Research Solutions Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results

ENCINO, Calif., May 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Research Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: RSSS), a SaaS provider of workflow efficiency solutions for R&D-driven organizations, reported financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended March 31, 2019.

Fiscal Third Quarter 2019 Highlights vs. Year-Ago Quarter

    --  Platform revenue up 53% to $749,000, with a 35% increase in total
        Platform deployments to 281. Annual recurring revenue up 51% to $3.0
        million.
    --  Transaction revenue was $6.6 million versus $6.8 million, with customer
        count up 2% to 1,078.
    --  Total gross margin up 320 basis points to 29.5%.
    --  Net loss from continuing operations improved to $0.2 million, or nil per
        share, compared to a net loss of $0.3 million, or $(0.01) per share.

Management Commentary

"The third quarter marked continued progress in our SaaS-based Platform business with strong revenue growth and additional margin expansion," said Peter Derycz, president and CEO of Research Solutions. "Driving these results was continued Platform 'upsells,' which confirms our current users find value in the offering and seek greater access to its functionality. Behind these upsell results is our Customer Happiness group, which provides both customer support and advanced account management. They have done an excellent job helping our customers take the best advantage of what our Platform has to offer.

"We also completed two major internal initiatives during the quarter that we believe will further bolster new Platform deployments. First, we completed the migration of our Platform from internal servers and are now entirely cloud-based, which provides near unlimited scalability. We also completed the build-out of our sales team, along with implementing more targeted marketing strategies to better articulate the value proposition of the Platform to potential new users.

"In addition, we made incremental upgrades to the Platform, including enhancements to the Reference Manager gadget and launching marketing campaigns to promote the unique functionality of this core gadget. The combination of consistently improving the Platform, excellent customer support and fair pricing has resulted in a customer churn rate far better than industry benchmarks.

"Looking forward to the remainder of the year, we will be very focused on introducing new users to the Platform, but also converting those users to our premium subscription plans. While still testing and evaluating what is most effective and efficient, we have begun ramping up our marketing campaigns to generate more leads through our self-registration option, while further optimizing our selling tactics to increase our lead conversion rate. We believe we have the necessary people and infrastructure in place to further accelerate Platform growth and deliver an invaluable research tool to the many thousands of R&D organizations worldwide."

Fiscal Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Total revenue increased to $7.4 million compared to $7.3 million in the same year-ago quarter.

Platform subscription revenue increased 53% to $749,000 compared to $489,000 in the same year-ago quarter. The increase was due to upselling current platform customers and to a 35% increase in the total number of paid Platform deployments from 208 to 281. The quarter ended with annual recurring revenue up 51% to $3.0 million (see the company's definition of annual recurring revenue below).

Transaction revenue was $6.6 million compared to $6.8 million in the same year-ago quarter. Total active customers increased 2% from 1,059 to 1,078 and transaction count declined from 220,000 to 212,000 (see the company's definition of active customer accounts and transactions below).

Total gross margin increased 320 basis points to 29.5% from 26.3% in the same year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily driven by a 310 basis point increase in Platform gross margin and the continued revenue mix shift to the higher-margin Platform business.

Total operating expenses were $2.4 million compared to $2.2 million in the same year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily due to increased spending on technology and product development related to the Platform business.

Net loss from continuing operations improved to $0.2 million, or nil per share, compared to a net loss of $0.3 million, or $(0.01) per share, in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA totaled $(0.0) million compared to $(0.1) 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, 2019, amounted to $5.3 million compared to $4.9 million at June 30, 2018. There were no outstanding borrowings under the company's $2.5 million revolving line of credit. Apart from a $0.1 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: Wednesday, May 15, 2019
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: 10006630

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 Gateway Investor Relations 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, 2019.

Toll-free replay number: 1-844-512-2921
International replay number: 1-412-317-6671
Replay ID: 10006630



     
     Fiscal Third Quarter 2019 Financial and Operational Summary Tables vs. Year-Ago Quarter




                                                       
            
              Quarter Ended Mar. 31,                         
          
        Nine Months Ended Mar. 31,




                                                                  2019                2018        
     
     Change        
        
            %                       2019             2018  
     
     Change         
          
           %
                                                                                                                      Change                                                                          Change



             
            Revenue:


             
            Platforms                               $748,726            $489,219                 $259,507             53.0%                $2,005,284       $1,290,568           $714,716               55.4%


             
            Transactions                           6,629,231           6,792,289                (163,058)            -2.4%                19,314,036       19,562,000          (247,964)              -1.3%



                      Total Revenue                          7,377,957           7,281,508                   96,449              1.3%                21,319,320       20,852,568            466,752                2.2%




                      Gross Profit:


             
            Platforms                                614,054             386,034                  228,020             59.1%                 1,640,277        1,013,034            627,243               61.9%


