Aterian, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATER) (“Aterian” or the “Company”) today
announced results for the fourth quarter and full year ended
December 31, 2023.
Fourth Quarter 2023
Highlights
- Fourth quarter 2023 net revenue
declined 40.3% to $32.8 million, compared to $54.9 million in the
fourth quarter of 2022.
- Fourth quarter 2023 gross margin
increased to 51.0%, compared to 37.1% in the fourth quarter of
2022, primarily reflecting lower liquidation of high cost inventory
compared to the prior period.
- Fourth quarter 2023 contribution
margin increased to (0.8%) from (11.5%) in the fourth quarter of
2022, primarily reflecting lower liquidation of high cost inventory
compared to the prior period.
- Fourth quarter 2023 operating loss
improved to ($8.2) million compared to a loss of ($22.8) million in
the fourth quarter of 2022. Fourth quarter 2023 operating loss
includes a reserve for barter credits of ($0.3) million and ($1.6)
million of non-cash stock compensation, and a non-cash loss on
impairment of an intangible of ($0.3) million, while fourth quarter
2022 operating loss included a reserve for barter credits of ($1.6)
million and ($2.7) million of non-cash stock compensation, and a
non-cash loss on impairment of goodwill of ($0.5) million.
- Fourth quarter 2023 net loss
improved to ($7.7) million from ($20.3) million in 2022. Fourth
quarter 2023 net loss includes a reserve for barter credits of
($0.3) million, ($1.6) million of non-cash stock compensation, a
non-cash loss on impairment of an intangible of ($0.3) million,
while fourth quarter 2022 net loss included a reserve for barter
credits of ($1.6) million, ($2.7) million of non-cash stock
compensation, a non-cash loss on impairment of goodwill of ($0.5)
million, and a gain on fair value of warrant liability of $2.8
million
- Fourth quarter 2023 adjusted EBITDA
loss improved to ($5.6) million from ($16.2) million in the fourth
quarter of 2022.
- Total cash balance at December 31,
2023 was $20.0 million.
Full Year 2023 Highlights
- Full year 2023 net revenue declined
35.5% year over year to $142.6 million, compared to $221.2 million
in the full year of 2022.
- Full year gross margin increased to
49.3% compared to 47.7% in 2022, primarily reflecting the impact of
product mix, improved shipping container rates during the year, and
a reduction in liquidation of high priced excess inventory.
- Full year 2023 contribution margin
declined to 1.2% from 1.8% in 2022, primarily reflecting the full
year impact of the Company’s plan to liquidate excess inventory and
rationalize non-core SKUS.
- Full year 2023 operating loss
improved to ($76.2) million from ($178.2) million in 2022. Full
year 2023 operating loss includes ($8.3) million of non-cash stock
compensation, a non-cash loss on impairment of intangibles of
($39.7) million, restructuring costs of ($1.6) million, a gain on
fair value of warrant liability of $2.4 million, and a reserve on
barter credits of ($0.3) million, while full year 2022 operating
loss included a gain of $5.2 million from the change in fair value
of contingent earn-out liabilities, ($14.6) million of non-cash
stock compensation, a non-cash loss on impairment of goodwill of
($120.4) million, a reserve for barter credits of ($1.6) million,
litigation reserve of ($2.6) million, and a non-cash loss on
impairment of intangibles of ($3.1) million.
- Full year 2023 net loss improved to
($74.6) million from ($196.3) million in 2022. Full year 2023 net
loss includes ($8.3) million of non-cash stock compensation, a
non-cash loss on impairment of intangibles of ($39.7) million,
restructuring costs of ($1.6) million, a gain on fair value of
warrant liability of $2.4 million, and a reserve on barter credits
of ($0.3) million while full year 2022 net loss included a gain of
$5.2 million from the change in fair value of contingent earn-out
liabilities, ($14.6) million of non-cash stock compensation, a
non-cash loss on impairment of goodwill of ($120.4) million, a
non-cash loss on impairment of intangibles of ($3.1) million, a
gain on extinguishment of seller note of $2.0 million, a loss on
initial issuance of equity of ($18.7) million, a reserve for barter
credits of ($1.6) million, litigation reserve of ($2.6) million and
gain of $0.5 million relating to the change in fair value of
warrant liability.
