Category: Media / Web

j2 Global Reports Record Q4 and Year End 2015 Results and Provides 2016 Outlook

Achieves Record Annual and Quarterly Revenues, EBITDA, Adjusted Non-GAAP EPS and Free Cash Flow
Estimates 2016 Revenues between $830M and $860M and 2016 Adjusted Non-GAAP EPS between $4.70 and $5.00
Quarterly Dividend Increased by $0.01 to $0.3250 per Share versus the Prior Quarter

LOS ANGELES-- j2 Global, Inc. (JCOM) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015, provided fiscal 2016 financial estimates and announced that its Board of Directors has declared an increased quarterly cash dividend of $0.3250 per share.

FOURTH QUARTER 2015 RESULTS

Quarterly revenues increased 22.6% to a record $204.8 million compared to $167.1 million for Q4 2014.

Quarterly EBITDA(3) increased 30.2% to a record $100.1 million compared to $76.9 million for Q4 2014.

GAAP earnings per diluted share for the quarter increased 9.1% to a fourth quarter record of $0.72 compared to $0.66 for Q4 2014.

Adjusted Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share(1)(2) increased 31.6% to a record $1.29 compared to $0.98 for Q4 2014.

Q4 2015 free cash flow(4) increased 88.7% to $75.1 million compared to $39.8 million for Q4 2014.

j2 ended 2015 with $414 million in cash and investments after deploying $67.1 million during the quarter for acquisitions and the payment of j2's regular quarterly dividend.

Key financial results for the fourth quarter 2015 versus the fourth quarter 2014 are set forth in the following table (in millions, except per share). Reconciliations of Adjusted earnings per diluted share, EBITDA and free cash flow to their nearest comparable GAAP financial measures are attached to this Press Release.

    Q4 2015   Q4 2014   % Change

Revenues

           
Cloud Services   $133.8 million   $113.0 million   18.4%
Digital Media   $69.9 million   $52.9 million   32.1%
IP Licensing   $1.1 million   $1.2 million   (8.3)%
Total:   $204.8 million   $167.1 million   22.6%

Earnings per Diluted Share(1)

  $0.72   $0.66   9.1%

Adjusted Non-GAAP Earnings per Diluted Share(1) (2)

  $1.29   $0.98   31.6%

EBITDA(3)

  $100.1 million   $76.9 million   30.2%

Free Cash Flow(4)

  $75.1 million   $39.8 million   88.7%
             

FULL YEAR 2015 RESULTS

Annual revenues increased 20.3% to a record $720.8 million compared to $599 million for 2014.

Annual EBITDA (3) increased 26.9% to a record $333.3 million compared to $262.6 million for 2014.

GAAP earnings per diluted share for the year increased 5.8% to a record $2.73 compared to $2.58 for 2014. 2015 Adjusted Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share(5)(6) increased 21.9% to a record $4.17 compared to $3.42 for 2014.

Free cash flow(4) for the year increased 30.1% to a record $223.2 million compared to $171.5 million for 2014.

Key annual financial results for 2015 versus 2014 are set forth in the following table (in millions, except per share). Reconciliations of Adjusted earnings per diluted share, EBITDA and free cash flow to their nearest comparable GAAP financial measures are attached to this Press Release.

    2015   2014   % Change
Revenues            
Cloud Services   $498.9 million   $425.9 million   17.1%
Digital Media   $216.1 million   $167.6 million   28.9%
IP Licensing   $5.8 million   $5.5 million   5.5%
Total:   $720.8 million   $599 million   20.3%
Earnings per Diluted Share(5)   $2.73   $2.58   5.8%
Adjusted Non-GAAP Earnings per Diluted Share(5) (6)   $4.17   $3.42   21.9%
EBITDA(3)   $333.3 million   $262.6 million   26.9%
Free Cash Flow(4)   $223.2 million   $171.5 million   30.1%
             

“2015 was an excellent year fueled by strong performance in all operating lines of business,” said Hemi Zucker, CEO of j2. “Our Cloud Services segment saw its most significant growth in the Backup and Email Security businesses, growing both organically and through M&A. Most importantly, we continue to realize improved margins on our activities as we integrate acquired businesses into the j2 cost structure. The Media Segment, through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, has significantly grown revenue and scaled its margins to yield impressive returns.”

