Trading Statement

Aferian PLC

28 June 2023

 

28 June 2023

AFERIAN PLC

("Aferian", the "Company" or the "Group")

Trading Update

-     Continued strategic focus on software and services revenue growth in 24i

in fast growing video streaming market

-     Focus on higher quality, higher margin streaming devices and

device management software in Amino

Aferian plc (LSE AIM: AFRN), the B2B video streaming solutions company, announces a trading update for the six months ended 31 May 2023 (the "period"). Trading for the period was in line with the trading and outlook communicated on the 31 May 2023.

Revenue performance

The Group has continued to make encouraging progress in improving the quality of earnings and enhancing revenue visibility. Aferian expects to report an improved exit run rate Annual Recurring Revenue ("ARR") of c.$19.0m (31 May 2022: $15.8m), representing 20% growth on the prior year, or 21% on a constant currency basis. Higher margin software and services revenue for the period is expected to be c.$13.7m (H1 2022: $12.0m), an increase of 14% versus the prior year, or 16% on a constant currency basis. Device revenues in the first half are expected to be c.$9.4m, representing a decrease of 71% year-on-year.

Consequently, Group revenue for the period is expected to be c.$23.1m (H1 2022: $44.5m).

Cost reduction actions

As previously communicated, management actions taken in February and June 2023 have reduced the Group's annualised cost base, including capital expenditure, by c.$5m and a further c.$3m respectively. This has saved a total of $3.4m operating costs and $1.5m capital expenditure in the current financial year.

Balance sheet

Following proactive investment made in inventory within the Amino business to de-risk supply chain delays, the Group's inventory balance at 31 May 2023 was $8.6m (31 May 2022: $4.0m). Net debt at 31 May 2023 was $13.0m (31 May 2022: $7.8m net cash). Net debt is expected to reduce over the remainder of the current financial year as inventory levels reduce. The Group remains in compliance with its loan facilities covenants.

Outlook

For the full year ended 30 November 2023, 90% of management's forecast Group revenues are contracted. The remaining 10% is covered by a well-developed sales pipeline. Combined with the cost reduction actions taken above, this provides the Board with confidence in the expected outturn for the full year in which the Group is expected to generate a positive material EBITDA.

The Group's strategy continues to be growing software and services revenue in the fast-growing video streaming market through the 24i division's streaming video platforms. Demand here remains strong and the 24i management team are focused on accelerating profitability in the second half of the financial year and beyond.

The Amino division, which connects Pay TV to streaming services, will now focus on higher quality, higher margin streaming devices which can also be bundled with its SaaS device management platform. This SaaS device management platform is also integrated with 3^rd party devices and sold on a standalone basis. With encouraging initial traction, the Group will also look to continue to grow its digital signage business.

At the Group level, the Board anticipates full year software and services revenue growth of c.10% to 15% in this financial year. As we move in to FY2024, the 24i business and management team will focus primarily on the plan to deliver enhanced profitability and cash generation.

Devices revenue in H2 2023 is expected to be higher than H1 2023 and this recovery is expected to continue in FY 2024 as inventory levels continue to normalise within the supply chain.

Update on interim results announcement date

The Group expects to report its interim results for the six months ended 31 May 2023 in August 2023.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:

Aferian plc	[phone]
Mark Wells, Chairman Donald McGarva, Chief Executive Officer Mark Carlisle, Chief Financial Officer
Investec bank plc	[phone]
David Anderson / Patrick Robb / Nick Prowting / Cameron MacRitchie
FTI Consulting (Financial communications)	[phone]
Matt Dixon / Emma Hall / Tom Blundell / Aisha Hamilton

About Aferian plc

Aferian plc (AIM: AFRN) is a B2B video streaming solutions company. Our end-to-end solutions bring live and on-demand video to every kind of screen. We create the forward-thinking solutions that our customers need to drive subscriber engagement, audience satisfaction, and revenue growth.

It is our belief that successful media companies and services will be those that are most consumer-centric, data driven and flexible to change. We focus on innovating technologies that enable our customers stay ahead of evolving viewer demand by providing smarter, more cost-effective ways of delivering end-to-end modern TV and video experiences to consumers. By anticipating technological and behavioural audience trends, our software solutions empower our customers to heighten viewer enjoyment, drive growth in audience share and ultimately their profitability.

Aferian plc has two operating companies: 24i, which focusses on streaming video experiences, and Amino, which connects Pay TV to streaming services. Our two complementary companies combine their products and services to create solutions which ensure that people can consume TV and video how and when they want it. Our solutions deliver modern TV and video experiences every day to millions of viewers globally, via our growing global customer base of over 500 service providers.

Aferian plc is traded on the London Stock Exchange's AIM stock market (AIM: symbol AFRN). Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, the Company has over 300 staff located in 11 offices, including major European cities as Amsterdam, Helsinki, Copenhagen and Brno, as well as in San Francisco and Hong Kong.  For more information, please visit www.aferian.com.

 

END