Research Solutions Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Research Solutions Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

ENCINO, Calif., May 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Research Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: RSSS), a provider of workflow efficiency solutions for R&D-driven organizations, reported financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended March 31, 2018.

Fiscal Third Quarter 2018 Highlights vs. Year-Ago Quarter

    --  Total revenue increased 10% to $7.3 million.
    --  Platform revenue up 81% to $489,000, with a 79% increase in total
        Platform deployments to 208. Annual recurring revenue was up 76% to $2.0
        million.
    --  Transaction revenue up 7% to $6.8 million, with customer count up 8% to
        1,059. Transaction count up 3% to 219,607.
    --  Total gross margin up 240 basis points to 26.3%.
    --  Net loss from continuing operations was $0.3 million, or $(0.01) per
        share, compared to a net loss of $0.8 million, or $(0.03) per share.

Management Commentary

"Our third quarter demonstrates the continued momentum in our strategy to deliver unique workflow efficiency solutions to research-driven organizations in life sciences, technology and academia," said Peter Derycz, president and CEO of Research Solutions. "This can be seen in our fourth consecutive quarter of approximately 10% total revenue growth and annual recurring revenue in our SaaS Platforms business that has surpassed $2 million.

"We expect our momentum to continue in the remainder of 2018 as we launch version 2.1 and 2.2 of our Platform framework, supported by powerful weekly releases or improvements to smart applications we develop called 'gadgets.' This will be supported by a sales and marketing team that we are reconstructing to drive optimum efficiency and investment returns."

Fiscal Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Total revenue increased 10% to $7.3 million compared to $6.6 million in the same year-ago quarter.

Platform subscription revenue increased 81% to $489,000 compared to $271,000 in the year-ago quarter. The increase was due to a 79% increase in the total number of paid Platform deployments to 208. The quarter ended with annual recurring revenue up 76% to $2.0 million (see the company's definition of annual recurring revenue below).

Transaction revenue increased 7% to $6.8 million compared to $6.4 million in the same year-ago quarter. Total active customers increased 8% from 985 to 1,059, and transaction count increased 3% from 213,000 to 220,000 (see the company's definition of active customer accounts and transactions below).

Total gross margin increased 240 basis points to 26.3% from 23.9% in the same year-ago quarter. The increase was driven by a 100 basis point increase in Transactions gross margin and a revenue mix shift to the higher-margin Platforms business.

Total operating expenses decreased to $2.2 million compared to $2.4 million in the same year-ago quarter. The decrease was primarily due to the continued optimization of sales and marketing resources and open positions.

Net loss from continuing operations improved to $0.3 million, or $(0.01) per share, compared to a net loss of $0.8 million, or $(0.03) per share, in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA totaled $(0.1) million compared to $(0.6) million in the year-ago quarter (see definition and further discussion about the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP term, below).

Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2018 were $4.8 million compared to $5.8 million at June 30, 2017. There were no outstanding borrowings under the company's $2.5 million revolving line of credit. Apart from a $0.2 million office lease liability due to new accounting guidance for leases, the company had no long-term liabilities or other debt.

Further details about these results are available in the company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q, which is available in the investor relations section of the company's website at www.researchsolutions.com.

Conference Call

Research Solutions President and CEO Peter Derycz and CFO Alan Urban will host an investor conference call to discuss these results and the company's outlook, followed by a question and answer period.

Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (2:00 p.m. Pacific time)
Toll-free dial-in number: 1-855-327-6837
International dial-in number: 1-631-891-4304
Conference ID: 10004686

Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Liolios Group at 1-949-574-3860.

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here and via the investor relations section of the company's website at www.researchsolutions.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through May 29, 2018.

Toll-free replay number: 1-844-512-2921
International replay number: 1-412-317-6671
Replay ID: 10004686

Fiscal Third Quarter 2018 Financial and Operational Summary Tables vs. Year-Ago Quarter


                                                                                  Quarter Ended March 31,                                  Nine Months Ended March 31,

                                                                             2018                             2017 Change              %                                         2018             2017 Change                   %
                                                                             ----                             ---- ------              ---                                       ----             ---- ------                  ---

    Revenue:

                                    Platforms                                                            $489,219             $270,920                  $218,299        80.6%               $1,290,568                $662,129           $628,439        94.9%

                                    Transactions                                                        6,792,289            6,372,679                   419,610         6.6%               19,562,000              18,245,640          1,316,360         7.2%
                                                                                                      ---------            ---------                   -------         ----                                       ----------          ---------         ----

    Total Revenue                                                                                     7,281,508            6,643,599                   637,909         9.6%               20,852,568              18,907,769          1,944,799        10.3%


