Rosetta Stone Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2016 Results


Company delivers solid bottom-line performance as year-over-year total operating expense reductions extends to seventh consecutive quarter; Double-digit revenue growth at Lexia and launch of new CatalystTM product in E&E Language segment underscore progress in strategic turnaround

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rosetta Stone Inc. (NYSE:RST), a world leader in technology-based learning solutions, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016. Revenue in the third quarter 2016 totaled $48.7 million, down 2% from $49.8 million in the year-ago period. Third quarter 2016 net loss totaled $5.5 million, an improvement of 25% compared to the net loss of $7.3 million in the year-ago period. Included in the third quarter 2016 net loss were (pre-tax) restructuring and impairment charges totaling $1.2 million, compared to (pre-tax) restructuring and impairment charges totaling $0.5 million in the year-ago period. Earnings per diluted share in the third quarter 2016 totaled $(0.25), an improvement of 26% compared to $(0.34) per diluted share in the third quarter 2015.

Third Quarter 2016 Overview

  • Total revenue declined $1.1 million or 2% year-over-year to $48.7 million
  • Revenue at Lexia, the Company’s Literacy segment, grew 52% year-over-year to a record high $8.8 million. Adjusting for the impact of purchase accounting on Lexia's revenue, third quarter 2016 revenue would have been $9.7 million, up 28% year-over-year, compared to $7.6 million in the year-ago period
  • Total operating expenses decreased $5.2 million or 10% year-over-year, representing the Company's seventh consecutive quarter of year-over-year expense reductions. General and administrative expenses declined 17% year-over-year to $10.0 million in the third quarter 2016, which was the lowest quarterly expense level since the first quarter 2009. In addition, sales and marketing expenses and research and development (“R&D”) expenses each declined 10% year-over-year
  • Net loss improved 25% year-over-year to $5.5 million or $(0.25) per diluted share; third quarter 2016 results included (pre-tax) charges of $0.2 million for restructuring and $1.0 million for the impairment of capitalized R&D
  • The Company ended the quarter with $32.2 million in cash and cash equivalents with zero debt outstanding
  • Rosetta Stone introduced CatalystTM, the most comprehensive language learning solution for business that the Company has ever offered. Catalyst provides employers intelligence into the language skills of their workforce and tailored learning paths for learners at all levels, in 24 languages including English

“This was a solid quarter of achievement across all facets of Rosetta Stone. Our results reflect the fundamentally strong growth at Lexia and the ongoing investments we are making to support its long-term growth. In addition, ongoing expense reductions have resulted in seven consecutive quarters of favorable year-over-year comparisons and the lowest level of total operating expenses since the first quarter 2009, despite the fact that we now operate three distinct businesses,” said John Hass, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our focus on product innovation was evident again this past quarter with the September launch of Catalyst, our most comprehensive language solution for businesses. This product has strong potential to expand our impact in the enterprise language learning marketplace and we’re already seeing strong interest and buy-in from existing customers and new prospects.”

Third Quarter 2016 Review

Revenue:  Total revenue declined 2% year-over-year to $48.7 million. Revenue at Lexia, the Company's Literacy segment, grew 52% year-over-year to a record high $8.8 million, reflecting the impact of purchase accounting. Adjusting for the impact of purchase accounting, Lexia's revenue would have been $9.7 million in the second quarter compared to $7.6 million in the year-ago period, and Lexia's pro forma revenue growth would have been 28% year-over-year.

Enterprise & Education ("E&E") Language segment revenue decreased 6% year-over-year to $18.3 million, as a decline in Enterprise revenue more than offset an increase in Education revenue. Consumer segment revenue declined 12% year-over-year to $21.6 million, primarily reflecting a decline in the Company's direct-to-consumer ("DTC") business and the sale of the Korea entity in the third quarter of 2015.