“For the first time in a quarter, j2 delivered more than $200 million in revenue, $100 million in adjusted EBITDA and more than $75 million in free cash flow. This strong momentum positions us well for success into 2016,” said Scott Turicchi, President and CFO of j2 Global Inc.

BUSINESS OUTLOOK

For fiscal 2016, the Company estimates that it will achieve revenues between $830 and $860 million and Adjusted Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share of between $4.70 and $5.00.

Adjusted Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share for 2016 excludes share-based compensation of between $12 and $14 million, amortization of acquired intangibles and the impact of any currently unanticipated items, in each case net of tax.

It is anticipated that the Non-GAAP effective tax rate for 2016 (exclusive of the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions) will increase from 28.4% to between 29% and 31%.

DIVIDEND

j2’s Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3250 per common share, a $0.01, or 3.2% increase versus last quarter's dividend and an 11.1% increase versus the dividend paid in Q1 2015. This is j2’s eighteenth consecutive quarterly dividend increase since its first quarterly dividend in September, 2011. The dividend will be paid on March 10, 2016 to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 23, 2016. Future dividends will be subject to Board approval.

EXTENSION OF SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

The Company has extended its one-year five million share repurchase program set to expire February 20, 2016 by an additional year. Approximately 2.9 million shares remain available for purchase under the program.

Notes:

 

(1)

 

The estimated GAAP effective tax rate was approximately 16.4% for Q4 2015 and 23.4% for Q4 2014. The estimated Adjusted Non-GAAP effective tax rate was approximately 27.6% for Q4 2015 and 26.4% for Q4 2014.

       
  (2)   For Q4 2015, Adjusted Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share excludes share-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangibles, certain acquisition-related integration costs, in each case net of tax, totaling $0.60. For Q4 2014, Adjusted Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share excludes share-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangibles, certain acquisition-related integration costs and certain tax consulting fees, in each case net of tax, totaling $0.33. Adjusted Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share amounts are not meant as a substitute for GAAP, but are solely for informational purposes.
       
  (3)   EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest and other expense, net; income tax expense; depreciation and amortization; and the items used to reconcile EPS to Adjusted Non-GAAP EPS referred to in Note (2) above. EBITDA amounts are not meant as a substitute for GAAP, but are solely for informational purposes.
       
 

(4)

 

Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property, plant and equipment, plus excess tax benefit from share-based compensation. Free cash flow amounts are not meant as a substitute for GAAP, but are solely for informational purposes.

       
 

(5)

 

The GAAP effective tax rate was approximately 14.8% for 2015 and 19.2% for 2014. The Adjusted Non-GAAP effective tax rate was approximately 28.4% for 2015 and 26.1% for 2014.

       
 

(6)

 

For 2015, Adjusted Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share excludes share-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangibles, certain acquisition-related integration costs, certain tax consulting fees and additional tax expense (benefit) from prior years, in each case net of tax, totaling $1.46. For 2014, Adjusted Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share excludes share-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangibles, certain acquisition-related integration costs, certain tax consulting fees and additional tax expense (benefit) from prior years, and adds back the impact of the fair value adjustment to deferred revenues purchased in the Livedrive acquisition, in each case net of tax, totaling $0.86. Adjusted Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share amounts are not meant as a substitute for GAAP, but are solely for informational purposes.

