uSell.com Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

First Half 2017 Growth of 8% in Revenue and 76% Decline in Operating Loss
Additional Volume of Transactions Supported by Special Purpose Entity
Sufficiently Capitalized for Growth Plans over Next 12 Months

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 11, 2017 / uSell.com (OTCQB: USEL), a large market maker of used smartphones, today reported financial and operational results for the three month period ended June 30, 2017.

Key Business Highlights for Second Quarter and First Half 2017:

Continued to invest in online platform and transitioned a higher percentage of customer interactions online
Continued to focus on increasing capacity and decreasing processing lead-time
Increased scale and strengthened supplier relationships
Largest supplier’s share of purchases dropped to 69% for the six months ended June 30, 2017, down from 90% during the same period in 2016
Gross Merchandise Volume (“GMV”), a newly reported metric which is a non-GAAP financial measure, increased by 15% and 26% for the quarter and the six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively

Key Financial Highlights for First Half 2017:

Revenues increased by $3,988,000, or 8%, to $52,269,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017, from $48,281,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2016
Operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $259,000, compared to $1,068,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2016, an improvement of $809,000, or 76%
Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $1,895,000, compared to $2,123,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2016
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $706,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $203,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2016

Key Financial Highlights for Second Quarter 2017:

Revenues decreased by $1,192,000, or 5%, to $24,637,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2017, from $25,829,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2016
Operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was $802,000, compared to $60,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2016, a change of $742,000, or 1,237%
Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was $1,149,000, compared to $33,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2016
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was ($310,000) for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $572,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2016

See discussions below in regards to non-GAAP Financial Measures – Adjusted EBITDA.

Nik Raman, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We believe that our growth in Gross Merchandise Volume over the last 12 months is indicative of our progress with suppliers and our ability to serve our growing global customer base. Through ever-improving processes, technology, and data, we hope to become the partner of choice to our suppliers, and in doing so, benefit from industry trends as trade-in continues to increase in importance throughout the mobile ecosystem. These favorable trends, coupled with the 10 year anniversary of the iPhone and the related upgrade cycle, should create an exciting opportunity for us over the next 12 months.”

This press release refers to GMV. The Company defines GMV as the total of uSell revenue plus revenue from the Special Purpose Entity (“SPE”). GMV is a non-GAAP financial measure because it includes SPE revenue which is not reportable in uSell’s financial statements nor is it in accordance with GAAP. See immediately below for a reconciliation between our revenue under GAAP and GMV, which is non-GAAP, as well as later in this press release for further discussion of GMV under “Non-GAAP Financial Measure – GMV.”

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Percentage

2017

2016

Change

uSell Revenue – as Reported

$

24,637,000

$

25,829,000

(5)%

SPE Revenue – Non GAAP

5,142,000

–

100%

Gross Merchandise Volume – Non-GAAP

$

29,779,000

$

25,829,000

15%

Six Months Ended

June 30,

Percentage

2017

2016

Change

uSell Revenue – as Reported

$

52,269,000

$

48,281,000

8%

SPE Revenue – Non- GAAP

8,429,000

–

100%

Gross Merchandise Volume – Non-GAAP

$

60,698,000

$

48,281,000

26%

While quarterly revenues dropped slightly from the prior year, the Company saw a 15% increase in GMV for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 and a 26% increase in GMV for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Despite this increase in GMV, industry conditions resulted in suppressed margins for the quarter. Margins are driven primarily by supply and demand, but can also be impacted by the Company’s ability to make opportunistic purchases. Due to these factors, management cannot predict margins from quarter to quarter. However, management believes that, due to the Company’s scale and supplier relationships, it is able to purchase at prices lower than its customers, which results in low risk of loss on its inventory. uSell’s management therefore believes that increasing GMV is of primary importance, as this should result in increased gross margin dollars in future quarters. Management further believes that increasing GMV, coupled with limiting growth in fixed costs, should lead to a positive impact to profitability over the long term.

Technology and operational processes continue to play a key role in limiting the growth of uSell’s fixed costs while increasing capacity, sales velocity, and average selling prices. The Company continues to invest in its online platform and has steadily transitioned more of its customer interactions online. uSell has also invested resources in optimizing the processes and technology needed to test and grade devices in its warehouse, with the aim of increasing capacity and decreasing processing lead-time. Management believes that these investments are important to make now for two reasons: 1) they differentiate the Company from competitors of similar scale that are looking to purchase from its suppliers, and 2) Management expects that the new iPhone launch late this year will drive substantial trade in volume over the subsequent six months. By adding more value than its competitors and becoming the partner of choice to our suppliers, uSell’s management believes that it will greatly benefit from industry trends as trade-in continues to increase in importance throughout the mobile ecosystem.