US$ thousands, except for percentages

     
  Three Months Ended September 30,  
  2016 Mix % 2015 Mix % % change
Revenue from:          
Enterprise & Education ("E&E") Language $18,336  38% $19,548  39% (6)%
Literacy 8,786  18% 5,784  12% 52%
Consumer 21,571  44% 24,470  49% (12)%
Total $48,693  100% $49,802  100% (2)%

Net Loss:  The third quarter 2016 net loss improved 25% year-over-year to $5.5 million or $(0.25) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $7.3 million or $(0.34) per diluted share in the year-ago period. Net loss included the (pre-tax) charges of $0.2 million for restructuring and $1.0 million for impairment in the third quarter 2016, compared to (pre-tax) charges of $0.1 million for restructuring and $0.4 million for impairment in the year-ago period.

Management's ongoing efforts to return the Company to profitability have resulted in seven consecutive quarters of favorable year-over-year operating expense improvements on both a reported basis as well as before restructuring and impairment charges in all periods. Total operating expenses decreased $5.2 million or 10% year-over-year to $44.5 million in the third quarter 2016, which included year-over-year increases of $0.1 million in restructuring charges and $0.7 million in impairment charges. The increase in impairment was due to a $1.0 million non-cash charge to impair capitalized R&D that no longer aligns to the Company's strategic direction.

Decreases were realized in all three major operating expense categories in the third quarter 2016, with the most significant percentage reduction being a $2.1 million or 17% year-over-year decrease in general and administrative expenses and the most significant dollar reduction being a $3.1 million or 10% year-over-year decrease in sales and marketing expenses. Research and development expenses also decreased $0.7 million or 10% year-over-year.

Balance Sheet:  The Company had zero debt and a cash and cash equivalents balance of $32.2 million at September 30, 2016. Deferred revenue increased to $145.0 million at September 30, 2016, compared to $142.7 million at December 31, 2015. Short-term deferred revenue, which will be recognized as revenue over the next 12 months, totaled $115.7 million or approximately 80% of the total September 30, 2016 balance.

Free Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA:  Free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $2.8 million in the third quarter 2016, compared to $5.2 million in the third quarter 2015. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, improved $4.0 million year-over-year to $2.4 million in the third quarter, compared to $(1.6) million in the year-ago period.

Earnings Conference Call

In conjunction with this announcement, Rosetta Stone will host a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET during which time there will be a discussion of the results and the Company's 2016 outlook. Investors may dial into the live conference call using 1-201-689-8470 (toll / international) or 1-877-407-9039 (toll-free). A live webcast will also be available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at http://investors.rosettastone.com. A replay will be made available soon after the live conference call is completed and will remain available until midnight on November 14. Investors may dial into the replay using 1-412-317-6671 and passcode 13647537.

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," or "projects." These statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: our revised 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, 2015, as such factors may be updated from time to time.

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 includes segment revenue and expenses incurred directly by the segment, including material costs, service costs, customer care and coaching costs, sales and marketing expenses, and bad debt expense.

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 analyses, 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, personalized language and reading programs drive positive learning outcomes in thousands of schools, businesses, government organizations and for millions of individual learners around the world.

Founded in 1992, Rosetta Stone pioneered the use of interactive software to accelerate language learning and is widely recognized today as the industry leader in providing effective language programs. The Company's cloud-based programs allow users to learn online or on-the-go via tablet or smartphone, whether in a classroom, in a corporate setting, or in a personal learning environment. Rosetta Stone is also a leader in the literacy education space, helping millions of students build fundamental reading skills through its Lexia Learning division. Additionally, the Company's Fit Brains business offers personalized brain training programs developed by neuroscientists and award-winning game designers to be fun and help keep your brain sharp.

