Stamps.com Announces Record Second Quarter 2015 Results

Revenue up 41%; Non-GAAP EPS up 76% to $0.97


EL SEGUNDO, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 6, 2015) - Stamps.com® (NASDAQ: STMP), the leading provider of postage online and shipping software solutions, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015.

Highlights for the second quarter:

  • Core Mailing and Shipping revenue, which includes the ShipStation and ShipWorks subsidiaries, was $46.8 million, up 45% compared to the second quarter of 2014.

  • Total revenue was $48.4 million, up 41% compared to the second quarter of 2014.

  • On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $16.8 million and net income per fully-diluted share was $0.97.

  • Non-GAAP results exclude $3.4 million of stock-based compensation expense, $0.7 million of intangible amortization expense, $4.2 million of non-recurring expenses, $13.6 million of contingent consideration charges, a $10.0 million litigation settlement expense and a $4.8 million non-cash income tax benefit.

"We are pleased with our continued strong revenue and earnings growth this quarter," said Ken McBride, Stamps.com's chairman and CEO. "We achieved record performance across multiple financial and customer metrics including total revenue, core mailing and shipping revenue, non-GAAP earnings per share, paid customers and average revenue per paid customer. In addition, we saw continued growth across all of our business segments and we experienced positive contributions from our ShipStation and ShipWorks subsidiaries. We remain excited about our future prospects which led us to increase our guidance for 2015." 

Second Quarter 2015 Detailed Results

Core Mailing and Shipping revenue, including the small business, enterprise and high volume shipping customer segments, and excluding the enhanced promotion and PhotoStamps revenue, was $46.8 million, up 45% versus the second quarter of 2014. Non-core PhotoStamps revenue and non-core Mailing and Shipping revenue from the enhanced promotion channel, which includes online programs where additional promotions are provided directly by marketing partners, was $1.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and was down 21% and 19%, respectively, versus the second quarter of 2014 as the Company continued to minimize its investment in both areas. Mailing and Shipping gross margin was 80.8%, PhotoStamps gross margin was 17.8% and total gross margin was 79.5%.

On a GAAP basis, the Company recorded a net loss for the second quarter of $10.4 million. On a per share basis, total second quarter 2015 GAAP net loss was $0.64 based on 16.4 million shares outstanding. Second quarter 2015 GAAP net income was reduced by $3.4 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, $0.7 million of non-cash intangible amortization expense, $4.2 million of non-recurring expenses including those related to the regulatory review process of the proposed acquisition of Endicia, $13.6 million of non-cash contingent consideration charges, $10.0 million for a non-recurring litigation settlement expense and was increased by a $4.8 million non-cash income tax benefit resulting from the GAAP net loss. The $10.0 million litigation settlement was a non-recurring expense that resulted from a settlement with Express One that resolved all disputes between the parties. The contingent consideration charge resulted from changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration related to the ShipStation acquisition that was driven primarily by the increase in the Company's stock price during the second quarter. 

GAAP net loss per share was calculated using basic shares outstanding in accordance with ASC 260 which excludes the impact of common stock equivalents that would have an anti-dilutive effect on GAAP net loss per share. Non-GAAP net income per share was calculated using fully diluted shares outstanding, which includes the impact of common stock equivalents, due to the second quarter Non-GAAP net income.

Non-GAAP and GAAP amounts are reconciled in the following table:

                                                 
Second Quarter Fiscal 2015
All amounts in millions except per share or margin data:
  Non-GAAP
Amounts
    Stock-Based
Compensation
Expense
    Intangible
Amortization
Expense
    Non-Recurring
Expenses
    Contingent
Consideration
Charge
    Litigation
Settlement
Expense
    Income Tax
Benefit
  GAAP
Amounts
   
