Sign in

You're signed outSign in or to get full access.

SI

SEACHANGE INTERNATIONAL INC (SEAC)·Q2 2024 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • SeaChange’s Q2 FY2024 8-K furnished preliminary, unaudited results: revenue approximately $6.8–$7.0M, adjusted EBITDA loss ~$0.1–$0.3M, and cash plus marketable securities of $16.1M; the filing concurrently disclosed plans to deregister and delist from Nasdaq (“going dark”) to save >$3M annually and focus on operations .
  • Sequentially, revenue declined from Q1 FY2024 ($7.0M) and Q4 FY2023 ($10.2M), reflecting the absence of Q4’s one-time licensing event; gross margin and EPS were not provided for Q2 but were 73% and $0.03 in Q4 FY2023 and 59% and $(0.28) in Q1 FY2024 .
  • Management emphasized the strategic decision to “go dark” due to perceived market misvaluation and to reallocate compliance costs toward products and cash flow generation; this is the primary quarter catalyst rather than operating beats/misses .
  • Street consensus (S&P Global) for Q2 FY2024 was unavailable in our integration (no CIQ mapping for SEAC), so estimate comparisons cannot be presented; this likely reflects reduced sell-side coverage around deregistration.

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • Recurring revenue strategy continued to underpin near-breakeven adjusted EBITDA; Q2 preliminary adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed to ~$0.1–$0.3M, following Q1 loss of $0.24M and Q4 positive $1.66M, indicating underlying cost control progress .
  • Management communicated a clear cost-savings plan from deregistration/delisting (> $3M annually) to reinvest into product and focus on achieving positive cash flow: “With a more streamlined cost profile, the Company can reinvest in its new products and services and focus on achieving positive cash flow” .
  • Prior quarter momentum included service revenue strength (+40% YoY in Q1), gross margin expansion to 59%, and cash flow positive operations, supporting the SaaS transition narrative .

What Went Wrong

  • Sequential revenue pressure: Q2 revenue approximately $6.8–$7.0M versus Q1 $7.0M and Q4 $10.2M, underscoring reliance on episodic licensing in Q4 and absence of similar events in Q2; GAAP net loss for Q2 preliminary range ~$0.76–$1.06M .
  • Lack of Q2 financial detail versus typical releases (no reported EPS or margin metrics), limiting quantitative transparency for investors and complicating trend analyses; preliminary ranges and the deregistration focus dominated the 8-K .
  • Liquidity/coverage risk: Management acknowledged illiquidity concerns post-delisting and noted stock may only be quoted on the OTC Expert Market; combined with going dark, this likely reduces sell-side coverage and estimate visibility .

Financial Results

MetricQ4 FY2023Q1 FY2024Q2 FY2024 (Prelim)
Revenue ($USD Millions)$10.158 $6.992 $6.8–$7.0
Product Revenue ($USD Millions)$6.217 $1.540 n/a (not disclosed)
Service Revenue ($USD Millions)$3.941 $5.452 n/a (not disclosed)
Gross Profit ($USD Millions)$7.393 $4.153 n/a (not disclosed)
Gross Margin %73.0% 59.0% n/a (not disclosed)
GAAP Net Income (Loss) ($USD Millions)$1.727 $(0.714) $(0.760) to $(1.057)
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$1.659 $(0.239) $(0.068) to $(0.298)
Cash & Equivalents + Marketable Securities ($USD Millions)$14.659 $15.199 $16.100

Segment revenue breakdown (where available):

SegmentQ4 FY2023Q1 FY2024
License & Subscription ($USD Millions)$5.917 $1.072
Hardware ($USD Millions)$0.300 $0.468
Maintenance & Support ($USD Millions)$2.477 $3.091
Professional Services & Other ($USD Millions)$1.464 $2.361

KPIs and Non-GAAP reconciliation highlights:

  • Q2 FY2024 GAAP loss from operations: $(1.180) to $(1.455)M; non-GAAP loss from operations: $(0.132) to $(0.362)M; depreciation ~$0.064M; adjusted EBITDA loss $(0.068) to $(0.298)M .
  • Q1 FY2024 GAAP loss from operations: $(0.806)M; non-GAAP loss from operations $(0.303)M; adjusted EBITDA loss $(0.239)M .
  • Q4 FY2023 GAAP income from operations: $1.240M; non-GAAP income from operations $1.596M; adjusted EBITDA $1.659M .

