Press Release Details

Limelight Networks(R) Reports Record Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2017

10/18/2017

17% revenue growth and 730 basis points of gross margin improvements underscore record performance

  • Revenue of $46.1 million, up 17 percent year over year
  • GAAP gross margin of 48.4%, up 730 basis points, year over year
  • GAAP EPS of $(0.02) and Non-GAAP EPS of $0.02
  • Raising 2017 revenue, gross margin, Non-GAAP earnings per share and Adjusted EBITDA guidance

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Limelight Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:LLNW) (Limelight), a global leader in digital content delivery, today reported revenue of $46.1 million for the third quarter of 2017, up 17% compared to $39.5 million in the third quarter of 2016, and up two percent compared to $45.4 million in the second quarter of 2017. Currency exchange negatively impacted year-over-year comparison by $0.2 million, or less than one percent.

Gross margin was 48.4% in the third quarter of 2017, an increase of 730 basis points from 41.1% in the third quarter of 2016.

On a GAAP basis, Limelight reported a net loss of $1.8 million, or $0.02 per basic share, for the third quarter of 2017, compared to a net loss of $6.1 million, or $0.06 per basic share, in the third quarter of 2016.

Non-GAAP net income was $2.2 million, or $0.02 per basic share, for the third quarter of 2017, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $0.3 million, or break-even per basic share, in the third quarter of 2016.

EBITDA was $3.4 million for the third quarter of 2017, compared to negative $0.7 million for the third quarter of 2016. Adjusted EBITDA was $7.4 million for the third quarter of 2017, compared to $5.1 million for the third quarter of 2016.

Limelight ended the third quarter with 535 employees and employee equivalents, up from 533 employees at the end of the second quarter of 2017, and up from 502 employees in the year ago period.

“We are pleased with Limelight’s third quarter results that showed sequential improvements even in a seasonally weak quarter, and marked record achievements across multiple key financial and non-financial metrics. Customers continue to reward Limelight’s performance gains by sending us more business, and we believe we are continuing to take market share. Pricing discipline and operational efficiencies are driving massive gains in gross margin, and the significant and continuing improvement in our Net Promoter Score confirms our customer’s growing satisfaction with the value they obtain from Limelight,” said Bob Lento, Chief Executive Officer at Limelight.

“In light of the strength of our results, we are again raising guidance for Limelight’s full year revenue, gross margin, non-GAAP earnings per share, and Adjusted EBITDA. We foresee Limelight’s 2017 operating performance to be our best ever, and we plan on improving further in 2018. As we’ve said before, we operate in a healthy and growing industry, we are proud to serve our customers, we are a good partner for our vendors, we are a desirable employer, and we are acutely focused on delivering exceptional shareholder returns,” Mr. Lento added.

Based on current conditions, for the full-year 2017, we are providing the following updates to our previously announced guidance:

               

Limelight Networks, Inc.

2017 Guidance
 
October 18, 2017July 26, 2017April 24, 2017February 8, 2017
Revenue $182 to $185 million$180 to $182 million$177 to $181 million$175 to $180 million
 
Gross margin percentage

Expansion of more
than 450 basis
points over 2016

Expansion of 300 basis
points over 2016

Expansion of 200 basis
points over 2016

Expansion of more than 150
basis points over 2016

 
Non-GAAP EPS $0.06 to $0.08$0.05 to $0.07$0.03 to $0.06$0.02 to $0.06
 
Adjusted EBITDA $26 to $29 million$24 to $28 million$23 to $27 million$22 to $27 million
 
Capital expenditures Approx. $20 million Approx. $20 million Approx. $20 million Approx. $20 million
 

Financial Tables

           
LIMELIGHT NETWORKS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
September 30,June 30,December 31,
201720172016
(Unaudited)(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 20,744 $ 22,972 $ 21,734
Marketable securities 36,948 37,624 44,453
Accounts receivable, net 28,712 28,154 27,418
Income taxes receivable 102 112 125
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   4,453     4,121     4,865  
Total current assets 90,959 92,983 98,595
Property and equipment, net 29,835 30,415 30,352
Marketable securities, less current portion 40 40 40
Deferred income taxes 1,393 1,307 1,105
Goodwill 76,925 77,032 76,243
Other assets   1,794     1,802     1,794  
Total assets $ 200,946   $ 203,579   $ 208,129  
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 8,804 $ 10,763 $ 8,790
Deferred revenue 1,694 1,741 2,138
Income taxes payable 383 334 188
Provision for litigation 18,000 18,000 18,000
Other current liabilities   15,665     12,722     12,836  
Total current liabilities 44,546 43,560 41,952
Deferred income taxes 146 147 152
Deferred revenue, less current portion 15 15 22
Provision for litigation, less current portion 13,500 18,000 27,000
Other long-term liabilities   859     1,057     1,435  
Total liabilities 59,066 62,779 70,561
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 7,500 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding - - -
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 109,638, 109,248 and 107,059 shares issued and
outstanding at September 30, 2017, June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively 110 109 107
Additional paid-in capital 499,487 497,018 490,819
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (8,679 ) (9,045 ) (11,038 )
Accumulated deficit   (349,038 )   (347,282 )   (342,320 )
Total stockholders' equity   141,880     140,800     137,568  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 200,946   $ 203,579   $ 208,129  
                               
