Document


 


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



FORM 8-K 



CURRENT REPORT
 
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): May 8, 2019



FLUENT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


  
Delaware
 
001-37893
 
77-0688094
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
300 Vesey Street, 9th Floor
New York, New York
 
10282
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (646) 669-7272
_________________________
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2 (b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4 (c))
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company ☐
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐


 





Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On May 8, 2019, Fluent, Inc. issued a press release announcing first quarter 2019 financial results. The press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
 
The information included herein and in Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
 
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d) Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
 
Press release, dated May 8, 2019
 
 
 
 
 

 
 





SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
Fluent, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
May 8, 2019
By:  
/s/ Ryan Schulke
 
 
Name:  
Ryan Schulke 
 
 
Title:  
Chief Executive Officer 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1

 
Fluent Announces First Quarter 2019 Financial Results
 
Q1 2019 revenue of $66.6 million, up 19% over Q1 2018
Net income from continuing operations of $1.0 million, or $0.01 per share
Media margin of $23.1 million, up 20% over Q1 2018 and representing 35% of revenue
Adjusted EBITDA of $9.1 million, representing 14% of revenue
Adjusted net income of $4.1 million, or $0.05 per share
 
New York, NY – May 8, 2019 – Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT), a leading data-driven performance marketing company, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.
 
Ryan Schulke, Fluent’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our 2019 first quarter results delivered on our previously articulated goals. We continue to gain market recognition for Fluent's unique data-driven approach and first-party proprietary data asset, along with the effectiveness of our performance campaigns, particularly in the mobile app acquisition space. Coupling this with additions to our senior-level leadership team supports the delivery of our longer-term strategic priorities."
First Quarter Highlights
Revenue of $66.6 million, an increase of 19% over Q1 2018.
Net income from continuing operations of $1.0 million, or $0.01 per share, compared to net loss from continuing operations of $5.6 million, or $0.08 per share, in Q1 2018.
Media margin of $23.1 million, an increase of 20% over Q1 2018 and representing 35% of revenue.
Adjusted EBITDA of $9.1 million, representing 14% of revenue.
Adjusted net income of $4.1 million, or $0.05 per share.
Media margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income are non-GAAP financial measures. Media margin is defined as revenue minus cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) attributable to variable costs paid for media and related expenses. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations, excluding (1) income taxes, (2) interest expense, net, (3) depreciation and amortization, (4) share-based compensation expense, (5) acquisition-related costs, (6) restructuring and certain severance costs, (7) certain litigation and related costs, and (8) one-time items. Adjusted net income is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations, excluding (1) share-based compensation expense, (2) acquisition-related costs, (3) restructuring and certain severance costs, (4) certain litigation and related costs, and (5) one-time items. Adjusted net income is also presented on a per share (basic and diluted) basis. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures are provided below.
Conference Call
Fluent, Inc. will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at 4:30 PM ET to discuss its 2019 first quarter financial results. To listen to the conference call on your telephone, please dial (888) 339-0797 for domestic callers, or (412) 317-5248 for international callers. To access the live audio webcast, visit the Fluent website at investors.fluentco.com. Please login at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to ensure adequate time for any downloads that may be required. Following completion of the earnings call, a recorded replay of the webcast will be available for those unable to participate. To listen to the telephone replay, please dial (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088 with the replay passcode 10130460. The replay will also be available for one week on the Fluent website at investors.fluentco.com.
About Fluent, Inc.
Fluent (NASDAQ: FLNT) is a leading performance marketing company with expertise in creating meaningful connections between consumers and brands. Leveraging our proprietary first-party database of opted-in consumer profiles, Fluent drives intelligent growth strategies that deliver superior outcomes. Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in New York City. For more information, visit www.fluentco.com.



Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
The matters contained in this press release may be considered to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations or anticipations of Fluent and members of our management team. Factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the following: compliance with a significant number of governmental laws and regulations, including those laws and regulations regarding privacy and data; failure to safeguard the personal information and other data contained in our database; failure to compete effectively against other online marketing and advertising companies; dependence on third-party publishers, internet search providers and social media platforms for a significant portion of visitors to our websites; dependence on our key personnel; dependence on emails, text messages and telephone calls, among other channels, to reach users for marketing purposes; competition we face for web traffic; ability to compete in an industry characterized by rapidly-changing internet media and advertising technology, evolving industry standards, regulatory uncertainty, and changing user and client demands; liability related to actions of third-party publishers; limitations on our or our third-party publishers’ ability to collect and use data derived from user activities; ability to remain competitive with the shift of online interactions from computers to mobile devices; dependence on third-party service providers; management of the growth of our operations; management of unfavorable publicity and negative public perception about our industry; failure to meet our clients’ performance metrics or changing needs; failure to detect click-through or other fraud on advertisements; achievement of some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve as a stand-alone company; failure to adequately protect intellectual property rights or allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights; compliance with the covenants of our credit agreement; and the potential for failures in our internal control over financial reporting. These and additional factors to be considered are set forth under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Fluent undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results or expectations.

