Great Elm Group Reports Fiscal 2024 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Great Elm Group (NASDAQ: GEG) reported its fiscal 2024 Q4 and full-year results. Key highlights include:

- Q4 revenue tripled to $8.9 million
- Full-year revenue doubled to $17.8 million
- Q4 net loss from continuing operations improved to ($0.6) million
- Full-year net loss from continuing operations was ($0.9) million
- Q4 Adjusted EBITDA increased to $1.2 million
- Full-year Adjusted EBITDA grew to $4.8 million
- Fee-paying AUM increased 17% year-over-year
- GECC raised over $92 million in new capital
- GEG repurchased 1.2 million shares and $4.2 million of convertible notes

The company made progress in growing its credit and real estate businesses, launching new products, and expanding its platform.

Positive

• Q4 revenue tripled to $8.9 million compared to prior year
• Full-year revenue doubled to $17.8 million
• Q4 Adjusted EBITDA increased to $1.2 million from $0.4 million
• Full-year Adjusted EBITDA grew to $4.8 million from $1.0 million
• Fee-paying AUM increased 17% year-over-year
• GECC raised over $92 million in new capital
• Monomoy BTS sold its first build-to-suit property, generating $6 million in revenue and $1 million in profit
• Launched new private credit fund and construction management consulting business

Negative

• Q4 net loss from continuing operations of ($0.6) million
• Full-year net loss from continuing operations of ($0.9) million
• Q4 included ($1.1) million unrealized loss on investment in PPH
• Full-year included ($3.8) million unrealized losses on investments in GESP and PPH

Insights

Financial Analyst

Great Elm Group's fiscal 2024 results show significant progress in scaling their alternative asset management platform. The 106% increase in total revenue to $17.8 million and the improvement in Adjusted EBITDA to $4.8 million from $1.0 million are positive indicators. The company's ability to raise over $90 million in new capital for GECC demonstrates strong investor confidence.

However, the net loss from continuing operations of ($0.9) million compared to a net income of $14.5 million in the previous year is concerning, though it's partly due to unrealized losses on investments. The company's strategic moves, including the launch of new products and the successful sale of a build-to-suit property, show potential for future growth. The 11% increase in pro forma FPAUM is a positive sign for future fee revenue.

Market Research Analyst

Great Elm's strategic focus on alternative assets, particularly in credit and real estate, positions it well in the current market environment. The successful capital raises for GECC, totaling over $90 million, indicate strong investor appetite for alternative credit strategies. The company's expansion into private credit with the launch of Great Elm Credit Income Fund is timely, given the growing interest in private debt among institutional investors.

The build-to-suit property sale generating over $6 million in revenue showcases the potential of their real estate business. However, investors should monitor the company's ability to replicate this success and scale the Monomoy BTS business. The launch of the construction management consulting business adds another potential revenue stream, diversifying their offerings in the real estate sector.

Investment Strategist

Great Elm's strategic moves in FY2024 demonstrate a clear focus on growth and diversification. The significant increase in FPAUM and AUM, along with the launch of new products, sets a solid foundation for future revenue growth. The company's ability to raise capital at NAV for GECC, especially in challenging market conditions, is a strong positive signal.

The repurchase of $4.2 million in convertible notes at a 53% discount is a savvy move, strengthening the balance sheet. With $58 million in cash and marketable securities, GEG has ample dry powder for further growth initiatives. However, investors should closely monitor the performance of recent investments and new product launches to ensure they translate into sustainable profitability. The shift from net income to net loss year-over-year warrants attention, though it's partially attributable to non-cash items.

Company to Host Conference Call at 8:30 a.m. ET on August 30, 2024

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Elm Group, Inc. (“we,” “our,” “GEG,” “Great Elm,” or “the Company”), (NASDAQ: GEG), an alternative asset manager, today announced financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and year ended June 30, 2024. 

Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2024 and Recent Highlights

• Great Elm Capital Corp. (“GECC”) raised $34 million of additional debt and equity capital since April 2024.
• Fee-paying assets under management (“FPAUM”) and assets under management (“AUM”) both increased 6% in the quarter.
• Pro forma FPAUM¹ and AUM¹, inclusive of net proceeds from GECC’s July capital raise, totaled approximately $546 million and $749 million, respectively.
  • Represents pro forma FPAUM¹ and AUM¹ growth of 11% and 9%, respectively, from March 31, 2024.
• Total revenue for the fourth quarter approximately tripled to $8.9 million, compared to $3.0 million for the prior-year period.
  • Monomoy BTS closed the sale of its first build-to-suit property in June, generating over $6 million in revenue and over $1 million in profit.
• Net loss from continuing operations was ($0.6) million for the fourth quarter, compared to ($5.3) million in the prior year period.
  • Net loss for the quarter included ($1.1) million in unrealized loss on GEG’s investment in Prosper Peak Holdings, LLC (“PPH”).
• Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $1.2 million, compared to $0.4 million in the prior-year period.
• As of June 30, 2024, GEG had approximately $58 million of cash and marketable securities on its balance sheet to support growth initiatives across its alternative asset management platform.
• GEG repurchased 1.2 million shares for $2.1 million during the quarter through its share repurchase program.
• GEG repurchased $4.2 million principal of its 5% convertible notes due 2030 for $2.1 million, or approximately 47% of face value, resulting in a realized gain of $2.3 million.

