PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EasyLink Services Corporation (NASDAQ: EASY), a leading global provider of outsourced business process automation services that transform manual and paper-based business processes into efficient electronic processes, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006.
Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2006 were $18.0 million as compared to $18.7 million for the third quarter of 2006 and $18.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2005. Revenues for the fourth and third quarters of 2006 included approximately $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, related to a previously announced software licensing arrangement. Gross margin was 62% in both the fourth quarter of 2006 and fourth quarter of 2005 as compared to 63% in the third quarter of 2006. Gross margin for the third quarter of 2006 included approximately $0.5 million of credits from telecommunications carriers and the expected refund of Federal excise taxes previously paid. The net loss for the fourth quarter of 2006 was $98,000 or approximately $(.01) per share as compared to a loss from continuing operations of $431,000, or $(.04) per share for the third quarter of 2006. Results for the fourth quarter included a $550,000 non cash trademark impairment charge. Excluding the impairment charge, net income for the fourth quarter would have been $452,000 or approximately $.04 per share. Income from discontinued operations of $928,000 in the third quarter resulted in net income of $497,000 or $0.04 per share for the period. For the fourth quarter of 2005 net income was $547,000 or $.06 per share. All per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the Company’s 1 for 5 reverse stock split completed on August 28, 2006.
The Company further reported that it achieved earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization from continuing operations (“EBITDA”) of $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2006, as compared to EBITDA of $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2006 and $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, operating cash flows, together with reconciliation to net income or loss for all periods presented, is attached. The Company considers EBITDA to be a financial indicator of its operational strength, its ability to service debt, and its capacity to make new investments in its services.
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance increased to $6.7 million at the end of the fourth quarter as compared to $6.2 million at September 30, 2006 and $6.3 million at December 31, 2005. Net cash from operating activities amounted to $2.4 million for the current quarter and $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Thomas Murawski, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of EasyLink, said, “Fourth quarter results were in line with guidance, starting a positive earnings trend that we expect to continue throughout 2007. Despite slightly lower quarterly revenues and one time expenses resulting from our recently resolved patent dispute as well as our trademark impairment, net results approached break-even for the quarter. Overall revenues were about the same quarter to quarter after accounting for a large one-time software sale recorded primarily during the third quarter. Excluding this one-time event, TMS revenues increased about a half million dollars or approximately 9% quarter over quarter, essentially balancing out declines in TDS and EDI service revenues. Operating expenses, excluding those relating to strategic or litigation events have continued to go down, as we realize increasing savings from ongoing programs, particularly in the areas of network infrastructure consolidation and streamlining our international business. As our 2007 guidance indicates, we expect first quarter revenue to be slightly higher than the fourth quarter generating positive operating income and improved earnings. And finally, we are pleased with the improvements to our balance sheet with a year end cash balance of $6.7 million and a cash to debt ratio of 1.5 to 1, our financial health continues to improve.“
Murawski added “As it relates to strategic developments at the company, we were pleased to announce the settlement of a patent litigation matter with Dynamic Depth, Inc. with no material impact to the company. Additionally, a committee of the board of directors is continuing its review of strategic alternatives and expects to complete its work and make a recommendation to the full board in the near term. We are keeping this process as separate from our day-to-day operations as possible, and will make further announcements as significant events arise.”
For the fourth quarter of 2006 in comparison to the third quarter of 2006 and the fourth quarter of 2005, revenues (in thousands) for the Company’s services were as follows:
%
%
4th Quarter
2006
3rd Quarter
2006
Increase/
(Decrease)
4th Quarter
2005
Increase/
(Decrease)
TMS
$
5,789
$
5,927
(2.3%)
$
4,161
39.1%
TDS - EDI
$
4,204
$
4,480
(6.2%)
$
4,474
(6.0%)
TDS - Other
$
8,030
$
8,282
(3.0%)
$
9,875
(18.7%)
$
18,023
$
18,689
(3.6%)
$
18,510
(2.6%)
Full Year 2006 Results (Unaudited)
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 were $74.0 million as compared to $78.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2005. The Company reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2006 of $67,000 or $ (.01) per share, compared to a net loss of $1.1 million, or ($.12) per share, for the year ended December 31, 2005. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for the full year 2006 amounted to $4.3 million as compared to $5.3 million for the full year 2005.
Business Outlook
The following statements are forward looking and actual results may differ materially due to factors noted at the end of this release, among others.
For the first quarter of 2007 EasyLink expects:
Revenues in the range of $18.0 to $18.3 million with TMS revenues in the range of $6.0 to 6.2 million, EDI revenue in the range of $4.0 to $4.2 million and TDS revenues in the range of $7.9 to $8.0 to million.
Earnings in the range of $.03 to $.06 per share.
For the year 2007:
Revenues are expected to be in the range of $70 to $73 million.
Earnings are expected to be in the range of $.20 to $.30 per share.
Quarterly Conference Call
EasyLink will host its quarterly conference call today at 10:30 a.m. EST. Listeners should call five minutes prior to the start of the call to 800/340-8363 and the reservation number is 8455331. The call will also be broadcast over the Internet. Online listeners should visit the investor relations’ pages of the EasyLink Web site, www.EasyLink.com, or www.streetevents.com prior to the start of the call for login information. If you are unable to participate, the online archive of the broadcast will be available on the investor relation’s pages of www.EasyLink.com within two hours of the live call through 11:00 p.m. EST March 16. You can also access the replay by calling 800/642-1687 and entering the reservation number 8455331.
About EasyLink Services Corporation
EasyLink Services Corporation (NASDAQ: EASY), headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, is a leading global provider of outsourced business process automation services that enable medium and large enterprises, including 60 of the Fortune 100, to improve productivity and competitiveness by transforming manual and paper-based business processes into efficient electronic business processes. EasyLink is integral to the movement of information, money, materials, products and people in the global economy, dramatically improving the flow of data and documents for mission-critical business processes such as client communications via invoices, statements and confirmations, insurance claims, purchasing, shipping and payments. Driven by the discipline of Six Sigma Quality, EasyLink helps companies become more competitive by providing the most secure, efficient, reliable, and flexible means of conducting business electronically. For more information, please visit www.EasyLink.com.
This news release may contain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or financial results of EasyLink Services Corporation.Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and actual events or results may differ materially.In evaluating such statements, investors should specifically consider the various factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated from such forward-looking statements.These include: the ability to service our remaining indebtedness; the ability to continue as a going concern being dependent upon the ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our obligations on a timely basis, to obtain additional financing or refinancing as may be required, and to achieve and maintain profitable operations; the ability to attract additional customers or to expand services sold to existing customers; the ability to successfully implement our business strategy; the ability to commence service for new customers on a timely basis and to ramp usage by such customers in accordance with our expectations;and significant competition. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in more detail in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
