Cardlytics Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Financial Results

March 19, 2018 at 4:01 PM EDT

ATLANTA, March 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cardlytics, Inc., (NASDAQ:CDLX), a purchase intelligence platform that helps make marketing more relevant and measurable, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017.

“We are pleased to report solid fourth quarter and full year 2017 financial results, with annual 25% growth in Cardlytics Direct revenue. We are excited to begin a new chapter as a publicly traded company, and our 2017 performance reflects continued strong execution across the board, including increasing FI MAUs and expanding our base of advertisers and verticals,” said Scott Grimes, CEO & Co-Founder of Cardlytics. “Looking to 2018 and beyond, we are excited about the opportunities ahead of us for continued expansion of our purchase intelligence platform.”

Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results

  • Total revenue was $39.3 million compared to $36.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.
  • Cardlytics Direct revenue was $38.8 million, an increase of 22% compared to $31.8 million in the fourth quarter 2016. 
  • GAAP net loss was $(4.1) million compared to a loss of $(7.0) million in the fourth quarter of 2016.
  • GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders was $(4.4) million, or $(1.26) per share based on 3.50 million weighted-average common shares outstanding, compared to a loss of $(7.3) million, or $(2.82) per share based on 2.58 million weighted-average common shares outstanding in the fourth quarter of 2016.
  • Adjusted contribution, a non-GAAP metric, was $16.9 million compared to $15.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.
  • Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP metric, was $0.5 million compared to a loss of $(0.2) million in the fourth quarter of 2016. 
  • Non-GAAP net loss was $(2.6) million, or $(0.18) per share based on 14.14 million non-GAAP weighted-average common shares outstanding, compared to a loss of $(4.7) million, or $(0.41) per share based on 11.58 million non-GAAP weighted-average common shares outstanding in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Full Year 2017 Financial Results

  • Total revenue was $130.4 million compared to $112.8 million in 2016.
  • Cardlytics Direct revenue was $122.4 million, an increase of 25% compared to $97.8 million in 2016. 
  • GAAP net loss was $(19.6) million, compared to a net loss of $(75.7) million in 2016.
  • GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders was $(25.4) million, or $(7.86) per share based on 3.23 million weighted-average common shares outstanding, compared to a net loss of $(76.7) million, or $(32.48) per share based on 2.36 million weighted-average common shares outstanding in 2016.
  • Adjusted contribution, a non-GAAP metric, was $57.1 million compared to $46.5 million in 2016.
  • Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP metric, was a loss of $(7.2) million compared to a loss of $(17.0) million in 2016. 
  • Non-GAAP net loss was $(20.1) million, or $(1.51) per share based on 13.32 million non-GAAP weighted-average common shares outstanding, compared to a loss of $(29.1) million, or $(2.52) per share based on 11.57 million non-GAAP weighted-average common shares outstanding in 2016.
  • Cardlytics ended 2017 with $21.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared with $22.8 million at the end of 2016.  Subsequent to December 31, 2017, Cardlytics closed its initial public offering on February 8, 2018, which generated net proceeds to Cardlytics of $66.1 million.

“We ended 2017 on a high note, delivering strong fourth quarter financial results. We are excited to enter 2018 as a public company and look forward to ongoing collaboration with our FI partners and continued traction among our advertisers,” said David Evans, CFO of Cardlytics.

Key Metrics

  • FI MAUs were 54.9 million in 2017, an increase of 25% compared to 43.9 million in 2016. FI MAUs were 58.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase of 24% compared to 47.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. 
  • ARPU was $2.23 in both 2017 and 2016. ARPU was $0.66 in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $0.67 in the fourth quarter of 2016. 

* Definitions of FI MAUs and ARPU are included below under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

2018 Financial Expectations (in millions)
Cardlytics anticipates revenue and non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA to be in the following ranges:

       
   Q1 2018    Full year 2018
       
Revenue $29.5 - 30.0   $157 - 160
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA** $(4.9) - (4.7)   $(12.6) - (11.4)
Estimated weighted average shares 17.5   19.8
       

** With respect to our expectations above under the caption “2018 Financial Expectations,” a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net loss on a forward looking basis is not available without unreasonable efforts due to the high variability, complexity and low visibility with respect to the items excluded from this non-GAAP measure.  We have provided a reconciliation of historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures in the financial statement tables included in this press release.  Adjusted EBITDA as presented above excludes the impact of any charges related to FI Share commitments as well as non-cash charges related to the issuance of equity instruments to our FI partners, which we expect to total $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2018, and otherwise reflects the definition of adjusted EBITDA as set forth under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Earnings Teleconference Information
Cardlytics will discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2017 financial results during a teleconference today, March 19, 2018, at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT. The conference call can be accessed at (866) 385-4179 (domestic) or (210) 874-7775 (international), conference ID# 6078757. A replay of the conference call will be available through 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on March 26, 2018 at (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international). The replay passcode is 6078757. The call will also be broadcast simultaneously at http://ir.cardlytics.com/. Following the completion of the call, a recorded replay of the webcast will be available on Cardlytics’ website.

