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September 23, 2021

Research Solutions Reports Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Results: Company Reports $5.9M in Platform ARR and 152 Net New Platform Deployments in FY 2021

HENDERSON, Nev., Sept. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Research Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSSS), a pioneer in providing cloud-based workflow solutions for R&D driven organizations, reported financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and full year 2020 ended June 30, 2021.

Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2021 Highlights

  • Total revenue increased 4.2% to $8.2 million
  • Platform revenue up 34% to $1.4 million, Annual recurring revenue up 32% to $5.9 million.
  • Total gross margin improved 160 basis points to 33.4%.
  • Earnings of nil per share, unchanged from the prior-year quarter
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $134,000, compared to $146,000

Full-Year Fiscal 2021 Highlights

  • Total revenue increased 2.2% to $31.8 million
  • Platform revenue of $5.1 million, a 32% increase, with a 38% increase in total Platform deployments to 553
  • Total gross margin increased 140 basis points to 32.4%
  • Loss of ($0.01) per share, compared to ($0.03) per share Adjusted EBITDA of $700,000, an improvement of $557,000
  • Cash and cash equivalents increased to $11.0 million, up $1.7 million compared to prior year end

"Our fourth quarter and fiscal 2021 results reflect the continued momentum across our organization.  The third and fourth quarter represented the two best quarters for net platform deployments in company history, contributing to 152 net new deployments for the year," said Roy W. Olivier, Interim President and CEO of Research Solutions. "Through new partnerships and product initiatives - including the recent launch of our Article Galaxy 3.0 platform – our users are capable of accessing information in a faster, more simplified manner. These items, combined with our ongoing sales and marketing improvements and strong balance sheet, leave us well-positioned for continued progress in fiscal 2022."

Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2021 Results

Total revenue increased 4.2% to $8.2 million, compared to $7.9 million in the same year-ago quarter.

Platform subscription revenue increased 34% to $1.4 million compared to approximately $1.1 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the total number of paid Platform deployments, including 41 net new added in the quarter, and upselling current platform customers. The quarter ended with annual recurring revenue of $5.9 million, up 6% sequentially and 32% year-over-year (see the company's definition of annual recurring revenue below).

Transaction revenue was $6.8 million, relatively unchanged from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Transaction customers count for the quarter was 1,132, compared to 1,087 customers in the prior year quarter (see the company's definition of active customer accounts and transactions below).

Total gross margin improved 160 basis points from the prior-year quarter to 33.4%. The increase was primarily driven by a continued revenue mix shift to the higher-margin Platform business.

Total operating expenses were $2.8 million, compared to $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher technology and product development,  and administrative personnel costs.

Net loss in the fourth quarter was ($89,000), or nil per share, compared to a net loss of ($1,000), or nil per share, in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was $134,000, compared to $146,000 in the year-ago quarter (see definition and further discussion about the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP term, below).

Full-Year Fiscal 2021 Results

Total revenue increased 2.2% to $31.8 million, compared to $31.1 million in fiscal 2020.

Platform subscription revenue was $5.1 million, a 32% increase over the prior year. The increase was primarily due an increase in the total number of paid Platform deployments and upselling current platform customers.

Transaction revenue was $26.6 million, a 2% decrease compared to the previous year. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in order volume.

Total gross margin improved 140 basis points over the prior year to 32.4%. The increase was primarily driven by a continued revenue mix shift to the higher-margin Platform business.

Total operating expenses were $10.6 million compared to $10.5 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to higher technology and product development personnel costs.

Net loss from continuing operations improved by $495,000 over the prior year to ($285,000). Net loss per share improved by $0.02 from fiscal 2020, to $(0.01) per share. Adjusted EBITDA was $700,000, compared to $143,000 in the prior year (see definition and further discussion about the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP term, below).

Cash and cash equivalents on June 30, 2021, amounted to $11.0 million compared to $9.3 million as of June 30, 2020. There were no outstanding borrowings under the company's $2.5 million revolving line of credit and the company had no long-term liabilities or other debt.

Conference Call

Research Solutions Interim President and CEO Roy W. Olivier and CFO Alan Urban will host the conference call, followed by a question and answer period.

Date: Thursday, September 23, 2021
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT)
Toll-free dial-in number: 1-855-327-6837
International dial-in number: 1-631-891-4304
Conference ID: 10016429

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay until October 14, 2021, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 and using the replay ID 10016429, and via the investor relations section of the company's website at http://researchsolutions.investorroom.com/.

