FlexShopper, Inc. Reports 2024 First Quarter and Year End Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

FlexShopper, Inc. (Nasdaq: FPAY), a national leader in online lease-to-own retail and payment solutions, reported its financial results for Q1 2024, ending March 31. Total revenues rose 10.1% to $33.9 million from $30.8 million, and gross profit increased 30.9% to $17.8 million from $13.6 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.2 million, reaching $7.6 million from $6.4 million. Operating income saw a 19% rise to $5.0 million from $4.2 million. Despite these gains, the company reported a net loss of $1.3 million, consistent with the previous year's Q1 loss of $1.2 million. Core earnings improved by 64.7% to $354,000 from $215,000. Financial metrics reveal a mixed picture with positive revenue and profit growth, but ongoing net losses.

Positive

• Total revenues increased by 10.1% to $33.9 million.
• Gross profit surged 30.9% to $17.8 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA rose by $1.2 million to $7.6 million.
• Operating income climbed 19% to $5.0 million.
• Core earnings grew by 64.7% to $354,000.
• Cash increased to $5.6 million from $4.4 million.
• Total assets rose to $162.6 million from $156.5 million.

Negative

• Total fundings decreased by 1.1% to $26.0 million.
• Net loss stayed consistent at $1.3 million.
• Increased interest expenses, up by 16.3% to $5.1 million.
• High depreciation and impairment costs at $14.7 million.
• Marketing expenses increased to $1.8 million from $1.1 million.
• Significant increase in salaries and benefits to $4.1 million from $2.7 million.
• Persistence of a net loss for the quarter ($1.3 million).

Insights

Financial Analyst

FlexShopper's financial results for Q1 2024 present a mixed but generally positive picture. A critical highlight is the 10.1% increase in total revenues to $33.9 million, which is a strong indicator of overall business growth. The 30.9% rise in gross profit to $17.8 million underscores effective cost management and improved profitability. Adjusted EBITDA also saw a healthy increase of $1.2 million to $7.6 million, which implies stronger operational performance despite challenges.

However, it's noteworthy that total fundings decreased by 1.1%, indicating a potential slowdown in new lease agreements. Investors should monitor this closely, as it could signal changing customer behavior or external pressures. Additionally, the company recorded a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(1.3) million, consistent with the previous year's loss. This sustained net loss might concern some investors, although the improvement in core earnings by 64.7% to $354,000 introduces a positive aspect.

The increase in operating income by 19% to $5.0 million and the significant drop in specific expenses such as loan origination costs and depreciation of lease merchandise are positive indicators. A closer look at the balance sheet shows an increase in cash reserves to $5.6 million and a substantial improvement in lease and loan receivables. However, the rising interest expense, which increased by $0.8 million to $5.3 million, poses a risk to net earnings if not managed properly.

For short-term investors, the solid growth in revenues and gross profit is encouraging, while long-term investors should focus on how the company plans to manage its funding strategies and reduce its debt burden moving forward.

Market Research Analyst

FlexShopper's performance in Q1 2024 reflects broader trends in the lease-to-own (LTO) market. The 10.1% revenue growth is aligned with increasing demand for LTO services, especially among underserved consumers. The model appeals to those with limited access to traditional credit, allowing them to acquire essential items while spreading payments over time.

The company's growth in gross profit by 30.9% suggests effective pricing strategies and good control over lease merchandise costs. However, the slight decrease in total fundings, despite the revenue rise, might indicate a shift in consumer behavior or market saturation for new lease agreements. Continuously driving innovation and expanding service offerings will be vital for maintaining growth in this competitive landscape.

FlexShopper's effort to keep up with consumer trends is evident in its retail revenues of nearly $780,000, a new revenue stream that could diversify income sources. The significant increase in marketing spend by 60.7% year-over-year to $1.8 million signals an aggressive customer acquisition strategy, which can be beneficial long-term if it translates into sustained customer base growth and repeat business.

In summary, while short-term fluctuations are present, the company's strategic investments in marketing and new revenue streams may set a strong foundation for future growth. Investors should keep an eye on how these strategies materialize over the coming quarters.

