taxes6681,760 
 Prepaid expenses and other assets4,0463,075 
Total current assets$ 105,211$87,539 
     
Non-current assets   
 Property and equipment1,1861,529 
 Right-of-use assets1,4601,862 
 Intangible assets11,51312,130 
 Goodwill5,6815,681 
 Deferred tax assets3,6553,087 
 Other assets202202 
Total non-current assets$ 23,697$24,491 
Total assets$ 128,908$112,030 
     
LIABILITIES   
Current liabilities   
 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$ 5,010$5,766 
 Income taxes payable668489 
 Payable to loyalty program partners61,86050,629 
 Current portion of lease liabilities1,1881,156 
 Current portion of other liabilities940847 
 Current portion of long term debt-3,500 
Total current liabilities$ 69,666$62,387 
     
Non-current liabilities   
 Long term debt-11,500 
 Lease liabilities6051,136 
 Other liabilities4357 
 Deferred tax liabilities9511,731 
Total non-current liabilities$ 1,599$14,424 
Total liabilities$ 71,265$76,811 
     
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
 Share capital73,16849,251 
 Contributed surplus1,0901,795 
 Accumulated other comprehensive income475623 
 Accumulated deficit(17,090)(16,450) 
Total shareholders’ equity$ 57,643$35,219 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 128,908$112,030 
     


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 endedFor the six months ended 
  June 30, 2021June 30, 2020[2]June 30, 2021June 30, 2020[2] 
       
REVENUE     
 Principal$ 96,946$35,801$ 157,188$111,671 
 Other partner revenue6,0635,10610,84611,909 
Total Revenue$ 103,009$40,907$ 168,034$123,580 
 Direct cost of revenue90,70033,919146,725102,765 
Gross Profit$ 12,309$6,988$ 21,309$20,815 
       
OPERATING EXPENSES     
 Sales and marketing4,2702,8107,8307,331 
 Research and development2,9322,3345,4625,962 
 General and administrative3,3732,3896,0745,530 
 Depreciation and amortization1,0371,2592,4542,508 
 Impairment charges-1,798-1,798 
Total Operating Expenses$ 11,612$10,590$ 21,820$23,129 
       
 Foreign exchange loss (gain)84(80)311(118) 
 Finance and other income(65)(57)(119)(246) 
 Finance costs81280207368 
       
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES$ 597$(3,745)$ (910)$(2,318) 
       
 Income tax expense (recovery)145(420)(270)(111) 
NET INCOME (LOSS)$ 452$(3,325)$ (640)$(2,207) 
       
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME     
 Items that will subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss:     
 Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange derivatives
designated as cash flow hedges
265519518(966) 
 Income tax effect(70)(137)(137)256 
 Reclassification to net income of (gain) loss on foreign exchange
derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
(412)260(726)359 
 Income tax effect109(69)192(95) 
 Foreign currency translation adjustment3(12)55 
       
Other comprehensive (loss) income for the period, net of
income tax
$ (105)$561$ (148)$(441) 
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ 347$(2,764)$ (788)$(2,648) 
       
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE     
 Basic earnings (loss) per share$ 0.03$(0.25)$ (0.05)$(0.17) 
 Diluted earnings (loss) per share$ 0.03$(0.25)$ (0.05)$(0.17) 
       
[2] Prior period comparatives had been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.
     


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 except number of shares (Unaudited) Share CapitalContributed SurplusAccumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Accumulated
deficit
Total
shareholders’
equity
 
  Number of Shares Amount     
         
Balance at December 31, 202013,227,407$ 49,251$ 1,795$ 623$ (16,450)$ 35,219 
Net loss ----(640)(640) 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax---(148)-(148) 
Total comprehensive loss---(148)(640)(788) 
Effect of share-based compensation expense--2,519--2,519 
Share issuances – options exercised24,925244(72)--172 
Settlement of RSUs-851(3,152)--(2,301) 
Shares purchased and held in trust-(453)---(453) 
Shares issued, net of issuance costs1,687,51023,275---23,275 
Balance at June 30, 2021 14,939,842$ 73,168$ 1,090$ 475$ (17,090)$ 57,643 
         
         
Balance at December 31, 201913,241,516$45,799 $-$184$(6,791)$39,192 
Net loss----(2,207)(2,207) 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax---(441)-(441) 
Total comprehensive loss---(441)(2,207)(2,648) 
Effect of share-based compensation expense--1,666--1,666 
Share issuances – options exercised50,299457(390)--67 
Settlement of RSUs-2,920(4,100)--(1,180) 
Shares repurchased and cancelled(67,483)(238)(804)--(1,042) 
Reclassification within equity[3]--4,302-(4,302)- 
Balance at June 30, 202013,224,332$48,938$674$(257)$(13,300)$36,055 
         
[3] The Corporation has adopted a policy that when contributed surplus is in debit balance, the amount is reclassified to accumulated deficit for financial statement presentation purposes. 
 


