Cambium Learning Group Reports First Quarter 2016 Financial Results


Results Positively Impacted by 2015 Debt Refinancing

Reaffirming Full Year Outlook for Bookings, Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Income Growth

DALLAS, May 05, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cambium Learning® Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABCD) (the “Company”), a leading educational solutions and services company committed to helping all students reach their full potential, announced today financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2016.

“Because the first quarter is seasonally the smallest of any year, historically representing less than 15% of full-year Bookings, it is generally not indicative of full-year trends. Therefore, while Bookings in our largest segments did get off to a slow start, our Q1 performance does not change our full-year outlook,” said John Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of Cambium Learning Group. “Our strategic progress so far this year in our development, marketing, and sales initiatives remains on track with our technology-enabled transformation, our second quarter is shaping up to be stronger, and we are gaining momentum for the upcoming school year. We therefore reiterate our unchanged full-year guidance of approximately 20% Bookings growth for Learning A-Z®, 1%-5% Bookings growth for Voyager Sopris Learning, and 10%-20% Bookings growth for ExploreLearning®.”

First Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights

For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company reported the following financial results: 

 Three Months Ended March 31, 
(in millions)2016  2015  $ Change 
GAAP net revenues$33.7  $31.5  $2.2 
GAAP net loss (0.1)  (2.5)  2.4 
EBITDA 6.1   6.3   (0.2)
Adjusted EBITDA 6.4   6.4    
Adjusted EBITDA margin % 19%  20%    
            
Bookings$21.3  $22.1  $(0.8)
Cash income (10.8)  (7.3)  (3.5)
Cash income margin % -51%  -33%    
            

Cambium Learning Group’s business is highly seasonal; the first quarter historically represents less than 15% of Bookings, which tend to build through the second quarter and peak during the third quarter, representing by far the preponderance of Bookings, revenue, and income each year. As a result of seasonality, the Company has historically reported a net loss and negative Cash Income for the first quarter.

  • Bookings for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 decreased by 4% to $21.3 million compared with $22.1 million in the first quarter of 2015.
  • GAAP net revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 increased by 7% to $33.7 million compared with $31.5 million in 2015. Although Bookings declined in the quarter, GAAP net revenues include a significant amount of recognition generated from prior period Bookings.  GAAP net revenues by segment for the first quarter of 2016, and the change from the first quarter of 2015, were as follows: 
    • Learning A–Z—$15.7 million, increased $2.8 million or 22%
    • Voyager Sopris Learning—$12.3 million, decreased ($1.4) million or (10%)
    • ExploreLearning—$5.6 million, increased $0.8 million or 17%
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $6.4 million, in line with 2015 as the increase in GAAP net revenues is offset by strategic investments into high-return, technology-enabled opportunities through segment-specific development, marketing and sales programs to support strong full-year and long-term growth.
  • Cash Income was ($10.8) million compared to ($7.3) million reported in the first quarter of 2015, due to lower Bookings in the first quarter of 2016 and higher expenses due to the ramp up of investments to support growth. Capital expenditures reflect planned investments in product development and totaled $5.0 million in the first quarter of 2016 versus $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2015.
  • The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $4.9 million at March 31, 2016. For the first quarter of 2016, cash used in operations was $8.3 million, cash used in investing activities was $5.0 million, and cash provided by financing activities was $9.6 million. At March 31, 2016, the principal amount of term loans outstanding was $104.0 million and the revolving credit facility outstanding was $10.5 million.
  • The Company reported a net loss of $0.1 million during the first quarter 2016 compared to a $2.5 million net loss in the first quarter of 2015. Net interest expense was $1.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, down $1.9 million from the first quarter 2015 as a result of the debt refinancing completed in December 2015.