About Cardlytics
Cardlytics (NASDAQ:CDLX) uses purchase intelligence to make marketing more relevant and measurable. We partner with more than 2,000 financial institutions to run their banking rewards programs that promote customer loyalty and deepen banking relationships. In turn, we have a secure view into where and when consumers are spending their money. We use these insights to help marketers identify, reach, and influence likely buyers at scale, as well as measure the true sales impact of marketing campaigns. Headquartered in Atlanta, Cardlytics has offices in London, New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Learn more at www.cardlytics.com.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to our financial guidance for the first quarter of 2018 and full year 2018.  These forward-looking statements are made as of the date they were first issued and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "should," "believe," "hope," "target," "project," "goals," "estimate," "potential," "predict," "may," "will," "might," "could," "intend," variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control.  Our actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: our financial performance, including our revenues, margins, costs, expenditures, growth rates and operating expenses, and our ability to sustain revenue growth, generate positive cash flow and become profitable; risks related to our substantial dependence on its Cardlytics Direct product; risks related to our substantial dependence on Bank of America, N.A. and a limited number of other financial institution partners; the amount and timing of budgets by advertisers, which are affected by budget cycles, economic conditions and other factors; our ability to generate sufficient revenue to offset contractual commitments to FIs; our ability to attract new FI partners and maintain relationships with bank processors and digital banking providers; our ability to maintain relationships with marketers; our ability to adapt to changing market conditions, including our ability to adapt to changes in consumer habits, negotiate fee arrangements with new and existing financial institutions and retailers, and develop and launch new services and features; our significant amount of debt, which may affect our ability to operate the business and secure additional financing in the future, and other risks detailed in the “Risk Factors” section of our prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933 on February 9, 2018 and in subsequent periodic reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change.  We undertake no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement the financial measures presented in our press release and related conference call or webcast in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), we also present the following non-GAAP measures of financial performance: adjusted contribution, adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP loss per share. 

A “non-GAAP financial measure” refers to a numerical measure of our historical or future financial performance or financial position that is included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in our financial statements. We provide certain non-GAAP measures as additional information relating to our operating results as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial information presented herein should be considered in conjunction with, and not as a substitute for or superior to, the financial information presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a measure of liquidity. There are significant limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures. Further, these measures may differ from the non-GAAP information, even where similarly titled, used by other companies and therefore should not be used to compare our performance to that of other companies.

We have presented adjusted contribution, adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share as non-GAAP financial measures in this press release.  We define adjusted contribution as our revenue less our FI Share and other third-party costs.  We define adjusted EBITDA as our net loss before income tax benefit; interest expense, net; depreciation and amortization; stock-based compensation expense; change in fair value of warrant liability; change in fair value of convertible promissory notes; foreign currency (gain) loss; loss on extinguishment of debt; costs associated with financing events; restructuring costs; amortization and impairment of deferred FI implementation costs; and termination of U.K. agreement expense. We define non-GAAP net loss as our net loss before stock-based compensation expense; change in fair value of warrant liability; change in fair value of convertible promissory notes; foreign currency (gain) loss; loss on extinguishment of debt; costs associated with financing events; restructuring costs; and termination of U.K. agreement expense. We define non-GAAP net loss per share as non-GAAP net loss divided by non-GAAP weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted, which includes our GAAP weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted, and our weighted-average preferred shares outstanding, assuming conversion.

We believe the use of non-GAAP financial measures, as a supplement to GAAP measures, is useful to investors in that they eliminate items that are either not part of our core operations or do not require a cash outlay, such as stock-based compensation. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures when evaluating operating performance and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures help indicate underlying trends in the business, are important in comparing current results with prior period results, and are useful to investors and financial analysts in assessing operating performance.

* We define FI monthly active users (“FI MAUs”), as unique customers of our financial institution (“FI”) partners that logged in and visited the online or mobile banking applications of, or opened an email from, our FI partners during a monthly period. We then calculate a monthly average of FI MAUs for the periods presented above. We define average revenue per user (“ARPU”), as the total GAAP Cardlytics Direct revenue generated in the applicable period, divided by the average number of FI MAUs in the applicable period.