About j2 Global

j2 Global, Inc. (JCOM) provides Internet services through two divisions: Business Cloud Services and Digital Media. The Business Cloud Services Division offers Internet fax, virtual phone, hosted email, email marketing, online backup, unified communications and CRM solutions. It markets its services principally under the brand names eFax ®, eVoice ®, FuseMail ®, Campaigner ®, KeepItSafe ®, Livedrive®, Onebox ®, and LiveVault®, and operates a messaging network spanning 50 countries on six continents. The Digital Media Division offers technology, gaming and lifestyle content through its digital properties, which include PCMag.com, IGN.com, AskMen.com, Toolbox.com and others. The Digital Media Division also operates NetShelter ® Powered by BuyerBase ®, an advanced digital ad targeting platform, and Ziff Davis B2B, a leading provider of research to enterprise buyers and leads to IT vendors. As of December 31, 2015, j2 had achieved 20 consecutive fiscal years of revenue growth. For more information about j2, please visit www.j2global.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this Press Release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, particularly those contained in Hemi Zucker’s quote and the “Business Outlook” portion regarding the Company’s expected fiscal 2016 financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors and uncertainties include, among other items: the Company’s ability to grow non-fax revenues, profitability and cash flows; the Company’s ability to identify, close and successfully transition acquisitions; subscriber growth and retention; variability of the Company’s revenue based on changing conditions in particular industries and the economy generally; protection of the Company’s proprietary technology or infringement by the Company of intellectual property of others; the risk of adverse changes in the U.S. or international regulatory environments, including but not limited to the imposition or increase of taxes or regulatory-related fees; and the numerous other factors set forth in j2 Global’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting j2 Global, refer to the 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by j2 Global on March 2, 2015, and the other reports filed by j2 Global from time-to-time with the SEC, each of which is available at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements provided in this press release and particularly those contained in Hemi Zucker’s quote and the “Business Outlook” portion regarding the Company’s expected fiscal 2016 financial performance are based on limited information available to the Company at this time, which is subject to change. Although management’s expectations may change after the date of this press release, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these statements.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use the following Adjusted Non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, EBITDA and free cash flow. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

We use these Adjusted Non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Our management believes that these Adjusted Non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance and liquidity by excluding certain expenses and expenditures that may not be indicative of our recurring core business operating results. We believe that both management and investors benefit from referring to these Adjusted Non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting, and analyzing future periods. These Adjusted Non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparisons to our historical performance and liquidity. We believe these Adjusted Non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors both because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision-making and (2) they are used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the health of our business.

For more information on these Adjusted Non-GAAP financial measures, please see the appropriate GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP reconciliation tables included within the attached Exhibit to this release.

j2 GLOBAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
         
         
    DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
      2015       2014  
         
ASSETS      
  Cash and cash equivalents $ 255,530     $ 433,663  
  Short-term investments   79,655       96,206  
  Accounts receivable,      
  net of allowances of $4,261 and $3,685, respectively   114,680       91,699  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets   25,722       22,602  
  Deferred income taxes, current   7,218       2,013  
  Total current assets   482,805       646,183  
         
  Long-term investments   78,563       60,508  
  Property and equipment, net   57,442       38,217  
  Goodwill   807,661       635,675  
  Other purchased intangibles, net   352,641       311,800  
  Other assets   13,756       12,819  
         
  TOTAL ASSETS $ 1,792,868     $ 1,705,202  
         
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 114,385     $ 95,310  
  Income taxes payable   5,589        
  Deferred revenue, current   76,104       63,457  
  Capital lease, current   214       258  
  Deferred income taxes, current   363       342  
  Total current liabilities   196,655       159,367  
         
  Long-term debt   601,186       593,350  
  Deferred revenue, non-current   6,538       10,182  
  Capital lease, non-current   148       141  
  Liability for uncertain tax positions   35,917       37,551  
  Deferred income taxes, non-current   43,989       61,960  
  Other long-term liabilities   18,227       22,416  
  Total liabilities   902,660       884,967  
         
  Commitments and contingencies      
         
  Stockholders' Equity:      
  Preferred stock          
  Common stock   479       474  
  Additional paid-in capital   292,064       273,304  
  Retained earnings   626,789       553,584  
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (29,124 )     (7,127 )
  Total stockholders' equity   890,208       820,235  
         
  TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 1,792,868     $ 1,705,202  
                 
j2 GLOBAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                     
                     
       

THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,

 

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,

          2015       2014       2015     2014  
                     
Revenues     $ 204,823     $ 167,145     $ 720,815   $ 599,030  
                     
Cost of revenues (1)       34,608       28,999       122,958     105,989  
  Gross profit       170,215       138,146       597,857     493,041  
                     