Fiscal Fourth Quarter Financial and Operational Summary Tables vs. Prior-Year Quarter

     
   

Quarter Ended June 30,

   

2021

2020

Change

% Change

Revenue:

       
 

Platforms

$ 1,429,159

$ 1,066,630

$     362,529

34.0%

 

Transactions

6,788,494

6,819,150

(30,656)

-0.4%

Total Revenue

8,217,653

7,885,780

331,873

4.2%

         

Gross Profit:

       
 

Platforms

1,171,840

913,389

258,450

28.3%

 

Transactions

1,570,376

1,595,144

(24,768)

-1.6%

Total Gross Profit

2,742,216

2,508,533

233,682

9.3%

         

Gross profit as a % of revenue:

       
 

Platforms

82.0%

85.6%

-3.6%

 
 

Transactions

23.1%

23.4%

-0.3%

 

Total Gross Profit

33.4%

31.8%

1.6%

 
         

Operating Expenses:

       
 

Sales and marketing

521,220

692,096

(170,876)

-24.7%

 

Technology and product development

732,371

537,830

194,541

36.2%

 

General and administrative

1,354,244

1,132,483

221,761

19.6%

 

Depreciation and amortization

2,694

3,746

(1,052)

-28.1%

 

Stock-based compensation

221,589

143,054

78,535

54.9%

 

Foreign currency translation loss

(890)

4,214

(5,104)

-121.1%

Total Operating Expenses

2,831,228

2,513,423

317,805

12.6%

Income (loss) from operations

(89,012)

(4,890)

(84,122)

-1720.4%

         

Other Income (Expenses):

       
 

Other income (expense)

263

4,306

(4,043)

-93.9%

 

Provision for income taxes

(127)

25

(152)

608.0%

 

Gain on sale of disc'd operations

-

-

-

 

Total Other Income (Expenses):

136

4,331

(4,195)

-96.9%

Net income (loss)

$     (88,876)

$           (559)

(88,317)

-15,810.2%

         

Adjusted EBITDA

$     134,381

$     146,124

$     (11,743)

8.0%

           
   

Quarter Ended June 30,

   

2021

2020

Change

% Change

Platforms:

       
 

ARR (Annual recurring revenue):

       
 

  Beginning of Period

$ 5,554,595

$ 4,149,830

$ 1,404,765

33.9%

 

   Incremental ARR

325,584

296,258

29,326

9.9%

 

  End of Period

$ 5,880,179

$ 4,446,088

$ 1,434,091

32.3%

         
 

Deployments:

       
 

  Beginning of Period

512

374

138

36.9%

 

   Incremental Deployments

41

27

14

51.9%

 

  End of Period

553

401

152

37.9%

         
 

ASP (Average sales price):

       
 

  Beginning of Period

$       10,849

$       11,096

$           (247)

-2.2%

 

  End of Period

$       10,633

$       11,088

$           (454)

-4.1%

         

Transaction Customers:

       
 

Corporate customers

845

808

37

4.6%

 

Academic customers

287

279

8

2.9%

 

Total customers

1,132

1,087

45

4.1%

 

Fiscal Full Year Financial and Operational Summary Tables vs. Prior-Year

   
   

Year Ended June 30,

   

2021

2020

Change

% Change

Revenue:

       
 

Platforms

$ 5,135,565

$ 3,890,689

$ 1,244,876

32.0%

 

Transactions

26,620,780

27,168,048

(547,268)

-2.0%

Total Revenue

31,756,345

31,058,737

697,608

2.2%

         

Gross Profit:

       
 

Platforms

4,223,595

3,246,551

977,044

30.1%

 

Transactions

6,062,419

6,391,331

(328,912)

-5.1%

Total Gross Profit

10,286,014

9,637,882

648,132

6.7%

         

Gross profit as a % of revenue:

       
 

Platforms

82.2%

83.4%

-1.2%

 
 

Transactions

22.8%

23.5%

-0.8%

 

Total Gross Profit

32.4%

31.0%

1.4%

 
         

Operating Expenses:

       
 

Sales and marketing

2,073,878

2,508,238

(434,360)

-17.3%

 

Technology and product development

2,644,274

2,121,978

522,296

24.6%

 

General and administrative

4,867,659

4,864,783

2,876

0.1%

 

Depreciation and amortization

11,522

23,654

(12,132)

-51.3%

 

Stock-based compensation

1,007,673

951,595

56,078

5.9%

 

Foreign currency translation loss

(35,960)

19,529

(55,489)

-284.1%

Total Operating Expenses

10,569,046

10,489,777

79,269

0.8%

Income (loss) from operations

(283,032)

(851,895)

568,862

66.8%

         

Other Income (Expenses):

       
 

Other income (expense)

1,147

80,044

(78,897)

-98.6%

 

Provision for income taxes

(3,204)

(7,836)

4,632

59.1%

 

Gain on sale of disc'd operations

-

117,445

(117,445)

-100.0%

Total Other Income (Expenses):

(2,057)

189,653

(191,710)

-101.1%

Net income (loss)

$  (285,089)

$  (662,242)

377,152

57.0%

         

