LH
Leafly Holdings, Inc. /DE (LFLY)·Q2 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 revenue was $8.72M, down 18.3% YoY and 3.6% QoQ, but adjusted EBITDA swung to +$0.48M, materially ahead of prior guidance for a ~$1.1M loss; gross margin held at 89% as cost discipline continued .
- Management highlighted a collections-driven upside: “recoveries against previously written-off customers” produced positive adjusted EBITDA; bad debt metrics improved and delinquencies are trending down, helping stabilize profitability even as top line remains muted .
- KPIs showed continued account churn (ending retail accounts 3,595; -6.4% QoQ), but ARPA rose 23% YoY to $684 as lower-ARPA accounts came off the platform; management sees cancellations moderating in Q3 .
- Q3 outlook: revenue around $8.4M and adjusted EBITDA loss of less than $1.0M; liquidity remains a key overhang with $29.4M of convertibles due Jan 2025 and ongoing Nasdaq compliance considerations .
- Stock reaction catalysts: meaningful upside vs prior EBITDA guidance and improving collections vs ongoing revenue pressure and balance-sheet risk; near-term narrative hinges on stabilization of retail accounts and progress on refinancing .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Positive adjusted EBITDA beat vs guidance: “posting $483,000 in positive adjusted EBITDA… well ahead of guidance,” driven by recoveries and tighter collections .
- Gross margin resilience at 89% with operating expenses down 17.5% YoY to $8.4M (efficiency focus preserved profitability levers) .
- ARPA up 23% YoY to $684 as lower-ARPA accounts churned; brand subscription tiers and pay-gated features reoriented engagement to paying brands with early positive mix effects .
What Went Wrong
- Revenue declined 18.3% YoY and 3.6% QoQ to $8.72M, with retail revenue down to $7.3M and brand revenue still below prior-year levels despite a 4/20 seasonal bump .
- Continued account churn: ending retail accounts fell to 3,595 (-245 QoQ), with FL/CA/OK ~40% of declines; “payment delinquencies remain the largest segment of canceled customers,” reflecting industry capital constraints .
- Liquidity and listing risks persist: $29.4M convertibles due Jan 2025; management noted ATM usage post-Q2 and ongoing lender talks; Nasdaq compliance process continues to be a watch item .
Financial Results
Segment revenue
KPIs
Balance sheet/liquidity snapshots
- Cash and cash equivalents: $13.57M at 6/30/24 vs $14.10M at 3/31/24 .
- Convertible notes: $29.08M current at 6/30/24; maturities due January 2025 .
Estimates vs actuals
- S&P Global consensus for Q2 2024 was unavailable at time of analysis; comparison anchored to company guidance (see Guidance Changes) .
Guidance Changes
Notes:
- Q2 outperformance vs prior guidance driven by bad debt recoveries and stronger collections; management said adjusted EBITDA and cash were “well ahead of guidance” .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Our adjusted EBITDA and cash [were] well ahead of guidance, posting $483,000 in positive adjusted EBITDA this quarter,” driven by “recoveries against previously written-off customers” and tighter collections .
- “We are seeing green shoots associated with these efforts [to stabilize revenues] and will have more confidence as we see the results… over the next few quarters” .
- “At the end of Q2… ending retail accounts totaled 3,595… cancellations are lower, and we expect a decrease in ending retail accounts to moderate” .
- “We ended the quarter with $13.6 million in cash… we launched an at-the-market… offering program… [and] continue to have conversations with our lender… regarding our… convertible notes… due in January of 2025” .
- On markets: “Ohio’s recreational program [launched] ahead of schedule… we expanded our partnership with Uber Eats into Alberta, Canada… cautiously optimistic about Florida’s ballot initiative” .
Q&A Highlights
- Collections/bad debt: Net recovery in Q2; YTD bad debt 2.4% of revenue vs 6.5% FY23; delinquent accounts trending down; processes to remain tight .
- Retail account trajectory: Sequential decline concentrated in FL/CA/OK (~40% of decline); cancellations lower in Q3 to-date; expectation that decreases moderate .
- Brand strategy: Introduced pay‑gated tiers to shift engagement/GMV to paying brands; early results show improved mix; 4/20 seasonal uplift framed Q2 brand spend .
- Liquidity actions: ATM facility launched in late June; modest capital raised post-quarter; ongoing lender discussions on Jan’25 converts .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus estimates for Q2 2024 (EPS, revenue, EBITDA) were unavailable at time of analysis due to data access limits. As a result, we benchmarked outcomes versus company guidance and sequential/YoY performance instead .
- Management characterized Q2 revenue as “in line with guidance” and adjusted EBITDA as ahead of guidance (swing to positive) .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Profitability lever intact: Cost control, 89% gross margin, and improved collections produced a surprise positive adjusted EBITDA vs guided loss; near‑term upside depends on sustaining collections discipline while stabilizing accounts .
- Top-line still pressured: -18.3% YoY revenue with continued account churn; watch for moderation in cancellations and early signs that revamped brand tiers lift monetization .
- Liquidity is the swing factor: $13.6M cash vs $29.4M converts due Jan’25; ATM provides flexibility but scale of need suggests refinancing/restructuring risk remains central to the equity case .
- Guidance frames Q3: Revenue guide (~$8.4M) implies continued softness; EBITDA guide (loss <$(1.0)M) suggests some giveback from Q2’s collections‑aided upside; execution on stabilization projects is key .
- Regulatory tailwinds possible: Ohio rec launch, DC expansion, potential DEA rescheduling and Florida ballot could unlock demand/marketing spend over time; near‑term impact likely gradual .
- KPI watchlist: Ending retail accounts (stabilization), ARPA durability, brand revenue trajectory post-tiering, and bad debt ratios will signal path back to sustainable growth .
- Trading implication: Balance sheet overhang caps multiple; any credible convert solution plus evidence of account stabilization could re-rate the stock; misses on liquidity milestones or renewed churn likely weigh on sentiment .
Appendix: Additional Data Points
- Q3 2024 outlook: revenue around $8.4M; adjusted EBITDA loss of less than $1.0M .
- Cash and cash equivalents at 6/30/24: $13.57M; expected Q3 cash burn “a little more than” the $1.2M interest payment (ex‑working capital) .
- Q2 2024 segment revenue: Retail $7.3M; Brand $1.4M .
- Q2 2024 EPS: $(0.55) diluted; shares 2.327M diluted average .
- Q2 2024 non‑GAAP reconciliation highlights: add-backs included $0.607M SBC, $0.204M transaction expenses, $(0.014)M derivative FV change .