- Full year 2023 adjusted EBITDA loss
improved to ($22.3) million from ($33.5) million in 2022.
First Quarter 2024 & Second Half of
2024 Outlook
For the first quarter of 2024, taking into
account the current global environment and inflation, the Company
believes that net revenue will be between $18.0 million and $21.0
million. For the first quarter of 2024, the Company expects
Adjusted EBITDA loss will be between ($2.5) million and ($3.5)
million.
The Company is reaffirming its prior guidance of
expecting to be Adjusted EBITDA profitable in the second half of
2024.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
For more information on our non-GAAP financial
measures and a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures, please
see the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below. The most
directly comparable GAAP financial measure for EBITDA and adjusted
EBITDA is net loss and we expect to report a net loss for the three
months ending March 31, 2024 and the second half of 2024, due
primarily to our operating losses, which includes stock-based
compensation expense, and interest expense. We are unable to
reconcile the forward-looking statements of EBITDA and adjusted
EBITDA in this press release to their nearest GAAP measures because
the nearest GAAP financial measures are not accessible on a
forward-looking basis and reconciling information is not available
without unreasonable effort.
Webcast and Conference Call
InformationAterian will host a live conference call to
discuss financial results today, March 12, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Time, which will be accessible by telephone and the
internet. To access the call, participants from within the U.S.
should dial (800) 715-9871 and participants from outside the U.S.
should dial (646) 307-1963 and ask to be joined into the Aterian,
Inc. call or use conference ID 8664618. Participants may also
access the call through a live webcast at https://ir.aterian.io.
The archived online replay will be available for a limited time
after the call in the investors section of the Aterian corporate
website.
About Aterian, Inc.Aterian,
Inc. (Nasdaq: ATER) is a technology-enabled consumer products
company that builds and acquires leading e-commerce brands with top
selling consumer products, in multiple categories, including home
and kitchen appliances, health and wellness and air quality
devices. The Company sells across the world's largest online
marketplaces with a focus on Amazon and Walmart in the U.S. and on
its own direct to consumer websites.
Forward Looking StatementsAll
statements other than statements of historical facts included in
this press release that address activities, events or developments
that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the
future are forward-looking statements including, in particular, the
statements regarding our projected first quarter net revenue and
adjusted EBITDA, our guidance to achieve adjusted EBITDA
profitability in the second half of 2024 and the current global
environment and inflation. These forward-looking statements are
based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other factors,
all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond
our control and could cause actual results to differ materially and
adversely from those described in the forward-looking statements.
These risks include, but are not limited to, those related to our
ability to continue as a going concern, our ability to meet
financial covenants with our lenders, our ability to maintain and
to grow market share in existing and new product categories; our
ability to continue to profitably sell the SKUs we operate; our
ability to create operating leverage and efficiency when
integrating companies that we acquire, including through the use of
our team’s expertise, the economies of scale of our supply chain
and automation driven by our platform; those related to our ability
to grow internationally and through the launch of products under
our brands and the acquisition of additional brands; those related
to consumer demand, our cash flows, financial condition,
forecasting and revenue growth rate; our supply chain including
sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing and fulfillment; our ability
to manage expenses, working capital and capital expenditures
efficiently; our business model and our technology platform; our
ability to disrupt the consumer products industry; our ability to
generate profitability and stockholder value; international tariffs
and trade measures; inventory management, product liability claims,
recalls or other safety and regulatory concerns; reliance on third
party online marketplaces; seasonal and quarterly variations in our
revenue; acquisitions of other companies and technologies and our
ability to integrate such companies and technologies with our
business; our ability to continue to access debt and equity capital
(including on terms advantageous to the Company) and the extent of
our leverage; and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors”
section of our most recent periodic reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), all of which you may
obtain for free on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Although we believe that the expectations
reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do
not know whether our expectations will prove correct. You are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, even if
subsequently made available by us on our website or otherwise. We
do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as may be required under
applicable securities laws.
