EX-99.1 2 ea137608ex99-1_zedgeinc.htm EARNINGS RELEASE, DATED MARCH 15, 2021, REPORTING THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR ZEDGE, INC.'S FISCAL QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Zedge Announces Record Results in Second Fiscal Quarter

 

Company reports revenue of $5.3 Million; Net income of $2.3 million; EPS of $0.17; EBITDA1 of $2.9 million; and Monthly Active Users2 (MAU) of 35.4 million;

 

Raises full-year fiscal 2021 revenue guidance to growth of 75-80%

 

New York, NY – March 15, 2021: Zedge, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: ZDGE), a leading global developer of mobile phone personalization and entertainment apps, today announced results for its fiscal second quarter ended January 31, 2021.

 

“Our team executed superbly, and their dedication and commitment fueled an amazing second quarter and first half of the year,” said Jonathan Reich, chief executive officer. “Our existing initiatives, coupled with seasonal strength in year-end ad spend, drove record revenue, operating margins, EPS, EBITDA1 and cash flow from operations, among other metrics.

 

“From a product perspective, our team completed the rollout of our new content management system, setting the foundation for the next phase of our growth strategy by enabling us to introduce new features and enhancements, including overhauling user accounts, and introducing social and community features as well as search and discovery. We expect these will improve customer engagement and retention, especially in well-developed markets, and accelerate adoption of Zedge Premium, our marketplace for artists.

 

“The Shortz beta is progressing well with the recent introduction of an ad-supported model, enabling customers to read as many stories as they like simply by watching rewarded ads. Last week, we started rolling out Shortcastz, which are high production value podcasts of our stories. We’re excited by the possibilities that short form audio brings to the app and look forward to seeing how users interact with the content.”

 

Fiscal Second Quarter Highlights

 

Revenue increased 101.0% to a record $5.3 million versus $2.6 million last year;

 

Active subscriptions2 and subscription revenue increased 138.6% and 151.2%, respectively, versus last year;

 

Record operating income and operating margin of $2.5 million and 47.4%, respectively, versus $0.1 million and 3.0%, respectively, last year;

 

 
1Throughout this release, EBITDA is a Non-GAAP financial measure intended to provide useful information that supplements Zedge’s results in accordance with GAAP. Please refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure at the end of this release for an explanation of Zedge’s formulation of EBITDA and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

 

2We use the following business metrics in the tables below because we believe they are useful in evaluating Zedge as an investment.

 

Zedge Premium Gross Transaction Value is the total dollar amount of transactions conducted through the Zedge Premium Marketplace. As Zedge Premium is an internal focus for growth, we believe that this metric will help investors evaluate the progress we are making in growing this part of our business;

 

Total installs, is a measure of the cumulative number of times the Zedge – Wall Papers and Ringtones app has been downloaded since inception;

 

Monthly active users, or MAU, is useful for evaluating consumer engagement with our app which correlates to advertising revenue as more users drive more ad impressions for sale. It also allows readers and potential advertisers to evaluate the size of our user base;

 

Average Revenue Per Monthly Active User, or ARPMAU, is a useful statistic in evaluating how well we are monetizing our user-base;

 

The term Active Subscriptions is replacing “paid subscriptions” due to changes made by Google Play with respect to how they calculate subscriptions.

 

 

 

 

Record net income and diluted earnings per share of $2.3 million and $0.17, respectively, versus $0.1 million and $0.01, respectively, last year;

 

Cash flow from operations increased 296.9% to a record $2.3 million versus $0.6 million last year;

 

EBITDA1 was $2.9 million versus $0.5 million last year;

 

Monthly active users2 (MAU) increased by 3.3% versus last year;

 

Zedge Premium Gross Transaction Value2 (GTV) increased 7.1% versus last year.