Operating expenses:                  
  Sales and marketing (1)       42,189       36,633       159,009     141,967  
  Research, development and engineering (1)       8,625       8,228       34,329     30,680  
  General and administrative (1)       66,347       39,979       205,137     134,188  
                     
  Total operating expenses       117,161       84,840       398,475     306,835  
                     
Income from operations       53,054       53,306       199,382     186,206  
Interest expense, net       11,005       10,451       42,458     31,204  
Other expense (income), net       (384 )     89       5     (165 )
Income before income taxes       42,433       42,766       156,919     155,167  
Income tax expense       6,966       10,012       23,283     29,840  
Net income     $ 35,467     $ 32,754     $ 133,636   $ 125,327  
Less extinguishment of Series A Preferred Stock     -       (991 )     -     (991 )
Net income attributable to j2 Global, Inc. common stockholders   $ 35,467     $ 31,763     $ 133,636   $ 124,336  
                     
Basic net income per common share:                  
  Net income attributable to j2 Global, Inc. common shareholders   $ 0.73     $ 0.66     $ 2.76   $ 2.60  
                     
Diluted net income per common share:                  
  Net income attributable to j2 Global, Inc. common shareholders   $ 0.72     $ 0.66     $ 2.73   $ 2.58  
                     
                     
Basic weighted average shares outstanding       47,849,748       47,146,503       47,627,853     46,778,015  
                     
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding       48,772,061       47,468,841       48,087,760     47,106,538  
                     
(1) Includes share-based compensation expense as follows:            
Cost of revenues     $ 100     $ 82     $ 373   $ 345  
Sales and marketing       624       584       2,435     1,944  
Research, development and engineering       229       184       863     721  
General and administrative       1,898       1,520       8,122     5,898  
Total     $ 2,851     $ 2,370     $ 11,793   $ 8,908  
                                 
j2 GLOBAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
                 
                 
            TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
              2015       2014  
                 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
    Net income     $ 133,636     $ 125,327  
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash          
  provided by operating activities:          
    Depreciation and amortization       93,213       62,953  
    Accretion and amortization of discount and premium of investments   1,207       1,334  
    Amortization of financing costs and discounts       9,105       5,045  
    Share-based compensation       11,793       8,908  
    Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation       (4,486 )     (5,512 )
    Provision for doubtful accounts       6,872       4,702  
    Deferred income taxes, net       (17,083 )     (10,033 )
    Gain on sale of available-for-sale investment       (549 )     (90 )
  Decrease (increase) in:          
    Accounts receivable       (18,508 )     (11,078 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets       1,461       (3,212 )
    Other assets       (602 )     (42 )
  (Decrease) increase in:          
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses       8,757       (5,447 )
    Income taxes payable       3,578       10,797  
    Deferred revenue       (3,480 )     (711 )
    Liability for uncertain tax positions       (5,718 )     (6,313 )
    Other long-term liabilities       9,865       603  
Net cash provided by operating activities       229,061       177,231  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
    Maturity of certificate of deposit       65       14,520  
    Purchase of certificates of deposit       (62 )     (65 )
    Sales of available-for-sale investments       121,687       110,363  
    Purchases of available-for-sale investments       (135,832 )     (138,452 )
    Purchases of property and equipment       (17,297 )     (11,829 )
    Purchases of intangible assets       (1,455 )     (5,336 )
    Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received       (302,809 )     (245,278 )
    Proceeds from sale of assets             608  
Net cash used in investing activities       (335,703 )     (275,469 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:          
    Issuance of long-term debt             402,500  
    Debt issuance costs             (11,991 )
    Repurchases of common and restricted stock       (3,674 )     (5,663 )
    Issuance of stock, net of costs       5,218       6,886  
    Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation     4,486       5,512  
    Dividends paid       (58,827 )     (52,269 )
    Acquisition of business       (14,271 )     (16,512 )
    Other       (296 )     (933 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities       (67,364 )     327,530  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     (4,127 )     (3,430 )
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents       (178,133 )     225,862  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period       433,663       207,801  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period     $ 255,530    

$

433,663

 
                   
  j2 GLOBAL, INC.
  RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO ADJUSTED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
  THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014
  (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                                                   
  Non-GAAP net income is GAAP net income with the following modifications: (1) elimination of share-based compensation and the associated payroll tax expense; (2) elimination of certain acquisition-related integration costs and the impact of fair value adjustments to deferred revenue purchased in the Livedrive acquisition; (3) elimination of interest costs in excess of the coupon rate associated with the convertible notes; (4) IRS consulting fee; (5) elimination of amortization of patents and intangible assets that we acquired; (6) elimination of additional income tax (expense) benefit from prior years; (7) dilutive effect of the convertible debt; and (8) elimination of income tax provision associated with the noted modifications.
                           

