Company Initiates 2020 Full Year Guidance
Board Authorizes $10 Million Share Repurchase ProgramLAS VEGAS, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Everi Holdings Inc. (NYSE:EVRI) (“Everi” or the “Company”), a premier provider of gaming products, financial technology and player loyalty solutions to the gaming industry, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019.Fourth Quarter 2019 HighlightsRevenue increased 22% to a quarterly record $145.2 millionNet loss was $4.1 million, or $(0.05) per diluted share, inclusive of a $6.4 million pre-tax charge related to a litigation settlement, compared to net income of $4.2 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the prior yearAdjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, increased 16% to $63.2 millionFree Cash Flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, increased $6.4 million to $4.5 millionFull Year 2019 HighlightsRevenue grew 14% to a record $533.2 millionNet income increased 33% to $16.5 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, inclusive of the litigation settlement chargeAdjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, increased 10% to a record $253.2 millionFree Cash Flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, increased 77% to $43.8 millionMichael Rumbolz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Everi, said, “Our strong fourth quarter and full year 2019 operating results reflect the continued successful execution on our strategic initiatives that are driving ongoing momentum across the Company. Our focus on delivering an expanding range of products that deliver great gaming entertainment experiences and casino operator efficiencies resulted in our 14th consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. Full year 2019 revenue rose 14% to $533.2 million, Adjusted EBITDA increased 10% to a record $253.2 million and Free Cash Flow improved 77% to $43.8 million. “For 2019, our Games business achieved a record level of unit sales, a record year-end installed base and a 15% improvement in full-year daily win per unit. Our FinTech business again delivered consistent year-over-year growth in cash access services transactions and revenue, equipment sales, and information and compliance product-related revenue. We also established a strong foundation to deliver growth from our entry into the player loyalty products and services market. Additionally, our efforts to build a transformative integrated digital gaming neighborhood, which provides compelling value for both our customers and our customers’ patrons, continues to evolve and progress. We remain on track with further operating momentum in both businesses this year, as we expect consolidated revenues will grow at a high single-digit to low-double digit rate with Adjusted EBITDA forecast to be in a range of $272 million to $282 million.”Randy Taylor, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, added, “The improvement in our full-year operating results drove a significant improvement in cash flow, which we allocated primarily to pay down debt. Including the use of funds from our December 2019 follow-on common stock offering, we lowered our pro forma principal value of total debt by $143.2 million, driving our year-end pro-forma Total Net Debt Leverage Ratio to 3.9x. Our capital allocation priorities also included investments in organic growth initiatives that continue to generate attractive returns throughout our business, as well as for two strategic and accretive tuck-in acquisitions that served as our entry into what we believe is an attractive high-growth opportunity in the player loyalty business. Going forward, we continue to prioritize allocation of our growing cash flow toward reducing our Total Net Debt Leverage Ratio to our target of 3.0x to 3.5x and for return-focused investments that profitably grow our business. At the same time, we have the financial flexibility to act under our new share repurchase program as another means of enhancing shareholder value.”Consolidated Full Quarter Comparative Results (unaudited)(1) Operating income, net loss, and net loss per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2019, included a $6.4 million charge for a proposed legal settlement of certain FinTech related litigation, $0.4 million in certain severance costs and professional fees related to the acquisition of loyalty assets and the repricing/early redemption refinancing transactions, $0.1 million for the reversal of purchase accounting liabilities, $0.7 million in value added tax (“VAT”) refund, and a $0.4 million non-cash charge for the write-off of certain intangible assets. (2) Operating income, net income and net earnings per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2018 included approximately $0.4 million of non-recurring operating expenses related to professional service fees. Net income and net earnings per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2018, included a tax benefit of $7.4 million, primarily related to the reversal of a portion of the valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets.(3) For a reconciliation of net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow, see the Unaudited Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and to Free Cash Flow provided at the end of this release.(4) The December 31, 2019, amount does not reflect the $84.5 million paydown of senior unsecured notes that took place on January 6, 2020, following the required 30-day redemption notice.(5) Total Net Debt is the principle face value of the outstanding senior secured term loan facility, the senior secured revolving credit facility and senior unsecured notes, less cash and cash equivalents or $50 million, whichever is smaller, as provided in the Company’s Credit Facility. For a reconciliation of Total Net Debt to Principal face value of debt outstanding, see the Unaudited Calculation of Total Net Debt Leverage Ratio at the end of this release.Consolidated Fourth Quarter 2019 Results Revenues increased 22% to $145.2 million from $119.