Full Fiscal Year 2024 Highlights

• GECC raised over $92 million of new capital through July 2024, positioning GEG to further grow management and incentive fee revenue.
  • Great Elm supported GECC’s June and February equity raises of $12 million and $24 million, respectively, by investing a total of $9 million across two separate SPVs that purchased GECC common shares.
• FPAUM and AUM increased 17% and 14%, respectively, from June 30, 2023.
• Pro forma FPAUM¹ and AUM¹, inclusive of net proceeds from GECC’s July 2024 capital raise, increased 22% and 17%, respectively, from June 30, 2023.
• Great Elm collected incentive fees totaling approximately $2.7 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
• Total revenue for the fiscal year more than doubled to $17.8 million, compared to $8.7 million for fiscal 2023, as a result of the significant build-to-suit property sale and growth in management and incentive fee revenue from credit and real estate businesses.
• Net loss for the fiscal year from continuing operations was ($0.9) million, compared to net income from continuing operations of $14.5 million in the prior year.
  • Fiscal year 2024 net loss included ($3.8) million in unrealized losses on GEG’s investments in Great Elm Strategic Partnership I, LLC (“GESP”) and PPH.
  • Fiscal year 2023 net income was primarily driven by gain on sale of Forest Investments, Inc.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $4.8 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, compared to $1.0 million in fiscal 2023.
• Great Elm launched Great Elm Credit Income Fund LLC, a private credit fund, in November 2023.
• Great Elm launched Monomoy BTS Construction Management, LLC, a consulting business providing owner representative services to key clients.

Management Commentary

Jason Reese, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated, “We made considerable progress throughout fiscal 2024 in all facets of our business. GECC raised over $90 million of new capital from February to July 2024, due in large part to the innovative joint venture structure we established with experienced, institutional partners. We significantly boosted our fee revenue with growth in incentive fee revenue from GECC as well as increased management fees from our credit and real estate businesses. At Monomoy, our real estate business had outsized performance, driven by the successful sale of our first property and growing pipeline in our Build-to-Suit business. Finally, we launched complementary products and businesses, including a private credit fund and a new construction management consulting business.

Overall, we made great strides during fiscal 2024. Looking ahead to fiscal 2025, we remain focused on further growing our core credit and real estate businesses, sourcing unique investment opportunities, and utilizing our strong balance sheet to expand our platform and create value for our shareholders.”  

Capital Raises to Scale Credit Platform

GECC issued $56.5 million of 8.50% notes due 2029 (“GECCI”). In April 2024, GECC completed an underwritten public offering of $34.5 million of GECCI notes. In July 2024, it issued an additional $22 million in a registered direct offering to an institutional investor.

In June 2024, GECC raised $12 million of equity capital at net asset value from PPH, an SPV that purchased GECC common stock at net asset value. This investment was supported by a $3 million investment by GEG into PPH, with other institutional investors contributing $9 million.

In February 2024, GECC raised $24 million of equity capital from GESP that acquired GECC common stock at net asset value. GEG supported the capital raise by making a $6 million investment into the SPV alongside a large institutional investor that invested $18 million.

Discussion of Financial Results for the Fiscal Fourth Quarter Ended June 30, 2024

GEG reported total revenue of $8.9 million, approximately triple that of $3.0 million in the prior-year period. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by Monomoy BTS’s first build-to-suit property sale.

GEG recorded net loss from continuing operations of ($0.6) million, compared to ($5.3) million in the prior-year period. Included in net loss was ($1.1) million unrealized loss on our investment in PPH during the quarter.

GEG recorded Adjusted EBITDA of $1.2 million, compared to $0.4 million in the prior-year period.

Discussion of Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024

Total revenue for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 increased 106% to $17.8 million from $8.7 million in the prior fiscal year, primarily driven by the first build-to-suit property sale and increased incentive fees collected from GECC.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of ($0.9) million, compared to net income from continuing operations of $14.5 million for fiscal 2023, which was driven by significant gains from the sale of Forest Investments, Inc. Included in net loss for fiscal 2024 was ($3.8) million of unrealized losses on GEG’s investments in GESP and PPH.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 was $4.8 million, compared to $1.0 million in the prior fiscal year.