ATERIAN, INC.Consolidated Balance
Sheets(in thousands, except share and per share
data) |
|
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
December 31, 2023 |
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
$ |
43,574 |
|
|
$ |
20,023 |
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
4,515 |
|
|
|
4,225 |
|
Inventory |
|
|
43,666 |
|
|
|
20,390 |
|
Prepaid and other current
assets |
|
|
8,261 |
|
|
|
4,998 |
|
Total current assets |
|
|
100,016 |
|
|
|
49,636 |
|
Property and equipment,
net |
|
|
853 |
|
|
|
775 |
|
Intangibles, net |
|
|
54,757 |
|
|
|
11,320 |
|
Other non-current assets |
|
|
813 |
|
|
|
138 |
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
156,439 |
|
|
$ |
61,869 |
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Credit facility |
|
$ |
21,053 |
|
|
$ |
11,098 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
16,035 |
|
|
|
4,190 |
|
Seller notes |
|
|
1,693 |
|
|
|
1,049 |
|
Accrued and other current
liabilities |
|
|
14,254 |
|
|
|
9,110 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
53,035 |
|
|
|
25,447 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
1,452 |
|
|
|
391 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
54,487 |
|
|
|
25,838 |
|
Commitments and
contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Stockholders' equity: |
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.0001 par
value, 500,000,000 shares authorized and 80,752,290 and 90,097,372
shares outstanding at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023,
respectively |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Additional paid-in
capital |
|
|
728,339 |
|
|
|
736,675 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(625,251 |
) |
|
|
(699,815 |
) |
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss |
|
|
(1,144 |
) |
|
|
(838 |
) |
Total stockholders’
equity |
|
|
101,952 |
|
|
|
36,031 |
|
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity |
|
$ |
156,439 |
|
|
$ |
61,869 |
|
ATERIAN, INC. Consolidated Statements
of Operations (in thousands, except share and
per share data) |
|
|
|
Three Months Ended December
31, |
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
Net revenue |
|
$ |
54,902 |
|
|
$ |
32,754 |
|
|
$ |
221,170 |
|
|
$ |
142,566 |
|
Cost of goods sold |
|
|
34,534 |
|
|
|
16,045 |
|
|
|
115,652 |
|
|
|
72,281 |
|
Gross profit |
|
|
20,368 |
|
|
|
16,709 |
|
|
|
105,518 |
|
|
|
70,285 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and distribution |
|
|
32,507 |
|
|
|
20,207 |
|
|
|
121,139 |
|
|
|
81,911 |
|
Research and development |
|
|
1,430 |
|
|
|
808 |
|
|
|
6,012 |
|
|
|
4,616 |
|
General and
administrative |
|
|
8,758 |
|
|
|
3,654 |
|
|
|
38,239 |
|
|
|
20,220 |
|
Impairment loss on
goodwill |
|
|
468 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
120,409 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Impairment loss on
intangibles |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
283 |
|
|
|
3,118 |
|
|
|
39,728 |
|
Change in fair value of
contingent earn-out liabilities |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(5,240 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
43,163 |
|
|
|
24,952 |
|
|
|
283,677 |
|
|
|
146,475 |
|
Operating loss |
|
|
(22,795 |
) |
|
|
(8,243 |
) |
|
|
(178,159 |
) |
|
|
(76,190 |
) |
Interest expense, net |
|
|
560 |
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
2,603 |
|
|
|
1,421 |
|
Gain on extinguishment of
seller note |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2,012 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Loss on initial issuance of
equity |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
18,669 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Change in fair value of
warrant liability |
|
|
(2,835 |
) |
|
|
(30 |
) |
|
|
(470 |
) |
|
|
(2,440 |
) |
Other (income) expense,
net |
|
|
(83 |
) |
|
|
158 |
|
|
|
(281 |
) |
|
|
260 |
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
(20,437 |
) |
|
|
(8,716 |
) |
|
|
(196,668 |
) |
|
|
(75,431 |
) |
Benefit for income taxes |
|
|
(133 |
) |
|
|
(1,009 |
) |
|
|
(376 |
) |
|
|
(867 |
) |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(20,304 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,707 |
) |
|
$ |
(196,292 |
) |
|
$ |
(74,564 |
) |
Net loss per share, basic and