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Revenues from the Games and FinTech segments increased to $77.1 million and $68.1 million, respectively. Operating income declined to $16.0 million from $17.2 million in the prior year, primarily due to a $13.6 million increase in operating expenses, reflecting a $6.4 million charge related to the settlement of litigation, higher compensation-related costs and legal expense, and $3.9 million of higher research and development expense. Net loss was $4.1 million, or $(0.05) per diluted share, compared with net income of $4.2 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the prior year period.Adjusted EBITDA rose 16% to $63.2 million, reflecting growth in Games and FinTech segment Adjusted EBITDA to $35.4 million and $27.8 million, respectively.Fourth Quarter 2019 Games Segment ResultsDean Ehrlich, Executive Vice President and Games Business Leader, said, “The investments we’ve made to enhance our game development studios and our development process have led to the creation of new innovative, differentiated games that are driving consistent growth in our installed base and daily win per unit, as well as in unit sales. We are executing on an exciting road map of new cabinet and game content introductions planned for this year in both for-sale and gaming operations, which we expect will help drive another year of solid growth for our Games business.”Games Segment Full Quarter Comparative Results (unaudited)(1) Operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2019, included approximately $0.7 million in VAT refund and a $0.4 million non-cash charge for the write-off of certain intangible assets. Operating loss for the three months ended December 31, 2018, included approximately $0.2 million of non-recurring operating expenses related to professional service fees.(2) For a reconciliation of net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA see the Unaudited Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and to Free Cash Flow provided at the end of this release.(3) Approximate daily win per unit excludes the impact of the direct costs associated with the Company’s wide-area progressive jackpot expense for comparative purposes with prior periods.Games segment revenues increased 15% to $77.1 million compared to $67.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Operating income improved by $4.5 million to $1.7 million from an operating loss of $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, and Adjusted EBITDA increased 20% to $35.4 million, reflecting the revenue growth and an improvement in operating margin, partially offset by higher operating expenses, primarily for higher compensation costs.Revenues from gaming operations increased 22% to $50.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $41.5 million in the prior-year period. The increase reflects year-over-year growth in both the installed base and estimated daily win per unit (“DWPU”).The installed base at December 31, 2019 increased by 712 units year over year and by 439 units on a quarterly sequential basis to 14,711 units. The premium unit portion of the installed base increased 80%, or by 2,301 units year over year, and by 765 units on a quarterly sequential basis to 5,160 units. Higher-yielding wide-area progressive units, which are a component of premium units, were 924 units at December 31, 2019, a quarterly sequential increase of 58 units.The average DWPU in the fourth quarter of 2019 increased 21%, or $6.10, to a record $34.52, compared to $28.42 in the prior-year period. The increase reflects continued strong performance across the installed base, inclusive of the benefit from the significant increase in premium unit placements. This was the ninth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in DWPU.Interactive revenue was $1.0 million compared to $0.7 million in the prior-year period.Revenues from the New York Lottery business were $4.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $4.5 million in the prior-year period. In the fourth quarter, the Company extended its relationship to continue to provide and manage the central monitoring system for another 10 years to 2029.Revenues generated from the sale of gaming units and other related parts and equipment were a quarterly record $24.8 million compared to $23.5 million in the prior year period. Gaming unit sales increased 15% to 1,348 units in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 1,177 units in the prior-year period. Sales included 54 units for international markets. The prior-year period included the sale of approximately 120 units to a large multi-property customer.Average selling price decreased to $17,630 per unit from $18,875 in the prior-year period. The average selling price in the prior-year quarter was bolstered by a significant number of premium TournEvent unit sales to a major multi-property customer in Canada.Other gaming revenue, which primarily reflects revenue from the Company’s TournEvent of Champions® slot tournament and the related qualifying events, was $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with $1.9 million in the prior-year period.Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Technology Solutions Segment ResultsDarren Simmons, Executive Vice President and FinTech Business Leader, said, “Everi’s position as a FinTech leader in the gaming industry reflects our alignment with our customers’ focus on driving operating efficiencies and improving their patrons’ gaming experience by leveraging the seamless integration made possible by our growing product suite. Our recent entry into the player loyalty and marketing category is an excellent example of how this alignment brings value to both casino operators and the Company as our self-service kiosks offer convenience to casino patrons that helps our customers operate more efficiently while providing us with an exciting new channel to generate consistent growth as we scale this business.”Financial Technology Solutions Segment Full Quarter Comparative Results (unaudited)(1) Operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2019, included a $6.4 million charge for a proposed legal settlement of certain FinTech related litigation, $0.4 million in certain severance costs and professional fees related to the acquisition of loyalty assets and the repricing/early redemption refinancing transactions, and $0.1 million for the reversal of purchase accounting liabilities. Operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2018, includes the impact of approximately $0.2 million related to certain non-recurring professional fees.