TSCM Thestreet.Com, Inc. (MM)

TheStreet.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: TSCM; http://www.thestreet.com), a leading digital financial media company, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2010. The Company reported revenue of $14.3 million, a net loss of $(1.8) million and Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $(0.3) million for the quarter.

“TheStreet’s revenue from its ongoing businesses(2) increased 8% in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to a year ago, with advertising revenue up 9% and ongoing Premium Services revenue up 8%,” said Daryl Otte, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are particularly pleased to see year-over-year advertising growth during a quarter in which many of our brokerage clients have reported that overall trading activity has declined substantially and their business has slowed. We also are pleased that our subscription services business recorded its highest revenue in nine quarters, and that our churn rate improved slightly on a sequential basis. Our subscription bookings, however, declined 14% on a sequential basis. We attribute this to a more challenging environment since the equity market’s ‘flash crash’ in May, after which many retail equity investors moved to the sidelines, as well as to our greater focus subsequently on the sale of monthly subscriptions, which produce much lower bookings during a quarter than would the sale of annual subscriptions, but which provide an easier way for our customer to commit in times of uncertainty. Our bottom line for the quarter reflected the seasonal nature of our advertising business and the impact of the program we announced last quarter to make investments to build out our platform to support growth and add long-term value to our business. This investment, which weighs on short term results, largely consists of costs for additional sales staff and marketing expenses, as well as increased editorial staff and freelance costs (which have helped to drive additional traffic to our ad-supported sites as well as develop new subscription products). As this investment program has matured, the sequential growth in our ongoing operating expenses has declined markedly,” Mr. Otte concluded.

Third Quarter Operating Developments

• Thomas Etergino joined as Chief Financial Officer, bringing over a decade of experience in senior financial and operating roles at digital media and subscription-based businesses, including DoubleClick and eMusic, including serving as CFO at private and public companies for seven years.
• Announced an agreement with PBS’s Nightly Business Report to produce weekly pieces by TheStreet editorial talent, titled ‘Word on TheStreet’ and aired every Tuesday by this widely watched and influential television program.
• Announced a content sharing agreement with Newsweek to feature TheStreet editorial content in both the print and online editions of this iconic news property.
• Entered into a content and audience sharing agreement with GigaOM, a leading voice in technology media, as well as with Bundle, a new socially informed money management website backed by Citigroup, Microsoft and Morningstar.
• Launched a mobile-web version of our flagship website, TheStreet, optimized to deliver increased speed and ease of navigation to investment-oriented users wishing to access our content through their mobile devices. The new mobile website is accessible at www.thestreet.mobi.
• Nielsen Netratings @ Plan Release 2 2010 is issued – TheStreet ranks #1 in concentration of users with household income above $150,000; #1 in concentration of users with a portfolio above $250,000; #1 in concentration of users who own securities; #1 in concentration of users who shopped online for stocks, for mutual funds and for any investments; and #1 in concentration of users who are ‘C-level’ executives/owners in companies of any size – higher than any member of the online competitive set(3).

Financial Highlights of Third Quarter 2010

The Company’s ongoing businesses recorded revenue of $14.3 million in the third quarter of 2010, an increase of 8% as compared to the third quarter of 2009. Including revenue from the Company’s former businesses(2), the Company’s revenue decreased 6% in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the 2009 period. The Company’s Premium Services revenue for ongoing businesses increased 8% in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the prior year period; including the Company’s former businesses, the Company’s Premium Services revenue increased 3% in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the 2009 period. The increase in the Company’s Premium Services revenue for ongoing businesses is primarily a result of a 9% increase in the number of subscribers during the quarter, offset in part by a 3% decline in the average revenue per subscriber during the quarter, as compared to the prior year period. The Company’s advertising revenue increased 9% in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the 2009 period. Including Promotions.com (divested in December 2009) in the prior year period, the Company’s marketing services revenue declined 20% in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the prior year period.

Operating expenses for the Company’s ongoing businesses were $16.4 million in the third quarter of 2010, an increase of 12% as compared to the prior year period. Including the former businesses, the Company’s operating expenses decreased 2% in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the 2009 period. The increase in operating expenses for the Company’s ongoing businesses is primarily a result of a $1.4 million increase in sales and marketing expense and a $0.7 million increase in cost of services, in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the 2009 period. General and administrative expenses related to the Company’s ongoing businesses were flat year over year, as a decrease in costs related to a review of certain accounting matters in the Company’s former Promotions.com subsidiary was offset by increased compensation, professional and recruiting fees and certain other costs.

