EX-99.1 2 ex99-1.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED MARCH 7, 2019 Exhibit 99.2
 
Exhibit 99.1
 
 
AutoWeb Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results
 
IRVINE, Calif. – March 7, 2019 – AutoWeb, Inc. (Nasdaq: AUTO), a robust digital marketing platform providing digital advertising solutions for automotive dealers and OEMs, is reporting financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2018.
 
Fourth Quarter 2018 Financial Summary
●
Total revenues were $32.3 million compared to $31.7 million in Q3’18 and $33.3 million in Q4’17.
●
Advertising revenues were $6.5 million compared to $6.6 million in Q3’18 and $9.2 million in Q4’17.
●
Net loss was $5.3 million or $(0.41) per share, compared to a net loss of $18.0 million or $(1.41) per share in Q3’18 and a net loss of $65.8 million or $(5.22) per share in Q4’17.
●
Non-GAAP loss was $3.1 million or $(0.24) per share, compared to a non-GAAP loss of $2.4 million or $(0.19) per share in Q3’18 and non-GAAP income of $0.1 million or $0.01 per share in Q4’17.
 
Fourth Quarter 2018 Key Operating Metrics 
●
Lead traffic was 32.1 million visits compared to 34.4 million in Q3’18 and 26.8 million in Q4’17.1
●
Lead volume was 2.0 million compared to 1.9 million in Q3’18 and 1.8 million in Q4’17.2
●
Retail dealer count was 2,596 compared to 2,577 in Q3’18 and 3,008 in Q4’17.3
●
Retail lead capacity was 442,000 lead targets compared to 441,000 in Q3’18 and 528,000 in Q4’17.4
●
Click traffic was 6.1 million visits compared to 5.9 million in Q3’18 and 6.3 million in Q4’17. 5
●
Click volume was 6.6 million clicks compared to 6.6 million in Q3’18 and 7.3 million in Q4’17.6
●
Revenue per click was $0.81 compared to $0.84 in Q3’18 and $1.08 in Q4’17.7
 
 
 
Management Commentary
“We continued to execute on our strategic initiatives in Q4, as reflected by another quarter of sequential improvement in lead volume and the first time we’ve generated two million leads since Q3 2017,” said Jared Rowe, President & CEO of AutoWeb. “We also began to mobile enable some of our new car websites, which led to improvements in conversion and resulted in our first sequential quarter of gross margin expansion since Q4 2016.
 
“We made progress implementing new traffic acquisition strategies and our new click algorithm during the quarter. In fact, as of November 2018, 90% of our click traffic was being exposed to the new algorithm and the early results have been promising, however there is still work to be done to improve our click through rate.
 
 
 
 
 
“This momentum has been further enabled by the establishment of our full leadership team. Over the last few months, we added a new CFO, COO, CTO, and CPO; all department heads are now in place. Further, we strengthened our board with the appointment of Chan Galbato, a seasoned executive from Cerberus Capital Management. Each team member brings a unique but complementary background and skillset to fill critical roles at AutoWeb.
 
“We have completed the first phase of our turnaround and are in the early stages of the next phase. Our team is in place, we’ve begun to deploy various initiatives and our results are beginning to turn in the right direction. However, we still need to make better progress on multiple fronts, particularly from a distribution perspective for both leads and clicks. While we improved dealer count and lead capacity during the fourth quarter, we do not anticipate a straight-line trajectory and believe we can make better progress in penetrating the top 150 dealer groups in the country.
 
“Overall, I am proud of the work our team has completed to date as we enter the next phase of this turnaround, and we remain fully committed to growing revenue and expanding margins in 2019 as we execute on our various strategic initiatives.”
 
Fourth Quarter 2018 Financial Results
Total revenues in the fourth quarter of 2018 were $32.3 million compared to $33.3 million in the year-ago quarter, with advertising revenues of $6.5 million compared to $9.2 million in the year-ago quarter. The decline in total revenues was primarily due to lower click volume and revenue per click.
 
