Research Solutions Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Results
Reports 18% Revenue Increase, ARR of $17.4 Million and Record Cash Flow
HENDERSON, Nev., Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Research Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:RSSS), a trusted partner providing cloud-based workflow solutions to accelerate research for R&D-driven organizations, reported record financial results for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2024 Summary (compared to prior-year quarter)
- Total revenue of $12.1 million, a 22% increase.
- Platform revenue up 86% to $4.3 million. Platform revenue accounted for 35% of the revenue as compared to 23% in the prior year.
- Annual Recurring Revenue ("ARR") up 84% to $17.4 million, which includes approximately $12.1 million of B2B recurring revenue and $5.4M of B2C recurring revenue.
- Gross profit up 44%. Total gross margin improved 710 basis points to 46.5%.
- Net loss of $2.8 million, or ($0.09) per diluted share, compared to $376,000 or $0.01 per diluted share. The quarter's result includes a charge of approximately $4.3 million related to increasing the projected earnout for Scite.
- Adjusted EBITDA of $1.4 million, a 70% improvement and a Company quarterly record, compared to $825,000.
- Cash flow from operations of $2.0 million, compared to $1.5 million, a 30% improvement.
Fiscal Year 2024 Summary (compared to Fiscal 2023)
- Total revenue of $44.6 million, an 18% increase.
- Platform revenue up 61% to $14.0 million. Transaction revenue increased 5.7% to $30.7 million.
- Gross profit up 34%. Total gross margin improved 500 basis points to 44.0%.
- Net loss of $3.8 million, or ($0.13) per diluted share, including the previously mentioned $4.3 million charge and $1.5 million in proxy and acquisition-related expenses, compared to net income of $572,000 or $0.02 per diluted share.
- Adjusted EBITDA of $2.2 million, which is inclusive of proxy and acquisition-related expenses of $1.4 million, a Company record, compared to $2.0 million.
- Cash flow from operations of $3.6 million, a Company record, compared to $3.4 million.
"Fiscal 2024 was a transformational year for the Company. We completed two acquisitions which helped position us as a vertical SaaS and AI company, helping researchers throughout their entire workflow. The integration of these acquisitions and our operational execution were meaningful contributors to our 85% year-over-year ARR growth and the double-digit increase in Adjusted EBITDA," said Roy W. Olivier, President and CEO of Research Solutions. "There are many untapped market opportunities where our highly specialized product offerings can serve as a vital piece of the research process. Overall, we believe we are well-positioned to deliver meaningful ARR growth while expanding Adjusted EBITDA margins, creating long-term value for our shareholders."
Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2024 Results
Total revenue was $12.1 million, a 22% increase from $10.0 million in the year-ago quarter primarily driven by increased platform revenue versus the prior-year period due to revenue from the Company's acquisitions as well as organic platform revenue growth.
Platform subscription revenue for the quarter was $4.3 million, an 86% year-over-year increase. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Scite, as well as organic growth in the core Article Galaxy platform. The quarter ended with annual recurring revenue of $17.4 million, up 84% year-over-year (see the company's definition of annual recurring revenue below).
Transaction revenue was $7.9 million, compared to $7.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. The transaction active customer count for the quarter was 1,398, compared to 1,404 customers in the prior-year quarter (see the company's definition of active customer accounts and transactions below).
Total gross margin improved 710 basis points from the prior-year quarter to 46.5%. The increase was primarily driven by the continued revenue mix shift to the higher-margin Platforms business, as well as a 70 basis point increase in margins in the transactions business.
Total operating expenses were $5.0 million, compared to $3.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily related to the additional cost base associated with the aforementioned acquisitions, as well as increased non-cash depreciation and amortization expense related to such acquisitions.
Other expense for the quarter was approximately $3.5 million, compared to other income of $120,000 in the prior-year quarter. The primary driver of this was $4.3M of expense related to increasing the earn-out assumption associated with the Scite acquisition.