Rosetta Stone is based in Arlington, VA, and has offices and operations around the world. 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)
 
  September 30,
 2016
 December 31,
2015
Assets    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $32,221  $47,782 
Restricted cash 398  80 
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,149 and $1,196, at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively) 38,096  47,327 
Inventory 8,046  7,333 
Deferred sales commissions 14,016  13,526 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,426  3,612 
Total current assets 97,203  119,660 
Deferred sales commissions 4,598  5,614 
Property and equipment, net 25,020  22,532 
Goodwill 48,991  50,280 
Intangible assets, net 23,878  28,244 
Other assets 1,698  2,213 
Total assets $201,388  $228,543 
Liabilities and stockholders' equity    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable $9,862  $10,778 
Accrued compensation 11,628  8,201 
Income tax payable 156  121 
Obligations under capital lease 551  521 
Other current liabilities 22,750  35,318 
Deferred revenue 115,699  106,868 
Total current liabilities 160,646  161,807 
Deferred revenue 29,294  35,880 
Deferred income taxes 5,868  4,998 
Obligations under capital lease 2,255  2,622 
Other long-term liabilities 870  826 
Total liabilities 198,933  206,133 
Commitments and contingencies    
Stockholders' equity:    
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000 and 10,000 shares authorized, zero and zero shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively    
Non-designated common stock, $0.00005 par value, 190,000 and 190,000 shares authorized, 23,445 and 23,150 shares issued and 22,445 and 22,150 shares outstanding at
September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
 2  2 
Additional paid-in capital 189,367  185,863 
Accumulated loss (171,731) (149,794)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (3,748) (2,226)
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,000 and 1,000 shares at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (11,435) (11,435)
Total stockholders' equity 2,455  22,410 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $201,388  $228,543 
         


ROSETTA STONE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
Revenue:        
Product $9,666  $13,905  $27,656  $48,088 
Subscription and service 39,027  35,897  114,755  111,567 
Total revenue 48,693  49,802  142,411  159,655 
Cost of revenue:        
Cost of product revenue 2,461  3,372  7,495  12,728 
Cost of subscription and service revenue 5,910  5,294  16,888  16,260 
Total cost of revenue 8,371  8,666  24,383  28,988 
Gross profit 40,322  41,136  118,028  130,667 
Operating expenses:        
Sales and marketing 27,161  30,234  86,694  100,939 
Research and development 6,347  7,056  19,666  22,981 
General and administrative 9,969  12,053  30,864  39,727 
Impairment 1,028  358  3,930  809 
Lease abandonment and termination     30   
Total operating expenses 44,505  49,701  141,184  164,456 
Loss from operations (4,183) (8,565) (23,156) (33,789)
Other income and (expense):        
Interest income 11  1  34  12 
Interest expense (120) (90) (353) (271)
Other income and (expense) 633  819  2,788  (1,265)
Total other income and (expense) 524  730  2,469  (1,524)
Loss before income taxes (3,659) (7,835) (20,687) (35,313)
Income tax expense (benefit) 1,793  (534) 1,250  47 
Net loss $(5,452) $(7,301) $(21,937) $(35,360)
Loss per share:        
Basic $(0.25) $(0.34) $(1.00) $(1.65)
Diluted $(0.25) $(0.34) $(1.00) $(1.65)
Common shares and equivalents outstanding:        
Basic weighted average shares 21,993  21,771  21,936  21,493 
Diluted weighted average shares 21,993  21,771  21,936  21,493 
             