The Company had a net loss of $(1.8) million in the third quarter of 2010 from its ongoing businesses, as compared to a net loss of $(1.1) million from such ongoing businesses in the prior year period; including the former businesses, the Company reported a net loss of $(1.8) million in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to a net loss of $(1.3) million in the 2009 period. The Company reported basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of $(0.06) and $(0.06), respectively, in the third quarter of 2010, as compared with $(0.05) and $(0.05), respectively, in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA for the Company’s ongoing businesses was $(0.3) million in the third quarter of 2010, as compared to $2.0 million in the prior year period; including the Company’s former businesses, Adjusted EBITDA was $(0.3) million in the third quarter of 2010, as compared to $1.8 million in the prior year period.

The Company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities of $79.7 million, a decrease of $2.9 million as compared to June 30, 2010. The decrease is primarily due to capital expenditures of $2.9 million and payment of $0.9 million of dividends, offset in part by receipt of $0.9 million related to the sale of a former subsidiary of the Company. The capital expenditures in the third quarter were larger than is typical for the Company as they related primarily to renovation of the Company’s headquarters, in accordance with the terms of the December 2008 amendment to the Company’s headquarters lease (which provides for substantial rent abatements through the third quarter of 2011) and to development and implementation of an upgrade to the Company’s technical infrastructure and its content management systems.

TheStreet.com will conduct a conference call Thursday, November 4, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss these preliminary results. To participate in the call, dial (866) 271-0675 (domestic) or (617) 213-8892 (international). The passcode for the call is 56301662.

To access the Web cast of the call please visit: http://www.thestreet.com/investor-relations/index.html?detailInclude=IROL-IRhome(Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser’s address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

About TheStreet.com

TheStreet is a leading digital financial media company that distributes its content through online and mobile channels. The Company's network includes the following properties: TheStreet, RealMoney, Stockpickr, BankingMyWay, MainStreet and Rate-Watch. For more information and to get stock quotes and business news, visit TheStreet.com or through a mobile device at TheStreet.mobi.

(1) To supplement the Company’s financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), TheStreet.com, Inc. uses non-GAAP measures of certain components of financial performance, including “EBITDA” and “Adjusted EBITDA”. EBITDA is adjusted from results based on GAAP to exclude interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. This non-GAAP measure is provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the Company’s current financial performance and its prospects for the future. Specifically, the Company believes that the non-GAAP EBITDA results are an important indicator of the operational strength of the Company’s business and provide an indication of the Company’s ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. EBITDA eliminates the uneven effect of considerable amounts of noncash depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of certain intangible assets that were recognized in business combinations. Adjusted EBITDA further eliminates the impact of noncash stock compensation and impairment expenses, restructuring charges and other non-standard one-time charges. A limitation of these measures, however, is that they do not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in the Company’s businesses. Management evaluates the investments in such tangible and intangible assets through other financial measures, such as capital expenditure budgets and investment spending levels. The Company believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is an important indicator of the Company's financial results because it gives investors a view of the Company's ability to generate cash.

The above information with respect to the Company’s ongoing businesses is presented as a non-GAAP measure for illustrative purposes regarding the exclusion of the former businesses. These excluded results are not meant to represent a reflection of the operating activities of the divested Promotions.com subsidiary or the divested B&I Business as if either was on a fully stand-alone basis. Promotions.com was a legal subsidiary of the Company whose activities were part of the combined results of the Company and the B&I Business was operated by the Company directly. Historically, neither Promotions.com nor the B&I Business were considered an operating segment and management did not measure and maintain certain separate discrete financial information for Promotions.com or the B&I Business, including cash flows for the activities of either.

The above measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. The non-GAAP measure included in this press release has been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measure.

(2) The Company’s ongoing businesses exclude (i) the Company’s former Promotions.com subsidiary, which the Company divested in December 2009; (ii) the banking and insurance ratings business (“B&I Business”) of TheStreet Ratings, which the Company divested in May 2010; and (iii) revenue derived from the global research legal settlement that expired in July 2009 (collectively, the “former businesses”).

(3) Competitive set includes Bloomberg, CNBC, CNNMoney, Forbes, MarketWatch, MSN Money, Reuters, SmartMoney, TheStreet, Wall Street Journal and Yahoo! Finance.

