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): November 5, 2008


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:

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

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

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

[ ]
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. (the “Registrant”) on November 5, 2008, announcing its results of operations and financial condition for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, 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 November 5, 2008.
 
 
 

 

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: November 5, 2008
By:   /s/ TIMOTHY E. BIXBY
 
Timothy E. Bixby
 
President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1
Press release issued November 5, 2008.
 
 
 

 
 

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 Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results

·
Quarterly revenue increases 51% from prior year
·
Business solutions revenue grows 30% from prior year, and 6% from prior quarter
·
GAAP EPS is $0.01 for third quarter
·
EBITDA per share is $0.05 for third quarter


NEW YORK, NY - November 5, 2008 - LivePerson, Inc. (Nasdaq: LPSN), a leading provider of online communication platforms that facilitate real-time assistance and expert advice, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008.

Revenue

Revenue for the third quarter was $19.4 million, a 51% increase from the third quarter of 2007, and a 4% sequential increase as compared to the second quarter of 2008. Revenue from business solutions for the third quarter was $16.7 million, a 30% increase from the third quarter of 2007, and a 6% sequential increase as compared to the preceding quarter.

Sequential revenue growth was due primarily to expansion of existing enterprise customers, as well as sales to new small business customers.

“LivePerson delivered another strong quarter with revenue, earnings and cash flow all in line with guidance,” CEO Robert LoCascio said. “In today’s uncertain economic climate, consumers are turning to the Web now more than ever for advice, information and answers. LivePerson’s platform enables individuals to connect with businesses and independent experts alike, giving people the personalized information they need, when they need it.”

Client and Partner Expansion
LivePerson added several new clients, including:
 
·
One of the largest cable providers in the nation 
·
A world leader in the mobile phone industry 
·
A global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company
·
Quest Software EMEA

The company expanded business with several existing customers, including:

·
Verizon
·
AT&T 
·
National City Corporation
·
An industry leader in personal computers and digital media
·
A prominent resort and theme park operator

 
 

 
 
Net Income

Net income for the third quarter of 2008 was $0.4 million or $0.01 per share as compared to net income of $1.6 million or $0.03 per share in the third quarter of 2007, and a net loss of $0.2 million or $0.00 per share in the second quarter of 2008.

Adjusted Net Income and EBITDA

LivePerson considers adjusted net income and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) to be important financial indicators of the company's operational strength and the performance of its business. These results should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), but should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.

A reconciliation of the differences between EBITDA and adjusted net income, and the most comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, is presented under the heading “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information to GAAP” immediately following the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income included below.

The difference between EBITDA per share, a non-GAAP measure, and GAAP EPS, is interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation. The difference between adjusted net income per share and GAAP EPS is amortization of intangible assets and stock-based compensation.

Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2008 was $2.1 million or $0.04 per share, as compared to $2.8 million or $0.06 per share in the comparable period in 2007, and $1.7 million or $0.04 per share in the second quarter of 2008.

EBITDA for the third quarter of 2008 was $2.7 million or $0.05 per share, as compared to $2.7 million or $0.06 per share in the third quarter of 2007, and $1.9 million or $0.04 per share in the second quarter of 2008.

Cash

The company’s cash balance is $23.8 million at September 30, 2008 as compared to $23.5 million as of June 30, 2008. The company generated approximately $2.7 million from operations. Also during the third quarter, the company incurred capital expenditures related primarily to the purchase of servers and computer networking equipment, resulting in a cash outlay of approximately $2.4 million.

Financial Expectations

Fourth Quarter 2008
·
Revenue of $20.0 - $20.5 million
·
EBITDA of $0.04 - $0.05 per share
·
Adjusted net income of $0.02 - $0.04 per share
·
Fully diluted share count of approximately 49 million

Full Year 2008
·
Revenue of $75.0 - $75.5 million
·
EBITDA of $0.16 - $0.18 per share
·
Adjusted net income of $0.13 - $0.14 per share
·
Fully diluted share count of approximately 49 million

 
 

 
 
Stock-Based Compensation

Included in the accompanying financial results are expenses related to stock-based compensation, as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Q3 2008
 
Cost of revenue   $ 145  
Product development     302  
Sales and marketing     292  
General and administrative     275  
Total
  $ 1,014  

Amortization of Intangible Assets

Included in the accompanying financial results are expenses related to the amortization of intangible assets, as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Q3 2008
 
Cost of revenue   $ 307  
General and administrative     352  
Total
  $ 659  
 
 
 

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

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
Total revenue
 
$
19,375
 
$
12,823
 
$
55,048
 
$
35,453
 
                           
Operating expenses:
                         
Cost of revenue
   
5,226
   
3,305
   
15,346
   
9,199
 
Product development
   
3,299
   
2,169
   
9,876
   
6,033
 
Sales and marketing
   
6,624
   
3,556
   
18,864
   
10,470
 
General and administrative
   
3,399
   
2,274
   
10,034
   
6,353
 
Amortization of other intangibles
   
352
   
242
   
1,134
   
725
 
Total operating expenses 
   
18,900
   
11,546
   
55,254
   
32,780
 
                           
Income (loss) income from operations
   
475
   
1,277
   
(206
)
 
2,673
 
                           
Other (expense) income, net
   
(44
)
 
309
   
145
   
744
 
                           
Income (loss) before benefit from income taxes
   
431
   
1,586
   
(61
)
 
3,417
 
                           
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
   
21
   
-
   
(68
)
 