First Quarter 2016 Segment Highlights

Bookings, Adjusted EBITDA, and Cash Income changes by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same period of 2015 were:

 Q1 - 2016
% Change
 
 Bookings Adjusted
EBITDA
 Cash Income 
Learning A-Z (3)% 15% (197)%
Voyager Sopris Learning (13)% (99)% (79)%
ExploreLearning 64% 21% 25%
Shared Services    1% (1)%
Cambium Learning Group, Inc. (4)% 1% (49)%
          

Bookings decreased 4% for the first quarter of 2016 compared to 2015. By segment:

  • Learning A-Z reported a 3% Bookings decrease compared to prior year, attributable to a higher number of early renewals in late 2015 and slower first quarter pacing in 2016. Full-year expectations for Bookings growth of approximately 20% for Learning A-Z remain unchanged, with growth anticipated to accelerate in the second or third quarter of the year.
  • Voyager Sopris Learning reported a 13% decrease for the first quarter of 2016 versus prior year.  First quarter 2015 pacing was stronger than normal in this segment due to timing of sales, representing 17% of full-year Bookings versus 14% in 2014 and 2013. Pacing in 2016 is expected to align more closely to historical patterns. Full-year expectations for Bookings growth between 1% and 5% for Voyager Sopris Learning remain unchanged, with growth beginning in the second or third quarter of the year. 
  • ExploreLearning experienced 64% growth in Bookings for the first quarter of 2016 versus prior year.  As expected, first quarter 2016 Bookings were favorably impacted by timing of renewals, which tend to fluctuate in this segment from quarter to quarter, and also from strong momentum from Reflex® and the Gizmos® simulations which are now upgraded to HTML5. Full-year expectations for Bookings growth between 10% and 20% for ExploreLearning remain unchanged, as pacing for the first quarter is strong but attributable in large part to timing of sales.
  • Technology-enabled Bookings represented 57% of total first quarter 2016 Bookings versus 60% of total first quarter 2015 Bookings, due to the slow first quarter pacing in the Learning A-Z and Voyager Sopris Learning segments. 

2016 Outlook

Mr. Campbell concluded, “We are focused on our full-year objectives and the solid execution of our development, marketing and sales initiatives as we progress toward the seasonally more significant quarters leading up to the new school year. We are excited about our 2016 prospects and the completion of our technology-enabled transformation this year.” 

The Company’s technology-enabled products continue to receive industry recognition. Cambium Learning Group recently received 13 Best Educational Software (BESSIE) awards sponsored by The ComputED Gazette, including 10 awards for Learning A-Z, spanning six of its products, two awards for ExploreLearning, and one award for Voyager Sopris Learning. The Company’s products are also finalists for 11 Software and Information Industry Association SIIA CODiE Awards, with winners to be announced later this month.

Company expectations for 2016 are unchanged and include the following:

  • Learning A-Z: The Company expects Learning A-Z to continue to show strong double-digit Bookings growth in 2016, estimated at approximately 20%, with consistent Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Income margins. Learning A-Z will continue to make aggressive investments in development, marketing and sales to fuel future growth. Capital expenditures for product development are expected to be roughly $8.0 million in 2016.
  • Voyager Sopris Learning: The Company expects this segment to return to top line growth in 2016, with a slight Bookings increase — likely in the 1% to 5% range — as the growth of newer and technology-enabled solutions is expected to outpace the continued decline of legacy print-based products.

    Voyager Sopris Learning plans to continue to maintain its more effective cost structure, but in 2016 will be primarily focused on its return to growth. Voyager Sopris Learning plans to make investments in this growth, especially in sales and marketing, to fuel the success of the newer and technology-enabled solutions and to support the launch of Velocity in the second quarter of the year. As such, the 2016 Cash Income dollars and margin are expected to remain relatively consistent or increase slightly compared with 2015. GAAP net revenue growth will be slowed by the continued transition to technology-enabled subscription solutions, which are generally recognized over the subscription period rather than up front like print orders. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA dollars and margin are expected to decline in 2016.  Capital expenditures for product development are expected to be roughly $7.5 million in 2016. 
  • ExploreLearning: The Company expects ExploreLearning Bookings growth to accelerate in 2016, as the entire library of Gizmos simulations is now upgraded to HTML5 and Reflex continues to show strong momentum. The Bookings growth is expected to range between 10% and 20%. Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Income margins are expected to grow slightly in 2016, as this segment gains scale but continues to invest aggressively in development, marketing and sales. Capital expenditures for product development are expected to be roughly $2.5 million in 2016.
  • Companywide: The Company expects low double-digit Bookings and Adjusted EBITDA growth, and expects Cash Income growth to meet or exceed the Bookings growth rate. Overall capital expenditures are expected to range between $21 million and $22 million, given product development plans as noted above, plus roughly $3.0 million of general capital expenditures.

