PRESS RELEASE

from ACCESSWIRE (NASDAQ:ISDR)

Issuer Direct Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

RALEIGH, NC / ACCESSWIRE / August 8, 2024 / Issuer Direct Corporation (NYSE American:ISDR) (the "Company"), a leading communications company, today reported its operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.

"In the second quarter, we were pleased to see a 10% sequential increase in total revenues, reaching $7.7 million. However, this was 20% lower on a year-over-year basis compared to Q2 2023, a quarter which included a few significant, one-time annual meeting projects as previously discussed. We experienced a rebound in our Communications business, which increased 9% from Q1 2024 and remained flat compared to the same quarter of 2023. Finally, our focus on expense management has enabled us to lower costs by approximately $400,000 per quarter, which will be fully realized in the second half of the year and beyond," said Brian R. Balbirnie, Issuer Direct's Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Balbirnie continued, "we are excited to see volumes in our news distribution business come back in line with our expectations, resulting in a 15% increase in volumes from our core news distribution customers compared to the prior quarter. This increase is attributable to both the acquisition of new customers and current customer activity during the quarter, something we believe will continue going forward."

Second Quarter 2024 Highlights:

  • Revenue - Total revenue was $7,687,000, a 20% decrease from $9,651,000 in Q2 2023 and a 10% increase from $6,962,000 in Q1 2024. Communications revenue was flat with Q2 2023 and increased 9% from Q1 2024. The increase from Q1 2024 is primarily due to an increase in volume of our ACCESSWIRE news distribution brand, for which revenue increased 17% compared to the previous quarter. Communications revenue was 77% of total revenue for Q2 2024, compared to 62% for Q2 2023 and 78% for Q1 2024. Revenue from our Compliance business decreased 53% from Q2 2023, however, increased 16% from Q1 2024. The decrease in Compliance revenue is due to a decline in revenue from our print and proxy fulfillment services due to a few one-time, significant transactions which occurred during Q2 2023, however, did not occur in the current year. The increase in Compliance revenue as compared to Q1 2024 is due to seasonality of the print and proxy fulfillment business.

  • Gross Margin - Gross margin for Q2 2024 was $5,902,000, or 77% of revenue, compared to $7,315,000, or 76% of revenue, during Q2 2023 and $5,241,000, or 75%, in Q1 2024. Communications gross margin was 78%, compared to 76% in Q2 2023 and 75% in Q1 2024.

  • Operating Income - Operating income was $334,000 for Q2 2024, as compared to operating income of $1,747,000 during Q2 2023. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to the decrease in revenue and gross margin noted earlier, partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses.

  • Net Income - On a GAAP basis, net income was $7,000, or $0.00 per diluted share during Q2 2024, compared to $1,363,000, or $0.36 per diluted share during Q2 2023.

  • Operating Cash Flows - Cash flows from operations for Q2 2024 were $(190,000) compared to $1,731,000 in Q2 2023. The decrease is primarily driven by the large projects that occurred in the prior year, as well as the timing of required payments .

  • Non-GAAP Measures - Q2 2024 EBITDA was $1,118,000, or 15% of revenue, compared to $2,862,000, or 30% of revenue, during Q2 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was $1,465,000, or 19% of revenue, for Q2 2024 compared to $3,019,000, or 31% of revenue, for Q2 2023. Non-GAAP net income for Q2 2024 was $847,000, or $0.22 per diluted share, compared to $2,028,000, or $0.53 per diluted share, during Q2 2023. Adjusted free-cash flow was $(292,000) for Q2 2024 compared to $1,772,000 for Q2 2023.