All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts are deemed forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee future results or occurrences. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

  THESTREET.COM, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS     ASSETS September 30, 2010 December 31, 2009 Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 18,773,059 $ 60,542,494 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $238,228 at September 30, 2010 and $276,668 at December 31, 2009 6,520,194 5,963,209 Marketable securities 17,852,305 2,812,400 Other receivables, net 955,628 2,774,898 Prepaid expenses and other current assets   2,403,062     1,691,038   Total current assets 46,504,248 73,784,039   Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $14,633,603 at September 30, 2010 and $13,263,460 at December 31, 2009 9,095,337 7,493,020 Marketable securities 41,361,467 17,515,687 Long term investment - 555,000 Other assets 197,270 167,477 Goodwill 24,057,616 24,286,616 Other intangibles, net 7,062,902 8,210,105 Restricted cash   1,702,079     1,702,079   Total assets $ 129,980,919   $ 133,714,023     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 2,072,207 $ 2,164,809 Accrued expenses 7,216,572 7,894,136 Deferred revenue 17,132,014 17,306,737 Other current liabilities 251,845 132,682 Liabilities of discontinued operations   224,593     223,165   Total current liabilities 26,897,231 27,721,529 Deferred tax liability 288,000 288,000 Other liabilities   2,612,444     1,230,591   Total liabilities   29,797,675     29,240,120     Stockholders' Equity: Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 5,500 shares issued and 5,500 shares outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009; the aggregate liquidation preference totals $55,000,000 as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 55 55 Common stock; $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 37,767,881 shares issued and 31,660,100 shares outstanding at September 30, 2010, and 37,246,362 shares issued and 31,164,628 shares outstanding at December 31, 2009 377,679 372,464 Additional paid-in capital 271,050,552 271,715,956 Accumulated other comprehensive income 368,228 344,372 Treasury stock at cost; 6,107,781 shares at September 30, 2010 and 6,081,734 shares at December 31, 2009 (10,478,838 ) (10,411,952 ) Accumulated deficit   (161,134,432 )   (157,546,992 ) Total stockholders' equity   100,183,244     104,473,903     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 129,980,919   $ 133,714,023     THESTREET.COM, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS         For the Three Months Ended September 30,   For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 2009 2010 2009 Net revenue: Premium services $ 9,645,939 $ 9,373,672 $ 29,165,672 $ 28,310,049 Marketing services   4,691,007     5,861,932     13,335,308     15,418,258   Total net revenue   14,336,946     15,235,604     42,500,980     43,728,307     Operating expense: Cost of services 6,466,484 7,156,120 18,972,725 22,666,527 Sales and marketing 4,202,380 3,005,218 11,289,600 8,768,054 General and administrative 4,648,992 5,213,582 14,003,161 13,185,493 Depreciation and amortization 1,087,009 1,206,916 3,225,968 3,885,363 Asset impairments - - 555,000 24,137,069 Restructuring and other charges - 169,692 - 2,728,502 Gain on disposition of assets   -     -     (1,318,607 )   -   Total operating expense   16,404,865     16,751,528     46,727,847     75,371,008   Operating loss (2,067,919 ) (1,515,924 ) (4,226,867 ) (31,642,701 ) Net interest income 240,078 186,342 642,483 775,896 Gain on sales of marketable securities - 34,684 - 295,430 Other income   -     -     20,374     153,677   Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (1,827,841 ) (1,294,898 ) (3,564,010 ) (30,417,698 ) Provision for income taxes   -     -     -     (16,515,077 ) Loss from continuing operations (1,827,841 ) (1,294,898 ) (3,564,010 ) (46,932,775 ) Discontinued operations: Loss from discontinued operations   (2,257 )   (1,846 )   (23,430 )   (10,453 ) Net loss (1,830,098 ) (1,296,744 ) (3,587,440 ) (46,943,228 ) Preferred stock cash dividends   96,424     96,424     289,272     289,272   Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (1,926,522 ) $ (1,393,168 ) $ (3,876,712 ) $ (47,232,500 )   Basic net loss per share: Loss from continuing operations $ (0.06 ) $ (0.05 ) $ (0.11 ) $ (1.53 ) Loss from discontinued operations   (0.00 )   (0.00 )   (0.00 )   (0.00 ) Net loss (0.06 ) (0.05 ) (0.11 ) (1.53 ) Preferred stock dividends   (0.00 )   (0.00 )   (0.01 )   (0.01 ) Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (0.06 ) $ (0.05 ) $ (0.12 ) $ (1.54 )   Diluted net loss per share: Loss from continuing operations $ (0.06 ) $ (0.05 ) $ (0.11 ) $ (1.53 ) Loss from discontinued operations   (0.00 )   (0.00 )   (0.00 )   (0.00 ) Net loss (0.06 ) (0.05 ) (0.11 ) (1.53 ) Preferred stock dividends   (0.00 )   (0.00 )   (0.01 )   (0.01 ) Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (0.06 ) $ (0.05 ) $ (0.12 ) $ (1.54 )   Weighted average basic shares outstanding   31,653,337     30,606,216     31,570,624     30,574,361   Weighted average diluted shares outstanding   31,653,337     30,606,216     31,570,624     30,574,361     THESTREET.COM, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS     For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 2009 Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net loss $ (3,587,440 ) $ (46,943,228 ) Loss from discontinued operations   23,430     10,453   Loss from continuing operations (3,564,010 ) (46,932,775 ) Adjustments to reconcile loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: Stock-based compensation expense 1,807,083 2,158,815 Provision for doubtful accounts 59,649 183,049 Depreciation and amortization 3,225,968 3,885,363 Valuation allowance on deferred taxes - 16,404,790 Impairment charges 555,000 24,137,069 Restructuring and other charges - 428,868 Deferred rent 1,367,463 941,954 Gain on disposal of equipment (20,600 ) - Gain on disposition of assets (1,318,607 ) - Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (566,634 ) 2,697,628 Other receivables 22,394 41,966 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (747,176 ) (240,864 ) Other assets (42,549 ) 8,009 Accounts payable (91,210 ) 1,857,748 Accrued expenses (362,585 ) 2,809,201 Deferred revenue 189,204 2,074,634 Other current liabilities 118,386 183,477 Other liabilities   15,167     (31,596 ) Net cash provided by continuing operations 646,943 10,607,336 Net cash used in discontinued operations   (22,002 )   (13,174 ) Net cash provided by operating activities   624,941     10,594,162   Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Purchase of marketable securities (121,814,456 ) (29,204,799 ) Sale of marketable securities 82,952,627 11,265,338 Sale of Promotions.com 1,746,876 - Proceeds from the disposition of assets 1,348,902 - Capital expenditures (3,804,467 ) (1,697,251 ) Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets   43,300     -   Net cash used in investing activities   (39,527,218 )   (19,636,712 )   Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Cash dividends paid on common stock (2,511,000 ) (2,392,651 ) Cash dividends paid on preferred stock (289,272 ) (289,272 ) Purchase of treasury stock   (66,886 )   (230,287 ) Net cash used in financing activities   (2,867,158 )   (2,912,210 ) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (41,769,435 ) (11,954,760 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   60,542,494     72,441,294   Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 18,773,059   $ 60,486,534    

