Recent Quotes View Full List My Watchlist Create Watchlist Indicators DJI Nasdaq Composite SPX Gold Crude Oil EL&P Market Index Markets Stocks ETFs Tools Overview News Currencies International Treasuries Ziff Davis Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results and Provides 2024 Guidance By: Ziff Davis, Inc. via Business Wire February 21, 2024 at 18:09 PM EST Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD) (“Ziff Davis” or “the Company”) today reported unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023. “We have a positive and encouraging outlook on 2024 that reflects a return to healthy growth rates at the company,” said Vivek Shah, Chief Executive Officer of Ziff Davis. “At the same time, we are well-positioned to act with conviction and decisiveness in the M&A market to further grow our business." FOURTH QUARTER 2023 RESULTS Q4 2023 quarterly revenues decreased 1.7% to $389.9 million compared to $396.7 million for Q4 2022. Income from operations decreased 13.6% to $80.7 million compared to $93.5 million for Q4 2022. Net income from continuing operations(1) decreased 8.3% to $63.4 million compared to $69.2 million for Q4 2022. Net income(1) decreased 6.1% to $63.4 million compared to $67.5 million for Q4 2022. Net income per diluted share from continuing operations(1) decreased 5.8% to $1.29 in Q4 2023 compared to $1.37 for Q4 2022. Adjusted EBITDA(2) for the quarter decreased 0.4% to $167.6 million compared to $168.3 million for Q4 2022. Adjusted net income from continuing operations(2) increased 1.0% to $107.0 million compared to $106.0 million for Q4 2022. Adjusted net income per diluted share from continuing operations(1)(2) (or “Adjusted diluted EPS”) for the quarter increased 3.1% to $2.33 compared to $2.26 for Q4 2022. Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing and discontinued operations was $92.1 million in Q4 2023 compared to $43.2 million in Q4 2022. Free cash flow(2) was $65.9 million in Q4 2023 compared to $17.8 million in Q4 2022. Ziff Davis ended the quarter with approximately $905.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments. No funds were deployed in Q4 2023 for current year acquisitions. FULL YEAR 2023 RESULTS 2023 yearly revenues decreased 1.9% to $1.36 billion compared to $1.39 billion for 2022. Income from operations decreased 33.3% to $132.6 million compared to $198.9 million for 2022 partially due to the recognition of a $56.9 million goodwill impairment during 2023, which exceeded the recognition of a $27.4 million goodwill impairment during 2022. Net income from continuing operations(1) decreased 36.6% to $41.5 million compared to $65.5 million for 2022 primarily due to the recognition of a $56.9 million goodwill impairment during 2023, which exceeded the net impact of a $20.7 million goodwill impairment, net of tax, and a $7.7 million gain on extinguishment of debt, net of tax, both of which were recognized during 2022. Net income(1) decreased 35.0% to $41.5 million compared to $63.8 million for 2022. Net income per diluted share from continuing operations(1) decreased 36.0% to $0.89 in 2023 compared to $1.39 for 2022. Adjusted EBITDA(2) for the year decreased 4.9% to $482.3 million compared to $507.2 million for 2022. Adjusted net income from continuing operations(2) decreased 8.1% to $287.4 million compared to $312.6 million for 2022. Adjusted diluted EPS(1)(2) for the year decreased 6.9% to $6.19 compared to $6.65 for 2022. Net cash provided by operating activities was $320.0 million in 2023 compared to $336.4 million in 2022. Free cash flow(2) was $211.2 million in 2023 compared to $230.3 million in 2022. Ziff Davis deployed approximately $108.5 million related to share repurchases in 2023. The following table reflects results for the three month and year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (in millions, except per share amounts). (Unaudited) Three months ended December 31, % Change Year ended December 31, % Change 2023 2022 2023 2022 Revenues Digital Media $317.9 $321.7 (1.2)% $1,072.8 $1,078.4 (0.5)% Cybersecurity and Martech $72.0 $75.0 (4.0)% $291.2 $312.6 (6.8)% Total revenues(3) $389.9 $396.7 (1.7)% $1,364.0 $1,391.0 (1.9)% Income from operations $80.7 $93.5 (13.6)% $132.6 $198.9 (33.3)% Operating income margin 20.7% 23.6% (2.9)% 9.7% 14.3% (4.6)% Net income from continuing operations $63.4 $69.2 (8.3)% $41.5 $65.5 (36.6)% Net income $63.4 $67.5 (6.1)% $41.5 $63.8 (35.0)% Net income per diluted share from continuing operations(1) $1.29 $1.37 (5.8)% $0.89 $1.39 (36.0)% Adjusted EBITDA(2) $167.6 $168.3 (0.4)% $482.3 $507.2 (4.9)% Adjusted EBITDA margin(2) 43.0% 42.4% 0.6% 35.4% 36.5% (1.1)% Adjusted net income from continuing operations(2) $107.0 $106.0 1.0% $287.4 $312.6 (8.1)% Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations(1)(2) $2.33 $2.26 3.1% $6.19 $6.65 (6.9)% Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing and discontinued operations $92.1 $43.2 n/m $320.0 $336.4 (4.9)% Free cash flow from continuing and discontinued operations(2) $65.9 $17.8 n/m $211.2 $230.3 (8.3)% Notes: (1) GAAP effective tax rates were approximately 17.0% and 27.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and 32.2% and 44.2% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Adjusted effective tax rates were approximately 22.5% and 23.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and 23.3% and 22.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. (2) For definitions of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures refer to section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” further in this report. (3) The revenues associated with each of the businesses may not foot precisely since each is presented independently. ZIFF DAVIS GUIDANCE The Company’s full year 2024 outlook is as follows (in millions, except per share data): 2023 Actual 2024 Range of Estimates Growth (unaudited) Low High Low High Revenue $ 1,364.0 $ 1,411.0 $ 1,471.0 3.4 % 7.8 % Adjusted EBITDA $ 482.3 $ 500.0 $ 521.0 3.7 % 8.0 % Adjusted diluted EPS* $ 6.19 $ 6.43 $ 6.77 3.9 % 9.4 % * Adjusted diluted EPS for 2024 excludes amortization of acquired intangibles and the impact of any currently unanticipated items, in each case net of tax. It is anticipated that the Adjusted effective tax rate for 2024 will be between 23.25% and 25.25%. A reconciliation of forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted diluted EPS to the corresponding GAAP guidance financial measures is not available without unreasonable effort due, primarily, to variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections of non-operating matters that may arise in the future. Earnings Conference Call and Audio Webcast Ziff Davis will host a live audio webcast and conference call discussing its fourth quarter and year-end 2023 financial results on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 8:30AM ET. The live webcast and call will be accessible by phone by dialing (844) 985-2014 or via www.ziffdavis.com. Following the event, the audio recording and presentation materials will be archived and made available at www.ziffdavis.com. About Ziff Davis Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD) is a vertically focused digital media and internet company whose portfolio includes leading brands in technology, shopping, gaming and entertainment, connectivity, health, cybersecurity, and martech. For more information, visit www.ziffdavis.com. “Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this Press Release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those contained in Vivek Shah’s quote and the “Ziff Davis Guidance” section regarding the Company’s expected fiscal 2024 financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors and uncertainties include, among other items: the Company’s ability to grow advertising, licensing, and subscription revenues, profitability, and cash flows, particularly in light of an uncertain U.S. or worldwide economy, including the possibility of economic downturn or recession; the Company’s ability to make interest and debt payments; the Company’s ability to identify, close, and successfully transition acquisitions; subscriber growth and retention; the Company’s ability to create compelling content; our reliance on third-party platforms; the threat of content piracy and developments related to artificial intelligence; increased competition and rapid technological changes; variability of the Company’s revenue based on changing conditions in particular industries and the economy generally; protection of the Company’s proprietary technology or infringement by the Company of intellectual property of others; the risk of losing critical third-party vendors or key personnel; the risks associated with fraudulent activity, system failure, or a security breach; risks related to our ability to adhere to our internal controls and procedures; the risk of adverse changes in the U.S. or international regulatory environments, including but not limited to the imposition or increase of taxes or regulatory-related fees; the risks related to supply chain disruptions, inflationary conditions, and rising interest rates; the risk of liability for legal and other claims; and the numerous other factors set forth in Ziff Davis’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting Ziff Davis, refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other reports filed by Ziff Davis from time-to-time with the SEC, each of which is available at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements provided in this press release, including those contained in Vivek Shah’s quote and in the “Ziff Davis Guidance” portion regarding the Company’s expected fiscal 2024 financial performance are based on limited information available to the Company at this time, which is subject to change. Although management’s expectations may change after the date of this Press Release, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these statements. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) December 31, 2023 2022 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 737,612 $ 652,793 Short-term investments 27,109 58,421 Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $6,871 and $6,868, respectively 337,703 304,739 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 88,570 68,319 Total current assets 1,190,994 1,084,272 Long-term investments 140,906 127,871 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $327,015 and $255,586, respectively 188,169 178,184 Intangible assets, net 325,406 462,815 Goodwill 1,546,065 1,591,474 Deferred income taxes 8,731 8,523 Other assets 70,751 80,131 TOTAL ASSETS $ 3,471,022 $ 3,533,270 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Accounts payable $ 123,256 $ 120,829 Accrued employee related costs 50,068 42,178 Other accrued liabilities 43,612 39,539 Income taxes payable, current 14,458 19,712 Deferred revenue, current 184,549 187,904 Other current liabilities 15,890 22,286 Total current liabilities 431,833 432,448 Long-term debt 1,001,312 999,053 Deferred revenue, noncurrent 8,169 9,103 Deferred income taxes 45,503 79,007 Income taxes payable, noncurrent 8,486 11,675 Other long-term liabilities 82,721 109,373 TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,578,024 1,640,659 Common stock 461 473 Additional paid-in capital 472,201 439,681 Retained earnings 1,491,956 1,537,830 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (71,620 ) (85,373 ) TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 1,892,998 1,892,611 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 3,471,022 $ 3,533,270 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) Three months ended December 31, Year ended December 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Total revenues $ 389,885 $ 396,700 $ 1,364,028 $ 1,390,997 Operating costs and expenses: Direct costs 48,615 50,847 197,292 195,554 Sales and marketing 126,449 129,764 487,365 490,777 Research, development, and engineering 15,532 18,210 68,860 74,093 General, administrative, and other related costs 118,569 104,421 421,050 404,263 Goodwill impairment on business — — 56,850 27,369 Total operating costs and expenses 309,165 303,242 1,231,417 1,192,056 Income from operations 80,720 93,458 132,611 198,941 Interest expense, net (2,251 ) (5,423 ) (20,031 ) (33,842 ) Gain on debt extinguishment, net — — — 11,505 Gain (loss) on investments, net — 1,029 357 (46,743 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net 1,065 7,020 (28,495 ) (7,145 ) Other (loss) income, net (3,486 ) (4,525 ) (9,468 ) 8,437 Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income (loss) from equity method investment, net 76,048 91,559 74,974 131,153 Income tax expense (12,962 ) (24,726 ) (24,142 ) (57,957 ) Income (loss) from equity method investment, net of income taxes 336 2,347 (9,329 ) (7,730 ) Net income from continuing operations 63,422 69,180 41,503 65,466 Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes — (1,709 ) — (1,709 ) Net income $ 63,422 $ 67,471 $ 41,503 $ 63,757 Net income per common share from continuing operations: Basic $ 1.39 $ 1.47 $ 0.89 $ 1.39 Diluted $ 1.29 $ 1.37 $ 0.89 $ 1.39 Net loss per common share from discontinued operations: Basic $ — $ (0.04 ) $ — $ (0.04 ) Diluted $ — $ (0.03 ) $ — $ (0.04 ) Net income per common share: Basic $ 1.39 $ 1.44 $ 0.89 $ 1.36 Diluted $ 1.29 $ 1.34 $ 0.89 $ 1.36 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 45,772,689 46,915,647 46,400,941 46,954,558 Diluted 50,985,086 52,114,995 46,464,261 47,025,849 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Year ended December 31, 2023 2022 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 41,503 $ 63,757 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 236,966 233,400 Non-cash operating lease costs 11,141 13,412 Share-based compensation 31,920 26,601 Provision for credit losses (benefit) on accounts receivable 2,809 (255 ) Deferred income taxes, net (30,017 ) (12,991 ) Gain on extinguishment of debt, net — (11,505 ) Goodwill impairment on business 56,850 27,369 Changes in fair value of contingent consideration (200 ) (2,575 ) Loss from equity method investments 9,329 7,730 Unrealized loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date 28,495 7,145 (Gain) loss on investment, net (357 ) 46,743 Other 5,159 3,637 Decrease (increase) in: Accounts receivable (35,371 ) 14,948 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (8,700 ) 9,665 Other assets (5,574 ) (16,240 ) Increase (decrease) in: Accounts payable 9,419 (20,246 ) Deferred revenue (6,802 ) (20,962 ) Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities (26,608 ) (33,189 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 319,962 336,444 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (108,729 ) (106,154 ) Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received (9,492 ) (104,094 ) Investment in available-for-sale securities — (15,000 ) Purchase of equity investments (11,858 ) — Proceeds from sale of equity investments 3,174 4,527 Other (503 ) (50 ) Net cash used in investing activities (127,408 ) (220,771 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Payment of debt — (166,904 ) Proceeds from term loan — 112,286 Debt extinguishment costs — (756 ) Repurchase of common stock (108,527 ) (78,291 ) Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan 8,727 9,431 Proceeds from exercise of stock options — 148 Deferred payments for acquisitions (15,241 ) (16,116 ) Other 250 (630 ) Net cash used in financing activities (114,791 ) (140,832 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 7,056 (16,890 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents 84,819 (42,049 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 652,793 694,842 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 737,612 $ 652,793 Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted net income (loss) or Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations, Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share or Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share from continuing operations, Free cash flow, and Adjusted effective tax rate (collectively the “non-GAAP financial measures”). The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. We use these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance and liquidity by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of our recurring core business operating results or, in certain cases, may be non-cash in nature. We believe that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting, and analyzing future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparisons to our historical performance and liquidity. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors both because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision-making and (2) they are used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the health of our business. These non-GAAP financial measures are not measures presented in accordance with GAAP, and our use of these terms may vary from that of other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. These non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company’s results of operations determined in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures exclude the certain items listed below. We believe that excluding these items from the non-GAAP measures facilitates comparisons to historical operating results and comparisons to peers, many of which exclude similar items. We believe that non-GAAP financial measures excluding these items provide meaningful supplemental information regarding operational performance. We further believe these measures are useful to investors in that they allow for greater transparency of certain line items in the Company’s financial statements. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Net income (loss) or Net income (loss) from continuing operations with adjustments to reflect the addition or elimination of certain items including: Interest expense, net. Interest expense is generated primarily from interest due on outstanding debt, partially offset by interest income generated from the interest earned on cash, cash equivalents, and investments; (Gain) loss on debt extinguishment, net. This is a non-cash expense that relates to a non-cash debt-for-equity exchange effectuated to settle amounts of senior secured term loans of the Company under its Credit Agreement with common stock of Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (“Consensus”) owned by the Company. We believe this (gain) loss does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on sale of business. This gain or loss relates to the sales of businesses and does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net. This is a non-cash item as it relates to the change in the carrying value of our investment in Consensus depending on the share price of Consensus common stock and does not represent core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on investments, net. This item relates to the disposition of a portion of our investment in Consensus. The amount of gain or loss depends on the share price of Consensus common stock and does not represent core business operating results of the Company; Other (income) expense, net. This income or expense relates to other non-operating items and does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; Income tax (benefit) expense. This benefit or expense depends on the pre-tax loss or income of the Company, statutory tax rates, tax regulations and different tax rates in various jurisdictions in which the Company operates and which the Company does not have the control over; (Income) loss from equity method investments, net. This is a non-cash expense as it relates to our investment in OCV Fund I, LP (the “Fund”). We believe that gain or loss resulting from our equity method investment does not represent core business operating results of the Company; Depreciation and amortization. This is a non-cash expense as it relates to use and associated reduction in value of certain assets including equipment, fixtures, and certain capitalized internal-used software and website development costs, and identifiable definite-lived intangible assets of the acquired businesses. This also includes the reduction in value of certain acquired intangible assets that represent the cost incurred by the acquiree to build value prior to the acquisition and the amortization of this cost does not represent core business operating results of the Company; Share-based compensation. This is a non-cash expense as it relates to awards granted under the various share-based incentive plans of the Company. We view the economic cost of share-based awards to be the dilution to our share base; Acquisition, integration, and other costs, including adjustments to contingent consideration, lease terminations, retention bonuses, other acquisition-specific items, and other costs, such as severance and legal settlements. These expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Disposal related costs associated with disposal of certain businesses. These are expenses associated with the disposal of certain businesses that do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Lease asset impairments and other charges. These expenses are incurred in connection with impaired right-of-use (“ROU”) assets of the Company. Associated expenses are comprised of insurance, utility, and other charges related to assets that are no longer in use, and partially offset by the sublease income earned. These expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; and Goodwill impairment on business. This is a non-cash expense that is recorded when the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value and does not represent core business operating results of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by Total revenues. Adjusted net income (loss) or Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations is defined as Net income (loss) or Net income (loss) from continuing operations with adjustments to reflect the addition or elimination of certain statement of operations items including, but not limited to: Interest costs, net. This reflects the difference between the imputed and coupon interest expense associated with the 4.625% Senior Notes and a charge that the Company determined to be penalty interest associated with the 1.75% Convertible Notes in each period presented, offset in part by a certain interest income earned by the Company. These net expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on debt extinguishment, net. This is a non-cash expense that relates to a non-cash debt-for-equity exchange effectuated to settle amounts of senior secured term loans of the Company under its Credit Agreement with common stock of Consensus owned by the Company. We believe this gain or loss does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on sale of business. This gain or loss relates to the sales of businesses and does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net. This is a non-cash item as it relates to the change in the carrying value of our investment in Consensus depending on the share price of Consensus common stock and does not represent core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on investments, net. This item relates to the disposition of a portion of our investment in Consensus. The amount of gain or loss depends on the share price of Consensus common stock and does not represent core business operating results of the Company; (Income) loss from equity method investments, net. This is a non-cash income or expense as it relates to our investment in the OCV Fund. We believe that gains or losses resulting from our equity method investment do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Amortization of patents and intangible assets that we acquired. This is a non-cash expense as it primarily relates to identifiable definite-lived intangible assets of the acquired businesses. We believe that acquired intangible assets represent cost incurred by the acquiree to build value prior to the acquisition and the amortization of this cost does not represent core business operating results of the Company; Share-based compensation. This is a non-cash expense as it relates to awards granted under the various incentive plans of the Company. We view the economic cost of share-based awards to be the dilution to our share base; Acquisition, integration and other costs, including adjustments to contingent consideration, lease terminations, retention bonuses, other acquisition-specific items, and other costs, such as severance and legal settlements. These expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Disposal related costs associated with disposal of certain businesses. These are expenses associated with the disposal of certain businesses that do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Lease asset impairments and other charges. These are expenses incurred in connection with impaired ROU assets of the Company. Associated expenses are comprised of insurance, utility, and other charges related to assets that are no longer in use, and partially offset by the sublease income earned. These expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; and Goodwill impairment on business. This is a non-cash expense that is recorded when the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value and does not represent core business operating results of the Company. Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share or Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share from continuing operations is calculated by dividing Adjusted net income (loss) or Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations by the diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding that excludes the effect of convertible debt dilution. Free cash flow is defined as Net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property and equipment, plus changes in contingent consideration. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) The following table sets forth a reconciliation of Net income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA: Three months ended December 31, Year ended December 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net income from continuing operations $ 63,422 $ 69,180 $ 41,503 $ 65,466 Interest expense, net 2,251 5,423 20,031 33,842 Gain on debt extinguishment, net — — — (11,505 ) Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (1,065 ) (7,020 ) 28,495 7,145 (Gain) loss on investments, net — (1,029 ) (357 ) 46,743 Other loss (income), net 3,486 4,525 9,468 (8,437 ) Income tax expense 12,962 24,726 24,142 57,957 (Income) loss from equity method investment, net (336 ) (2,347 ) 7,829 7,730 Depreciation and amortization 69,633 58,520 236,966 233,400 Share-based compensation 7,527 5,795 31,920 26,601 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 9,649 9,753 21,000 17,426 Disposal related costs 375 — 2,217 1,328 Lease asset impairments and other charges (338 ) 778 2,245 2,178 Goodwill impairment on business — — 56,850 27,369 Adjusted EBITDA $ 167,566 $ 168,304 $ 482,309 $ 507,243 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) The following table sets forth Revenues and a reconciliation of Income (loss) from operations to Adjusted EBITDA by segment: Three months ended December 31, 2023 Digital Media Cybersecurity and Martech Corporate Total Revenues $ 317,939 $ 71,946 $ — $ 389,885 Income (loss) from operations $ 88,709 $ 5,430 $ (13,419 ) $ 80,720 Depreciation and amortization 51,168 18,457 8 69,633 Share-based compensation 2,661 932 3,934 7,527 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 9,220 420 9 9,649 Disposal related costs 251 — 124 375 Lease asset impairments and other charges (544 ) 206 — (338 ) Adjusted EBITDA $ 151,465 $ 25,445 $ (9,344 ) $ 167,566 Three months ended December 31, 2022 Digital Media Cybersecurity and Martech Corporate Total Revenues $ 321,670 $ 75,030 $ — $ 396,700 Income (loss) from operations $ 95,015 $ 11,554 $ (13,111 ) $ 93,458 Depreciation and amortization 46,361 12,149 10 58,520 Share-based compensation 2,225 563 3,007 5,795 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 7,784 1,179 790 9,753 Lease asset impairments and other charges 791 (13 ) — 778 Adjusted EBITDA $ 152,176 $ 25,432 $ (9,304 ) $ 168,304 Figures above are net of intercompany costs and revenues. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Year ended December 31, 2023 Digital Media Cybersecurity and Martech Corporate Total Revenues $ 1,072,819 $ 291,209 $ — $ 1,364,028 Income (loss) from operations $ 140,839 $ 43,210 $ (51,438 ) $ 132,611 Income from equity method investment, net — — (1,500 ) (1,500 ) Depreciation and amortization 184,320 52,618 28 236,966 Share-based compensation 12,680 4,186 15,054 31,920 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 19,913 887 200 21,000 Disposal related costs 704 202 1,311 2,217 Lease asset impairments and other charges 1,774 471 — 2,245 Goodwill impairment on a business 56,850 — — 56,850 Adjusted EBITDA $ 417,080 $ 101,574 $ (36,345 ) $ 482,309 Year ended December 31, 2022 Digital Media Cybersecurity and Martech Corporate Total Revenues $ 1,078,391 $ 312,606 $ — $ 1,390,997 Income (loss) from operations $ 198,171 $ 50,960 $ (50,190 ) $ 198,941 Depreciation and amortization 184,658 48,714 28 233,400 Share-based compensation 10,433 4,280 11,888 26,601 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 14,121 2,111 1,194 17,426 Disposal related costs 11 — 1,317 1,328 Lease asset impairments and other charges 1,631 547 — 2,178 Goodwill impairment on a business 27,369 — — 27,369 Adjusted EBITDA $ 436,394 $ 106,612 $ (35,763 ) $ 507,243 Figures above are net of intercompany costs and revenues. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) The following tables set forth a reconciliation of Net income from continuing operations to Adjusted net income from continuing operations with adjustments presented on after-tax basis: Three months ended December 31, 2023 Per diluted share* 2022 Per diluted share* Net income from continuing operations $ 63,422 $ 1.29 $ 69,180 $ 1.37 Interest costs, net (20 ) — 120 — Loss on sale of business 276 0.01 — — Unrealized gain on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (775 ) (0.02 ) (2,839 ) (0.06 ) Gain on investments, net — — (1,024 ) (0.02 ) Income from equity method investment, net (336 ) (0.01 ) (2,347 ) (0.05 ) Amortization 31,105 0.68 28,696 0.61 Share-based compensation 6,289 0.14 6,044 0.13 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 7,011 0.15 7,401 0.16 Disposal related costs 238 0.01 395 0.01 Lease asset impairments and other charges (224 ) — 559 0.01 Goodwill impairment on business — — (222 ) — Dilutive effect of the convertible debt — 0.08 — 0.10 Adjusted net income from continuing operations $ 106,986 $ 2.33 $ 105,963 $ 2.26 Year ended December 31, 2023 Per diluted share* 2022 Per diluted share* Net income from continuing operations $ 41,503 $ 0.89 $ 65,466 $ 1.39 Interest costs, net 5,881 0.13 374 0.01 Gain on debt extinguishment, net — — (9,094 ) (0.19 ) Loss on sale of business 3,797 0.08 — — Unrealized loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net 21,371 0.46 22,674 0.48 (Gain) loss on investments, net (268 ) (0.01 ) 46,275 0.99 Loss from equity method investment, net 8,204 0.18 7,730 0.16 Amortization 106,593 2.30 119,170 2.53 Share-based compensation 27,100 0.58 23,209 0.49 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 13,498 0.29 13,278 0.28 Disposal related costs 1,538 0.03 1,449 0.03 Lease asset impairment and other charges 1,295 0.04 1,640 0.03 Goodwill impairment on business 56,850 1.22 20,414 0.43 Dilutive effect of the convertible debt — — — 0.02 Adjusted net income from continuing operations $ 287,362 $ 6.19 $ 312,585 $ 6.65 * The reconciliation of Net income from continuing operations per diluted share to Adjusted net income from continuing operations per diluted share may not foot since each is calculated independently. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) The following are the adjustments to certain statement of operations items used to derive Adjusted net income, which we believe provide useful information about our operating results and enhance the overall understanding of past financial performance and future prospects of the Company. Three months ended December 31, 2023 GAAP amount Adjustments Adjusted non-GAAP amount Interest costs, net (Gain) loss on sale of business Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (Income) loss from equity method investments, net Amortization Share-based compensation Acquisition, integration, and other costs Disposal related costs Lease asset impairments and other charges Direct costs $ (48,615 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 124 $ 15 $ 2,561 $ — $ — $ (45,915 ) Sales and marketing $ (126,449 ) — — — — — 392 1,668 — — $ (124,389 ) Research, development, and engineering $ (15,532 ) — — — — — 660 177 — — $ (14,695 ) General, administrative, and other related costs $ (118,569 ) — — — — 44,867 6,460 5,243 375 (338 ) $ (61,962 ) Interest expense, net $ (2,251 ) (11 ) — — — — — — — — $ (2,262 ) Unrealized gain on short-term investments held at period end, net $ 1,065 — — (1,065 ) — — — — — — $ — Other loss, net $ (3,486 ) — 422 — — — — 459 — — $ (2,605 ) Income tax expense $ (12,962 ) (9 ) (146 ) 290 — (13,886 ) (1,238 ) (3,097 ) (137 ) 114 $ (31,071 ) Income from equity method investment, net $ 336 — — — (336 ) — — — — — $ — Total non-GAAP adjustments $ (20 ) $ 276 $ (775 ) $ (336 ) $ 31,105 $ 6,289 $ 7,011 $ 238 $ (224 ) ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Three months ended December 31, 2022 GAAP amount Adjustments Interest costs, net Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (Gain) loss on investments, net (Income) loss from equity method investments, net Amortization Share-based compensation Acquisition, integration, and other costs Disposal related costs Lease asset impairments and other charges Goodwill impairment of business Adjusted non-GAAP amount Direct costs $ (50,847 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 221 $ 52 $ 245 $ — $ — $ — $ (50,329 ) Sales and marketing $ (129,764 ) — — — — — 636 3,825 — — — $ (125,303 ) Research, development, and engineering $ (18,210 ) — — — — — 455 528 — — — $ (17,227 ) General, administrative, and other related costs $ (104,421 ) — — — — 37,641 4,652 5,155 — 778 — $ (56,195 ) Interest expense, net $ (5,423 ) 96 — — — — — — — — — $ (5,327 ) Gain on investment, net $ 1,029 — — (1,029 ) — — — — — — — $ — Unrealized gain on short-term investments held at period end, net $ 7,020 — (7,020 ) — — — — — — — — $ — Other loss, net $ (4,525 ) — — — — — — (195 ) 314 — — $ (4,406 ) Income tax expense $ (24,726 ) 24 4,181 5 — (9,166 ) 249 (2,157 ) 81 (219 ) (222 ) $ (31,950 ) Income from equity method investment, net $ 2,347 — — — (2,347 ) — — — — — — $ — Total non-GAAP adjustments $ 120 $ (2,839 ) $ (1,024 ) $ (2,347 ) $ 28,696 $ 6,044 $ 7,401 $ 395 $ 559 $ (222 ) ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Year ended December 31, 2023 GAAP amount Adjustments Adjusted non-GAAP amount Interest costs, net (Gain) loss on sale of business Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (Gain) loss on investments, net (Income) loss from equity method investments, net Amortization Share-based compensation Acquisition, integration, and other costs Disposal related costs Lease asset impairments and other charges Goodwill impairment of business Direct costs $ (197,292 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 667 $ 262 $ 2,752 $ — $ — $ — $ (193,611 ) Sales and marketing $ (487,365 ) — — — — — — 2,686 4,796 4 — — $ (479,879 ) Research, development, and engineering $ (68,860 ) — — — — — — 3,245 712 3 — — $ (64,900 ) General, administrative, and other related costs $ (421,050 ) — — — — (1,500 ) 144,904 25,727 12,740 2,210 2,245 — $ (234,724 ) Goodwill impairment on business $ (56,850 ) — — — — — — — — — — 56,850 $ — Interest expense, net $ (20,031 ) 7,797 (538 ) — — — — — — — — — $ (12,772 ) Gain on investment, net $ 357 — — — (357 ) — — — — — — — $ — Unrealized loss on short-term investments held at period end, net $ (28,495 ) — — 28,495 — — — — — — — — $ — Other loss, net $ (9,468 ) — 5,655 — — — — — 459 — — — $ (3,354 ) Income tax expense $ (24,142 ) (1,916 ) (1,320 ) (7,124 ) 89 375 (38,978 ) (4,820 ) (7,961 ) (679 ) (950 ) — $ (87,426 ) Loss from equity method investment, net $ (9,329 ) — — — — 9,329 — — — — — — $ — Total non-GAAP adjustments $ 5,881 $ 3,797 $ 21,371 $ (268 ) $ 8,204 $ 106,593 $ 27,100 $ 13,498 $ 1,538 $ 1,295 $ 56,850 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Year ended December 31, 2022 GAAP amount Adjustments Adjusted non-GAAP amount Interest costs, net (Gain) loss on debt extinguishment Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (Gain) loss on investments, net (Income) loss from equity method investments, net Amortization Share-based compensation Acquisition, integration, and other costs Disposal related costs Lease asset impairments and other charges Goodwill impairment of business Direct costs $ (195,554 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,000 $ 341 $ 364 $ — $ — $ — $ (193,849 ) Sales and marketing $ (490,777 ) — — — — — — 3,083 6,293 — — — $ (481,401 ) Research, development, and engineering $ (74,093 ) — — — — — — 2,503 1,199 — — — $ (70,391 ) General, administrative, and other related costs $ (404,263 ) — — — — — 156,922 20,674 9,570 1,328 2,178 — $ (213,591 ) Goodwill impairment on business $ (27,369 ) — — — — — — — — — — 27,369 $ — Interest expense, net $ (33,842 ) 433 — — — — — — — — — — $ (33,409 ) Gain on debt extinguishment, net $ 11,505 — (12,060 ) — — — — — — — — — $ (555 ) Loss on investment, net $ (46,743 ) — — — 46,743 — — — — — — — $ — Unrealized loss on short-term investments held at period end, net $ (7,145 ) — — 7,145 — — — — — — — — $ — Other income, net $ 8,437 — — — (624 ) — — — (195 ) 203 — — $ 7,821 Income tax expense $ (57,957 ) (59 ) 2,966 15,529 156 — (38,752 ) (3,392 ) (3,953 ) (82 ) (538 ) (6,955 ) $ (93,037 ) Loss from equity method investment, net $ (7,730 ) — — — — 7,730 — — — — — — $ — Total non-GAAP adjustments $ 374 $ (9,094 ) $ 22,674 $ 46,275 $ 7,730 $ 119,170 $ 23,209 $ 13,278 $ 1,449 $ 1,640 $ 20,414 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) The following tables set forth a reconciliation of Net cash provided by operating activities to Free cash flow: 2023 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD Net cash provided by operating activities $ 115,307 $ 39,728 $ 72,808 $ 92,119 $ 319,962 Less: Purchases of property and equipment (30,017 ) (25,233 ) (27,226 ) (26,253 ) (108,729 ) Free cash flow $ 85,290 $ 14,495 $ 45,582 $ 65,866 $ 211,233 2022 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing and discontinued operations $ 116,511 $ 75,973 $ 100,735 $ 43,225 $ 336,444 Less: Purchases of property and equipment (30,502 ) (23,374 ) (26,891 ) (25,387 ) (106,154 ) Free cash flow from continuing and discontinued operations $ 86,009 $ 52,599 $ 73,844 $ 17,838 $ 230,290 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240221537366/en/ Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD) today reported unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023, and provided 2024 guidance. Contacts Alan Steier Investor Relations Ziff Davis, Inc. investor@ziffdavis.com Rebecca Wright Corporate Communications Ziff Davis, Inc. press@ziffdavis.com Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io Stock quotes supplied by Barchart Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes. By accessing this page, you agree to the following Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Ziff Davis Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results and Provides 2024 Guidance By: Ziff Davis, Inc. via Business Wire February 21, 2024 at 18:09 PM EST Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD) (“Ziff Davis” or “the Company”) today reported unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023. “We have a positive and encouraging outlook on 2024 that reflects a return to healthy growth rates at the company,” said Vivek Shah, Chief Executive Officer of Ziff Davis. “At the same time, we are well-positioned to act with conviction and decisiveness in the M&A market to further grow our business." FOURTH QUARTER 2023 RESULTS Q4 2023 quarterly revenues decreased 1.7% to $389.9 million compared to $396.7 million for Q4 2022. Income from operations decreased 13.6% to $80.7 million compared to $93.5 million for Q4 2022. Net income from continuing operations(1) decreased 8.3% to $63.4 million compared to $69.2 million for Q4 2022. Net income(1) decreased 6.1% to $63.4 million compared to $67.5 million for Q4 2022. Net income per diluted share from continuing operations(1) decreased 5.8% to $1.29 in Q4 2023 compared to $1.37 for Q4 2022. Adjusted EBITDA(2) for the quarter decreased 0.4% to $167.6 million compared to $168.3 million for Q4 2022. Adjusted net income from continuing operations(2) increased 1.0% to $107.0 million compared to $106.0 million for Q4 2022. Adjusted net income per diluted share from continuing operations(1)(2) (or “Adjusted diluted EPS”) for the quarter increased 3.1% to $2.33 compared to $2.26 for Q4 2022. Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing and discontinued operations was $92.1 million in Q4 2023 compared to $43.2 million in Q4 2022. Free cash flow(2) was $65.9 million in Q4 2023 compared to $17.8 million in Q4 2022. Ziff Davis ended the quarter with approximately $905.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments. No funds were deployed in Q4 2023 for current year acquisitions. FULL YEAR 2023 RESULTS 2023 yearly revenues decreased 1.9% to $1.36 billion compared to $1.39 billion for 2022. Income from operations decreased 33.3% to $132.6 million compared to $198.9 million for 2022 partially due to the recognition of a $56.9 million goodwill impairment during 2023, which exceeded the recognition of a $27.4 million goodwill impairment during 2022. Net income from continuing operations(1) decreased 36.6% to $41.5 million compared to $65.5 million for 2022 primarily due to the recognition of a $56.9 million goodwill impairment during 2023, which exceeded the net impact of a $20.7 million goodwill impairment, net of tax, and a $7.7 million gain on extinguishment of debt, net of tax, both of which were recognized during 2022. Net income(1) decreased 35.0% to $41.5 million compared to $63.8 million for 2022. Net income per diluted share from continuing operations(1) decreased 36.0% to $0.89 in 2023 compared to $1.39 for 2022. Adjusted EBITDA(2) for the year decreased 4.9% to $482.3 million compared to $507.2 million for 2022. Adjusted net income from continuing operations(2) decreased 8.1% to $287.4 million compared to $312.6 million for 2022. Adjusted diluted EPS(1)(2) for the year decreased 6.9% to $6.19 compared to $6.65 for 2022. Net cash provided by operating activities was $320.0 million in 2023 compared to $336.4 million in 2022. Free cash flow(2) was $211.2 million in 2023 compared to $230.3 million in 2022. Ziff Davis deployed approximately $108.5 million related to share repurchases in 2023. The following table reflects results for the three month and year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (in millions, except per share amounts). (Unaudited) Three months ended December 31, % Change Year ended December 31, % Change 2023 2022 2023 2022 Revenues Digital Media $317.9 $321.7 (1.2)% $1,072.8 $1,078.4 (0.5)% Cybersecurity and Martech $72.0 $75.0 (4.0)% $291.2 $312.6 (6.8)% Total revenues(3) $389.9 $396.7 (1.7)% $1,364.0 $1,391.0 (1.9)% Income from operations $80.7 $93.5 (13.6)% $132.6 $198.9 (33.3)% Operating income margin 20.7% 23.6% (2.9)% 9.7% 14.3% (4.6)% Net income from continuing operations $63.4 $69.2 (8.3)% $41.5 $65.5 (36.6)% Net income $63.4 $67.5 (6.1)% $41.5 $63.8 (35.0)% Net income per diluted share from continuing operations(1) $1.29 $1.37 (5.8)% $0.89 $1.39 (36.0)% Adjusted EBITDA(2) $167.6 $168.3 (0.4)% $482.3 $507.2 (4.9)% Adjusted EBITDA margin(2) 43.0% 42.4% 0.6% 35.4% 36.5% (1.1)% Adjusted net income from continuing operations(2) $107.0 $106.0 1.0% $287.4 $312.6 (8.1)% Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations(1)(2) $2.33 $2.26 3.1% $6.19 $6.65 (6.9)% Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing and discontinued operations $92.1 $43.2 n/m $320.0 $336.4 (4.9)% Free cash flow from continuing and discontinued operations(2) $65.9 $17.8 n/m $211.2 $230.3 (8.3)% Notes: (1) GAAP effective tax rates were approximately 17.0% and 27.