diluted |
|
$ |
(0.27 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.10 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.95 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.95 |
) |
Weighted-average number of
shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
|
|
75,824,531 |
|
|
|
79,286,321 |
|
|
|
66,529,565 |
|
|
|
78,155,590 |
|
ATERIAN, INC. Consolidated Statement
of Cash Flows (in thousands, except share and
per share data) |
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(196,292 |
) |
|
$ |
(74,564 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net
loss to net cash used by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization |
|
|
7,521 |
|
|
|
3,886 |
|
Provision for sales
returns |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
(413 |
) |
Amortization of deferred
financing cost and debt discounts |
|
|
429 |
|
|
|
429 |
|
Issuance of common stock |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Change in deferred tax
balance |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,153 |
) |
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
14,594 |
|
|
|
8,336 |
|
Gain from decrease of
contingent earn-out liability fair value |
|
|
(5,240 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Change in inventory
provisions |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(3,149 |
) |
Gain in connection with the
change in warrant fair value |
|
|
(470 |
) |
|
|
(2,440 |
) |
Gain in connection with
settlement of note payable |
|
|
(2,012 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Loss on initial issuance of
equity |
|
|
18,669 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Impairment loss on
goodwill |
|
|
120,409 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Impairment loss on
intangibles |
|
|
3,118 |
|
|
|
39,728 |
|
Provision for barter
credits |
|
|
1,643 |
|
|
|
323 |
|
Allowance for doubtful
accounts and other |
|
|
367 |
|
|
|
85 |
|
Changes in assets and
liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
5,596 |
|
|
|
205 |
|
Inventory |
|
|
19,438 |
|
|
|
26,426 |
|
Prepaid and other current
assets |
|
|
5,564 |
|
|
|
2,597 |
|
Accounts payable, accrued and
other liabilities |
|
|
(10,910 |
) |
|
|
(13,684 |
) |
Cash used in operating
activities |
|
|
(17,477 |
) |
|
|
(13,388 |
) |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
Purchase of fixed assets |
|
|
(82 |
) |
|
|
(119 |
) |
Purchase of Step and Go
assets |
|
|
(595 |
) |
|
|
(125 |
) |
Cash used in investing
activities |
|
|
(677 |
) |
|
|
(244 |
) |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from equity offering,
net of issuance costs |
|
|
46,834 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Repayments on note payable to
Smash |
|
|
(3,423 |
) |
|
|
(668 |
) |
Payment of Squatty Potty
earn-out |
|
|
(3,983 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Borrowings from MidCap credit
facilities |
|
|
136,687 |
|
|
|
79,806 |
|
Repayments for MidCap credit
facilities |
|
|
(148,907 |
) |
|
|
(90,190 |
) |
Insurance obligation
payments |
|
|
(2,311 |
) |
|
|
(1,042 |
) |
Insurance financing
proceeds |
|
|
2,099 |
|
|
|
986 |
|
Cash provided (used) by
financing activities |
|
|
26,996 |
|
|
|
(11,108 |
) |
Foreign currency effect on
cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
|
|
(528 |
) |
|
|
306 |
|
Net change in cash and
restricted cash for the year |
|
|
8,314 |
|
|
|
(24,434 |
) |
Cash and restricted cash at
beginning of year |
|
|
38,315 |
|
|
|
46,629 |
|
Cash and restricted cash at
end of year |
|
$ |
46,629 |
|
|
$ |
22,195 |
|
RECONCILIATION OF CASH AND
RESTRICTED CASH: |
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
43,574 |
|
|
|
20,023 |
|
Restricted Cash—Prepaid and
other current assets |
|
|
2,926 |
|
|
|
2,043 |
|
Restricted cash—Other
non-current assets |
|
|
129 |
|
|
|
129 |
|
TOTAL CASH AND RESTRICTED
CASH |
|
$ |
46,629 |
|
|
$ |
22,195 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF
CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for interest |
|
$ |
1,875 |
|
|
$ |
1,718 |
|
Cash paid for taxes |
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
94 |
|
NON-CASH INVESTING AND
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
Non-cash consideration paid to
contractors |
|
$ |
1,137 |
|
|
$ |
321 |
|