    Gross Profit:

                                    Platforms                                                             386,034              212,553                   173,481        81.6%                1,013,034                 528,175            484,859        91.8%

                                    Transactions                                                        1,532,330            1,374,837                   157,493        11.5%                4,390,639               3,868,109            522,530        13.5%
                                                                                                      ---------            ---------                   -------        -----                                        ---------            -------        -----

    Total Gross Profit                                                                                1,918,364            1,587,390                   330,974        20.9%                5,403,673               4,396,284          1,007,389        22.9%


    Gross profit as a % of revenue:

                                    Platforms                                                               78.9%               78.5%                     0.5%                                78.5%                  79.8%             -1.3%

                                    Transactions                                                            22.6%               21.6%                     1.0%                                22.4%                  21.2%              1.2%

    Total Gross Profit                                                      26.3%                           23.9%                2.5%                                         25.9%           23.3%                   2.7%


    Operating Expenses:

                                    Sales and marketing                                                   522,894              698,346                 (175,452)      -25.1%                1,726,443               1,683,704             42,739         2.5%

                                    Technology and product development                                    436,672              396,765                    39,907        10.1%                1,343,995               1,062,790            281,204        26.5%

                                    General and administrative                                          1,091,930            1,120,481                  (28,551)       -2.5%                3,322,127               3,341,788           (19,660)       -0.6%

                                    Depreciation and amortization                                          32,768               33,906                   (1,138)       -3.4%                  119,666                  96,801             22,865        23.6%

                                    Stock-based compensation                                              114,340              112,326                     2,014         1.8%                  715,147                 518,012            197,135        38.1%

                                    Foreign currency translation loss                                     (9,737)               6,272                  (16,009)     -255.2%                 (22,609)                 27,227           (49,836)     -183.0%
                                                                                                                                                       -----      -------                                                             ------      -------

    Total Operating Expenses                                                                          2,188,866            2,368,095                 (179,229)       -7.6%                7,204,769               6,730,322            474,447         7.0%
                                                                                                      ---------            ---------                  --------         ----                 ---------               ---------            -------          ---


    Income (loss) from operations                                                                     (270,502)           (780,705)                  510,203        65.4%              (1,801,096)            (2,334,038)           532,942        22.8%


    Other Income (Expenses):

                                    Interest expense                                                        2,000              (3,000)                    5,000       166.7%                  (4,000)                (9,000)             5,000        55.6%

                                    Other income (expense)                                                 13,769               10,143                     3,626        35.7%                   37,883                  20,277             17,606        86.8%

                                    Provision for income taxes                                           (10,531)             (5,544)                  (4,987)      -90.0%                 (32,098)               (28,486)           (3,612)      -12.7%

                                    Income from discontinued operations                                         -             141,616                 (141,616)     -100.0%                        -                460,131          (460,131)     -100.0%

                                    Gain on sale of discontinued operations                                69,277                    -                   69,277                               205,779                       -           205,779
                                    --------------                                                         ------                  ---                                                       -------                     ---

    Total Other Income (Expenses):                                                                       74,515              143,215                  (68,700)      -48.0%                  207,564                 442,922          (235,358)      -53.1%


    Net income (loss)                                                                                $(195,987)          $(637,490)                 $441,503        69.3%             $(1,593,532)           $(1,891,116)          $297,584        15.7%
                                                                                                      =========            =========                  ========         ====               ===========             ===========           ========         ====


    Platforms:

                                    ARR (Annual recurring revenue)                                                                                                                       $1,982,867              $1,124,451           $858,416        76.3%

                                    Deployments                                                                                                                                                 208                     116                 92        79.3%

                                    ASP (Average sales price)                                                                                                                                $9,533                  $9,694             $(161)       -1.7%

    Transactions:

                                    Transaction count                                                     219,607              212,827                     6,780         3.2%                  629,692                 597,697             31,995         5.4%

                                    Corporate customers                                                       848                  802                        46         5.7%                      823                     773                 50         6.5%

                                    Academic customers                                                        211                  183                        28        15.3%                      218                     179                 39        21.7%

                                    Total customers                                                         1,059                  985                        74         7.5%                    1,042                     952                 89         9.4%

Active Customer Accounts, Transactions and Annual Recurring Revenue

The company defines active customer accounts as the sum of the total quantity of customers per month for each month in the period divided by the respective number of months in the period. The quantity of customers per month is defined as customers with at least one transaction during the month.

A transaction is an order for a unit of copyrighted content fulfilled or managed in the Platform.