 

                                     
            THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015     THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
                                                                   
                   

(2)

         

(6)

                   

(2)

           
                    Acquisition-           Additional  

(7)

                Acquisition-  

(4)

       
               

(1)

  related  

(3)

      Tax Expense   Convertible            

(1)

  related   IRS        
                Share-based   Integration   Interest  

(5)

  (Benefit) from   Debt   Adjusted         Share-based   Integration   Consulting  

(5)

  Adjusted
           

GAAP

  Compensation   Costs   Costs   Amortization   Prior Years   Dilution   Non-GAAP     GAAP   Compensation   Costs   Fee   Amortization   Non-GAAP
                                                                   
  Revenues     $ 204,823                             $ 204,823       $ 167,145         336             $ 167,481
                                                                   
  Cost of revenues     34,608     (100 )   (327 )       (1,314 )             32,867         28,999     (82 )   -         (668 )     28,249
                                                                   
  Operating expenses:                                                        
    Sales and marketing   42,189     (624 )   (395 )                     41,170         36,633     (584 )   (25 )             36,024
    Research, development and engineering   8,625     (229 )   (1 )                     8,395         8,228     (184 )   (2 )             8,042
    General and administrative   66,347     (1,898 )   (13,940 )       (23,322 )             27,187         39,979     (1,520 )   (589 )   (650 )   (15,134 )     22,086
                                                                   
  Interest expense (income), net   11,005             (2,567 )                 8,438         10,451         (2,124 )             8,327
  Other expense (income), net   (384 )                             (384 )       89                       89
                                                                   
  Income tax provision (8)   6,966     1,009     5,085     1,168     6,055     3,770           24,053         10,012     789     1,123     176     4,959       17,059
                                                                   
  Net income     $ 35,467     1,842     9,578     1,399     18,581     (3,770 )       $ 63,097       $ 32,754     1,581     1,953     474     10,843     $ 47,605
                                                                   
  Extinguishment of Series A Preferred Stock                                         (991 )       991              
                                                                   
  Net income attributable to j2 Global, Inc.                                                  
  common stockholders $ 35,467     1,842     9,578     1,399     18,581     (3,770 )       $ 63,097       $ 31,763     1,581     2,944     474     10,843     $ 47,605
                                                                   
  Net income per share attributable to                                                  
  j2 Global, Inc. common stockholders*:                                                  
    Basic       $ 0.73     0.04     0.20     0.03     0.39     (0.08 )   0.00     $ 1.30       $ 0.66     0.03     0.06     0.01     0.23     $ 0.99
    Diluted     $ 0.72     0.04     0.20     0.03     0.39     (0.08 )   0.01     $ 1.29       $ 0.66     0.03     0.06     0.01     0.23     $ 0.98
                                                                                                   

* The reconciliation of net income per share from GAAP to adjusted non-GAAP may not foot since each is calculated independently.

The Company discloses adjusted non-GAAP Earnings Per Share ("EPS") as supplemental non-GAAP financial performance measure, as it believes it is a useful metric by which to compare the performance of its business from period to period. The Company also understands that this adjusted non-GAAP measure is broadly used by analysts, rating agencies and investors in assessing the Company's performance. Accordingly, the Company believes that the presentation of this adjusted non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors.

