MarketWise Reports Financial Results for Second Quarter 2023
- None.
- Decrease in net revenue, billings, and net income compared to Q2 2022
- Decline in total paid subscribers and active free subscribers
~ Total Subscribers of 16.7 Million, Including 750 Thousand Paid Subscribers ~
~ Revenues of
~ Billings of
~ Net Income of
~ CFFO and Adjusted CFFO of
BALTIMORE, Aug. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MarketWise, Inc. (NASDAQ: MKTW) (“MarketWise” or the “Company”), a leading multi-brand digital subscription services platform that provides premium financial research, software, education, and tools for self-directed investors, today reported financial results for second quarter 2023.
| Second Quarter 2023 Key Performance Highlights | ||||||||||||||||||
| YTD | YTD | YTD | ||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | 2Q 2023 | 2Q 2022 | % Change | 2Q 2023 | 2Q 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Total Subscribers (in thousands) | 16,699 | 15,871 | 5.2 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Paid Subscribers (in thousands) | 750 | 898 | (16.5 | )% | ||||||||||||||
| Total net revenue (in millions) | $ | 103.6 | $ | 128.0 | (19.1 | )% | $ | 229.9 | $ | 264.8 | (13.2 | )% | ||||||
| Billings (in millions) | $ | 96.2 | $ | 117.5 | (18.1 | )% | $ | 193.3 | $ | 253.5 | (23.7 | )% | ||||||
| ARPU | $ | 490 | $ | 580 | (15.5 | )% | ||||||||||||
| Net income (in millions) | $ | 9.7 | $ | 34.0 | (71.5 | )% | $ | 40.3 | $ | 57.1 | (29.4 | )% | ||||||
| CFFO (in millions) | $ | 29.0 | $ | 26.8 | 8.2 | % | $ | 32.8 | $ | 27.9 | 17.6 | % | ||||||
| Adjusted CFFO (in millions) | $ | 29.0 | $ | 26.8 | 8.2 | % | $ | 32.8 | $ | 27.9 | 17.6 | % | ||||||
Second Quarter 2023 Highlights(1)
- Total net revenue was
$103.6 million in second quarter 2023 compared to$128.0 million in second quarter 2022 - Total Billings was
$96.2 million in second quarter 2023 compared to$117.5 million in second quarter 2022 - Net income was
$9.7 million in second quarter 2023 compared to$34.0 million in second quarter 2022 - Cash flow from operations (“CFFO”) was
$29.0 million in second quarter 2023 compared to$26.8 million in second quarter 2022 - Adjusted CFFO, a non-GAAP measure, was
$29.0 million in second quarter 2023 compared to$26.8 million in second quarter 2022 - CFFO margin was
28.0% in second quarter 2023 compared to20.9% in second quarter 2022 - Adjusted CFFO margin, a non-GAAP measure, was
30.1% in second quarter 2023 compared to22.8% in second quarter 2022 - Deferred revenue was
$628.4 million as of June 30, 2023 compared to$701.1 million as of June 30, 2022 - Paid Subscribers were 750 thousand as of June 30, 2023 compared to 898 thousand as of June 30, 2022
- Free Subscribers were 15.9 million as of June 30, 2023 compared to 15.0 million as of June 30, 2022. Active Free Subscribers were 3.9 million as of June 30, 2023 compared to 4.3 million as of June 30, 2022
(1) See “Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. For a reconciliation of Adjusted CFFO and Adjusted CFFO margin, see “Non-GAAP Measures” below.
Amber Lee Mason, Chief Executive Officer of MarketWise, commented, “We have seen recent signs of stabilization in many of our operating metrics. Subscriber engagement and conversion rates are beginning to improve. However, market volatility and economic uncertainty continued to affect our business throughout the quarter.”
Ms. Mason continued, “Our publishers and editors are bringing new product to market, focused on artificial intelligence, global-macro themes, and their impact on the future of financial markets. Our disciplined approach to overhead and direct marketing expense has positioned us to capitalize on new opportunities and grow our community as self-direct investors return the market.”