LIMELIGHT NETWORKS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 
September 30,June 30,PercentSeptember 30,PercentSeptember 30,September 30,Percent
20172017Change2016Change20172016Change
 
Revenues $ 46,069   $ 45,370   2% $ 39,473   17% $ 136,173   $ 124,456   9%
Cost of revenue:
Cost of services (1) 19,287 19,464 -1% 18,834 2% 57,758 59,214 -2%
Depreciation - network   4,506     4,531   -1%   4,401   2%   13,594     13,558   0%
Total cost of revenue   23,793     23,995   -1%   23,235   2%   71,352     72,772   -2%
Gross profit 22,276 21,375 4% 16,238 37% 64,821 51,684 25%
Gross profit percentage

48.4%

 

47.1%

 

41.1%

 

47.6%

 

41.5%

 

Operating expenses:
General and administrative (1) 8,079 6,804 19% 8,033 1% 23,397 22,082 6 %
Sales and marketing (1) 8,836 8,997 -2% 7,711 15% 27,100 24,730 10%
Research & development (1) 6,443 6,715 -4% 5,626 15% 19,377 18,241 6%
Depreciation and amortization 603 597 1% 613 -2% 1,789 1,862 -4%
Provision for litigation   -     -   NA   -   NA   -     54,000   NA
Total operating expenses   23,961     23,113   4%   21,983   9%   71,663     120,915   -41%
 
Operating loss (1,685 ) (1,738 ) -3% (5,745 ) -71% (6,842 ) (69,231 ) -90%
 
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (18 ) (10 ) 80% (406 ) -96% (42 ) (865 ) -95%
Interest income 127 121 5% 8 1488% 365 22 1559%
Other, net   8     153   -95%   151   -95%   249     472   -47%
Total other income (expense)   117     264   -56%   (247 ) -147%   572     (371 ) -254%
 
Loss before income taxes (1,568 ) (1,474 ) 6% (5,992 ) -74% (6,270 ) (69,602 ) -91%
Income tax expense   188     151   25%   130   45%   448     404   11%
 
Net loss   (1,756 )   (1,625 ) 8%   (6,122 ) -71%   (6,718 )   (70,006 ) -90%
 
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted $ (0.02 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.67 )
 
Weighted average shares used in per share calculation:
Basic and diluted 109,342 108,422 104,860 108,376 103,819
 
 
(1) Includes share-based compensation (see supplemental table for figures)
                   
LIMELIGHT NETWORKS, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 
September 30,June 30,September 30,September 30,September 30,
20172017201620172016
 
 
Share-based compensation:
 
Cost of services $ 352 $ 364 $ 209 $ 1,075 $ 1,118
General and administrative 1,565 1,674 1,616 4,773 5,119
Sales and marketing 611 617 641 1,848 2,016
Research and development   584     600     521   1,746     1,523
 
Total share-based compensation $ 3,112   $ 3,255   $ 2,987 $ 9,442   $ 9,776
 
Depreciation and amortization:
 
Network-related depreciation $ 4,506 $ 4,531 $ 4,401 $ 13,594 $ 13,558
Other depreciation and amortization 603 597 611 1,789 1,848
Amortization of intangible assets   -     -     2   -     14
 
Total depreciation and amortization $ 5,109   $ 5,128   $ 5,014 $ 15,383   $ 15,420
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities: $ (2,904 ) $ (232 ) $ 43,515 $ (8,495 ) $ 1,398
 
 
End of period statistics:
 
Approximate number of active customers 753 779 875 753 875
 
Number of employees and employee equivalents 535 533 502 535 502
                   
LIMELIGHT NETWORKS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
   
 
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 
September 30,June 30,September 30,September 30,September 30,
20172017201620172016
 