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call at 9 a.m. EDT today (May 5, 2016) to discuss its financial results. Participants are encouraged to listen to the presentation via a live web broadcast at www.cambiumlearning.com in the Investor Relations section. In addition, a live dial-in is available at 720.634.2941 or 855.899.0417, passcode #78627174.

A replay will be available at 404.537.3406 or 855.859.2056, passcode #78627174, until May 6, 2016. The webcast also will be archived on the Company’s Investor Relations pages.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Bookings, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Cash Income are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from similarly named, non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors because they reflect the underlying performance of the ongoing operations of the Company and provide investors with a view of the Company’s operations from management’s perspective. Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Income remove significant purchase accounting, non-operational, or certain non-cash items from earnings. The Company uses Bookings, Adjusted EBITDA, and Cash Income to monitor and evaluate the operating performance of the Company and as the basis to set and measure progress toward performance targets, which directly affect compensation for employees and executives. The Company generally uses these non-GAAP measures as measures of operating performance and not as measures of the Company’s liquidity. The Company’s presentation of Bookings, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Cash Income should not be construed as an indication that our future results will be unaffected by unusual, non-operational, or non-cash items.

About Cambium Learning Group, Inc.

Cambium Learning® Group is a leading educational solutions and services company committed to helping all students reach their full potential. Cambium Learning accomplishes this goal by providing evidence-based solutions and expert professional services to empower educators and raise the achievement levels of all students. The company is composed of four business units: Learning A–Z® (www.learninga-z.com), ExploreLearning® (www.explorelearning.com), Kurzweil Education (www.kurzweiledu.com), and Voyager Sopris Learning (www.voyagersopris.com). Together, these business units provide breakthrough technology solutions for online learning and professional support; best-in-class intervention and supplemental instructional materials; gold-standard professional development and school-improvement services; valid and reliable assessments; and proven materials to support a positive and safe school environment. Cambium Learning Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABCD), is based in Dallas, Texas. For more information, visit www.cambiumlearning.com.

Media and Investor Contact:
Barbara Benson
Cambium Learning Group, Inc.
investorrelations@cambiumlearning.com

LHA
Jody Burfening/Carolyn Capaccio
212.838.3777
ccapaccio@lhai.com

Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained herein constitute forward-looking statements.  These statements relate to future events, including the future financial performance of Cambium Learning Group, Inc., and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the markets, actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements of Cambium Learning Group, Inc., to be materially different from any actual future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. These risks and other factors you should consider include, but are not limited to, the ability to successfully attract and retain a broad customer base for current and future products, changes in customer demands or industry standards, success of ongoing product development, maintaining acceptable margins, the ability to control costs, K–12 enrollment and demographic trends, the level of educational funding, the impact of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements on the business of the company, the loss of key personnel, the impact of competition, the uncertainty of general economic conditions and financial market performance, and those other risks and uncertainties listed under the heading “RISK FACTORS” in Cambium Learning Group, Inc.’s Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “projects,” “intends,” “prospects,” or “priorities,” or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. Cambium Learning Group, Inc., does not assume or undertake any obligation to update the information contained in this press release, and expressly disclaims any obligation to do so, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Cambium Learning Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations 
(In thousands, except per share data) 
(unaudited) 
  