Stock Repurchase Program and Convertible Notes Extinguishment

In the fiscal second quarter, GEG’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which GEG is authorized to repurchase up to $10 million in the aggregate of its outstanding common stock in the open market. To date, the Company has repurchased approximately 1.3 million shares for $2.4 million.

In addition, in June 2024, the Company repurchased $4.2 million in principal of 5% convertible notes due February 26, 2030 for $2.1 million, or approximately 47% of face value, resulting in a realized gain of $2.3 million.

Fiscal 2024 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Conference Call & Webcast Information

When:	Friday, August 30, 2024, 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET)
Call:	All interested parties are invited to participate in the conference call by dialing +1 (877) 407-0752; international callers should dial +1 (201) 389-0912. Participants should enter the Conference ID 13746832 if asked.
Webcast:	The conference call will be webcast simultaneously and can be accessed here. A copy of the slide presentation accompanying the conference call, can be found here.

About Great Elm Group, Inc.

Great Elm Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEG) is a publicly-traded, alternative asset manager focused on growing a scalable and diversified portfolio of long-duration and permanent capital vehicles across credit, real estate, specialty finance, and other alternative strategies. Great Elm Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries currently manage Great Elm Capital Corp., a publicly-traded business development company, and Monomoy Properties REIT, LLC, an industrial-focused real estate investment trust, in addition to other investments. Great Elm Group, Inc.’s website can be found at www.greatelmgroup.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Statements in this press release that are “forward-looking” statements, including statements regarding expected growth, profitability, acquisition opportunities and outlook involve risks and uncertainties that may individually or collectively impact the matters described herein. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made and represent Great Elm’s assumptions and expectations in light of currently available information.  These statements involve risks, variables and uncertainties, and Great Elm’s actual performance results may differ from those projected, and any such differences may be material. For information on certain factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from Great Elm’s expectations, please see Great Elm’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Additional information relating to Great Elm’s financial position and results of operations is also contained in Great Elm’s annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC and available for download at its website www.greatelmgroup.com or at the SEC website www.sec.gov.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The SEC has adopted rules to regulate the use in filings with the SEC, and in public disclosures, of financial measures that are not in accordance with US GAAP, such as adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). Adjusted EBITDA is derived from methodologies other than in accordance with US GAAP. Great Elm believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure for investors to use in evaluating Great Elm’s businesses. In addition, Great Elm’s management reviews Adjusted EBITDA as they evaluate acquisition opportunities.

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it either in isolation from, or as a substitute for, analyzing Great Elm’s results as reported under US GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures reported by Great Elm may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts reported by other companies.

Included in the financial tables below is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable US GAAP financial measure, net income from continuing operations.

Endnotes
¹ Pro forma FPAUM assumes full investment of incremental capital.

Media & Investor Contact:
Investor Relations
geginvestorrelations@greatelmcap.com

Great Elm Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Dollar amounts in thousands (except per share data)

ASSETS		June 30, 2024				June 30, 2023
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	48,147			$	60,165
Restricted cash			1,571				-
Receivables from managed funds			2,259				3,308
Investments in marketable securities			9,929				24,595
Investments, at fair value (cost $54,261 and $40,387, respectively)			44,585				32,611
Prepaid and other current assets			1,215				717
Real estate under development			5,769				1,742
Assets of Consolidated Funds:
Cash and cash equivalents			2,371				-
Investments, at fair value (cost $11,338)			11,471				-
Other assets			253				-
Total current assets			127,570				123,138
Identifiable intangible assets, net			11,037				12,115
Right-of-use assets			225				497
Other assets			1,614				143
Total assets		$	140,446			$	135,893
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	317			$	191
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			7,009				5,418
Current portion of related party payables			634				1,409
Current portion of lease liabilities			137				359
Liabilities of Consolidated Funds:
Payable for securities purchased			100				-
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			162				-
Total current liabilities			8,359				7,377
Lease liabilities, net of current portion			57				142
Long-term debt (face value $26,945)			26,090				25,808
Related party payables, net of current portion			-				926
Convertible notes (face value $35,494 and $37,912, including $16,174 and $15,395 held by related parties, respectively)			34,900				37,129
Other liabilities			845				669
Total liabilities			70,251				72,051
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 authorized and zero outstanding			-				-
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 350,000,000 shares authorized and 31,875,285 shares issued and 30,494,448 outstanding at June 30, 2024; and 30,651,047 shares issued and 29,546,655 outstanding at June 30, 2023			30				30
Additional paid-in-capital			3,315,638				3,315,378
Accumulated deficit			(3,252,954	)			(3,251,566	)
Total Great Elm Group, Inc. stockholders' equity			62,714				63,842
Non-controlling interests			7,481				-
Total stockholders' equity			70,195				63,842
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	140,446			$	135,893