                                                                 
Cost of Revenues   $ 9.74     $ 0.20     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -   $ 9.94    
Research & Development     4.06       0.62       -       -       -       -       -     4.68    
Sales & Marketing     11.68       0.85       -       -       -       -       -     12.54    
General & Administrative     6.08       1.73       0.71       4.24       -       -       -     12.76    
Contingent Consideration Charge     -       -       -       -       13.60       -       -     13.60    
Litigation Settlement     -       -       -       -       -       10.00       -     10.00    
                                                                 
Total Expenses     31.56       3.40       0.71       4.24       13.60       10.00       -     63.51    
                                                                 
Gross Margin     79.9 %     (0.4 %)     --       --       --       --       --     79.5 %  
                                                                 
Income (Loss) from Operations     16.80       (3.40 )     (0.71 )     (4.24 )     (13.60 )     (10.00 )     -     (15.15 )  
                                                                 
Operating Margin     34.7 %     (7.0 %)     (1.5 %)     (8.8 %)     (28.1 %)     (20.7 %)     -     (31.3 %)  
                                                                 
Interest and Other Income     (0.01 )     -       -       -       -       -       -     (0.01 )  
                                                                 
Pre-Tax Income (Loss)     16.79       (3.40 )     (0.71 )     (4.24 )     (13.60 )     (10.00 )     -     (15.17 )  
                                                                 
Benefit (Expense) for Income Taxes     (0.02 )     -       -       -       -       -       4.75     4.74    
                                                                 
Net Income (Loss)     16.77       (3.40 )     (0.71 )     (4.24 )     (13.60 )     (10.00 )     4.75     (10.43 )  
                                                                 
On a diluted per share basis   $ 0.97     $ (0.21 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.26 )   $ (0.83 )   $ (0.61 )   $ 0.29   $ (0.64 )  
                                                                 
Shares used in per share calculation     17.30       16.40       16.40       16.40       16.40       16.40       16.40     16.40   *
* Common equivalent shares are excluded from the GAAP diluted earnings per share calculation as their effect is anti-dillutive
 

Excluding the stock-based compensation expense, intangible amortization expense, non-recurring expenses, contingent consideration charges, non-recurring litigation settlement expense and non-cash income tax benefit, second quarter 2015 non-GAAP operating income was $16.8 million and non-GAAP net income was $16.8 million or $0.97 per share based on 17.3 million fully-diluted shares outstanding. This compares to second quarter 2014 non-GAAP operating income of $9.1 million and non-GAAP net income of $9.0 million or $0.55 per share based on fully-diluted shares outstanding of 16.4 million. Therefore, second quarter non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, and non-GAAP fully-diluted earnings per share increased by 85%, 86% and 76% year-over-year, respectively. 

Taxes, NOL Update and Share Repurchase

The Company has an approximately $60 million Deferred Tax Asset on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company reported GAAP taxes that included a non-cash income tax benefit of $4.8 million due to its second quarter GAAP net loss position. The Company will continue to use its net operating losses and other tax credits and thus expects to pay alternative minimum cash taxes for the remainder of 2015 consistent with prior years.

The Company has significant tax net operating losses ("NOL") which could potentially be impaired by shifts in ownership under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. As part of its ongoing program to preserve future use of its NOL asset, the Company requests that any shareholder contemplating becoming a 5% shareholder contact the Company before doing so.

During the second quarter of 2015, the Company did not repurchase any shares. The Company's current repurchase plan remains in effect through November 2015 with a remaining authorization of one million shares.

Business Outlook

For 2015, the Company currently estimates revenue to be in a range of $170 to $190 million; this compares to previous guidance of $165 to $185 million. Non-GAAP net income per fully-diluted share is currently expected to be in a range of $3.10 to $3.50; this compares to previous guidance of $2.55 to $2.95 per fully-diluted share. Non-GAAP net income per fully-diluted share excludes non-cash stock-based compensation expenses which are estimated to be approximately $16 million; non-cash amortization of acquired intangibles which is estimated to be approximately $3 million; non-cash changes in contingent consideration charges; non-cash tax expenses or benefits; and other non-recurring items.

