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HLTH Corporation Announces Second Quarter Financial Results

2008-08-05 15:00:00

HLTH Corporation Announces Second Quarter Financial Results

    ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., Aug. 5 /EMWNews/ -- HLTH Corporation

(Nasdaq: HLTH) today announced financial results for the three months ended

June 30, 2008.



    Martin J. Wygod, Chairman and Acting Chief Executive Officer of HLTH

Corporation, said: "We firmly believe that the size and breadth of the

overall market opportunity remains unchanged. With its unique set of assets

and industry leadership, WebMD is well positioned to capitalize on the

shift to online marketing and education to both consumers as well as

physicians both here in the U.S. and abroad."



    Consolidated Financial Highlights



    Revenue for the second quarter was $89.1 million, an increase of 15%

over the prior year. Earnings before interest, taxes, non-cash and other

items ("Adjusted EBITDA") for the second quarter was $14.3 million, an

increase of 66% over the prior year. Income from continuing operations for

the second quarter was $0.8 million or $0.00 per share, loss from

discontinued operations was $3.7 million or $0.02 per share and net loss

was $2.9 million or $0.02 per share.



    At June 30, 2008, HLTH had approximately $1.4 billion in cash and

investments, of which $325 million is attributable to WebMD.



    Segment Operating Results



    WebMD Online Services segment revenue was $84.6 million for the second

quarter compared to $72.9 million in the prior year period, an increase of

16%. Advertising and sponsorship revenue increased 19% to $62.4 million.

Private portal licensing revenue increased 10% to $21.9 million. Online

Services segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 34% to $18.8 million compared to

$14.0 million in the prior year period.



    WebMD Publishing and Other Services segment revenue was $4.6 million

for the second quarter compared to $4.4 million in the prior year period,

an increase of 5%. Publishing and Other Services segment Adjusted EBITDA

was $1.0 million compared to $0.86 million in the prior year period.



    Discontinued Operations



    HLTH's financial results present the ViPS and Porex businesses as

discontinued operations in the current and prior year periods, reflecting

the decision to divest these businesses. The sale of the ViPS business was

completed on July 22, 2008 for $225 million in cash. WebMD's offline

professional medical reference and textbook publication business is

presented as a discontinued operation in the prior year period, reflecting

the sale of that business on December 31, 2007.



    Discontinued operations during the quarter included the results of

operations of ViPS and Porex as well as an additional pre-tax charge of $17

million relating to HLTH's obligation to advance the legal costs of certain

former officers of the Practice Services subsidiary which HLTH sold in

2006. As of June 30, 2008, this accrual totaled $58 million. As previously

reported, several insurance carriers who had issued D&O insurance to HLTH

have refused to advance these costs and HLTH commenced an action against

these carriers to enforce its rights. On July 31, 2008 the Superior Court

for the State of Delaware granted HLTH's motion for partial summary

judgment to enforce the duty of such carriers to advance and reimburse

these costs.



    Merger with WebMD



    As previously announced, HLTH and WebMD entered into a definitive

merger agreement on February 20, 2008. Completion of the merger is

conditioned upon, among other things, approval of the stockholders of both

HLTH and WebMD. HLTH and WebMD expect to file a joint preliminary proxy

statement/prospectus relating to the merger shortly after the filing of

their respective second quarter Form 10-Q filings. Assuming that timely

clearance is received from the SEC, HLTH and WebMD expect to be in a

position to hold stockholder meetings in October 2008 to seek the necessary

stockholder approvals. Those meetings would also be the Annual Meetings for

HLTH and WebMD.



    Financial Guidance



    WebMD reaffirmed its financial guidance for the remainder of 2008

today. HLTH is not providing consolidated financial guidance for 2008 at

this time due to its pending merger with WebMD.



    Analyst and Investor Conference Call



    As previously announced, HLTH and WebMD will host a conference call at

4:45 pm (Eastern) today to discuss their respective second quarter results.

Investors can access the call via webcast at http://www.hlth.com (in the Investor

Relations section). A replay of the call will be available at the same web

address.



    About HLTH



    HLTH Corporation (NASDAQ: HLTH) owns approximately 84% of WebMD Health

Corp. (NASDAQ: WBMD). WebMD is the leading provider of health information

services, serving consumers, physicians, healthcare professionals,

employers and health plans through its public and private online portals

and health- focused publications. HLTH also owns Porex, a developer,

manufacturer and distributor of proprietary porous plastic products and

components used in healthcare, industrial and consumer applications.



