BCGI Boston Communications Grp (MM)

BEDFORD, Mass., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Communications Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:BCGI) today announced that its consolidated GAAP net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005 totaled $2.7 million or $0.15 per share. On a non-GAAP basis excluding legal expenses and related charges associated with the Freedom Wireless lawsuit, the Company would have reported net income of $2.5 million, or $0.14 per share. The consolidated GAAP net income compares with net income of $4.0 million, or $0.22 per share, for the fourth quarter 2004. On a non-GAAP basis excluding legal expenses and related charges associated with the Freedom Wireless lawsuit, the Company would have reported net income of $4.6 million, or $0.26 per share for the fourth quarter of 2004. Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased by $247,000, or 1%, to $26.3 million from the fourth quarter of 2004 and increased by $629,000, or 2% sequentially, from the third quarter of 2005. For the full year ended December 31, 2005, bcgi reported a consolidated GAAP net loss of $54.2 million, or $3.07 per share, which includes a $64.3 million non-cash charge recorded in the second and third quarters to reserve for the potential loss in the Freedom Wireless lawsuit, which bcgi continues to contest. The GAAP results compare to net income of $17.2 million, or $0.94 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2004. On a non-GAAP basis, excluding charges and legal expenses related to the Freedom Wireless lawsuit, the Company would have reported 2005 net income of $10.3 million, or $0.58 per share. This compares with non-GAAP net income of $19.1 million, or $1.04 per share for the year ended December 31, 2004. Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2005 decreased 4% to $103.9 million from 2004 annual revenues of $107.9 million. Cash, short-term investments, and restricted cash increased $7.3 million during the fourth quarter to $80.8 million as of December 31, 2005. This increase was principally driven by operating results and to a lesser extent, days sales outstanding (DSO) which was better than expected at 55 days at December 31, 2005 compared to 58 days as of September 30, 2005. As of December 31, 2005, bcgi had 4.09 million subscribers on its Real-Time Billing platform, 315,000 higher than December 31, 2004 and 51,000 higher than September 30, 2005. The increase resulted principally from subscriber growth in the seasonally strong fourth quarter, as well as lower than expected conversions from Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless who, as previously disclosed, have been migrating off of the Company's Real-Time Billing platform. Total average billed minutes of use per subscriber per month was 146 minutes, a 32% increase over the fourth quarter of 2004 and 11% higher than the three months ended September 30, 2005. The average billed rate per minute declined approximately 39% compared to the same quarter in the prior year and 15% compared to the third quarter of 2005. This decline in the Company's average billed rate per minute was primarily due to customers with lower contractual pricing becoming a larger proportion of Real-Time Billing revenues, in addition to customary volume discounts for those customers. Freedom Wireless Litigation Status The Company is in the process of appealing the Freedom Wireless judgment in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the "Appeals Court"). On December 15, 2005 the Appeals Court stayed the injunction previously granted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Therefore, bcgi's carrier customers, including bcgi's co-defendant Cingular Wireless, may continue to use bcgi's Real-Time Billing service during the appeal process. Although the timing of proceedings during the appeal process may vary, the Company believes the appeal will continue into 2007. As previously announced, the Company has accrued an estimated loss of $64.3 million with respect to the Freedom Wireless judgment, excluding additional legal charges which are, and will continue to be, expensed as incurred. However, the actual loss, if any, may be higher or lower than the amount accrued and could be higher than the current judgment of $165 million. Outlook The Company expects that revenues and earnings will decrease for the quarter ending March 31, 2006 compared to the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2005. The anticipated decrease in revenues and earnings is based on expectations that Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless will each constitute less than 10% of net revenues for the first quarter of 2006, compared to 21% and 9% of revenues, respectively, for the three months ended December 31, 2005. Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless are also anticipated to be fully migrated off of the Company's Real-Time Billing platform by June, 2006. Additionally, the Company has been informed by Alltel Corporation and other smaller carriers that, due to uncertainty resulting from the Freedom Wireless litigation, they plan to reduce or stop using the Company's Real-Time Billing platform. Revenue generated by the Company from these carriers totaled approximately 10% of bcgi's 2005 revenues. Since the Company cannot anticipate the impact on its business due to the Freedom Wireless litigation, the Company has not provided precise earnings guidance at this time. The Company is continuing to invest in its customer and product diversification strategy which includes support of its bcgi Access Management, bcgi Payment and Voyager Billing products and expansion into new domestic and international wireless markets, including the developing MVNO market. These strategic initiatives are expected to result in sequential increases in cost of revenues and sales and marketing. Principally due to the timing of payments related to certain year-end accruals, the Company expects cash to decrease by approximately $8 to $10 million as of March 31, 2006. Legal costs during the first quarter of 2006 are estimated to be approximately $1.0 million. "Our financial results for the fourth quarter reflect bcgi's ability to meet operator demand for world-class products and services," said E.Y. Snowden, bcgi's president and chief executive officer. "Additionally, we are encouraged by the recent favorable rulings from the Appeals Court to stay the injunction pending appeal. Our product and customer diversification strategy, supported by innovative product development, a targeted sales push into emerging and mature markets worldwide, and our recently announced Global Alliance Program, continue to be our primary focus, in addition to resolution of the Freedom Wireless litigation." Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures The non-GAAP operating results included in this release are non-GAAP financial measures under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the fourth quarter of 2005, these results exclude $1.4 million of related legal costs and the corresponding estimated income tax effect. For the year ended December 31, 2005, these results exclude the $64.3 million estimated loss on litigation, $10.2 million of related legal costs and the corresponding estimated income tax effect. The Company included this information because the Company believes this information is an appropriate measure for evaluating the Company's operating performance and will assist investors in understanding the Company's results of operations on a comparative basis. The Company uses this non-GAAP information internally to help the Company's management more accurately assess the ongoing nature of the Company's operations and measure the Company's performance on a comparative basis. This non-GAAP information supplements the GAAP financial information contained herein, and is not intended to represent a measure of performance in accordance with disclosures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Conference Call The Company will be holding a conference call and webcast at 5:00PM ET on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 to discuss results for the period ended December 31, 2005, and management's outlook. The Company's President and CEO, E.Y. Snowden, and Chief Financial Officer, Karen A. Walker, will host the call. Parties interested in listening to the call should dial 1-800-423-5972 at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. For those unable to participate at the designated time, a replay will be available for seven days following the call via telephone at 1-800-642-1687 (conf id 4419011) and will be available for 90 days on the web at http://www.bcgi.net/. ABOUT THE COMPANY bcgi delivers innovative products and services that enable mobile operators and MVNOs worldwide to differentiate their offerings and increase market penetration while reducing costs. Founded in 1988, bcgi is a leader in identifying and addressing new market needs with proven solutions, including prepaid and postpaid billing, payments and access management. For more information, visit http://www.bcgi.net/. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding revenues and earnings estimates, estimates of future legal expenses, estimates of appeals process length, estimated future cash balance and expectations regarding new product offerings and expansion into new markets. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Among the important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward looking statements are: an unfavorable judgment in the appeal of the Freedom Wireless suit which could result in substantial damages and indemnification obligations that could exceed the Company's ability to pay and could significantly restrict bcgi's ability to conduct business, including the Company seeking protection under U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the loss of additional customers (beyond Verizon Wireless, Cingular Wireless and Alltel Corporation) or certain of their markets because of negative pressure caused by the Freedom Wireless suit or for any other reason, specifically, Sprint Nextel Corporation, who represented 38% of the Company's consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2005 and 46% for the three months ended December 31, 2005, greater than expected pricing reductions from major carrier customers, network outages that can cause reductions in revenue due to penalty clauses contained in certain of our carrier customer contracts, or non-renewal of customer contracts, including Sprint Nextel Corporation whose contract expires in the first quarter of 2007, the ability to market and sell new solutions to wireless operators, as well as the others factors that may affect future operating results detailed