UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 4, 2006

LivePerson, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware
0-30141
13-3861628
(State or other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

462 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York
10018
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 609-4200


 (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 
 

 

Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

A copy of the press release issued by LivePerson, Inc. on May 4, 2006, announcing its results of operations and financial condition for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, is included herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The information included in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1 hereto) that is furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02 shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section or Sections 11 and 12(a) (2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The information contained herein and in the accompanying exhibit shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Registrant, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, unless expressly incorporated by specific reference into such filing.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits. The following documents are included as exhibits to this report:

99.1
Press release issued May 4, 2006.

 
 

 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
     
 
LIVEPERSON, INC.
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: May 4, 2006
By:  
/s/ TIMOTHY E. BIXBY
 
Timothy E. Bixby
 
President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
 
 
 

 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1
Press release issued May 4, 2006.

 
 

 
Unassociated Document
For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Tim Bixby
LivePerson, Inc.
(212) 609-4200
bixby@liveperson.com
Budd Zuckerman
Genesis Select Corp.
(303) 415-0200
budd@genesisselect.com

LivePerson Reports First Quarter Revenue Increase of 39% to $6.9 million

Quarterly Revenue Increases 9% from Prior Quarter

NEW YORK, NY - May 4, 2006 - LivePerson, Inc. (Nasdaq: LPSN), a provider of online conversion solutions, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2006.

Revenue for the first quarter was $6.9 million, a 39% increase from the first quarter of 2005, and a 9% sequential increase versus the fourth quarter of 2005. Revenue growth was due primarily to continuing strong sales of TimpaniTM Sales & Marketing to new and existing customers, as well as solid growth in sales of LivePerson Pro and Contact Center to small and mid-size businesses. Timpani Sales & Marketing analyzes website traffic in real time, enabling LivePerson clients to proactively engage high-value buyers based on their shopping behavior, thereby increasing online customer conversion rates.
 
“We are very pleased with the results for the quarter,” CEO Robert LoCascio said. “We saw significant revenue growth from both our proactive sales product and our small business contact center product. We also added a number of larger corporations to our Timpani Sales & Marketing client roster, which gives us confidence in the health of that product line.”

LivePerson signed several new blue-chip clients during the quarter, including Charles Schwab, Hoovers and Lands’ End, and expanded business with existing customers, including Bell Canada and Verizon.

Net income for the first quarter of 2006 was $0.3 million or $0.01 per share as compared to net income of $0.3 million or $0.01 per share in the first quarter of 2005. Included in these figures for the three months ended March 31, 2006 is the impact of amortization of stock-based compensation expense of $0.6 million related to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R). There was no stock-based compensation expense in the three months ended March 31, 2005 as the company was not required to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) until January 1, 2006.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation (EBITDA) for the first quarter of 2006 was $1.0 million as compared to $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2005 and $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2005.

The company’s cash balance increased by $2.0 million to $19.1 million at March 31, 2006 as compared to the balance at the end of the prior quarter. This increase is due primarily to cash from operations and, to a lesser extent, cash generated from the exercise of employee stock options.

The company reduced its valuation allowance against deferred tax assets at March 31, 2006 resulting in an effective tax rate of zero.

The difference between EBITDA per share, a non-GAAP measure, and GAAP EPS, is interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation.

A reconciliation of the differences between EBITDA and the most comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) is located under the heading “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information to GAAP” immediately following the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income included in this press release.


LivePerson considers EBITDA and cash from operations to be important financial indicators of the company's operational strength and the performance of its business. EBITDA should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. The non-GAAP measures included in this press release have been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measure in the table below.

Financial Expectations
 
The company currently expects the following financial results:

 
·
Revenue of $7.4-$7.5 million for the second quarter of 2006
 
·
EBITDA of $0.02-$0.03 per share and GAAP EPS of $0.01 for the second quarter of 2006
 
·
Revenue of $30.0 - $30.5 million for the full year 2006
 
·
EBITDA of $0.14-$0.16 per share and GAAP EPS of $0.05 for the full year 2006

These GAAP EPS expectations include the estimated impact of a change in accounting policy related to adopting SFAS No. 123(R) as of January 1, 2006. The additional expense related to this change is expected to be $0.05 per share and $0.01 per share, for the full year 2006 and the second quarter of 2006, respectively, based upon the unamortized balance of stock-based compensation expense as of March 31, 2006. This impact may change based upon additional stock option grants, if any, methodology refinement or other factors.



LivePerson, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Unaudited

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
Total revenue
 
$
6,877
 
$
4,954
 
               
Operating expenses:
             
Cost of revenue
   
1,462
   
863
 
Product development
   
880
   
675
 
Sales and marketing
   
2,646
   
1,485
 
General and administrative
   
1,501
   
1,271
 
Amortization of intangibles
   
232
   
235
 
Total operating expenses 
   
6,721
   
4,529
 
               
Income from operations
   
156
   
425
 
               
Other income, net
   
143
   
43
 
               
Income before provision for income taxes
   
299
   
468
 
               
Provision for income taxes
   
-
   
164
 
               
Net income
 
$
299
 
$
304
 
               
Basic net income per common share
 
$
0.01
 
$
0.01
 
               
Diluted net income per common share
 
$
0.01
 
$
0.01
 
               
Weighted average shares outstanding used in basic net
             
income per common share calculation
   
38,253,681
   
37,433,446
 
               
Weighted average shares outstanding used in diluted net
             
income per common share calculation
   
40,504,248
   
39,448,922
 

 
LivePerson, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information to GAAP
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Unaudited
 
Unaudited Supplemental Data

The following information is not a financial measure under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In addition, it should not be construed as an alternative to any other measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP, or as an indicator of our operating performance, liquidity or cash flows generated by operating, investing and financing activities as there may be significant factors or trends that it fails to address. We present this financial information because we believe that it is helpful to some investors as one measure of our operations. We caution investors that non-GAAP financial information, by its nature, departs from traditional accounting conventions; accordingly, its use can make it difficult to compare our results with our results from other reporting periods and with the results of other companies.