Net loss in the fourth quarter was $2.8 million, or ($0.09) per diluted share, compared to net income of $376,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was $1.4 million, compared to $825,000 in the year-ago quarter (see definition and further discussion about the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP term, below).
Full-Year Fiscal 2024 Results
Total revenue was $44.6 million, an 18% increase from fiscal 2023, driven by both increased platform revenue and transaction revenue.
Platform subscription revenue for fiscal 2024 was $14.0 million, a 61% year-over-year increase. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Scite, as well as organic growth in the core Article Galaxy platform.
Transaction revenue was $30.7 million, compared to $29.0 million in fiscal 2023. The increase was driven by organic growth and the impact of a full year of contribution from the acquisition of contracts from FIZ Karlsruhe, compared to six months in fiscal 2023.
Total gross margin improved 500 basis points from the prior-year to 44.0%. The increase was primarily driven by the continued revenue mix shift to the higher-margin Platforms business, as well as a 100 basis point increase in margins in the transactions business related to pricing initiatives.
Total operating expenses for the year were $20.4 million, compared to $14.5 million in fiscal 2023. The increase was primarily related to the additional cost base associated with the acquisitions, including increased non-cash depreciation and amortization expense related to such acquisitions, as well as the aforementioned proxy and acquisition-related expenses.
Net loss for fiscal 2024 was $3.8 million, or ($0.13) per diluted share, compared to net income of $572,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, in the prior-year. Adjusted EBITDA was $2.2 million, compared to $2.0 million in fiscal 2023 (see definition and further discussion about the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP term, below).
Conference Call
Research Solutions President and CEO Roy W. Olivier and CFO Bill Nurthen will host the conference call, followed by a question and answer period.
Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT)
Dial-in number: 1-412-317-5180
The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay until October 19, 2024 by dialing 1-412-317-6671 and using the replay ID 10191850, and via the investor relations section of the company's website at http://researchsolutions.investorroom.com/.
Fiscal Fourth Quarter Financial and Operational Summary Tables vs. Prior-Year Quarter
Quarter Ended June 30, | Twelve Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||
2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | |||
Revenue: | ||||||||||
Platforms | $ 4,277,338 | $ 2,303,375 | $ 1,973,963 | 85.7 % | $ 13,956,517 | $ 8,683,246 | $ 5,273,271 | 60.7 % | ||
Transactions | $ 7,856,176 | $ 7,656,342 | 199,834 | 2.6 % | $ 30,667,382 | $ 29,020,206 | 1,647,176 | 5.7 % | ||
Total Revenue | 12,133,514 | 9,959,717 | 2,173,797 | 21.8 % | 44,623,899 | 37,703,452 | 6,920,447 | 18.4 % | ||
Gross Profit: | ||||||||||
Platforms | 3,650,286 | 2,028,265 | 1,622,021 | 80.0 % | 11,889,314 | 7,655,960 | 4,233,353 | 55.3 % | ||
Transactions | 1,992,580 | 1,892,278 | 100,302 | 5.3 % | 7,750,852 | 7,044,931 | 705,921 | 10.0 % | ||
Total Gross Profit | 5,642,866 | 3,920,543 | 1,722,323 | 43.9 % | 19,640,166 | 14,700,891 | 4,939,274 | 33.6 % | ||
Gross profit as a % of revenue: | ||||||||||
Platforms | 85.3 % | 88.1 % | -2.7 % | 85.2 % | 88.2 % | -3.0 % | ||||
Transactions | 25.4 % | 24.7 % | 0.6 % | 25.3 % | 24.3 % | 1.0 % | ||||
Total Gross Profit | 46.5 % | 39.4 % | 7.1 % | 44.0 % | 39.0 % | 5.0 % | ||||