 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
FLUENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
18,707

 
$
17,769

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $595 and $1,751
 
44,023

 
48,652

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
2,572

 
1,971

Total current assets
 
65,302

 
68,392

Restricted cash
 
1,480

 
1,480

Property and equipment, net
 
2,838

 
1,380

Right-of-use asset
 
10,584

 

Intangible assets, net
 
59,059

 
61,812

Goodwill
 
159,791

 
159,791

Other non-current assets
 
435

 
414

Total assets
 
$
299,489

 
$
293,269

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
6,364

 
$
7,855

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
15,528

 
21,566

Deferred revenue
 
674

 
444

Current portion of long-term debt
 
4,824

 
3,500

Current portion of operating lease liability
 
1,134

 

Total current liabilities
 
28,524

 
33,365

Long-term debt, net
 
50,092

 
51,972

Operating lease liability
 
10,037

 

Other non-current liabilities
 
795

 
766

Total liabilities
 
89,448

 
86,103

Shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock - $0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and
outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018
 

 

Common stock - $0.0005 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 77,603,189 and
76,525,581 shares issued at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively;                                   
and 76,048,360 and 75,292,383 shares outstanding at March 31, 2019 and
December 31, 2018, respectively
 
39

 
38

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,554,829 and 1,233,198 shares at March 31, 2019 and
December 31, 2018, respectively
 
(4,882
)
 
(3,272
)
Additional paid-in capital
 
399,208

 
395,769

Accumulated deficit
 
(184,324
)
 
(185,369
)
Total shareholders' equity
 
210,041

 
207,166

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
299,489

 
$
293,269











 



FLUENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)


 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Revenue
 
$
66,561

 
$
55,989

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
 
44,829

 
37,619

Sales and marketing (1)
 
3,434

 
3,102

Product development (1)
 
2,150

 
734

General and administrative (1)
 
10,043

 
6,659

Depreciation and amortization
 
3,317

 
3,331

Spin-off transaction costs (1)
 

 
7,708

Total costs and expenses
 
63,773

 
59,153

Income (loss) from operations
 
2,788

 
(3,164
)
Interest expense, net
 
(1,778
)
 
(2,394
)
Income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations
 
1,010

 
(5,558
)
Income tax benefit
 
35

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
1,045

 
(5,558
)
Discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
Loss from operations of discontinued operations, net of $0 income taxes
 

 
(2,084
)
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of $0 income taxes
 

 
(19,040
)
Net loss from discontinued operations
 

 
(21,124
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
1,045

 
$
(26,682
)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
$
0.01

 
$
(0.08
)
Discontinued operations
 
$

 
$
(0.30
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
0.01

 
$
(0.37
)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
79,097,426

 
71,537,743

Diluted
 
80,063,989

 
71,537,743

 
 
 
 
 
(1) Amounts include share-based compensation expense as follows:
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
 
$
369

 
$
666

Product development
 
245

 
158

General and administrative
 
1,661

 
415

Spin-off transaction costs
 

 
5,409

Total share-based compensation expense
 
$
2,275

 
$
6,648














FLUENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net (income) loss
 
$
1,045

 
$
(26,682
)
Net loss from discontinued operations
 

 
21,124

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
3,317

 
3,331

Non-cash interest expense and related amortization
 
319

 
724

Share-based compensation expense
 
2,275

 
6,648

Recovery of bad debt
 

 
(14
)
Allocation of expenses to Red Violet
 

 
(325
)
Deferred income taxes
 
(35
)
 

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
4,629

 
2,127

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
(601
)
 
(1,609
)
Other non-current assets
 
(21
)
 
537

Operating lease assets and liabilities
 
587

 

Accounts payable
 
(1,629
)
 
(3,291
)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
(4,929
)
 
359

Deferred revenue
 
230

 
(46
)
Other liabilities
 
(22
)
 

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations
 
5,165

 
2,883

Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations
 

 
(5,835
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
5,165

 
(2,952
)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of property and equipment
 
(1,385
)
 
(22
)
Capitalized costs included in intangible assets
 
(357
)
 
(177
)
Capital contributed to Red Violet
 

 
(19,728
)
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations
 
(1,742
)
 
(19,927
)
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations
 

 
(1,386
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(1,742
)
 
(21,313
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of shares, net of issuance costs
 

 
13,392

Proceeds from debt obligations, net of debt costs
 

 
67,182

Repayments of long-term debt
 
(875
)
 
(67,107
)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of vesting of restricted stock units
 
(1,610
)
 
(398
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(2,485
)
 
13,069

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
938

 
(11,196
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
 
19,249

 
16,564

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
 
$
20,187

 
$
5,368






Definitions, Reconciliations and Uses of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following non-GAAP measures are used in this release:
Media margin is defined as revenue minus cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) attributable to variable costs paid for media and related expenses. Media margin is also presented as percentage of revenue.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations, excluding (1) income taxes, (2) interest expense, net, (3) depreciation and amortization, (4) share-based compensation expense, (5) acquisition-related costs, (6) restructuring and certain severance costs, (7) certain litigation and related costs, and (8) one-time items.
Adjusted net income is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations, excluding (1) share-based compensation expense, (2) acquisition-related costs, (3) restructuring and certain severance costs, (4) certain litigation and related costs, and (5) one-time items. Adjusted net income per share is defined as adjusted net income per basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Adjusted net income is also presented on a per share (basic and diluted) basis.
Below is a reconciliation of media margin from net income (loss) from continuing operations, which we believe is the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
1,045