in bcgi's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. BOSTON COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Year Ended 12/31/05 9/30/05 12/31/04 12/31/05 12/31/04 Net revenues: $26,260 $25,631 $26,013 $103,858 $107,928 Expenses (4): Cost of revenues (1) 6,742 6,570 5,879 25,886 23,975 Engineering, research and development 4,434 4,608 3,425 16,670 12,561 Sales and marketing 2,865 3,012 1,597 10,590 6,629 General and administrative 3,432 4,014 3,299 15,001 13,023 General and administrative - legal expense (2) 1,385 2,305 941 10,219 2,991 Estimated loss from litigation -- 40,300 -- 64,300 -- Depreciation and amortization 5,353 5,237 5,479 21,348 22,332 Total operating expenses 24,211 66,046 20,620 164,014 81,511 Operating income (loss) 2,049 (40,415) 5,393 (60,156) 26,417 Interest income 531 420 303 1,759 1,188 Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 2,580 (39,995) 5,696 (58,397) 27,605 Provision/(benefit) for income taxes (72) 590 1,739 (4,235) 10,394 Income (loss) from continuing operations 2,652 (40,585) 3,957 (54,162) 17,211 Discontinued operations (3): Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes -- -- -- -- (11) Net income (loss) $2,652 $(40,585) $3,957 $(54,162) $17,200 Basic Net Income (Loss) Per Share: Continuing operations $0.15 $(2.29) $0.23 $(3.07) $0.96 Net income (loss) $0.15 $(2.29) $0.23 $(3.07) $0.96 Weighted average common shares outstanding 17,734 17,734 17,566 17,663 17,918 Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share: Continuing operations $0.15 $(2.29) $0.22 $(3.07) $0.94 Net income (loss) $0.15 $(2.29) $0.22 $(3.07) $0.94 Weighted average common shares outstanding 17,735 17,734 17,835 17,663 18,256 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations: (1) Exclusive of depreciation and amortization, which is shown separately. (2) General and administrative - legal expenses consist primarily of legal and related fees to defend the patent infringement suits brought by Freedom Wireless. (3) The Company's Roaming Service business was discontinued in the quarter ended March 31, 2004. (4) Certain amounts in the above statement have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA (unaudited and in thousands) December September December 31, 2005 30, 2005 31, 2004 Current assets: Cash and short-term investments $39,350 $32,351 $77,752 Restricted cash 41,466 41,130 -- Accounts receivable, net of allowance for billing adjustments and doubtful accounts of $949 in 2005 and $474 in 2004 14,830 15,326 17,358 Prepaid expenses and other assets 3,443 5,658 2,907 Deferred income taxes -- 145 319 Total current assets 99,089 94,610 98,336 Property and equipment, net 53,283 53,210 55,559 Goodwill and other assets 22,919 23,138 14,116 Total assets $175,291 $170,958 $168,011 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $20,177 $15,997 $19,042 Accrued estimated loss from litigation 64,300 64,300 -- Total current liabilities 84,477 80,297 19,042 Non-current liabilities: Accrued pension liability 4,468 4,210 3,476 Deferred income taxes -- 4,280 7,046 Total non-current liabilities 4,468 8,490 10,522 Shareholders' equity: Common stock and additional paid-in capital 106,078 104,784 104,017 Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) (19,732) (22,613) 34,430 Total shareholders' equity 86,346 82,171 138,447 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $175,291 $170,958 $168,011 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited and in thousands) Year ended December 31, 2005 2004 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) from continuing operations $(54,162) $17,211 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 21,348 22,332 Deferred income taxes (6,727) 1,044 Tax benefit from stock option exercises 1,624 -- Other non-cash expense 8 129 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Restricted cash (41,466) -- Accounts receivable 2,709 931 Prepaid expenses and other assets (844) (588) Accrued estimated loss from litigation 64,300 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred revenue 2,292 955 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations (10,918) 42,014 Loss from discontinued operations -- (11) Net change in operating assets and liabilities of discontinued operations -- (279) Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations -- (290) Net cash provided by (used in) operations (10,947) 41,724 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Acquisition of business and payment of earnout (7,536) (1,773) Purchases of long-term investments (2,134) (2,740) Sales of short-term investments, net of purchases 43,449 (4,823) Purchase of property and equipment (18,243) (18,983) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 15,536 (28,319) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan 516 1,283 Repurchase of common stock -- (8,181) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 516 (6,898) Increase in cash and cash equivalents 5,134 6,507 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 9,467 2,960 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $14,601 $9,467 Non-GAAP Statements of Operations Impact of Non-GAAP Adjustments on Reported Net Income (Unaudited and in thousands, except for per share amounts) Three Months ended December 31, 2005 Non-GAAP As GAAP Adjustments Adjusted Net revenues: $26,260 $-- $26,260 Expenses: Cost of revenues 6,742 -- 6,742 Engineering, research