Fair value of warrants issued
in connection with equity offering |
|
$ |
18,982 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Issuance of common stock
related to exercise of warrants |
|
$ |
767 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Initial issuance of
equity |
|
$ |
18,669 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Issuance of common stock |
|
$ |
43 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Exercise of prefunded
warrants |
|
$ |
15,039 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We believe that our financial statements and the other financial
data included in this press release have been prepared in a manner
that complies, in all material respects, with generally accepted
accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”). However, for the
reasons discussed below, we have presented certain non-GAAP
measures herein.
We have presented the following non-GAAP measures to assist
investors in understanding our core net operating results on an
on-going basis: (i) Contribution Margin; (ii) Contribution margin
as a percentage of net revenue; (iii) EBITDA (iv) Adjusted EBITDA;
and (v) Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue. These
non-GAAP financial measures may also assist investors in making
comparisons of our core operating results with those of other
companies.
As used herein, Contribution margin represents gross profit less
amortization of inventory step-up from acquisitions (included in
cost of goods sold), reserve on barter credits and e-commerce
platform commissions, online advertising, selling and logistics
expenses (included in sales and distribution expenses). As
used herein, Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue
represents Contribution margin divided by net revenue. As used
herein, EBITDA represents net loss plus depreciation and
amortization, interest expense, net and provision for income taxes.
As used herein, Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA plus stock-based
compensation expense, changes in fair-market value of earn-outs,
profit and loss impacts from the issuance of common stock and/or
warrants, changes in fair-market value of warrant liability,
litigation settlements, impairment on goodwill and intangibles,
gain from extinguishment of seller note, restructuring expenses,
reserve on barter credits, and other expenses, net. As used
herein, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue represents
Adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenue. Contribution margin, EBITDA
and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent and should not be considered
as alternatives to loss from operations or net loss, as determined
under GAAP.
We present Contribution margin and Contribution margin as a
percentage of net revenue, as we believe each of these measures
provides an additional metric to evaluate our operations and, when
considered with both our GAAP results and the reconciliation to
gross profit, provides useful supplemental information for
investors. Specifically, Contribution margin and Contribution
margin as a percentage of net revenue are two of our key metrics in
running our business. All product decisions made by us, from
the approval of launching a new product and to the liquidation of a
product at the end of its life cycle, are measured primarily from
Contribution margin and/or Contribution margin as a percentage of
net revenue. Further, we believe these measures provide
improved transparency to our stockholders to determine the
performance of our products prior to fixed costs as opposed to
referencing gross profit alone.
In the reconciliation to calculate contribution margin, we add
e-commerce platform commissions, online advertising, selling and
logistics expenses (“sales and distribution variable expense”), and
the reserve for barter credits to gross profit to inform users of
our financial statements of what our product profitability is at
each period prior to fixed costs (such as sales and distribution
expenses such as salaries as well as research and development
expenses and general administrative expenses). By excluding
these fixed costs, we believe this allows users of our financial
statements to understand our products performance and allows them
to measure our products performance over time.