 Three Months Ended March 31, 
 2016  2015 
Net revenues$33,674  $31,471 
Cost of revenues:       
Cost of revenues 7,007   6,886 
Amortization expense 3,650   4,003 
Total cost of revenues 10,657   10,889 
Research and development expense 3,120   2,477 
Sales and marketing expense 12,311   10,644 
General and administrative expense 5,002   5,215 
Shipping and handling costs 159   174 
Depreciation and amortization expense 841   993 
Total costs and expenses 32,090   30,392 
Income before interest, other income (expense) and income taxes 1,584   1,079 
Net interest expense (1,764)  (3,674)
Other income, net    215 
Loss before income taxes (180)  (2,380)
Income tax benefit (expense) 78   (118)
Net loss$(102) $(2,498)
Net loss per common share:       
Basic$(0.00) $(0.05)
Diluted$(0.00) $(0.05)
Average number of common shares and equivalents outstanding:       
Basic 45,739   45,479 
Diluted 45,739   45,479 


Cambium Learning Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries  
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets  
(In thousands, except per share data) 
  
 March 31, 2016  December 31, 2015 
 (Unaudited)     
ASSETS       
Current assets:       
Cash and cash equivalents$4,900  $8,645 
Accounts receivable, net 9,574   14,640 
Inventory 4,436   4,694 
Restricted assets, current 1,254   1,265 
Other current assets 9,383   9,981 
Total current assets 29,547   39,225 
Property, equipment and software at cost 58,182   55,824 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (34,737)  (33,284)
Property, equipment and software, net 23,445   22,540 
Goodwill 47,842   47,842 
Acquired curriculum and technology intangibles, net 2,351   2,731 
Acquired publishing rights, net 1,240   1,459 
Other intangible assets, net 2,952   3,231 
Pre-publication costs, net 16,913   16,441 
Restricted assets, less current portion 2,814   3,099 
Other assets 4,695   4,817 
Total assets$131,799  $141,385 


Cambium Learning Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries  
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets  
(In thousands, except per share data) 
  
 March 31, 2016  December 31, 2015 
 (Unaudited)     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)       
Current liabilities:       
Accounts payable$2,166  $1,993 
Accrued expenses 8,871   14,224 
Revolving credit facility 10,500    
Current portion of long-term debt 4,725   3,850 
Deferred revenue, current 61,582   74,107 
Total current liabilities 87,844   94,174 
Long-term liabilities:       
Long-term debt 96,269   97,872 
Deferred revenue, less current portion 10,220   11,481 
Other liabilities 11,451   12,027 
Total long-term liabilities 117,940   121,380 
Stockholders' equity (deficit):       
Preferred stock ($.001 par value, 15,000 shares authorized, zero shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015)     
Common stock ($.001 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 52,293 and 52,268 shares issued, and 45,761 and 45,736 shares outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively) 52   52 
Capital surplus 285,555   285,306 
Accumulated deficit (344,077)  (343,975)
Treasury stock at cost (6,532 shares at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015) (12,784)  (12,784)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:       
Pension and postretirement plans (2,731)  (2,768)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,731)  (2,768)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) (73,985)  (74,169)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)$131,799  $141,385 


Cambium Learning Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries  
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Cash Income 
(unaudited) 
  
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)2016  2015 
Net loss$(102) $(2,498)
Reconciling items between net loss and EBITDA:       
Depreciation and amortization expense 4,491   4,996 
Net interest expense 1,764   3,674 
Income tax (benefit) expense (78)  118 
Income from operations before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 6,075   6,290 
Non-operational or non-cash costs included in EBITDA but excluded from Adjusted EBITDA:       
Other income, net    (215)
Merger, acquisition and disposition activities 154   181 
Stock-based compensation and expense 208   135 
Adjusted EBITDA 6,437   6,391 
Change in deferred revenues (13,786)  (9,448)
Change in deferred costs 1,538   568 
Capital expenditures (4,990)  (4,783)
Cash income$(10,801) $(7,272)


Cambium Learning Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
  
Reconciliation of Bookings to Net Revenues by Segment - 2016 
(unaudited) 
  
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 
(in thousands)Learning A-Z  Voyager Sopris
Learning
  ExploreLearning  Consolidated 
Bookings$8,166  $10,553  $2,599  $21,318 
Change in deferred revenues 7,650   3,133   3,003   13,786 
Other (88)  (1,350)  8   (1,430)
Net revenues$15,728  $12,336  $5,610  $33,674 


Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Cash Income by Segment - 2016 
 (unaudited) 
  