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 2006
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
Net income in accordance with generally
             
accepted accounting principles
 
$
299
 
$
304
 
Add/(less):
             
(a) Amortization of intangibles
   
232
   
235
 
(b) Stock-based compensation
   
583
   
-
 
(c)Depreciation
   
62
   
48
 
(d) Provision for income taxes
   
-
   
164
 
(e) Interest income, net
   
(143
)
 
(43
)
EBITDA (1)
 
$
1,033
 
$
708
 
Diluted EBITDA per common share
 
$
0.03
 
$
0.02
 
               
Weighted average shares used in diluted EBITDA
             
per common share
   
40,504,248
   
39,448,922
 
               
EBITDA
 
$
1,033
 
$
708
 
Add/(less):
             
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
   
207
   
(505
)
Provision for doubtful accounts
   
-
   
30
 
Provision for income taxes
   
-
   
(164
)
Tax benefit from employee stock option exercises
   
214
   
152
 
Deferred income taxes
   
(221
)
     
Interest income, net
   
143
   
43
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
1,376
 
$
264
 
 

(1)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation.
 


LivePerson, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands)
Unaudited

   
March 31, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
 
           
ASSETS
             
               
Current assets:
             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
19,121
 
$
17,117
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
1,816
   
1,727
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
553
   
591
 
Deferred tax assets
   
221
   
-
 
Total current assets
   
21,711
   
19,435
 
               
Property and equipment, net
   
568
   
575
 
Intangibles, net
   
558
   
790
 
Security deposits
   
188
   
180
 
Other assets
   
454
   
446
 
Total assets
 
$
23,479
 
$
21,426
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
               
Current liabilities:
             
Accounts payable
 
$
450
 
$
346
 
Accrued expenses
   
1,741
   
1,803
 
Deferred revenue
   
1,842
   
1,618
 
Total current liabilities
   
4,033
   
3,767
 
               
Other liabilities
   
454
   
446
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
             
               
Total stockholders' equity
   
18,992
   
17,213
 
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
23,479
 
$
21,426
 
 


About LivePerson
 
LivePerson is a provider of online conversion solutions. Our hosted software enables companies to identify and proactively engage online visitors—increasing sales, satisfaction and loyalty while reducing service costs. Combining web-interaction technology (chat, email and a self-service knowledgebase) with a deep understanding of consumer behavior and industry best practices, LivePerson’s TimpaniTM platform engages the right customer, at the right time, with the right communications channel. This Engagement Marketing platform creates more relevant, compelling and personalized experiences—converting traffic into revenues, and facilitating real-time sales and customer service. More than 4,000 companies including EarthLink, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Qwest and Verizon, rely on LivePerson to help maximize the return on their marketing and e-commerce investments. LivePerson is headquartered in New York City.

EBITDA Financial Disclosure
 
Investors are cautioned that the EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-cash compensation, information contained in this press release is not a financial measure under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, it should not be construed as an alternative to any other measures of performance determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or as an indicator of our operating performance, liquidity or cash flows generated by operating, investing and financing activities, as there may be significant factors or trends that it fails to address. We present this financial information because we believe that it is helpful to some investors as one measure of our performance. We caution investors that non-GAAP financial information such as EBITDA, by its nature, departs from traditional accounting conventions; accordingly, its use can make it difficult to compare our current results with our results from other reporting periods and with the results of other companies.

Forward Looking Statements
 
Statements in this press release regarding LivePerson that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future events or results to differ materially from such statements. Any such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change as the quarter progresses, and therefore it should be clearly understood that the internal projections and beliefs upon which we base our expectations may change prior to the end of the quarter. Although these expectations may change, we are under no obligation to inform you if they do. Our company policy is generally to provide our expectations only once per quarter, and not to update that information until the next quarter. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in a forward-looking statement: our history of losses; potential fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results; responding to rapid technological change and changing client preferences; competition in the real-time sales, marketing and customer service solutions market; continued use by our clients of the LivePerson services and their purchase of additional services; technology systems beyond our control and technology-related defects that could disrupt the LivePerson services; risks related to adverse business conditions experienced by our clients; our dependence on key employees; competition for qualified personnel; the impact of new accounting rules, including the requirement to expense stock options; the possible unavailability of financing as and if needed; risks related to the operational integration of acquisitions; risks related to our international operations, particularly our operations in Israel, and the current civil and political unrest in that region; risks related to protecting our intellectual property rights or potential infringement of the intellectual property rights of third parties; our dependence on the continued use of the Internet as a medium for commerce and the viability of the infrastructure of the Internet; and risks related to the regulation or possible misappropriation of personal information. This list is intended to identify only certain of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Readers are referred to the reports and documents filed from time to time by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of these and other important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in forward-looking statements.