         
CARDLYTICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
         
    Year Ended
    December 31,
    2017   2016
ASSETS        
CURRENT ASSETS:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 21,262     $ 22,838  
Restricted cash     -       130  
Accounts receivable, net     48,348       42,042  
Other receivables     2,898       1,774  
Prepaid expenses and other assets     2,121       1,540  
Total current assets     74,629       68,324  
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net     7,319       8,345  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net     528       476  
CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS, net     433       -  
DEFERRED FI IMPLEMENTATION COSTS, net     13,625       8,451  
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS     4,224       1,263  
Total assets   $ 100,758     $ 86,859  
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S DEFICIT        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accounts payable     1,554       2,369  
Accrued liabilities:        
Accrued compensation     4,638       3,122  
Accrued expenses     4,615       4,410  
FI Share liability     23,914       23,109  
Consumer Incentive liability     7,242       5,857  
Deferred billings     132       638  
Short-term debt:        
Capital leases     44       99  
Total current liabilities   $ 42,139     $ 39,604  
         
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:        
Deferred liabilities     3,670       4,071  
Warrant liability     10,230       2,197  
Long-term debt, net of current portion:        
Lines of credit     25,081       15,652  
Term loans     31,830       23,715  
Capital leases     57       101  
Convertible promissory notes (recognized at fair value through net loss)     -       8,662  
Convertible promissory notes—related parties (recognized at fair value through net loss)   -       63,670  
Total long-term liabilities   $ 70,868     $ 118,068  
         
Total redeemable convertible preferred stock   $ 196,437     $ 146,022  
         
STOCKHOLDER'S DEFICIT:        
Common stock     -       -  
Additional paid-in capital     58,693       29,867  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     1,066       2,102  
Accumulated deficit     (268,445 )     (248,804 )
Total stockholders' deficit     (208,686 )     (216,835 )
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit   $ 100,758     $ 86,859  
         


               
CARDLYTICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
               
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended
  December 31,   December 31,
  2017   2016   2017   2016
               
REVENUE $ 39,266     $ 36,421     $ 130,365     $ 112,821  
COSTS AND EXPENSES:              
FI Share and other third-party costs   22,361       21,299       73,247       66,285  
Delivery costs   1,917       1,398       7,012       6,127  
Sales and marketing expense   8,473       8,411       31,927       31,261  
Research and development expense   2,623       2,801       12,150       13,902  
General and administrative expense   5,362       5,115       20,100       21,355  
Depreciation and amortization expense   725       787       3,028       4,219  
Termination of U.K. agreement expense   -       -       -       25,904  
Total costs and expenses   41,461       39,811       147,464       169,053  
OPERATING LOSS   (2,195 )     (3,390 )     (17,099 )     (56,232 )
               
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):              
Interest expense, net   (1,812 )     (2,547 )     (8,239 )     (6,170 )
Change in fair value of warrant liability   (169 )     (671 )     (581 )     (32 )
Change in fair value of convertible promissory notes   -       32       (1,244 )     (786 )
Change in fair value of convertible promissory notes—related parties   -       190       6,213       (10,091 )
Other income (expense), net   120       (659 )     1,309       (2,385 )
Total other expense   (1,861 )     (3,655 )     (2,542 )     (19,464 )
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES   (4,056 )     (7,045 )     (19,641 )     (75,696 )
INCOME TAX BENEFIT   -       -       -       -  
NET LOSS $ (4,056 )   $ (7,045 )   $ (19,641 )   $ (75,696 )
Adjustments to the carrying value of redeemable convertible preferred stock   (360 )     (241 )     (5,743 )     (982 )
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (4,416 )   $ (7,286 )   $ (25,384 )   $ (76,678 )
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted $ (1.26 )   $ (2.82 )   $ (7.86 )   $ (32.48 )
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted   3,498       2,582       3,230       2,361  
               


               
CARDLYTICS, INC.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
(Amounts in thousands)
               
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended
  December 31,   December 31,
  2017   2016   2017   2016
               
Delivery costs $ 56   $ 28   $ 202   $ 96
Sales and marketing expense   504     327     1,894     1,153
Research and development expense   260     155     951     574
General and administrative expense   620     696     2,100     1,624
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 1,440   $ 1,206   $ 5,147   $ 3,447
               


         
CARDLYTICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
         
    Year Ended
    December 31,
    2017   2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:        
Net loss   $ (19,641 )   $ (75,696 )
         