BOCA RATON, Fla., May 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FlexShopper, Inc. (Nasdaq:FPAY) (“FlexShopper”), a leading national online lease-to-own (“LTO”) retailer and payment solution provider for underserved consumers, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

Results for Quarter Ended March 31, 2024, vs. Quarter Ended March 31, 2023:

• Total fundings decreased 1.1% to $26.0 million from $26.3 million
  
  
• Total revenues increased 10.1% to $33.9 million from $30.8 million
  
  
• Gross profit increased 30.9% to $17.8 million from $13.6 million
  
  
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ increased by $1.2 million to $7.6 million from $6.4 million
  
  
• Operating income increased 19.0% to $5.0 million from $4.2 million
  
  
• Net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(1.3) million, or $(0.06) per diluted share, compared to net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(1.2) million, or $(0.06) per diluted share
  
  
• Core earnings¹ increased 64.7% to a gain of $354 thousand from a gain of $215 thousand
  
  

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Conference call

Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Time: 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Participant Dial-In Numbers:

Domestic callers: (877) 407-2988
International callers: +1 (201) 389-0923

Webcast: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=rigoYWk3

The call will also be simultaneously webcast over the Internet via the “Investor” section of the Company’s website at www.flexshopper.com or by clicking on the conference call link:

https://hd.choruscall.com/InComm/?callme=true&passcode=13730035&h=true&info=company&r=true&B=6

An audio replay of the call will be archived on the Company’s website.

1	Adjusted EBITDA and core earnings are a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the definition and reconciliation of these measures under “Non-GAAP Measures”.

FLEXSHOPPER, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
	For the three months ended March 31,
	2024				2023
Revenues:
Lease revenues and fees, net	$	25,833,736			$	24,714,158
Loan revenues and fees, net of changes in fair value		7,331,277				6,071,617
Retail revenues		779,860				-
Total revenues		33,944,873				30,785,775
Costs and expenses:
Depreciation and impairment of lease merchandise		14,685,863				15,345,788
Loan origination costs and fees		821,827				1,833,627
Cost of retail revenues		611,204				-
Marketing		1,765,572				1,099,189
Salaries and benefits		4,083,918				2,726,890
Operating expenses		6,932,507				5,627,708
Total costs and expenses		28,900,891				26,633,202
Operating income		5,043,982				4,152,573
Interest expense including amortization of debt issuance costs		5,315,094				4,531,327
Loss before income taxes		(271,112	)			(378,754	)
Benefit from income taxes		56,933				148,539
Net loss		(214,179	)			(230,215	)
Dividends on Series 2 Convertible Preferred Shares		1,069,456				972,233
Net loss attributable to common and Series 1 Convertible Preferred shareholders	$	(1,283,635	)		$	(1,202,448	)
Basic and diluted loss per common share:
Basic	$	(0.06	)		$	(0.06	)
Diluted	$	(0.06	)		$	(0.06	)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES:
Basic		21,586,019				21,751,304
Diluted		21,586,019				21,751,304

