EX-99.1 2 exhibit1.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Contact:
Gary J. Fuges, CFA
ValueClick, Inc.
1.818.575.4677

VALUECLICK ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER 2009 RESULTS

Westlake Village, CA – February 16, 2010 – ValueClick, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCLK) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Revenue of $110.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 increased $0.3 million from $110.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Adjusted-EBITDA1 of $35.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 increased $8.5 million from $26.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, resulting in adjusted-EBITDA margin expansion to 31.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 from 24.1 percent in the year-ago period. In the fourth quarter of 2009, revenue in the Media, Affiliate Marketing and Technology segments exceeded the Company’s expectations, and all four business segments exceeded the Company’s expectations for operating income.

“This was an important quarter for the Company, as we exited a non-core business, launched the ValueClick Brands owned and operated sites segment, and delivered growth and margin expansion from our continuing operations,” said Tom Vadnais, chief executive officer of ValueClick. “In 2010, we will remain focused on expanding our core businesses through developing new technologies, leveraging data, and capitalizing on synergy opportunities across our organization.”

GAAP net income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter was $17.4 million, or $0.20 per diluted common share. Non-GAAP net income, which excludes discontinued operations, stock-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets was $21.6 million, or $0.25 per diluted common share for the fourth quarter. A table reconciling GAAP net income from continuing operations to non-GAAP diluted net income per common share is included in this press release.

     
1Adjusted-EBITDA is defined as GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) net income from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and goodwill impairment charges. Please see the attached schedule for a reconciliation of GAAP net income to adjusted-EBITDA, and a discussion of why the Company believes adjusted-EBITDA is a useful financial measure to investors and how Company management uses this financial measure.

The Company generated approximately $33 million in free cash flow in the fourth quarter, defined as net cash from operations less capital expenditures. During the quarter, ValueClick repurchased 3.6 million shares of its common stock for $35.1 million. As of today, up to an additional $69.9 million of the Company’s capital may be used to repurchase shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock under the Company’s stock repurchase program.

The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, which includes the impact of the fourth quarter stock repurchases, includes approximately $180 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and no debt.

Web Clients Divestiture, Discontinued Operations

On February 1, 2010, the Company announced the divestiture of the Web Clients business, which previously was included in the Company’s Media business segment. In accordance with GAAP, the Company has presented this divested business as discontinued operations for 2009 and has recast its historical statements of operations and segment operating results for prior periods to reflect this change. A PDF file containing revised historical consolidated statements of operations and segment operating results information reflecting this change is available for download on the Investor Relations page at www.valueclick.com. The Company’s previously issued guidance for the fourth quarter of 2009 did not reflect this change in presentation.

Owned & Operated Websites Segment

Today, ValueClick introduces its Owned & Operated Websites segment, formerly known as Comparison Shopping and Search. This change reflects the segment’s focus on building and monetizing content websites across a diverse set of topics and geographies. In February, ValueClick’s MeziMedia division changed its name to ValueClick Brands, Inc. to reflect its new focus and launched its new corporate website, www.valueclickbrands.com.

Business Outlook

Today, ValueClick is announcing guidance for the first quarter of 2010:

         
    Guidance
Revenue
  $93-$97 million
Adjusted-EBITDA
  $24-$26 million
Mid-Point Adjusted-EBITDA Margin
    ~26 %
GAAP diluted net income per common share
  $ 0.10-$0.11  
Non-GAAP diluted net income per common share
  $ 0.15-$0.16  

The mid-point of guidance is based in part on the following segment-level assumptions for revenue growth rates expressed as a percentage increase or decrease from first quarter 2009 revenue levels:

    Media: up low single digits

    Owned & Operated Websites: down mid twenties

    Affiliate Marketing: up low single digits

    Technology: up high single digits

First quarter 2010 non-GAAP and GAAP diluted net income per common share guidance assume a 42 percent effective tax rate and 85 million diluted shares outstanding.