Adjusted non-GAAP EPS is not in accordance with, or an alternative to, net income per share and may be different from non-GAAP measures with similar or even identical names used by other companies. In addition, this adjusted non-GAAP measure is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. This adjusted non-GAAP measure has limitations in that it does not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company's results of operations determined in accordance with GAAP.

j2 GLOBAL, INC.    
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO ADJUSTED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES    
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014    
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)    
                                                                         
Non-GAAP net income is GAAP net income with the following modifications: (1) elimination of share-based compensation and the associated payroll tax expense; (2) elimination of certain acquisition-related integration costs and the impact of fair value adjustments to deferred revenue purchased in the Livedrive acquisition; (3) elimination of interest costs in excess of the coupon rate associated with the convertible notes; (4) IRS consulting fee; (5) elimination of amortization of patents and intangible assets that we acquired; (6) elimination of additional income tax (expense) benefit from prior years; (7) dilutive effect of the convertible debt; and (8) elimination of income tax provision associated with the noted modifications.
                                                                         
          TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015     TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014    
                                                                         
                  (2)               (6)                     (2)           (6)    
                  Acquisition-       (4)       Additional   (7)                 Acquisition-   (4)       Additional    
              (1)   related   (3)   IRS       Income Tax   Convertible             (1)   related   IRS       Income Tax    
              Share-based   Integration   Interest   Consulting   (5)   Benefit from   Debt   Adjusted         Share-based   Integration   Consulting   (5)   Benefit from   Adjusted
          GAAP   Compensation   Costs   Costs   Fee   Amortization   Prior Years   Dilution   Non-GAAP     GAAP   Compensation   Costs   Fee   Amortization   Prior Years   Non-GAAP
                                                                         
Revenues     $ 720,815                               $ 720,815     $ 599,030         2,075                 $ 601,105  
                                                                         
Cost of revenues     122,958   (373 )   (327 )           (3,376 )             118,882       105,989     (345 )   (57 )       (2,462 )         103,125  
                                                                         
Operating expenses:                                                                
  Sales and marketing   159,009   (2,435 )   (1,110 )                         155,464       141,967     (1,944 )   (125 )                 139,898  
 

Research, development and
engineering

  34,329   (863 )   (81 )                         33,385       30,680     (721 )   (34 )                 29,925  
  General and administrative   205,137   (8,122 )   (23,930 )       204     (73,902 )   (3,651 )         95,736       134,188     (5,898 )   (144 )   (1,423 )   (47,247 )   (713 )     78,763  
                                                                         
Interest expense (income), net   42,458           (7,982 )           (472 )         34,004       31,204         (4,082 )                 27,122  
Other expense (income), net   5                                 5       (165 )                         (165 )
                                                                         
Income tax provision (8)   23,283   3,380     8,880     2,471     (47 )   21,672     20,681           80,320       29,840     3,115     2,148     369     16,092     6,435       57,999  
                                                                         
Net income     $ 133,636   8,413     16,568     5,511     (157 )   55,606     (16,558 )       $ 203,019     $ 125,327     5,793     4,369     1,054     33,617     (5,722 )   $ 164,438  
                                                                         
Extinguishment of Series A Preferred Stock                                         (991 )       991                    
                                                                         
Net income attributable to j2 Global, Inc.                                                          
common stockholders $ 133,636   8,413     16,568     5,511     (157 )   55,606     (16,558 )       $ 203,019     $ 124,336     5,793     5,360     1,054     33,617     (5,722 )   $ 164,438  
                                                                         
Net income per share attributable to                                                          
j2 Global, Inc. common stockholders*:                                                          
  Basic       $ 2.76   0.18     0.35     0.12     (0.00 )   1.17     (0.35 )   0.00     $ 4.19     $ 2.60     0.13     0.12     0.02     0.72     (0.12 )   $ 3.44  
  Diluted     $ 2.73   0.18     0.35     0.12     (0.00 )   1.16     (0.35 )   0.01     $ 4.17     $ 2.58     0.13     0.12     0.02     0.71     (0.12 )   $ 3.42  
                                                                                                           

* The reconciliation of net income per share from GAAP to adjusted non-GAAP may not foot since each is calculated independently.

The Company discloses adjusted non-GAAP Earnings Per Share ("EPS") as supplemental non-GAAP financial performance measure, as it believes it is a useful metric by which to compare the performance of its business from period to period. The Company also understands that this adjusted non-GAAP measure is broadly used by analysts, rating agencies and investors in assessing the Company's performance. Accordingly, the Company believes that the presentation of this adjusted non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors.

