Alarum Announces Record of $1.7 Million Net Profit and $2.2 Million Adjusted EBITDA in the Fourth Quarter of 2023
Alarum Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq, TASE: ALAR) reported record financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023, with revenues reaching $7.1 million in Q4 and $26.5 million for the year. NetNut's revenues surged 150% year-over-year, totaling $21.3 million. The company achieved an IFRS net profit of $1.7 million in Q4 2023, compared to a net loss of $3.0 million in Q4 2022. Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2023 was $2.2 million, a significant improvement from a loss of $2.0 million in Q4 2022.
Positive
Record revenues of $7.1 million in Q4 2023 and $26.5 million for the full year.
NetNut's revenues grew by 150% year-over-year, totaling $21.3 million.
IFRS net profit of $1.7 million in Q4 2023, compared to a net loss of $3.0 million in Q4 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2023 was $2.2 million, a positive turnaround from a loss of $2.0 million in Q4 2022.
The substantial revenue growth reported by Alarum Technologies Ltd. is a strong indicator of the company's successful pivot towards focusing on its NetNut operations. The reported 150% year-over-year increase in NetNut's revenue, alongside an impressive Net Retention Rate (NRR) of 153%, underscores a robust expansion of the company's existing customer base and a significant uptick in customer spending. These figures are particularly noteworthy as they suggest that Alarum's strategic decisions are resonating positively with its customers.
Furthermore, the transition from an IFRS net loss in Q4 2022 to a net profit in Q4 2023, combined with a positive swing in Adjusted EBITDA, demonstrates enhanced operational efficiency and cost management. The decrease in cost of revenues and operational expenses reflects a leaner, more focused approach to business operations post-scale down of other activities. Investors may view these results as a testament to the management's ability to execute a turnaround strategy effectively.
Alarum's entry into the AI-powered sales intelligence and Fintech markets, coupled with the launch of new data collection products, positions the company at the forefront of burgeoning sectors. The demand for data collection and AI services is expected to grow and Alarum's innovative product offerings like the SERP Scraper API and AI data collector series could cater to this demand, potentially creating new revenue streams and enhancing market share.
The granting of a U.S. patent further solidifies the company's intellectual property portfolio, potentially serving as a barrier to entry for competitors and a value proposition for investors. Alarum's focus on expanding its IP proxy network (IPPN) sector by entering new markets and enhancing network infrastructure aligns with the increasing need for secure and reliable internet access solutions, which could drive future growth.
The positive financial trajectory reported by Alarum Technologies Ltd. reflects broader industry trends where companies that leverage technology and data to drive efficiency and innovation tend to outperform. The use of non-IFRS financial measures like EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provides a clearer picture of operational performance by excluding non-cash expenses and one-time impairments, which can be useful for stakeholders in assessing the company's core profitability.
However, it is important to consider the potential risks associated with rapid growth, such as the challenge of maintaining high NRRs and the need to continuously innovate in a competitive landscape. Alarum's strategic emphasis on AI and data collection is timely, yet it requires sustained investment in research and development to maintain a competitive edge.
03/14/2024 - 07:32 AM
Revenue Continues to Set Records ; $7.1 million in the fourth quarter and over $26.5 million for full year 2023
NetNut’s revenues surged 150% both for the fourth quarter of 2023 and the entire year compared to the equivalent periods in 2022 – the annual revenue amounted to more than $21 million
TEL AVIV, Israel, March 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alarum Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq, TASE: ALAR) (“Alarum” or the “Company”), a global provider of internet access and data collection solutions, today announced record financial results for the three months and full year periods, ended December 31, 2023.
Key highlights for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023:
Net Retention Rates (NRR)1 - Starting from 2024, the Company plans to update on a quarterly basis its customer retention (NRR). NetNut Ltd.’s (“NetNut”) NRRs were 153% as of December 31, 2023, and 144% as of September 30, 2023. NRR greater than 100% indicates that the company experiences revenue growth from its existing customer base in the specific period even after accounting for lost revenue due to customers’ churn. Conversely, an NRR lower than 100% suggests that the company loses revenue from existing customers in the specific period due to churn which is higher than revenue gain through up-sells or cross-sells. IFRS net profit from continuing operations reached $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to an IFRS net loss from continuing operations of $3.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023 continued to grow, reaching $2.2 million , compared to Adjusted EBITDA loss of $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Revenues from continuing operations for the three months ended December 31, 2023, reached a record high of $7.1 million , an increase of approximately 39% compared to the three months ended December 31, 2022. Revenues from continuing operations for the full year of 2023 totaled $26.5 million , an increase of approximately 43% compared to $18.6 million in 2022. NetNut's 2023 full year revenue amounted to $21.3 million , reflecting growth of over 150% year-over-year, compared to $8.5 million in revenues for 2022.
