Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCSI) today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2023. “While I am encouraged by a developing pipeline, we continue to be affected by the cont...
Board Approves Debt Repurchase Program
Provides Q4 2023 Guidance
LOS ANGELES: Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCSI) today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2023.
“While I am encouraged by a developing pipeline, we continue to be affected by the continuing slow buying decisions, particularly in the Healthcare Industry, amid labor shortages and inflationary pressures. Notwithstanding this reality, we have managed our margins within guidance and reported a record free cash flow production in Q3 as well as another record quarter of cash of $156 million,” said Scott Turicchi, CEO of Consensus.
THIRD QUARTER UNAUDITED 2023 HIGHLIGHTS
Q3 2023 GAAP quarterly revenues decreased by $1.2 million or 1.3% to $90.6 million compared to $91.8 million for Q3 2022. This decline was primarily due to a decrease of $2.7 million or 6.2% in our SoHo business, (tracking to an expected 2% to 4% decrease on a full-year basis); partially offset by an increase of $1.5 million or 3.0% in our Corporate business.
GAAP net income (1) increased to $24.0 million in Q3 2023 compared to $15.4 million for Q3 2022. The increase is primarily due to lower sales tax expenses.
GAAP net income per diluted share (1) increased to $1.22 or 58.4% in Q3 2023 compared to $0.77 for Q3 2022. The increase is related to the items discussed above and a lower share count as a result of share repurchases.
Adjusted EBITDA (3)(4) for Q3 2023 of $47.5 million declined compared to Q3 2022 of $49.1 million primarily due to a decline in revenues. Q3 2023 Adjusted EBITDA margin(3) of 52.5% is in-line with our forecasted range of 50% - 55%. Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share (1)(2)(3) for the quarter increased to $1.51 or 5.6% compared to $1.43 for Q3 2022 primarily due to a lower share count as a result of the share repurchases and higher interest income.
Consensus ended the quarter with a record $155.7 million in cash and cash equivalents after cash outlays of $10.1 million in capital expenditures and $2.5 million in repurchases of common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and $28.7 million in capital expenditures and $13.7 million in repurchases of common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Key financial results from operations for Q3 2023 versus Q3 2022 are set forth in the following table. Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to comparable GAAP financial measures accompany this press release.
(Unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts and percentages) |
| Favorable / (Unfavorable) | |||||
| Q3 2023 | Q3 2022 | Change | ||||
GAAP revenues | $ | 90,562 |
| $ | 91,777 |
| (1.3)% |
GAAP net income (1) | $ | 24,007 |
| $ | 15,370 |
| 56.2% |
GAAP net income per diluted share (1) | $ | 1.22 |
| $ | 0.77 |
| 58.4% |
Adjusted non-GAAP net income (1)(2) | $ | 29,721 |
| $ | 28,529 |
| 4.2% |
Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share (1)(2)(3) | $ | 1.51 |
| $ | 1.43 |
| 5.6% |
Adjusted EBITDA (3)(4) | $ | 47,501 |
| $ | 49,079 |
| (3.2)% |
Adjusted EBITDA margin (3) |
| 52.5 | % |
| 53.5 | % | (1.0) pts |
Notes: | |
(1) | The estimated GAAP effective tax rates were approximately 23.9% for Q3 2023 and 29.2% for Q3 2022. The estimated non-GAAP effective tax rates were approximately 19.1% for Q3 2023 and 20.9% for Q3 2022. |
(2) | Adjusted non-GAAP net income and Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share excludes certain non-GAAP items, as defined in the accompanying reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted non-GAAP Financial Measures. Such exclusions totaled $0.29 and $0.66 per diluted share, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Adjusted non-GAAP net income and Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share are not meant as a substitute for GAAP, but are presented solely for informational purposes. |
(3) | Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest expense; interest income; other (income) expense, net; income tax expense; depreciation and amortization; and other items used to reconcile GAAP income per diluted share to Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, as presented in the Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted non-GAAP Financial Measures. Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by GAAP revenues. Adjusted EBITDA amounts and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not meant as a substitute for GAAP, but is presented solely for informational purposes. |
(4) | See Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation for the components of Consensus adjusted EBITDA. |
BOARD AUTHORIZES $300 MILLION DEBT REPURCHASE PROGRAM
On November 9, 2023, the Board of Directors approved a debt repurchase program, pursuant to which Consensus may reduce, through redemptions, open market purchases, tender offers, privately negotiated purchases or other retirements, a combination of the outstanding principal balance of the 2026 Senior Notes and 2028 Senior Notes. The authorization permits an aggregate principal amount reduction of up to $300 million and expires on November 9, 2026. The timing and amounts of purchases will be determined by the Company, depending on market conditions and other factors it deems relevant.