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

  Cash payments made for interest $ 1,720   $ 7,880   Cash payments made for income taxes $ -   $ 85,000     THESTREET.COM, INC. SCHEDULE OF PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS AND RECONCILIATION TO ADJUSTED EBITDA             For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

As Reported

Pro FormaAdjustments

Pro FormaResults

As Reported

Pro FormaAdjustments

Pro FormaResults

Net revenue: Premium services $ 9,645,939 $ 18,667 $ 9,627,272 $ 9,373,672 $ 449,186 $ 8,924,486 Marketing services   4,691,007     -   4,691,007     5,861,932     1,557,974     4,303,958   Total net revenue   14,336,946     18,667   14,318,279     15,235,604     2,007,160     13,228,444   Operating expense: Cost of services 6,466,484 - 6,466,484 7,156,120 1,367,745 5,788,375 Sales and marketing 4,202,380 - 4,202,380 3,005,218 230,216 2,775,002 General and administrative 4,648,992 - 4,648,992 5,213,582 568,826 4,644,756 Depreciation and amortization 1,087,009 - 1,087,009 1,206,916 - 1,206,916 Restructuring and other charges   -     -   -     169,692     -     169,692   Total operating expense   16,404,865     -   16,404,865     16,751,528     2,166,787     14,584,741   Operating loss $ (2,067,919 ) $ 18,667 $ (2,086,586 ) $ (1,515,924 ) $ (159,627 ) $ (1,356,297 )   Net loss $ (1,830,098 ) $ 18,667 $ (1,848,765 ) $ (1,296,744 ) $ (159,627 ) $ (1,137,117 )     Net loss $ (1,830,098 ) $ 18,667 $ (1,848,765 ) $ (1,296,744 ) $ (159,627 ) $ (1,137,117 ) Net interest income (240,078 ) - (240,078 ) (186,342 ) - (186,342 ) Gain on sales of marketable securities - - - (34,684 ) - (34,684 ) Depreciation and amortization   1,087,009     -   1,087,009     1,206,916     -     1,206,916   EBITDA (983,167 ) 18,667 (1,001,834 ) (310,854 ) (159,627 ) (151,227 ) Noncash compensation 588,336 - 588,336 573,221 10,619 562,602 Restructuring and other charges - - - 169,692 - 169,692 Transaction related costs   123,163     -   123,163     1,392,626     -     1,392,626   Adjusted EBITDA $ (271,668 ) $ 18,667 $ (290,335 ) $ 1,824,685   $ (149,008 ) $ 1,973,693    