    This press release does not constitute an offer of any securities for

sale. In connection with the proposed merger, HLTH and WebMD expect to

file, with the SEC, a proxy statement/prospectus as part of a registration

statement regarding the proposed transaction. Investors and security

holders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus because it will

contain important information about HLTH and WebMD and the proposed

transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the

definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents when filed by

HLTH and WebMD with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov or http://www.hlth.com or http://www.wbmd.com.

Investors and security holders are urged to read the proxy statement,

prospectus and other relevant material when they become available before

making any voting or investment decisions with respect to the merger.



    All statements contained in this press release and the related analyst

and investor conference call, other than statements of historical fact, are

forward-looking statements, including those regarding: expectations

regarding the market for HLTH's and WebMD's investments in auction rate

securities (ARS); our guidance on HLTH's and WebMD's future financial

results and other projections or measures of their future performance;

market opportunities and WebMD's ability to capitalize on them; the

benefits expected from new products or services and from other potential

sources of additional revenue; the merger transaction between HLTH and

WebMD (the "Merger Transaction"); and the potential sale transaction with

respect to Porex (the "Potential Sale Transaction"). These statements speak

only as of the date of this press release, are based on HLTH's and WebMD's

current plans and expectations, and involve risks and uncertainties that

could cause actual future events or results to be different than those

described in or implied by such forward- looking statements. These risks

and uncertainties include those relating to: changes in the markets for

ARS; market acceptance of WebMD's products and services; WebMD's

relationships with customers and strategic partners; and changes in

economic, political or regulatory conditions or other trends affecting the

healthcare, Internet, information technology and plastics industries.

Further information about these matters can be found in our other

Securities and Exchange Commission filings. In addition, there can be no

assurances regarding: whether HLTH and WebMD will be able to complete the

Merger Transaction or as to the timing of such transaction; or whether HLTH

will be able to complete the Potential Sale Transaction or as to the timing

or terms of such transaction. Except as required by applicable law or

regulation, we do not undertake any obligation to update our

forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.



    This press release, and the accompanying tables, include both financial

measures in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the

United States of America, or GAAP, as well as certain non-GAAP financial

measures. The tables attached to this press release include reconciliations

of these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures. In

addition, an "Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" is attached to

this press release as Annex A.