First Half 2024 Highlights:

  • Revenue - Total revenue was $14,649,000, a 20% decrease from $18,270,000 during the first half of 2023. Communications revenue decreased 9% from the first half of 2023. The decrease in Communications revenue is primarily related to a decrease in volume from our Newswire news distribution brand. Communications revenue was 78% of total revenue for the first half 2024 compared to 68% for the first half of 2023. Revenue from our Compliance business decreased 44% from the first half of 2023. The decrease in Compliance revenue is due to a decline in revenue from our print and proxy fulfillment services due to a few one-time, significant transactions which occurred during the six months ended June 30, 2023, however, did not occur in the current year. Additionally, we experienced a decrease in revenue from our transfer agent services due to a decrease in market activity and corporate actions and directives.

  • Gross Margin - Gross margin for the first half of 2024 was $11,143,000, or 76% of revenue, compared to $14,105,000, or 77% of revenue, during the first half of 2023. Communications gross margin was 77% for both the first half of 2024 and 2023.

  • Operating Income - Operating income was $282,000 for the first half of 2024, compared to operating income of $2,328,000 during the first half of 2023. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to the decrease in revenue and gross margin noted earlier, partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses.

  • Net (Loss) Income - On a GAAP basis, net loss was $(132,000), or $(0.03) per diluted share during the first half of 2024, compared to net income of $1,219,000, or $0.32 per diluted share during the first half 2023.

  • Operating Cash Flows - Cash flows from operations for the first half of 2024 were $796,000 compared to $2,003,000 during the first half of 2023.

  • Non-GAAP Measures - EBITDA for the first half of 2024 was $2,041,000, or 14% of revenue, compared to $3,644,000, or 20% of revenue, during the first half of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was $2,216,000, or 15% of revenue, for the first half of 2024 compared to $4,907,000, or 27% of revenue, for the first half of 2023. Non-GAAP net income for the first half of 2024 was $1,168,000, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to $3,299,000, or $0.87 per diluted share, during the first half of 2023. Adjusted free-cash flow was $491,000 for the first half of 2024 compared to $2,511,000 for the first half of 2023.

Key Performance Indicators:

  • As of June 30, 2024, we had 12,388 customers who had an active contract during the past twelve months, compared to 10,449 as of June 30, 2023. June 30, 2024 included 4,415 customers from Newswire compared to 3,399 customers as of June 30, 2023.

  • During the quarter, the Company had 1,032 active customers subscribing to our products, compared to 1,015 customers during the same period last year. The Company defines a subscription as any customer who enters into a contract for a minimum of one year for one or more products.

Non-GAAP Information

Certain Non-GAAP financial measures are included in this press release. In the calculation of these measures, the Company excludes certain items, such as amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation, tax impact of adjustments, other unusual items and discrete items impacting income tax expense. The Company believes that excluding such items provides investors and management with a representation of the Company's core operating performance and with information useful in assessing its prospects for the future and underlying trends in the Company's operating expenditures and continuing operations. Management uses such Non-GAAP measures to evaluate financial results and manage operations. The release and the attachments to this release provide a reconciliation of each of the Non-GAAP measures referred to in this release to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The Non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered a substitute for the corresponding GAAP financial statements and investors should evaluate them carefully. These Non-GAAP financial measures may differ materially from the Non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

RECONCILIATION OF SELECTED GAAP MEASURES TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
($ in '000's, except per share amounts)
CALCULATION OF EBITDA & ADJUSTED EBITDA

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Amount

Amount

Net income:

$

7

$

1,363

Adjustments:

Depreciation and amortization

770

736

Interest expense, net

294

281

Income tax expense

47

482

EBITDA

1,118

2,862

Acquisition and/or integration costs(1)

42

137

Other non-recurring expenses(2)

38

(334

)

Stock-based compensation expense(3)

267

354

Adjusted EBITDA:

$

1,465

$

3,019

Six Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Amount

Amount

Net (loss) income:

$

(132

)

$

1,219

Adjustments:

Depreciation and amortization

1,540

1,472

Interest expense, net

570

519

Income tax expense

63

434

EBITDA

2,041

3,644

Acquisition and/or integration costs(1)

107

371

Other non-recurring expenses(2)

(132

)