Conference Call Today at 4:30 p.m. ET

Tom Vadnais, chief executive officer, and John Pitstick, chief financial officer, will present an overview of the results and other factors affecting ValueClick’s financial performance for the fourth quarter during a conference call and webcast on February 16 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Investors and analysts may obtain the dial-in information through StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com). The live Webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of www.valueclick.com. A replay of the conference call will be available through February 23 at (888) 203-1112 and (719) 457-0820 (pass code: 8616047). An archive of the Webcast will also be available through February 23.

The Company is in the process of completing its year-end tax provision processes. Accordingly, all tax-related balances included in this press release are preliminary and subject change. Final GAAP operating results will be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than Monday, March 1.

About ValueClick

ValueClick, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCLK) is one of the world’s largest integrated online marketing services companies, offering comprehensive and scalable solutions to deliver cost-effective customer acquisition for advertisers and transparent revenue streams for publishers. ValueClick’s performance-based solutions allow its customers to reach their potential through multiple online marketing channels, including affiliate and search marketing, display advertising, ad serving and related technologies, and . ValueClick’s brands include Commission Junction, ValueClick Media, Mediaplex, Smarter.com, CouponMountain.com, and PriceRunner. For more information, please visit www.valueclick.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risk that market demand for on-line advertising in general, and performance based on-line advertising in particular, will not grow as rapidly as predicted, and the risk that legislation and governmental regulation could negatively impact the Company’s performance. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted, and reported results should not be considered an indication of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements are detailed under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made from time to time by ValueClick, including, but not limited to: its annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2009; recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; and other current reports on Form 8-K.

The Business Outlook contained in this release is based on current expectations. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially. These statements do not include the potential impact of any mergers, acquisitions or other business combinations that may be completed after the date of this release. Actual stock-based compensation may differ from these estimates based on the timing and amount of stock awards granted, the assumptions used in stock award valuation and other factors. Actual income tax expense may differ from these estimates based on tax planning, changes in tax accounting rules and laws, and other factors.

ValueClick undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

1

VALUECLICK, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

                                                                 
                                 
        December 31,       December 31,
        2009       2008
                   
ASSETS
                                                               
CURRENT ASSETS:
                                                               
Cash and cash equivalents
          $         158,497                     $         122,487          
Marketable securities
                                                  2,175          
Accounts receivable, net
                    68,484                               108,611          
Other current assets
                    20,856                               20,515          
Assets held for sale
                    36,875                                        
 
                                                               
Total current assets
                    284,712                               253,788          
Marketable securities, less current portion
                    22,026                               25,750          
Property and equipment, net
                    11,272                               15,514          
Goodwill
                    157,123                               172,583          
Intangible assets, net
                    38,718                               80,042          
Other assets
                    52,711                               55,602          
 
                                                               
TOTAL ASSETS
          $         566,562                     $         603,279          
 
                                                               
 
                                                               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                                               
Current liabilities
                  $ 98,404                     $         176,605          
Non-current liabilities
                    61,669                               73,195          
 
                                                               
Total liabilities
                    160,073                               249,800          
Total stockholders’ equity
                    406,489                               353,479          
 
                                                               
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
          $         566,562                     $         603,279          
 
                                                               

2

VALUECLICK, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)

                                 
    Three-month Period        
    Ended December 31,        
    (Unaudited)        
    2009       2008        
 
                               
Revenue
  $ 110,394             $ 110,059          
Cost of revenue
    31,173               35,611          
 
                               
Gross profit
    79,221               74,448          
Operating expenses:
                               
Sales and marketing (Note 1)
    27,228               27,155          
General and administrative (Note 1)
    14,434               18,057          
Technology (Note 1)
    6,179               7,205          
Amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations
    4,999               4,992          
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
                  269,500          
 
                               
Total operating expenses
    52,840               326,909          
 
                               
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
    26,381               (252,461 )        
Interest and other income, net
    (176 )             (1,728 )        
 