WebMD(R), WebMD Health(R) and POREX(R) are trademarks of HLTH Corporation or its subsidiaries. -Tables Follow- HLTH CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data, unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 2008 2007 Revenue $89,136 $77,197 $170,818 $149,078 Costs and expenses: Cost of operations 32,763 28,997 64,333 57,615 Sales and marketing 25,460 21,929 51,290 44,799 General and administrative 23,181 26,950 44,325 55,393 Depreciation and amortization 7,315 7,239 14,203 13,564 Interest income 8,062 10,100 19,998 19,774 Interest expense 4,628 4,616 9,235 9,325 Gain on sale of EBS Master LLC - - 538,024 - Impairment of auction rate securities - - 60,108 - Other (expense) income, net (666) 1,396 (4,810) 4,278 Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax provision 3,185 (1,038) 480,536 (7,566) Income tax provision 1,330 1,658 26,944 1,427 Minority interest in WHC income (loss) 1,071 843 (2,774) 958 Equity in earnings of EBS Master LLC - 7,575 4,007 14,674 Income from continuing operations 784 4,036 460,373 4,723 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (3,651) (49,499) (82) (44,484) Net (loss) income $(2,867) $(45,463) $460,291 $(39,761) Basic (loss) income per common share: Income from continuing operations $0.00 $0.02 $2.52 $0.03 Loss from discontinued operations (0.02) (0.27) (0.00) (0.25) Net (loss) income $(0.02) $(0.25) $2.52 $(0.22) Diluted (loss) income per common share: Income from continuing operations $0.00 $0.02 $2.04 $0.02 Loss from discontinued operations (0.02) (0.26) (0.00) (0.23) Net (loss) income $(0.02) $(0.24) $2.04 $(0.21) Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing (loss) income per common share: Basic 182,622 180,219 182,399 178,115 Diluted 186,243 191,032 228,209 188,693 HLTH CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT INFORMATION (In thousands, except per share data, unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 2008 2007 Revenue WebMD Online Services: Advertising and sponsorship $62,383 $52,436 $118,448 $99,857 Licensing 21,866 19,799 43,789 39,914 Content syndication and other 345 653 762 1,537 Total WebMD Online Services 84,594 72,888 162,999 141,308 WebMD Publishing and Other Services 4,582 4,382 7,859 7,906 Inter-segment eliminations (40) (73) (40) (136) $89,136 $77,197 $170,818 $149,078 Earnings before interest, taxes, non-cash and other items ("Adjusted EBITDA") (a) WebMD Online Services $18,800 $14,042 $35,331 $27,034 WebMD Publishing and Other Services 1,027 863 273 505 Corporate (5,573) (6,337) (10,632) (13,063) $14,254 $8,568 $24,972 $14,476 Adjusted EBITDA per diluted common share (b) $0.08 $0.04 $0.11 $0.08 Interest, taxes, non-cash and other items (c) Interest income $8,062 $10,100 $19,998 $19,774 Interest expense (4,628) (4,616) (9,235) (9,325) Income tax provision (1,330) (1,658) (26,944) (1,427) Depreciation and amortization (7,315) (7,239) (14,203) (13,564) Non-cash stock-based compensation (6,471) (7,779) (12,443) (16,961) Non-cash advertising - - (1,558) (2,320) Minority interest in WHC (income) loss (1,071) (843) 2,774 (958) Equity in earnings of EBS Master LLC - 7,575 4,007 14,674 Gain on sale of EBS Master LLC - - 538,024 - Impairment of auction rate securities - - (60,108) - Other (expense) income, net (717) (72) (4,911) 354 Income from continuing operations 784 4,036 460,373 4,723 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (3,651) (49,499) (82) (44,484) Net (loss) income $(2,867) $(45,463) $460,291 $(39,761) Basic (loss) income per common share: Income from continuing operations $0.00 $0.02 $2.52 $0.03 Loss from discontinued operations (0.02) (0.27) (0.00) (0.25) Net (loss) income $(0.02) $(0.25) $2.52 $(0.22) Diluted (loss) income per common share: Income from continuing operations $0.00 $0.02 $2.04 $0.02 Loss from discontinued operations (0.02) (0.26) (0.00) (0.23) Net (loss) income $(0.02) $(0.24) $2.04 $(0.21) Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing (loss) income per common share: Basic 182,622 180,219 182,399 178,115 Diluted 186,243 191,032 228,209 188,693 (a) See Annex A-Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures. (b) Adjusted EBITDA per diluted common share is based on the weighted- average shares outstanding used in computing diluted (loss) income per common share. (c) Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to income from continuing operations. HLTH CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, unaudited) June 30, 2008 December 31, 2007 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $1,123,899 $536,879 Short-term investments 304,325 290,858 Accounts receivable, net 68,865 86,081 Due from EBS Master LLC 69 1,224 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 24,331 71,090 Assets of discontinued operations 268,046 262,964 Total current assets 1,789,535 1,249,096 Marketable equity securities 2,543 2,383 Property and equipment, net 48,491 49,554 Goodwill 214,475 217,323 Intangible assets, net 31,323 36,314 Investment in EBS Master LLC - 25,261 Other assets 62,330 71,466 Total Assets $2,148,697 $1,651,397 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Accrued expenses $44,807 $49,598 Deferred revenue 87,401 76,401 Liabilities of discontinued operations 124,788 123,131 Total current liabilities 256,996 249,130 Convertible notes 650,000 650,000 Other long-term liabilities 21,332 21,137 Minority interest in WHC 135,416 131,353 Stockholders' equity 1,084,953 599,777 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $2,148,697 $1,651,397 HLTH CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands, unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 2007 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) $460,291 $(39,761) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 82 44,484 Depreciation and amortization 14,203 13,564 Minority interest in WHC (income) loss (2,774) 958 Equity in earnings of EBS Master LLC (4,007) (14,674) Amortization of debt issuance costs 1,490 1,447 Non-cash advertising 1,558 2,320 Non-cash stock-based compensation 12,443 16,961 Deferred income taxes 5,556 1,041 Gain on sale of EBS Master LLC and 2006 EBS Sale (538,024) (399) Impairment of auction rate securities 60,108 - Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 17,216 7,976 Prepaid expenses and other, net 21,090 1,128 Accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities (3,695) (44,070) Deferred revenue 11,000 10,576 Net cash provided by continuing operations 56,537 1,551 Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued operations (343) 17,429 Net cash provided by operating activities 56,194 18,980 Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from maturities and sales of