We present EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a
percentage of net revenue because we believe each of these measures
provides an additional metric to evaluate our operations and, when
considered with both our GAAP results and the reconciliation to net
loss, provide useful supplemental information for investors. We use
these measures with financial measures prepared in accordance with
GAAP, such as sales and gross margins, to assess our historical and
prospective operating performance, to provide meaningful
comparisons of operating performance across periods, to enhance our
understanding of our operating performance and to compare our
performance to that of our peers and competitors. We believe
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net
revenue are useful to investors in assessing the operating
performance of our business without the effect of non-cash items.
Contribution margin, Contribution margin as a percentage of net
revenue, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a
percentage of net revenue should not be considered in isolation or
as alternatives to net loss, loss from operations or any other
measure of financial performance calculated and prescribed in
accordance with GAAP. Neither EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted
EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue should be considered a
measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the
growth of our business. Our Contribution margin, Contribution
margin as a percentage of net revenue, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue may not be
comparable to similar titled measures in other organizations
because other organizations may not calculate Contribution margin,
Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue, EBITDA,
Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue
in the same manner as we do. Our presentation of Contribution
margin and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference
that our future results will be unaffected by the expenses that are
excluded from such terms or by unusual or non-recurring items.
Contribution margin, Contribution margin as a percentage of net
revenue, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a
percentage of net revenue should not be considered in isolation or
as alternatives to net loss, loss from operations or any other
measure of financial performance calculated and prescribed in
accordance with GAAP. Neither EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted
EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue should be considered a
measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the
growth of our business. Our Contribution margin, Contribution
margin as a percentage of net revenue, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue may not be
comparable to similar titled measures in other organizations
because other organizations may not calculate Contribution margin,
Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue, EBITDA,
Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue
in the same manner as we do. Our presentation of Contribution
margin and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference
that our future results will be unaffected by the expenses that are
excluded from such terms or by unusual or non-recurring items.
We recognize that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as
a percentage of net revenue, have limitations as analytical
financial measures. For example, neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA
reflects:
- our capital expenditures or future requirements for capital
expenditures or mergers and acquisitions;
- the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to
service interest expense or principal payments, associated with
indebtedness;
- depreciation and amortization, which are non-cash charges,
although the assets being depreciated and amortized will likely
have to be replaced in the future, or any cash requirements for the
replacement of assets;
- changes in cash requirements for our working capital needs;
or
- changes in fair value of contingent earn-out liabilities,
warrant liabilities, and amortization of inventory step-up from
acquisitions (included in cost of goods sold).
Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA excludes non-cash expense for
stock-based compensation, which is and is expected to remain a key
element of our overall long-term incentive compensation
package.
We also recognize that Contribution margin and Contribution
margin as a percentage of net revenue have limitations as
analytical financial measures. For example, Contribution margin
does not reflect:
- general and administrative expense necessary to operate our
business;
- research and development expenses necessary for the
development, operation and support of our software platform;
- the fixed costs portion of our sales and distribution expenses
including stock-based compensation expense; or
- changes in fair value of contingent earn-out liabilities,
warrant liabilities, and amortization of inventory step-up from
acquisitions (included in cost of goods sold).
Contribution Margin
The following table provides a reconciliation of Contribution
margin to gross profit and Contribution margin as a percentage of
net revenue to gross profit as a percentage of net revenue, which
are the most directly comparable financial measures presented in
accordance with GAAP.