Gross profit in the fourth quarter was $5.6 million compared to $8.1 million in the year-ago quarter, with the decrease primarily driven by lower revenue and cost of revenue inefficiencies. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit was 17.5%.
 
Total operating expenses in the fourth quarter were $11.0 million compared to $48.4 million in the year-ago quarter. The fourth quarter of 2017 included a goodwill impairment charge of $37.7 million.
 
Net loss in the fourth quarter of 2018 was $5.3 million or $(0.41) per share, compared to a net loss of $65.8 million or $(5.22) per share in the year-ago quarter. The difference was primarily driven by the aforementioned goodwill impairment charge in 2017, as well as a non-cash charge to income tax in the year-ago quarter.
 
Non-GAAP loss was $3.1 million or $(0.24) per share, compared to non-GAAP income of $0.1 million or $0.01 per share in the fourth quarter of 2017 (see "Note about Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for further discussion). The decline was primarily driven by the lower revenue and gross profit noted above.
 
At December 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalents totaled $13.6 million compared to $15.8 million at September 30, 2018, and $25.0 million at December 31, 2017, with the reduction from year-end 2017 primarily driven by repayment of AutoWeb’s $8.0 million revolving line of credit and severance-related costs. Total debt was $1.0 million compared to $9.0 million at December 31, 2017.
 
Full Year 2018 Financial Results
Total revenues in 2018 were $125.6 million compared to $142.1 million in 2017, with advertising revenues of $28.2 million compared to $34.1 million in 2017.
 
Gross profit in 2018 was $15.3 million compared to $42.8 million in 2017. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit was 12.2%. The decrease was primarily due to lower revenues and efficiency, as well as the one-time impairment charge in Q3’18 associated with the DealerX platform license.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted gross profit in 2018, which excludes the one-time DealerX impairment charge of $9.0 million, was $24.3 million compared to gross profit of $42.8 million in 2017. As a percentage of revenue, adjusted gross profit was 19.3% (see "Note about Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for further discussion).
 
Total operating expenses in 2018 were $54.3 million compared to $81.4 million in 2017. The 2017 period included a $37.7 million goodwill impairment charge.
 
Net loss in 2018 was $38.8 million or $(3.04) per share, compared to a net loss of $65.0 million or $(5.48) per share last year.
 
Non-GAAP loss was $9.2 million or $(0.72) per share, compared to non-GAAP income of $8.5 million or $0.64 per share in 2017 (see "Note about Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for further discussion).
 
Conference Call
AutoWeb will hold a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2018 results, followed by a question-and-answer session.
 
Date: Thursday, March 7, 2019
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (2:00 p.m. Pacific time)
Toll-free dial-in number: 1-877-852-2929
International dial-in number: 1-404-991-3925
Conference ID: 6986797
 
Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time, and an operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Liolios at 1-949-574-3860.
 
A replay of the conference call will be available after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through March 16, 2019. The call will also be archived in the Investors section of AutoWeb’s website for one year.
 
Toll-free replay number: 1-855-859-2056
International replay number: 1-404-537-3406
Replay ID: 6986797
 
Tax Benefit Preservation Plan
 
At December 31, 2018, the company had approximately $87.6 million in available net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. AutoWeb reminds stockholders about its Tax Benefit Preservation Plan dated May 26, 2010, as amended on April 14, 2014 and April 13, 2017 (as amended, the “Plan”) between the company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as rights agent.
 
The Plan was adopted by the company’s board of directors to preserve the company’s NOLs and other tax attributes, and thus reduce the risk of a possible change of ownership under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Any such change of ownership under Section 382 would limit or eliminate the ability of the company to use its existing NOLs for federal income tax purposes. In general, an ownership change will occur if the company’s 5% shareholders, for purposes of Section 382, collectively increase their ownership in the company by an aggregate of more than 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period. The Plan is designed to reduce the likelihood that the company experiences such an ownership change by discouraging any person or group from becoming a new 5% shareholder under Section 382. Rights issued under the Plan could be triggered upon the acquisition by any person or group of 4.9% or more of the company’s outstanding common stock and could result in substantial dilution of the acquirer’s percentage ownership in the company. There is no guarantee that the Plan will achieve the objective of preserving the value of the company’s NOLs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of January 31, 2019, there were 12,960,450 shares of the company’s common stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding. Persons or groups considering the acquisition of shares of beneficial ownership of the company’s common stock should first evaluate their percentage ownership based on this revised outstanding share number to ensure that the acquisition of shares does not result in beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of outstanding shares. For more information about the Plan, please visit investor.autoweb.com/tax.cfm.
 