On the supply side, the Company continues its supplier diversification initiatives, with its largest supplier’s share of purchases representing 69% for the six months ended June 30, 2017, down from 90% during the same period in 2016. The Company views supplier diversification, as well as expanding its relationships with existing suppliers, as long-term initiatives, and is optimistic about its prospects over the next year.

Deloitte Global estimates that the global smartphone market was worth $17 billion in 2016, representing 50% growth over 2015. Furthermore, it forecasts that the growth rate of the used smartphone market is 4-5 times higher than the overall smartphone market and that it will likely accelerate through 2020 as both consumers and suppliers increasingly embrace the practice of selling or acquiring second-hand smartphones.

Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017:

Revenue was $52.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, an 8% increase from $48.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, 58% and 58% of the Company’s revenues, respectively, were originated in the United States, 26% and 18%, respectively, were originated in Europe and 12% and 16%, respectively, were originated in Hong Kong.

Gross profit increased to 7.1% to $3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to 5.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase in overall margins for the six month period were due to industry conditions, as well as the Company’s ability to make certain opportunistic purchases in the first quarter of 2017.

Sales and marketing expense increased $294,000, or 37%, from $791,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2016 to $1,085,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase is primarily attributable to the higher fees paid as a result of the increased eBay sales during the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. With the We Sell Cellular acquisition and the Company’s newfound ability to source devices directly from the carriers, retailers, and manufacturers, its primary sales and marketing expenses have shifted from consumer marketing to paying out sales commissions and selling fees. Because the vast majority of uSell’s sales and marketing expenses are now paid to third party selling platforms, such as eBay and Amazon, any increases or decreases in these expenses are directly tied to sales for the period.

Operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $259,000, an improvement of $809,000 from a $1,068,000 operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $1,895,000, an improvement of $228,000 from a $2,123,000 net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The resulting EPS decreased to ($0.09), as compared to ($0.11) for the prior year ago quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was a $706,000 income, an improvement of $503,000 from a $203,000 Adjusted EBITDA income for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

At June 30, 2017, uSell.com had $0.6 million of cash and cash equivalents, $1.2 million of restricted cash, $9.7 million of inventory and 20.1 million shares issued and outstanding.

Financial Results for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2017:

Revenue was $24.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, a 5% decrease from $25.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016.

During the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, 87% and 60% of the Company’s revenues, respectively, were originated in the United States, 4% and 22%, respectively, were originated in Europe and 2% and 12%, respectively, were originated in Hong Kong.

Gross profit decreased to 4.0% to $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to 7.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The margins decreased as a result of industry conditions, dictated by supply and demand.

Sales and marketing expense increased $72,000, or 17%, from $414,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2016 to $486,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2017. The increase is primarily attributable to the higher fees paid as a result of the increased eBay sales during the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016. With the We Sell Cellular acquisition and the Company’s newfound ability to source devices directly from the carriers, retailers, and manufacturers, its primary sales and marketing expenses have shifted from consumer marketing to paying out sales commissions and selling fees. Because the vast majority of uSell’s sales and marketing expenses are now paid to third party selling platforms, such as eBay and Amazon, any increases or decreases in these expenses are directly tied to sales for the period.

Operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was $802,000, an increase of $742,000 from a $60,000 operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2016.

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was $1,149,000, an increase of $1,116,000 from a $33,000 net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The resulting EPS decreased to ($0.06), as compared to ($0.00) for the prior year ago quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was a loss of $310,000, a decrease of $882,000 from a $572,000 Adjusted EBITDA income for the three months ended June 30, 2016.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure – Adjusted EBITDA

The Company makes reference to “Adjusted EBITDA,” a measure of financial performance not calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Management has included Adjusted EBITDA because it believes that investors may find it useful to review our financial results as adjusted to exclude items as determined by management. Reconciliations of this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, net loss, to the extent available without unreasonable effort, are set forth below. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings or (loss) from continuing operations before the items noted in the table below.

