EX-99.1 2 ex991q42023earningsrelease.htm EX-99.1 Document
Exhibit 99.1

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System1 Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

All Key Financial Results Above the High-End of Guidance Range

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights:
Revenue Increased 9% Over Prior Quarter to $96.1 million
Gross Profit Increased 1% Over Prior Quarter to $25 million
Adjusted Gross Profit Increased 1% Over Prior Quarter to $37.5 million
GAAP Net Loss Decreased 2% Over Prior Quarter to $25 million
Adjusted EBITDA Increased 24% Over Prior Quarter to $10 million

Fiscal Year 2023 Results:
Revenue of $402.0 million
Gross Profit of $103.4 million
Adjusted Gross Profit of $153.3 million
GAAP Net Loss of $111.3 million
Adjusted EBITDA of $29.2 million

LOS ANGELES, CA – March 18, 2024 – System1, Inc. (NYSE: SST) (“System1” or the “Company”), an omnichannel customer acquisition marketing platform, announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023.

Unless otherwise noted, all financial results are reflect the divestiture of Total Security Limited (“Total Security”), the Company’s anti-virus subscription business, which was completed on November 30, 2023.

“We are pleased to report results for Q4 that exceeded our guidance for Revenue, Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA, despite what continued to be a challenging online advertising environment. I am especially pleased that our core advertising business was able to execute despite significant management focus on the sale of Total Security,” commented Michael Blend, System1’s Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer. “Looking forward to 2024 and beyond, we expect to benefit from macro tailwinds around increased advertiser demand and the forthcoming deprecation of third-party cookies in Chrome. Coupled with our initiatives to integrate AI within our RAMP platform, a resurgence in our Partner Network business and a streamlined strategic focus following the Total Security sale, we are optimistic about both 2024 and the years ahead.”

Tridivesh Kidambi, Chief Financial Officer of System1, commented, “We are pleased to close another strong quarter and finish the year with positive momentum heading into 2024, with reflecting quarter-over-quarter growth on both top line Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. With the sale of our Total Security consumer subscription business last quarter, we enter 2024 with a streamlined cost structure, a capital-efficient advertising business and substantial liquidity available on our balance sheet. We will continue to be focused on investing for growth in our business, while also strategically deploying our capital to reduce our overall leverage.”

Note: Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP metrics that are defined and reconciled at the end of this release.



Exhibit 99.1

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Fourth Quarter 2023 and Subsequent Business Highlights

Sold subscription business segment for $240 million of gross cash and the retirement of approximately 29.1M Class A shares.
Successfully completed a modified “Dutch auction” tender offer in January of 2024, repurchasing $63.7 million of term debt for a purchase price of $40.9 million, exclusive of fees and expenses. This brought the total debt repaid between November 2023 and January 2024 to $155 million.
Introduced new enhancements to Owned & Operated product offerings, including a new "proof of delivery" feature for its RoadWarrior route-planning app in connection with the launch of a new marketplace for subscription add-ons.
Announced a strategic partnership to power the search results of Ecosia, a leading search engine, representing another achievement for System1’s resurgent Partner Network business.

First Quarter 2024 Guidance
The Company expects for the first quarter of 2024:
Revenue between $82 million and $84 million.
Gross Profit between $15 million and $17 million.
Adjusted Gross Profit between $28 million and $30 million.
Adjusted EBITDA between $(2) million and $(1) million.

In reliance on the unreasonable efforts exception for forward-looking information provided under Regulation S-K, the Company is not reasonably able to provide a quantitative reconciliation of Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures without unreasonable effort due to uncertainties regarding purchase accounting, stock-based compensation, taxes and other potential adjustments. The variability of these items could have an unpredictable, and potentially significant, impact on the Company’s future GAAP financial results. For the first quarter of 2024, the Company expects interest expense in the range of $7.5 million to $8.0 million, depreciation and amortization expense in the range of $20 million to $21 million, , and acquisition and restructuring costs to be in the range of $2.0 million to $2.5 million.

The Company’s achievement of the anticipated results is subject to risks and uncertainties, including those disclosed in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The outlook does not take into account the impact of any unanticipated developments in the business or changes in the operating environment.

About System1, Inc.

System1 combines best-in-class technology & data science to operate its advanced Responsive Acquisition Marketing Platform (RAMP). System1’s RAMP is omnichannel and omnivertical, and built for a privacy-centric world. RAMP enables the building of powerful brands across multiple consumer verticals, the development & growth of a suite of privacy-focused products, and the delivery of high-intent customers to advertising partners. For more information, visit www.system1.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” “within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, particularly any statements or materials regarding System1’s future results. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding System1


Exhibit 99.1

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or its management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause System1’s actual financial results or operating performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Readers or users of this press release should evaluate the risk factors summarized below, which summary list is not exclusive. Readers or users of this press release should also carefully review the “Risk Factors” and other information included in our registration statements on Form S-4 (including the related proxy statement/prospectus) with respect to the Business Combination with Trebia Acquisition Corp. each filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as well as System1’s Form 10-K, Form 10-Q/As, Form 8-K and other reports filed with the SEC from time to time. Please refer to these SEC filings for additional information regarding the risks and other factors that may impact System1’s business, prospects, financial results and operating performance following completion of the Business Combination.

Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to: (1) our ability to maintain our key relationships with network partners and advertisers, including our monetization arrangements; (2) our ability to collect, process, effectively utilize and safely store the first party data that we obtain through our services; (3) The performance of our responsive acquisition marketing platform, or RAMP; (4) changes in customer demand for our services and our ability to incorporate to such changes; (5) our ability to maintain and attract consumers and advertisers in the face of changing economic or competitive conditions; (6) our ability to improve and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting and remediate identified material weaknesses; (7) our ability to successfully source and complete acquisitions and to integrate the operations of companies System1 acquires; (8) our ability to raise financing in the future as and when needed or on market terms; (9) our ability to compete with existing competitors and the entry of new competitors in the market; (10) changes in applicable laws or regulations impacting the business which we operate and our ability to maintain compliance with the various laws that our business and operations are subject to; and (11) our ability to protect our intellectual property rights. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, they could cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. System1’s independent auditors have not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the forward-looking statements for the purpose of their inclusion in this press release, and accordingly, do not express an opinion or provide any other form of assurance with respect thereto for the purpose of this press release. System1 will not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not take any statement regarding past trends or activities as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. Accordingly, you should not put undue reliance on these statements.

Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures and represent key metrics used by System1’s management and board of directors to measure the operational strength and performance of its business, to establish budgets, and to develop operational goals for managing its business. Adjusted Gross Profit (Loss) is defined as gross profit plus depreciation and amortization related to cost of revenues. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation expenses, deferred compensation, management fees, minority interest expense, restructuring charges, impairment and certain discrete items impacting a particular segment’s results in a particular period.

System1 believes Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA are relevant and useful metrics for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by management. There are limitations on the use of Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA and it may not be comparable to similarly


Exhibit 99.1

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titled measures of other companies. Other companies, including companies in System1’s industry, may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than System1 does, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes.

Adjusted Gross Profit should not be considered a substitute for revenue. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for income (loss) from operations, net income (loss), or net income (loss) attributable to System1 on a consolidated basis that System1 reports in accordance with GAAP. Although System1 uses Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA as financial measures to assess the performance of its business, such use is limited because it does not include certain costs necessary to operate System1’s business. System1’s presentation of Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as indications that its future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items.


Unaudited Condensed Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
20232022
As Revised
Revenue$96,120 $140,071 
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)58,550 97,146 
Salaries, commissions, and benefits24,608 29,039 
Selling, general, and administrative12,303 13,869 
Depreciation and amortization19,737 19,101 
Impairment of goodwill— 26,636 
Total operating costs and expenses115,198 185,791 
Operating income (loss)(19,078)(45,720)
Other expense (income):
Interest expense11,956 9,692 
Loss on extinguishment of related-party debt1,385 — 
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities1,764 (10,360)
Total other expense (income), net15,105 (668)
Loss before income tax(34,183)(45,052)
Income tax benefit(8,757)(15,251)
Net loss from continuing operations(25,426)(29,801)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(11,105)(21,039)
Net loss(36,531)(50,840)
Less: Net loss from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interest(7,002)(14,082)
Less: Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to non-controlling interest(1,901)(4,007)
Net loss attributable to System1, Inc.$(27,628)$(32,751)




Exhibit 99.1

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Consolidated Statements of Operations
SuccessorPredecessor
(In thousands)
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Period from January 27, 2022 through December 31, 2022Period from January 1, 2022 through January 26, 2022
As Revised
Revenue$401,971 $612,229 $52,712 
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)248,745 438,839 41,507 
Salaries, commissions, and benefits106,505 138,045 31,181 
Selling, general, and administrative54,307 50,831 15,665 
Depreciation and amortization78,403 69,469 1,000 
Impairment of goodwill— 372,728 — 
Total operating costs and expenses487,960 1,069,912 89,353 
Operating income (loss)(85,989)(457,683)(36,641)
Other expense (income):
Interest expense48,745 31,609 1,049 
Loss on extinguishment of related-party debt2,004 — — 
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities(5,109)3,751 — 
Total other expense, net45,640 35,360 1,049 
Loss before income tax(131,629)(493,043)(37,690)
Income tax benefit(20,371)(108,680)(629)
Net loss from continuing operations(111,258)(384,363)(37,061)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(174,327)(56,959)— 
Net loss(285,585)(441,322)(37,061)
Less: Net loss from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interest(25,531)(99,841)— 
Less: Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to non-controlling interest(32,833)(11,089)— 
Net loss attributable to System1, Inc.$(227,221)$(330,392)$(37,061)