The company defines annual recurring revenue as the value of contracted Platform subscription recurring revenue normalized to a one-year period.

Use of Non-GAAP Measure - Adjusted EBITDA

Research Solutions' management evaluates and makes operating decisions using various financial metrics. In addition to the company's GAAP results, management also considers the non-GAAP measure of Adjusted EBITDA. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure provides useful information about the company's operating results.

The tables below provide a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), plus interest expense, other income (expense), foreign currency transaction loss, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, income from discontinued operations, gain on sale of discontinued operations, and other potential adjustments that may arise.

Set forth below is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss):


                                                                          Quarter Ended March 31,                                 Nine Months Ended March 31,

                                                                               2018              2017 Change                                       2018                2017  Change
                                                                               ----              ---- ------                                       ----                ----  ------

    Net Income (loss)                                         $(195,987) $(637,490)         $441,503                    $(1,593,532)      $(1,891,116)           $297,584

                      Add (deduct):

                      Interest expense                                      (2,000)            3,000           (5,000)                           4,000               9,000               (5,000)

                      Other income (expense)                               (13,769)         (10,143)          (3,626)                        (37,883)           (20,277)             (17,606)

                      Foreign currency translation loss                     (9,737)            6,272          (16,009)                        (22,609)             27,227              (49,836)

                      Provision for income taxes                             10,531             5,544             4,987                           32,098              28,486                 3,612

                      Depreciation and amortization                          32,768            33,906           (1,138)                         119,666              96,801                22,865

                      Stock-based compensation                              114,340           112,326             2,014                          715,147             518,012               197,135

                      Income from discontinued operations                         -        (141,616)          141,616                                -          (460,131)              460,131

                      Gain on sale of discontinued operations              (69,277)                -         (69,277)                       (205,779)                  -            (205,779)
                                                                            -------               ---          -------                         --------                 ---             --------

                      Adjusted EBITDA                                    $(133,131)       $(628,201)         $495,070                       $(988,892)       $(1,691,998)             $703,106

About Research Solutions

Research Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: RSSS) provides workflow efficiency solutions for R&D-driven organizations in life sciences, technology and academia worldwide. Our Software-as-a-Service platform provides tools or "Gadgets" that allow users to discover, access, manage and collaborate around science, technology and medical (STM) content and data. Our customers range from 70+% of the top 25 global pharmaceutical companies to emerging small and medium-sized businesses. We generate recurring revenue from subscriptions to our SaaS platform and transactional revenue from the sale of STM content. For more information, visit www.researchsolutions.com.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Such matters involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: changes in economic conditions; general competitive factors; acceptance of the company's products in the market; the company's success in obtaining new customers and new Platform deployments; the company's success in technology and product development; the company's ability to execute its business model and strategic plans; the company's success in integrating acquired entities and assets, and all the risks and related information described from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the financial statements and related information contained in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission Annual Report on Form 10-K and interim Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The company assumes no obligation to update the cautionary information in this release.


                          Research Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                              Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                                    March 31,                June 30,

                                                                           2018                    2017

                                                                    (unaudited)
                                                                    ----------

                                 Assets

    Current assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                     $4,801,305               $5,773,950

    Accounts receivable, net of allowance of
     $119,462 and $119,536, respectively                                           4,336,057                5,465,299

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                        302,811                  196,820

    Prepaid royalties                                                                127,906                  566,282

    Total current assets                                                           9,568,079               12,002,351


    Other assets:

    Property and equipment, net of accumulated
     depreciation of $741,398 and $699,421,
     respectively                                                                     72,434                   85,737

    Intangible assets, net of accumulated
     amortization of $701,436 and $623,714,
     respectively                                                                     21,600                   41,870

    Deposits and other assets                                                         14,459                   14,466

    Right of use asset, net of accumulated
     amortization of $99,864 and $45,105,
     respectively                                                                    335,380                  417,917
                                                                                     -------                  -------

    Total assets                                                                 $10,011,952              $12,562,341
                                                                                 ===========              ===========


                  Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

    Current liabilities:

    Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                         $4,687,974               $6,443,056

    Deferred revenue                                                               1,652,160                1,335,475

    Lease liability, current portion                                                 117,507                  110,888

    Total current liabilities                                                      6,457,641                7,889,419


    Long-term liabilities:

    Lease liability, long-term portion                                               239,555                  328,299

    Total liabilities                                                              6,697,196                8,217,718
                                                                                   ---------                ---------


    Commitments and contingencies


    Stockholders' equity:

    Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 20,000,000
     shares authorized; no shares issued and
     outstanding                                                                           -                       -