 

Select Financial Metrics: Fiscal 2021 versus Fiscal 2020 as of 1/31/21

 

(in $M except for EPS)   Q221    Q220    Change    YTD 2021    YTD 2020    Change 
Total Revenue  $5.3   $2.6    101.0%  $9.1   $4.7    94.1%
Advertising Revenue  $4.4   $2.3    94.6%  $7.4   $3.9    88.0%
Subscription Revenue  $0.8   $0.3    151.2%  $1.5   $0.5    175.8%
Other Revenue  $0.1   $0.1    73.8%  $0.2   $0.2    5.5%
Operating Income (Loss)  $2.5   $0.1    3087%  $3.6   $(0.7)   nm 
Operating Margin   47%   3%        40%   -14%     
Net Income (Loss)  $2.3   $0.1    2178%  $3.3   $(0.7)   nm 
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share  $0.17   $0.01    1600%  $0.26*  $(0.07)   nm 
EBITDA1  $2.9   $0.5    535.3%  $4.3   $0.2    2571%
Cash Flow from Operations  $2.3   $0.6    296.9%  $3.8   $0.9    306.6%
Zedge Premium - Gross Transaction Value2 (GTV)  $0.21   $0.20    7.1%  $0.42   $0.39    7.7%

 

NM = not measurable/meaningful; *may not add up due to rounding

 

2

 

 

Select Business Metrics2: 2nd Quarter Fiscal 2021 versus Fiscal 2020
(in MM except for ARPMAU and where noted)  Q221   Q220   Change 
Total Installs - Cumulative   482.0    423.9    13.7%
MAU   35.4    34.3    3.3%
Well-developed Markets   9.5    11.3    -15.6%
Emerging Markets   25.9    23.0    12.6%
ARPMAU  $0.049   $0.026    87.7%
Active Subscriptions2 (in 000s)   711    298    138.6%

 

Trended Financial Information:
(in $M except for EPS, ARPMAU, Paid Subscriptions)  Q120   Q220   Q320   Q420   Q121   Q221   FY 2019   FY 2020   YTD
FY 2021
 
Total Revenue  $2.0   $2.6   $2.1   $2.7   $3.8   $5.3   $8.8   $9.5   $9.1 
Advertising Revenue  $1.7   $2.3   $1.5   $2.0   $3.0   $4.4   $7.9   $7.4   $7.4 
Subscription Revenue  $0.2   $0.3   $0.5   $0.6   $0.7   $0.8   $0.2   $1.6   $1.5 
Other Revenue  $0.2   $0.1   $0.1   $0.1   $0.1   $0.1   $0.7   $0.5   $0.2 
Operating Income (loss)  $(0.7)  $0.1   $(0.1)  $0.4   $1.1   $2.5   $(2.9)  $(0.4)  $3.6 
Net Income (loss)  $(0.8)  $0.1   $(0.3)  $0.5   $1.0   $2.3   $(3.3)  $(0.6)  $3.3 
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share  $(0.08)  $0.01   $(0.03)  $0.04   $0.08   $0.17   $(0.33)  $(0.05)  $0.26*
EBITDA1  $(0.3)  $0.5   $0.0   $0.8   $1.4   $2.9   $(1.7)  $1.0   $4.3 
Cash Flow from Operations  $0.4   $0.6   $0.7   $0.5   $1.5   $2.3   $0.1   $2.1   $3.8 
Zedge Premium – GTV2  $0.19   $0.20   $0.15   $0.19   $0.21   $0.21   $0.49   $0.73   $0.42 
MAU2   29.7    34.3    28.8    31.9    32.4    35.4    na    na    na 
Well-developed Markets   10.0    11.3    9.0    9.6    9.2    9.5    na    na    na 
Emerging Markets   19.7    23.0    19.8    22.3    23.2    25.9    na    na    na 
ARPMAU2  $0.021   $0.026   $0.022   $0.028   $0.036   $0.049    na    na    na 
Active Subscriptions2
(in 000s)
   200    298    399    504    609    711    134    504    711 

 

NM = not measurable/meaningful; *may not add up due to rounding

 

Fiscal 2021 Commentary

 

“Based on our strong first half performance and improved year-over-year outlook for the second half, we are raising our fiscal 2021 expectations for revenue growth to 75% to 80%, even in light of the traditionally seasonally weaker third and fourth quarters,” concluded Reich.