 
$
(5,558
)
Income tax benefit
 
(35
)
 

Interest expense, net
 
1,778

 
2,394

Spin-off transaction costs
 

 
7,708

Depreciation and amortization
 
3,317

 
3,331

General and administrative
 
10,043

 
6,659

Product development
 
2,150

 
734

Sales and marketing
 
3,434

 
3,102

Non-media cost of revenue (1)
 
1,361

 
943

Media margin
 
$
23,093

 
$
19,313

Revenue
 
$
66,561

 
$
55,989

Media margin % of revenue
 
34.7
%
 
34.5
%
(1) Represents the portion of cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) not attributable to variable costs paid for media and related expenses.
Below is a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA from net income (loss) from continuing operations, which we believe is the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
1,045

 
$
(5,558
)
Income taxes
 
(35
)
 

Interest expense, net
 
1,778

 
2,394

Depreciation and amortization
 
3,317

 
3,331

Share-based compensation expense
 
2,275

 
6,648

Acquisition-related costs
 

 
417

Restructuring and certain severance costs
 
110

 
2,322

Certain litigation and other related costs
 
489

 
46

One-time items
 
168

 

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
9,147

 
$
9,600





Below is a reconciliation of adjusted net income and the related measure of adjusted net income per share from net income (loss) from continuing operations, which we believe is the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands, except share data)
 
2019
 
2018
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
1,045

 
$
(5,558
)
Share-based compensation expense
 
2,275

 
6,648

Acquisition-related costs
 

 
417

Restructuring and certain severance costs
 
110

 
2,322

Certain litigation and other related costs
 
489

 
46

One-time items
 
168

 

Adjusted net income
 
$
4,087

 
$
3,875

Adjusted net income per share:
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted
 
$
0.05

 
$
0.05

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
79,097,426

 
71,537,743

Diluted
 
80,063,989

 
71,537,743

We present media margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share as supplemental measures of our financial and operating performance because we believe they provide useful information to investors. More specifically:
Media margin is a measure of the efficiency of the Company’s operating model. We use media margin and the related measure of media margin as a percentage of revenue as primary metrics to measure the financial return on our media and related costs, specifically to measure the degree by which the revenue generated from our digital marketing services exceeds the cost to attract the consumers to whom offers are made through our services. Media margin is used extensively by our management to manage our operating performance, including evaluating operational performance against budgeted media margin and understanding the efficiency of our media and related expenditures. We also use media margin for performance evaluations and compensation decisions regarding certain personnel.
Adjusted EBITDA is another primary metric by which we evaluate the operating performance of our business, on which certain operating expenditures and internal budgets are based and by which, in addition to media margin and other factors, our senior management is compensated. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations, excluding (1) income taxes, (2) interest expense, net, (3) depreciation and amortization, (4) share-based compensation expense, (5) acquisition-related costs, (6) restructuring and certain severance costs, (7) certain litigation and related costs, and (8) one-time items. The first three adjustments represent the conventional definition of EBITDA, and the remaining adjustments are items recognized and recorded under GAAP in particular periods but might be viewed as not necessarily coinciding with the underlying business operations for the periods in which they are so recognized and recorded. These adjustments include certain severance costs associated with department-specific reorganizations and certain litigation and related costs associated with extraordinary legal matters. Items are considered one-time in nature if they are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual and have not occurred in the past two years or are not expected to recur in the next two years, in accordance with SEC rules. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2019 excluded as one-time items $0.2 million of costs associated with the move of our corporate headquarters. There were no other adjustments for one-time items in the periods presented.
Adjusted net income and the related measure of adjusted net income per share exclude from net income (loss) from continuing operations (1) share-based compensation expense, (2) acquisition-related costs, (3) restructuring and certain severance costs, (4) certain litigation and related costs, and (5) one-time items. These items are recognized and recorded under GAAP in particular periods but might be viewed as not necessarily coinciding with the underlying business operations for the periods in which they are so recognized and recorded. Adjusted net income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 excluded as one-time items $0.2 million of costs associated with the move of our corporate headquarters. There were no other adjustments for one-time items in the periods presented. We believe adjusted net income affords investors a different view of the overall financial performance of the Company than adjusted EBITDA and the GAAP measure of net income from continuing operations.
Media margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share are not intended to be performance measures that should be regarded as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) from continuing operations as indicators of operating performance. None of these metrics are presented as measures of liquidity. The way we measure media margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies and may not be identical to corresponding measures used in our various agreements.
 



Contact Information: 
Investor Relations
Fluent, Inc.
(917) 310-2070
InvestorRelations@fluentco.com