             
            Transactions                           1,565,607           1,532,330                   33,277              2.2%                 4,475,579        4,390,639             84,940                1.9%



                      Total Gross Profit                     2,179,661           1,918,364                  261,297             13.6%                 6,115,856        5,403,673            712,183               13.2%




                      Gross profit as a
                       % of revenue:


             
            Platforms                                  82.0%              78.9%                    3.1%                                      81.8%           78.5%              3.3%


             
            Transactions                               23.6%              22.6%                    1.1%                                      23.2%           22.4%              0.7%


                      Total Gross Profit                         29.5%              26.3%                    3.2%                                      28.7%           25.9%              2.8%




                      Operating
                       Expenses:


             
            Sales and marketing                      542,641             522,894                   19,747              3.8%                 1,419,937        1,726,443          (306,506)             -17.8%


             
            Technology and prod. dev.                537,685             436,672                  101,013             23.1%                 1,590,752        1,343,995            246,757               18.4%


             
            General and administrative             1,129,462           1,091,930                   37,532              3.4%                 3,428,672        3,322,127            106,545                3.2%


                      Depreciation and amortization              9,617              32,768                 (23,151)           -70.7%                    30,465          119,666           (89,201)             -74.5%


             
            Stock-based compensation                 131,072             114,340                   16,732             14.6%                   700,269          715,147           (14,878)              -2.1%


                      Foreign currency trans. loss               2,302             (9,737)                  12,039            123.6%                    17,307         (22,609)            39,916              176.5%


                      Total Operating
                       Expenses                              2,352,779           2,188,866                  163,913              7.5%                 7,187,402        7,204,769           (17,367)              -0.2%



                      Income (loss) from
                       operations                            (173,117)          (270,502)                  97,385             36.0%               (1,071,546)     (1,801,096)           729,550               40.5%




                      Other Income
                       (Expenses):


             
            Interest expense                                              2,000                  (2,000)           100.0%                                   (4,000)             4,000              100.0%


             
            Other income (expense)                    27,875              13,769                   14,106            102.4%                    75,124           37,883             37,241               98.3%


             
            Provision for income taxes               (5,482)           (10,531)                   5,049             47.9%                  (22,145)        (32,098)             9,953               31.0%


                      Gain on sale of disc'd ops.               33,044              69,277                 (36,233)           -52.3%                   130,462          205,779           (75,317)             -36.6%



                      Total Other Income
                       (Expenses):                              55,437              74,515                 (19,078)           -25.6%                   183,441          207,564           (24,123)             -11.6%



                      Net income (loss)                     $(117,680)         $(195,987)                  78,307             40.0%                $(888,105)    $(1,593,532)           705,427               44.3%





                      Adjusted EBITDA                        $(30,126)         $(133,131)                $103,005             77.4%                $(323,505)      $(988,892)          $665,387               67.3%




                      Platforms:


                      ARR (Annual recurring revenue)        $2,987,647          $1,982,867               $1,004,780             50.7%                $2,987,647       $1,982,867         $1,004,780               50.7%


             
            Deployments                                  281                 208                       73             35.1%                       281              208                 73               35.1%


             
            ASP (Average sales price)                $10,632              $9,533                   $1,099             11.5%                   $10,632           $9,533             $1,099               11.5%




                      Transactions:


             
            Transaction count                        211,520             219,607                  (8,087)            -3.7%                   615,944          629,739           (13,795)              -2.2%


             
            Corporate customers                          835                 848                     (13)            -1.5%                       842              820                 22                2.6%


             
            Academic customers                           243                 211                       32             15.2%                       240              214                 26               12.1%


             
            Total customers                            1,078               1,059                       19              1.8%                     1,081            1,041                 41                3.9%

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, 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 Mar. 31,                                          Nine Months Ended Mar. 31,


                                                                 2019        2018        
        
      Change                        2019          2018        
            
        Change



     Net Income (loss)                          $(117,680) $(195,987)    $78,307                           $(888,105) $(1,593,532)     $705,427


                         Add (deduct):                                                                                                                                     -


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


                       
     Other income (expense)              (27,875)   (13,769)                (14,106)                 (75,124)     (37,883)                      (37,241)


                         Foreign currency translation loss      2,302     (9,737)                  12,039                    17,307      (22,609)                        39,916


                         Provision for income taxes             5,482      10,531                  (5,049)                   22,145        32,098                        (9,953)


                         Depreciation and amortization          9,617      32,768                 (23,151)                   30,465       119,666                       (89,201)


                       
     Stock-based compensation             131,072     114,340                   16,732                   700,269       715,147                       (14,878)


                         Gain on sale of discontinued
                          operations                         (33,044)   (69,277)                  36,233                 (130,462)    (205,779)                        75,317



                         Adjusted EBITDA                    $(30,126) $(133,131)                $103,005                $(323,505)   $(988,892)                      $665,387