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and 32.2% and 44.2% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Adjusted effective tax rates were approximately 22.5% and 23.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and 23.3% and 22.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. (2) For definitions of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures refer to section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” further in this report. (3) The revenues associated with each of the businesses may not foot precisely since each is presented independently. ZIFF DAVIS GUIDANCE The Company’s full year 2024 outlook is as follows (in millions, except per share data): 2023 Actual 2024 Range of Estimates Growth (unaudited) Low High Low High Revenue $ 1,364.0 $ 1,411.0 $ 1,471.0 3.4 % 7.8 % Adjusted EBITDA $ 482.3 $ 500.0 $ 521.0 3.7 % 8.0 % Adjusted diluted EPS* $ 6.19 $ 6.43 $ 6.77 3.9 % 9.4 % * Adjusted diluted EPS for 2024 excludes amortization of acquired intangibles and the impact of any currently unanticipated items, in each case net of tax. It is anticipated that the Adjusted effective tax rate for 2024 will be between 23.25% and 25.25%. A reconciliation of forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted diluted EPS to the corresponding GAAP guidance financial measures is not available without unreasonable effort due, primarily, to variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections of non-operating matters that may arise in the future. Earnings Conference Call and Audio Webcast Ziff Davis will host a live audio webcast and conference call discussing its fourth quarter and year-end 2023 financial results on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 8:30AM ET. The live webcast and call will be accessible by phone by dialing (844) 985-2014 or via www.ziffdavis.com. Following the event, the audio recording and presentation materials will be archived and made available at www.ziffdavis.com. About Ziff Davis Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD) is a vertically focused digital media and internet company whose portfolio includes leading brands in technology, shopping, gaming and entertainment, connectivity, health, cybersecurity, and martech. For more information, visit www.ziffdavis.com. “Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this Press Release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those contained in Vivek Shah’s quote and the “Ziff Davis Guidance” section regarding the Company’s expected fiscal 2024 financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors and uncertainties include, among other items: the Company’s ability to grow advertising, licensing, and subscription revenues, profitability, and cash flows, particularly in light of an uncertain U.S. or worldwide economy, including the possibility of economic downturn or recession; the Company’s ability to make interest and debt payments; the Company’s ability to identify, close, and successfully transition acquisitions; subscriber growth and retention; the Company’s ability to create compelling content; our reliance on third-party platforms; the threat of content piracy and developments related to artificial intelligence; increased competition and rapid technological changes; variability of the Company’s revenue based on changing conditions in particular industries and the economy generally; protection of the Company’s proprietary technology or infringement by the Company of intellectual property of others; the risk of losing critical third-party vendors or key personnel; the risks associated with fraudulent activity, system failure, or a security breach; risks related to our ability to adhere to our internal controls and procedures; the risk of adverse changes in the U.S. or international regulatory environments, including but not limited to the imposition or increase of taxes or regulatory-related fees; the risks related to supply chain disruptions, inflationary conditions, and rising interest rates; the risk of liability for legal and other claims; and the numerous other factors set forth in Ziff Davis’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting Ziff Davis, refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other reports filed by Ziff Davis from time-to-time with the SEC, each of which is available at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements provided in this press release, including those contained in Vivek Shah’s quote and in the “Ziff Davis Guidance” portion regarding the Company’s expected fiscal 2024 financial performance are based on limited information available to the Company at this time, which is subject to change. Although management’s expectations may change after the date of this Press Release, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these statements. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) December 31, 2023 2022 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 737,612 $ 652,793 Short-term investments 27,109 58,421 Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $6,871 and $6,868, respectively 337,703 304,739 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 88,570 68,319 Total current assets 1,190,994 1,084,272 Long-term investments 140,906 127,871 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $327,015 and $255,586, respectively 188,169 178,184 Intangible assets, net 325,406 462,815 Goodwill 1,546,065 1,591,474 Deferred income taxes 8,731 8,523 Other assets 70,751 80,131 TOTAL ASSETS $ 3,471,022 $ 3,533,270 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Accounts payable $ 123,256 $ 120,829 Accrued employee related costs 50,068 42,178 Other accrued liabilities 43,612 39,539 Income taxes payable, current 14,458 19,712 Deferred revenue, current 184,549 187,904 Other current liabilities 15,890 22,286 Total current liabilities 431,833 432,448 Long-term debt 1,001,312 999,053 Deferred revenue, noncurrent 8,169 9,103 Deferred income taxes 45,503 79,007 Income taxes payable, noncurrent 8,486 11,675 Other long-term liabilities 82,721 109,373 TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,578,024 1,640,659 Common stock 461 473 Additional paid-in capital 472,201 439,681 Retained earnings 1,491,956 1,537,830 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (71,620 ) (85,373 ) TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 1,892,998 1,892,611 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 3,471,022 $ 3,533,270 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) Three months ended December 31, Year ended December 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Total revenues $ 389,885 $ 396,700 $ 1,364,028 $ 1,390,997 Operating costs and expenses: Direct costs 48,615 50,847 197,292 195,554 Sales and marketing 126,449 129,764 487,365 490,777 Research, development, and engineering 15,532 18,210 68,860 74,093 General, administrative, and other related costs 118,569 104,421 421,050 404,263 Goodwill impairment on business — — 56,850 27,369 Total operating costs and expenses 309,165 303,242 1,231,417 1,192,056 Income from operations 80,720 93,458 132,611 198,941 Interest expense, net (2,251 ) (5,423 ) (20,031 ) (33,842 ) Gain on debt extinguishment, net — — — 11,505 Gain (loss) on investments, net — 1,029 357 (46,743 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net 1,065 7,020 (28,495 ) (7,145 ) Other (loss) income, net (3,486 ) (4,525 ) (9,468 ) 8,437 Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income (loss) from equity method investment, net 76,048 91,559 74,974 131,153 Income tax expense (12,962 ) (24,726 ) (24,142 ) (57,957 ) Income (loss) from equity method investment, net of income taxes 336 2,347 (9,329 ) (7,730 ) Net income from continuing operations 63,422 69,180 41,503 65,466 Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes — (1,709 ) — (1,709 ) Net income $ 63,422 $ 67,471 $ 41,503 $ 63,757 Net income per common share from continuing operations: Basic $ 1.39 $ 1.47 $ 0.89 $ 1.39 Diluted $ 1.29 $ 1.37 $ 0.89 $ 1.39 Net loss per common share from discontinued operations: Basic $ — $ (0.04 ) $ — $ (0.04 ) Diluted $ — $ (0.03 ) $ — $ (0.04 ) Net income per common share: Basic $ 1.39 $ 1.44 $ 0.89 $ 1.36 Diluted $ 1.29 $ 1.34 $ 0.89 $ 1.36 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 45,772,689 46,915,647 46,400,941 46,954,558 Diluted 50,985,086 52,114,995 46,464,261 47,025,849 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Year ended December 31, 2023 2022 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 41,503 $ 63,757 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 236,966 233,400 Non-cash operating lease costs 11,141 13,412 Share-based compensation 31,920 26,601 Provision for credit losses (benefit) on accounts receivable 2,809 (255 ) Deferred income taxes, net (30,017 ) (12,991 ) Gain on extinguishment of debt, net — (11,505 ) Goodwill impairment on business 56,850 27,369 Changes in fair value of contingent consideration (200 ) (2,575 ) Loss from equity method investments 9,329 7,730 Unrealized loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date 28,495 7,145 (Gain) loss on investment, net (357 ) 46,743 Other 5,159 3,637 Decrease (increase) in: Accounts receivable (35,371 ) 14,948 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (8,700 ) 9,665 Other assets (5,574 ) (16,240 ) Increase (decrease) in: Accounts payable 9,419 (20,246 ) Deferred revenue (6,802 ) (20,962 ) Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities (26,608 ) (33,189 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 319,962 336,444 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (108,729 ) (106,154 ) Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received (9,492 ) (104,094 ) Investment in available-for-sale securities — (15,000 ) Purchase of equity investments (11,858 ) — Proceeds from sale of equity investments 3,174 4,527 Other (503 ) (50 ) Net cash used in investing activities (127,408 ) (220,771 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Payment of debt — (166,904 ) Proceeds from term loan — 112,286 Debt extinguishment costs — (756 ) Repurchase of common stock (108,527 ) (78,291 ) Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan 8,727 9,431 Proceeds from exercise of stock options — 148 Deferred payments for acquisitions (15,241 ) (16,116 ) Other 250 (630 ) Net cash used in financing activities (114,791 ) (140,832 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 7,056 (16,890 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents 84,819 (42,049 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 652,793 694,842 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 737,612 $ 652,793 Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted net income (loss) or Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations, Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share or Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share from continuing operations, Free cash flow, and Adjusted effective tax rate (collectively the “non-GAAP financial measures”). The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. We use these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance and liquidity by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of our recurring core business operating results or, in certain cases, may be non-cash in nature. We believe that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting, and analyzing future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparisons to our historical performance and liquidity. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors both because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision-making and (2) they are used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the health of our business. These non-GAAP financial measures are not measures presented in accordance with GAAP, and our use of these terms may vary from that of other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. These non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company’s results of operations determined in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures exclude the certain items listed below. We believe that excluding these items from the non-GAAP measures facilitates comparisons to historical operating results and comparisons to peers, many of which exclude similar items. We believe that non-GAAP financial measures excluding these items provide meaningful supplemental information regarding operational performance. We further believe these measures are useful to investors in that they allow for greater transparency of certain line items in the Company’s financial statements. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Net income (loss) or Net income (loss) from continuing operations with adjustments to reflect the addition or elimination of certain items including: Interest expense, net. Interest expense is generated primarily from interest due on outstanding debt, partially offset by interest income generated from the interest earned on cash, cash equivalents, and investments; (Gain) loss on debt extinguishment, net. This is a non-cash expense that relates to a non-cash debt-for-equity exchange effectuated to settle amounts of senior secured term loans of the Company under its Credit Agreement with common stock of Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (“Consensus”) owned by the Company. We believe this (gain) loss does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on sale of business. This gain or loss relates to the sales of businesses and does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net. This is a non-cash item as it relates to the change in the carrying value of our investment in Consensus depending on the share price of Consensus common stock and does not represent core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on investments, net. This item relates to the disposition of a portion of our investment in Consensus. The amount of gain or loss depends on the share price of Consensus common stock and does not represent core business operating results of the Company; Other (income) expense, net. This income or expense relates to other non-operating items and does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; Income tax (benefit) expense. This benefit or expense depends on the pre-tax loss or income of the Company, statutory tax rates, tax regulations and different tax rates in various jurisdictions in which the Company operates and which the Company does not have the control over; (Income) loss from equity method investments, net. This is a non-cash expense as it relates to our investment in OCV Fund I, LP (the “Fund”). We believe that gain or loss resulting from our equity method investment does not represent core business operating results of the Company; Depreciation and amortization. This is a non-cash expense as it relates to use and associated reduction in value of certain assets including equipment, fixtures, and certain capitalized internal-used software and website development costs, and identifiable definite-lived intangible assets of the acquired businesses. This also includes the reduction in value of certain acquired intangible assets that represent the cost incurred by the acquiree to build value prior to the acquisition and the amortization of this cost does not represent core business operating results of the Company; Share-based compensation. This is a non-cash expense as it relates to awards granted under the various share-based incentive plans of the Company. We view the economic cost of share-based awards to be the dilution to our share base; Acquisition, integration, and other costs, including adjustments to contingent consideration, lease terminations, retention bonuses, other acquisition-specific items, and other costs, such as severance and legal settlements. These expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Disposal related costs associated with disposal of certain businesses. These are expenses associated with the disposal of certain businesses that do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Lease asset impairments and other charges. These expenses are incurred in connection with impaired right-of-use (“ROU”) assets of the Company. Associated expenses are comprised of insurance, utility, and other charges related to assets that are no longer in use, and partially offset by the sublease income earned. These expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; and Goodwill impairment on business. This is a non-cash expense that is recorded when the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value and does not represent core business operating results of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by Total revenues. Adjusted net income (loss) or Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations is defined as Net income (loss) or Net income (loss) from continuing operations with adjustments to reflect the addition or elimination of certain statement of operations items including, but not limited to: Interest costs, net. This reflects the difference between the imputed and coupon interest expense associated with the 4.625% Senior Notes and a charge that the Company determined to be penalty interest associated with the 1.75% Convertible Notes in each period presented, offset in part by a certain interest income earned by the Company. These net expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on debt extinguishment, net. This is a non-cash expense that relates to a non-cash debt-for-equity exchange effectuated to settle amounts of senior secured term loans of the Company under its Credit Agreement with common stock of Consensus owned by the Company. We believe this gain or loss does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on sale of business. This gain or loss relates to the sales of businesses and does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net. This is a non-cash item as it relates to the change in the carrying value of our investment in Consensus depending on the share price of Consensus common stock and does not represent core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on investments, net. This item relates to the disposition of a portion of our investment in Consensus. The amount of gain or loss depends on the share price of Consensus common stock and does not represent core business operating results of the Company; (Income) loss from equity method investments, net. This is a non-cash income or expense as it relates to our investment in the OCV Fund. We believe that gains or losses resulting from our equity method investment do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Amortization of patents and intangible assets that we acquired. This is a non-cash expense as it primarily relates to identifiable definite-lived intangible assets of the acquired businesses. We believe that acquired intangible assets represent cost incurred by the acquiree to build value prior to the acquisition and the amortization of this cost does not represent core business operating results of the Company; Share-based compensation. This is a non-cash expense as it relates to awards granted under the various incentive plans of the Company. We view the economic cost of share-based awards to be the dilution to our share base; Acquisition, integration and other costs, including adjustments to contingent consideration, lease terminations, retention bonuses, other acquisition-specific items, and other costs, such as severance and legal settlements. These expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Disposal related costs associated with disposal of certain businesses. These are expenses associated with the disposal of certain businesses that do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Lease asset impairments and other charges. These are expenses incurred in connection with impaired ROU assets of the Company. Associated expenses are comprised of insurance, utility, and other charges related to assets that are no longer in use, and partially offset by the sublease income earned. These expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; and Goodwill impairment on business. This is a non-cash expense that is recorded when the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value and does not represent core business operating results of the Company. Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share or Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share from continuing operations is calculated by dividing Adjusted net income (loss) or Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations by the diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding that excludes the effect of convertible debt dilution. Free cash flow is defined as Net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property and equipment, plus changes in contingent consideration. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) The following table sets forth a reconciliation of Net income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA: Three months ended December 31, Year ended December 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net income from continuing operations $ 63,422 $ 69,180 $ 41,503 $ 65,466 Interest expense, net 2,251 5,423 20,031 33,842 Gain on debt extinguishment, net — — — (11,505 ) Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (1,065 ) (7,020 ) 28,495 7,145 (Gain) loss on investments, net — (1,029 ) (357 ) 46,743 Other loss (income), net 3,486 4,525 9,468 (8,437 ) Income tax expense 12,962 24,726 24,142 57,957 (Income) loss from equity method investment, net (336 ) (2,347 ) 7,829 7,730 Depreciation and amortization 69,633 58,520 236,966 233,400 Share-based compensation 7,527 5,795 31,920 26,601 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 9,649 9,753 21,000 17,426 Disposal related costs 375 — 2,217 1,328 Lease asset impairments and other charges (338 ) 778 2,245 2,178 Goodwill impairment on business — — 56,850 27,369 Adjusted EBITDA $ 167,566 $ 168,304 $ 482,309 $ 507,243 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) The following table sets forth Revenues and a reconciliation of Income (loss) from operations to Adjusted EBITDA by segment: Three months ended December 31, 2023 Digital Media Cybersecurity and Martech Corporate Total Revenues $ 317,939 $ 71,946 $ — $ 389,885 Income (loss) from operations $ 88,709 $ 5,430 $ (13,419 ) $ 80,720 Depreciation and amortization 51,168 18,457 8 69,633 Share-based compensation 2,661 932 3,934 7,527 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 9,220 420 9 9,649 Disposal related costs 251 — 124 375 Lease asset impairments and other charges (544 ) 206 — (338 ) Adjusted EBITDA $ 151,465 $ 25,445 $ (9,344 ) $ 167,566 Three months ended December 31, 2022 Digital Media Cybersecurity and Martech Corporate Total Revenues $ 321,670 $ 75,030 $ — $ 396,700 Income (loss) from operations $ 95,015 $ 11,554 $ (13,111 ) $ 93,458 Depreciation and amortization 46,361 12,149 10 58,520 Share-based compensation 2,225 563 3,007 5,795 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 7,784 1,179 790 9,753 Lease asset impairments and other charges 791 (13 ) — 778 Adjusted EBITDA $ 152,176 $ 25,432 $ (9,304 ) $ 168,304 Figures above are net of intercompany costs and revenues. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Year ended December 31, 2023 Digital Media Cybersecurity and Martech Corporate Total Revenues $ 1,072,819 $ 291,209 $ — $ 1,364,028 Income (loss) from operations $ 140,839 $ 43,210 $ (51,438 ) $ 132,611 Income from equity method investment, net — — (1,500 ) (1,500 ) Depreciation and amortization 184,320 52,618 28 236,966 Share-based compensation 12,680 4,186 15,054 31,920 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 19,913 887 200 21,000 Disposal related costs 704 202 1,311 2,217 Lease asset impairments and other charges 1,774 471 — 2,245 Goodwill impairment on a business 56,850 — — 56,850 Adjusted EBITDA $ 417,080 $ 101,574 $ (36,345 ) $ 482,309 Year ended December 31, 2022 Digital Media Cybersecurity and Martech Corporate Total Revenues $ 1,078,391 $ 312,606 $ — $ 1,390,997 Income (loss) from operations $ 198,171 $ 50,960 $ (50,190 ) $ 198,941 Depreciation and amortization 184,658 48,714 28 233,400 Share-based compensation 10,433 4,280 11,888 26,601 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 14,121 2,111 1,194 17,426 Disposal related costs 11 — 1,317 1,328 Lease asset impairments and other charges 1,631 547 — 2,178 Goodwill impairment on a business 27,369 — — 27,369 Adjusted EBITDA $ 436,394 $ 106,612 $ (35,763 ) $ 507,243 Figures above are net of intercompany costs and revenues. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) The following tables set forth a reconciliation of Net income from continuing operations to Adjusted net income from continuing operations with adjustments presented on after-tax basis: Three months ended December 31, 2023 Per diluted share* 2022 Per diluted share* Net income from continuing operations $ 63,422 $ 1.29 $ 69,180 $ 1.37 Interest costs, net (20 ) — 120 — Loss on sale of business 276 0.01 — — Unrealized gain on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (775 ) (0.02 ) (2,839 ) (0.06 ) Gain on investments, net — — (1,024 ) (0.02 ) Income from equity method investment, net (336 ) (0.01 ) (2,347 ) (0.05 ) Amortization 31,105 0.68 28,696 0.61 Share-based compensation 6,289 0.14 6,044 0.13 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 7,011 0.15 7,401 0.16 Disposal related costs 238 0.01 395 0.01 Lease asset impairments and other charges (224 ) — 559 0.01 Goodwill impairment on business — — (222 ) — Dilutive effect of the convertible debt — 0.08 — 0.10 Adjusted net income from continuing operations $ 106,986 $ 2.33 $ 105,963 $ 2.26 Year ended December 31, 2023 Per diluted share* 2022 Per diluted share* Net income from continuing operations $ 41,503 $ 0.89 $ 65,466 $ 1.39 Interest costs, net 5,881 0.13 374 0.01 Gain on debt extinguishment, net — — (9,094 ) (0.19 ) Loss on sale of business 3,797 0.08 — — Unrealized loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net 21,371 0.46 22,674 0.48 (Gain) loss on investments, net (268 ) (0.01 ) 46,275 0.99 Loss from equity method investment, net 8,204 0.18 7,730 0.16 Amortization 106,593 2.30 119,170 2.53 Share-based compensation 27,100 0.58 23,209 0.49 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 13,498 0.29 13,278 0.28 Disposal related costs 1,538 0.03 1,449 0.03 Lease asset impairment and other charges 1,295 0.04 1,640 0.03 Goodwill impairment on business 56,850 1.22 20,414 0.43 Dilutive effect of the convertible debt — — — 0.02 Adjusted net income from continuing operations $ 287,362 $ 6.19 $ 312,585 $ 6.65 * The reconciliation of Net income from continuing operations per diluted share to Adjusted net income from continuing operations per diluted share may not foot since each is calculated independently. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) The following are the adjustments to certain statement of operations items used to derive Adjusted net income, which we believe provide useful information about our operating results and enhance the overall understanding of past financial performance and future prospects of the Company. Three months ended December 31, 2023 GAAP amount Adjustments Adjusted non-GAAP amount Interest costs, net (Gain) loss on sale of business Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (Income) loss from equity method investments, net Amortization Share-based compensation Acquisition, integration, and other costs Disposal related costs Lease asset impairments and other charges Direct costs $ (48,615 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 124 $ 15 $ 2,561 $ — $ — $ (45,915 ) Sales and marketing $ (126,449 ) — — — — — 392 1,668 — — $ (124,389 ) Research, development, and engineering $ (15,532 ) — — — — — 660 177 — — $ (14,695 ) General, administrative, and other related costs $ (118,569 ) — — — — 44,867 6,460 5,243 375 (338 ) $ (61,962 ) Interest expense, net $ (2,251 ) (11 ) — — — — — — — — $ (2,262 ) Unrealized gain on short-term investments held at period end, net $ 1,065 — — (1,065 ) — — — — — — $ — Other loss, net $ (3,486 ) — 422 — — — — 459 — — $ (2,605 ) Income tax expense $ (12,962 ) (9 ) (146 ) 290 — (13,886 ) (1,238 ) (3,097 ) (137 ) 114 $ (31,071 ) Income from equity method investment, net $ 336 — — — (336 ) — — — — — $ — Total non-GAAP adjustments $ (20 ) $ 276 $ (775 ) $ (336 ) $ 31,105 $ 6,289 $ 7,011 $ 238 $ (224 ) ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Three months ended December 31, 2022 GAAP amount Adjustments Interest costs, net Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (Gain) loss on investments, net (Income) loss from equity method investments, net Amortization Share-based compensation Acquisition, integration, and other costs Disposal related costs Lease asset impairments and other charges Goodwill impairment of business Adjusted non-GAAP amount Direct costs $ (50,847 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 221 $ 52 $ 245 $ — $ — $ — $ (50,329 ) Sales and marketing $ (129,764 ) — — — — — 636 3,825 — — — $ (125,303 ) Research, development, and engineering $ (18,210 ) — — — — — 455 528 — — — $ (17,227 ) General, administrative, and other related costs $ (104,421 ) — — — — 37,641 4,652 5,155 — 778 — $ (56,195 ) Interest expense, net $ (5,423 ) 96 — — — — — — — — — $ (5,327 ) Gain on investment, net $ 1,029 — — (1,029 ) — — — — — — — $ — Unrealized gain on short-term investments held at period end, net $ 7,020 — (7,020 ) — — — — — — — — $ — Other loss, net $ (4,525 ) — — — — — — (195 ) 314 — — $ (4,406 ) Income tax expense $ (24,726 ) 24 4,181 5 — (9,166 ) 249 (2,157 ) 81 (219 ) (222 ) $ (31,950 ) Income from equity method investment, net $ 2,347 — — — (2,347 ) — — — — — — $ — Total non-GAAP adjustments $ 120 $ (2,839 ) $ (1,024 ) $ (2,347 ) $ 28,696 $ 6,044 $ 7,401 $ 395 $ 559 $ (222 ) ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Year ended December 31, 2023 GAAP amount Adjustments Adjusted non-GAAP amount Interest costs, net (Gain) loss on sale of business Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (Gain) loss on investments, net (Income) loss from equity method investments, net Amortization Share-based compensation Acquisition, integration, and other costs Disposal related costs Lease asset impairments and other charges Goodwill impairment of business Direct costs $ (197,292 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 667 $ 262 $ 2,752 $ — $ — $ — $ (193,611 ) Sales and marketing $ (487,365 ) — — — — — — 2,686 4,796 4 — — $ (479,879 ) Research, development, and engineering $ (68,860 ) — — — — — — 3,245 712 3 — — $ (64,900 ) General, administrative, and other related costs $ (421,050 ) — — — — (1,500 ) 144,904 25,727 12,740 2,210 2,245 — $ (234,724 ) Goodwill impairment on business $ (56,850 ) — — — — — — — — — — 56,850 $ — Interest expense, net $ (20,031 ) 7,797 (538 ) — — — — — — — — — $ (12,772 ) Gain on investment, net $ 357 — — — (357 ) — — — — — — — $ — Unrealized loss on short-term investments held at period end, net $ (28,495 ) — — 28,495 — — — — — — — — $ — Other loss, net $ (9,468 ) — 5,655 — — — — — 459 — — — $ (3,354 ) Income tax expense $ (24,142 ) (1,916 ) (1,320 ) (7,124 ) 89 375 (38,978 ) (4,820 ) (7,961 ) (679 ) (950 ) — $ (87,426 ) Loss from equity method investment, net $ (9,329 ) — — — — 9,329 — — — — — — $ — Total non-GAAP adjustments $ 5,881 $ 3,797 $ 21,371 $ (268 ) $ 8,204 $ 106,593 $ 27,100 $ 13,498 $ 1,538 $ 1,295 $ 56,850 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Year ended December 31, 2022 GAAP amount Adjustments Adjusted non-GAAP amount Interest costs, net (Gain) loss on debt extinguishment Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (Gain) loss on investments, net (Income) loss from equity method investments, net Amortization Share-based compensation Acquisition, integration, and other costs Disposal related costs Lease asset impairments and other charges Goodwill impairment of business Direct costs $ (195,554 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,000 $ 341 $ 364 $ — $ — $ — $ (193,849 ) Sales and marketing $ (490,777 ) — — — — — — 3,083 6,293 — — — $ (481,401 ) Research, development, and engineering $ (74,093 ) — — — — — — 2,503 1,199 — — — $ (70,391 ) General, administrative, and other related costs $ (404,263 ) — — — — — 156,922 20,674 9,570 1,328 2,178 — $ (213,591 ) Goodwill impairment on business $ (27,369 ) — — — — — — — — — — 27,369 $ — Interest expense, net $ (33,842 ) 433 — — — — — — — — — — $ (33,409 ) Gain on debt extinguishment, net $ 11,505 — (12,060 ) — — — — — — — — — $ (555 ) Loss on investment, net $ (46,743 ) — — — 46,743 — — — — — — — $ — Unrealized loss on short-term investments held at period end, net $ (7,145 ) — — 7,145 — — — — — — — — $ — Other income, net $ 8,437 — — — (624 ) — — — (195 ) 203 — — $ 7,821 Income tax expense $ (57,957 ) (59 ) 2,966 15,529 156 — (38,752 ) (3,392 ) (3,953 ) (82 ) (538 ) (6,955 ) $ (93,037 ) Loss from equity method investment, net $ (7,730 ) — — — — 7,730 — — — — — — $ — Total non-GAAP adjustments $ 374 $ (9,094 ) $ 22,674 $ 46,275 $ 7,730 $ 119,170 $ 23,209 $ 13,278 $ 1,449 $ 1,640 $ 20,414 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) The following tables set forth a reconciliation of Net cash provided by operating activities to Free cash flow: 2023 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD Net cash provided by operating activities $ 115,307 $ 39,728 $ 72,808 $ 92,119 $ 319,962 Less: Purchases of property and equipment (30,017 ) (25,233 ) (27,226 ) (26,253 ) (108,729 ) Free cash flow $ 85,290 $ 14,495 $ 45,582 $ 65,866 $ 211,233 2022 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing and discontinued operations $ 116,511 $ 75,973 $ 100,735 $ 43,225 $ 336,444 Less: Purchases of property and equipment (30,502 ) (23,374 ) (26,891 ) (25,387 ) (106,154 ) Free cash flow from continuing and discontinued operations $ 86,009 $ 52,599 $ 73,844 $ 17,838 $ 230,290 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240221537366/en/ Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD) today reported unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023, and provided 2024 guidance. Contacts Alan Steier Investor Relations Ziff Davis, Inc. investor@ziffdavis.com Rebecca Wright Corporate Communications Ziff Davis, Inc. press@ziffdavis.com
Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD) (“Ziff Davis” or “the Company”) today reported unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023. “We have a positive and encouraging outlook on 2024 that reflects a return to healthy growth rates at the company,” said Vivek Shah, Chief Executive Officer of Ziff Davis. “At the same time, we are well-positioned to act with conviction and decisiveness in the M&A market to further grow our business." FOURTH QUARTER 2023 RESULTS Q4 2023 quarterly revenues decreased 1.7% to $389.9 million compared to $396.7 million for Q4 2022. Income from operations decreased 13.6% to $80.7 million compared to $93.5 million for Q4 2022. Net income from continuing operations(1) decreased 8.3% to $63.4 million compared to $69.2 million for Q4 2022. Net income(1) decreased 6.1% to $63.4 million compared to $67.5 million for Q4 2022. Net income per diluted share from continuing operations(1) decreased 5.8% to $1.29 in Q4 2023 compared to $1.37 for Q4 2022. Adjusted EBITDA(2) for the quarter decreased 0.4% to $167.6 million compared to $168.3 million for Q4 2022. Adjusted net income from continuing operations(2) increased 1.0% to $107.0 million compared to $106.0 million for Q4 2022. Adjusted net income per diluted share from continuing operations(1)(2) (or “Adjusted diluted EPS”) for the quarter increased 3.1% to $2.33 compared to $2.26 for Q4 2022. Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing and discontinued operations was $92.1 million in Q4 2023 compared to $43.2 million in Q4 2022. Free cash flow(2) was $65.9 million in Q4 2023 compared to $17.8 million in Q4 2022. Ziff Davis ended the quarter with approximately $905.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments. No funds were deployed in Q4 2023 for current year acquisitions. FULL YEAR 2023 RESULTS 2023 yearly revenues decreased 1.9% to $1.36 billion compared to $1.39 billion for 2022. Income from operations decreased 33.3% to $132.6 million compared to $198.9 million for 2022 partially due to the recognition of a $56.9 million goodwill impairment during 2023, which exceeded the recognition of a $27.4 million goodwill impairment during 2022. Net income from continuing operations(1) decreased 36.6% to $41.5 million compared to $65.5 million for 2022 primarily due to the recognition of a $56.9 million goodwill impairment during 2023, which exceeded the net impact of a $20.7 million goodwill impairment, net of tax, and a $7.7 million gain on extinguishment of debt, net of tax, both of which were recognized during 2022. Net income(1) decreased 35.0% to $41.5 million compared to $63.8 million for 2022. Net income per diluted share from continuing operations(1) decreased 36.0% to $0.89 in 2023 compared to $1.39 for 2022. Adjusted EBITDA(2) for the year decreased 4.9% to $482.3 million compared to $507.2 million for 2022. Adjusted net income from continuing operations(2) decreased 8.1% to $287.4 million compared to $312.6 million for 2022. Adjusted diluted EPS(1)(2) for the year decreased 6.9% to $6.19 compared to $6.65 for 2022. Net cash provided by operating activities was $320.0 million in 2023 compared to $336.4 million in 2022. Free cash flow(2) was $211.2 million in 2023 compared to $230.3 million in 2022. Ziff Davis deployed approximately $108.5 million related to share repurchases in 2023. The following table reflects results for the three month and year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (in millions, except per share amounts). (Unaudited) Three months ended December 31, % Change Year ended December 31, % Change 2023 2022 2023 2022 Revenues Digital Media $317.9 $321.7 (1.2)% $1,072.8 $1,078.4 (0.5)% Cybersecurity and Martech $72.0 $75.0 (4.0)% $291.2 $312.6 (6.8)% Total revenues(3) $389.9 $396.7 (1.7)% $1,364.0 $1,391.0 (1.9)% Income from operations $80.7 $93.5 (13.6)% $132.6 $198.9 (33.3)% Operating income margin 20.7% 23.6% (2.9)% 9.7% 14.3% (4.6)% Net income from continuing operations $63.4 $69.2 (8.3)% $41.5 $65.5 (36.6)% Net income $63.4 $67.5 (6.1)% $41.5 $63.8 (35.0)% Net income per diluted share from continuing operations(1) $1.29 $1.37 (5.8)% $0.89 $1.39 (36.0)% Adjusted EBITDA(2) $167.6 $168.3 (0.4)% $482.3 $507.2 (4.9)% Adjusted EBITDA margin(2) 43.0% 42.4% 0.6% 35.4% 36.5% (1.1)% Adjusted net income from continuing operations(2) $107.0 $106.0 1.0% $287.4 $312.6 (8.1)% Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations(1)(2) $2.33 $2.26 3.1% $6.19 $6.65 (6.9)% Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing and discontinued operations $92.1 $43.2 n/m $320.0 $336.4 (4.9)% Free cash flow from continuing and discontinued operations(2) $65.9 $17.8 n/m $211.2 $230.3 (8.3)% Notes: (1) GAAP effective tax rates were approximately 17.0% and 27.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and 32.2% and 44.2% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Adjusted effective tax rates were approximately 22.5% and 23.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and 23.3% and 22.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. (2) For definitions of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures refer to section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” further in this report. (3) The revenues associated with each of the businesses may not foot precisely since each is presented independently. ZIFF DAVIS GUIDANCE The Company’s full year 2024 outlook is as follows (in millions, except per share data): 2023 Actual 2024 Range of Estimates Growth (unaudited) Low High Low High Revenue $ 1,364.0 $ 1,411.0 $ 1,471.0 3.4 % 7.8 % Adjusted EBITDA $ 482.3 $ 500.0 $ 521.0 3.7 % 8.0 % Adjusted diluted EPS* $ 6.19 $ 6.43 $ 6.77 3.9 % 9.4 % * Adjusted diluted EPS for 2024 excludes amortization of acquired intangibles and the impact of any currently unanticipated items, in each case net of tax. It is anticipated that the Adjusted effective tax rate for 2024 will be between 23.25% and 25.25%. A reconciliation of forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted diluted EPS to the corresponding GAAP guidance financial measures is not available without unreasonable effort due, primarily, to variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections of non-operating matters that may arise in the future. Earnings Conference Call and Audio Webcast Ziff Davis will host a live audio webcast and conference call discussing its fourth quarter and year-end 2023 financial results on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 8:30AM ET. The live webcast and call will be accessible by phone by dialing (844) 985-2014 or via www.ziffdavis.com. Following the event, the audio recording and presentation materials will be archived and made available at www.ziffdavis.com. About Ziff Davis Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD) is a vertically focused digital media and internet company whose portfolio includes leading brands in technology, shopping, gaming and entertainment, connectivity, health, cybersecurity, and martech. For more information, visit www.ziffdavis.com. “Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this Press Release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those contained in Vivek Shah’s quote and the “Ziff Davis Guidance” section regarding the Company’s expected fiscal 2024 financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors and uncertainties include, among other items: the Company’s ability to grow advertising, licensing, and subscription revenues, profitability, and cash flows, particularly in light of an uncertain U.S. or worldwide economy, including the possibility of economic downturn or recession; the Company’s ability to make interest and debt payments; the Company’s ability to identify, close, and successfully transition acquisitions; subscriber growth and retention; the Company’s ability to create compelling content; our reliance on third-party platforms; the threat of content piracy and developments related to artificial intelligence; increased competition and rapid technological changes; variability of the Company’s revenue based on changing conditions in particular industries and the economy generally; protection of the Company’s proprietary technology or infringement by the Company of intellectual property of others; the risk of losing critical third-party vendors or key personnel; the risks associated with fraudulent activity, system failure, or a security breach; risks related to our ability to adhere to our internal controls and procedures; the risk of adverse changes in the U.S. or international regulatory environments, including but not limited to the imposition or increase of taxes or regulatory-related fees; the risks related to supply chain disruptions, inflationary conditions, and rising interest rates; the risk of liability for legal and other claims; and the numerous other factors set forth in Ziff Davis’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting Ziff Davis, refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other reports filed by Ziff Davis from time-to-time with the SEC, each of which is available at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements provided in this press release, including those contained in Vivek Shah’s quote and in the “Ziff Davis Guidance” portion regarding the Company’s expected fiscal 2024 financial performance are based on limited information available to the Company at this time, which is subject to change. Although management’s expectations may change after the date of this Press Release, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these statements. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) December 31, 2023 2022 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 737,612 $ 652,793 Short-term investments 27,109 58,421 Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $6,871 and $6,868, respectively 337,703 304,739 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 88,570 68,319 Total current assets 1,190,994 1,084,272 Long-term investments 140,906 127,871 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $327,015 and $255,586, respectively 188,169 178,184 Intangible assets, net 325,406 462,815 Goodwill 1,546,065 1,591,474 Deferred income taxes 8,731 8,523 Other assets 70,751 80,131 TOTAL ASSETS $ 3,471,022 $ 3,533,270 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Accounts payable $ 123,256 $ 120,829 Accrued employee related costs 50,068 42,178 Other accrued liabilities 43,612 39,539 Income taxes payable, current 14,458 19,712 Deferred revenue, current 184,549 187,904 Other current liabilities 15,890 22,286 Total current liabilities 431,833 432,448 Long-term debt 1,001,312 999,053 Deferred revenue, noncurrent 8,169 9,103 Deferred income taxes 45,503 79,007 Income taxes payable, noncurrent 8,486 11,675 Other long-term liabilities 82,721 109,373 TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,578,024 1,640,659 Common stock 461 473 Additional paid-in capital 472,201 439,681 Retained earnings 1,491,956 1,537,830 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (71,620 ) (85,373 ) TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 1,892,998 1,892,611 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 3,471,022 $ 3,533,270 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) Three months ended December 31, Year ended December 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Total revenues $ 389,885 $ 396,700 $ 1,364,028 $ 1,390,997 Operating costs and expenses: Direct costs 48,615 50,847 197,292 195,554 Sales and marketing 126,449 129,764 487,365 490,777 Research, development, and engineering 15,532 18,210 68,860 74,093 General, administrative, and other related costs 118,569 104,421 421,050 404,263 Goodwill impairment on business — — 56,850 27,369 Total operating costs and expenses 309,165 303,242 1,231,417 1,192,056 Income from operations 80,720 93,458 132,611 198,941 Interest expense, net (2,251 ) (5,423 ) (20,031 ) (33,842 ) Gain on debt extinguishment, net — — — 11,505 Gain (loss) on investments, net — 1,029 357 (46,743 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net 1,065 7,020 (28,495 ) (7,145 ) Other (loss) income, net (3,486 ) (4,525 ) (9,468 ) 8,437 Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income (loss) from equity method investment, net 76,048 91,559 74,974 131,153 Income tax expense (12,962 ) (24,726 ) (24,142 ) (57,957 ) Income (loss) from equity method investment, net of income taxes 336 2,347 (9,329 ) (7,730 ) Net income from continuing operations 63,422 69,180 41,503 65,466 Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes — (1,709 ) — (1,709 ) Net income $ 63,422 $ 67,471 $ 41,503 $ 63,757 Net income per common share from continuing operations: Basic $ 1.39 $ 1.47 $ 0.89 $ 1.39 Diluted $ 1.29 $ 1.37 $ 0.89 $ 1.39 Net loss per common share from discontinued operations: Basic $ — $ (0.04 ) $ — $ (0.04 ) Diluted $ — $ (0.03 ) $ — $ (0.04 ) Net income per common share: Basic $ 1.39 $ 1.44 $ 0.89 $ 1.36 Diluted $ 1.29 $ 1.34 $ 0.89 $ 1.36 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 45,772,689 46,915,647 46,400,941 46,954,558 Diluted 50,985,086 52,114,995 46,464,261 47,025,849 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Year ended December 31, 2023 2022 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 41,503 $ 63,757 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 236,966 233,400 Non-cash operating lease costs 11,141 13,412 Share-based compensation 31,920 26,601 Provision for credit losses (benefit) on accounts receivable 2,809 (255 ) Deferred income taxes, net (30,017 ) (12,991 ) Gain on extinguishment of debt, net — (11,505 ) Goodwill impairment on business 56,850 27,369 Changes in fair value of contingent consideration (200 ) (2,575 ) Loss from equity method investments 9,329 7,730 Unrealized loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date 28,495 7,145 (Gain) loss on investment, net (357 ) 46,743 Other 5,159 3,637 Decrease (increase) in: Accounts receivable (35,371 ) 14,948 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (8,700 ) 9,665 Other assets (5,574 ) (16,240 ) Increase (decrease) in: Accounts payable 9,419 (20,246 ) Deferred revenue (6,802 ) (20,962 ) Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities (26,608 ) (33,189 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 319,962 336,444 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (108,729 ) (106,154 ) Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received (9,492 ) (104,094 ) Investment in available-for-sale securities — (15,000 ) Purchase of equity investments (11,858 ) — Proceeds from sale of equity investments 3,174 4,527 Other (503 ) (50 ) Net cash used in investing activities (127,408 ) (220,771 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Payment of debt — (166,904 ) Proceeds from term loan — 112,286 Debt extinguishment costs — (756 ) Repurchase of common stock (108,527 ) (78,291 ) Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan 8,727 9,431 Proceeds from exercise of stock options — 148 Deferred payments for acquisitions (15,241 ) (16,116 ) Other 250 (630 ) Net cash used in financing activities (114,791 ) (140,832 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 7,056 (16,890 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents 84,819 (42,049 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 652,793 694,842 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 737,612 $ 652,793 Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted net income (loss) or Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations, Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share or Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share from continuing operations, Free cash flow, and Adjusted effective tax rate (collectively the “non-GAAP financial measures”). The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. We use these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance and liquidity by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of our recurring core business operating results or, in certain cases, may be non-cash in nature. We believe that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting, and analyzing future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparisons to our historical performance and liquidity. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors both because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision-making and (2) they are used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the health of our business. These non-GAAP financial measures are not measures presented in accordance with GAAP, and our use of these terms may vary from that of other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. These non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company’s results of operations determined in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures exclude the certain items listed below. We believe that excluding these items from the non-GAAP measures facilitates comparisons to historical operating results and comparisons to peers, many of which exclude similar items. We believe that non-GAAP financial measures excluding these items provide meaningful supplemental information regarding operational performance. We further believe these measures are useful to investors in that they allow for greater transparency of certain line items in the Company’s financial statements. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Net income (loss) or Net income (loss) from continuing operations with adjustments to reflect the addition or elimination of certain items including: Interest expense, net. Interest expense is generated primarily from interest due on outstanding debt, partially offset by interest income generated from the interest earned on cash, cash equivalents, and investments; (Gain) loss on debt extinguishment, net. This is a non-cash expense that relates to a non-cash debt-for-equity exchange effectuated to settle amounts of senior secured term loans of the Company under its Credit Agreement with common stock of Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (“Consensus”) owned by the Company. We believe this (gain) loss does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on sale of business. This gain or loss relates to the sales of businesses and does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net. This is a non-cash item as it relates to the change in the carrying value of our investment in Consensus depending on the share price of Consensus common stock and does not represent core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on investments, net. This item relates to the disposition of a portion of our investment in Consensus. The amount of gain or loss depends on the share price of Consensus common stock and does not represent core business operating results of the Company; Other (income) expense, net. This income or expense relates to other non-operating items and does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; Income tax (benefit) expense. This benefit or expense depends on the pre-tax loss or income of the Company, statutory tax rates, tax regulations and different tax rates in various jurisdictions in which the Company operates and which the Company does not have the control over; (Income) loss from equity method investments, net. This is a non-cash expense as it relates to our investment in OCV Fund I, LP (the “Fund”). We believe that gain or loss resulting from our equity method investment does not represent core business operating results of the Company; Depreciation and amortization. This is a non-cash expense as it relates to use and associated reduction in value of certain assets including equipment, fixtures, and certain capitalized internal-used software and website development costs, and identifiable definite-lived intangible assets of the acquired businesses. This also includes the reduction in value of certain acquired intangible assets that represent the cost incurred by the acquiree to build value prior to the acquisition and the amortization of this cost does not represent core business operating results of the Company; Share-based compensation. This is a non-cash expense as it relates to awards granted under the various share-based incentive plans of the Company. We view the economic cost of share-based awards to be the dilution to our share base; Acquisition, integration, and other costs, including adjustments to contingent consideration, lease terminations, retention bonuses, other acquisition-specific items, and other costs, such as severance and legal settlements. These expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Disposal related costs associated with disposal of certain businesses. These are expenses associated with the disposal of certain businesses that do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Lease asset impairments and other charges. These expenses are incurred in connection with impaired right-of-use (“ROU”) assets of the Company. Associated expenses are comprised of insurance, utility, and other charges related to assets that are no longer in use, and partially offset by the sublease income earned. These expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; and Goodwill impairment on business. This is a non-cash expense that is recorded when the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value and does not represent core business operating results of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by Total revenues. Adjusted net income (loss) or Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations is defined as Net income (loss) or Net income (loss) from continuing operations with adjustments to reflect the addition or elimination of certain statement of operations items including, but not limited to: Interest costs, net. This reflects the difference between the imputed and coupon interest expense associated with the 4.625% Senior Notes and a charge that the Company determined to be penalty interest associated with the 1.75% Convertible Notes in each period presented, offset in part by a certain interest income earned by the Company. These net expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on debt extinguishment, net. This is a non-cash expense that relates to a non-cash debt-for-equity exchange effectuated to settle amounts of senior secured term loans of the Company under its Credit Agreement with common stock of Consensus owned by the Company. We believe this gain or loss does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on sale of business. This gain or loss relates to the sales of businesses and does not represent recurring core business operating results of the Company; Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net. This is a non-cash item as it relates to the change in the carrying value of our investment in Consensus depending on the share price of Consensus common stock and does not represent core business operating results of the Company; (Gain) loss on investments, net. This item relates to the disposition of a portion of our investment in Consensus. The amount of gain or loss depends on the share price of Consensus common stock and does not represent core business operating results of the Company; (Income) loss from equity method investments, net. This is a non-cash income or expense as it relates to our investment in the OCV Fund. We believe that gains or losses resulting from our equity method investment do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Amortization of patents and intangible assets that we acquired. This is a non-cash expense as it primarily relates to identifiable definite-lived intangible assets of the acquired businesses. We believe that acquired intangible assets represent cost incurred by the acquiree to build value prior to the acquisition and the amortization of this cost does not represent core business operating results of the Company; Share-based compensation. This is a non-cash expense as it relates to awards granted under the various incentive plans of the Company. We view the economic cost of share-based awards to be the dilution to our share base; Acquisition, integration and other costs, including adjustments to contingent consideration, lease terminations, retention bonuses, other acquisition-specific items, and other costs, such as severance and legal settlements. These expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Disposal related costs associated with disposal of certain businesses. These are expenses associated with the disposal of certain businesses that do not represent core business operating results of the Company; Lease asset impairments and other charges. These are expenses incurred in connection with impaired ROU assets of the Company. Associated expenses are comprised of insurance, utility, and other charges related to assets that are no longer in use, and partially offset by the sublease income earned. These expenses do not represent core business operating results of the Company; and Goodwill impairment on business. This is a non-cash expense that is recorded when the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value and does not represent core business operating results of the Company. Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share or Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share from continuing operations is calculated by dividing Adjusted net income (loss) or Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations by the diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding that excludes the effect of convertible debt dilution. Free cash flow is defined as Net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property and equipment, plus changes in contingent consideration. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) The following table sets forth a reconciliation of Net income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA: Three months ended December 31, Year ended December 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net income from continuing operations $ 63,422 $ 69,180 $ 41,503 $ 65,466 Interest expense, net 2,251 5,423 20,031 33,842 Gain on debt extinguishment, net — — — (11,505 ) Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (1,065 ) (7,020 ) 28,495 7,145 (Gain) loss on investments, net — (1,029 ) (357 ) 46,743 Other loss (income), net 3,486 4,525 9,468 (8,437 ) Income tax expense 12,962 24,726 24,142 57,957 (Income) loss from equity method investment, net (336 ) (2,347 ) 7,829 7,730 Depreciation and amortization 69,633 58,520 236,966 233,400 Share-based compensation 7,527 5,795 31,920 26,601 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 9,649 9,753 21,000 17,426 Disposal related costs 375 — 2,217 1,328 Lease asset impairments and other charges (338 ) 778 2,245 2,178 Goodwill impairment on business — — 56,850 27,369 Adjusted EBITDA $ 167,566 $ 168,304 $ 482,309 $ 507,243 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) The following table sets forth Revenues and a reconciliation of Income (loss) from operations to Adjusted EBITDA by segment: Three months ended December 31, 2023 Digital Media Cybersecurity and Martech Corporate Total Revenues $ 317,939 $ 71,946 $ — $ 389,885 Income (loss) from operations $ 88,709 $ 5,430 $ (13,419 ) $ 80,720 Depreciation and amortization 51,168 18,457 8 69,633 Share-based compensation 2,661 932 3,934 7,527 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 9,220 420 9 9,649 Disposal related costs 251 — 124 375 Lease asset impairments and other charges (544 ) 206 — (338 ) Adjusted EBITDA $ 151,465 $ 25,445 $ (9,344 ) $ 167,566 Three months ended December 31, 2022 Digital Media Cybersecurity and Martech Corporate Total Revenues $ 321,670 $ 75,030 $ — $ 396,700 Income (loss) from operations $ 95,015 $ 11,554 $ (13,111 ) $ 93,458 Depreciation and amortization 46,361 12,149 10 58,520 Share-based compensation 2,225 563 3,007 5,795 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 7,784 1,179 790 9,753 Lease asset impairments and other charges 791 (13 ) — 778 Adjusted EBITDA $ 152,176 $ 25,432 $ (9,304 ) $ 168,304 Figures above are net of intercompany costs and revenues. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Year ended December 31, 2023 Digital Media Cybersecurity and Martech Corporate Total Revenues $ 1,072,819 $ 291,209 $ — $ 1,364,028 Income (loss) from operations $ 140,839 $ 43,210 $ (51,438 ) $ 132,611 Income from equity method investment, net — — (1,500 ) (1,500 ) Depreciation and amortization 184,320 52,618 28 236,966 Share-based compensation 12,680 4,186 15,054 31,920 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 19,913 887 200 21,000 Disposal related costs 704 202 1,311 2,217 Lease asset impairments and other charges 1,774 471 — 2,245 Goodwill impairment on a business 56,850 — — 56,850 Adjusted EBITDA $ 417,080 $ 101,574 $ (36,345 ) $ 482,309 Year ended December 31, 2022 Digital Media Cybersecurity and Martech Corporate Total Revenues $ 1,078,391 $ 312,606 $ — $ 1,390,997 Income (loss) from operations $ 198,171 $ 50,960 $ (50,190 ) $ 198,941 Depreciation and amortization 184,658 48,714 28 233,400 Share-based compensation 10,433 4,280 11,888 26,601 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 14,121 2,111 1,194 17,426 Disposal related costs 11 — 1,317 1,328 Lease asset impairments and other charges 1,631 547 — 2,178 Goodwill impairment on a business 27,369 — — 27,369 Adjusted EBITDA $ 436,394 $ 106,612 $ (35,763 ) $ 507,243 Figures above are net of intercompany costs and revenues. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) The following tables set forth a reconciliation of Net income from continuing operations to Adjusted net income from continuing operations with adjustments presented on after-tax basis: Three months ended December 31, 2023 Per diluted share* 2022 Per diluted share* Net income from continuing operations $ 63,422 $ 1.29 $ 69,180 $ 1.37 Interest costs, net (20 ) — 120 — Loss on sale of business 276 0.01 — — Unrealized gain on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (775 ) (0.02 ) (2,839 ) (0.06 ) Gain on investments, net — — (1,024 ) (0.02 ) Income from equity method investment, net (336 ) (0.01 ) (2,347 ) (0.05 ) Amortization 31,105 0.68 28,696 0.61 Share-based compensation 6,289 0.14 6,044 0.13 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 7,011 0.15 7,401 0.16 Disposal related costs 238 0.01 395 0.01 Lease asset impairments and other charges (224 ) — 559 0.01 Goodwill impairment on business — — (222 ) — Dilutive effect of the convertible debt — 0.08 — 0.10 Adjusted net income from continuing operations $ 106,986 $ 2.33 $ 105,963 $ 2.26 Year ended December 31, 2023 Per diluted share* 2022 Per diluted share* Net income from continuing operations $ 41,503 $ 0.89 $ 65,466 $ 1.39 Interest costs, net 5,881 0.13 374 0.01 Gain on debt extinguishment, net — — (9,094 ) (0.19 ) Loss on sale of business 3,797 0.08 — — Unrealized loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net 21,371 0.46 22,674 0.48 (Gain) loss on investments, net (268 ) (0.01 ) 46,275 0.99 Loss from equity method investment, net 8,204 0.18 7,730 0.16 Amortization 106,593 2.30 119,170 2.53 Share-based compensation 27,100 0.58 23,209 0.49 Acquisition, integration, and other costs 13,498 0.29 13,278 0.28 Disposal related costs 1,538 0.03 1,449 0.03 Lease asset impairment and other charges 1,295 0.04 1,640 0.03 Goodwill impairment on business 56,850 1.22 20,414 0.43 Dilutive effect of the convertible debt — — — 0.02 Adjusted net income from continuing operations $ 287,362 $ 6.19 $ 312,585 $ 6.65 * The reconciliation of Net income from continuing operations per diluted share to Adjusted net income from continuing operations per diluted share may not foot since each is calculated independently. ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) The following are the adjustments to certain statement of operations items used to derive Adjusted net income, which we believe provide useful information about our operating results and enhance the overall understanding of past financial performance and future prospects of the Company. Three months ended December 31, 2023 GAAP amount Adjustments Adjusted non-GAAP amount Interest costs, net (Gain) loss on sale of business Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (Income) loss from equity method investments, net Amortization Share-based compensation Acquisition, integration, and other costs Disposal related costs Lease asset impairments and other charges Direct costs $ (48,615 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 124 $ 15 $ 2,561 $ — $ — $ (45,915 ) Sales and marketing $ (126,449 ) — — — — — 392 1,668 — — $ (124,389 ) Research, development, and engineering $ (15,532 ) — — — — — 660 177 — — $ (14,695 ) General, administrative, and other related costs $ (118,569 ) — — — — 44,867 6,460 5,243 375 (338 ) $ (61,962 ) Interest expense, net $ (2,251 ) (11 ) — — — — — — — — $ (2,262 ) Unrealized gain on short-term investments held at period end, net $ 1,065 — — (1,065 ) — — — — — — $ — Other loss, net $ (3,486 ) — 422 — — — — 459 — — $ (2,605 ) Income tax expense $ (12,962 ) (9 ) (146 ) 290 — (13,886 ) (1,238 ) (3,097 ) (137 ) 114 $ (31,071 ) Income from equity method investment, net $ 336 — — — (336 ) — — — — — $ — Total non-GAAP adjustments $ (20 ) $ 276 $ (775 ) $ (336 ) $ 31,105 $ 6,289 $ 7,011 $ 238 $ (224 ) ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Three months ended December 31, 2022 GAAP amount Adjustments Interest costs, net Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (Gain) loss on investments, net (Income) loss from equity method investments, net Amortization Share-based compensation Acquisition, integration, and other costs Disposal related costs Lease asset impairments and other charges Goodwill impairment of business Adjusted non-GAAP amount Direct costs $ (50,847 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 221 $ 52 $ 245 $ — $ — $ — $ (50,329 ) Sales and marketing $ (129,764 ) — — — — — 636 3,825 — — — $ (125,303 ) Research, development, and engineering $ (18,210 ) — — — — — 455 528 — — — $ (17,227 ) General, administrative, and other related costs $ (104,421 ) — — — — 37,641 4,652 5,155 — 778 — $ (56,195 ) Interest expense, net $ (5,423 ) 96 — — — — — — — — — $ (5,327 ) Gain on investment, net $ 1,029 — — (1,029 ) — — — — — — — $ — Unrealized gain on short-term investments held at period end, net $ 7,020 — (7,020 ) — — — — — — — — $ — Other loss, net $ (4,525 ) — — — — — — (195 ) 314 — — $ (4,406 ) Income tax expense $ (24,726 ) 24 4,181 5 — (9,166 ) 249 (2,157 ) 81 (219 ) (222 ) $ (31,950 ) Income from equity method investment, net $ 2,347 — — — (2,347 ) — — — — — — $ — Total non-GAAP adjustments $ 120 $ (2,839 ) $ (1,024 ) $ (2,347 ) $ 28,696 $ 6,044 $ 7,401 $ 395 $ 559 $ (222 ) ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Year ended December 31, 2023 GAAP amount Adjustments Adjusted non-GAAP amount Interest costs, net (Gain) loss on sale of business Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (Gain) loss on investments, net (Income) loss from equity method investments, net Amortization Share-based compensation Acquisition, integration, and other costs Disposal related costs Lease asset impairments and other charges Goodwill impairment of business Direct costs $ (197,292 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 667 $ 262 $ 2,752 $ — $ — $ — $ (193,611 ) Sales and marketing $ (487,365 ) — — — — — — 2,686 4,796 4 — — $ (479,879 ) Research, development, and engineering $ (68,860 ) — — — — — — 3,245 712 3 — — $ (64,900 ) General, administrative, and other related costs $ (421,050 ) — — — — (1,500 ) 144,904 25,727 12,740 2,210 2,245 — $ (234,724 ) Goodwill impairment on business $ (56,850 ) — — — — — — — — — — 56,850 $ — Interest expense, net $ (20,031 ) 7,797 (538 ) — — — — — — — — — $ (12,772 ) Gain on investment, net $ 357 — — — (357 ) — — — — — — — $ — Unrealized loss on short-term investments held at period end, net $ (28,495 ) — — 28,495 — — — — — — — — $ — Other loss, net $ (9,468 ) — 5,655 — — — — — 459 — — — $ (3,354 ) Income tax expense $ (24,142 ) (1,916 ) (1,320 ) (7,124 ) 89 375 (38,978 ) (4,820 ) (7,961 ) (679 ) (950 ) — $ (87,426 ) Loss from equity method investment, net $ (9,329 ) — — — — 9,329 — — — — — — $ — Total non-GAAP adjustments $ 5,881 $ 3,797 $ 21,371 $ (268 ) $ 8,204 $ 106,593 $ 27,100 $ 13,498 $ 1,538 $ 1,295 $ 56,850 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) Year ended December 31, 2022 GAAP amount Adjustments Adjusted non-GAAP amount Interest costs, net (Gain) loss on debt extinguishment Unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments held at the reporting date, net (Gain) loss on investments, net (Income) loss from equity method investments, net Amortization Share-based compensation Acquisition, integration, and other costs Disposal related costs Lease asset impairments and other charges Goodwill impairment of business Direct costs $ (195,554 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,000 $ 341 $ 364 $ — $ — $ — $ (193,849 ) Sales and marketing $ (490,777 ) — — — — — — 3,083 6,293 — — — $ (481,401 ) Research, development, and engineering $ (74,093 ) — — — — — — 2,503 1,199 — — — $ (70,391 ) General, administrative, and other related costs $ (404,263 ) — — — — — 156,922 20,674 9,570 1,328 2,178 — $ (213,591 ) Goodwill impairment on business $ (27,369 ) — — — — — — — — — — 27,369 $ — Interest expense, net $ (33,842 ) 433 — — — — — — — — — — $ (33,409 ) Gain on debt extinguishment, net $ 11,505 — (12,060 ) — — — — — — — — — $ (555 ) Loss on investment, net $ (46,743 ) — — — 46,743 — — — — — — — $ — Unrealized loss on short-term investments held at period end, net $ (7,145 ) — — 7,145 — — — — — — — — $ — Other income, net $ 8,437 — — — (624 ) — — — (195 ) 203 — — $ 7,821 Income tax expense $ (57,957 ) (59 ) 2,966 15,529 156 — (38,752 ) (3,392 ) (3,953 ) (82 ) (538 ) (6,955 ) $ (93,037 ) Loss from equity method investment, net $ (7,730 ) — — — — 7,730 — — — — — — $ — Total non-GAAP adjustments $ 374 $ (9,094 ) $ 22,674 $ 46,275 $ 7,730 $ 119,170 $ 23,209 $ 13,278 $ 1,449 $ 1,640 $ 20,414 ZIFF DAVIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) The following tables set forth a reconciliation of Net cash provided by operating activities to Free cash flow: 2023 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD Net cash provided by operating activities $ 115,307 $ 39,728 $ 72,808 $ 92,119 $ 319,962 Less: Purchases of property and equipment (30,017 ) (25,233 ) (27,226 ) (26,253 ) (108,729 ) Free cash flow $ 85,290 $ 14,495 $ 45,582 $ 65,866 $ 211,233 2022 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing and discontinued operations $ 116,511 $ 75,973 $ 100,735 $ 43,225 $ 336,444 Less: Purchases of property and equipment (30,502 ) (23,374 ) (26,891 ) (25,387 ) (106,154 ) Free cash flow from continuing and discontinued operations $ 86,009 $ 52,599 $ 73,844 $ 17,838 $ 230,290 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240221537366/en/
Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD) today reported unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023, and provided 2024 guidance.
Alan Steier Investor Relations Ziff Davis, Inc. investor@ziffdavis.com Rebecca Wright Corporate Communications Ziff Davis, Inc. press@ziffdavis.com