                               
Income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations
    26,205               (254,189 )        
Income tax expense (benefit)
    8,834               (32,799 )        
 
                               
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
    17,371               (221,390 )        
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax impact
    (1,874 )             (35,361 )        
Gain on disposal, net of tax impact
                  4,984          
 
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 15,497             $ (251,767 )        
 
                               
Basic net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share
  $ 0.20             $ (2.55 )        
 
                               
Diluted net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share
  $ 0.20             $ (2.55 )        
 
                               
Basic net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.18             $ (2.90 )        
 
                               
Diluted net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.18             $ (2.90 )        
 
                               
Weighted-average shares used to compute basic net income per common share
    85,779               86,736          
 
                               
Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted net income per common share
    86,384               86,736          
 
                               

Note 1 – Includes stock-based compensation as follows:

                         
    Three-month Period        
    Ended December 31,        
    (Unaudited)        
    2009   2008        
Sales and marketing
  $ 355     $ 581          
General and administrative
    1,361       1,531          
Technology
    197       291          
 
                       
Total stock-based compensation
  $ 1,913     $ 2,403          
 
                       

3

VALUECLICK, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)

                                                 
    Year Ended December 31,        
    (Unaudited)        
    2009               2008        
 
                                               
Revenue
  $ 422,723                             $ 455,441          
Cost of revenue
    116,509                               139,470          
                                     
Gross profit
    306,214                               315,971          
Operating expenses:
                                               
Sales and marketing (Note 1)
    118,457                               136,466          
General and administrative (Note 1)
    60,373                               88,745          
Technology (Note 1)
    25,050                               31,160          
Amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations
    19,803                               21,733          
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
                                  269,500          
                                     
Total operating expenses
    223,683                               547,604          
                                     
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
    82,531                               (231,633 )        
Interest and other income, net
    302                               2,451          
                                     
Income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations
    82,833                               (229,182 )        
Income tax expense (benefit)
    21,264                               (30,621 )        
                                     
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
    61,569                               (198,561 )        
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax impact
    7,047                               (20,535 )        
Gain on disposal, net of tax impact
                                  4,984          
                                     
Net income (loss)
  $ 68,616                             $ (214,112 )        
                                     
Basic net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share
  $ 0.71                             $ (2.15 )        
                                     
Diluted net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share
  $ 0.71                             $ (2.15 )        
                                     
Basic net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.79                             $ (2.32 )        
                                     
Diluted net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.79                             $ (2.32 )        
                                     
Weighted-average shares used to compute basic net income per common share
    86,716                               92,325          
                                     
Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted net income per common share
    87,210                               92,325          
                                     

Note 1 – Includes stock-based compensation as follows:

                         
    Year Ended December 31,        
    (Unaudited)        
    2009   2008        
Sales and marketing
  $ 1,907     $ 15,621          
General and administrative
    6,034       30,620          
Technology
    928       1,925          
 
                       
Total stock-based compensation
  $ 8,869     $ 48,166          
 
                       

4

VALUECLICK, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING
OPERATIONS TO ADJUSTED-EBITDA (Note 1)
(In thousands)

                 
    Three-month Period
    Ended December 31,
    (Unaudited)
    2009   2008
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 17,371     $ (221,390 )
Interest and other income, net
    176       1,728  
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    8,834       (32,799)   
Amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations
    4,999       4,992  
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
          269,500  
Depreciation and leasehold amortization
    1,795       2,112  
Stock-based compensation
    1,913       2,403  
 
               
Adjusted-EBITDA
  $ 35,088     $ 26,546   
 
               
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    (Unaudited)
    2009           2008
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 61,569             $ (198,561 )
Interest and other income, net
    (302 )             (2,451 )
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    21,264               (30,621)   
Amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations
    19,803               21,733  
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
                  269,500  
Depreciation and leasehold amortization
    7,563               8,480  
Stock-based compensation
    8,869               48,166  
 
                       
Adjusted-EBITDA
  $ 118,766             $ 116,246   
 
                       

Note 1 “Adjusted-EBITDA” (GAAP net income from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and goodwill impairment charges) included in this press release is a non-GAAP financial measure.

