Tix Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Results - Tix (OTC:TIXC)

STUDIO CITY, CA, Feb. 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tix Corporation (the "Company") TIXC, a leading provider of discount ticketing services, today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016.

Mitch Francis, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated, "Our fourth quarter and full year 2016 performance continued to be negatively impacted by an unusual and significant number of permanent show closures underscoring a shift in Las Vegas entertainment aimed at serving the changing consumer interests and demographics. This shift in the marketplace has led to increased aggressive marketing to Las Vegas tourists from online ticket brokers, show producers and hotel properties.

We believe that with the agreement we recently announced with Expedia Local Expert, the recent launch of our first ever online offerings to Expedia brands' (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz and Hotels.com) customers who can now purchase discounted show and dining packages in advance of their arrival to Las Vegas, and the recent addition of Expedia hotel room inventory on our Tix4Tonight.com website, as well as other planned initiatives, we have the right strategy in place to position ourselves within our changing market as we head into 2017," concluded Mr. Francis.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Results

Fourth quarter 2016 revenues were $5,335,000 as compared with $5,940,000 in the same period a year ago. Revenues were negatively impacted by decreased consumer demand for show tickets in the Las Vegas marketplace, the recent unusual permanent closure of several shows including a Cirque du Soleil show for which we had significant sales in the prior year, and increased aggressive marketing from online ticket brokers, show producers and hotel properties.

Fourth quarter 2016 direct operating expenses, which includes payroll costs, rents, utilities and third party commission and fees, decreased to $2,356,000 as compared with $2,465,000 for the same period a year ago. The decrease in expenses was primarily related to one less location in operation during the fourth quarter 2016 as compared with the same period a year ago.

Fourth quarter 2016 selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $2,100,000 as compared with $2,178,000 for the same period a year ago.

Fourth quarter 2016 provision for income tax expense was $369,000, as compared with a provision for income tax benefit of $11,511,000 reported for the same period a year ago. The amount of provision for income tax expense during the fourth quarter 2016 that is in excess of the Company's estimated corporate alternative minimum taxes (AMT) of $9,000, is non-cash and reflects the reduction in the Company's deferred tax asset balance during the fourth quarter 2016. During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company determined, based on various factors including historical results and anticipated future results, that the majority of the Company's valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets be reversed. Therefore, during the fourth quarter 2015, the Company recorded a one-time adjustment of $11,531,000 to income tax benefit on its consolidated statements of operations and deferred tax asset on its consolidated balance sheet.

Fourth quarter 2016 net income was $430,000, or $0.02 per diluted common share, as compared with a net income of $12,662,000, or $0.70 per diluted common share reported for the same period a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA (as defined and explained below) for the fourth quarter 2016 was $985,000, or $0.06 per diluted common share, as compared with Adjusted EBITDA of $1,384,000, or $0.08 per diluted common share, reported for the same period a year ago.

Full Year 2016 Results

For the full year of 2016, revenues decreased to $21,354,000 as compared with $23,421,000 for the prior year. Revenues were negatively impacted by decreased consumer demand for show tickets in the Las Vegas marketplace, the recent unusual permanent closure of several shows including a Cirque du Soleil show for which we had significant sales in the prior year, and increased aggressive marketing from online ticket brokers, show producers and hotel properties. Our revenues were also negatively impacted by higher consumer demand for lower priced shows and attractions, which carried lower commissions and fees, as compared to the same period a year ago.

For the full year of 2016, direct operating expenses increased to $10,147,000 compared with $9,395,000 for the prior year. The increase in direct operating expenses was due to increased locations in operation, increased headcount and increased hourly payroll costs as compared to the same period a year ago. The Company recently increased its hiring activities in anticipation of increased activity relating to the Expedia Local Expert opportunities discussed above.

For the full year of 2016, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $7,743,000 compared with $7,899,000 for the prior year.

For the full year of 2016, provision for income tax expense was $1,128,000, as compared to a provision for income tax benefit of $11,276,000 reported for the same period a year ago. The amount of provision for income taxes during the full year 2016 that is in excess of the Company's estimated corporate alternative minimum taxes (AMT) of $105,000, is non-cash and reflects the reduction in the Company's deferred tax asset balance during the full year of 2016. During the full year of 2015, the Company determined, based on various factors including historical results and anticipated future results, that the majority of the Company's valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets be reversed. Therefore, during the full year of 2015, the Company recorded a one-time adjustment of $11,531,000 to income tax benefit on its consolidated statements of operations and deferred tax asset on its consolidated balance sheet.