Second Quarter 2023 Financial & Operational Results
Net revenue decreased by
Term subscription revenue decreased during the three months ended June 30, 2023 primarily due to lower Billings as compared to the 2022 period, which was driven by reduced engagement of prospective and existing subscribers in the 2022 period. Membership subscription revenue, which is initially deferred and recognized over a five-year period, decreased during the three months ended June 30, 2023 as a result of lower volume of membership subscriptions in current and prior years.
Billings decreased by
Billings decreased by
Net income decreased by
CFFO increased by
Adjusted CFFO increased by
Total Paid Subscribers decreased by 148 thousand, or
Total Paid Subscribers decreased by 27 thousand, or
Free Subscribers increased by 1.0 million, or
Free Subscribers increased by 0.3 million, or
Non-GAAP Measures
The following table provides a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to Adjusted CFFO, and net cash provided by operating activities margin as a percentage of total net revenue to Adjusted CFFO Margin, in each case, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”):
| (In thousands) | Second Quarter | Year to Date June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | % Change | 2023 | 2022 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 28,978 | $ | 26,794 | 8.2% | $ | 32,846 | $ | 27,862 | 17.9% | ||||||||||
| Non-recurring expenses | — | — | NM | — | — | NM | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted CFFO | $ | 28,978 | $ | 26,794 | 8.2% | $ | 32,846 | $ | 27,862 | 17.9% | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 28,978 | $ | 26,794 | 8.2% | $ | 32,846 | $ | 27,862 | 17.9% | ||||||||||
| Total net revenue | 103,644 | 128,014 | (19.0)% | 229,877 | 264,812 | (13.2)% | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities margin | 28.0 | % | 20.9 | % | 14.3 | % | 10.5 | % | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted CFFO | $ | 28,978 | $ | 26,794 | 8.2% | $ | 32,846 | $ | 27,862 | 17.9% | ||||||||||
| Billings | 96,170 | 117,507 | (18.2)% | 193,341 | 253,502 | (23.7)% | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted CFFO margin | 30.1 | % | 22.8 | % | 17.0 | % | 11.0 | % | ||||||||||||
| NM: Not meaningful | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends
On July 20, 2023, the Company paid a cash dividend to its Class A common stockholders in the amount of
On August 3, 2023, the Company’s Board declared a cash dividend to its Class A common stockholders in the amount of
MarketWise Inc.’s Class A common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "MKTW." As of June 30, 2023, the Company had 32,073,995 Class A common shares and 289,842,303 Class B common shares issued and outstanding. The Company's common stock market capitalization was approximately
About MarketWise
Founded with a mission to level the playing field for self-directed investors, today MarketWise is a leading multi-brand subscription services platform providing premium financial research, software, education, and tools for investors.
With more than 20 years of operating history, MarketWise is currently comprised of 13 primary customer facing brands, offering more than 200 products, and serving a community of Free and Paid Subscribers. MarketWise’s products are a trusted source for high-value financial research, education, actionable investment ideas, and investment software. MarketWise is a
Conference Call Details
As previously announced, the Company will hold a live video webcast of the earnings conference call to discuss its Second Quarter 2023 results on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Interested investors and other parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging onto the investor relations section of the Company’s website at investors.marketwise.com. The online replay of the webcast will remain available for a limited time following the call.
Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In this release we discuss certain key business metrics, which we believe provide useful information about the Company’s business and the operational factors underlying the Company’s financial performance. We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating these key metrics, which may hinder comparability with other companies who may calculate similarly titled metrics in a different way.
Billings is defined as amounts invoiced to customers.
Free Subscribers are defined as unique subscribers who have subscribed to one of our free investment publications via a valid email address and continue to remain directly opted in, excluding any Paid Subscribers who also have free subscriptions. Active Free Subscribers are those Free Subscribers with whom we have engaged during the most recent quarter and represent those individuals who have received and/or consumed our content on a regular basis during that same quarter.
Paid Subscribers are defined as the total number of unique subscribers with at least one paid subscription at the end of the period.
Average revenue per user or ARPU is defined as the trailing four quarters of net Billings divided by the average number of quarterly total Paid Subscribers over that period.
