MIVA Announces First Quarter 2008 Results

MIVA, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIVA), today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008. First Quarter 2008 Results Summary: Revenue of $33.0 million in Q1 2008, compared to revenue of $34.6 million in Q4 2007; Gross margins of 51.9% in Q1 2008, compared to 52.3% in Q4 2007; EBITDA loss of $3.8 million in Q1 2008, compared to an EBITDA loss of $8.9 million in Q4 2007. Q1 2008 EBITDA loss included $0.7 million in non cash compensation charges and $0.1 million in restructuring charges. Q4 2007 EBITDA loss included $4.7 million non-cash tangible and intangible asset impairment charges related to our Media U.S. business, $1.3 million related to a portion of the Lane’s Gifts litigation settlement, $0.2 million in non-cash compensation, and $(0.2) million in recapture of restructuring expenses; Adjusted EBITDA loss was $2.9 million in Q1 2008 and Q4 2007; and GAAP net loss of $5.1 million or $(0.16) per basic share in Q1 2008, compared to a GAAP net loss of $11.5 million or $(0.36) per basic share in Q4 2007. "With the continued rollout of our ALOT brand across more toolbar verticals, we expect to shift our MIVA Direct business to a higher margin and higher revenue per toolbar base. Although our MIVA Direct revenue decreased 4.7% from Q4 2007 to Q1 2008, we believe this is a temporary gap as we scale our ALOT branded toolbars and deemphasize our legacy brand. In the first quarter, we increased our ALOT toolbar user base to 2.1 million users as of March 31, 2008, compared to 1.0 million users as of December 31, 2007. Moreover, I am pleased to report that during Q1 2008 the overall metrics of our ALOT brand were better than our legacy brand. Our ALOT user retention rates were 14% higher than our legacy brand and revenue per user was approximately 54% better than our legacy brand. We expect these favorable trends to enable us to return to growth in Q3 2008 for our Direct business as we ramp the distribution of the ALOT brand into new verticals and new geographies,” said Peter Corrao, Chief Executive Officer of MIVA. "Our Media business, which includes our pay per click contextual network, generally performed to plan with a slightly lower revenue base and traffic acquisition costs” continued Corrao. First Quarter Results Revenue was $33.0 million in Q1 2008, compared to revenue of $34.6 million in Q4 2007. MIVA Direct contributed 36.6% of total revenue in Q1 2008, compared to 36.7% in Q4 2007. MIVA Direct’s revenue decreased by approximately $0.6 million sequentially from Q4 2007 to Q1 2008 and MIVA Direct’s ad spend increased slightly from $7.5 million to $7.6 million over the same period. Our revenue decline at MIVA Direct for Q1 2008 compared to Q4 2007 is due primarily to a decline in our active toolbar installed base from 7.1 million to 6.5 million which was partially offset by increased revenue per user. Gross margins were essentially flat at 51.9% in Q1 2008, compared to 52.3% in Q4 2007. Total operating expenses were approximately $22.3 million in Q1 2008, compared to $29.1 million in Q4 2007. The $6.8 million decrease in operating expenses included Q4 2007 expenses of $4.7 million in non-cash tangible and intangible asset impairment charges related to our Media U.S. business and $1.3 million related to a portion of the Lane’s Gifts litigation settlement. Adjusting for these one-time expenses, our operating expenses were approximately $22.3 million compared to the adjusted Q4 2007 operating expenses of $23.1 million. Q1 2008 operating expenses included $0.7 million in non-cash compensation expense compared to Q4 2007 non-cash compensation expense of net $0.2 million, which included net adjustments of approximately $(0.7) million. EBITDA was a loss of $3.8 million in Q1 2008, compared to an EBITDA loss of $8.9 million in Q4 2007. Q4 2007 EBITDA included $4.7 million non-cash impairment charge related to our MIVA Media US assets and $1.3 million related to a portion of the Lane’s Gifts litigation settlement. Normalizing for these items, EBITDA loss was $2.9 million in Q4 2007 versus $3.8 million in Q1 2008. Adjusted EBITDA loss was $2.9 million in both Q1 2008 and Q4 2007. Q1 2008 Adjusted EBITDA loss excluded $0.7 million in non-cash compensation charges and $0.1 million in restructuring charges. Q4 2007 Adjusted EBITDA loss excluded $4.7 million non-cash impairment charge, $1.3 million in settlement charges for a portion of the Lane’s Gifts litigation settlement, and $0.2 million in net non-cash compensation expense. GAAP net loss was $5.1 million or $(0.16) per basic share in Q1 2008. This compares to GAAP net loss of $11.5 million, or $(0.36) per basic share in Q4 2007. Adjusted net loss was $3.5 million or $0.11 per basic share in Q1 2008, compared to adjusted net loss of $4.3 million or $0.13 per basic share in Q4 2007. Q1 2008 Adjusted net loss excluded $0.7 million in amortization, $0.7 million in non cash compensation expense and $0.1 million in restructuring expense. Q4 2007 Adjusted net loss excluded $4.7 million non-cash impairment charge, $1.3 million related to a portion of the Lane’s Gifts litigation settlement, $1.2 million in amortization, and $0.2 million in net non-cash compensation expense. Cash and cash equivalents were $22.6 million at March 31, 2008, a decrease of $7.3 million from December 31, 2007 cash of $29.9 million. The primary reasons for the decrease in cash from Q4 2007 include the timing of payments to affiliates, payment of 2007 bonuses and operating loss for the quarter. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had an active base of 213 full time employees, which represent a decrease from the 230 full time employees as of December 31, 2007, and down from the 346 full-time employees as of March 31, 2007. This decrease from March 2007 is due primarily to the Company’s 2007 restructuring initiatives. First Quarter Metrics by Business         Revenue (Mil.) Paid clicks (Mil.) Gross Margin TAC (Net) Business   Q1’08   Q4’07   Q1’08   Q4’07   Q1’08   Q4’07   Q1’08   Q4’07 Direct1 $12.1   $12.7 -   - 94%   95% -   - Media U.S. $12.1 $12.4 400 336 28% 29% 65% 63% Media E.U.   $8.8   $9.5   62   77   28%   27%   64%   66% Consolidated   $33.0   $34.6   462   413   52%   52%   64%   64% (1) MIVA Direct’s gross margin excludes advertising spend of $7.6 million in Q1 2008 and $7.5 million in Q4 2007, which is included in consolidated operating expenses within the marketing, sales, and service category. The total paid clicks metric does not reflect clicks generated through MIVA Direct, including our toolbars. Business Outlook As discussed during the 2007 year-end earnings conference call, the Company has changed our practice of providing quarterly earnings estimates. We are forecasting annual 2008 revenues between $140 million to $150 million and EBITDA at a range between break-even and a ($3.0) million loss. The decrease is due solely to MIVA Direct. We expect our revenues to be stronger in the second half of 2008 compared to the first half of 2008. We expect EBITDA losses for the first half of 2008 and positive EBITDA in the second half of 2008. Additionally, we are forecasting MIVA Direct’s 2008 revenue results to be above our 2007 results, but lower than previously anticipated; our 2008 Media EU revenue to be below 2007 results; and our 2008 Media US revenues to be consistent with 2007. Management Conference Call Management will participate in a conference call to discuss the full results for the Company on May 12, 2008, at approximately 5:00 p.m. ET. The conference call will be simulcast on the Internet at http://ir.miva.com/medialist.cfm. A replay of the conference call will be available on the investor relations area of MIVA’s website at http://ir.miva.com/medialist.cfm. Interested parties may email questions in advance to Lowell Robinson of MIVA, Inc. at lowell.robinson@miva.com MIVA believes that "Adjusted EBITDA”, "Adjusted net income/loss” and "Adjusted net income/loss per share” provide meaningful measures for comparison of the Company’s current and projected operating performance with its historical results due to the significant increase in non-cash amortization that began in 2004 primarily due to certain intangible assets resulting from mergers and acquisitions. MIVA defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) plus non-cash compensation expense and plus or minus certain identified revenues or expenses that are not expected to recur or be representative of future ongoing operation of the business. MIVA uses Adjusted EBITDA as an internal measure of its business and believes it is utilized as an important measure of performance by the investment community. MIVA sets goals and awards bonuses in part based on performance relative to Adjusted EBITDA. MIVA defines Adjusted net income/loss as net income/loss plus amortization and non-cash compensation expense, plus or minus certain identified revenues or expenses that are not expected to recur or be representative of future ongoing operation of the business, in each case including the tax effects (if any) of the adjustment. MIVA believes the use of these measures does not lessen the importance of GAAP measures. In Q1 2007, MIVA had previously calculated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income/loss without adding non-cash compensation expense to the calculation. Beginning in Q2 2007, MIVA calculates Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income/loss by adding non-cash compensation to the calculation. MIVA defines Adjusted net income/loss per share as the Adjusted net income/loss, as previously described, divided by the average basic, or fully-diluted number of outstanding shares of MIVA common stock over the reported period. About MIVA®, Inc. MIVA, Inc. (NASDAQ:MIVA) is a global digital media company with a mission to deliver valuable digital audiences to advertisers. MIVA has two focuses to its business: owning and operating a growing portfolio of consumer destination sites and category specific toolbars, through its MIVA Direct division; and running a third-party contextual Pay-Per-Click ad network focused on key vertical sectors, through its MIVA Media ad network division. MIVA, Inc. operates across North America and Europe. Forward-looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or expressions such as "plan,” "intend,” "believe,” "expect” or "forecast’’ or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, the risk that one advertisement feed provider accounts for a significant portion of our consolidated revenue; the risk that the success of MIVA Direct is dependent on our ability to maintain and grow our active toolbar base; the risk that our MIVA Media business is dependent upon our relationships with, and the success of, our distribution partners; the risk that we may be negatively impacted by our MIVA Media distribution partners and their sub-affiliates that engage in activities in violation of our distribution guidelines; the risk that our success is dependent upon our ability to establish and maintain relationships with our MIVA Media advertisers and advertising agencies; the risk that if we are not able to stop the decline in revenue at MIVA Media; the risk that Click-through fraud, whether we detect it or not, could cause our revenues and our business to suffer; the risk that we have recently implemented an outsourcing program for our IT infrastructure services, application development and maintenance, transactional accounting, and MIVA Media support; the risk that we rely on a patent license from Yahoo! for the operation of certain portions of our MIVA Media business; the risk that we have made and anticipate making additional significant investments in new initiatives related to current and future product and service offerings that may not meet our expectations; the risk that we have in the past and may in the future incur impairment charges; risks associated with our ability to compete with competitors and increased competition for distribution partners; political and global economic risks attendant to our business; risks associated with legal and cultural pressures on certain of our advertiser’s service and/or product offerings; other economic, business and competitive factors generally affecting our business; the risk that operation of our business model infringes upon intellectual property rights held by others; risks associated with maintaining an international presence; the risk that we will not be able to effectively achieve ongoing growth or return to profitability; the risk that new technologies could emerge which could limit the effectiveness of our products and services; risks associated with the operation of our technical systems, including system interruptions, security breaches and damage; risks associated with Internet security, including security breaches which, if they were to occur, could damage our reputation and expose us to loss or litigation; risks relating to regulatory and legal uncertainties, both domestically and internationally. Additional key risks are described in MIVA's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-K for fiscal 2007. Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release includes discussion of additional financial measures "Adjusted EBITDA,” "Adjusted Net Loss,” "Adjusted Net Income,” "Adjusted Net Loss Per Share” and "Adjusted Net Income Per Share,” which are not considered generally accepted accounting principle (GAAP) measures by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and may differ from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. MIVA provides reconciliations of these financial measures to GAAP measures in its press releases regarding actual financial results. A reconciliation of these financial measures to net income/loss and net income/loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2008 included in this press release is set forth below. ®Registered trademark of MIVA, Inc. All other marks properties of their respective companies. MIVA, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share data)       Three Months Three Months Ended Ended March 31, 2008 March 31, 2007 (unaudited) (unaudited)   Revenues $ 33,015 $ 42,687 Cost of services   15,893     20,319     Gross profit 17,122 22,368   Operating expenses Marketing, sales, and service 11,484 12,641 General and administrative 8,764 9,025 Product development 1,155 1,725 Amortization 732 1,234 Restructuring Charges   131     3,016     Total operating expenses   22,266     27,641     Loss from operations (5,144 ) (5,273 ) Interest income, net 131 158 Exchange rate (loss) / gain     (55 )   53     Loss before provision for income taxes (5,068 ) (5,062 )   Income tax expense   59     184     Net loss from continuing operations $ (5,127 ) (5,246 )   Loss from discontinued operations   -     (76 )   Net loss $ (5,127 ) $ (5,322 )   Basic loss per share Continuing operations $ (0.16 ) $ (0.17 ) Discontinued operations $ 0.00   $ (0.00 )   Diluted loss per share Continuing operations $ (0.16 ) $ (0.17 ) Discontinued operations $ 0.00   $ (0.00 )   Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding Basic   32,546     31,526   Diluted   32,546     31,526         MIVA, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share data)   Three Months Three Months Ended Ended March 31, 2008 December 31, 2007 (unaudited)   Revenues $ 33,015 $ 34,639 Cost of services   15,893     16,516     Gross profit 17,122 18,123   Operating expenses Marketing, sales, and service 11,484 