|
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
Year EndedDecember 31, |
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
(in thousands, except percentages) |
|
Gross Profit |
|
$ |
20,368 |
|
|
$ |
16,709 |
|
|
$ |
105,518 |
|
|
$ |
70,285 |
|
|
Reserve on barter credits |
|
|
1,643 |
|
|
|
323 |
|
|
|
1,643 |
|
|
|
323 |
|
|
E-commerce platform
commissions, online advertising, selling and logistics
expenses |
|
|
(28,331 |
) |
|
|
(17,293 |
) |
|
|
(103,258 |
) |
|
|
(68,864 |
) |
|
Contribution margin |
|
$ |
(6,320 |
) |
|
$ |
(261 |
) |
|
$ |
3,903 |
|
|
$ |
1,744 |
|
|
Gross Profit as a percentage
of net revenue |
|
|
37.1 |
|
% |
|
51.0 |
|
% |
|
47.7 |
|
% |
|
49.3 |
|
% |
Contribution margin as a
percentage of net revenue |
|
|
(11.5 |
) |
% |
|
(0.8 |
) |
% |
|
1.8 |
|
% |
|
1.2 |
|
% |
Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
Three Months Ended December
31, |
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
(in thousands, except percentages) |
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(20,304 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,707 |
) |
|
$ |
(196,292 |
) |
|
$ |
(74,564 |
) |
|
Add: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit for income taxes |
|
|
(133 |
) |
|
|
(1,009 |
) |
|
|
(376 |
) |
|
|
(867 |
) |
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
560 |
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
2,603 |
|
|
|
1,421 |
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization |
|
|
1,758 |
|
|
|
469 |
|
|
|
7,521 |
|
|
|
3,886 |
|
|
EBITDA |
|
|
(18,119 |
) |
|
|
(7,902 |
) |
|
|
(186,544 |
) |
|
|
(70,124 |
) |
|
Other (income) expense,
net |
|
|
(83 |
) |
|
|
158 |
|
|
|
(281 |
) |
|
|
260 |
|
|
Change in fair value of
contingent earn-out liabilities |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(5,240 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
Impairment loss on
goodwill |
|
|
468 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
120,409 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Impairment loss on
intangibles |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
283 |
|
|
|
3,118 |
|
|
|
39,728 |
|
|
Gain on extinguishment of
seller note |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2,012 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
Change in fair market value of
warrant liability |
|
|
(2,835 |
) |
|
|
(30 |
) |
|
|
(470 |
) |
|
|
(2,440 |
) |
|
Loss on original issuance of
equity |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
18,669 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Litigation reserve |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,600 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Reserve on barter credits |
|
|
1,643 |
|
|
|
323 |
|
|
|
1,643 |
|
|
|
323 |
|
|
Restructuring expense |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,633 |
|
|
Stock-based compensation
expense |
|
|
2,740 |
|
|
|
1,564 |
|
|
|
14,594 |
|
|
|
8,336 |
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
(16,186 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,604 |
) |
|
$ |
(33,514 |
) |
|
$ |
(22,284 |
) |
|
Net loss as a percentage of
net revenue |
|
|
(37.0 |
) |
% |
|
(23.5 |
) |
% |
|
(88.8 |
) |
% |
|
(52.3 |
) |
% |
Adjusted EBITDA as a
percentage of net revenue |
|
|
(29.5 |
) |
% |
|
(17.1 |
) |
% |
|
(15.2 |
) |
% |
|
(15.6 |
) |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each of our products typically goes through the Launch phase and
depending on its level of success is moved to one of the other
phases as further described below:
i. Launch phase: During this phase, we leverage our
technology and other sources to target product opportunities. This
phase also includes revenue from new product variations and
relaunches. During this period of time, due to the combination of
discounts and investment in marketing, our net margin for a product
could be as low as approximately negative 35%. Net margin is
calculated by taking net revenue less the cost of goods sold, less
fulfillment, online advertising and selling expenses. These costs
primarily reflect the estimated variable costs related to the sale
of a product.
ii. Sustain phase: Our goal is for every product we launch
to enter the sustain phase and become profitable, with a target of
positive 15% net margin for most products, within approximately
three months of launch on average. Net margin primarily reflects a
combination of manual and automated adjustments in price and
marketing spend.
iii. Liquidate phase: If a product does not enter the
sustain phase or if the customer satisfaction of the product (i.e.,
ratings) is not satisfactory, then it will go to the liquidate
phase and we will sell through the remaining inventory. Products
can also be liquidated as part of inventory normalization
especially when steep discounts are required.