Adjusted EBITDA

$    700,203

$    142,883

$    557,319

-390.1%

           
   

Year Ended June 30,

   

2021

2020

Change

% Change

Platforms:

       
 

ARR (Annual recurring revenue):

       
 

  Beginning of Period

$ 4,446,088

$ 3,224,672

$ 1,221,416

37.9%

 

   Incremental ARR

1,434,091

1,221,416

212,675

17.4%

 

  End of Period

$ 5,880,179

$ 4,446,088

$ 1,434,091

32.3%

         
 

Deployments:

       
 

  Beginning of Period

401

301

100

33.2%

 

   Incremental Deployments

152

100

52

52.0%

 

  End of Period

553

401

152

37.9%

         
 

ASP (Average sales price):

       
 

  Beginning of Period

$       11,088

$       10,713

$             374

3.5%

 

  End of Period

$       10,633

$       11,088

$           (454)

-4.1%

         

Transaction Customers:

       
 

Corporate customers

825

841

(16)

-1.8%

 

Academic customers

285

278

7

2.3%

 

Total customers

1,110

1,119

(9)

-0.8%

             

Active Customer Accounts, Transactions and Annual Recurring Revenue

The company defines active customer accounts as the sum of the total quantity of customers per month for each month in the period divided by the respective number of months in the period. The quantity of customers per month is defined as customers with at least one transaction during the month.

A transaction is an order for a unit of copyrighted content fulfilled or managed in the Platform.

The company defines annual recurring revenue as the value of contracted Platform subscription recurring revenue normalized to a one-year period.

Use of Non-GAAP Measure – Adjusted EBITDA

Research Solutions' management evaluates and makes operating decisions using various financial metrics. In addition to the company's GAAP results, management also considers the non-GAAP measure of Adjusted EBITDA. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure provides useful information about the company's operating results.

The tables below provide a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), plus interest expense, other income (expense), foreign currency transaction loss, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, gain on sale of discontinued operations, and other potential adjustments that may arise. Set forth below is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss):

   

Quarter Ended June 30,

   

2021

2020

Change

% Change

Net Income (loss)

$     (88,876)

$           (559)

$     (88,317)

15810.2%

 Add (deduct):

       
 

Other income (expense)

(263)

(4,306)

4,043

93.9%

 

Foreign currency translation loss

(890)

4,214

(5,104)

-121.1%

 

Provision for income taxes

127

(25)

152

-608.0%

 

Depreciation and amortization

2,694

3,746

(1,052)

-28.1%

 

Stock-based compensation

221,589

143,054

78,535

54.9%

 

Gain on sale of disc. ops.

-

-

-

 

 Adjusted EBITDA

$     134,381

$     146,124

$     (11,743)

-8.0%

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

   

2021

2020

Change

% Change

Net Income (loss)

$  (285,089)

$  (662,242)

$    377,152

57.0%

 Add (deduct):

   

-

 
 

Other income (expense)

(1,147)

(80,044)

78,897

98.6%

 

Foreign currency translation loss

(35,960)

19,529

(55,489)

-284.1%

 

Provision for income taxes

3,204

7,836

(4,632)

-59.1%

 

Depreciation and amortization

11,522

23,654

(12,132)

-51.3%

 

Stock-based compensation

1,007,673

951,595

56,078

5.9%

 

Gain on sale of disc. ops.

-

(117,445)

117,445

100.0%

 Adjusted EBITDA

$    700,203

$    142,883

$    557,319

-390.1%

About Research Solutions

Research Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSSS) provides cloud-based technologies to streamline the process of obtaining, managing, and creating intellectual property. Founded in 2006 as Reprints Desk, the company was a pioneer in developing solutions to serve researchers. Today, more than 70 percent of the top pharmaceutical companies, prestigious universities, and emerging businesses rely on Article Galaxy, the company's SaaS research platform, to streamline access to the latest scientific research and data with 24/7 customer support. For more information and details, please visit www.researchsolutions.com.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may contain "forward-looking statements" regarding future events and our future results. All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the markets in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects", "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "endeavors," "strives," "may," or variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, estimate or verify. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those factors described in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as such may be amended or supplemented by subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding improved liquidity, an expanded investor base and driving long-term shareholder value as a result of listing on Nasdaq, continued momentum in the Company's business and financial performance, and the Company's strong outlook. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements. For more information, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

 

Research Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets

 
             
   

June 30, 

 

June 30, 

   

2021

 

2020

Assets

           

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

11,004,337

 

$

9,311,556

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $51,495 and $88,485, respectively

   

4,717,453

   

4,449,260

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   

270,252

   

241,747

Prepaid royalties

   

904,921

   

720,367

Total current assets

   

16,896,963

   

14,722,930

             

Other assets:

           

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $824,123 and $804,999, respectively