FLEXSHOPPER, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
	March 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash	$	5,593,750			$	4,413,130
Lease receivables, net		49,316,032				44,795,090
Loan receivables at fair value		39,457,230				35,794,290
Prepaid expenses and other assets		3,308,255				3,300,677
Lease merchandise, net		25,896,510				29,131,440
Total current assets		123,571,777				117,434,627
Property and equipment, net		9,588,238				9,308,859
Right of use asset, net		1,190,482				1,237,010
Intangible assets, net		12,948,971				13,391,305
Other assets, net		2,313,988				2,175,215
Deferred tax asset, net		13,000,294				12,943,361
Total assets	$	162,613,750			$	156,490,377
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	$	3,370,054			$	7,139,848
Accrued payroll and related taxes		700,208				578,197
Promissory notes to related parties, including accrued interest		198,398				198,624
Accrued expenses		4,498,602				3,972,397
Lease liability - current portion		253,936				245,052
Total current liabilities		9,021,198				12,134,118
Loan payable under credit agreement to beneficial shareholder, net of unamortized issuance costs of $1,500,000 at March 31, 2024 and $70,780 at December 31, 2023		105,566,690				96,384,220
Promissory notes to related parties, net of unamortized issuance cost of $535,256 at March 31, 2024 and $649,953 at December 31, 2023, and net of current portion		10,214,744				10,100,047
Loan payable under Basepoint credit agreement, net of unamortized issuance costs of $83,347 at March 31, 2024 and $92,963 at December 31, 2023		7,329,258				7,319,641
Lease liabilities, net of current portion		1,254,239				1,321,578
Total liabilities		133,386,129				127,259,604
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Series 1 Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value - authorized 250,000 shares, issued and outstanding 170,332 shares at $5.00 stated value		851,660				851,660
Series 2 Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value - authorized 25,000 shares, issued and outstanding 21,952 shares at $1,000 stated value		21,952,000				21,952,000
Common stock, $0.0001 par value - authorized 40,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 21,752,304 shares at March 31, 2024 and 21,752,304 shares at December 31, 2023		2,176				2,176
Treasury shares, at cost - 169,447 shares at March 31, 2024 and 164,029 shares at December 31, 2023		(172,855	)			(166,757	)
Additional paid in capital		42,633,019				42,415,894
Accumulated deficit		(36,038,379	)			(35,824,200	)
Total stockholders’ equity		29,227,621				29,230,773
	$	162,613,750			$	156,490,377

FLEXSHOPPER, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (unaudited)
	2024				2023
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$	(214,179	)		$	(230,215	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and impairment of lease merchandise		14,685,863				15,345,788
Other depreciation and amortization		2,315,487				1,826,157
Amortization of debt issuance costs		195,095				70,367
Amortization of discount on the promissory note related to acquisition		-				59,239
Compensation expense related to stock-based compensation		217,125				420,748
Provision for doubtful accounts		9,484,049				11,238,415
Interest in kind added to promissory notes balance		-				1,351
Deferred income tax		(56,933	)			(148,539	)
Net changes in the fair value of loans receivables at fair value		(4,211,396	)			(984,652	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Lease receivables		(14,004,991	)			(12,852,307	)
Loans receivables at fair value		548,456				4,599,208
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(19,349	)			576,689
Lease merchandise		(11,450,933	)			(10,703,452	)
Purchase consideration payable related to acquisition		-				141,275
Lease liabilities		(9,665	)			(6,032	)
Accounts payable		(3,769,794	)			(2,668,765	)
Accrued payroll and related taxes		122,011				254,550
Accrued expenses		525,976				(1,340,486	)
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities		(5,643,178	)			5,599,339
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment, including capitalized software costs		(1,815,091	)			(1,753,800	)
Purchases of data costs		(464,441	)			(169,082	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(2,279,532	)			(1,922,882	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from loan payable under credit agreement		10,611,690				2,750,000
Repayment of loan payable under credit agreement		-				(2,575,000	)
Debt issuance related costs		(1,500,000	)			-
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		-				1,185
Principal payment under finance lease obligation		(2,262	)			(2,526	)
Repayment of purchase consideration payable related to acquisition		-				(153,938	)
Purchases of treasury stock		(6,098	)			-
Net cash provided by financing activities		9,103,330				19,721
INCREASE IN CASH		1,180,620				3,696,178
CASH, beginning of period		4,413,130				6,173,349
CASH, end of period	$	5,593,750			$	9,869,527
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	5,057,635			$	3,867,982

Non-GAAP Measures

We regularly review a number of metrics, including the following key metrics, to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate financial projections and make strategic decisions.

Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest, stock-based compensation, taxes, depreciation (other than depreciation of leased merchandise), amortization, and one-time or non-recurring items. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides us with an understanding of one aspect of earnings before the impact of investing and financing charges and income taxes.

Core earnings represents the GAAP net earnings/ (loss) adjusted for “special items” that we view as extraordinary, unusual, or non-recurring in nature or which we believe do not reflect our core business activities.