The following tables break out our fourth quarter and full year
2022 and 2023 results of operations by our product phases (in
thousands):
|
|
Three months ended December 31, 2022 |
|
|
Sustain |
|
|
Launch |
|
|
Liquidation/ Other |
|
Fixed Costs |
|
Stock Based Compensation |
|
|
Total |
Net revenue |
$ |
40,831 |
|
$ |
963 |
|
$ |
13,108 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
54,902 |
|
Cost of goods sold |
|
17,550 |
|
|
236 |
|
|
16,748 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
34,534 |
|
Gross profit |
|
23,281 |
|
|
727 |
|
|
(3,640 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
20,368 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and distribution
expenses |
|
19,902 |
|
|
316 |
|
|
8,113 |
|
|
3,390 |
|
|
786 |
|
|
32,507 |
|
Research and development |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
976 |
|
|
454 |
|
|
1,430 |
|
General and
administrative |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
7,258 |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
8,758 |
|
Impairment loss on
goodwill |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
468 |
|
|
— |
|
|
468 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended December 31, 2023 |
|
|
Sustain |
|
|
Launch |
|
|
Liquidation/ Other |
|
Fixed Costs |
|
Stock Based Compensation |
|
|
Total |
Net revenue |
$ |
25,175 |
|
$ |
390 |
|
$ |
7,189 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
32,754 |
|
Cost of goods sold |
|
10,457 |
|
|
114 |
|
|
5,474 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
16,045 |
|
Gross profit |
|
14,718 |
|
|
276 |
|
|
1,715 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
16,709 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and distribution
expenses |
|
12,973 |
|
|
263 |
|
|
4,056 |
|
|
2,567 |
|
|
348 |
|
|
20,207 |
|
Research and development |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
528 |
|
|
280 |
|
|
808 |
|
General and
administrative |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
2,717 |
|
|
937 |
|
|
3,654 |
|
Impairment loss on
intangibles |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
283 |
|
|
— |
|
|
283 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year-ended December 31, 2022 |
|
|
Sustain |
|
|
Launch |
|
|
Liquidation/ Other |
|
Fixed Costs |
|
Stock Based Compensation |
|
|
Total |
Net revenue |
$ |
187,039 |
|
$ |
4,766 |
|
$ |
29,365 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
221,170 |
|
Cost of goods sold |
|
82,909 |
|
|
2,332 |
|
|
30,411 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
115,652 |
|
Gross profit |
|
104,130 |
|
|
2,434 |
|
|
(1,046 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
105,518 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and distribution
expenses |
|
83,198 |
|
|
2,287 |
|
|
17,773 |
|
|
12,867 |
|
|
5,014 |
|
|
121,139 |
|
Research and development |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
4,141 |
|
|
1,871 |
|
|
6,012 |
|
General and
administrative |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
30,530 |
|
|
7,709 |
|
|
38,239 |
|
Impairment loss on
goodwill |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
120,409 |
|
|
— |
|
|
120,409 |
|
Impairment loss on
intangibles |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
3,118 |
|
|
— |
|
|
3,118 |
|
Change in earn-out
liability |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(5,240 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
(5,240 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year-ended December 31, 2023 |
|
|
Sustain |
|
|
Launch |
|
|
Liquidation/ Other |
|
Fixed Costs |
|
Stock Based Compensation |
|
|
Total |
Net revenue |
$ |
114,919 |
|
$ |
959 |
|
$ |
26,688 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
142,566 |
|
Cost of goods sold |
|
53,139 |
|
|
455 |
|
|
18,687 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
72,281 |
|
Gross profit |
|
61,780 |
|
|
504 |
|
|
8,001 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
70,285 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and distribution
expenses |
|
53,442 |
|
|
603 |
|
|
14,820 |
|
|
10,607 |
|
|
2,439 |
|
|
81,911 |
|
Research and development |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
3,202 |
|
|
1,414 |
|
|
4,616 |
|
General and
administrative |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
15,737 |
|
|
4,483 |
|
|
20,220 |
|
Impairment loss on
intangibles |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
39,728 |
|
|
— |
|
|
39,728 |
|
Investor Contact:
Ilya Grozovsky
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corp. Development
Aterian, Inc.
ilya@aterian.io
917-905-1699
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