Inuvo Reports 21% Year-Over-Year Revenue Growth to $20.8 Million for the Fourth Quarter of 2023

Rhea-AI Summary

Inuvo, Inc. reported a 21% increase in revenue to $20.8 million for Q4 2023, with a 55% rise in gross profit to $18.2 million. The gross margin also increased to 87.3%. The company introduced new products, hired a new President, and signed new clients, boosting brand awareness. Despite a slight decrease in year-end revenue, the company remains optimistic for 2024 due to AI advancements and a robust sales pipeline.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reported increase in gross profit by 55% to $18.2 million and the gross margin expansion to 87.3% from 68.0% in the previous year are indicative of a significant improvement in Inuvo's operational efficiency and cost management. A gross margin of 87.3% is exceptionally high for the industry, suggesting that the company has been able to leverage its technology to create value with minimal incremental cost. This could be due to a shift towards higher-margin products or more effective use of their marketing technology.

However, despite the increase in gross profit, the company reported a net loss for both the fourth quarter and the full year, although the loss narrowed compared to the previous year. This implies that the operating expenses, which have increased as a result of investments in the go-to-market team and marketing programs, are still outpacing the revenue growth. Investors should consider whether these investments will lead to sustainable growth and profitability in the long term.

Another aspect to consider is the company's liquidity position. With $4.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and an unused working capital facility of $5.0 million, the company appears to have a reasonable buffer to support operations in the short term. However, the lack of debt is a positive sign, indicating a potentially lower risk profile.

Market Research Analyst

The introduction of two new higher margin products and the signing of 56 new agencies/brands and one new platform suggest that Inuvo is actively expanding its product offerings and market reach. This diversification is likely a strategic move to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving AdTech space.

Inuvo's anticipation of the demise of the third-party cookie and its readiness to provide privacy-forward, cookieless audience discovery and targeting capabilities position the company at the forefront of industry changes. This proactive approach could give Inuvo a competitive edge as advertisers seek alternative solutions to the traditional cookie-based targeting.

The CEO's mention of significant AI advancements and proprietary patented technology indicates that Inuvo is investing in innovation, which is critical for maintaining a technological lead. The company's focus on AI and the expectation that these advancements will contribute to higher gross margins and an improved bottom line in 2024 will be of interest to stakeholders monitoring the company's ability to monetize its R&D efforts.

Technology Analyst

Inuvo's emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) within its marketing technology platform suggests a strategic focus on innovation and differentiation within the AdTech industry. The company's proprietary and patented large language, generative AI capabilities are noteworthy, as they represent a move towards more sophisticated, data-driven advertising solutions that can adapt to consumer behavior in real-time.

The shift away from third-party cookies and towards IntentKey, Inuvo's privacy-forward, cookieless technology, is particularly relevant given the industry's pivot towards privacy compliance and the increasing importance of first-party data. This technology's ability to drive better results for advertisers by adapting faster to changes within audience segments could be a game-changer, potentially leading to increased adoption and market share for Inuvo.

Investors should monitor the adoption rates of these new AI-driven products and the company's ability to convert technological advancements into marketable solutions that contribute to revenue growth and profitability.

Gross profit increased by 55% to $18.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023

Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased to 87.3% from 68.0% last year

Inuvo management to host conference call today at 4:15 PM ET

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Feb. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inuvo, Inc. (NYSE American: INUV), a leading provider of marketing technology, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that serves brands and agencies, today provided a business update and announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

Q4 2023 Financial Highlights (year-over-year):

• Revenue increased 21% to $20.8 million in Q4 2023
• Gross profit increased 55% to $18.2 million in Q4 2023
• Gross margin increased to 87.3% in Q4 2023 from 68.0% in Q4 2022
• Adjusted EBITDA loss improved by $600 thousand and net loss improved by $1.6 million in Q4 2023

2023 Operational Highlights:

• Clients now include a top three auto, technology and retail company
• Introduced two new higher margin products in 2023
• Hired advertising agency insider Barry Lowenthal as President
• Signed 56 new agencies/brands and one new platform during the year
• Increased brand awareness with 35 media mentions
• Company had an all-time high Q3 2023 quarter of $24.6 million
• Company revenue in the second half of 2023 increased 32% year-over-year
  

Richard Howe, CEO of Inuvo, stated, “I am pleased to report we achieved solid financial results for the fourth quarter of 2023, with revenue increasing 21% to $20.8 million on a year-over-year basis. At the same time, our gross profit increased by 55% to $18.2 million, with gross profit margin increasing to 87.3% compared to 68.0% for the same period last year. We also made significant AI advancements in 2023, through the introduction of cutting-edge capabilities and features that are a first-in-kind by any AdTech company and are the direct result of our proprietary and patented large language, generative artificial intelligence. We expect these new features and enhancements will contribute to higher gross margins and improve our bottom line in 2024.”