About AutoWeb, Inc.
AutoWeb, Inc. provides high-quality consumer leads, clicks and associated marketing services to automotive dealers and manufacturers throughout the United States. The company also provides consumers with robust and original online automotive content to help them make informed car-buying decisions. The company pioneered the automotive Internet in 1995 and has since helped tens of millions of automotive consumers research vehicles; connected thousands of dealers nationwide with motivated car buyers; and has helped every major automaker market its brand online.
 
Investors and other interested parties can receive AutoWeb news alerts and special event invitations by accessing the online registration form at investor.autoweb.com/alerts.cfm.
 
Note about Non-GAAP Financial Measures
AutoWeb has disclosed non-GAAP (loss) income and non-GAAP EPS in this press release, which are non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G. The company defines (i) non-GAAP (loss) income as GAAP net (loss) income before amortization of acquired intangibles, non-cash stock-based compensation, severance costs, gain or loss on investment or sale, litigation settlements, goodwill impairment, long-lived asset impairment and income taxes; and (ii) non-GAAP EPS as non-GAAP (loss) income divided by weighted average diluted shares outstanding. A table providing reconciliations of non-GAAP (loss) income and non-GAAP EPS is included at the end of this press release.
 
AutoWeb has also disclosed adjusted gross profit and adjusted gross margin in this press release, which are also non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G. The company defines (i) adjusted gross profit as GAAP gross profit minus the one-time cost of revenues - impairment charge due to the DealerX platform license; and (ii) adjusted gross margin as GAAP gross margin, excluding the impact of the one-time cost of revenues – impairment charge due to the DealerX platform license. A table providing the reconciliation of adjusted gross profit and adjusted gross margin is included at the end of this press release.
 
The company's management believes that presenting non-GAAP (loss) income, non-GAAP EPS, adjusted gross profit and adjusted gross margin provides useful information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the company's ongoing operations, as well as providing for more consistent period-over-period comparisons. These non-GAAP measures also assist management in its operational and financial decision-making and monitoring the company’s performance. In addition, we use non-GAAP and non-GAAP EPS as a measure for determining incentive compensation targets. These non-GAAP financial measures are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. Management strongly encourages investors to review the company's consolidated financial statements in their entirety and to not rely on any single financial measure.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
The statements contained in this press release or that may be made during the conference call described above that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. Words such as “anticipates,” “could,” “may,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “pending,” “plans,” “believes,” “will” and words of similar substance, or the negative of those words, used in connection with any discussion of future operations or financial performance identify forward-looking statements. In particular, statements regarding expectations and opportunities, new product expectations and capabilities, projections, statements regarding future events, and our outlook regarding our performance and growth are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, including, that (i) there is still work to be done to improve the company’s click through rate; (ii) the company still needs to make better progress on multiple fronts, particularly from a distribution perspective for both leads and clicks; (iii) while dealer count and lead capacity improved during the fourth quarter, the company does not anticipate a straight-line trajectory and that the company believes it can make better progress in penetrating the top 150 dealer groups in the country; and (iv) the company remains fully committed to growing revenue and expanding margins in 2019 as it executes on our various strategic initiatives, are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. AutoWeb undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements are changes in general economic conditions; the financial condition of automobile manufacturers and dealers; disruptions in automobile production; changes in fuel prices; the economic impact of terrorist attacks, political revolutions or military actions; failure of our internet security measures; dealer attrition; pressure on dealer fees; increased or unexpected competition; the failure of new products and services to meet expectations; failure to retain key employees or attract and integrate new employees; actual costs and expenses exceeding charges taken by AutoWeb; changes in laws and regulations; costs of legal matters, including, defending lawsuits and undertaking investigations and related matters; and other matters disclosed in AutoWeb’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are strongly encouraged to review the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could affect the business, operating results or financial condition of AutoWeb and the market price of the company's stock.
 