(2) For a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA see the Unaudited Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and to Free Cash Flow provided at the end of this release.FinTech revenues increased 30% to $68.1 million compared to $52.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, reflecting 18% organic growth and $6.2 million in revenues from the player loyalty products and services business acquired in March 2019. Operating income declined by $5.7 million to $14.3 million, while Adjusted EBITDA increased 11% to $27.8 million, partially reflecting a decline in operating margin resulting from the revenue mix of increased equipment sales as well as higher operating expenses, including the $6.4 million charge for litigation settlement and higher compensations costs and legal expenses.Revenues from cash access services, which include ATM, cash advance and check services, increased 4% to $41.0 million compared to $39.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Core cash access revenue growth was primarily the result of increased transactions and dollars processed. This was the 21st consecutive quarter of growth in both the number of transactions and total dollars processed on a year-over-year same-store basis.Equipment sales revenues more than doubled to $12.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 as compared to $4.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The increase is primarily due to a 137% year-over-year organic increase in revenue from sales of fully integrated self-service kiosks and other value-add products that improve operator efficiencies and productivity. Player loyalty kiosk sales revenues was $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.Revenues from information services and other, which includes compliance services, Central Credit and player loyalty subscriptions, along with kiosk maintenance and service, increased 70% to $14.3 million compared to $8.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The increase is primarily due to $4.3 million of revenues related to recurring software license support for the player loyalty and marketing business, as well as a 19% year-over-year increase in organic revenue.Fourth Quarter Free Cash Flow and Other Financing and Investing ActivitiesFree Cash Flow in the fourth quarter of 2019 increased by $6.4 million to $4.5 million.Capital expenditures totaled $32.6 million, primarily reflecting investments made to support the strong demand for Everi’s premium participation games.On December 10, 2019, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 10 million shares of common stock, along with an option granted to the underwriters for an additional 1.5 million shares which was fully exercised. Total net proceeds were $122.9 million after underwriting discounts but before offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company used the net proceeds to repay $30.5 million of its existing term loan and on January 6, 2020 redeem $84.5 million of its 7.50% senior unsecured notes due 2025.
○ On a pro-forma basis, as if the redemption of its unsecured notes occurred on December 31, 2019, the Company’s Total Net Debt would have declined to $989.5 million and its Total Net Debt Leverage ratio would have decreased to 3.9x. On December 24, 2019, the Company acquired select strategic assets related to the growing market for casino-focused player loyalty and marketing technologies from Micro Gaming Technologies, Inc. An initial payment of $15 million was made at the closing of the transaction, with a further $5 million to be paid April 1, 2020, and $5 million on December 24, 2021. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings and operating cash flow in 2020.Share Repurchase AuthorizationThe Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $10 million value of common stock, subject to available liquidity, general market and economic conditions, alternate uses for the capital and other factors. Share repurchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, block trades or in private transactions in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations and other legal requirements, including compliance with the Company’s finance agreements. There is no minimum number of shares that the Company is required to repurchase, and the repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice.2020 OutlookEveri today provided its initial outlook for certain 2020 financial and operational metrics. The Company expects to continue to generate year over year revenue, net income, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow growth in 2020. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to increase to a range of $272 million to $282 million. Factors considered in Everi’s 2020 outlook include:Broad-based revenue growth across the Company’s operations, including increases in DWPU and the installed base, unit sales, cash access service revenue, sales of fully integrated kiosks and other Fintech equipment, information services and other revenue, and growth in the player loyalty business;No change to Class III gaming operations in the State of Oklahoma, as a result of the ongoing dispute between the State and the tribal casinos that offer Class III gaming;Capital expenditures and placement fees for 2020 to be in a range of $114 million to $120 million, including anticipated capital expenditures for the player loyalty business;In conjunction with the early redemption of $84.5 million in principal value of its 7.50% senior unsecured notes on January 6, 2020, the Company expects to incur a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $10.8 million; andThe Company’s 2020 full year Adjusted EBITDA outlook does not contemplate any potential impact related to the COVID-19 virus.A summary of the financial targets is included as a supplemental table at the end of this release.For a reconciliation of projected income before income tax to projected Adjusted EBITDA, see the Reconciliation of Projected Income Before Income Tax to Projected EBITDA and Projected Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow provided at the end of this release.Investor Conference Call and WebcastThe Company will host an investor conference call to discuss its 2019 fourth quarter and full year results at 5:00 p.m. ET today. The conference call may be accessed live by phone by dialing +1 (646) 828-8143. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET today and may be accessed by dialing +1 (412) 317-6671; the PIN number is 2972384. A replay will be available until March 9, 2020. The call will also be webcast live and archived on the Company’s website at www.everi.com (select “Investors” followed by “Events & Presentations”).Non-GAAP Financial InformationIn order to enhance investor understanding of the underlying trends in our business, our cash balance and cash available for our operating needs, and to provide for better comparability between periods in different years, we are providing in this press release Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Net Cash Position and Net Cash Available, and Total Net Debt and Total Net Debt Leverage Ratio, which are not measures of our financial performance or position under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA, and Free Cash Flow should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. These measures should be read in conjunction with our net earnings, operating income, basic and diluted earnings per share, and cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP. With respect to Net Cash Position and Net Cash Available, these measures should be read in conjunction with cash and cash equivalents prepared in accordance with GAAP. Total Net Debt and Total Net Debt Leverage Ratio should be read in conjunction with principal face value of debt outstanding and cash and cash equivalents.We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, loss on extinguishment of debt, taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-cash stock compensation expense, accretion of contract rights, charge related to a proposed legal settlement, certain purchase accounting adjustments and asset acquisition expenses, professional fees and costs associated with the repricing and early redemption refinancing transactions, other non-recurring severance costs and professional service fees, value added tax (“VAT”) refund and a non-cash charge for the write-off of certain intangible assets. We present Adjusted EBITDA as we use this measure to manage our business and consider this measure to be supplemental to our operating performance. We also make certain compensation decisions based, in part, on our operating performance, as measured by Adjusted EBITDA; and our current credit facility and existing senior unsecured notes require us to comply with a consolidated secured leverage ratio that includes performance metrics substantially similar to Adjusted EBITDA.We define Free Cash Flow as Adjusted EBITDA less cash paid for interest, cash paid for capital expenditures, cash paid for placement fees, and cash paid for taxes net of refunds. We present Free Cash Flow as a measure of performance and believe it provides investors with another indicator of our operating performance. It should not be inferred that the entire Free Cash Flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures.A reconciliation of the Company’s net income per GAAP to Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow is included in the Unaudited Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and to Free Cash Flow provided at the end of this release. Additionally, a reconciliation of each segment’s operating income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is also included. On a segment level, operating income per GAAP, rather than net earnings per GAAP, is reconciled to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as the Company does not report net earnings by segment. Management believes that this presentation is meaningful to investors in evaluating the performance of the Company’s segments.We define (i) Net Cash Position as cash and cash equivalents plus settlement receivables less settlement liabilities and (ii) Net Cash Available as Net Cash Position plus undrawn amounts available under our revolving credit facility. We present Net Cash Position to illustrate the impact on cash and cash equivalents of the timing of our receipt of payments for settlement receivables and the timing of our payments to customers for settlement liabilities. We present Net Cash Available as management monitors this amount in connection with its forecasting of cash flows and related requirements, both on a short-term and long-term basis.A reconciliation of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents per GAAP to Net Cash Position and Net Cash Available is included in the Unaudited Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents to Net Cash Position and Net Cash Available provided at the end of this release.We define Total Net Debt as total principal face value of debt outstanding, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, less cash and cash equivalents or $50 million, whichever is smaller. Total Net Debt Leverage Ratio, as used herein, represents Total Net Debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve-month period. We present Total Net Debt and Total Net Debt Leverage Ratio as management monitors these items in evaluating our overall liquidity, financial flexibility and leverage, as well as our financial position relative to our credit agreements. Management believes that investors find these useful in evaluating the Company’s overall liquidity.