   

20,755

   

11,276

Deposits and other assets

   

906

   

6,155

Right of use asset, net of accumulated amortization of $463,022 and $390,691, respectively

   

   

72,331

Total assets

 

$

16,918,624

 

$

14,812,692

             

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

           

Current liabilities:

           

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

6,687,188

 

$

6,349,845

Deferred revenue

   

4,804,351

   

3,524,507

Lease liability, current portion

   

   

79,326

Total current liabilities

   

11,491,539

   

9,953,678

             

Commitments and contingencies

           
             

Stockholders' equity:

           

Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

   

   

Common stock; $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 26,498,215 and 26,032,263 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

   

26,498

   

26,032

Additional paid-in capital

   

26,982,052

   

26,134,819

Accumulated deficit

   

(21,461,888)

   

(21,176,799)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   

(119,577)

   

(125,038)

Total stockholders' equity

   

5,427,085

   

4,859,014

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

16,918,624

 

$

14,812,692

 

Research Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss

             
             
   

Years Ended

   

June 30, 

   

2021

 

2020

             

Revenue:

           

Platforms

 

$

5,135,565

 

$

3,890,689

Transactions

   

26,620,780

   

27,168,048

Total revenue

   

31,756,345

   

31,058,737

             

Cost of revenue:

           

Platforms

   

911,970

   

644,138

Transactions

   

20,558,361

   

20,776,717

Total cost of revenue

   

21,470,331

   

21,420,855

Gross profit

   

10,286,014

   

9,637,882

             

Operating expenses:

           

Selling, general and administrative

   

10,557,524

   

10,466,123

Depreciation and amortization

   

11,522

   

23,654

Total operating expenses

   

10,569,046

   

10,489,777

             

Loss from operations

   

(283,032)

   

(851,895)

             

Other income

   

1,147

   

80,044

             

Loss from operations before provision for income taxes

   

(281,885)

   

(771,851)

Provision for income taxes

   

(3,204)

   

(7,836)

             

Loss from continuing operations

   

(285,089)

   

(779,687)

             

Gain from sale of discontinued operations

   

   

117,445

             

Net loss

   

(285,089)

   

(662,242)

             

Other comprehensive income (loss):

           

Foreign currency translation

   

5,461

   

(15,453)

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(279,628)

 

$

(677,695)

             

Loss per common share:

           

Loss per share from continuing operations, basic and diluted

 

$

(0.01)

 

$

(0.03)

Income per share from discontinued operations, basic and diluted

 

$

 

$

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

 

$

(0.01)

 

$

(0.03)

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted

   

26,008,368

   

24,760,790

 

Research Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

             
   

Years Ended

   

June 30, 

   

2021

 

2020

             

Cash flow from operating activities:

           

Net loss

 

$

(285,089)

 

$

(662,242)

Gain from sale of discontinued operations

   

   

(117,445)

Loss from continuing operations

   

(285,089)

   

(779,687)

Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

           

Depreciation and amortization

   

11,522

   

23,654

Amortization of lease right

   

72,331

   

119,914

Fair value of vested stock options

   

631,335

   

610,634

Fair value of vested restricted common stock

   

376,338

   

340,961

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

           

Accounts receivable

   

(268,193)

   

43,909

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   

(28,505)

   

199,289

Prepaid royalties

   

(184,554)

   

(720,367)

Deposits and other assets

   

5,360

   

8,094

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   

337,343

   

1,486,950

Deferred revenue

   

1,279,844

   

1,214,301

Lease liability

   

(79,326)

   

(129,187)

Net cash provided by operating activities

   

1,868,406

   

2,418,465

             

Cash flow from investing activities:

           

Purchase of property and equipment

   

(19,854)

   

Net cash used in investing activities

   

(19,854)

   

             

Cash flow from financing activities:

           

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

   

88,850

   

Proceeds from the exercise of warrants

   

237,501

   

1,875,000

Common stock repurchase and retirement

   

(178,012)

   

(321,601)

Repurchase of stock options and warrants

   

(308,313)

   

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   

(159,974)

   

1,553,399

             

Effect of exchange rate changes

   

4,203

   

(13,398)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   

1,692,781

   

3,958,466

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

   

9,311,556

   

5,353,090

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

11,004,337

 

$

9,311,556

             

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

           

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

3,204

 

$

7,836

 

SOURCE Research Solutions, Inc.

For further information: Steven Hooser or John Beisler, Three Part Advisors, (214) 872-2710, shooser@threepa.com; jbeisler@threepa.com

Leah Rodriguez | VP of Marketing

Leah has over 17 years of experience in publishing and software with various roles leading and developing marketing teams. Prior to joining Research Solutions, she was at Nature Publishing Group, launching marketing for their open access journals, Nature Communications and Scientific Reports and at PLOS, developing...

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