ROSETTA STONE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:        
Net loss $(5,452) $(7,301) $(21,937) $(35,360)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:        
Stock-based compensation expense 1,639  1,974  3,457  5,369 
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions (488) (350) (2,831) 1,345 
Bad debt expense 191  651  471  1,603 
Depreciation and amortization 3,226  3,492  9,812  10,175 
Deferred income tax expense 349  193  857  572 
Loss on disposal of equipment 96  58  132  56 
Amortization of deferred financing fees 71  36  203  104 
Loss on impairment 1,028  358  3,930  809 
Loss (gain) from equity method investments 6    46  (9)
Gain on divestiture of subsidiary   (660)   (660)
Net change in:        
Restricted cash 6  (21) (354) 3 
Accounts receivable (3,177) (5,325) 8,912  26,340 
Inventory (101) (464) (723) (1,631)
Deferred sales commissions (1,429) (2,854) 552  (4,301)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 998  1,439  (705) (60)
Income tax receivable or payable 1,238  (304) 48  (937)
Other assets 39  (46) 365  (205)
Accounts payable 707  1,808  (923) (8,930)
Accrued compensation 1,762  (884) 3,423  (4,974)
Other current liabilities (7,156) (1,506) (13,077) (21,381)
Other long-term liabilities 206  (97) 43  (418)
Deferred revenue 12,720  17,036  2,353  13,117 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 6,479  7,233  (5,946) (19,373)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Purchases of property and equipment (3,694) (2,052) (9,628) (7,205)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets     38   
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired       (1,688)
Net cash outflow from divestiture of subsidiary   (186)   (186)
Other investing activities   (6)   (286)
Net cash used in investing activities (3,694) (2,244) (9,590) (9,365)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 10  77  47  114 
Payment of deferred financing costs (82) (91) (182) (125)
Payments under capital lease obligations (102) (93) (440) (468)
Net cash used in financing activities (174) (107) (575) (479)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,611  4,882  (16,111) (29,217)
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash and cash equivalents (95) (318) 550  (1,073)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,516  4,564  (15,561) (30,290)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period 29,705  29,803  47,782  64,657 
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period $32,221  $34,367  $32,221  $34,367 
                 


ROSETTA STONE INC.
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
GAAP net loss $(5,452) $(7,301) $(21,937) $(35,360)
Total other non-operating (income) expense, net (524) (730) (2,469) 1,524 
Income tax expense (benefit) 1,793  (534) 1,250  47 
Impairment 1,028  358  3,930  809 
Depreciation and amortization 3,226  3,492  9,812  10,175 
Stock-based compensation 1,639  1,974  3,457  4,321 
Stock-based compensation expense related to restructuring       1,048 
Restructuring expenses 162  105  5,183  7,761 
Other EBITDA adjustments 543  1,015  1,681  1,124 
Adjusted EBITDA* $2,415  $(1,621) $907  $(8,551)
                 

* 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
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $6,479  $7,233  $(5,946) $(19,373)
Purchases of property and equipment (3,694) (2,052) (9,628) (7,205)
Free cash flow* $2,785  $5,181  $(15,574) $(26,578)
                 

* 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
2015
 Jun 30
2015
 Sep 30
2015
 Dec 31
2015
 Dec 31
2015
 Mar 31
2016
 Jun 30
2016
 Sep 30
2016
Revenue by Segment (in thousands, except percentages)        
                 
Enterprise & Education Language 18,998  18,558  19,548  19,025  76,129  18,331  17,490  18,336 
Literacy 4,170  4,733  5,784  7,241  21,928  7,577  7,950  8,786 
Consumer 35,274  28,120  24,470  31,749  119,613  22,094  20,276  21,571 
Total 58,442  51,411  49,802  58,015  217,670  48,002  45,716  48,693 
                         
YoY Growth (%)                        
Enterprise & Education Language 15% 6% (1)% (10)% 2% (4)% (6)% (6)%
Literacy 196% 146% 103% 94% 121% 82% 68% 52%
Consumer (18)% (26)% (42)% (42)% (32)% (37)% (28)% (12)%
Total (4)% (10)% (23)% (27)% (17)% (18)% (11)% (2)%
                         
% of Total Revenue                        
Enterprise & Education Language 33% 36% 39% 33% 35% 38% 38% 38%
Literacy 7% 9% 12% 12% 10% 16% 17% 18%
Consumer 60% 55% 49% 55% 55% 46% 45% 44%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
                         
Revenues by Geography                        
                         
United States 46,189  41,539  40,639  49,599  177,966  39,795  37,626  41,042 
International 12,253  9,872  9,163  8,416  39,704  8,207  8,090  7,651 
Total 58,442  51,411  49,802  58,015  217,670  48,002  45,716  48,693 
                         
Revenues by Geography (as a %)                        
United States 79% 81% 82% 85% 82% 83% 82% 84%
International 21% 19% 18% 15% 18% 17% 18% 16%
Total 100% 100% 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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