Adjusted-EBITDA, as defined above, may not be similar to adjusted-EBITDA measures used by other companies and is not a measurement under GAAP. Management believes that adjusted-EBITDA provides useful information to investors about the Company’s performance because it eliminates the effects of period-to-period changes in income from interest on the Company’s cash and marketable securities and the costs associated with income tax expense, capital investments, and stock-based compensation which are not directly attributable to the underlying performance of the Company’s business operations. Management uses adjusted-EBITDA in evaluating the overall performance of the Company’s business operations.

Though management finds adjusted-EBITDA useful for evaluating aspects of the Company’s business, its reliance on this measure is limited because excluded items often have a material effect on the Company’s earnings and earnings per common share calculated in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, management uses adjusted-EBITDA in conjunction with GAAP earnings and earnings per common share measures. The Company believes that adjusted-EBITDA provides investors with an additional tool for evaluating the Company’s core performance, which management uses in its own evaluation of overall performance, and a base-line for assessing the future earnings potential of the Company. While the GAAP results are more complete, the Company prefers to allow investors to have this supplemental metric since, with a reconciliation to GAAP, it may provide greater insight into the Company’s financial results.

5

VALUECLICK, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO
NON-GAAP DILUTED NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE (Note 1)
(In thousands)

                                 
    Three-Month Period
    Ended December 31,
    2009           2008        
GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 17,371             $ (221,390 )        
Stock-based compensation
    1,913               2,403          
Amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations
    4,999               4,992          
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
                  269,500          
Tax impact of above items
    (2,664 )             (42,528 )        
 
                               
Non-GAAP net income
  $ 21,619             $ 12,977          
 
                               
Non-GAAP diluted net income per common share
  $ 0.25             $ 0.15          
 
                               
Weighted-average shares used to compute non-GAAP diluted net income per common share
    86,384               86,736          
 
                               
                                 
    Year Ended December 31,
    2009           2008        
GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 61,569             $ (198,561 )        
Stock-based compensation
    8,869               48,166          
Amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations
    19,803               21,733          
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
                  269,500          
Tax impact of above items
    (10,821 )             (66,657 )        
 
                               
Non-GAAP net income
  $ 79,420             $ 74,181          
 
                               
Non-GAAP diluted net income per common share
  $ 0.91             $ 0.80          
 
                               
Weighted-average shares used to compute non-GAAP diluted net income per common share
    87,210               92,325          
 
                               

Note 1 – “Non-GAAP diluted net income per common share” (GAAP diluted net income from continuing operations per common share before the impact of stock-based compensation, amortization of intangibles, and other non-recurring events) included in this press release is a non-GAAP financial measure.

Non-GAAP diluted net income per common share, as defined above, may not be similar to non-GAAP diluted net income per common share measures used by other companies and is not a measurement under GAAP. Management believes that non-GAAP diluted net income per common share provides useful information to investors about the Company’s performance because it eliminates the effects of items which are not directly attributable to the underlying performance of the Company’s business operations. Management uses non-GAAP diluted net income per common share in evaluating the overall performance of the Company’s business operations.

Though management finds non-GAAP diluted net income per common share useful for evaluating aspects of the Company’s business, its reliance on this measure is limited because excluded items often have a material effect on the Company’s earnings and earnings per common share calculated in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, management uses non-GAAP diluted net income per common share in conjunction with GAAP earnings and earnings per common share measures. The Company believes that non-GAAP diluted net income per common share provides investors with an additional tool for evaluating the Company’s core performance, which management uses in its own evaluation of overall performance, and a base-line for assessing the future earnings potential of the Company. While the GAAP results are more complete, the Company prefers to allow investors to have this supplemental metric since, with a reconciliation to GAAP, it may provide greater insight into the Company’s financial results.