Mr. Howe continued, “With the demise of the third-party cookie in 2024, led by Apple and Google, IntentKey stands ready to power the next generation of digital advertising through privacy-forward, cookieless audience discovery and targeting capabilities that more accurately reflect why audience segments convert, and adapt faster to changes within those segments driving better results for advertisers.   Consequently, I am pleased to report that our sales pipeline is robust and the outlook for 2024 is quite promising.”

Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year Ended December 31, 2023

Net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 totaled $20.8 million, compared to $17.3 million for the same period last year, a 21% year-over-year increase. Net revenue for the year-ended December 31, 2023 totaled $73.9 million, a slight decrease as compared to $75.6 million during the same period in 2022.

Cost of revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023, totaled $2.6 million compared to $5.5 million for the same period last year. Cost of revenue for the full year ended December 31, 2023, totaled $10.5 million, as compared to $30.2 million for the same period last year. The decrease in the cost of revenue for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period last year, was due to the change in revenue mix. Cost of revenue is primarily composed of payments to advertising exchanges that provide access to digital inventory where we serve advertisements.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2023 and full year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $18.2 million and $63.4 million, respectively, as compared $11.7 million and $45.4 million, respectively, for the same periods last year. Gross profit margin for the fourth quarter of 2023 and full year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately 87.3% and 85.8%, respectively, as compared to 68.0% and 60.0%, respectively, for the same periods last year. As mentioned above, the higher gross margin in the current year as compared to the prior year is due to the change in revenue mix where a greater percent of the revenue this year was from Platforms (large consolidators of advertising demand), which typically have higher gross margins.

Operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 totaled $20.6 million, compared to $15.7 million for the same period last year. Operating expenses for the full year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $73.8 million, compared to $58.0 million for the same period last year. In 2023, we heavily invested in the go-to-market team and marketing programs to increase exposure for our solution.

Other expense/income for the fourth quarter of 2023 and the full year ended December 31, 2023 contributed $0 and approximately $15 thousand, respectively, compared to an expense of approximately $34 thousand and $436 thousand for the same periods last year. The income this year and the expense from the prior year was due to unrealized and realized losses on trading securities.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $2.4 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, as compared to net loss of $4.0 million, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, for the same period last year. Net loss for the full year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $10.4 million, or $0.08 per basic and diluted share, as compared to net loss of $13.1 million, or $0.11 per basic and diluted share, for the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA [see reconciliation table below] was a loss of approximately $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of approximately $1.8 million for the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of approximately $5.3 million for the full year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a loss of approximately $5.0 million for the same period last year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources:

On December 31, 2023, Inuvo had $4.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, $211 thousand of working capital, an unused working capital facility of $5.0 million and no debt.

As of December 31, 2023, Inuvo had 137,983,918 common shares issued and outstanding.

Conference Call Details: 
Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024
Time: 4:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 
Toll-free Dial-in Number: 1- 888-886-7786
International Dial-in Number: 1- 416-764-8658
Conference ID: 21240883
Webcast Link: HERE

A telephone replay will be available through Thursday, March 14, 2024. To access the replay, please dial 1- 844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international). At the system prompt, please enter the code 21240883 followed by the # sign. You will then be prompted for your name, company, and phone number. Playback will then automatically begin.

About Inuvo
Inuvo^®, Inc. (NYSE American: INUV) is a market leader in Artificial Intelligence built for advertising. Its IntentKey AI solution is a first-of-its-kind proprietary and patented technology capable of identifying and actioning to the reasons why consumers are interested in products, services, or brands, not who those consumers are. To learn more, visit www.inuvo.com.

Safe Harbor / Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including, without limitation risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and represent our views only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. You are urged to carefully review and consider any cautionary statements and other disclosures, including the statements made under the heading "Risk Factors" in Inuvo, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed on February 29, 2024, and our other filings with the SEC.  Additionally, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends, and uncertainties including the continued impact of Covid-19 on Inuvo’s business and operations. Inuvo cannot provide assurances that the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based will prove to have been correct. Should one of these risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements, and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of this date. Inuvo does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Inuvo further expressly disclaims any written or oral statements made by a fourth party regarding the subject matter of this press release. The information, which appears on our websites and our social media platforms is not part of this press release.