Key performance metrics for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2024				2023				$ Change				% Change
Adjusted EBITDA:
Net loss	$	(214,179	)		$	(230,215	)		$	16,036				(7.0	)
Income taxes		(56,933	)			(148,539	)			91,606				(61.7	)
Amortization of debt issuance costs		195,095				70,367				124,728				177.3
Amortization of discount on the promissory note related to acquisition		-				59,239				(59,239	)			(100.0	)
Other amortization and depreciation		2,315,487				1,826,157				489,330				26.8
Interest expense		5,119,999				4,401,721				718,278				16.3
Stock-based compensation		217,125				420,748				(203,623	)			(48.4	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	7,576,594			$	6,399,478			$	1,177,116				18.4

	Three months ended March 31,
	2024				2023				$ Change				% Change
Core earnings:
GAAP results- Net loss	$	(214,179	)		$	(230,215	)		$	16,036				(7.0	)
Acquired intangible assets amortization		442,334				442,334				-				-
Non recurring employment expenses		126,144				2,826				123,318				4,364.7
Non-GAAP adjusted results- Core earnings	$	354,299			$	214,945			$	139,354				64.8

The Company refers to Adjusted EBITDA in the above table as the Company uses this measure to evaluate operating performance and to make strategic decisions about the Company. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides relevant and useful information which is widely used by analysts, investors and competitors in its industry in assessing performance.

The Company refers to Core earnings in the above table as the Company uses this additional measurement to assist our executive team in comparing our performance on a more consistent basis for purposes of business decision-making by removing the impact of certain items management believes do not directly reflect our core operations.

About FlexShopper

FlexShopper, Inc. (FPAY) is a financial technology company that provides electronics, home furnishings and other durable goods to underserved consumers on a lease-to-own (LTO) basis through its patented e-commerce marketplace (www.FlexShopper.com). FlexShopper also provides LTO and loan technology platforms to a growing number of retailers and e-retailers to facilitate transactions with consumers without access to traditional financing.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this release that are not based on historical fact are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” or other comparable terms. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding expectations of lease originations, the expansion of our lease-to-own program; expectations concerning our partnerships with retail partners; investments in, and the success of, our underwriting technology and risk analytics platform; our ability to collect payments due from customers; expected future operating results and expectations concerning our business strategy. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, as a result of various factors including, among others, the following: our ability to obtain adequate financing to fund our business operations in the future; the failure to successfully manage and grow our FlexShopper.com e-commerce platform; our ability to maintain compliance with financial covenants under our credit agreement; our dependence on the success of our third-party retail partners and our continued relationships with them; our compliance with various federal, state and local laws and regulations, including those related to consumer protection; the failure to protect the integrity and security of customer and employee information; and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Risk Factors and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements made in this release speak only as of the date of this release, and FlexShopper assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in expectations, except as otherwise required by law.

Contact:

FlexShopper, Inc.
Investor Relations
ir@flexshopper.com

FlexShopper, Inc.

FAQ

What were FlexShopper's total revenues for Q1 2024?

FlexShopper's total revenues for Q1 2024 were $33.9 million, a 10.1% increase from $30.8 million in Q1 2023.

How much did FlexShopper's gross profit increase in Q1 2024?

FlexShopper's gross profit increased by 30.9% to $17.8 million in Q1 2024 from $13.6 million in Q1 2023.

What was FlexShopper's net loss for Q1 2024?

FlexShopper reported a net loss of $1.3 million for Q1 2024, consistent with the net loss of $1.2 million in Q1 2023.

How did FlexShopper's Adjusted EBITDA perform in Q1 2024?

FlexShopper's Adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.2 million to $7.6 million in Q1 2024 from $6.4 million in Q1 2023.

What was FlexShopper's operating income for Q1 2024?

FlexShopper's operating income for Q1 2024 was $5.0 million, a 19% increase from $4.2 million in Q1 2023.

What caused the increase in FlexShopper's marketing expenses in Q1 2024?

FlexShopper's marketing expenses increased to $1.8 million in Q1 2024 from $1.1 million in Q1 2023, contributing to overall cost increases.

How did FlexShopper's core earnings change in Q1 2024?

FlexShopper's core earnings increased by 64.7% to a gain of $354,000 in Q1 2024 from a gain of $215,000 in Q1 2023.