Operating activities
Net loss $ (1,756 ) $ (1,625 ) $ (6,122 ) $ (6,718 ) $ (70,006 )
 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 5,109 5,128 5,014 15,383 15,420
Share-based compensation 3,112 3,255 2,987 9,442 9,776
Provision for litigation - - - - 54,000
Foreign currency remeasurement (gain) loss 79 290 343 658 509
Deferred income taxes (73 ) (94 ) (39 ) (217 ) (25 )
Gain on sale of property and equipment (2 ) (17 ) (162 ) (94 ) (296 )
Accounts receivable charges 242 241 69 732 36
Amortization of premium on marketable securities 65 80 - 228 19
Realized loss on sale of marketable securities - - - - 32
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (800 ) (2,204 ) 1,944 (2,026 ) 3,901
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (322 ) (47 ) 941 545 4,333
Income taxes receivable 13 (8 ) 16 34 54
Other assets 13 11 50 21 558
Accounts payable and other current liabilities 2,048 3,861 1,769 4,749 (670 )
Deferred revenue (47 ) (101 ) (1,091 ) (450 ) (1,552 )
Income taxes payable 46 138 (21 ) 180 (76 )
Payments for provision for litigation (4,500 ) (4,500 ) (4,500 ) (13,500 ) (4,500 )
Other long term liabilities   (202 )   (185 )   (213 )   (584 )   (550 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   3,025     4,223     985     8,383     10,963  
 
Investing activities
Purchases of marketable securities (2,864 ) (2,993 ) - (10,383 ) -
Sale and maturities of marketable securities 3,500 6,994 - 17,744 28,315
Change in restricted cash - - 62,790 - -
Purchases of property and equipment (5,328 ) (4,733 ) (2,986 ) (15,806 ) (4,666 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment   3     22     -     83     -  
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities   (4,689 )   (710 )   59,804     (8,362 )   23,649  
 
Financing activities
Principal payments on capital lease obligations - - (4,207 ) - (4,685 )
Payment of employee tax withholdings related to restricted stock vesting (655 ) (880 ) (362 ) (2,571 ) (1,306 )
Proceeds from line of credit - - (12,790 ) - -
Proceeds from employee stock plans   12     1,077     48     1,200     904  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (643 )   197     (17,311 )   (1,371 )   (5,087 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   79     110     37     360     195  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (2,228 ) 3,820 43,515 (990 ) 29,720
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   22,972     19,152     30,885     21,734     44,680  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 20,744   $ 22,972   $ 74,400   $ 20,744   $ 74,400  

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To evaluate our business, we consider and use non-generally accepted accounting principles (Non-GAAP) net income (loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental measures of operating performance. These measures include the same adjustments that management takes into account when it reviews and assesses operating performance on a period-to-period basis. We consider Non-GAAP net income (loss) to be an important indicator of overall business performance. We define Non-GAAP net income (loss) to be U.S. GAAP net income (loss) adjusted to exclude provision for litigation, share-based compensation, litigation expenses and amortization of intangible assets. We believe that EBITDA provides a useful metric to investors to compare us with other companies within our industry and across industries. We define EBITDA as U.S. GAAP net income (loss) adjusted to exclude depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest and other (income) expense, and income tax expense. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted to exclude provision for litigation, share-based compensation and litigation expenses. We use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to review and assess operating performance. Our management uses these Non-GAAP financial measures because, collectively, they provide valuable information on the performance of our on-going operations, excluding non-cash charges, taxes and non-core activities (including interest payments related to financing activities). These measures also enable our management to compare the results of our on-going operations from period to period, and allow management to review the performance of our on-going operations against our peer companies and against other companies in our industry and adjacent industries. We believe these measures also provide similar insights to investors, and enable investors to review our results of operations “through the eyes of management.”

Furthermore, our management uses these Non-GAAP financial measures to assist them in making decisions regarding our strategic priorities and areas for future investment and focus.

The terms Non-GAAP net income (loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not defined under U.S. GAAP, and are not measures of operating income, operating performance or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our Non-GAAP net income (loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and when assessing our operating performance, Non-GAAP net income (loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for net income (loss) or other consolidated income statement data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations include, but are not limited to:

  • EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
  • these measures do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
  • Non-GAAP net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the cash requirements necessary for litigation costs, including provision for litigation and litigation expenses;
  • these measures do not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt that we may incur;
  • these measures do not reflect income taxes or the cash requirements for any tax payments;
  • although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will be replaced sometime in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;
  • while share-based compensation is a component of operating expense, the impact on our financial statements compared to other companies can vary significantly due to such factors as the assumed life of the options and the assumed volatility of our common stock; and
  • other companies may calculate Non-GAAP net income (loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.

