Document Security Systems, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year Ended 2017 Financial Results


  • Net Income of $147,000 in fourth quarter of 2017, up 674% from fourth quarter of 2016
  • 2017 Adjusted EBITDA totaled $1.4 million vs. 2016 Adjusted EBITDA of $1.1 million
  • Net Loss Per Share Reduced 43% from ($0.07) in 2016 to ($0.04) in 2017

ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Document Security Systems, Inc. (NYSE American:DSS) (“DSS”), a leader in anti-counterfeit, authentication, and diversion protection technologies whose products and solutions are used by governments, corporations and financial institutions to defeat fraud and to help ensure product authenticity, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.

“While 2017 was our first full year of integrating our AuthentiGuard technology within a global customer’s supply chain, we are very pleased with its progress and execution, as well as with the additional AuthentiGuard opportunities currently in our development pipeline,” stated Jeff Ronaldi, CEO of DSS. 

“Sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased 7% for our printed products division and was the largest sales quarter for that group in our history.    Those revenues were countered by a reduction in technology-based sales, affected by a slowdown in the reported usage of AuthentiGuard during the latter part of 2017.  However, we were able to generate a meaningful net profit during the quarter, which points to the strength of our combined business segments,” added Ronaldi.

"For the full year 2017, along with major strides in our AuthentiGuard product development and rollout, we also began our expansion into the Asia Pacific market with the opening of our Hong Kong office, and the formation of the DSS International team.  This new location will allow us to service our existing customers in the region, and to hopefully capitalize on the demand for anti-counterfeit technology in the Asia Pacific market. The expansion and investment into the Asia Pacific market is a strategic component to the planned growth of DSS – and was achieved while we increased our year-over-year profitability to over $1.4 million, as measured by our Adjusted EBITDA,” said Ronaldi.

Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Highlights

  • Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased slightly to $5.83 million from $5.79 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.  
     
  • Net income during the fourth quarter of 2017 increased 674% to approximately $147,000 ($0.01 per share), as compared to a net income of $19,000 ($0.00 per share) during the fourth quarter of 2016.
     
  • Costs and expenses for the fourth quarter totaled $5.6 million, a decrease of 1% from $5.7 million during the same period of 2016.
     
  • Adjusted EBITDA1 for the fourth quarter of 2017 was approximately $590,000 as compared to $662,000 for the fourth quarter of 2016, which represents an 11% decrease. The decline in Adjusted EBITDA was mostly driven by increases in costs of goods sold.

Full Year 2017 Financial Highlights

  • Revenue for the year 2017 decreased 3% to $18.7 million from $19.2 million in 2016.  Printed products revenue decreased 1% as compared to 2016, with the decrease in the sales of printing and packaging products of 3%, offset by an increase in sales of plastic card products of 3%. 
     
  • Adjusted EBITDA totaled $1.4 million in 2017 compared to an Adjusted EBITDA $1.1 million in 2016. The improvement in Adjusted EBIDTA for the year reflects the decrease in costs, especially sales, general, and administrative compensation, professional fees, and stock-based compensation costs.
     
  • Costs and expenses for the year 2017 totaled $18.9 million, a decrease of 5% from $19.8 million in 2016. 
     
  • During 2017, the Company reported a reduction in its net loss of $578,000, or $(0.04) per share, as compared to net loss of $950,000 or $(0.07) per share in 2016.  The improvement in net loss is primarily due to significant reductions in sales, general, and administrative compensation, professional fees, and stock-based compensation costs incurred during 2017.

ABOUT DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
For over 15 years, Document Security Systems, Inc. (DSS) has protected corporations, financial institutions, and governments from sophisticated and costly fraud.  DSS’ innovative anti-counterfeit, authentication, and brand protection solutions are deployed to prevent attacks which threaten products, digital presence, financial instruments, and identification.  AuthentiGuard®, the company's flagship product, provides authentication capability through a smartphone application so businesses can empower a wide range of employees, supply chain personnel, and consumers to track their brands and verify authenticity.

For more information on DSS and its Plastics Group subsidiary, visit our websites at http://www.dsssecure.com and http://www.dssplasticsgroup.com.