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Profitability outlookFY2024Management “remain[ed] confident in our ability to achieve profitability later this fiscal year” (Q1 FY2024) No numeric guidance provided in Q2 8-K; focus shifted to deregistration cost savings and operational execution Maintained directionally; quantitative guidance not updated
Operating cost profileFY2024+Ongoing cost reductions communicated in Q1 Going dark expected to save >$3M annually to reinvest in products and cash flow Raised savings (new disclosure)
Revenue/marginsQ2 FY2024Not previously guided numericallyNot provided; preliminary revenue range disclosed only n/a

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q4 FY2023, Q1 FY2024)Current Period (Q2 FY2024)Trend
Connected TV/FAST initiativesLaunched Xstream; VIDAA Free rollout; product license acceptance drove Q4 revenue No product detail update in Q2 8-K press release; focus on corporate actions From product-led momentum to corporate restructuring emphasis
Recurring service revenue/SaaS shiftService revenue +40% YoY in Q1; SaaS model shift highlighted Q2 preliminary lacked service/product breakdown; reiterated focus on positive cash flow Narrative continuity; disclosure reduced
Cost managementQ1: operating cost reductions; confident in profitability later in FY2024 Going dark to save >$3M annually Accelerated cost-focus; structural savings
Capital markets/liquidityQ1: regained Nasdaq bid compliance Delisting/deregistration; anticipate OTC Expert Market quotation; liquidity risks acknowledged Significant shift; increased liquidity risk
Strategic alternatives/M&AFY2023: process explored; undervaluation cited Board determined “going dark” and standalone plan preferred Pivot to standalone execution

Note: No Q2 FY2024 earnings call transcript found; company emphasized “going dark,” limiting ongoing reporting and likely eliminating regular earnings calls .

Management Commentary

  • CEO (Peter D. Aquino, Q2 8-K press release): “Despite our best efforts and much improved financial and operational performance… the market capitalization of SeaChange remains significantly below our expectations… the value of the Company basically mirrors its cash balance alone…” .
  • CEO (Q4 FY2023 press release): “The new fiscal year marks an exciting new chapter for SeaChange, supported by solid fundamentals and strong tailwinds in the video Over-the-Top marketplace” .
  • President (Chris Klimmer, Q1 FY2024 press release): “We are highly encouraged by the prevailing tailwinds in the connected TV market and the ongoing consumer shift towards free ad-supported content” .
  • CFO (Mark Szynkowski, Q1 FY2024 press release): “We remain confident in our ability to achieve profitability later this fiscal year” .
  • Corporate action (Q2 8-K press release): “Going dark will save more than $3 million annually… With a more streamlined cost profile, the Company can reinvest in its new products and services and focus on achieving positive cash flow” .

Q&A Highlights

  • No Q2 FY2024 earnings call or transcript was furnished; investor communications centered on the 8-K and deregistration/delisting press release .
  • Prior call context (Q4 FY2023): Company hosted a conference call on April 5, 2023; emphasis on Connected TV licensing, service renewals, and adjusted EBITDA profitability .

Estimates Context

  • S&P Global consensus estimates for Q2 FY2024 were unavailable via our integration (no CIQ mapping for SEAC). As a result, we cannot present EPS or revenue vs-consensus comparisons for Q2 FY2024.
  • Implication: Reduced sell-side coverage and the decision to go dark likely diminish external estimate visibility and will limit Street benchmarking going forward .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • The primary Q2 FY2024 catalyst is corporate: deregistration and Nasdaq delisting to save >$3M annually and concentrate on cash flow and product investment; expect lower disclosure frequency and potential liquidity constraints (OTC Expert Market) .
  • Operating trend: Q2 preliminary shows revenue ~$6.8–$7.0M and adjusted EBITDA loss ~$0.1–$0.3M; near-breakeven EBITDA continues to reflect cost discipline despite absence of Q4’s licensing tailwind .
  • Recurring/service momentum from Q1 (+40% YoY service revenue; 59% gross margin) supports the SaaS transition, but Q2 disclosure lacked mix detail—investors should watch for sustained service revenue strength in future updates (if furnished) .
  • Balance sheet resilience: cash plus marketable securities increased to $16.1M by Q2; company remains debt-free, providing runway to execute the standalone plan and product roadmap .
  • Coverage/estimates: Street consensus unavailable; going dark likely curtails external coverage and increases uncertainty around quarterly cadence—position sizing should reflect disclosure risk and liquidity considerations .
  • Tactical trading: Any near-term stock moves are likely driven by corporate action headlines (delisting timing, OTC quotation, cost savings execution) rather than earnings surprises due to limited reported detail .
  • Medium-term thesis: If cost savings materialize and recurring revenue continues to grow, adjusted EBITDA breakeven and eventual profitability remain feasible; however, reduced transparency and potential illiquidity elevate execution and governance risks .