Recent Business Developments:
In October 2023, NetNut launched its first data collection product – the SERP Scraper API, which won its first customers. In late January 2024, NetNut introduced its new and innovative Website Unblocker, the second product of the data collection product line. In February 2024, NetNut announced the launch of its revolutionary AI data collector product line. During the fourth quarter of 2023 and recent months, NetNut won new customers in the AI-powered sales intelligence market and the Fintech market. NetNut was granted a U.S. patent. "We began 2024 on a high note, by setting new monthly revenue records," Mr. Daniel added. "Looking ahead, our strategy for 2024 involves expanding our cutting-edge product line, with a special emphasis on our advanced AI data collector series. The AI and data collection sectors complement each other significantly; it is imperative that AI platforms have access to large volumes of data. Furthermore, we aim to grow our presence in the IP proxy network (IPPN) sector by entering new markets, enhancing our network infrastructure, and partnering with more top-tier customers globally."
Chen Katz, chairman of the board of directors of Alarum, commented, "The ongoing demonstration of financial stability, growth and operating performance supported the record financial results for the quarter and entire year. We successfully crystalized and executed our business strategy, transforming into a high-growth, profitable company, which we believe will create value for our shareholders."
Financial Results from C ontinu ing O perations for the Three Months Ended December 31 , 202 3 :
Revenues amounted to $7.1 million (Q4.2022: $5.1 million ). The increase is attributed to the organic growth in the enterprise access business revenues, despite a reduction in the consumer access business revenues. Cost of revenues totaled $1.8 million (Q4.2022: $2.3 million ). The reduction stems mainly from CyberKick’s traffic acquisition costs stoppage in July 2023 and clearing fees decrease, due to the Company’s updated scale down strategy for its CyberKick operations. The reduction was offset by an increase in enterprise internet access business costs of addresses and networks and servers used for the generation of the additional enterprise access business revenues. Research and development expenses totaled $0.8 million (Q4.2022: $1.0 million ). Reduced expenses in the consumer internet access business due to the operations scale down and a decrease in subcontractor costs in the enterprise internet access business were offset by an increase in payroll and related expenses in the enterprise business. Sales and marketing expenses totaled $1.6 million (Q4.2022: $3.5 million ). The decrease resulted mainly from the stoppage of media acquisition costs in July 2023 due to CyberKick’s operations scale down strategy. This reduction was slightly offset by higher payroll and related expenses in the enterprise internet access business. General and administrative expenses totaled $1.2 million (Q4.2022: $1.4 million ). The decrease is mainly due to lower salary costs as a result of CyberKick’s operations scale down strategy and lower professional fees. Finance expenses reached $0.05 million (Q4.2022: $0.08 million ). Tax benefit totaled $0.02 million (Q4.2022: $0. 1 million). As a result, IFRS net profit from continuing operations reached $1.7 million , or $0.03 b asic profit per ordinary share (Q4.2022: IFRS net loss from continuing operations of $3.0 million , or $0.09 b asic loss per ordinary share). Adjusted EBITDA was $2.2 million (Q4.2022: Adjusted EBITDA loss of $2.0 million ). Financial Results from continuing operations for the year Ended Dec ember 3 1 , 2023:
Total revenues amounted to $26.5 million (2022: $18.6 million ). The increase is attributed to the organic growth in the enterprise access business revenues, which was offset by a reduction of revenues in the consumer internet access business. Cost of revenues totaled $7.7 million (2022: $8.4 million ). The decrease is mainly a result of the decrease in the traffic acquisition costs stoppage in July 2023 and reduced clearing fees due to CyberKick’s operations scale down strategy in the consumer internet access business. This decrease was offset by an increase in the core enterprise internet access business costs of addresses and networks and servers and intangibles impairment that resulted from the consumer business scale down. Research and development expenses totaled $3.6 million (2022: $3.8 million ). The decrease is due to lower subcontractors’ costs and lower salary and share-based compensation related to the consumer internet access business, partially offset mainly by higher payroll and related expenses in the enterprise internet access business. Sales and marketing expenses totaled $10.0 million (2022: $11.8 million ). The decrease resulted mainly from lower media costs and payroll and related expenses in the consumer internet access business, partially offset by intangible assets impairment loss related to CyberKick as well as an increase in payroll and related expenses in the enterprise internet access business. General and administrative expenses totaled $4.4 million (2022: $6.7 million ). The decrease is largely due to reduced professional fees, particularly legal fees related to resolved patent proceedings in May 2022. Goodwill impairment loss was $6.3 million (2022: $0.6 million ). The Company recorded a goodwill impairment loss related to the CyberKick cash-generating-unit of $6.3 million due to the decrease in its forecasted operating results, compared to a goodwill impairment loss during 2022 related to the NetNut Networks cash-generating-unit (NetNut’s subsidiary) of $0.6 million . Financial expenses reached $0.6 million (2022: $0.1 million ). The increase is mainly due to an increase in finance expenses resulting from the O.R.B. Spring Ltd. agreement as well as interest expenses related to the short-term bank loans, and the September 2023 private placement. Tax benefit totaled $0.5 million (2022: $0.3 million ). The increase is mainly due to the recognition of deferred tax assets in NetNut as well as a reduction in deferred taxes liabilities as a result of the intangible assets impairment related to CyberKick. IFRS net loss from continuing operations totaled $5.6 million , or $0.14 b asic loss per ordinary share (2022: IFRS net loss from continuing operations of $12.4 million , or $0.39 b asic loss per ordinary share). Adjusted EBITDA was $5.2 million (2022: Adjusted EBITDA loss of $8. 5 million).
The following table presents the reconciled effect of the above on the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA loss from continuing operations for the three and full year ended December 31, 2023, and 2022:
For the year Ended For the Three-Month (millions of U.S. dollars) 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net profit (loss) from continuing operations (5.6 ) (12.4 ) 1.7 (3.0 ) Adjustments: Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets 3.5 2.0 0.1 0.8 Finance expense, net 0.6 * 0.1 * Tax benefit (0.5 ) (0.3 ) * (0.1 ) EBITDA (EBITDA loss) (2.0 ) (10.7 ) 1.9 (2.3 ) Adjustments: Impairment of goodwill 6.3 0.6 - - Share-based compensation 0.9 1.6 0.3 0.3 Adjusted EBITDA (Adjusted EBITDA loss) 5.2 (8.5 ) 2.2 (2.0 ) *Less than $0.1 million
As of December 31, 2023, shareholders’ equity totaled $13.2 million , or approximately $2.20 per outstanding American Depositary Share, compared to shareholders’ equity of $13.3 million as of December 31, 2022. The reduction is due mainly to the goodwill and intangible assets impairment recorded in the second quarter of 2023, offset by the September 2023 private placement. As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance totaled $10.9 million , compared to $3.3 million as of December 31, 2022. Use of Non-IFRS Financial Results
Full Year 202 3 Financial Results Conference Call
Mr. Shachar Daniel, Chief Executive Officer of Alarum, and Mr. Shai Avnit, Chief Financial Officer of Alarum, will host a conference call on March 14, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. ET, to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results, followed by a Q&A session.
To attend the conference call, please dial one of the following teleconferencing numbers. Please begin by placing your call five minutes before the conference call commences. If you are unable to connect using the toll-free number, please try the international dial-in number:
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024 Time: 8:30 a.m. Eastern time, 5:30 a.m. Pacific time Toll-free dial-in number: 1-877-407-0789 or 1-201-689-8562 Israel Toll Free: 1 809 406 247
The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here
A replay of the conference call will be available after 11:30 a.m. Eastern time March 14, 2024, through April 10, 2024:
Toll-free replay number: 1-844-512-2921 or 1-412-317-6671 Replay ID: 13744883
Alarum Technologies Ltd.
Alarum Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq, TASE: ALAR) is a global provider of internet access and web data collection solutions.
The solutions by NetNut, our enterprise internet access and data collection arm, are based on our world’s fastest and most advanced and secured hybrid proxy network, enabling our customers to collect data anonymously at any scale from any public sources over the web. Our network comprises both exit points based on our proprietary reflection technology and hundreds of servers located at our ISP partners around the world. The infrastructure is optimally designed to guarantee privacy, quality, stability, and the speed of the service.