201

Stock-based compensation expense(3)

200

691

Adjusted EBITDA:

$

2,216

$

4,907

(1) This adjustment gives effect to one-time corporate projects, including acquisition and/or integration related expenses, incurred during the periods.
(2) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, this adjustment gives effect to a gain recorded on the change in fair value of our interest rate swap of $14,000 and $219,000, respectively, partially offset by one-time accounting fees, termination benefits and other non-recurring or unusual expenses of $52,000 and $87,000, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2023, this adjustment gives effect to a gain recorded on the change in fair value of our interest rate swap of $379,000, partially offset by one-time, non-recurring expenses of $45,000. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, this adjustment gives effect to $370,000 payment related to early extinguishment of our Seller Note and one-time non-recurring expenses of $45,000, partially offset by a gain recorded on the change in fair value of our interest rate swap of $214,000.
(3) The adjustments represent stock-based compensation expense related to awards of stock options, restricted stock units, or common stock in exchange for services. Although we expect to continue to award stock in exchange for services, the amount of stock-based compensation is excluded as it is subject to change as a result of one-time or non-recurring projects.

CALCULATION OF NON-GAAP NET INCOME

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Amount

Per diluted share

Amount

Per diluted share

Net income:

$

7

$

0.00

$

1,363

$

0.36

Adjustments:

Amortization of intangible assets(1)

678

0.18

685

0.18

Stock-based compensation expense(2)

267

0.07

354

0.09

Other unusual items(3)

80

0.02

(197

)

(0.05

)

Discrete items impacting income tax expense

30

0.01

-

-

Tax impact of adjustments(4)

(215

)

(0.06

)

(177

)

(0.05

)

Non-GAAP net income:

$

847

$

0.22

$

2,028

$

0.53

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted

3,823

3,808

Six Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Amount

Per diluted share

Amount

Per diluted share

Net (loss) income:

$

(132

)

$

(0.03

)

$

1,219

$

0.32

Adjustments:

Amortization of intangible assets(1)

1,363

0.36

1,370

0.36

Stock-based compensation expense(2)

200

0.05

691

0.18

Other unusual items(3)

(25

)

(0.01

)

572

0.15

Discrete items impacting income tax expense

85

0.02

-

-

Tax impact of adjustments(4)

(323

)

(0.08

)

(553

)

(0.14

)

Non-GAAP net income:

$

1,168

$

0.31

$

3,299

$

0.87

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted

3,821

3,809

(1) The adjustments represent the amortization of intangible assets related to acquired assets and companies.
(2) The adjustments represent stock-based compensation expense related to awards of stock options, restricted stock units, or common stock in exchange for services. Although we expect to continue to award stock in exchange for services, the amount of stock-based compensation is excluded as it is subject to change as a result of one-time or non-recurring projects.
(3) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, this adjustment gives effect to a gain recorded on the change in fair value of our interest rate swap of $14,000 and $219,000, respectively, partially offset by one-time accounting fees, termination benefits and other non-recurring or unusual expenses, including acquisition and integration expenses of $94,000 and $194,000, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2023, this adjustment gives effect to a gain recorded on the change in fair value of our interest rate swap of $379,000, partially offset by one-time, non-recurring expenses, including acquisition and/or integration expenses of $182,000. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, this adjustment gives effect to one-time, non-recurring expenses, including acquisition and/or integration expenses of $371,000, $370,000 payment related to early extinguishment of our Seller Note and one-time non-recurring expenses of $45,000, partially offset by a gain recorded on the change in fair value of our interest rate swap of $214,000.
(4) This adjustment gives effect to the tax impact of all non-GAAP adjustments at the current Federal tax rate of 21%.

CALCULATION OF FREE CASH FLOW AND ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW

Three Months Ended
June 30,

2024

2023

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (US GAAP)

$

(190

)

$

1,731

Payments for purchase of fixed assets and capitalized software

(155

)

(163

)

Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)

(345

)

1,568

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