EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    LOGO

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:          
Investor Relations Contact:       Media Contact:
Tom Ryan/Raphael Gross       Marcus Gamo/Aimee Grove
866-947-4663       415-277-4925
      ziprealty@allisonpr.com

 

 

ZipRealty Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2009 Results

Full year revenue of $123.1 million represented the 11th consecutive year of revenue growth

Closed transactions were 6,355 in the fourth quarter, an increase of 46.6% from the year-earlier period

Revenue grew to $33.9 million in the fourth quarter, a 35.4% increase from the year-earlier period

Year-end cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $44.1 million

EMERYVILLE, Calif. – March 9, 2010 - ZipRealty, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZIPR) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009. For the fourth quarter, net revenues were $33.9 million, a 35.4% increase from the $25.1 million reported in the fourth quarter last year. The Company’s net loss for the period was $2.1 million, or $0.11 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.14 per share, in the year-ago period.

Pat Lashinsky, President and CEO of ZipRealty commented, “ZipRealty transacted more than $5 billion in residential property for customers in 2009 leading to double digit revenue gains versus the prior period. Improvement in key metrics throughout the year drove results, including record website visits, higher agent productivity and growing transaction volumes. We were also pleased to exceed our outlook for revenue and deliver on our bottom-line commitment, while maintaining a cash balance consistent with three quarters ago.”

Lashinsky continued, “Looking ahead, we are focused on initiatives that are designed to promote profit growth. First, we are committed to gaining market share and driving profitability in our existing markets. Second, we intend to build on our recent listings success and continue to grow this side of our market opportunity. Third, we plan to stay at the forefront of innovation so that our agents and customers benefit from advancements in technology. Finally, we will target referral revenue growth by partnering with brands that are relevant to our growing user base. We look forward to progress on these fronts in 2010 and into an eventual recovery.”


The Company announced the following operating metrics for the fourth quarter of 2009:

 

   

The total value of real estate transactions closed increased to $1.47 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009 versus $1.07 billion in the same period last year.

 

   

The total number of transactions closed was 6,355, compared to 4,335 in the same period last year.

 

   

Average net transaction revenue per close decreased approximately 8.6% to $5,199 from $5,690 in the same period last year.

 

   

At December 31, 2009, there were 3,085 ZipAgents employed, up from 2,816 agents at the end of the fourth quarter of 2008 and down from 3,205 agents at September 30, 2009.

The following operating metrics pertain to the full-year 2009 results:

 

   

The total value of real estate transactions closed increased to $5.30 billion from $4.64 billion in the prior year.

 

   

The total number of transactions closed increased approximately 34.6% to 23,100 from 17,156 in the prior year.

 

   

Average net transaction revenue per close for the year was $5,227, compared to $6,145 in the prior year.

Balance Sheet & Liquidity

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $44.1 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, with no long-term debt. Relative to September 30, 2009 ZipRealty’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments decreased by $300,000.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement its financial statements presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), ZipRealty uses a non-GAAP measure it refers to as Adjusted EBITDA. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) less interest income plus interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation and further adjusted to eliminate the impact of certain items that the Company does not consider reflective of its ongoing core operating performance. This non-GAAP measure is provided to enhance the user’s overall understanding of ZipRealty’s current financial performance and its prospects for the future, particularly in comparison to the practices of other reasonably similar firms. ZipRealty believes this non-GAAP measure provides useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain items it believes are not reflective of its core operating results and thus presents a more meaningful basis for comparison between periods. Further, this non-GAAP measure presents key information the Company uses for planning, forecasting its future operations and as a measure for determining management compensation. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the most comparable GAAP measure, Net Income (Loss) is provided in the attached tables.


Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 was a $0.9 million loss versus a loss of $3.5 million in the fourth quarter last year.