Q4 2023 GUIDANCE (i)
The following table presents ranges for the Company’s Q4 2023 guidance (in millions, except per share amounts):
| Low | Midpoint |
| High | |||
Revenue | $ | 87.5 | $ | 89.0 |
| $ | 90.5 |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 46.3 | $ | 47.4 |
| $ | 48.2 |
Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share (ii) | $ | 1.15 | $ | 1.17 |
| $ | 1.19 |
Notes: | |
(i) | Quarterly guidance is provided on a non-GAAP basis only because certain information necessary to calculate the most comparable GAAP measures is unavailable due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty of predicting the occurrence and the future financial statement impact of certain items. Therefore, as a result of the uncertainty and variability of the nature and amount of future adjustments, which could be significant, we are unable to provide a reconciliation of these measures without unreasonable effort. |
(ii) | Quarterly guidance for Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share excludes share-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangibles and certain gains or costs related to non-routine and other matters that are nonrecurring, in each case net of tax. The non-GAAP effective tax rate for 2023 is expected to be between 19.1% and 20.1%. |
COMPANY LEADERSHIP UPDATE
On November 7, 2023, John Nebergall, Chief Operating Officer of Consensus Cloud Solutions Inc. (“Company”), notified the Company that effective December 31, 2023, he will step down from his position as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Upon stepping down from such position, Mr. Nebergall will continue with the Company as a strategic advisor. Johnny Hecker, currently the Company’s EVP of Operations, will also be appointed as the Company’s Chief Revenue Officer, effective as of January 1, 2024.
About Consensus Cloud Solutions
Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCSI) is one of the world’s largest digital fax providers and a trusted global source for the transformation, enhancement and secure exchange of digital information. We leverage our 25-year history of success by providing advanced data transformation solutions for regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, insurance, real estate and manufacturing, as well as technology for state and the federal government. Our solutions consist of: cloud faxing; digital signature; intelligent data extraction using natural language processing and artificial intelligence; robotic process automation; interoperability; workflow enhancement, and a powerful connectivity and integration engine for healthcare providers. Our solutions can be combined with managed services for optimal outcomes. For more information about Consensus, visit consensus.com and follow @ConsensusCS on X, formerly Twitter, to learn more.
“Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors and uncertainties include, among other items: the Company’s ability to grow fax revenues, profitability and cash flows; the Company’s ability to identify, close and successfully transition acquisitions; subscriber growth and retention; variability of the Company’s revenue based on changing conditions in particular industries and the economy generally; protection of the Company’s proprietary technology or infringement by the Company of intellectual property of others; the risk of adverse changes in the U.S. or international regulatory environments, including but not limited to the imposition or increase of taxes or regulatory-related fees; general economic and political conditions, including political tensions and war (such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine); and the numerous other factors set forth in Consensus’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting Consensus, refer to the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Consensus on March 31, 2023, and the other reports filed by Consensus from time-to-time with the SEC, each of which is available at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements provided in this press release are subject to change. Although management’s expectations may change after the date of this press release, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these statements.
About non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use the following Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted non-GAAP net income, Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin and free cash flow. The presentation of this financial information is 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.
We use these Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Our management believes that these Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance and liquidity by excluding certain expenses and expenditures that may not be indicative of our recurring core business operating results. We believe that both management and investors benefit from referring to these Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting, and analyzing future periods. These Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparisons to our historical performance and liquidity. We believe these Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors both because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision-making and (2) they are used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the health of our business.
For more information on these Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures, please see the appropriate GAAP to Adjusted non-GAAP reconciliation tables included within the attached Exhibit to this Release.
CONSENSUS CLOUD SOLUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) | |||||||
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | ||||
ASSETS |
|
|
| ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 155,682 |
|
| $ | 94,164 |
|
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $5,629 and $4,681, respectively |
| 29,727 |
|
|
| 28,029 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| 7,178 |
|
|
| 14,335 |
|
Total current assets |
| 192,587 |
|
|
| 136,528 |
|
Property and equipment, net |
| 75,210 |
|
|
| 54,958 |
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
| 7,106 |
|
|
| 7,875 |
|
Intangibles, net |
| 45,994 |
|
|
| 49,156 |
|
Goodwill |
| 346,060 |
|
|
| 346,585 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
| 33,927 |
|
|
| 35,981 |
|
Other assets |
| 5,633 |
|
|
| 2,816 |
|
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 706,517 |
|
| $ | 633,899 |
|
|
|
|
| ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT |
|
|
| ||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 52,854 |
|
| $ | 41,402 |
|
Income taxes payable, current |
| 6,966 |
|
|
| 2,548 |
|
Deferred revenue, current |
| 22,373 |
|
|
| 24,579 |
|
Operating lease liabilities, current |
| 2,870 |
|
|
| 2,793 |
|
Total current liabilities |
| 85,063 |
|
|
| 71,322 |
|
Long-term debt |
| 795,333 |
|
|
| 793,865 |
|
Deferred revenue, noncurrent |
| 2,282 |
|
|
| 2,319 |
|
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent |
| 12,848 |
|
|
| 13,877 |
|
Liability for uncertain tax positions |
| 9,048 |
|
|
| 6,725 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
| 938 |
|
|
| 728 |
|
Other long-term liabilities |
| 293 |
|
|
| 324 |
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
| 905,805 |
|
|
| 889,160 |
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
| ||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 120,000,000; total issued is 20,182,262 and 20,105,545 shares and total outstanding is 19,502,195 and 19,916,431 shares as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively |
| 202 |
|
|
| 201 |
|
Treasury stock, at cost (680,067 and 189,114 shares as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) |
| (22,728 | ) |
|
| (7,596 | ) |
Additional paid-in capital |
| 36,362 |
|
|
| 21,650 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
| (189,885 | ) |
|
| (250,408 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
| (23,239 | ) |
|
| (19,108 | ) |
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT |
| (199,288 | ) |
|
| (255,261 | ) |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | $ | 706,517 |
|
| $ | 633,899 |
|
CONSENSUS CLOUD SOLUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
|
| 2023 |
|
|
| 2022 |
|
|
| 2023 |
|
|
| 2022 |
|
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