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Autobytel Reports 2010 Second Quarter Financial Results

^{Published on 2010-08-12 13:45:59 - Market Wire}
 

IRVINE, Calif.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq: ABTL), a leader in providing online consumer leads and marketing resources to the [ auto ] industry, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

"While strategic new hires and additional investments dampened results in the short-term, we are driving important progress that is intended to improve operations over the long-term."

Revenue for the 2010 second quarter totaled $12.1 million, compared with $13.4 million for the 2009 second quarter, but up approximately 3% from $11.8 million in the first quarter of 2010. Lead referral revenue for the 2010 second quarter decreased less than 3% from the same quarter last year. Advertising revenue declined to $869,000 for the 2010 second quarter, from $1.8 million for the 2009 second quarter and $1.1 million for the 2010 first quarter, related principally to reduced page views as the company continued to eliminate lower quality traffic sources while focusing on improving ad click through rates and the development of a more engaging consumer experience.

As a result of strategic investments aimed at positioning the company for a growing automotive market, Autobytel reported a net loss of $3.0 million, or $0.07 per share, for the 2010 second quarter, which included severance and related expenses of $425,000. This compares with a net loss of $251,000, or $0.01 per share, in the prior-year period which included other income of approximately $580,000 related to the sale of an asset, and $778,000 in income from discontinued operations in connection with the release of escrowed funds from the sale of AVV. Both of these items were related to patent litigation settlements entered into during the 2009 second quarter.

aAlthough some of the strategic decisions we made affected the bottom line results this quarter, we are convinced we are making the right moves to better position Autobytel for an expected upswing in the automotive market,a said Jeffrey H. Coats, President and Chief Executive Officer of Autobytel. aWhile strategic new hires and additional investments dampened results in the short-term, we are driving important progress that is intended to improve operations over the long-term.

aA series of newly launched innovative products has resulted in new and used dealer count growing by more than 10% over the last three quarters. As an example, our iControl product allows dealers to dynamically specify the leads they would like to receive. This product was launched in the first quarter, achieved 13.5% penetration by the end of the second quarter and is expected to achieve 25% penetration by the end of the year. Our finance leads business continued to show strength during the second quarter, with revenue growing by 27% on a year-over-year basis; and total revenue increased on a sequential basis for the first time in more than five quarters,a said Coats. aOn the advertising front, click-through rates for Autobytela™s advertisers are at an all-time high, and as page views increase, Autobytela™s network of sites present very attractive media options for OEMs. As the industry continues to pick up pace, we look forward to playing a larger role in providing dealers and manufacturers with the best tools available to help them sell more cars, while giving automotive consumers the best tools available to make informed purchasing decisions.a

Gross margin increased to 35.0% for the 2010 second quarter, versus 32.9% for the 2009 second quarter, primarily reflecting an increased number of higher quality internally generated leads, but declined on a sequential basis as the result of investments made to further improve the volume and quality of leads delivered to Autobytela™s customers.

Total operating expenses for the 2010 second quarter were $7.5 million, compared with $6.6 million in the prior-year period. The increase in expenses was due largely to personnel costs related to strategic new hires associated with pursuing future growth opportunities, as well as approximately $425,000 in severance and related costs in the second quarter of 2010.

Six-Month Results

For the six months ended June 30, 2010, revenue totaled $23.9 million, versus $27.3 million for the prior-year period. Lead referral revenue for the first six months ended June 30, 2010 declined 7% from the first six months ended June 30, 2009. Advertising revenue totaled $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, versus $3.5 million for the first six months ended June 30, 2009, related principally to the same factors discussed earlier.

Total operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2010 were $11.6 million, including a $2.8 million credit to expense related to patent litigation settlements ($2.7 million of which was the final payment under one of these settlements in the first quarter of 2010). This compares with total operating expenses of $12.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2009, including a $2.8 million credit to expense related to the aforementioned patent litigation settlements. Severance and related expenses were $425,000 and $505,000 in the 2010 and 2009 periods, respectively.

Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2010 totaled $2.2 million, or $0.05 per share. In the prior-year period, net loss was $608,000, or $0.01 per share, which included other income of approximately $580,000 related to the sale of an asset, and $778,000 in income from discontinued operations in connection with the release of escrowed funds from the sale of AVV. Both of these items related to patent litigation settlements executed during the 2009 second quarter.

Cash and cash equivalents were $23.9 million at June 30, 2010, down slightly from $25.1 million at December 31, 2009. Autobytela™s balance sheet is debt free.

Conference Call

Autobytel management will host a conference call today at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT to discuss its 2010 second quarter financial results. Interested parties may participate in the live call by dialing 877-672-6099, passcode 90024493. An audio broadcast will also be available through a live webcast at [ www.autobytel.com ] (click on aInvestor Relationsa and then click on aConference Callsa). Please visit the website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register and download any necessary software. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, the call will be archived for one year on Autobytela™s website. A telephone replay of the call will also be available through August 19, 2010 by dialing 800-642-1687, passcode 90024493. The slides that will be referenced during the call will be available on the companya™s website at [ www.autobytel.com ] (click on aInvestor Relationsa and under aNews and Eventsa click on aPresentationsa). They can also be accessed by clicking on the following link:

[ http://www.irconnect.com/abtl/pages/presentations.html ]

The slides will contain certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G, including adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating expenses. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures will be included in the slides posted on our website.

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc., a leader in providing online consumer leads and marketing resources to [ car dealers ] and manufacturers, pioneered the automotive Internet when it launched autobytel.com in 1995. Today, the company is continuing to offer innovative products and services to help auto dealers and manufacturers sell more new and [ used cars ]. Autobytel has helped tens of millions of automotive consumers research vehicles; connected thousands of dealers nationwide with motivated car buyers; and helped every major automaker market its brand online. Through its flagship website Autobytel.com^®, its network of automotive sites including Autoweb.com^®, AutoSite.com^®, Car.com^sm, CarSmart.com^®, CarTV.com^®, and MyRide.com^®, and its respected online partners, Autobytel continues its dedication to innovating the industrya™s highest quality Internet programs to provide consumers with a comprehensive and positive automotive research and purchasing experience, and auto dealers, dealer groups and auto manufacturers with one of the industrya™s most productive and cost-effective customer referral and marketing programs.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Autobytel undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements are changes in general economic conditions, the financial condition of automobile manufacturers and dealers, the economic impact of terrorist attacks or military actions, increased dealer attrition, pressure on dealer fees, increased or unexpected competition, the failure of new products and services to meet expectations, failure to retain key employees or attract and integrate new employees, actual costs and expenses exceeding charges taken by Autobytel, changes in laws and regulations, costs of legal matters, including, defending lawsuits and undertaking investigations and related matters, and other matters disclosed in Autobytela™s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are strongly encouraged to review the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could affect operating results and the market price of the stock. In addition, current year financial information could be subject to change as a result of subsequent events or the finalization of the companya™s financial statement close which culminates with the filing of its Form 10-K.