Company Customer Metrics and Conference Call

A complete set of the quarterly customer metrics for the past nine fiscal years and current year-to-date is available at http://investor.stamps.com (under a tab on the left side called Company Information, Metrics).

The Stamps.com financial results conference call will be webcast today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time and may be accessed at http://investor.stamps.com. The Company plans to discuss its business outlook during the conference call. Following the conclusion of the webcast, a replay of the call will be available at the same website. 

About Stamps.com, ShipStation and ShipWorks

Stamps.com (NASDAQ: STMP) is a leading provider of Internet-based postage services. Stamps.com's service enables customers to print U.S. Postal Service-approved postage with just a computer, printer and Internet Connection, right from their homes or offices. The Company has been the leader in transforming the world of mailing and shipping for small business owners, e-commerce sellers, high volume shippers and enterprise organizations alike. The Company currently has PC Postage partnerships with Avery, Microsoft, HP, the U.S. Postal Service and others. Stamps.com was named to Forbes magazine's "America's Best Small Companies" list in both 2013 and 2014.

ShipStation is the leading web-based shipping solution that helps eCommerce retailers import, organize, process, package, and ship their orders quickly and easily from any web browser. ShipStation features the most integrations of any eCommerce web-based solution with approximately 75 shopping carts, marketplaces, package carriers, and fulfillment services. Integration partners include eBay, PayPal, Amazon, Etsy, Square, Shopify, BigCommerce, Volusion, Magento, Squarespace, and carriers such as USPS, UPS, FedEx and DHL. ShipStation has sophisticated automation features such as automated order importing, custom hierarchical rules, product profiles, and fulfillment solutions that enable its customers to complete their orders, wherever they sell, and however they ship.

ShipWorks is the leading client-based shipping solution that helps high volume shippers import, organize process, fulfill, and ship their orders quickly and easily from any standard PC. With integrations to approximately 65 shopping carts, marketplaces, package carriers, and fulfillment services, ShipWorks has the most integrations of any high-volume client shipping solution. Package carriers include USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, OnTrac and many more. Marketplace and shopping cart integrations include eBay, PayPal, Amazon, Etsy, Shopify, BigCommerce, Volusion, Channel Advisor, Magento, and many more. ShipWorks has sophisticated automation features such as a custom rules engine, automated order importing, automatic product profile detection, and fulfillment automation, which enable high volume shippers to complete their orders, quickly and efficiently.

About Non-GAAP Measures and Share Repurchase Timing

To supplement the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, Stamps.com uses non-GAAP measures of certain components of financial performance. These non-GAAP measures include non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP pre-tax income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, and non-GAAP gross margin and non-GAAP operating margin. Reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measures of all non-GAAP measures included in this press release can be found in the financial tables of this earnings release.

Non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance, prospects for the future and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding certain expenses and benefits that may not be indicative of recurring core business operating results. The Company believes the non-GAAP measures that exclude items such as stock-based compensation, asset write-offs, one-time expenses such as those associated with the relocation of its corporate headquarters, dividend-related compensation expense, litigation settlements, amortization expense of acquired intangibles, acquisition and integration related corporate development expenses, contingent consideration charges and non-cash income tax adjustments, when viewed with GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliation, enhance the comparability of results against prior periods and allow for greater transparency of financial results. The Company believes non-GAAP measures facilitate management's internal comparison of the Company's financial performance to that of prior periods as well as trend analysis for budgeting and planning purposes. The presentation of non-GAAP measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Note that the Company does not believe that a quantitative reconciliation to GAAP net income in its 2015 business outlook is reasonably available because of the difficulty of predicting such matters as the change in contingent consideration charge which could be a material expense or gain that could result in a significantly different GAAP amount.