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 percent 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 statements in this press release may contain "forward-looking statements" regarding future events and our future results. All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the markets in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects", "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "endeavors," "strives," "may," or variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, estimate or verify. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those factors described in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as such may be amended or supplemented by subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements. For more information, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                 
              
       Research Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                   
              
       Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets




                                                                                      March 31
                                                                                            ,                          June 30,


                                                                                          2019                              2018


                                                                              (unaudited)



                
              
                Assets



     
                Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                                   $
             5,303,084           $
         4,908,180


      Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $100,175 and
       $115,040, respectively                                                                                4,366,975                  4,251,251



     Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                279,376                    326,887



     Prepaid royalties                                                                                        740,723                     93,336



     Total current assets                                                                                  10,690,158                  9,579,654





     
                Other assets:


      Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
       of $781,042 and $749,923, respectively                                                                   38,327                     59,043



     Deposits and other assets                                                                                 14,397                     14,372


      Right of use asset, net of accumulated amortization of
       $241,568 and $155,698, respectively                                                                     221,454                    307,324




     
                Total assets                                                                  $
             10,964,336           $
         9,960,393





                         Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity



     
                Current liabilities:



     Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                                       $
             5,734,212           $
         4,686,946



     Deferred revenue                                                                                       2,069,455                  1,665,746



     Lease liability, current portion                                                                         126,780                    119,786



     Total current liabilities                                                                              7,930,447                  6,472,478





     
                Long-term liabilities:



     Lease liability, long-term portion                                                                       112,775                    208,513



     
                Total liabilities                                                                         8,043,222                  6,680,991






     
                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; 24,230,661 and 24,016,999  shares issued and
       outstanding, respectively                                                                                24,231                     24,017



     Additional paid-in capital                                                                            23,445,548                 22,904,691



     Accumulated deficit                                                                                 (20,442,704)              (19,554,599)



     Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                   (105,961)                  (94,707)




     Total stockholders' equity                                                                             2,921,114                  3,279,402



                   Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                    $
             10,964,336           $
         9,960,393


                                                                                    
            
                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
                ,



                                                                        2019                             2018                                             2019         2018






     Revenue:



     Platforms                                                                  $
          748,726                                          $
              489,219                 $
          2,005,284    $
            1,290,568



     Transactions                                                                     6,629,231                                                    6,792,289                        19,314,036             19,562,000




     Total revenue                                                                    7,377,957                                                    7,281,508                        21,319,320             20,852,568






     Cost of revenue:



     Platforms                                                                          134,672                                                      103,185                           365,007                277,534



     Transactions                                                                     5,063,624                                                    5,259,959                        14,838,457             15,171,361




     Total cost of revenue                                                            5,198,296                                                    5,363,144                        15,203,464             15,448,895




     Gross profit                                                                     2,179,661                                                    1,918,364                         6,115,856              5,403,673






     
                Operating expenses:



     Selling, general and administrative                                              2,343,161                                                    2,156,097                         7,156,937              7,085,102



     Depreciation and amortization                                                        9,617                                                       32,768                            30,465                119,666



     Total operating expenses                                                         2,352,778                                                    2,188,865                         7,187,402              7,204,768




     Loss from operations                                                             (173,117)                                                   (270,501)                      (1,071,546)           (1,801,095)





                   Other income (expenses):



     Interest expense                                                                                                                                 2,000                                                 (4,000)



     Other income                                                                        27,875                                                       13,769                            75,124                 37,883



     Total other income                                                                  27,875                                                       15,769                            75,124                 33,883





      Loss from operations before provision for
       income taxes                                                                    (145,242)                                                   (254,732)                        (996,422)           (1,767,212)



     Provision for income taxes                                                         (5,482)                                                    (10,531)                         (22,145)              (32,098)






     Loss from continuing operations                                                  (150,724)                                                   (265,263)                      (1,018,567)           (1,799,310)




      Gain from sale of discontinued operations                                           33,044                                                       69,277                           130,462                205,779





     Net loss                                                                         (117,680)                                                   (195,986)                        (888,105)           (1,593,531)




                   Other comprehensive income (loss):


                      Foreign currency translation                                       (5,216)                                                     (7,385)                         (11,254)              (23,051)




     Comprehensive loss                                                       $
          (122,896)                                       $
              (203,371)                $
          (899,359)   $
          (1,616,582)






     Loss per common share:


      Loss per share from continuing operations,
       basic and diluted                                        
              $                                                              $
              (0.01)                   $
          (0.04)      $
            (0.08)


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


      Net loss per share, basic and diluted                     
              $                                                              $
              (0.01)                   $
          (0.04)      $
            (0.07)


      Weighted average common shares outstanding,
       basic and diluted                                                              23,845,798                                                   23,498,796                        23,758,844             23,445,569

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SOURCE Research Solutions, Inc.