SoundBite Communications Reports Second Quarter 2009 Financial Results

Revenues of $9.7 Million; Large B2C Revenues Up 10% Year-over-Year



Bedford, Mass., August 6, 2009 – SoundBite Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SDBT) today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2009.  Second quarter revenues were $9.7 million, a decrease of 14% from the same quarter in 2008.  Loss per share was $0.10 versus earnings per share of $0.18 in the same quarter of 2008.  Included in the second quarter 2009 results is a one-time severance payment of $553,000, or $0.03 per share, and included in the second quarter 2008 results is a one-time gain (net of litigation expense) of $3.5 million, or $0.22 per share, relating to the URS litigation settlement.

 

Jim Milton, SoundBite's president and CEO, stated “I am very pleased that we exceeded the high end of our guidance this quarter and that we grew our large B2C revenues by 10%.  We are seeing early indications that our investments in our multi-channel platform, applications and vertical market expansion, as well as our channel and partnership initiative, are paying off.  These initiatives, coupled with the strong operational performance we have been able to achieve, are reflected in the results this quarter and create a strong foundation for our company going forward.”

 

Milton continued, “SoundBite is in an exciting industry with tremendous growth potential.  The sales pipeline is robust and continues to include marquee names exploring cost-effective proactive communication strategies to engage with their customers. A growing portion of the new deals we are seeing, as well as opportunities within our existing client base, are mission critical and strategic in nature.  This bodes well for our long term growth, validates our strategy, and will help enable us to secure the leadership position in the proactive customer communications market.”

 

Quarterly Results
Gross margin for the second quarter of 2009 was 60.9% versus 61.8% in the second quarter of 2008.  Operating expenses were $7.5 million in the second quarter of 2009 and as a percentage of revenues were 77.5% versus 78.7% in the year-earlier period.  Included in the operating expenses for the second quarter of 2009 is a one-time severance payment of $553,000.    

 

Net loss was $1.6 million for the second quarter of 2009 versus net income of $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2008. Loss per share for the second quarter of 2009 was $0.10 versus earnings per share of $0.18 in the same quarter of 2008. Included in the net loss in the second quarter 2009 is a severance payment of $0.03 per share and included in the second quarter 2008 net income is a one-time gain (net of litigation expense) of $0.22 per share.

 

“These operating results reflect the impact of the restructuring we completed in the fourth quarter of 2008, as well as the focus we have put on improving operational efficiencies,” stated Bob Leahy, SoundBite’s chief operating and financial officer.

 

Net loss in the second quarter of 2009 included severance expense of $553,000, stock-based compensation expense of $284,000, a charge of $69,000 resulting from the impairment of goodwill and amortization of intangibles of $30,000. Net income in the second quarter of 2008 included the one-time gain (net of litigation expense) of $3.5 million, stock based compensation of $220,000 and amortization of intangibles of $43,000.  (See the attached table for a breakdown of stock-based compensation expense by operating statement line item).

 

Other Highlights of the Quarter

  • Announced a business relationship with TSYS to help financial institutions improve customer communications.

 

  • Received Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) 2008 Communications Solutions Product of the Year award in May.  This was the third Product of the Year award for 2008 received during the current year from leading industry publications.

 

  • Commissioned a study with Forrester Consulting on the topic of consumer communication preference management and sponsored a webinar with Forrester in April to discuss the results. A white paper with the survey’s key findings is available on SoundBite’s website.

 

  • Appeared in 12 separate articles ranging from customer preference and opt-in to collections, retail and loyalty programs during the second quarter. 

 

Third Quarter 2009 Guidance
For the third quarter of 2009, SoundBite currently projects revenues in the range of $9.3 million to $10.1 million and gross margin in the range of 59% to 60%. Operating expenses are expected to be approximately $6.8 million.  The projection for pro forma operating loss is in the range of $600,000 to $1.2 million.  Excluded from the pro forma operating loss projection are stock based compensation of approximately $280,000, and amortization of intangibles of $30,000.  Interest income is projected to be approximately $25,000.  The basic weighted average share count is expected to be 16.4 million for the third quarter of 2009.  SoundBite expects capital expenditures to be approximately $400,000 and depreciation expense to be approximately $570,000.

 

Webcast and Teleconference Information
The company will host a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss its financial results.  A live and archived webcast of the event will be available at ir.soundbite.com/events.cfm. A live dial-in is available domestically at 800-289-0528 and internationally at 913-312-6695. 

 

A podcast as well as replay of the call will be available.  To access the podcast, please visit SoundBite’s website and enter the passcode SDBTPC.  A replay of the call will be accessible two hours after the live call until 11:59 p.m. ET on August 20, 2009 and by dialing 888-203-1112 for domestic callers and 719-457-0820 for international callers and entering passcode 8704315.