For the full year of 2016, net income was $1,903,000, or $0.11 per diluted common share, as compared to a net income of $16,792,000, or $0.95 per diluted common share reported for the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA (as defined and explained below) for the full year of 2016 was $3,868,000, or $0.21 per diluted common share, as compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $6,493,000, or $0.37 per diluted common share, reported for the same period a year ago.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

Included in this press release is a "non-GAAP financial measure," which is a measure of the Company's historical or future performance that is different from measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP but that the Company believes is useful to investors. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus (a) provision for income tax expense (benefit) (b) other expenses, net, (c) depreciation and amortization charges, and (d) stock based compensation expense. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure of the Company's operating performance because a significant portion of its assets consists of goodwill and intangible assets and property and equipment that are amortized and depreciated as non-cash items over their remaining useful lives in accordance with GAAP. The Company's presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may help investors assess the Company's performance before the effect of various items that do not directly affect the Company's ongoing operating performance. The Company also believes that measures similar to the Company's measurement of Adjusted EBITDA are widely used in similar entertainment companies to measure operating performance, although Adjusted EBITDA as calculated by the Company is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures by such other companies. Adjusted EBITDA (a) does not represent net income or cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP, (b) is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund the Company's cash flow needs, and (c) should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or the Company's other financial information as determined under GAAP.

About Tix Corporation

Tix Corporation TIXC provides discount ticketing services. It currently operates ten discount ticket stores in Las Vegas under its Tix4Tonight marquee, which offers up to a 50 percent discount for same-day shows, concerts, attractions and sporting events, as well as discount reservations for dining. Tix4Tonight also serves as the Official Las Vegas Guest Services Partner for Expedia and its other brands. The co-branded Expedia Local Expert service provides both pre-arrival concierge-type services and in-market concierge-type desk services and related customer service support at physical locations in Las Vegas, featuring Tix4Tonight's inventory of discount show and attraction tickets, along with discount dining reservations.

Stockholder Rights Agreement

On January 2, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors adopted an amendment of the Company's Stockholder Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") to protect the interests of all Company stockholders by lowering the beneficial ownership threshold to a level that could help preserve the value of the Federal Net Operating Loss Carry Forwards ("NOLs"). The Company's ability to use the NOLs would be substantially limited if there were an "ownership change" as defined under Section 382 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and related U.S. Treasury regulations ("Section 382"). In general, an "ownership change" would occur under Section 382 if the Company's "5-percent shareholders", as defined under Section 382, collectively increase their ownership in the Company by more than 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period.

Under the terms of the amended and restated Rights Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, in the event a person or group, without Board approval, acquires beneficial ownership of 4.95% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or announces a tender or exchange offer which would result in such person or group's beneficial ownership of 4.95% or more of the outstanding Common Stock (a "Triggering Stockholder"), then all stockholders of the Company (other than the Triggering Stockholder) will be entitled to acquire shares of Common Stock at a 50% discount (a "Dilution Event").

A person or group that owns 4.95% or more of the outstanding Common Stock at the time of the adoption of the amended and restated Rights Agreement (an "Existing Major Stockholder") will not trigger a Dilution Event. However, a Dilution Event will be triggered if an Existing Major Stockholder, without Board approval, acquires any additional shares of Common Stock.

The 4.95% beneficial ownership threshold under the amended and restated Rights Agreement will remain applicable until March 31, 2021, or earlier, if the Board determines that the reduced threshold is no longer necessary for the preservation of the NOLs.

The foregoing description of the amended and restated Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the amended and restated Rights Agreement, a copy of which is available on the Company's website.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the historical information contained herein, certain matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our future revenues and financial position. These forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's filings with the OTCQX. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. A copy of the Company's reports for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 can be found on the Company website at www.tixcorp.com or at www.otcmarkets.com.