Points International Ltd.    
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows   
Expressed in thousands of United States dollars (Unaudited)    
      
  For the three months endedFor the six months ended
  June 30, 2021June 30, 2020June 30, 2021June 30, 2020
      
Cash flows from operating activities    
Net income (loss) for the period$ 452 $(3,325)$ (640)$(2,207)
Adjustments for:    
 Depreciation of property and equipment 284  337  799  676 
 Depreciation of right-of-use assets 240  298  485  597 
 Amortization of intangible assets 513  624  1,170  1,235 
 Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) 96  221  45  (866)
 Share-based compensation expense 1,589  787  2,519  1,666 
 Finance costs 81  280  207  368 
 Deferred income tax recovery (760) (294) (1,293) (124)
 Impairment charges -  1,798  -  1,798 
 Derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges (147) 779  (208) (607)
Changes in cash held in trust (1,374) 658  (1,693) 2,038 
Changes in non-cash balances related to operations 3,318  (1,829) 7,576  (7,111)
Interest paid (81) (275) (244) (318)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$ 4,211 $59 $ 8,723 $(2,855)
      
Cash flows from investing activities    
Acquisition of property and equipment (204) (25) (456) (328)
Additions to intangible assets (349) (512) (553) (1,116)
Net cash used in investing activities$ (553)$(537)$ (1,009)$(1,444)
      
Cash flows from financing activities     
Net proceeds from issuance of share capital -  -  23,275  - 
Proceeds from long term debt -  -  -  40,000 
Repayment of long term debt -  (5,000) (15,000) (5,000)
Payment of lease liabilities (301) (311) (635) (637)
Proceeds from exercise of share options 172  -  172  67 
Shares repurchased and cancelled -  -  -  (1,042)
Purchase of share capital held in trust (453) -  (453) - 
Taxes paid on net settlement of RSUs (1,844) (1) (2,301) (1,180)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities $ (2,426)$(5,312)$ 5,058 $32,208 
      
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held (59) (136) 13  717 
      
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents$ 1,173 $(5,926)$ 12,785 $28,626 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period$ 84,682 $104,517 $ 73,070 $69,965 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period$ 85,855 $98,591 $ 85,855 $98,591 
      
Interest Received$ 28 $87 $ 52 $300 
Taxes received$ - $- $ 355 $- 
Taxes Paid$ (79)$- $ (79)$(1,842)
      
Amounts received for interest and amounts received for/paid in taxes were reflected as operating cash flows in the condensed consolidated interim statements of cash flows.
 


Points International Ltd.
Income Statement Presentation Changes - FY 2020 by Quarter
 
        
Previous presentation:       
Expressed in thousands of United States dollarsFor the three months ended FY 2020 
(Unaudited)Mar 31, 2020June 30, 2020Sept 30, 2020Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2020 
Operating Expenses       
 Employment costs$7,708$4,924$5,447$6,580 $ 24,659 
 Marketing and communications422245255298 1,220 
 Technology services752732656627 2,767 
 Depreciation and amortization1,2491,2591,1731,178 4,859 
 Foreign exchange gain(38)(80)(178)(375) (671) 
 Other operating expenses2,4081,6321,4851,199 6,724 
 Impairment charges-1,798-- 1,798 
Total Operating Expenses$12,501$10,510$8,838$9,507 $ 41,356 
         
Current presentation:       
Expressed in thousands of United States dollars
For the three months ended FY 2020 
(Unaudited)Mar 31, 2020June 30, 2020Sept 30, 2020Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2020 
Operating Expenses       
 Sales and marketing$4,521$2,810$2,969$3,599 $ 13,899 
 Research and development3,6282,3342,2552,508 10,725 
 General and administrative3,1412,3892,6192,597 10,746 
 Depreciation and amortization1,2491,2591,1731,178 4,859 
 Impairment charges-1,798-- 1,798 
Total Operating Expenses$12,539$10,590$9,016$9,882 $ 42,027 
         
 Foreign exchange gain(38)(80)(178)(375) (671) 
  $12,501$10,510$8,838$9,507 $ 41,356