 

Earnings Announcement and Supplemental Information

 

Zedge’s earnings release will be filed on Form 8-K and posted on the Zedge investor relations website (http://investor.zedge.net) at approximately 4:10 p.m. Eastern on March 15, 2021.

 

Zedge’s management will host an earnings conference call beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern. Management’s presentation of the results, outlook and strategy will be followed by a Q&A with investors.

 

3

 

 

To participate in the call, please dial Toll Free 888-506-0062 or International: 973-528-0011 at least five minutes before the 4:30PM Eastern start and ask for the Zedge earnings conference call.

 

The call will also be webcast through the following link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2205/39894 & will be live through Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

 

Following the call and continuing through Monday, March 29, 2021 a call replay will be available by dialing Toll Free: 877-481-4010 or International: 919-882-2331 and entering the replay access code: 39894

 

About Zedge

 

Zedge is a leading app developer focusing on mobile phone personalization and entertainment. With approximately 482 million organic installs and 35 million monthly active users, “Zedge Wallpapers and Ringtones” is all about personal identity. We’re the hub for self-expression used by millions for mobile phone personalization, social content and fandom art. Our app enables consumers to showcase who they are, what they like, and amplify their persona. Zedge Premium, our marketplace, enables content creators, ranging the gamut from world class celebrities to emerging artists, to display their talent and sell their content to our users. “Shortz – Chat Stories by Zedge” offers serialized, short-form fiction stories delivered as text-messaging conversations and soon to be available as mini-podcasts. Our apps run on our flexible and proven state-of-the-art digital publishing platform. For more information, visit https://www.zedge.net.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

All statements above that are not purely about historical facts, including, but not limited to, those in which we use the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “target” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these forward-looking statements represent our current judgment of what may happen in the future, actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these statements due to numerous important factors. Our filings with the SEC provide detailed information on such statements and risks and should be consulted along with this release. To the extent permitted under applicable law, we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

 

Contact:

Brian Siegel

Managing Director

Hayden IR

(346) 396-8696

ir@zedge.net

 

4

 

 

ZEDGE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except par value data)

 

   January 31,   July 31, 
   2021   2020 
Assets  (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents  $13,608   $5,111 
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 at January 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020   2,908    1,407 
Prepaid expenses   195    123 
Other current assets   66    113 
Total current assets   16,777    6,754 
Property and equipment, net   2,308    2,584 
Goodwill   2,329    2,196 
Other assets   371    471 
Total assets  $21,785   $12,005 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity          
Current liabilities:          
Trade accounts payable  $275   $290 
Insurance premium loan payable   81    - 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   1,541    1,210 
Deferred revenues   1,712    1,338 
Total current liabilities   3,609    2,838 
Loans Payable   218    218 
Other liabilities   -    64 
Total liabilities   3,827    3,120 
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 8 and 11)          
Stockholders’ equity:          
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized shares—2,400; no shares issued   -    - 
Class A common stock, $.01 par value; authorized shares—2,600; 525 shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020   5    5 
Class B common stock, $.01 par value; authorized shares—40,000; 12,916 shares issued and 12,858 shares outstanding at January 31, 2021, and 11,788 shares issued and 11,749 shares outstanding at July 31, 2020   129    118 
Additional paid-in capital   31,284    25,725 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (879)   (1,085)
Accumulated deficit   (12,479)   (15,802)
Treasury stock, 58 shares at January 31, 2021 and 40 shares at July 31, 2020, at cost   (102)   (76)
Total stockholders’ equity   17,958    8,885 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $21,785   $12,005 

 