Inuvo Company Contact:
Wally Ruiz
Chief Financial Officer
Tel (501) 205-8397
wallace.ruiz@inuvo.com

Investor Relations:
David Waldman / Natalya Rudman
Crescendo Communications, LLC
Tel: (212) 671-1020
inuv@crescendo-ir.com

(Tables follow)
INUVO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
		December 31				December 31				December 31			December 31
			2023				2022				2023			2022
Net revenue		$	20,842,095			$	17,270,886			$	73,911,528		$	75,603,745
Cost of revenue			2,643,543				5,527,244				10,477,272			30,244,387
Gross profit			18,198,552				11,743,642				63,434,256			45,359,358
Operating expenses
Marketing costs			15,212,600				10,143,119				51,982,572			36,921,139
Compensation			3,591,109				2,852,084				13,793,309			12,463,095
Selling, general and administrative			1,821,821				2,680,971				8,050,890			8,624,998
Total operating expenses			20,625,530				15,676,174				73,826,771			58,009,232
Operating loss			(2,426,978	)			(3,932,532	)			(10,392,515	)		(12,649,874	)
Interest (expense) income, net			7,884				(10,033	)			(29,570	)		(21,111	)
Other income (loss), net			-				(34,218	)			14,668			(435,554	)
Income tax benefit			17,764				-				17,764			-
Net loss			(2,401,330	)			(3,976,783	)			(10,389,653	)		(13,106,539	)
Other comprehensive income
Unrealized loss on marketable securities			-				47,634				84,868			(138,605	)
Comprehensive loss			(2,401,330	)			(3,929,149	)			(10,304,785	)		(13,245,144	)
Earnings per share, basic and diluted
Net loss income		($	0.02	)		($	0.03	)		($	0.08	)	($	0.11	)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic			127,381,051				119,995,367				131,116,370			119,826,036
Diluted			127,381,051				119,995,367				131,116,370			119,826,036

INUVO, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
		December 31			December 31
		2023			2022
Assets
Cash and cash equivalent		$	4,440,454		$	2,931,415
Marketable securities-short term			-			1,529,464
Accounts receivable, net			9,226,956			11,119,892
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,076,121			798,977
Total current assets			14,743,531			16,379,748
Property and equipment, net			1,680,788			1,668,972
Goodwill			9,853,342			9,853,342
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization			4,664,791			5,649,291
Other assets			1,431,692			2,005,957
Total assets		$	32,374,144		$	35,557,310
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	6,432,120		$	8,044,802
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			8,100,354			5,550,984
Total current liabilities			14,532,474			13,595,786
Long-term liabilities			859,484			212,208
Total stockholders' equity			16,982,186			21,749,316
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	32,374,144		$	35,557,310

RECONCILIATION OF LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(unaudited)
		Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
		December 31			December 31			December 31			December 31
		2023			2022			2023			2022
Net loss		(2,401,330	)		(3,976,783	)		$	(10,389,653	)	$	(13,106,539	)
Interest (Income) Expense		(7,884	)		10,033				29,570			21,111
Income tax benefit		(17,764	)						(17,764	)
Depreciation		425,106			402,989				1,670,868			1,527,663
Amortization		264,523			276,738				1,080,690			1,175,222
EBITDA		(1,737,349	)		(3,287,023	)			(7,626,289	)		(10,382,543	)
Stock-based compensation		514,613			459,323				1,986,296			2,350,314
Non recurring items:
Expense of fraudulent media												1,367,800
Unrealized loss on marketable securities					34,218				14,668			435,554
Doubtful account reserve		-			975,243				361,097			1,237,774
Adjusted EBITDA		(1,222,736	)		(1,818,239	)			(5,264,228	)		(4,991,101	)

Reconciliation of Operating Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA 

We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance. We defined EBITDA as Net loss plus (i) interest expense, (ii) depreciation, and (iii) amortization. We further define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus (iv) stock-based compensation and (v) certain identified expenses that are not expected to recur or be representative of future ongoing operation of the business. These adjustments are itemized above. You are encouraged to evaluate these adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same or similar to some of the adjustments in the presentation. Our presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. 

FAQ

What was the revenue increase for Inuvo, Inc. in Q4 2023?

In Q4 2023, Inuvo, Inc. reported a 21% increase in revenue to $20.8 million.

How much did the gross profit increase by in Q4 2023 for Inuvo, Inc.?

The gross profit for Inuvo, Inc. increased by 55% to $18.2 million in Q4 2023.

What was the gross margin for Inuvo, Inc. in Q4 2023?

The gross margin for Inuvo, Inc. in Q4 2023 increased to 87.3%.

What new higher margin products did Inuvo, Inc. introduce in 2023?

In 2023, Inuvo, Inc. introduced two new higher margin products.

Who did Inuvo, Inc. hire as President in 2023?

Inuvo, Inc. hired advertising agency insider Barry Lowenthal as President in 2023.

How many new agencies/brands did Inuvo, Inc. sign during the year?

Inuvo, Inc. signed 56 new agencies/brands and one new platform during the year.

What was the net loss for Inuvo, Inc. in Q4 2023?

In Q4 2023, Inuvo, Inc. reported a net loss of $2.4 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share.

How much cash and cash equivalents did Inuvo, Inc. have on December 31, 2023?

On December 31, 2023, Inuvo, Inc. had $4.4 million in cash and cash equivalents.

When was Inuvo, Inc.'s conference call scheduled?

Inuvo, Inc.'s conference call was scheduled for Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 4:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.