Lesaka Increases Revenue 9% for the Fourth Quarter, Exceeding the Upper End of its Revenue Guidance
- Q4 2023 revenue increased by 9% to ZAR 2.5 billion ($133.1 million)
- Net loss improved by 21% to ZAR 223.2 million ($11.9 million)
- Group Adjusted EBITDA improved by 115% to ZAR 158.3 million ($8.4 million)
- Merchant Division delivered Segment Adjusted EBITDA of ZAR 154.2 million ($8.2 million) in Q4 2023
- Consumer Division reported profitability with Segment Adjusted EBITDA of ZAR 46.5 million ($2.5 million)
- Positive outlook as Merchant expands in Southern Africa's informal market
- Net cash provided by operating activities of ZAR 182.9 million ($9.8 million) in Q4 2023
- None.
Performance highlights for Q4 2023:
-
Revenue of
ZAR 2.5 billion ( ) in Q4 2023, compared to$133.1 million ZAR 1.9 billion ( ) for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 (“Q4 2022”), with the$121.8 million 9% increase attributable to inclusion of the Connect Group for the full period, excellent growth in the Merchant Division, driven by the Connect and Kazang businesses, as well as the successful turnaround of the Consumer Division. On a constant currency basis revenue grew32% . -
The significant financial turnaround is demonstrated by a narrowing of the net loss to
ZAR 223.2 million ( ) in Q4 2023, despite also including a non-cash impairment charge related to the pre-existing Merchant Division of$11.9 million ZAR 131.9 million ( ) and a non-cash PPA amortization charge of$7.0 million ZAR 67.3 million ( ). This compares to a net loss of$3.6 million ZAR 235.8 million ( ) in Q4 2022 and represents a$15.1 million 21% improvement. Excluding the impact of the non-cash impairment charge, Lesaka would have reported a net loss ofZAR 91.2 million ( ), representing a$4.9 million 68% improvement from the comparable prior year period. -
Operating loss was
ZAR 124.3 million ( ) in Q4 2023, inclusive of a$6.6 million ZAR 131.9 million ( ) non-cash impairment charge and a$7.0 million ZAR 67.3 million ( ) non-cash PPA amortization charge. This is a significant improvement compared to the operating loss of$3.6 million ZAR 157.5 million ( ) in Q4 2022, inclusive of a PPA amortization charge$10.1 million ZAR 57.6 million ( ).$3.7 million -
Group Adjusted EBITDA of
ZAR 158.3 million ( ) represents an improvement of$8.4million 115% compared to the Q4 2022 Group Adjusted EBITDA ofZAR 60.6 million ( ). On a constant currency basis Group Adjusted EBITDA increased by$3.9 million 161% . -
Excellent performance from Merchant, delivering Segment Adjusted EBITDA of
ZAR 154.2 million ( ) in Q4 2023. Outlook remains positive as Merchant extends its footprint across Southern Africa’s largely untapped informal market.$8.2 million -
The Consumer Division reported a third consecutive quarter of profitability delivering Segment Adjusted EBITDA of
ZAR 46.5 million ( ) in Q4 2023, compared to a loss of$2.5 million ZAR 19.2 million ( ) in Q4 2022. With the divisional turnaround largely complete, targeted interventions taken to grow the Consumer Division are yielding positive results with revenue increasing$1.2 million 26% on a constant currency basis, off a reduced cost base and in an increasingly difficult operating environment. -
Continued momentum in achieving positive net cash provided by operating activities of
ZAR 182.9 million ( ) in Q4 2023, compared to net cash used by operating activities of$9.8 million ZAR 104.1 million ( ) in Q4 2022.$6.7 million
Lesaka Group CEO Chris Meyer said: “Fiscal 2023 represents a milestone for Lesaka. The successful turnaround in the Consumer Division, and the seamless integration of the Connect Group, enabled Lesaka to deliver continued growth and improved profitability despite the particularly challenging macroeconomic and socio-political conditions in
Mr. Meyer continued, “We continue to innovate and deliver market-leading solutions to our customers with our results demonstrating the value our customers place on our services and the resilience of our business model in a challenging environment. The continued digitalization of South Africa’s informal economy serves as a durable catalyst for our business which we expect to continue over the long term.”
Full release and webcast details at https://ir.lesakatech.com/.
The discussion of our consolidated overall results of operations is based on amounts as reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements which are prepared in accordance with
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
Below is the reconciliation between our GAAP measure and our non-GAAP measures.
FY23 Q4 |
FY22 Q4 |
FY23 Q4 |
FY22 Q4 |
|||||
|
ZAR’000 |
ZAR’000 |
$’000 |
$’000 |
||||
Average exchange rate for conversion from ZAR to $ |
18.74 |
|
15.56 |
|
18.74 |
|
15.56 |
|
Loss attributable to Lesaka – GAAP |
(223 192 |
) |
(235 783 |
) |
(11 909 |
) |
(15 149 |
) |
Loss from equity accounted investments |
47 509 |
|
38 802 |
|
2 535 |
|
2 493 |
|
Net loss before loss from equity-accounted investments |
(175 683 |
) |
(196 981 |
) |
(9 374 |
) |
(12 656 |
) |
Income tax (benefit) expense |
(34 560 |
) |
(6 646 |
) |
(1 844 |
) |
(427 |
) |
Loss before income tax expense |
(210 243 |
) |
(203 627 |
) |
(11 218 |
) |
(13 083 |
) |
Gain on disposal of equity securities |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
Net loss on disposal of equity-accounted investment |
225 |
|
467 |
|
12 |
|
30 |
|
Impairment loss |
131 921 |
|
- |
|
7 039 |
|
- |
|
Unrealized loss FV for currency adjustments |
3 355 |
|
- |
|
179 |
|
- |
|
Operating income/(loss) after PPA amortization and net interest (non-GAAP) |
(74 742 |
) |
(203 160 |
) |
(3 988 |
) |
(13 053 |
) |
PPA amortization (amortization of acquired intangible assets) |
67 266 |
|
57 586 |
|
3 590 |
|
3 700 |
|
Operating income/(loss) before PPA amortization after net interest (non-GAAP) |
(7 476 |
) |
(145 574 |
) |
(398 |
) |
(9 353 |
) |
Interest expense |
96 687 |
|
55 362 |
|
5 159 |
|
3 557 |
|
Interest income |
(10 945 |
) |
(9 743 |
) |
(584 |
) |
(626 |
) |
Operating income/(loss) before PPA amortization and net interest (non-GAAP) |
78 266 |
|
(99 955 |
) |
4 177 |
|
(6 422 |
) |
Depreciation (excluding amortization of intangibles) |
41 303 |
|
27 877 |
|
2 203 |
|
1 791 |
|
Stock-based compensation charges |
25 376 |
|
19 471 |
|
1 354 |
|
1 251 |
|
Lease adjustments |
12 201 |
|
20 358 |
|
651 |
|
1 308 |
|
Once-off items |
1 199 |
|
92 887 |
|
64 |
|
5 968 |
|
Group Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) |
158 345 |
|
60 638 |
|
8 449 |
|
3 896 |
|
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230912482981/en/
Investor Relations Contacts:
Phillipe Welthagen
Email: phillipe.welthagen@lesakatech.com
Mobile: +27 84 512 5393
FNK IR:
Rob Fink / Matt Chesler, CFA
Email: lsak@fnkir.com
Media Relations Contact:
Janine Bester Gertzen
Email: janine@thenielsennetwork.com
Source: Lesaka Technologies, Inc.