NEW YORK, October 25, 2012 -- Travelzoo Inc. (NASDAQ: TZOO):
• Revenue of $35.4 million, down 8% year-over-year
• Net income of $3.4 million, down 42% year-over-year
• Earnings per share of $0.22, compared to $0.36 in the prior-year period
• Cash flow from operations of $6.9 million
Travelzoo Inc., a global Internet media company, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012, with revenue of $35.4 million, a decrease of 8% year-over-year. Operating income was $4.2 million, down 55% year-over-year. Net income was $3.4 million, with earnings per share of $0.22, down from $0.36 in the prior-year period.
"While we are confident about Travelzoo's long-term opportunity, we are disappointed with our Q3 results," said Chris Loughlin, chief executive officer. "Declines in SuperSearch and Local Deals were not made up by the positive momentum we saw in Getaways. Continued investments into sales team expansion and subscriber growth, as well as enhancements to our hotel and mobile products are affecting profitability in the near-term, but we believe these are the right steps to position Travelzoo for sustainable and profitable future growth."
North America
North America business segment revenue decreased 10% year-over-year to $25.1 million. Operating profit for the third quarter was $3.1 million, or 12% of revenue, down from an operating profit of $7.8 million, or 28% of revenue, in the prior-year period. The decrease in operating profit was a result of a revenue decrease and increased expenses related to sales force expansion and subscriber marketing.
Europe
Europe business segment revenue decreased 4% year-over-year to $10.3 million. In local currency terms, revenue for the third quarter decreased 2% year-over-year. Operating profit was $1.1 million, or 10% of revenue, down from an operating profit of $1.4 million, or 13% of revenue in the prior year period. The decrease in operating profit was a result of a decrease in revenue and increased expenses related to sales force ramp up and subscriber marketing.
Subscribers
Travelzoo had a total unduplicated number of subscribers in North America and Europe of 22.4 million as of September 30, 2012, up 5% from September 30, 2011. In North America, total unduplicated number of subscribers was 16.1 million as of September 30, 2012, up 3% from September 30, 2011. In Europe, total unduplicated number of subscribers was 6.3 million as of September 30, 2012, up 10% from September 30, 2011.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $896,000, compared to $3.3 million in the prior-year period. The effective income tax rate was 21%, compared to 36% in the prior-year period.
Asset Management
During the third quarter 2012, Travelzoo generated $6.9 million of cash from operating activities.
Accounts receivable increased by $1.4 million over the prior-year period to $15.4 million. Accounts payable increased by $6.1 million over the prior-year period to $23.3 million. Capital expenditures were $774,000, down from $847,000 in the prior-year period. Travelzoo exited the third quarter with $57.6 million in cash and cash equivalents.