Outlook

The Company’s expectations for the business are consistent with the outlook communicated in January 2010. Based upon current information and expectations, the Company anticipates the following:

 

   

Net revenues for the full-year 2010 are expected to grow between 10% and 20% over 2009 levels.

 

   

Net loss for the full-year 2010 is expected to be narrower than the 2009 net loss. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be positive for the full year 2010.

Conference Call Details

A conference call to discuss fourth quarter financial results will be webcast live on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the investor relations section of ZipRealty’s website, www.ziprealty.com. Listeners may also access the call by dialing 877-741-4241. A replay of the call will also be available through March 16, 2010 at 888-203-1112 and pin number 3963410.

About ZipRealty, Inc.

ZipRealty is a leading full-service residential real estate brokerage that uses an innovative combination of a comprehensive online presence, robust proprietary technology and knowledgeable local agents in the field to offer its clients fast, responsive and transparent service. The Company’s award-winning, user-friendly website gives its users access to comprehensive local Multiple Listing Services home listings data, as well as other relevant market and neighborhood information and tools. The Company’s proprietary technology, including its agent productivity platform, helps it to increase agent efficiency and reduce costs, allowing the Company to pass on significant savings to consumers as permitted by law. Founded in 1999, the Company operates in 35 major markets in 22 states and the District of Columbia. For more information on ZipRealty, visit www.ziprealty.com or call 1-800-CALL-ZIP.


Cautionary Language

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s plans for 2010 including plans to promote profit growth, gain market share and drive profitability, grow its listings business, stay at the forefront of innovation and target referral revenue growth by partnering with other brands, as well as statements under the heading entitled “Outlook” regarding the anticipated range of revenue growth for 2010, the narrowing of net loss for 2010 and anticipated positive Adjusted EBITDA for 2010. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. The risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the Company’s history of losses and expectations concerning future losses, volatility in the real estate market, macroeconomic factors such as unemployment, tight credit, inventory levels and the impact of government programs, the Company’s ability to achieve sufficient agent productivity and retention to offset its costs, to remain an innovation leader in its industry, to adapt to changes in technologies and practices relating to the nature and use of information, to comply with often complex federal and state laws and regulations concerning its business practices, to attract, retain and incentivize agents and key personnel, to grow local market share in the face of intense competition, to access leads and MLS listings from third parties that it does not control, to develop, maintain and protect a strong brand identity, to protect arrangements for providing access to core services, and to manage the growth of technology and control systems, the Company’s continued use of rebates, the impact of website advertising and lead generation services on the visit-to-transaction pathway of potential customers, the Company’s pursuit of revenue growth opportunities that may reduce its profit margins, seasonality, systems interruptions, delays and failures, geographic concentration, the protection and defense of the Company’s intellectual property rights, and other risk factors set forth in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of today’s date and, except as otherwise required by law, ZipRealty does not intend to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.


ZipRealty, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and operating data)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Net transaction revenues

   $ 33,037      $ 24,667      $ 120,738      $ 105,427   

Marketing and other revenues

     888        383        2,392        2,023   
                                

Net revenues

     33,925        25,050        123,130        107,450   
                                

Operating expenses

        

Cost of revenues

     19,181        15,293        72,197        62,702   

Product development

     2,534        2,191        9,429        8,678   

Sales and marketing

     11,265        9,676        41,881        40,571   

General and administrative

     3,333        3,045        13,405        12,789   

Litigation (recovery), net

     —          (1,980     —          (1,355
                                

Total operating expenses

     36,313        28,225        136,912        123,385   
                                

Loss from operations

     (2,388     (3,175     (13,782     (15,935
                                

Other income (expense):

        

Interest income

     85        457        718        2,518   

Other income, net

     —          —          1        75   
                                

Total other income, net

     85        457        719        2,593   
                                

Loss before income taxes

     (2,303     (2,718     (13,063     (13,342

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     (171     —          (171     —     
                                

Net loss

   $ (2,132   $ (2,718   $ (12,892   $ (13,342
                                

Net loss per share:

        

Basic and diluted

   $ (0.11   $ (0.14   $ (0.64   $ (0.64

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic and diluted

     20,226        20,049        20,242        20,917   

Supplemental operating data (unaudited)

        

Number of ZipAgents at beginning of period

     3,205        2,814        2,816        2,180   

Number of ZipAgents at end of period

     3,085        2,816        3,085        2,816   

Total value of real estate transactions closed during period (in billions)

   $ 1.47      $ 1.07      $ 5.30      $ 4.64   

Number of transactions closed during period (1)

     6,355        4,335        23,100        17,156   

Average net revenue per transaction during period (2)

   $ 5,199      $ 5,690      $ 5,227      $ 6,145   

 

(1)    The term “transaction” refers to each representation of a buyer or seller in a real estate purchase or sale.

       

(2)    Average net revenue per transaction equals net transaction revenues divided by number of transactions with respect to each period.

        

Reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA to net loss   
The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) less interest income plus interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation and further adjusted to eliminate the impact of certain items that it does not consider reflective of its ongoing core operating performance. The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA because it believes it assists investors and analysts in comparing its core operating performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that the Company does not believe are reflective of its core operating performance.       
     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

GAAP net loss as reported

   $ (2,132   $ (2,718   $ (12,892   $ (13,342

Add back:

        

Interest income

     (85     (457     (718     (2,518

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     (171     —          (171     —     

Depreciation and amortization

     634        681        2,588        2,816   

Stock-based compensation expense

     897        1,012        3,899        3,912   

Non-operating litigation (recovery), net

     —          (1,980     —          (1,355
                                

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ (857   $ (3,462   $ (7,294   $ (10,487
                                


ZipRealty, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     December 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 23,737      $ 18,500   

Short-term investments

     20,397        30,889   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance

     1,603        1,625   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2,726        3,442   
                

Total current assets

     48,463        54,456   

Restricted cash

     110        130   

Property and equipment, net

     3,390        4,516   

Intangible assets, net

     58        89   

Other assets

     371        776   
                

Total assets

   $ 52,392      $ 59,967   
                

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 1,620      $ 2,169   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     8,815        6,706   
                

Total current liabilities

     10,435        8,875   

Other long-term liabilities

     327        441   
                

Total liabilities

     10,762        9,316   
                

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock: $0.001 par value; 23,930 and 23,709 shares issued and 20,445 and 20,273 outstanding, respectively

     24        24   

Additional paid-in capital

     152,440        148,502   

Common stock warrants

     4        4   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     (153     (246

Accumulated deficit

     (93,375     (80,483

Treasury stock, at cost: 3,485 and 3,436 shares, respectively

     (17,310     (17,150
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     41,630        50,651   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 52,392      $ 59,967   
                


ZipRealty, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net loss

   $ (12,892   $ (13,342

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities

    

Depreciation and amortization

     2,557        2,786   

Amortization of intangible assets

     31        30   

Stock-based compensation expense

     3,899        3,912   

Provision for doubtful accounts

     3        (3

Amortization of short-term investment premium (discount)

     5        (266

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

     44        107   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

    

Accounts receivable

     19        (452

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     716        (175

Other assets

     405        (436

Accounts payable

     (549     74   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     2,063        (3,789

Other long-term liabilities

     (114     (62
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (3,813     (11,616
                

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Restricted cash

     20        (40

Purchases of short-term investments

     (16,084     (12,859

Proceeds from sale and maturity of short-term investments

     26,664        54,451   

Purchases of property and equipment

     (1,411     (1,980
                

Net cash provided by investing activities

     9,189        39,572   
                

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Proceeds from stock option exercises

     21        21   

Acquisition of treasury stock

     (160     (17,500

Proceeds from reissue of treasury stock

     —          205   
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (139     (17,274
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     5,237        10,682   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     18,500        7,818   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 23,737      $ 18,500