and development 4,434 -- 4,434 Sales and marketing 2,865 -- 2,865 General and administrative 3,432 -- 3,432 General and administrative - legal expense (2) 1,385 (1,385) -- Depreciation and amortization 5,353 -- 5,353 Total operating expenses 24,211 (1,385) 22,826 Operating income 2,049 1,385 3,434 Interest income 531 -- 531 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 2,580 1,385 3,965 Provision /(benefit) for income taxes (1) (72) 1,499 1,427 Net income $2,652 $(114) $2,538 Basic Net Income Per Share: Net income $0.15 $0.14 Weighted average common shares outstanding 17,734 17,734 Diluted Net Income Per Share: Net income $0.15 $0.14 Weighted average common shares outstanding 17,735 17,735 (1) Amount represents the adjustment necessary to adjust the GAAP tax rate, which includes a valuation allowance for certain deferred tax assets and for all state net operating loss carryforwards, to the Company's annual effective tax rate excluding these amounts, or 36%. (2) Amount primarily represents the legal and related fees associated with the Freedom Wireless lawsuit. Non-GAAP Statements of Operations Impact of Non-GAAP Adjustments on Reported Net Income (Loss) (Unaudited and in thousands, except for per share amounts) Year ended December 31, 2005 Non-GAAP As GAAP Adjustments Adjusted Net revenues: $103,858 $-- $103,858 Expenses: Cost of revenues 25,886 -- 25,886 Engineering, research and development 16,670 -- 16,670 Sales and marketing 10,590 -- 10,590 General and administrative 15,001 -- 15,001 General and administrative - legal expense (3) 10,219 (10,219) -- Estimated loss from lawsuit (1) 64,300 (64,300) Depreciation and amortization 21,348 -- 21,348 Total operating expenses 164,014 (74,519) 89,495 Operating income (loss) (60,156) 74,519 14,363 Interest income 1,759 -- 1,759 Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (58,397) 74,519 16,122 Provision / (benefit) for income taxes (2) (4,235) 10,041 5,806 Net income/ (loss) $(54,162) $64,478 $10,316 Basic Net Income (Loss) Per Share: Net income (loss) ($3.07) $0.58 Weighted average common shares outstanding 17,663 17,663 Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share: Net income (loss) ($3.07) $0.58 Weighted average common shares outstanding 17,663 17,696 (1) Amount represents the estimated loss contingency for the Freedom Wireless lawsuit, excluding legal charges. (2) Amount represents the adjustment necessary to adjust the GAAP tax rate, which includes a valuation allowance for certain deferred tax assets and for all state net operating loss carryforwards, to the Company's annual effective tax rate excluding these amounts, or 36%. (3) Amount primarily represents the legal and related fees associated with the Freedom Wireless lawsuit. Non-GAAP Statements of Operations Impact of Non-GAAP Adjustments on Reported Net Income (Unaudited and in thousands, except for per share amounts) Three Months ended December 31, 2004 Non-GAAP As GAAP Adjustments Adjusted Net revenues: $26,013 $-- $26,013 Expenses: Cost of revenues 5,879 -- 5,879 Engineering, research and development 3,425 -- 3,425 Sales and marketing 1,597 -- 1,597 General and administrative 3,299 -- 3,299 General and administrative -legal expense (1) 941 (941) -- Depreciation and amortization 5,479 -- 5,479 Total operating expenses 20,620 (941) 19,679 Operating income 5,393 941 6,334 Interest income 303 -- 303 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 5,696 941 6,637 Provision /(benefit) for income taxes 1,739 287 2,026 Net income $3,957 $654 $4,611 Basic Net Income Per Share: Net income $0.23 $0.26 Weighted average common shares outstanding 17,566 17,566 Diluted Net Income Per Share: Net income $0.22 $0.26 Weighted average common shares outstanding 17,835 17,835 (1) Amount primarily represents the legal and related fees associated with the Freedom Wireless lawsuit. Non-GAAP Statements of Operations Impact of Non-GAAP Adjustments on Reported Net Income (Unaudited and in thousands, except for per share amounts) Year ended December 31, 2004 Non-GAAP As GAAP Adjustments Adjusted Net revenues: $107,928 $-- $107,928 Expenses: Cost of revenues 23,975 -- 23,975 Engineering, research and development 12,561 -- 12,561 Sales and marketing 6,629 -- 6,629 General and administrative 13,023 -- 13,023 General and administrative - legal expense (1) 2,991 (2,991) -- Estimated loss from litigation -- -- -- Depreciation and amortization 22,332 -- 22,332 Total operating expenses 81,511 (2,991) 78,520 Operating income 26,417 2,991 29,408 Interest income 1,188 -- 1,188 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 27,605 2,991 30,596 Provision/(benefit) for income taxes 10,394 1,126 11,520 Income from continuing operations 17,211 1,865 19,076 Discontinued operations: Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (11) -- (11) Net income $17,200 $1,865 $19,065 Basic Net Income Per Share: Net income $0.96 $1.06 Weighted average common shares outstanding 17,918 17,918 Diluted Net Income Per Share: Net income $0.94 $1.04 Weighted average common shares outstanding 18,256 18,256 (1) Amount primarily represents the legal and related fees associated with the Freedom Wireless lawsuit. DATASOURCE: Boston Communications Group, Inc. CONTACT: Email inquiries, ; or Investor Inquiries: Joe Calabrese of Financial Relations Board, +1-212-827-3772 Web site: http://www.bcgi.net/

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