Company Contact
J.P. Hannan
Chief Financial Officer
1-949-437-4651
jp.hannan@autoweb.com
 
Investor Relations Contact:
Sean Mansouri or Cody Slach
Liolios Investor Relations
1-949-574-3860
AUTO@liolios.com
 
 
 
 
AUTOWEB, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per-share data)
 
 
 
 December 31,
 
 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 $13,600 
 $24,993 
Short-term investment
  - 
  254 
Accounts receivable (net of allowances for bad debts and customer credits of $566 and $892 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively)
  26,898 
  25,911 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  1,245 
  1,805 
Total current assets
  41,743 
  52,963 
Property and equipment, net
  3,181 
  4,311 
Investments
  - 
  100 
Intangible assets, net
  11,976 
  29,113 
Goodwill
  - 
  5,133 
Long-term deferred tax asset
  - 
  692 
Other assets
  516 
  601 
Total assets
 $57,416 
 $92,913 
 
    
    
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
    
    
Current liabilities:
    
    
Accounts payable
 $10,908 
 $7,083 
Accrued employee-related benefits
  3,125 
  2,411 
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities
  8,868 
  7,252 
Current convertible note payable
  1,000 
  - 
Total current liabilities
  23,901 
  16,746 
Convertible note payable
  - 
  1,000 
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
  - 
  8,000 
Total liabilities
  23,901 
  25,746 
 
    
    
Commitments and contingencies
    
    
 
    
    
Stockholders' equity:
    
    
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 11,445,187 shares authorized
    
    
Series A Preferred stock, none issued and outstanding
  - 
  - 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 55,000,000 shares authorized; 12,960,450 and 13,059,341 shares issued and outstanding, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
  13 
  13 
Additional paid-in capital
  361,218 
  356,054 
Accumulated deficit
  (327,716)
  (288,900)
Total stockholders' equity
  33,515 
  67,167 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 $57,416 
 $92,913 
 
 
 
 
 AUTOWEB, INC.
 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 (Amounts in thousands, except per-share data)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lead fees
 $25,659 
 $23,896 
 $96,936 
 $107,045 
Advertising
  6,526 
  9,228 
  28,169 
  34,142 
Other revenues
  68 
  197 
  484 
  938 
Total revenues
  32,253 
  33,321 
  125,589 
  142,125 
Cost of revenues
  26,613 
  25,182 
  101,315 
  99,352 
Cost of revenues - impairment
  - 
  - 
  9,014 
  - 
Gross profit
  5,640 
  8,139 
  15,260 
  42,773 
 
    
    
    
    
Operating expenses:
    
    
    
    
Sales and marketing
  2,323 
  3,630 
  12,419 
  14,315 
Technology support
  3,185 
  2,986 
  13,838 
  12,567 
General and administrative
  4,097 
  2,961 
  16,077 
  12,001 
Depreciation and amortization
  1,402 
  1,158 
  4,897 
  4,781 
Goodwill impairment
  - 
  37,688 
  5,133 
  37,688 
Long-lived asset impairment
  - 
  - 
  1,968 
  - 
     Total operating expenses
  11,007 
  48,423 
  54,332 
  81,352 
Operating income (loss)
  (5,367)
  (40,284)
  (39,072)
  (38,579)
Interest and other income (expense), net
  72 
  (656)
  250 
  (946)
Income (loss) before income tax provision (benefit)
  (5,295)
  (40,940)
  (38,822)
  (39,525)
Income tax provision (benefit)
  (10)
  24,900 
  (6)
  25,439 
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)
 $(5,285)
 $(65,840)
 $(38,816)
 $(64,964)
 
    
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
 $(0.41)
 $(5.22)
 $(3.04)
 $(5.48)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
 $(0.41)
 $(5.22)
 $(3.04)
 $(5.48)
 