TIX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

		December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Assets
Current assets:
Cash	$	7,336,000		$	7,921,000
Accounts receivable		36,000			47,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		131,000			122,000
Total current assets		7,503,000			8,090,000

Property and equipment, net		264,000			579,000

Other assets:
Intangible assets:
Goodwill		3,120,000			3,120,000
Intangibles, net		-			17,000
Total intangible assets		3,120,000			3,137,000
Deferred tax asset		10,508,000			11,531,000
Deposits and other assets		61,000			66,000
Total other assets		13,689,000			14,734,000
Total assets	$	21,456,000		$	23,403,000

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable – shows and events	$	1,097,000		$	1,140,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		1,090,000			1,390,000
Deferred revenue		44,000			25,000
Notes payable – short term and net of discount		200,000			176,000
Total current liabilities		2,431,000			2,731,000

Deferred rent obligations		28,000			58,000
Note payable – net of current portion and discount		176,000			376,000
Total liabilities		2,635,000			3,165,000

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 500,000 shares authorized; none issued
Common stock, $.08 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 17,349,583 shares net of 16,637,406 treasury shares, and 17,280,009 shares net of 16,619,953 treasury shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively		2,720,000			2,713,000
Additional paid-in capital		94,655,000			94,216,000
Cost of shares held in treasury		(28,154,000	)		(28,115,000	)
Accumulated deficit		(50,400,000	)		(48,576,000	)
Total stockholders' equity		18,821,000			20,238,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	21,456,000		$	23,403,000

TIX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
(UNAUDITED)


	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2016		2015
		(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)
Revenues	$	5,335,000	$	5,940,000
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenues		2,356,000		2,465,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses		2,100,000		2,178,000
Depreciation and amortization		74,000		141,000
Total costs and expenses		4,530,000		4,784,000
Operating income		805,000		1,156,000
Other (income) expense:
Interest income		-		(1,000	)
Interest expense		6,000		6,000
Other expense, net		6,000		5,000
Income before provision for income tax expense (benefit)		799,000		1,151,000
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)		369,000		(11,511,000	)
Net income	$	430,000	$	12,662,000

Net income per common share
Net income per common share – basic	$	0.02	$	0.73
Net income per common share – diluted	$	0.02	$	0.70

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic		17,349,583		17,280,008
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted		17,844,296		17,980,921

TIX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015


	Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015

Revenues	$	21,354,000		$	23,421,000
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenues		10,147,000			9,395,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses		7,743,000			7,899,000
Depreciation and amortization		411,000			596,000
Total costs and expenses		18,301,000			17,890,000
Operating income		3,053,000			5,531,000
Other (income) expense:
Other income		-			(7,000	)
Interest income		(2,000	)		(2,000	)
Interest expense		24,000			24,000
Other expense, net		22,000			15,000
Income before provision for income tax expense (benefit)		3,031,000			5,516,000
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)		1,128,000			(11,276,000	)
Net income	$	1,903,000		$	16,792,000

Net income per common share
Net income per common share – basic	$	0.11		$	0.98
Net income per common share – diluted	$	0.11		$	0.95

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic		17,333,209			17,199,747
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted		18,097,102			17,741,834

TIX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Years Ended December 31,
		2016			2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	1,903,000		$		16,792,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		395,000				460,000
Non-cash interest		24,000				24,000
Amortization of intangible assets		17,000				136,000
Change in deferred tax assets		1,023,000				(11,531,000	)
Fair value of options and warrants issued to employees and directors		404,000				366,000
(Increase) decrease in:
Accounts receivable		11,000				7,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(4,000	)			28,000
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable – shows and events		(43,000	)			202,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(300,000	)			154,000
Deferred revenue		19,000				-
Deferred rent obligation		(30,000	)			(75,000	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		3,419,000				6,563,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(80,000	)			(121,000	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(80,000	)			(121,000	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		42,000				25,000
Dividends paid		(3,727,000	)			(2,558,000	)
Cost of treasury stock, net of fees		(39,000	)			(495,000	)
Payment of notes payable		(200,000	)			(200,000	)
Obligation for shares purchases		-				(159,000	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(3,924,000	)			(3,387,000	)
Net (decrease) increase		(585,000	)			3,055,000
Balance at beginning of period		7,921,000				4,866,000
Balance at end of period	$	7,336,000			$	7,921,000

TIX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
TIX RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(UNAUDITED)

The following table set forth a reconciliation of consolidated net income to consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:

	Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015

Net income	$	430,000	$	12,662,000
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)		369,000		(11,511,000	)
Other expense, net		6,000		5,000
Depreciation and amortization		74,000		141,000
Stock based compensation expense		106,000		87,000
Adjusted EBITDA	$	985,000	$	1,384,000

	Twelve Months Ended		Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015

Net income	$	1,903,000	$	16,792,000
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)		1,128,000		(11,276,000	)
Other expense, net		22,000		15,000
Depreciation and amortization		411,000		596,000
Stock based compensation expense		404,000		366,000
Adjusted EBITDA	$	3,868,000	$	6,493,000

Investor Contacts:     

Steve Handy, CFO, (818)761-1002

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