Operating Expenses: | ||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 830,195 | 455,030 | 375,165 | 82.4 % | 3,442,503 | 2,285,478 | 1,157,025 | 50.6 % | ||
Technology and product development | 1,489,491 | 991,093 | 498,398 | 50.3 % | 5,442,382 | 3,742,192 | 1,700,190 | 45.4 % | ||
General and administrative | 1,917,907 | 1,649,333 | 268,574 | 16.3 % | 8,511,697 | 6,654,012 | 1,857,685 | 27.9 % | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 311,004 | 22,163 | 288,841 | 1303.3 % | 836,271 | 52,649 | 783,622 | 1488.4 % | ||
Stock-based compensation | 426,190 | 585,384 | (159,194) | -27.2 % | 2,155,461 | 1,849,906 | 305,555 | 16.5 % | ||
Foreign currency translation loss | 6,336 | (37,743) | 44,079 | 116.8 % | 21,395 | (121,953) | 143,348 | 117.5 % | ||
Total Operating Expenses | 4,981,123 | 3,665,260 | 1,315,863 | 35.9 % | 20,409,709 | 14,462,284 | 5,947,425 | 41.1 % | ||
Income (loss) from operations | 661,743 | 255,283 | 406,460 | 159.2 % | (769,543) | 238,608 | (1,008,151) | -422.5 % | ||
Other Income (Expenses): | ||||||||||
Other income | (3,451,948) | 120,522 | (3,572,470) | NM | (2,903,983) | 338,617 | (3,242,600) | NM | ||
Provision for income taxes | (31,022) | (59) | (30,963) | NM | (113,071) | (5,602) | (107,469) | NM | ||
Total Other Income (Expenses): | (3,482,970) | 120,463 | (3,603,433) | NM | (3,017,054) | 333,015 | (3,350,069) | NM | ||
Net income (loss) | $ (2,821,227) | $ 375,746 | (3,196,973) | NM | $ (3,786,597) | $ 571,623 | (4,358,220) | NM | ||
NM | ||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ 1,405,273 | $ 825,087 | $ 580,186 | 70.3 % | $ 2,243,584 | $ 2,019,210 | $ 224,374 | 11.1 % | ||
Quarter Ended June 30, | Twelve Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||
2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | |||
Platforms: | ||||||||||
B2B ARR (Annual recurring revenue*): | ||||||||||
Beginning of Period | $ 11,653,063 | $ 9,107,681 | $ 2,545,382 | 27.9 % | $ 9,444,130 | $ 7,922,188 | $ 1,521,942 | 19.2 % | ||
Incremental ARR | 407,139 | 336,448 | 70,691 | 21.0 % | 2,616,072 | 1,521,941 | 1,094,131 | 71.9 % | ||
End of Period | $ 12,060,202 | $ 9,444,129 | $ 2,616,073 | 27.7 % | $ 12,060,202 | $ 9,444,129 | $ 2,616,073 | 27.7 % | ||
Deployments: | ||||||||||
Beginning of Period | 983 | 815 | 168 | 20.6 % | 835 | 733 | 102 | 13.9 % | ||
Incremental Deployments | 38 | 20 | 18 | 90.0 % | 186 | 102 | 84 | 82.4 % | ||
End of Period | 1,021 | 835 | 186 | 22.3 % | 1,021 | 835 | 186 | 22.3 % | ||
ASP (Average sales price): | ||||||||||
Beginning of Period | $ 11,855 | $ 11,175 | $ 680 | 6.1 % | $ 11,310 | $ 10,808 | $ 502 | 4.6 % | ||
End of Period | $ 11,812 | $ 11,310 | $ 502 | 4.4 % | $ 11,812 | $ 11,310 | $ 502 | 4.4 % | ||
B2C ARR (Annual recurring revenue*): | ||||||||||
Beginning of Period | $ 4,902,975 | $ - | $ 4,902,975 | $ - | $ - | $ - | ||||
Incremental ARR | 460,154 | - | 460,154 | NM | 5,363,129 | - | 5,363,129 | NM | ||
End of Period | $ 5,363,129 | $ - | $ 5,363,129 | NM | $ 5,363,129 | $ - | $ 5,363,129 | NM | ||
Total ARR (Annualized recurring revenue): | $ 17,423,331 | $ 9,444,129 | $ 7,979,202 | 84.5 % | $ 17,423,331 | $ 9,444,129 | $ 7,979,202 | 84.5 % | ||
Transaction Customers: | ||||||||||
Corporate customers | 1,093 | 1,090 | 3 | 0.3 % | 1,088 | 1,012 | 76 | 7.5 % | ||
Academic customers | 305 | 314 | (9) | -2.9 % | 316 | 304 | 12 | 4.0 % | ||
Total customers | 1,398 | 1,404 | (6) | -0.4 % | 1,404 | 1,316 | 88 | 6.7 % | ||
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 ("ARR") as the value of contracted Platform subscription recurring revenue normalized to a one-year period. For B2C ARR, this includes the annualized value of monthly subscriptions, meaning their monthly value multiplied by twelve.