Note: Pro forma adjustments for 2010 exclude TheStreet Ratings revenue from global research. Pro forma adjustments for 2009 also exclude the Company's December 2009 divesture of our Promotions.com subsidiary and the May 2010 divestiture of our Banking and Insurance Ratings product line.

  THESTREET.COM, INC. SCHEDULE OF PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS AND RECONCILIATION TO ADJUSTED EBITDA                 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

As Reported

Pro FormaAdjustments

Pro FormaResults

As Reported

Pro FormaAdjustments

Pro FormaResults

Net revenue: Premium services $ 29,165,672 $ 463,008 $ 28,702,664 $ 28,310,049 $ 2,073,556 $ 26,236,493 Marketing services   13,335,308     -   13,335,308     15,418,258     3,382,761     12,035,497   Total net revenue 42,500,980 463,008 42,037,972 43,728,307 5,456,317 38,271,990 Operating expense: Cost of services 18,972,725 345,205 18,627,520 22,666,527 3,834,558 18,831,969 Sales and marketing 11,289,600 41,510 11,248,090 8,768,054 766,660 8,001,394 General and administrative 14,003,161 18,774 13,984,387 13,185,493 1,662,047 11,523,446 Depreciation and amortization 3,225,968 - 3,225,968 3,885,363 - 3,885,363 Asset impairments 555,000 - 555,000 24,137,069 - 24,137,069 Restructuring and other charges - - - 2,728,502 - 2,728,502 Gain on disposition of assets   (1,318,607 )   -   (1,318,607 )   -     -     -   Total operating expense   46,727,847     405,489   46,322,358     75,371,008     6,263,265     69,107,743   Operating loss $ (4,226,867 ) $ 57,519 $ (4,284,386 ) $ (31,642,701 ) $ (806,948 ) $ (30,835,753 )   Net loss $ (3,587,440 ) $ 57,519 $ (3,644,959 ) $ (46,943,228 ) $ (806,948 ) $ (46,136,280 )     Net loss $ (3,587,440 ) $ 57,519 $ (3,644,959 ) $ (46,943,228 ) $ (806,948 ) $ (46,136,280 ) Net interest income (642,483 ) - (642,483 ) (775,896 ) - (775,896 ) Gain on sales of marketable securities - - - (295,430 ) - (295,430 ) Provision for Income taxes - - - 16,515,077 - 16,515,077 Depreciation and amortization   3,225,968     -   3,225,968     3,885,363     -     3,885,363   EBITDA (1,003,955 ) 57,519 (1,061,474 ) (27,614,114 ) (806,948 ) (26,807,166 ) Noncash compensation 1,807,083 - 1,807,083 2,158,815 30,563 2,128,252 Asset impairments 555,000 - 555,000 24,137,069 - 24,137,069 Restructuring and other charges - - - 2,728,502 - 2,728,502 Gain on disposition of assets (1,318,607 ) - (1,318,607 ) - - - Other income (20,374 ) - (20,374 ) (153,677 ) - (153,677 ) Transaction related costs   1,206,242     -   1,206,242     1,422,626     -     1,422,626   Adjusted EBITDA $ 1,225,389   $ 57,519 $ 1,167,870   $ 2,679,221   $ (776,385 ) $ 3,455,606    

Note: Pro forma adjustments for 2010 exclude the Company’s May 2010 divestiture of our Banking and Insurance Ratings product line and TheStreet Ratings revenue from global research. Pro forma adjustments for 2009 also exclude the Company's December 2009 divesture of our Promotions.com subsidiary.