5

 

 

ZEDGE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   January 31,   January 31, 
   2021   2020   2021   2020 
Revenues  $5,314   $2,644   $9,076   $4,677 
Costs and expenses:                    
Direct cost of revenues (exclusive of amortization of capitalized software and technology development costs included below)   313    308    617    636 
Selling, general and administrative   2,159    1,894    4,165    3,839 
Depreciation and amortization   324    363    683    868 
Income (loss) from operations   2,518    79    3,611    (666)
Interest and other income, net   5    5    5    5 
Net gain (loss) resulting from foreign exchange transactions   74    17    34    (39)
Income (loss) before income taxes   2,597    101    3,650    (700)
Provision for income taxes   319    1    327    1 
Net Income (loss)   2,278    100    3,323    (701)
Other comprehensive income (loss):                    
Changes in foreign currency translation adjustment   365    (8)   206    (151)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)   365    (8)   206    (151)
Total comprehensive income (loss)  $2,643   $92   $3,529   $(852)
Income (loss) per share attributable to Zedge, Inc. common stockholders:                    
Basic  $0.18   $0.01   $0.27   $(0.07)
Diluted  $0.17   $0.01   $0.26   $(0.07)
Weighted-average number of shares used in calculation of income (loss) per share:                    
Basic   12,633    10,229    12,412    10,212 
Diluted   13,431    10,615    12,949    10,212 

 

6

 

 

ZEDGE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

   Six Months Ended 
   January 31, 
   2021   2020 
         
Operating activities        
Net income (loss)  $3,323   $(701)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   683    868 
Stock-based compensation   389    296 
Change in assets and liabilities:          
Trade accounts receivable   (1,500)   102 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   156    243 
Other assets   36    (13)
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses   299    (208)
Deferred revenue   375    338 
Net cash provided by operating activities   3,761    925 
Investing activities          
Capitalized software and technology development costs and purchase of equipment   (401)   (417)
Net cash used in investing activities   (401)   (417)
Financing activities          
Proceeds from sales of Class B Common Stock   5,000    275 
Payment of issuance costs   (215)   - 
Repayment of insurance premium loan payable   (100)   (78)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options   396    4 
Purchase of treasury stock in connection with restricted stock vesting   (26)   (29)
Net cash provided by financing activities   5,055    172 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   82    (37)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   8,497    643 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   5,111    1,609 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $13,608   $2,252 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION          
Cash payments made for income taxes  $1   $1 
Cash payments made for interest expenses  $2   $2 
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES          
Note payable issued for insurance premium financing  $181   $- 

 

7

 

 

Use of EBITDA as a Non-GAAP Measure

 

EBITDA is defined as earnings (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA represents a measure that we believe is customarily used by investors and analysts to evaluate the financial performance of companies in addition to the GAAP measures that we present. Our management also believes that EBITDA is useful in evaluating our core operating results. However, EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and should not be considered an alternative to net income or operating income as an indicator of our operating performance or to net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.

 

Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income Loss)  Q120   Q220   Q320   Q420   Q121   Q221   FY 2019   FY 2020   YTD
FY 2021
 
Net Income (Loss)  $(0.8)  $0.1   $(0.3)  $0.5   $1.0   $2.3   $(3.3)  $(0.6)  $3.3 
Excluding:                                             
Interest and other income (expense), net  $0.0   $(0.0)  $(0.0)  $(0.0)  $(0.0)  $(0.0)  $0.2   $(0.0)  $(0.0)
Provision for income taxes  $0.0   $0.0   $0.0   $0.0   $0.0   $0.3   $0.0   $0.0   $0.3 
Depreciation and amortization  $0.5   $0.4   $0.3   $0.4   $0.4   $0.3   $1.4   $1.6   $0.7 
EBITDA  $(0.3)  $0.5   $0.0   $0.8   $1.4   $2.9   $(1.7)  $1.0   $4.3 

 

 

8