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VALUECLICK, INC.
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands)
(Note 1)

                                                                 
    Three-month Period Ended December 31,           Year Ended        
    (Unaudited)           December 31,        
                                    (Unaudited)        
    2009           2008           2009           2008        
Media:
                                                               
Revenue
  $ 40,149             $ 33,911             $ 135,086             $ 130,891          
Cost of revenue
    21,013               18,711               71,320               71,638          
 
                                                               
Gross profit
    19,136               15,200               63,766               59,253          
Operating expenses
    7,295               7,801               30,505               34,038          
 
                                                               
Segment income from operations
  $ 11,841             $ 7,399             $ 33,261             $ 25,215          
 
                                                               
Owned & Operated Websites:
                                                               
Revenue
  $ 31,771             $ 38,054             $ 149,599             $ 177,145          
Cost of revenue
    5,715               10,879               27,002               46,950          
 
                                                               
Gross profit
    26,056               27,175               122,597               130,195          
Operating expenses
    18,917               19,274               87,563               89,263          
 
                                                               
Segment income from operations
  $ 7,139             $ 7,901             $ 35,034             $ 40,932          
 
                                                               
Affiliate Marketing:
                                                               
Revenue
  $ 31,544             $ 31,630             $ 111,903             $ 121,972          
Cost of revenue
    4,005               5,567               15,617               19,374          
 
                                                               
Gross profit
    27,539               26,063               96,286               102,598          
Operating expenses
    9,244               9,992               38,165               43,143          
 
                                                               
Segment income from operations
  $ 18,295             $ 16,071             $ 58,121             $ 59,455          
 
                                                               
Technology:
                                                               
Revenue
  $ 7,507             $ 7,341             $ 27,686             $ 28,670          
Cost of revenue
    894               1,130               3,709               4,147          
 
                                                               
Gross profit
    6,613               6,211               23,977               24,523          
Operating expenses
    2,923               2,702               11,202               10,923          
 
                                                               
Segment income from operations
  $ 3,690             $ 3,509             $ 12,775             $ 13,600          
 
                                                               
Total segment income from operations
  $ 40,965             $ 34,880             $ 139,191             $ 139,202          
Corporate expenses
    (7,672 )             (10,446 )             (27,988 )             (31,436 )        
Stock-based compensation
    (1,913 )             (2,403 )             (8,869 )             (48,166 )        
Amortization of intangible assets
    (4,999 )             (4,992 )             (19,803 )             (21,723 )        
Impairment of goodwill
                  (269,500 )                           (269,500 )        
 
                                                               
Consolidated operating income
  $ 26,381             $ (252,461 )           $ 82,531             $ (231,633 )        
(loss) from continuing operations
                                                               
 
                                                               
Reconciliation of segment revenue to consolidated revenue:
                                                               
Media
  $ 40,149             $ 33,911             $ 135,086             $ 130,891          
Owned & Operated Websites
    31,771               38,054               149,599               177,145          
Affiliate Marketing
    31,544               31,630               111,903               121,972          
Technology
    7,507               7,341               27,686               28,670          
Inter-segment eliminations
    (577 )             (877 )             (1,551 )             (3,237 )        
 
                                                               
Consolidated revenue
  $ 110,394             $ 110,059             $ 422,723             $ 455,441          
 
                                                               

Note 1 – On February 1, the Company announced the divestiture of the Web Clients business, which had been included in the Media segment. In October 2008, the Company sold two non-core businesses, Mediaplex Systems and the ink-jet e-commerce business. Mediaplex Systems was included in the Company’s Technology operating segment, while the e-commerce business was included in the Media operating segment. The Company has presented these divested businesses as discontinued operations and has recast its historical statements of operations and segment operating results to reflect this change. The information in this table excludes the divested businesses for all periods presented. A PDF file containing historical consolidated statements of operations and segment operating results information is available for download on the Investor Relations page at www.valueclick.com.

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