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “goal,” “target,” “future,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “project,” “may,” “should,” or “will” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon management’s current expectations, assumptions and estimates and are not guarantees of timing, future events or performance. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated in these statements, due to risks and uncertainties. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements the Company makes regarding (a) its ability to execute on key initiatives and deliver ongoing improvements; accelerate Free Cash Flow generation and improve the Company’s capital structure; integrate acquisitions and achieve future growth; drive growth of the gaming operations installed base and DWPU; continue expanding the portions of the gaming floor the Company’s games address; and create incremental value for its shareholders; and (b) its guidance related to 2020 financial and operational metrics, including income before income tax; Adjusted EBITDA; Free Cash Flow; revenues; unit sales of Gaming units and FinTech equipment; gaming operations placements and size of the installed base and DWPU; the contribution from acquisitions, and any related profit improvements; anticipated levels of capital expenditures and placement fees; depreciation and amortization expense; interest expense; cash tax payments, net of refunds; cash interest payments; non-cash stock compensation expense; and accretion of contract rights.The forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and are based on information available to us on the date hereof.These cautionary statements qualify our forward-looking statements and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement contained herein speaks only as of the date, today March 2, 2020, on which it is made, and we do not intend, and assume no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.This press release should be read in conjunction with the Form 10-K to which it relates, and with the information included in our other press releases, reports and other filings with the SEC. Understanding the information contained in these filings is important in order to fully understand our reported financial results and our business outlook for future periods.About EveriEveri is a premier supplier of imaginative entertainment and trusted gaming technology solutions for the casino, interactive and gaming industry. With a focus on both customers and players, Everi develops, sells and/or leases entertaining games and gaming machines, gaming systems and services, and is the preeminent and most comprehensive provider of core financial products and services, innovative self-service player loyalty tools and applications, and intelligence and regulatory compliance solutions. Everi’s mission is to provide casino operators with games that facilitate memorable player experiences, offer seamless and secure financial transactions for casinos and their patrons, and deliver software applications and self-service tools to improve casino operations efficiencies and fulfill regulatory compliance requirements. Everi provides these products and services in its effort to help make its customers even more successful. For more information, please visit www.everi.com, which is updated regularly with financial and other information about the Company.Contact Investor Relations:Everi Holdings Inc.William Pfund
VP, Investor Relations
702-676-9513 or william.pfund@everi.comJCIRRichard Land, James Leahy
212-835-8500 or evri@jcir.com
(1) Cash and cash equivalents include approximately $91.2 million that was used to pay down $84.5 of our senior unsecured notes and accrued and unpaid interest thereon, along with the related early redemption premium and fees on January 6, 2020.(1) Included in the amount reported for the three months ended December 31, 2019, is approximately $0.7 million related to our Games segment from the net recovery of a VAT refund from the Mexican authorities after non-recurring professional fees associated with the recovery of these amounts.(1) Included in the amount reported for the year ended December 31, 2019, is approximately $0.7 million related to our Games segment from the net recovery of a VAT refund from the Mexican authorities after non-recurring professional fees associated with the recovery of these amounts.(1) Included in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2019, is the recovery of approximately $0.7 million of a VAT refund from the Mexican authorities related to our Games segment.(2) Principal face value includes outstanding amounts on the senior secured term loan facility, the senior secured revolving credit facility and the senior unsecured notes. The balance at December 31, 2019, does not reflect the $84.5 million early redemption of senior unsecured notes paid on January 6, 2020.(3) The Company nets the lesser of cash and cash equivalents or $50 million against debt outstanding, as provided in the Company’s Credit Facility.(1) All figures presented are projected estimates for the year ending December 31, 2020.(2) During 2020, the Company expects to record a significant reduction to its valuation allowance associated with the Company’s Net Operating Loss Carryforwards. The amount of the reduction in the valuation allowance is impracticable to estimate at this time and therefore the above reconciliation utilizes projected income before income tax.
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