11,520 General and administrative 8,764 9,403 Product development 1,155 1,224 Amortization 732 1,171 Impairment loss - 4,684 Litigation settlement - 1,312 Restructuring Charges   131     (219 )   Total operating expenses   22,266     29,095     Loss from operations (5,144 ) (10,972 ) Interest income, net 131 200 Exchange rate loss   (55 )   (362 )   Loss before provision for income taxes (5,068 ) (11,134 )   Income tax expense   59     324     Net loss from continuing operations $ (5,127 ) (11,458 )   Loss from discontinued operations   -     (2 )   Net loss $ (5,127 ) $ (11,460 )   Basic loss per share Continuing operations $ (0.16 ) $ (0.36 ) Discontinued operations $ 0.00   $ (0.00 )   Diluted loss per share Continuing operations $ (0.16 ) $ (0.36 ) Discontinued operations $ 0.00   $ (0.00 )   Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding Basic   32,546     32,238   Diluted   32,546     32,238   MIVA, Inc. Reconciliations to Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)       Three Months Three Months Additional information: Ended Ended March 31, 2008 March 31, 2007     Adjusted EBITDA $ (2,918 ) $ 1,642     Adjusted net loss $ (3,539 ) $ 365     Adjusted net loss per share $ (0.11 ) $ 0.01         Three Months Three Months Additional information: Ended Ended March 31, 2008 December 31, 2007     Adjusted EBITDA $ (2,918 ) $ (2,884 )   Adjusted net loss $ (3,539 ) $ (4,272 )   Adjusted net loss per share $ (0.11 ) $ (0.13 )     Three Months Three Months Ended Ended Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA March 31, 2008 March 31, 2007 Net loss from continuing operations $ (5,127 ) $ (5,246 ) Interest income, net and exchange rate gain (76 ) (211 ) Income tax expense 59 184 Depreciation 638 1,304 Amortization   732     1,234     EBITDA (3,774 ) (2,735 )   Restructuring Charges 131 3,016 Non cash compensation charge   725     1,361     Adjusted EBITDA $ (2,918 ) $ 1,642       Three Months Three Months Ended Ended Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA March 31, 2008 December 31, 2007 Net loss from continuing operations $ (5,127 ) $ (11,458 ) Interest income, net and exchange rate gain (76 ) 162 Income tax expense 59 324 Depreciation 638 902 Amortization   732     1,171     EBITDA (3,774 ) (8,899 )   Impairment loss - 4,684 Non cash compensation charge 725 238 Lane's Gift litigation - 1,312 Restructuring charges   131     (219 )   Adjusted EBITDA $ (2,918 ) $ (2,884 )     Three Months Three Months Ended Ended Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Net Income (Loss) March 31, 2008 March 31, 2007 Net loss from continuing operations $ (5,127 ) $ (5,246 ) Amortization 732 1,234 Restructuring Charges 131 3,016 Non cash compensation charges   725     1,361     Adjusted net income (loss) $ (3,539 ) $ 365     Adjusted net income (loss) per share (0.11 ) 0.01 Shares used in per share calculation - basic / diluted 32,546 31,526     Three Months Three Months Ended Ended March 31, 2008 December 31, 2007   Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Net Loss Net loss from continuing operations $ (5,127 ) $ (11,458 ) Impairment loss on goodwill and other intangible assets - 4,684 Amortization 732 1,171 Lane's Gift litigation - 1,312 Non cash compensation charges 725 238 Restructuring charges   131     (219 )   Adjusted net loss $ (3,539 ) $ (4,272 )   Adjusted net loss per share $ (0.11 ) $ (0.13 ) Shares used in per share calculation - basic 32,546 32,238 MIVA, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except par value)       March 31, December 31, ASSETS 2008 2007 (unaudited) CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 22,644 $ 29,905 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $639 and $723 at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 14,767 14,421 Deferred tax assets 545 751 Prepaid expenses and other current assets   2,331     2,027     Total current assets 40,287 47,104   Property and equipment, net 2,793 2,745 Intangible assets Goodwill 14,743 14,743 Vendor Agreements, net 1,222 1,318 Other intangible assets, net 3,523 4,038 Other Assets   713     1,109     TOTAL ASSETS $ 63,281   $ 71,057     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 10,387 $ 11,957 Accrued expenses 12,670 14,844 Deferred revenue   3,643     3,427     TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES $ 26,700 $ 30,228   Deferred tax liabilities long-term 545 751 Other long-term liabilities   1,255     1,237     TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 28,500   $ 32,216     STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Preferred stock, $.001 par value; authorized, 500 shares; none issued and outstanding - - Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized, 200,000 shares; issued 34,338 and 33,934, respectively; outstanding 32,599 and 32,204, respectively   34 34 Additional paid-in capital 266,446 265,721 Treasury stock; 1,739 and 1,730 shares at cost, respectively (6,707 ) (6,694 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income 6,649 6,294 Deficit   (231,641 )   (226,514 )   Total stockholders’ equity   34,781     38,841     Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 63,281   $ 71,057