Keep up-to-date on DSS events and developments; join our online communities at Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

For more information:
Investor Relations
Document Security Systems
Tel: (585) 232-5440
Email: ir@dsssecure.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Forward-looking statements that may be contained in this press release, including, without limitation, statements related to the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, potential value, intentions and adequacy of resources, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act and contain words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends” and similar words and phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected in any forward-looking statement. In addition to the factors specifically noted in the forward-looking statements, other important factors, risks and uncertainties that could result in those differences include, but are not limited to, our ability to continue the growth in sales of AuthentiGuard and manage our expenses, as well as those risks disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed  with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2018.  Forward-looking statements that may be contained in this press release are being made as of the date of its release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
 Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2017
Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2016
% change   Year Ended
December 31,
2017
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
% change
Revenue       
Printed products$5,473,000  $  5,129,000  7% $  17,026,000  $  17,277,000  -1%
Technology sales, services and licensing  360,000                   657,000  -45%    1,636,000               1,900,000  -14%
Total revenue$5,833,000  $  5,786,000  1% $  18,662,000  $  19,177,000  -3%
        
Costs and expenses       
Costs of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation and amortization$3,629,000  $   3,304,000  10% $       11,009,000  $      11,120,000  -1%
Sales, general and administrative compensation 997,000               1,032,000  -3%    3,758,000                4,199,000  -11%
Depreciation and amortization 372,000                   343,000  8%    1,414,000     1,392,000  2%
Professional fees 57,000                   109,000  -48%    613,000     813,000  -25%
Stock based compensation 12,000                   241,000  -95%    215,000     329,000  -35%
Sales and marketing 109,000      175,000  -38%    401,000     420,000  -5%
Rent and utilities 172,000   153,000  12%    634,000     602,000  5%
Other operating expenses 283,000   353,000  -20%    844,000     963,000  -12%
        
  Total costs and expenses$5,631,000  $  5,710,000  -1% $  18,888,000  $  19,838,000  -5%
        
Operating income (loss) 202,000   76,000  166%    (226,000)   (661,000)-66%
        
Other income and expense       
Interest income 4,000   0 100%    4,000     -   100%
Interest expense (53,000)$  (62,000)-15%    (223,000)   (248,000)-10%
Amortized debt discount (41,000)   -   100%    (154,000)   (31,000)397%
  Total other income and expense$  (90,000)$  (62,000)45% $  (373,000)$  (279,000)34%
        
Loss before income taxes 112,000   14,000  700%    (599,000)   (940,000)-36%
        
Income tax expense (35,000)   (3,000)1067%    (21,000)   11,000  -291%
        
Net income (loss)$  147,000  $  19,000  674% $  (578,000)$  (950,000)-39%
        
Loss per common share:       
Basic and diluted$0.01  $  0.00  100% $  (0.04)$  (0.07)-43%
Shares used in computing loss per common share:       
Basic and diluted 14,424,344     12,977,903  11%    14,424,344     13,068,329  10%
                  


DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.  AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of
     
  December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
ASSETS      
         
Current assets:        
Cash $  4,188,623    $  5,871,738   
Restricted cash    256,005       177,609   
Accounts receivable, net     2,025,284       1,890,981   
Inventory    1,651,246       1,206,377   
Prepaid expenses and other current assets    261,324       350,289   
Total current assets    8,382,482       9,496,994   
         
Property, plant and equipment, net    4,805,640       4,573,841   
Investment    484,930       -    
Other assets    83,376       45,821   
Goodwill    2,453,597       2,453,349   
Other intangible assets, net    1,220,752       1,896,018   
         
Total assets $17,430,777   18,466,023  
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY     
         
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $728,652    $2,212,653  
Accrued expenses and deferred revenue  1,105,718    1,290,593  
Other current liabilities  2,953,629    2,996,310  
Short-term debt    3,645,760       -    
Current portion of long-term debt, net    966,506       1,202,335   
Total current liabilities  9,400,265    7,701,891  
         
         
Long-term debt, net    1,734,171       5,249,569   
Other long-term liabilities    1,384,500       2,184,843   
Deferred tax liability, net  125,982    45,619  
         
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)        
         
         
Stockholders' equity        
         
Common stock, $.02 par value;  200,000,000 shares authorized, 16,599,327 shares issued and outstanding (13,502,653 on December 31, 2016)  331,987    270,053  
Additional paid-in capital  106,633,708    104,338,002  
Subscription receivable    (300,000)     -    
Accumulated other comprehensive loss    (23,069)     (45,343) 
Accumulated deficit  (101,856,767)   (101,278,611) 
Total stockholders' equity  4,785,859    3,284,101  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $17,430,777   $18,466,023  
           


DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
         
  2017   2016   
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss $  (578,156) $  (950,003)  
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used by) from operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  1,413,838   1,391,815   
Stock based compensation    214,862      328,567    
Paid in-kind interest    72,000      39,000    
Change in deferred tax provision    80,363      (116,488)  
Amortization of deferred financing costs    154,142      21,351    
Gain on settlement of legal expenses    (219,364)    -     
Decrease (increase) in assets:        
Accounts receivable    (134,303)    206,452    
Inventory    (444,869)    (268,547)  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets    51,409      (38,532)  
Restricted cash    (78,396)    115,434    
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:        
Accounts payable    (893,431)    267,581    
Accrued expenses    (60,791)    -     
Other liabilities    (944,834)    4,469,895    
Net cash (used by) from operating activities    (1,367,530)    5,466,525    
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchase of property, plant and equipment    (958,819)    (269,870)  
Proceeds from sale of intangibles    -       495,000    
Purchase of intangible assets    (11,552)    (73,661)  
Net cash (used by) from investing activities    (970,371)    151,469    
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Payments of long-term debt    (818,332)    (1,386,420)  
Borrowings from equipment line of credit    522,000      -     
Issuances of common stock, net of issuance costs    951,118      199,908    
Net cash from (used by) financing activities    654,786      (1,186,512)  
         
Net (decrease) increase in cash    (1,683,115)    4,431,482    
Cash at beginning of year  5,871,738   1,440,256   
         
Cash at end of year $4,188,623  $5,871,738   
           

1 ADJUSTED EBITDA
The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA as a non-GAAP financial performance measurement. The Company calculates Adjusted EBITDA by adding back to net income (loss): interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, and impairment charges as further adjusted to add back stock-based compensation expense and non-recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA is provided to investors to supplement the results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides an additional tool for investors to use in comparing the Company’s financial results with other companies in the industry, many of which also use Adjusted EBITDA in their communications to investors. By excluding non-cash charges such as amortization, depreciation, stock-based compensation and impairment charges, as well as non-operating charges for interest and income taxes, investors can evaluate the Company's operations and its ability to generate cash flows from operations and can compare its results on a more consistent basis to the results of other companies in the industry. Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate potential acquisitions, establish internal budgets and goals, and evaluate performance of its business units and management. The Company considers Adjusted EBITDA to be an important indicator of the Company's operational strength and performance of its business and a useful measure of the Company's historical and prospective operating trends. However, there are significant limitations to the use of Adjusted EBITDA since it excludes interest income and expense and income taxes and non-recurring items such as goodwill impairments, each of which impact the Company's profitability and operating cash flows, as well as depreciation, amortization, impairment charges and stock-based compensation. The Company believes that these limitations are compensated by clearly identifying the difference between the two measures. Consequently, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income and loss presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA as defined by the Company may not be comparable with similarly named measures provided by other entities. The following is a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA loss:

Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measure

          
  Three Months Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31,
   2017  2016 % change   2017  2016 % change
  (unaudited)(unaudited)   (unaudited)(unaudited) 
          
Net income (loss): $  147,000  $  19,000  674%  $  (578,000)$  (950,000)-39%
Add backs:         
  Depreciation & amortization    372,000     343,000  8%     1,414,000     1,392,000  2%
Stock based compensation    12,000     241,000  -95%     215,000     329,000  -35%
Interest, Net    53,000     62,000  -15%     219,000     279,000  -22%
Amortization of note discount     41,000     -   100%     154,000     -   100%
Income Taxes    (35,000)   (3,000)1067%     (21,000)   11,000  -291%
          
          
Adjusted EBITDA    590,000     662,000  -11%     1,403,000     1,061,000  32%
          
          
Adjusted EBITDA, by  group (unaudited)         
          
Printed Products $  899,000  $  858,000  5%  $  2,745,000  $  2,897,000  -5%
Technology Management    (47,000)   119,000  -139%     (374,000)   (556,000)-33%
Corporate    (262,000)   (315,000)-17%     (968,000)   (1,280,000)-24%
          
     590,000     662,000  -11%     1,403,000     1,061,000  32%