In addition to our results determined in accordance with GAAP, we believe that the below non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating our ability to generate cash. We use the below non-GAAP financial measures, collectively, to evaluate our ongoing operations and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. We believe that non-GAAP financial information, when taken collectively, may be helpful to investors because it provides consistency and comparability with past financial performance. This non-GAAP financial information is presented for supplemental informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from similarly titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies. A reconciliation is provided above for each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable financial measure stated in accordance with GAAP. Investors are encouraged to review the related GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
Adjusted CFFO is defined as cash flow from operations plus or minus any non-recurring items.
Adjusted CFFO Margin is defined as Adjusted CFFO as a percentage of Billings.
We believe that Adjusted CFFO and Adjusted CFFO Margin are useful indicators that provide information to management and investors about our ability to generate cash (without the effects of non-recurring items), and for internal planning and forecasting purposes.
We expect Adjusted CFFO and Adjusted CFFO Margin to fluctuate in future periods as we invest in our business to execute our growth strategy. These activities, along with any non-recurring items as described above, may result in fluctuations in Adjusted CFFO and Adjusted CFFO Margin in future periods.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the financial position, business strategy, and the plans and objectives of management for future operations of MarketWise. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, but not limited to: our ability to attract new subscribers and to persuade existing subscribers to renew their subscription agreements with us and to purchase additional products and services from us; our ability to adequately market our products and services, and to develop additional products and product offerings; our ability to manage our growth effectively, including through acquisitions; failure to maintain and protect our reputation for trustworthiness and independence; our ability to attract, develop, and retain capable management, editors, and other key personnel; our ability to grow market share in our existing markets or any new markets we may enter; adverse or weakened conditions in the financial sector, global financial markets, and global economy; current macroeconomic events, including heightened inflation, rise in interest rates and the potential for an economic recession; failure to comply with laws and regulations or other regulatory action or investigations, including the Advisers Act; our ability to respond to and adapt to changes in technology and consumer behavior; failure to successfully identify and integrate acquisitions, or dispose of assets and businesses; our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; the impact of the regulatory environment and complexities with compliance related to such environment; our future capital needs; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, and to address and remediate existing material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting; and other factors beyond our control.
The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and we assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We do not give any assurance that we will achieve our expectations.
Table 1. Income Statement
| (Unaudited, in thousands) | Second Quarter | Year to Date June 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 103,363 | $ | 127,466 | $ | 228,978 | $ | 264,086 | ||||||||
| Related party revenue | 281 | 548 | 899 | 726 | ||||||||||||
| Total net revenue | 103,644 | 128,014 | 229,877 | 264,812 | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue(1) | 14,635 | 16,229 | 29,925 | 33,846 | ||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing(1) | 49,033 | 65,050 | 97,760 | 133,287 | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative(1) | 27,629 | 20,364 | 55,662 | 50,909 | ||||||||||||
| Research and development(1) | 2,230 | 2,289 | 4,693 | 4,567 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 994 | 613 | 1,978 | 1,217 | ||||||||||||
| Related party expense | 204 | 97 | 332 | 194 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 94,725 | 104,642 | 190,350 | 224,020 | ||||||||||||
| Income from operations | 8,919 | 23,372 | 39,527 | 40,792 | ||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 238 | 11,923 | 625 | 19,219 | ||||||||||||
| Interest income (expense), net | 1,013 | (218 | ) | 1,551 | (389 | ) | ||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 10,170 | 35,077 | 41,703 | 59,622 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 427 | 1,040 | 1,355 | 2,562 | ||||||||||||
| Net income | 9,743 | 34,037 | 40,348 | 57,060 | ||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 9,707 | 22,156 | 38,845 | 39,354 | ||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to MarketWise, Inc. | $ | 36 | $ | 11,881 | $ | 1,503 | $ | 17,706 | ||||||||