 

About SoundBite Communications
SoundBite Communications provides on-demand, integrated multi-channel communications solutions that enable clients to achieve superior business results.  Building on its foundation as a leading provider of automated voice messaging services, SoundBite offers integrated voice, text and email messaging solutions that help clients deliver the right message, to the right customer, using the right channel, at the right time.  Organizations in industries such as collections, financial services, retail, telecom and media, and utilities rely on the SoundBite Intelligent Communications Platform to send over a billion messages annually for collections, customer care, and sales and marketing applications.  For more information, visit www.SoundBite.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements
This is a “safe harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including statements made in the third paragraph of this press release and statements under “Third Quarter 2009 Guidance” are based upon SoundBite’s historical performance and its current plans, estimates and expectations.  The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by SoundBite, its management or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by SoundBite will be achieved.  These forward-looking statements represent SoundBite’s expectations as of the date of this press release.  Subsequent events may cause these expectations to change, and SoundBite disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements in the future.  Matters subject to forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including:  slower than anticipated development of the market for automated voice messaging services; defects in SoundBite’s platform, disruptions in its service or errors in its execution; discontinued or decreased use of SoundBite’s service by its clients, which are not subject to minimum purchase requirements for any reason, including market conditions and regulatory developments; and the occurrence of events adversely affecting the collection agencies industry or in-house collection departments, which account for a significant portion of SoundBite’s revenues.  These and other factors, including the factors set forth under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in SoundBite's most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause SoundBite's performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

 

SoundBite is a registered service mark of SoundBite Communications, Inc.

 

SOUNDBITE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
                
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
                
2009
2008
2009
2008
Revenues 
$       9,684
$   11,308
$   19,117
$   21,943
Cost of revenues (1)
3,784
4,322
7,538
8,400
Gross profit 
5,900
6,986
11,579
13,543
Operating expenses:
Research and development (1)
1,343
1,264
2,766
2,551
Sales and marketing (1)
3,630
4,622
7,171
8,841
General and administrative (1)
2,468
3,016
4,214
5,919
Impairment of goodwill
69
-  
121
-  
Total operating expenses 
7,510
8,902
14,272
17,311
Operating loss
(1,610)
(1,916)
(2,693)
(3,768)
Other income:
Interest income 
21
232
55
565
Gain on litigation settlement
-  
4,600
-  
4,600
       Total other income 
21
4,832
55
5,165
Net (loss) income
(1,589)
2,916
(2,638)
1,397
Net (loss) income per common share:
     Basic 
$       (0.10)
$        0.19
$     (0.17)
$        0.09
     Diluted
$       (0.10)
$        0.18
$     (0.17)
$        0.09
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
     Basic 
15,808,346
15,316,346
15,699,792
15,272,462
     Diluted
15,808,346
16,063,927
15,699,792
16,350,203
(1) Amounts include stock-based compensation expense, as follows:
                
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
                
2009
2008
2009
2008
Cost of revenues
$               8
$              9
$            13
$            12
Research and development
24
25
46
34
Sales and marketing 
112
100
204
169
General and administrative
140
86
230
141
          
$           284
$          220
$          493
$          356

 

SOUNDBITE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share amounts)
                
June 30,
December 31,
                
2009
2008
                
(unaudited)
                
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$          37,018
$          37,425
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $228 at 
   June 30, 2009 and $218 at December 31, 2008
6,096
6,641
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,158
1,221
   Total current assets
44,272
45,287
  Property and equipment, net
3,383
4,276
  Intangible assets, net
138
205
  Other assets
33
62
   Total assets
$          47,826
$          49,830
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable
$               901
$               464
 Accrued expenses
2,524
3,158
   Total current liabilities
3,425
3,622
Non-current liabilities:
 Other liabilities
457
454
   Total liabilities
3,882
4,076
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value — 75,000,000 shares authorized; 16,499,389  shares issued and 16,304,004  shares outstanding at June 30, 2009;  15,701,644 shares issued and 15,506,259 shares outstanding at December 31, 2008
17
16
Additional paid-in capital
67,519
66,703
Treasury stock, at cost —195,385 shares at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 
(132)
(132)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(61)
(72)
Accumulated deficit
(23,399)
(20,761)
   Total stockholders’ equity
43,944
45,754
      Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$          47,826
$         49,830

 

SOUNDBITE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited) 
(in thousands)
                
Six Months Ended
June 30,
                
2009
2008
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income
(2,638)
1,397
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment
1,308
1,741
Amortization of intangible assets
67
58
Provision (recovery) for doubtful accounts
10
(36)
Stock-based compensation
493
356
    Impairment of goodwill
121
    Gain (loss) on disposal of equipment
21
(15)
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition:
Accounts receivable
536
74
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
63
(8)
Other assets
29
74
Accounts payable
354
448
Accrued expenses
(629)
624
  Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities 
(265)
4,713
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds received from sale of equipment
-  
21
Cash paid related to acquisition of business
(121)
(584)
Purchases of property and equipment
(345)
(961)
  Net cash used in investing activities
(466)
(1,524)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options
324
77
  Net cash  provided by financing activities
324
77
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 
-  
(9)
     Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(407)
3,257
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 
37,425
35,674
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$     37,018
$     38,931
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Property and equipment, included in accounts payable 
$           83
$          172
check
37018
                
$           -