The following table presents Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, and provides a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the directly comparable GAAP measure reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements:

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

Net loss

$

(1,148,000

)

$

(33,000

)

$

(1,895,000

)

$

(2,123,000

)

Stock-based compensation expense

124,000

145,000

242,000

272,000

Depreciation and amortization

367,000

487,000

723,000

999,000

Interest expense

347,000

328,000

1,636,000

685,000

Change in fair value of derivative liability

–

(355,000)

–

370,000

Adjusted EBITDA

$

(310,000

)

$

572,000

$

706,000

$

203,000

Management believes Adjusted EBITDA provides a meaningful representation of the Company’s operating performance that provides useful information to investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is commonly used by financial analysts and others to measure operating performance. Furthermore, management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure may provide investors with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results of prior periods as they are expected to be reflective of the Company’s core ongoing business. However, while management considers Adjusted EBITDA to be an important measure of operating performance, Adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP financial measures have limitations, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Further, Adjusted EBITDA, as we define it, may not be comparable to EBITDA, or similarly titled measures, as defined by other companies.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure – GMV

As mentioned above, the Company makes reference to “GMV,” a measure of performance not calculated in accordance with GAAP. Our management believes GMV is useful in evaluating uSell’s overall volume of transactions and in evaluating the SPE’s performance. Since all SPE revenue is generated by uSell’s management team and employees, our management believes it demonstrates how effective uSell’s business model is and its potential if it had additional capital. Investors should recognize that uSell will not receive all of the profits from the SPE assuming profitability; uSell receives a minority percentage of any distributions until the investor receives an agreed upon preference at which time the profit sharing shifts to uSell receiving a majority of the distributions.

Conference Call Details:

Date: Friday, August 11, 2017
Time: 10:00AM ET
Dial-in Number: (888) 567-1603
International Dial-in Number: (862) 255-5347
Webcast: http://www.investorcalendar.com/event/19820

Participants are recommended to dial-in approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the event. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after completion through November 15, 2017. To listen to the replay, dial (877) 481-4010 (domestic) or (919) 882-2331 (international) and use replay ID 19820. The webcast replay will be available through November 11, 2017.

About uSell.com, Inc.

uSell.com, Inc. is a large market maker of used smartphones. uSell acquires products from both individual consumers, on its website, uSell.com, and from major carriers, big box retailers, and manufacturers through its subsidiary, We Sell Cellular, LLC (“We Sell Cellular”). The Company maximizes the value of these devices by reclassifying them, adding value to them, and moving them throughout the world to those who want them most. In order to serve its global and highly diverse customer base, uSell leverages both a traditional sales force and an online marketplace where professional buyers of used smartphones can buy inventory on-demand. Through participation on uSell’s online platform and through interaction with uSell’s salesforce, buyers can acquire high volumes of inventory in a cost effective manner, while minimizing risk.

For more information, please visit www.uSell.com and http://wesellcellular.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements including statements regarding our growth plans, our growing global customer base, profitability, and the expectations from the new iPhone launch and upgrade cycle. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. The results anticipated by any or all of these forward-looking statements might not occur. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include competition from large retail stores and wireless operators, our continued success in reducing dependence on a few suppliers, our ability to react quickly and the availability of sufficient capital when supply of smartphones increases, the expected growth and usage of our technology platform, our ability to further or maintain our relationships with large wholesalers, favorable reviews of new iPhone and other new releases and willingness of consumers to continue to trade-in their phones for new phones with minor technical changes. Further information on our risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact Information

Nik Raman
Chief Executive Officer
p212-213-6805
nik@usell.com

uSell.com, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets

June 30,

December 31,

2017

2016

(unaudited)

Assets

Current Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$
613,473

$
1,657,422

Restricted cash

1,183,479

982,064

Accounts receivable, net

251,715

430,171

Inventory, net

9,652,524

8,874,099

Due from related party

390,675

–

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

145,949

130,141

Total Current Assets

12,237,815

12,073,897

Property and equipment, net

186,900

191,957

Goodwill

8,448,759

8,448,759

Intangible assets, net

3,336,380

3,724,466

Capitalized technology, net

898,128

934,193

Other assets

61,750

124,358

Total Assets

$
25,169,732

$
25,497,630

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Current Liabilities:

Accounts payable

$
4,098,277

$
4,328,422

Accrued expenses

1,420,214

916,961

Promissory note payable

–

673,332

Deferred revenue

249,494

374,098

Capital lease obligations

13,847

10,664

Total Current Liabilities

5,781,832

6,303,477

Promissory note payable, net of current portion

8,281,879

6,441,000

Capital lease obligations, net of current portion

53,394

47,986

Total Liabilities

14,117,105

12,792,463

Stockholders’ Equity:

Convertible Series A preferred stock; $0.0001 par value; 325,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

–

–

Convertible Series B preferred stock; $0.0001 value per share; 4,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

–

–

Convertible Series C preferred stock; $0.0001 value per share; 146,667 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

–

–

Convertible Series E preferred stock; $0.0001 value per share; 103,232 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

–

–

Common stock; $0.0001 par value; 43,333,333 shares authorized; 20,147,999 and 20,134,999 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

2,014

2,013

Additional paid in capital

71,332,089

71,089,882

Accumulated deficit

(60,281,476
)

(58,386,728
)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

11,052,627

12,705,167

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

$
25,169,732

$
25,497,630

uSell.com, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

Revenue

$
24,637,472

$
25,829,187

$
52,268,971

$
48,281,335

Cost of Revenue

23,645,261

24,021,565

48,548,519

45,569,316

Gross Profit

992,211

1,807,622

3,720,452

2,712,019

Operating Expenses:

Sales and marketing

486,295

413,805

1,084,774

790,900

General and administrative

1,307,633

1,453,403

2,894,497

2,989,238

Total operating expenses

1,793,928

1,867,208

3,979,271

3,780,138

Loss from Operations

(801,717
)

(59,586
)

(258,819
)

(1,068,119
)

Other (Expense) Income:

Interest expense

(346,550
)

(328,082
)

(1,635,929
)

(685,133
)

Change in fair value of placement rights derivative liability

–

355,000

–

(370,000
)

Total Other (Expense) Income, Net

(346,550
)

26,918

(1,635,929
)

(1,055,133
)

Net Loss

$
(1,148,267
)

$
(32,668
)

$
(1,894,748
)

$
(2,123,252
)

Basic and Diluted Loss per Common Share:

Net loss per common share – basic and diluted

$
(0.06
)

$
(0.00
)

$
(0.09
)

$
(0.11
)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period – basic and diluted

20,143,559

20,110,625

20,140,297

19,931,312

uSell.com, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Six Months Ended June 30,

2017

2016

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net loss

$
(1,894,748
)

$
(2,123,252
)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

723,191

998,632

Stock based compensation expense

242,208

271,930

Amortization of debt issue costs into interest expense

1,026,656

216,799

Change in fair value of placement rights derivative liability

–

370,000

Recovery of bad debt expense

(1,828
)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

178,456

188,173

Inventory

(778,425
)

(1,355,899
)

Due from related party

(390,675
)

–

Prepaid and other current assets

(15,808
)

125,440

Other assets

12,608

690

Accounts payable

(230,145
)

803,660

Accrued expenses

503,253

(34,704
)

Lease termination payable

–

(5,000
)

Deferred revenues

(124,604
)

(389,473
)

Net Cash and Cash Equivalents Used In Operating Activities

(748,033
)

(934,832
)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Website development costs

(269,977
)

(267,293
)

Restricted cash

(201,415
)

(804,872
)

Cash paid to purchase property and equipment

(9,320
)

(4,245
)

Security deposits

–

25,875

Net Cash and Cash Equivalents Used In Investing Activities

(480,712
)

(1,050,535
)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from note payable

8,572,400

2,000,000

Principal repayments of note payable

(8,080,000
)

–

Payment of capital lease obligations

(6,095
)

–

Cash paid for debt issue costs

(301,509
)

(49,551
)

Net Cash and Cash Equivalents Provided By Financing Activities

184,796

1,950,449

Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

(1,043,949
)

(34,918
)

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Beginning of Period

1,657,422

1,047,786

Cash and Cash Equivalents – End of Period

$
613,473

$
1,012,868

SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

Cash Paid During the Period for:

Interest

$
500,602

$
382,117

Taxes

$
7,177

$
–

SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Adjustment to goodwill for inventory valuation

$
–

$
42,198

Common stock issued in connection with note payable

$
–

$
402,500

Purchases of property and equipment through capital leases

$
14,686

–

SOURCE: uSell.com, Inc.

ReleaseID: 472282