| (1) Cost of revenue, sales and marketing, general and administrative, and research and development expenses are exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown as a separate line item | ||||||||||||||||
Table 2. Balance Sheet
| (Unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data) | June 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 187,022 | $ | 158,575 | |||
| Accounts receivable | 3,138 | 4,040 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses | 10,416 | 11,725 | |||||
| Related party receivables | 1,008 | 1,512 | |||||
| Deferred contract acquisition costs | 99,854 | 99,960 | |||||
| Other current assets | 2,867 | 3,363 | |||||
| Total current assets | 304,305 | 279,175 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 799 | 892 | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 8,459 | 9,468 | |||||
| Intangible assets, net | 15,180 | 16,047 | |||||
| Goodwill | 31,307 | 31,307 | |||||
| Deferred contract acquisition costs, noncurrent | 77,822 | 97,658 | |||||
| Deferred tax assets | 7,265 | 7,332 | |||||
| Other assets | 459 | 629 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 445,596 | $ | 442,508 | |||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Trade and other payables | $ | 3,127 | $ | 686 | |||
| Related party payables, net | 422 | 1,004 | |||||
| Accrued expenses | 38,358 | 45,976 | |||||
| Deferred revenue and other contract liabilities | 288,375 | 315,231 | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 1,507 | 1,484 | |||||
| Other current liabilities | 22,828 | 21,125 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 354,617 | 385,506 | |||||
| Deferred revenue and other contract liabilities, noncurrent | 340,032 | 348,273 | |||||
| Derivative liabilities, noncurrent | 1,982 | 1,281 | |||||
| Tax receivable agreement liability, noncurrent | 1,095 | — | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent | 5,121 | 5,831 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 702,847 | 740,891 | |||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | — | — | |||||
| Stockholders’ deficit: | |||||||
| Common stock - Class A, par value of | 3 | 3 | |||||
| Common stock - Class B, par value of | 29 | 29 | |||||
| Preferred stock - par value of | — | — | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 112,146 | 106,852 | |||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | 30 | 44 | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (126,622 | ) | (128,125 | ) | |||
| Total stockholders’ deficit attributable to MarketWise, Inc. | (14,414 | ) | (21,197 | ) | |||
| Noncontrolling interest | (242,837 | ) | (277,186 | ) | |||
| Total stockholders’ deficit | (257,251 | ) | (298,383 | ) | |||
| Total liabilities, noncontrolling interest, and stockholders’ deficit | $ | 445,596 | $ | 442,508 | |||
Table 3. Cash Flows
| (Unaudited, in thousands) | Year to Date June 30, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 40,348 | $ | 57,060 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,978 | 1,217 | ||||||
| Impairment of right-of-use assets | — | 287 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 7,381 | 5,037 | ||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liabilities – other | 701 | (19,654 | ) | |||||
| Deferred taxes | 1,356 | 2,454 | ||||||
| Unrealized gains on foreign currency | (26 | ) | (132 | ) | ||||
| Noncash lease expense | 1,053 | 906 | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | 902 | 4,495 | ||||||
| Related party receivables and payables, net | (78 | ) | (479 | ) | ||||
| Prepaid expenses | 1,309 | 3,802 | ||||||
| Other current assets and other assets | 666 | (615 | ) | |||||
| Deferred contract acquisition costs | 19,942 | (5,617 | ) | |||||
| Trade and other payables | 2,408 | (2,804 | ) | |||||
| Accrued expenses | (7,618 | ) | (2,586 | ) | ||||
| Deferred revenue | (35,097 | ) | (9,120 | ) | ||||
| Operating lease liabilities | (731 | ) | (981 | ) | ||||
| Other current and long-term liabilities | (1,648 | ) | (5,408 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 32,846 | 27,862 | ||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (46 | ) | (26 | ) | ||||
| Capitalized software development costs | (913 | ) | (81 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (959 | ) | (107 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from related party notes receivable, net | — | 294 | ||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 332 | 517 | ||||||
| Repurchases of stock | — | (13,054 | ) | |||||
| Restricted stock units withheld to pay taxes | (1,106 | ) | — | |||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (2,652 | ) | (3,799 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (3,426 | ) | (16,042 | ) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (14 | ) | (106 | ) | ||||
| Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 28,447 | 11,607 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning of period | 158,575 | 139,578 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — end of period | $ | 187,022 | $ | 151,185 | ||||
MarketWise Investor Relations Contact
Jonathan Shanfield – MarketWise Investor Relations
Jamie Lillis – Solebury Strategic Communication
(800) 290-4113
Email: ir@marketwise.com
MarketWise Media Contact
Email: media@marketwise.com