-
 
                           
Net income
 
$
410
 
$
1,586
 
$
7
 
$
3,417
 
                           
Basic net income per common share
 
$
0.01
 
$
0.04
 
$
0.00
 
$
0.08
 
                           
Diluted net income per common share
 
$
0.01
 
$
0.03
 
$
0.00
 
$
0.07
 
                           
Weighted average shares outstanding used in basic net
                         
income per common share calculation
   
47,229,252
   
43,080,475
   
47,433,924
   
42,469,631
 
                           
Weighted average shares outstanding used in diluted net
                         
income per common share calculation
   
48,678,016
   
46,328,876
   
49,064,151
   
45,942,436
 
 
 
 

 
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
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
Net income in accordance with generally
                 
accepted accounting principles
 
$
410
 
$
1,586
 
$
7
 
$
3,417
 
Add/(less):
                         
(a) Amortization of intangibles
   
659
   
329
   
2,055
   
978
 
(b) Stock-based compensation
   
1,014
   
930
   
3,178
   
2,642
 
(c) Depreciation
   
526
   
146
   
1,324
   
585
 
(d) Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
   
21
   
-
   
(68
)
 
-
 
(e) Other expense (income), net
   
44
   
(309
)
 
(145
)
 
(744
)
EBITDA (1)
 
$
2,674
 
$
2,682
 
$
6,351
 
$
6,878
 
Diluted EBITDA per common share
 
$
0.05
 
$
0.06
 
$
0.13
 
$
0.15
 
                           
Weighted average shares used in diluted EBITDA
                         
per common share
   
48,678,016
   
46,328,876
   
49,064,151
   
45,942,436
 
                           
                           
Net (loss) income in accordance with generally
                         
accepted accounting principles
 
$
410
 
$
1,586
 
$
7
 
$
3,417
 
Add:
                         
(a) Amortization of intangibles
   
659
   
329
   
2,055
   
978
 
(b) Stock-based compensation
   
1,014
   
930
   
3,178
   
2,642
 
Adjusted net income
 
$
2,083
 
$
2,845
 
$
5,240
 
$
7,037
 
Diluted adjusted net income per common share
 
$
0.04
 
$
0.06
 
$
0.11
 
$
0.15
 
                           
Weighted average shares used in diluted adjusted net income
                         
per common share
   
48,678,016
   
46,328,876
   
49,064,151
   
45,942,436
 
                           
                           
EBITDA
 
$
2,674
 
$
2,682
 
$
6,351
 
$
6,878
 
Add/(less):
                         
(a) Changes in operating assets and liabilities
   
(170
)
 
795
   
(338
)
 
406
 
(b) Provision for doubtful accounts
   
-
   
54
   
68
   
74
 
(c) (Provision for) benefit from income taxes
   
(21
)
 
-
   
68
   
-
 
(d) Deferred income taxes
   
211
   
(1,437
)
 
(39
)
 
(3,521
)
(e) (Other expense) income, net
   
(44
)
 
309
   
145
   
744
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
2,650
 
$
2,403
 
$
6,255
 
$
4,581
 
 

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

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

   
September 30, 2008
 
December 31, 2007
 
           
ASSETS
         
           
Current assets:
         
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
23,773
 
$
26,222
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
6,910
   
6,026
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
2,270
   
1,802
 
Deferred tax assets, net
   
1,569
   
42
 
Total current assets
   
34,522
   
34,092
 
               
Property and equipment, net
   
7,462
   
3,733
 
Intangibles, net
   
4,898
   
6,953
 
Goodwill
   
47,971
   
51,684
 
Deferred tax assets, net
   
6,336
   
4,202
 
Security deposits
   
385
   
499
 
Other assets
   
1,677
   
1,325
 
Total assets
 
$
103,251
 
$
102,488
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
               
Current liabilities:
             
Accounts payable
 
$
4,022
 
$
3,067
 
Accrued expenses
   
8,366
   
9,191
 
Deferred revenue
   
4,408
   
4,000
 
Deferred tax liabilities, net
   
-
   
193
 
Total current liabilities
   
16,796
   
16,451
 
               
Other liabilities
   
1,677
   
1,325
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
             
               
Total stockholders' equity
   
84,778
   
84,712
 
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
103,251
 
$
102,488
 
 
 
 

 

About LivePerson
LivePerson, founded in 1995 and headquartered in New York City, is a leading provider of online communication platforms that facilitate real-time assistance and expert advice. Intelligently connecting businesses and individual experts with consumers seeking help on the Web, LivePerson’s platforms create more relevant, compelling and personalized online experiences. Every month, millions of people turn to LivePerson to get the information and advice they need to succeed online. More than 7,000 companies, including EarthLink, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Qwest, and Verizon, and 30,000 individual experts rely on LivePerson to maximize the impact of the online channel.

Non-GAAP Financial Disclosure
Investors are cautioned that the EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation, and adjusted net income, or net income excluding amortization of intangible assets and stock-based compensation, information contained in this press release are not financial measures under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, they should not be construed as alternatives to any other measures of performance determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or as indicators of our operating performance, liquidity or cash flows generated by operating, investing and financing activities, as there may be significant factors or trends that they fail to address. We present this financial information because we believe that it is helpful to some investors as a measure of our performance. 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 current results with our results from other reporting periods and with the results of other companies.

Safe Harbor Provision
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 and year progresses, and therefore it should be clearly understood that the internal projections and beliefs upon which we base our expectations may change. Although these expectations may change, we are under no obligation to inform you if they do. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein include, without limitation: risks related to the operational integration of acquisitions; risks related to our increased operations in the direct-to-consumer market; risks related to our international operations, particularly our operations in Israel, and the civil and political unrest in that region; volatility of the value of certain currencies in relation to the US dollar, particularly the New Israeli Shekel, U.K. pound and Euro; our history of losses; potential fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results; impairments to goodwill that result in significant charges to earnings; responding to rapid technological change and changing client preferences; competition in the real-time sales, marketing, customer service and online engagement 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 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.