available-for-sale securities 106,586 194,096 Purchases of available-for-sale securities (177,150) (388,942) Purchases of property and equipment (6,985) (10,217) Proceeds related to the sales of EBS, EPS and ACS/ACP, net of expenses 598,935 2,898 Decreases in net advances to EBS Master LLC 1,155 19,730 Other 148 - Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations 522,689 (182,435) Net cash used in discontinued operations (3,144) (2,341) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 519,545 (184,776) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of HLTH and WHC common stock 9,644 103,263 Purchases of treasury stock under repurchase program - (42,906) Other (80) 457 Net cash provided by continuing operations 9,564 60,814 Net cash used in discontinued operations (76) (101) Net cash provided by financing activities 9,488 60,713 Effect of exchange rates on cash 1,793 361 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 587,020 (104,722) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 536,879 614,691 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $1,123,899 $509,969 ANNEX A Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures The accompanying HLTH Corporation press release and financial tables include both financial measures in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, as well as non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures represent earnings before interest, taxes, non- cash and other items (which we refer to as "Adjusted EBITDA") and related per share amounts. Adjusted EBITDA should be viewed as supplemental to, and not as an alternative for, "(loss) income from continuing operations" calculated in accordance with GAAP. The tables attached to the accompanying press release include reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA is used by HLTH's management as an additional measure of HLTH's overall performance and its reporting segments' performance for purposes of business decision-making, including developing budgets, managing expenditures, and evaluating potential acquisitions or divestitures. Period- to-period comparisons of Adjusted EBITDA help HLTH's management identify additional trends in HLTH's and its reporting segments' financial results that may not be shown solely by period-to-period comparisons of (loss) income from continuing operations or net (loss) income. In addition, HLTH uses Adjusted EBITDA in the incentive compensation programs applicable to many of its employees in order to evaluate HLTH's performance. HLTH management recognizes that Adjusted EBITDA has inherent limitations because of the excluded items, particularly those items that are recurring in nature. In order to compensate for those limitations, management also reviews the specific items that are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA, but included in income from continuing operations or net (loss) income, as well as trends in those items. The amounts of those items are set forth, for the applicable periods, in the reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to (loss) income from continuing operations or to net (loss) income that accompany our press releases containing non-GAAP financial measures, including the reconciliations contained in the tables attached to the accompanying press release. HLTH believes that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in their analysis of HLTH's results for reasons similar to the reasons why HLTH's management finds it useful and because it helps facilitate investor understanding of decisions made by HLTH's management in light of the performance metrics used in making those decisions. In addition, as more fully described below, HLTH believes that providing Adjusted EBITDA, together with a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to (loss) income from continuing operations or to net (loss) income, helps investors make comparisons between HLTH and other companies that may have different capital structures, different effective income tax rates and tax attributes, different capitalized asset values and/or different forms of employee compensation. However, Adjusted EBITDA is intended to provide a supplemental way of comparing HLTH with other public companies and is not intended as a substitute for comparisons based on "income from continuing operations" or "net (loss) income" calculated in accordance with GAAP. In making any comparisons to other companies, investors need to be aware that companies use different non-GAAP measures to evaluate their financial performance. Investors should pay close attention to the specific definition being used and to the reconciliation between such measures and the corresponding GAAP measures provided by each company under applicable SEC rules. The following is an explanation of the items excluded by HLTH from Adjusted EBITDA but included in income from continuing operations: -- Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense is a non-cash expense relating to capital expenditures and intangible assets arising from acquisitions that are expensed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the related assets. HLTH excludes depreciation and amortization expense from Adjusted EBITDA because it believes (i) the amount of such expenses in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of HLTH's business operations and (ii) such expenses can vary significantly between periods as a result of new acquisitions and full amortization of previously acquired tangible and intangible assets. Accordingly, HLTH believes this exclusion assists management and investors in making period-to-period comparisons of operating performance. Investors should note that the use of tangible and intangible assets contributed to revenue in the periods presented and will contribute to future revenue generation and should also note that such expense will recur in future periods. -- Stock-Based Compensation Expense. Stock-based compensation expense is a non-cash expense arising from the grant of stock-based awards to employees. HLTH believes that excluding the effect of stock-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA assists management and investors in making period-to-period comparisons in its operating performance because it believes (i) the amount of such expenses in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of HLTH's business operations and (ii) such expenses can vary significantly between periods as a result of the timing of grants of new stock-based awards, including grants in connection with acquisitions. Additionally, HLTH believes that excluding stock-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA assists management and investors in