Great Elm Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Amounts in thousands (except per share data)

		For the three months ended June 30,								For the twelve months ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenues		$	8,918			$	3,026			$	17,834			$	8,663
Cost of revenues		5,526				-				5,526				-
Operating costs and expenses:
Investment management expenses			2,997				3,303				11,331				10,196
Depreciation and amortization			271				282				1,108				1,152
Selling, general and administrative			1,916				3,039				7,654				8,480
Expenses of Consolidated Funds			31				-				53				46
Total operating costs and expenses			5,215				6,624				20,146				19,874
Operating loss			(1,823	)			(3,598	)			(7,838	)			(11,211	)
Dividends and interest income			1,640				1,777				8,057				6,209
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments			477				(2,187	)			2,212				15,247
Net realized and unrealized (loss) gain on investments of Consolidated Funds			(12	)			-				233				(16	)
Interest and other income of Consolidated Funds			378				-				829				-
Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary			-				-				-				10,524
Interest expense			(1,137	)			(1,050	)			(4,334	)			(6,074	)
(Loss) income before income taxes from continuing operations			(477	)			(5,058	)			(841	)			14,679
Income tax benefit (expense)			(101	)			(198	)			(101	)			(200	)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations			(578	)			(5,256	)			(942	)			14,479
Discontinued operations:
Net income from discontinued operations			-				(1	)			16				13,201
Net (loss) income		$	(578	)		$	(5,257	)		$	(926	)		$	27,680
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest, continuing operations			-				-				462				(1,554	)
Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interest, discontinued operations			-				-				-				1,504
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Elm Group, Inc.		$	(578	)		$	(5,257	)		$	(1,388	)		$	27,730
Basic net (loss) income per share from:
Continuing operations		$	(0.02	)		$	(0.18	)		$	(0.05	)		$	0.55
Discontinued operations			-				-				-				0.40
Basic net (loss) income per share		$	(0.02	)		$	(0.18	)		$	(0.05	)		$	0.95
Diluted net (loss) income per share from:
Continuing operations		$	(0.02	)		$	(0.18	)		$	(0.05	)		$	0.44
Discontinued operations			-				-				-				0.29
Diluted net (loss) income per share		$	(0.02	)		$	(0.18	)		$	(0.05	)		$	0.73
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic			30,318				29,303				29,962				28,910
Diluted			30,318				29,303				29,962				40,980

Great Elm Group, Inc.
Reconciliation from Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations to Adjusted EBITDA
Dollar amounts in thousands

		Three months ended June 30,									Twelve months ended June 30,
(in thousands)		2024					2023				2024					2023
Net income (loss) from continuing operations - GAAP		$	(578	)			$	(5,256	)		$	(942	)			$	14,479
Interest expense			1,137					1,050				4,334					6,074
Income tax expense (benefit)			101					198				101					200
Depreciation and amortization			271					282				1,108					1,152
Non-cash compensation			688					701				3,112					2,948
(Gain) loss on investments			(465	)				2,187				(2,445	)				9,167
Gains related to sale of Forest			-					-				-					(34,922	)
Transaction and integration related costs(1)			-					634				-					1,105
Change in contingent consideration			20					603				(498	)				783
Adjusted EBITDA(2)		$	1,174				$	399			$	4,770				$	986

(1) Transaction and integration-related costs include costs to sell, acquire and integrate acquired businesses.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA for prior periods has been adjusted to include dividend income earned during such periods consistent with the methodology for June 30, 2024.

FAQ

What was Great Elm Group's (GEG) revenue for Q4 fiscal 2024?

Great Elm Group's revenue for Q4 fiscal 2024 was $8.9 million, approximately tripling from $3.0 million in the prior-year period.

How much did GEG's fee-paying assets under management (FPAUM) increase in fiscal 2024?

GEG's fee-paying assets under management (FPAUM) increased by 17% from June 30, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

What was Great Elm Group's (GEG) Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2024?

Great Elm Group's Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2024 was $4.8 million, compared to $1.0 million in fiscal 2023.

How much capital did Great Elm Capital Corp (GECC) raise in fiscal 2024?

Great Elm Capital Corp (GECC) raised over $92 million of new capital through July 2024.

What was the performance of GEG's Monomoy BTS business in fiscal 2024?

Monomoy BTS closed the sale of its first build-to-suit property in June, generating over $6 million in revenue and over $1 million in profit.