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) including any change in fair value of contingent earnout liability, 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 June 30, | Twelve Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||
2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | |||
Net Income (loss) | $ (2,821,227) | $ 375,746 | $ (3,196,973) | NM | $ (3,786,597) | $ 571,623 | $(4,358,220) | NM | ||
Add (deduct): | - | |||||||||
Other income (expense) | 3,451,948 | (120,522) | 3,572,470 | NM | 2,903,983 | (338,617) | 3,242,600 | NM | ||
Foreign currency translation loss | 6,336 | (37,743) | 44,079 | 116.8 % | 21,395 | (121,953) | 143,348 | 117.5 % | ||
Provision for income taxes | 31,022 | 59 | 30,963 | NM | 113,071 | 5,602 | 107,469 | NM | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 311,004 | 22,163 | 288,841 | 1303.3 % | 836,271 | 52,649 | 783,622 | 1488.4 % | ||
Stock-based compensation | 426,190 | 585,384 | (159,194) | -27.2 % | 2,155,461 | 1,849,906 | 305,555 | 16.5 % | ||
Gain on sale of disc. ops. | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ 1,405,273 | $ 825,087 | $ 580,186 | 70.3 % | $ 2,243,584 | $ 2,019,210 | $ 224,374 | 11.1 % | ||
About Research Solutions
Research Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:RSSS) provides cloud-based technologies to streamline the process of obtaining, managing, and creating intellectual property. Founded in 2006 as Reprints Desk, the company was a pioneer in developing solutions to serve researchers. Today, more than 70 percent of the top pharmaceutical companies, prestigious universities, and emerging businesses rely on Article Galaxy, the company's SaaS research platform, to streamline access to the latest scientific research and data with 24/7 customer support. For more information and details, please 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. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding enhanced product offerings, additional customers, and the Company's prospects for growth. 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 | ||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||
Assets | ||||||
Current assets: | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 6,100,031 | $ | 13,545,333 | ||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $68,579 and $85,015, respectively | 6,879,800 | 6,153,063 | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 643,553 | 400,340 | ||||
Prepaid royalties | 1,067,237 | 1,202,678 | ||||
Total current assets | 14,690,621 | 21,301,414 | ||||
Non-current assets: | ||||||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $922,558 and $881,908, | 88,011 | 70,193 | ||||
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,535,310 and $747,355, | 10,764,261 | 462,068 | ||||
Goodwill ($13,171,486 provisional) | 16,315,888 | — | ||||
Deposits and other assets | 981 | 1,052 | ||||
Total assets | $ | 41,859,762 | $ | 21,834,727 | ||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 8,843,612 | $ | 8,079,516 | ||
Deferred revenue | 9,023,848 | 6,424,724 | ||||
Total current liabilities | 17,867,460 | 14,504,240 | ||||
Non-current liabilities: | ||||||
Contingent earnout liability | 12,298,114 | — | ||||
Total liabilities | 30,165,574 | 14,504,240 | ||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||
Stockholders' equity: | ||||||
Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and | — | — | ||||
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 32,295,373 and | 32,295 | 29,487 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital | 38,089,958 | 29,941,873 | ||||
Accumulated deficit | (26,309,246) | (22,522,649) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (118,819) | (118,224) | ||||
Total stockholders' equity | 11,694,188 | 7,330,487 | ||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 41,859,762 | $ | 21,834,727 | ||
Research Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||
Years Ended | ||||||
June 30, | ||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||
Revenue: | ||||||