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Increase in allowance for doubtful accounts     73       1,100  
Depreciation and amortization expense     3,028       4,219  
Amortization of financing costs charged to interest expense     560       297  
Accretion of debt discount charged to interest expense     6,889       4,368  
Stock-based compensation expense     5,147       3,447  
Termination of U.K. agreement expense     -       25,904  
Change in fair value warrant liability     581       32  
Change in fair value of convertible promissory notes     1,244       786  
Change in fair value of convertible promissory notes—related parties     (6,213 )     10,091  
Other non-cash expenses     451       6,809  
Change in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable     (7,503 )     (5,789 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets     (666 )     (529 )
Deferred FI implementation costs     (6,800 )     (8,200 )
Accounts payable     (1,907 )     (1,234 )
Other accrued expenses     466       (3,940 )
Payable to related party, net     -       (459 )
FI Share liability     804       8,482  
Consumer incentive liability     1,385       (2,186 )
Total adjustment     (2,461 )     43,198  
Net cash used in operating activities   $ (22,102 )   $ (32,498 )
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Acquisition of property and equipment     (1,215 )     (1,827 )
Acquisition of intangible assets     (60 )     (72 )
Capitalized software development costs     (372 )     (646 )
Net cash used in investing activities   $ (1,647 )   $ (2,545 )
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
Proceeds from issuance of debt     12,500       46,794  
Proceeds from issuance of debt — related parties     -       19,485  
Principal payments of debt     (99 )     (32,346 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock     230       279  
Proceeds from issuance of Series G preferred stock     11,940       -  
Equity issuance costs     (2,668 )     (1,674 )
Debt issuance costs     (142 )     (1,417 )
Debt extinguishment costs     -       (312 )
Net cash from financing activities   $ 21,761     $ 30,809  
         
Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     282       (407 )
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (1,706 )     (4,641 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - beginning of period     22,968       27,609  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of period   $ 21,262     $ 22,968  
         


               
CARDLYTICS, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP REVENUE TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED CONTRIBUTION
(Amounts in thousands)
               
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended
  December 31,   December 31,
  2017   2016   2017   2016
Revenue $ 39,266   $ 36,421   $ 130,365   $ 112,821
Minus:              
FI Share and other third-party costs   22,361     21,299     73,247     66,285
Adjusted contribution $ 16,905   $ 15,122   $ 57,118   $ 46,536
               


               
CARDLYTICS, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET LOSS TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Amounts in thousands)
               
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended
  December 31,   December 31,
  2017   2016   2017   2016
Net loss $ (4,056 )   $ (7,045 )   $ (19,641 )   $ (75,696 )
Plus:              
Income tax benefit   -       -       -       -  
Interest expense, net   1,812       2,547       8,239       6,170  
Depreciation and amortization   725       787       3,028       4,219  
Stock-based compensation expense   1,440       1,206       5,147       3,447  
Change in fair value of warrant liability   169       671       581       32  
Change in fair value of convertible promissory notes   -       (222 )     (4,969 )     10,877  
Foreign currency (gain) loss   (119 )     656       (1,318 )     1,926  
Loss on extinguishment of debt   -       -       -       462  
Costs associated with financing events   -       -       129       2,632  
Restructuring costs   -       7       -       1,291  
Amortization and impairment of deferred FI implementation costs   516       1,191       1,626       1,690  
Termination of UK agreement expense   -       -       -       25,904  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 487     $ (202 )   $ (7,178 )   $ (17,046 )
               


               
CARDLYTICS, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET LOSS TO NON-GAAP NET LOSS
(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
               
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended
  December 31,   December 31,
  2017   2016   2017   2016
Net loss $ (4,056 )   $ (7,045 )   $ (19,641 )   $ (75,696 )
Plus:              
Change in fair value of warrant liability   169       671       581       32  
Change in fair value of convertible promissory notes   -       (222 )     (4,969 )     10,877  
Foreign currency (gain) loss   (119 )     656       (1,318 )     1,926  
Stock-based compensation expense   1,440       1,206       5,147       3,447  
Loss on extinguishment of debt   -       -       -       462  
Costs associated with financing events   -       -       129       2,632  
Restructuring costs   -       7       -       1,291  
Termination of UK agreement expense   -       -       -       25,904  
Non-GAAP net loss $ (2,566 )   $ (4,727 )   $ (20,071 )   $ (29,125 )
               
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock used in computing non-GAAP net loss per share:              
GAAP weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted   3,498       2,582       3,230       2,361  
Weighted-average preferred shares, assuming conversion   10,643       9,001       10,090       9,205  
Non-GAAP weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted   14,141       11,583       13,320       11,566  
               
Non-GAAP net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted $ (0.18 )   $ (0.41 )   $ (1.51 )   $ (2.52 )
               

Contacts:

Public Relations:
ICR
cardlyticspr@icrinc.com

Investor Relations:
Denise Garcia and William Maina
ICR, Inc.
(646) 277-1236
ir@cardlytics.com

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Source: Cardlytics, Inc.