Adjusted non-GAAP EPS is not in accordance with, or an alternative to, net income per share and may be different from non-GAAP measures with similar or even identical names used by other companies. In addition, this adjusted non-GAAP measure is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. This adjusted non-GAAP measure has limitations in that it does not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company's results of operations determined in accordance with GAAP.

j2 GLOBAL, INC.

NET INCOME TO EBITDA RECONCILIATION
THREE MONTHS AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
                 
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
                 
   

THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,

 

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,

      2015       2014     2015       2014  
                 
Net income   $ 35,467     $ 32,754   $ 133,636     $ 125,327  
Plus:                
Other expense (income), net     (384 )     89     5       (165 )
Interest expense, net     11,005       10,451     42,458       31,204  
Income tax expense     6,966       10,012     23,283       29,840  
Depreciation and amortization     29,578       19,646     93,213       62,953  
Reconciliation of GAAP to adjusted non-GAAP financial measures:          
Share-based compensation and the associated payroll tax expense   2,851       2,370     11,793       8,908  
Acquisition-related integration costs     14,663       952     25,448       2,435  
Additional indirect tax expense from prior years               3,651       713  
Fees associated with prior year audits           650     (204 )     1,423  
EBITDA   $ 100,146     $ 76,924   $ 333,283     $ 262,638  

EBITDA as calculated above represents earnings before interest and other expense, net, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization and the items used to reconcile GAAP to adjusted non-GAAP financial measures, including (1) share-based compensation, (2) certain acquisition-related integration costs and (3) additional indirect tax expense from prior years. We disclose EBITDA as a supplemental non-GAAP financial performance measure as we believe it is a useful metric by which to compare the performance of our business from period to period. We understand that measures similar to EBITDA are broadly used by analysts, rating agencies and investors in assessing our performance. Accordingly, we believe that the presentation of EBITDA provides useful information to investors.

EBITDA is not in accordance with, or an alternative to, net income, and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, EBITDA is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. This adjusted non-GAAP measure has limitations in that it does not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company’s results of operations determined in accordance with GAAP.

j2 GLOBAL, INC.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
                   
                   
 

Q1

 

Q2

 

Q3

 

Q4

 

YTD

2015

                 
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 45,716     $ 51,894     $ 50,963     $ 80,488     $ 229,061  
Less: Purchases of property and equipment   (2,401 )     (4,554 )     (4,972 )     (5,370 )     (17,297 )
Add: Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation   334       1,770       2,437       (55 )     4,486  
Add: IRS settlement*         5,753       1,164             6,917  
Free cash flows $ 43,649     $ 54,863     $ 49,592     $ 75,063     $ 223,167  
                   
* Free cash flows of $54.9 million and $49.6 million for Q2 2015 and Q3 2015, respectively, were before the effect of payments associated with taxes for prior periods under audit.
                   
                   
 

Q1

 

Q2

 

Q3

 

Q4

 

YTD

2014

                 
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 37,294     $ 54,512     $ 40,315     $ 45,110     $ 177,231  
Less: Purchases of property and equipment   (2,936 )     (1,087 )     (3,124 )     (4,074 )     (11,221 )
Add: Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation   4,082       721       1,925       (1,216 )     5,512  
Free cash flows $ 38,440     $ 54,146     $ 39,116     $ 39,820     $ 171,522  

The Company discloses Free Cash Flows as supplemental non-GAAP financial performance measure, as it believes it is a useful metrics by which to compare the performance of its business from period to period. The Company also understands that this non-GAAP measure is broadly used by analysts, rating agencies and investors in assessing the Company's performance. Accordingly, the Company believes that the presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors.

Free Cash Flows is not in accordance with, or an alternative to, Cash Flows from Operating Activities, and may be different from non-GAAP measures with similar or even identical names used by other companies. In addition, the non-GAAP measure is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. This non-GAAP measure has limitations in that it does not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company's results of operations determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Contact:
j2 Global, Inc.
Laura Hinson, 800-577-1790
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