Exhibit 99.1

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Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except for par values)
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
As Revised
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$135,343 $8,905 
Restricted cash, current3,813 5,717 
Accounts receivable, net56,093 80,428 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets6,754 11,166 
Current assets held for sale from discontinued operations— 20,292 
Total current assets202,003 126,508 
Restricted cash, non-current4,294 5,395 
Property and equipment, net3,084 3,162 
Internal-use software development costs, net11,425 6,948 
Intangible assets, net297,001 371,661 
Goodwill82,407 82,407 
Operating lease right-of-use assets4,732 6,484 
Other non-current assets524 2,822 
Assets held for sale from discontinued operations— 555,069 
Total assets$605,470 $1,160,456 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable9,499 6,707 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities59,314 85,780 
Operating lease liabilities, current2,333 2,149 
Debt, net15,271 15,021 
Current liabilities held for sale from discontinued operations— 101,418 
Total current liabilities86,417 211,075 
Operating lease liabilities, non-current3,582 5,875 
Long-term debt, net334,232 399,504 
Warrant liability2,688 7,798 
Deferred tax liability8,307 29,396 
Other liabilities929 1,661 
Liabilities held for sale from discontinued operations— 34,476 
Total liabilities436,155 689,785 
Class A common stock - $0.0001 par value; 500,000 shares authorized, 65,855 Class A shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively
Class C common stock - $0.0001 par value; 25,000 shares authorized, 21,513 Class C shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively
Additional paid-in capital843,112 831,566 
Accumulated deficit(707,662)(439,296)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(181)(260)
Total equity/members' deficit135,278 392,021 
Non-controlling interest34,037 78,650 
Total stockholders' equity169,315 470,671 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$605,470 $1,160,456 



Exhibit 99.1

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The following tables reconcile net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented.

Three Months Ended December 31,
($ in millions)20232022
As Revised
Net loss$(25.4)$(29.8)
Plus:
Income tax benefit(8.8)(15.3)
Interest expense12.0 9.7 
Depreciation and amortization19.7 19.1 
Impairment of goodwill— 26.6 
Other expense0.2 1.3 
Stock-based compensation & distributions to members5.8 6.9 
Non-cash revaluation of warrant liability1.8 (10.4)
Loss on extinguishment of related-party debt1.4 — 
Acquisition and restructuring costs3.3 6.2 
Adjusted EBITDA$10.0 $14.3 



Exhibit 99.1

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SuccessorPredecessor
System1, Inc.S1 Holdco LLC
($ in millions)Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Period from January 27, 2022 through December 31, 2022Period from January 1, 2022 through January 26, 2022
As Revised
Net loss$(111.3)$(384.4)$(37.1)
Plus:
Income tax benefit(20.4)(108.7)(0.6)
Interest expense48.7 31.6 1.0 
Depreciation and amortization78.4 69.5 1.0 
Impairment of goodwill— 372.7 — 
Other expense1.0 1.0 (0.1)
Stock-based compensation & distributions to members21.2 55.9 23.4 
Non-cash revaluation of warrant liability(5.1)3.8 — 
Loss on extinguishment of related-party debt2.0 — — 
Acquisition and restructuring costs14.7 26.6 13.2 
Acquisition earnout— 0.4 — 
Adjusted EBITDA$29.2 $68.4 $0.8 

The following table reconciles Revenue to Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit for the periods presented.

($ in millions)Three months ended December 31, 2023Three months ended December 31, 2022
As Revised
Revenue$96.1 $140.1 
Less: Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)(58.6)(97.1)
Less: Depreciation and amortization related to cost of revenues(12.6)(12.4)
Gross profit24.9 30.6 
Add: Depreciation and amortization related to cost of revenues12.6 12.4 
Adjusted Gross Profit$37.5 $43.0 



Exhibit 99.1

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SuccessorPredecessor
System1, Inc.S1 Holdco LLC
($ in millions)Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Period from January 27, 2022 through December 31, 2022Period from January 1, 2022 through January 26, 2022
As Revised
Revenue$402.0 $612.2 $52.7 
Less: Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)(248.7)(438.8)(41.5)
Less: Depreciation and amortization related to cost of revenues(49.9)(45.6)(5.0)
Gross profit103.4 127.8 6.2 
Add: Depreciation and amortization related to cost of revenues49.9 45.6 5.0 
Adjusted Gross Profit$153.3 $173.4 $11.2 






Investors:

Brett Milotte
ICR, Inc.
Brett.milotte@icrinc.com