We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our U.S. GAAP results and using Non-GAAP net income (loss), EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA only as supplemental support for management's analysis of business performance. Non-GAAP net income (loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are calculated as follows for the periods presented in thousands:

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Limelight is presenting the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures and reconciling the non-GAAP financial metrics to the comparable U.S. GAAP measures. Per share amounts may not foot due to rounding.

                                       
LIMELIGHT NETWORKS, INC.
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Net Loss to Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2017June 30, 2017September 30, 2016September 30, 2017September 30, 2016
AmountPer ShareAmountPer ShareAmountPer ShareAmountPer ShareAmountPer Share
 
U.S. GAAP net loss $ (1,756 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (1,625 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (6,122 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (6,718 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (70,006 ) $ (0.67 )
 
Provision for litigation - - - - - - - - 54,000 0.52
Share-based compensation 3,112 0.03 3,255 0.03 2,987 0.03 9,442 0.09 9,776 0.09
Litigation expenses 863 0.01 1,276 0.01 2,837 0.03 4,048 0.04 5,286 0.05
Amortization of intangible assets   -     -     -     -     2     0.00     -     -     14     0.00  
 
Non-GAAP net income (loss) $ 2,219   $ 0.02   $ 2,906   $ 0.03   $ (296 )

$

0.00   $ 6,772   $ 0.06   $ (930 ) $ (0.01 )
 
 
Weighted average shares used in per share calculation 109,342 108,422 104,860 108,376 103,819
                   
LIMELIGHT NETWORKS, INC.
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Net Loss to EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 
September 30,June 30,September 30,September 30,September 30,
20172017201620172016
 
U.S. GAAP net loss $ (1,756 ) $ (1,625 ) $ (6,122 ) $ (6,718 ) $ (70,006 )
 
Depreciation and amortization 5,109 5,128 5,014 15,383 15,420
Interest expense 18 10 406 42 865
Interest and other (income) expense (135 ) (274 ) (159 ) (614 ) (494 )
Income tax expense   188     151     130     448     404  
 
EBITDA $ 3,424 $ 3,390 $ (731 ) $ 8,541 $ (53,811 )
 
Provision for litigation - - - - 54,000
Share-based compensation 3,112 3,255 2,987 9,442 9,776
Litigation expenses   863     1,276     2,837     4,048     5,286  
 
Adjusted EBITDA $ 7,399   $ 7,921   $ 5,093   $ 22,031   $ 15,251  
 

For future periods, we are unable to provide a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net loss as a result of the uncertainty regarding, and the potential variability of, the amounts of depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest and other (income) expense and income tax expense, that may be incurred in the future.

Conference Call

At approximately 4:30 p.m. EST (1:30 p.m. PST) today, management will host a quarterly conference call for investors. Investors can access this call toll-free at 888-317-6016 within the United States or +1 412-317-6016 outside of the U.S. The conference call will also be audio cast live from http://www.limelight.com and a replay will be available following the call from the Limelight website.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include, among others, statements regarding our expectations regarding revenue, gross margin, non-GAAP net income, capital expenditures, litigation, and our future prospects. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results or outcomes predicted include, among other things, reduction of demand for our services from new or existing customers, unforeseen changes in our hiring patterns, adverse outcomes in litigation, and experiencing expenses that exceed our expectations. A detailed discussion of these factors and other risks that affect our business is contained in our SEC filings, including our most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors.” Copies of these filings are available online on our investor relations website at investors.limelightnetworks.com and on the SEC website at www.SEC.gov. All information provided in this release and in the attachments is as of October 18, 2017, and we undertake no duty to update this information in light of new information or future events, unless required by law.

About Limelight

Limelight Networks, a global leader in digital content delivery, empowers customers to better engage online audiences by enabling them to securely manage and globally deliver digital content, on any device. The company’s Limelight Orchestrate Platform includes a global infrastructure with a fully-integrated suite of capabilities and services to help you address all your content delivery needs. The Orchestrate Platform solves your most important content delivery challenges so you can deliver the next great digital experience anywhere. For more information, please visit www.limelight.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Copyright (C) 2017 Limelight Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. All product or service names are the property of their respective owners.

Limelight Networks, Inc.
Sajid Malhotra, 602-850-5778
ir@llnw.com

Source: Limelight Networks, Inc.