The timing of share repurchases, if any, and the number of shares to be bought at any one time will depend on market conditions and the Company's assessment of the risk that its net operating loss asset could be impaired if such repurchases were undertaken. Share repurchases may be made from time-to-time on the open market or in negotiated transactions at the Company's discretion in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's purchase of any of its shares may be subject to limitations imposed on such purchases by applicable securities laws and regulations and the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release includes forward-looking statements about anticipated results that involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors, including the Company's ability to complete and ship its products, maintain desirable economics for its products and obtain or maintain regulatory approval, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, are detailed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made from time to time by STAMPS.COM, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. STAMPS.COM 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.

Stamps.com, the Stamps.com logo, ShipStation, ShipWorks and PhotoStamps are trademarks or registered trademarks of Stamps.com Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands and names are property of their respective owners.

   
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
                             
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  
(in thousands, except per share data: unaudited)  
                             
    Three Months ended
June 30,
    Six Months ended
June 30,
 
    2015       2014     2015       2014  
Revenues:                                    
  Service   $ 40,378       $ 26,921     $ 76,027       $ 52,564  
  Product     4,270         3,955       9,013         8,568  
  Insurance     2,631         2,047       5,293         4,040  
  PhotoStamps     1,072         1,359       2,061         2,408  
  Other     9         2       18         2  
    Total revenues     48,360         34,284       92,412         67,582  
Cost of revenues:                                    
  Service     6,695         4,449       12,966         8,818  
  Product     1,435         1,292       3,036         2,834  
  Insurance     927         717       1,850         1,405  
  PhotoStamps     881         1,158       1,711         2,004  
    Total cost of revenues     9,938         7,616       19,563         15,061  
    Gross profit     38,422         26,668       72,849         52,521  
Operating expenses:                                    
  Sales and marketing     12,536         10,663       26,557         22,033  
  Research and development     4,680         3,036       8,962         5,952  
  General and administrative     12,763         5,350       20,534         9,547  
  Contingent consideration charge     13,595         -       24,107         -  
  Litigation settlement     10,000         -       10,000         -  
    Total operating expenses     53,574         19,049       90,160         37,532  
    (Loss) income from operations     (15,152 )       7,619       (17,311 )       14,989  
                                     
Interest and other (loss) income, net     (14 )       89       55         225  
(Loss) income before income taxes     (15,166 )       7,708       (17,256 )       15,214  
Income tax benefit     (4,735 )       (3,466 )     (5,855 )       (3,294 )
Net (loss) income   $ (10,431 )     $ 11,174     $ (11,401 )     $ 18,508  
Net (loss) income per share:                                    
  Basic   $ (0.64 )     $ 0.70     $ (0.70 )     $ 1.15  
  Diluted   $ (0.64 )     $ 0.68     $ (0.70 )     $ 1.12  
Weighted average shares outstanding:                                    
  Basic     16,402         15,993       16,280         16,107  
  Diluted     16,402   *     16,378       16,280   *     16,521  
                                     
* Common equivalent shares are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as their effect is anti-dillutive  
                                     
             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
(in thousands, unaudited)  
             
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2015     2014  
                 
ASSETS                
Cash and investments   $ 90,570     $ 57,630  
Accounts receivable     14,654       12,325  
Other current assets     6,356       6,071  
Property and equipment, net     29,745       30,427  
Goodwill and intangible assets, net     84,846       86,463  
Deferred tax     60,272       53,816  
Other assets     8,770       7,999  
    Total assets   $ 295,213     $ 254,731  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Liabilities:                
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 38,097     $ 22,521  
  Deferred revenue     2,241       2,164  
  Contingent consideration     40,398       25,015  
    Total liabilities     80,736       49,700  
                 
Stockholders' equity:                
  Common stock     52       51  
  Additional paid-in capital     698,935       678,075  
  Treasury Stock     (172,410 )     (172,410 )
  Accumulated deficit     (312,147 )     (300,746 )
  Accumulated other comprehensive income     47       61  
    Total stockholders' equity     214,477       205,031  
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 295,213     $ 254,731