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 
(in thousands)Learning A-Z  Voyager Sopris
Learning
  ExploreLearning  Other  Consolidated 
Net income (loss)$7,925  $(49) $1,825  $(9,803) $(102)
Reconciling items between net income and EBITDA:                   
Depreciation and amortization expense          4,491   4,491 
Net interest expense          1,764   1,764 
Income tax benefit          (78)  (78)
Income from operations before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 7,925   (49)  1,825   (3,626)  6,075 
Non-operational or non-cash costs included in EBITDA but excluded from Adjusted EBITDA:                   
Merger, acquisition and disposition activities          154   154 
Stock-based compensation and expense 53   67   28   60   208 
Adjusted EBITDA 7,978   18   1,853   (3,412)  6,437 
Change in deferred revenues (7,650)  (3,133)  (3,003)     (13,786)
Change in deferred costs 853   419   266      1,538 
Adjusted EBITDA excluding effect of deferred revenues and deferred costs 1,181   (2,696)  (884)  (3,412)  (5,811)
Capital expenditures − pre-publication costs (1,254)  (655)  (147)     (2,056)
Capital expenditures − software development costs (604)  (1,357)  (396)     (2,357)
Capital expenditures − general expenditures (237)  (147)  (67)  (126)  (577)
Cash income$(914) $(4,855) $(1,494) $(3,538) $(10,801)


Cambium Learning Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
  
Deferred Revenue by Segment - 2016 
(unaudited) 
  
 March 31, 2016 
(in thousands)Learning A-Z  Voyager Sopris
Learning
  ExploreLearning  Consolidated 
Deferred revenue, current$34,821  $14,686  $12,075  $61,582 
Deferred revenue, less current portion 4,180   3,992   2,048   10,220 
Deferred revenue$39,001  $18,678  $14,123  $71,802 


Deferred Costs by Segment - 2016 
(unaudited) 
  
 March 31, 2016 
(in thousands)Learning A-Z  Voyager Sopris
Learning
  ExploreLearning  Consolidated 
Deferred costs, current$3,630  $2,475  $1,039  $7,144 
Deferred costs, less current portion 449   679   183   1,311 
Deferred costs$4,079  $3,154  $1,222  $8,455 


Reconciliation of Bookings to Net Revenues by Segment - 2015 
(unaudited) 
  
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 
(in thousands)Learning A-Z  Voyager Sopris
Learning
  ExploreLearning  Consolidated 
Bookings$8,427  $12,138  $1,581  $22,146 
Change in deferred revenues 4,509   1,736   3,203   9,448 
Other (1)  (128)  6   (123)
Net revenues$12,935  $13,746  $4,790  $31,471 


Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Cash Income by Segment - 2015 
(unaudited) 
  
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 
(in thousands)Learning A-Z  Voyager Sopris
Learning
  ExploreLearning  Other  Consolidated 
Net income (loss)$6,873  $1,356  $1,515  $(12,242) $(2,498)
Reconciling items between net income (loss) and EBITDA:                   
Depreciation and amortization expense          4,996   4,996 
Net interest expense          3,674   3,674 
Income tax expense          118   118 
Income from operations before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 6,873   1,356   1,515   (3,454)  6,290 
Non-operational or non-cash costs included in EBITDA but excluded from Adjusted EBITDA:                   
Other income, net          (215)  (215)
Merger, acquisition and disposition activities          181   181 
Stock-based compensation and expense 36   41   16   42   135 
Adjusted EBITDA 6,909   1,397   1,531   (3,446)  6,391 
Change in deferred revenues (4,509)  (1,736)  (3,203)     (9,448)
Change in deferred costs 351   (90)  307      568 
Adjusted EBITDA excluding effect of deferred revenues and deferred costs 2,751   (429)  (1,365)  (3,446)  (2,489)
Capital expenditures − pre-publication costs (1,111)  (799)  (112)     (2,022)
Capital expenditures − software development costs (433)  (1,382)  (406)     (2,221)
Capital expenditures − general expenditures (268)  (104)  (96)  (72)  (540)
Cash income$939  $(2,714) $(1,979) $(3,518) $(7,272)