Platforms | $ | 13,956,517 | $ | 8,683,246 | ||
Transactions | 30,667,382 | 29,020,206 | ||||
Total revenue | 44,623,899 | 37,703,452 | ||||
Cost of revenue: | ||||||
Platforms | 2,067,203 | 1,027,286 | ||||
Transactions | 22,916,530 | 21,975,275 | ||||
Total cost of revenue | 24,983,733 | 23,002,561 | ||||
Gross profit | 19,640,166 | 14,700,891 | ||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 19,573,438 | 14,409,634 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 836,271 | 52,649 | ||||
Total operating expenses | 20,409,709 | 14,462,283 | ||||
Income (loss) from operations | (769,543) | 238,608 | ||||
Other income | 333,088 | 338,617 | ||||
Change in fair value of contingent earnout liability | (3,237,071) | — | ||||
Income (loss) from operations before provision for income taxes | (3,673,526) | 577,225 | ||||
Provision for income taxes | (113,071) | (5,602) | ||||
Net income (loss) | (3,786,597) | 571,623 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||
Foreign currency translation | (595) | 3,717 | ||||
Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (3,787,192) | $ | 575,340 | ||
Basic income (loss) per common share: | ||||||
Net income (loss) per share | $ | (0.13) | $ | 0.02 | ||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | 28,863,949 | 26,860,761 | ||||
Diluted income (loss) per common share: | ||||||
Net income (loss) per share | $ | (0.13) | $ | 0.02 | ||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | 28,863,949 | 29,139,759 | ||||
Research Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||
Years Ended | ||||||
June 30, | ||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||
Cash flow from operating activities: | ||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (3,786,597) | $ | 571,623 | ||
Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 836,271 | 52,649 | ||||
Fair value of vested stock options | 140,150 | 375,189 | ||||
Fair value of vested restricted common stock | 1,994,362 | 1,418,718 | ||||
Fair value of vested unrestricted common stock | — | 68,272 | ||||
Modification cost of accelerated vesting of restricted common stock | 20,949 | 56,000 | ||||
Adjustment to contingent earnout liability | 3,237,071 | — | ||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||
Accounts receivable | (344,020) | (901,518) | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (164,579) | (124,314) | ||||
Prepaid royalties | 135,441 | (356,026) | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 560,027 | 1,337,056 | ||||
Deferred revenue | 921,879 | 886,198 | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 3,550,954 | 3,383,847 | ||||
Cash flow from investing activities: | ||||||
Purchase of property and equipment | (71,510) | (47,209) | ||||
Payment for acquisition of Resolute, net of cash acquired | (2,718,253) | — | ||||
Payment for acquisition of Scite, net of cash acquired | (7,305,493) | — | ||||
Payment for non-refundable deposit for asset acquisition | — | (297,450) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (10,095,256) | (344,659) | ||||
Cash flow from financing activities: | ||||||
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options | — | 57,500 | ||||
Common stock repurchase | (554,202) | (104,250) | ||||
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration | (351,649) | (50,509) | ||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (905,851) | (97,259) | ||||
Effect of exchange rate changes | 4,851 | 229 | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (7,445,302) | 2,942,158 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 13,545,333 | 10,603,175 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 6,100,031 | $ | 13,545,333 | ||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | ||||||
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | 113,071 | $ | 5,602 | ||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||
Contingent consideration accrual on asset acquisition | $ | 32,022 | $ | 138,428 | ||
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SOURCE Research Solutions, Inc.