making meaningful comparisons between HLTH's operating performance and the operating performance of other companies that may use different forms of employee compensation or different valuation methodologies for their stock-based compensation. Investors should note that stock-based compensation is a key incentive offered to employees whose efforts contributed to the operating results in the periods presented and are expected to contribute to operating results in future periods. Investors should also note that such expenses will recur in the future. -- Non-Cash Advertising Expense. This expense relates to the usage of non-cash advertising obtained from News Corporation ("Newscorp") in exchange for equity securities issued by HLTH in 2000. The advertising is available only on various Newscorp properties, primarily its television network and cable channels without any cash cost to HLTH. The amount of advertising that can be used in any year is subject to annual contractual limitation and expires in 2010. HLTH does not incur any other cash expenses related to airing of television advertising. HLTH excludes this expense from Adjusted EBITDA (i) because it is a non-cash expense, (ii) because it is incremental to other non- television cash advertising expense that HLTH otherwise incurs, (iii) because HLTH has not and believes it will not incur cash expenses relating to television advertising in the future and (iv) to assist management and investors in comparing its operating results over multiple periods. Investors should note that it is likely that HLTH derives some benefit from such advertising and that such expenses will recur in the future. -- Interest Income and Expense. Interest income is associated with the level of marketable debt securities and other interest bearing accounts in which HLTH invests, as well as with interest expenses arising from the capital structure of HLTH. Interest income and expense varies over time due to a variety of financing transactions and due to acquisitions and divestitures that HLTH has entered into or may enter into in the future. HLTH has, in the past several years, issued convertible debentures and preferred stock, repurchased shares in cash tender offers and through other repurchase transactions, conducted an initial public offering of equity in its WebMD subsidiary and completed the divestiture of certain businesses. HLTH excludes interest income and interest expense from Adjusted EBITDA (i) because these items are not directly attributable to the performance of HLTH's business operations and, accordingly, their exclusion assists management and investors in making period-to-period comparisons of operating performance and (ii) to assist management and investors in making comparisons to companies with different capital structures. Investors should note that interest income and expense will recur in future periods. -- Income Tax Provision. HLTH had a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward of approximately $1.3 billion as of the year ended December 31, 2007. HLTH maintained a full valuation allowance on these NOL carryforwards until the fourth quarter of 2007, at which time a portion of the valuation allowance was reversed after consideration of the relevant factors. The related valuation allowances are either reversed through the income statement, additional paid- in capital, or reversed to goodwill, to the extent those tax benefits were acquired through business combinations. The timing of such reversals has not been consistent and as a result, HLTH's income tax expense can fluctuate significantly from period to period in a manner not directly related to HLTH's operating performance. HLTH excludes the income tax provision from Adjusted EBITDA (i) because it believes that the income tax provision is not directly attributable to the underlying performance of HLTH's business operations and, accordingly, its exclusion assists management and investors in making period- to-period comparisons of operating performance and (ii) to assist management and investors in making comparisons to companies with different tax attributes. Investors should note that income tax provision will recur in future periods. -- Minority Interest in WHC. This represents the minority stockholders' proportionate share of net income or loss of HLTH's majority-owned WebMD Health Corp. subsidiary (which we refer to as WHC). The size of this Minority Interest is related to HLTH's percentage ownership of WHC. Changes in that percentage ownership may result from changes in WHC's capital structure, including as a result of sales of WHC equity securities by WHC or HLTH or as a result of exercise of WHC employee stock options. HLTH excludes Minority Interest from Adjusted EBITDA (i) because it believes that the size of the Minority Interest can vary for reasons not attributable to the underlying performance of HLTH's business operations and, accordingly, its exclusion assists management and investors in making period-to-period comparisons of operating performance and (ii) to assist management and investors in making comparisons to companies with different capital structures. Investors should note that Minority Interest in WHC will recur in future periods. -- Other Items. HLTH engages in other activities and transactions that can impact HLTH's overall income from continuing operations. These other items included, but were not limited to, (i) legal expenses relating to the on-going Department of Justice investigation, (ii) equity in earnings of EBS Master LLC, which represents 48% of EBS's income through February 8, 2008, (iii) working capital adjustment from the sale of 52% of the Emdeon Business Services segment on November 16, 2006, (iv) a reduction of certain sales and use tax contingencies resulting from the expiration of certain applicable statutes of limitations, (v) advisory expenses relating to the evaluation, in 2008 and 2007, by HLTH's Board of Directors of strategic alternatives for HLTH, (vi) gain on sale from the sale of the remaining 48% ownership interest in EBS Master LLC and (vii) loss on the impairment of auction rate securities. HLTH excludes these other items from Adjusted EBITDA because it believes these activities or transactions are not directly attributable to the performance of HLTH's business operations and, accordingly, their exclusion assists management and investors in making period-to-period comparisons of operating performance. Investors should note that some of these other items may recur in future periods.

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Blake Masterson

Freelance Writer, Journalist and Father of 5

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