For more information about Alarum and its internet access solutions, please visit www.alarum.io
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Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Alarum is using forward-looking statements in this press release when it discusses its preliminary unaudited revenues for February 2024, the Company’s ability to continue and drive revenue growth, expand its product line, enter new markets, maintain operational efficiency, execute its business strategy, grow profitability, and create value for shareholders. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Alarum’s current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of Alarum could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Alarum’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 14, 2024, and in any subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, Alarum undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. Alarum is not responsible for the contents of third-party websites.
The Company is providing a February 2024 revenue estimate in this press release, rather than final amounts, primarily because the financial closing process and review are not yet complete and, as a result, the Company’s results upon completion of its closing process and review may vary from this preliminary estimate.
Investor Relations Contacts:
Michal Efratyinvestors@alarum.io
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (In thousands of USD) December 31, 2023 2022 (Audited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 10,872 3,290 Short-term restricted deposits - 560 Trade receivables, net 1,994 1,790 Other receivables 399 760 13,265 6,400 Non-current assets: Long-term restricted deposits 3 127 Long-term deposit 104 21 Other non-current assets 142 228 Property and equipment, net 88 92 Right of use assets 779 190 Deferred tax asset 181 - Goodwill 4,118 10,429 Intangible assets, net 1,386 4,884 Total non-current assets 6,801 15,971 Total assets 20,066 22,371 Liabilities and equity Current liabilities: Trade payables 369 2,167 Other payables 2,439 2,350 Current maturities of long-term loan 290 617 Short-term bank loans - 1,606 Contract liabilities 1,983 1,170 Derivative financial instruments 109 26 Short-term lease liabilities 370 204 Total current liabilities 5,560 8,140 Non-current liabilities: Long-term loans 802 606 Long-term lease liabilities 523 13 Deferred tax liabilities - 301 Total non-current liabilities 1,325 920 Total liabilities 6,885 9,060 Equity: Ordinary shares - - Share premium 100,576 95,077 Other equity reserves 14,938 15,042 Accumulated deficit (102,333 ) (96,808 ) Total equity 13,181 13,311 Total liabilities and equity 20,066 22,371
Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss (In thousands of USD, except per share amounts) For the Year Ended For the Three Months 2023 2022 2023 2022 (Audited) (Audited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Revenues 26,521 18,550 7,107 5,126 Cost of revenues 7,711 8,402 1,778 2,299 Gross profit 18,810 10,148 5,329 2,827 Research and development expenses 3,557 3,824 795 1,019 Sales and marketing expenses 10,035 11,823 1,579 3,499 General and administrative expenses 4,406 6,661 1,207 1,374 Impairment of goodwill 6,311 569 - - Operating expenses 24,309 22,877 3,581 5,892 Operating profit (loss) (5,499 ) (12,729 ) 1,748 (3,065 ) Finance expense, net (590 ) (54 ) (54 ) (79 ) Tax benefit (expense) 482 327 (22 ) 112 Profit (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax (5,607 ) (12,456 ) 1,672 (3,032 ) Profit (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 82 (695 ) - 136 Net profit (loss) (5,525 ) (13,151 ) 1,672 (2,896 ) Basic and diluted profit (loss) per share Continuing operations (0.14 ) (0.39 ) 0.03 (0.09 ) Discontinued operations 0.00 (0.03 ) - 0.00 (0.14 ) (0.42 ) 0.03 (0.09 )
______________________________1 NRR represent the average growth rates for preceding four quarters compared to the equivalent period a year earlier, of current customers only, without the revenues generated from new customers, but including up-sales and cross-sales on one hand and churn on the other hand.
What were Alarum's revenues for the fourth quarter and full year 2023?
Alarum reported revenues of $7.1 million for the fourth quarter and $26.5 million for the full year 2023.
How much did NetNut's revenues grow by in 2023?
NetNut's revenues surged by 150% in 2023, reaching $21.3 million.
What was Alarum's IFRS net profit in Q4 2023?
Alarum achieved an IFRS net profit of $1.7 million in Q4 2023.
What was the Adjusted EBITDA for Alarum in Q4 2023?
The Adjusted EBITDA for Alarum in Q4 2023 was $2.2 million.