    
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
 
Shares used in computing earnings (loss) per common share (in thousands):
 
    
    
 Basic
  12,892 
  12,622 
  12,756 
  11,853 
 Diluted
  12,892 
  12,622 
  12,756 
  11,853 
 
 
 
 
 
AUTOWEB, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP INCOME (LOSS) / EPS
 (Amounts in thousands, except per-share data)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 $(10,279)
 $484 
 $(5,217)
 $322 
 $(18,036)
 $69 
 $(5,285)
 $(65,840)
 $(38,816)
 $(64,964)
Amortization of acquired intangibles
  1,687 
  1,387 
  1,670 
  1,359 
  1,650 
  1,343 
  1,511 
  1,646 
  6,518 
  5,736 
Non-cash stock based compensation:
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
Cost of revenues
  15 
  20 
  4 
  19 
  2 
  19 
  2 
  19 
  23 
  78 
Sales and marketing
  225 
  412 
  159 
  402 
  520 
  409 
  77 
  481 
  981 
  1,703 
Technology support
  152 
  127 
  173 
  134 
  886 
  138 
  36 
  184 
  1,247 
  583 
General and administrative
  1,234 
  452 
  607 
  389 
  388 
  397 
  386 
  501 
  2,615 
  1,739 
Total non-cash stock-based compensation
  1,626 
  1,011 
  943 
  944 
  1,796 
  963 
  501 
  1,185 
  4,866 
  4,103 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Severance costs
  950 
  - 
  - 
  57 
  1,140 
  - 
  188 
  - 
  2,278 
  57 
Litigation settlements
  (17)
  (25)
  (25)
  (25)
  (25)
  (26)
  (25)
  (33)
  (92)
  (109)
Gain (loss) on investment
  - 
  - 
  (125)
  - 
  100 
  - 
  - 
  580 
  (25)
  580 
Goodwill impairment
  5,133 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  37,688 
  5,133 
  37,688 
Long-lived asset impairment
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  10,982 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  10,982 
  - 
Income taxes
  4 
  625 
  - 
  (166)
  - 
  81 
  (10)
  24,900 
  (6)
  25,439 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Non-GAAP income (loss)
 $(896)
 $3,482 
 $(2,754)
 $2,491 
 $(2,393)
 $2,430 
 $(3,120)
 $126 
 $(9,162)
 $8,530 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Weighted average diluted shares
  12,617 
  13,309 
  12,726 
  13,344 
  12,787 
  13,201 
  12,892 
  13,452 
  12,756 
  13,366 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Diluted GAAP EPS
 $(0.81)
 $0.04 
 $(0.41)
 $0.01 
 $(1.41)
 $0.01 
 $(0.41)
 $(5.22)
 $(3.04)
 $(5.48)
Diluted impact of adjustments
  0.74 
  0.23 
  0.19 
  0.16 
  1.22 
  0.18 
  0.17 
  4.90 
  2.32 
  5.50 
Diluted Non-GAAP EPS
 $(0.07)
 $0.26 
 $(0.22)
 $0.19 
 $(0.19)
 $0.18 
 $(0.24)
 $0.01 
 $(0.72)
 $0.64 
 
 
 
 
AUTOWEB, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED GROSS PROFIT (LOSS) AND ADJUSTED GROSS MARGIN
(Amounts in thousands, except gross margin %)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 $125,589 
 $142,125 
 
    
    
Cost of revenues
  101,315 
  99,352 
Cost of revenues - impairment
  9,014 
  - 
Gross (loss) profit
  15,260 
  42,773 
 
    
    
Non-GAAP adjustments
    
    
Cost of revenues - impairment
  9,014 
  - 
Adjusted gross profit
 $24,274 
 $42,773 
 
    
    
 
    
    
Gross margin
  12.2%
  30.1%
 
    
    
Non-GAAP adjustments
    
    
Cost of revenues - impairment
  7.2%
  0.0%
Adjusted gross margin
  19.3%
  30.1%