    Common stock; $0.001 par value; 100,000,000
     shares authorized; 23,980,383 and 23,883,145
     shares issued and outstanding, respectively                                      23,980                   23,883

    Additional paid-in capital                                                    22,853,945               22,267,327

    Accumulated deficit                                                         (19,469,389)            (17,875,858)

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                            (93,780)                (70,729)
                                                                                     -------                  -------

    Total stockholders' equity                                                     3,314,756                4,344,623
                                                                                   ---------                ---------

    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                   $10,011,952              $12,562,341
                                                                                 ===========              ===========


                                                                                   Research Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss

                                                                                                  (Unaudited)


                                                   Three Months Ended                                       Nine Months Ended

                                                       March 31,                                                March 31,
                                                       ---------                                              ---------

                                                                 2018                                          2017                                    2018 2017
                                                                 ----                                          ----                                    ---- ----


    Revenue:

    Platforms                                                                                 $489,219                                            $270,920           $1,290,568        $662,129

    Transactions                                                                             6,792,289                                           6,372,679           19,562,000      18,245,640
                                                                                             ---------                                           ---------           ----------      ----------

    Total revenue                                                                            7,281,508                                           6,643,599           20,852,568      18,907,769
                                                                                             ---------                                           ---------           ----------      ----------


    Cost of revenue:

    Platforms                                                                                  103,185                                              58,367              277,534         133,954

    Transactions                                                                             5,259,959                                           4,997,842           15,171,361      14,377,531
                                                                                             ---------                                           ---------           ----------      ----------

    Total cost of revenue                                                                    5,363,144                                           5,056,209           15,448,895      14,511,485
                                                                                             ---------                                           ---------           ----------      ----------

    Gross profit                                                                             1,918,364                                           1,587,390            5,403,673       4,396,284
                                                                                             ---------                                           ---------            ---------       ---------


    Operating expenses:

    Selling, general and administrative                                                      2,156,097                                           2,334,189            7,085,102       6,633,521

    Depreciation and amortization                                                               32,768                                              33,906              119,666          96,801

    Total operating expenses                                                                 2,188,865                                           2,368,095            7,204,768       6,730,322
                                                                                             ---------                                           ---------            ---------       ---------

    Loss from operations                                                                     (270,501)                                          (780,705)         (1,801,095)    (2,334,038)
                                                                                              --------                                            --------           ----------      ----------


    Other income (expenses):

    Interest expense                                                                             2,000                                             (3,000)             (4,000)        (9,000)

    Other income                                                                                13,769                                              10,143               37,883          20,277

    Total other income                                                                          15,769                                               7,143               33,883          11,277
                                                                                                ------


    Loss from operations before provision for
     income taxes                                                                            (254,732)                                          (773,562)         (1,767,212)    (2,322,761)

    Provision for income taxes                                                                (10,531)                                            (5,544)            (32,098)       (28,486)
                                                                                               -------                                              ------              -------         -------


    Loss from continuing operations                                                          (265,263)                                          (779,106)         (1,799,310)    (2,351,247)


    Discontinued operations:

    Income from discontinued operations                                                              -                                            141,616                    -        460,131

    Gain from sale of discontinued operations                                                   69,277                                                   -             205,779               -

    Income from discontinued operations                                                         69,277                                             141,616              205,779         460,131


    Net loss                                                                                 (195,986)                                          (637,490)         (1,593,531)    (1,891,116)


    Other comprehensive income (loss):                                                         (7,385)                                           (18,090)            (23,051)       (16,178)
           Foreign currency translation


    Comprehensive loss                                                                      $(203,371)                                         $(655,580)        $(1,616,582)   $(1,907,294)
                                                                                             =========                                           =========          ===========     ===========


    Loss per common share:

    Loss per share from continuing operations,
     basic and diluted                                                                         $(0.01)                                            $(0.03)             $(0.08)        $(0.10)

    Income per share from discontinued operations,
     basic and diluted                                              $                                -                        $                         -               $0.01           $0.02

    Net loss per share, basic and diluted                                                      $(0.01)                                            $(0.03)             $(0.07)        $(0.08)

    Weighted average common shares outstanding,
     basic and diluted                                                                      23,498,796                                          23,265,939           23,444,569      23,199,010

CONTACT: Investor Relations, Liolios Group, Inc., Cody Slach, Tel +1 (949) 574-3860, RSSS@liolios.com, or Media Contact, Research Solutions, Inc., Mitja-Alexander Linss, Director of Marketing, Tel +1 (617) 835 0854, mlinss@reprintsdesk.com

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