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VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. (TSE:FORA)
TSX:FORA
Canadian Market

VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. (FORA) AI Stock Analysis

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VerticalScope Holdings, Inc.

(TSX:FORA)

60Neutral
VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. has a balanced stock score driven by strong cash flow and improving operational metrics. However, concerns over revenue growth, a high P/E ratio, and mixed technical indicators temper the overall outlook. Positive earnings call highlights, particularly in advertising growth and MAU expansion, contribute to a favorable sentiment, but challenges in e-commerce revenue present risks.
Positive Factors
Financial Health
The company's balance sheet shows a rapid de-levering trend, with net debt/EBITDA reduced to 1.3x from 1.5x a quarter ago and 2.5x a year ago.
Revenue Growth
VerticalScope's revenues were up 14.7% year over year to $17.8M with a 21.3% increase in monthly active users, which drove 22% growth in digital advertising.
Negative Factors
ECommerce Performance
ECommerce revenues declined by 20.1% year over year due to lower eCommerce ARPU, resulting from declining commissions in home fitness and video streaming.

VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. (FORA) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionVerticalScope Holdings, Inc. (FORA) is a digital media company that operates online communities and websites across various interest verticals. The company specializes in building and managing platforms that connect enthusiasts and niche audiences, providing a space for discussions, content sharing, and engagement. By leveraging its expertise in digital advertising and online community management, VerticalScope serves sectors such as automotive, technology, sports, and outdoor recreation.
How the Company Makes MoneyVerticalScope Holdings, Inc. generates revenue primarily through digital advertising on its network of online communities and websites. The company monetizes its platforms by offering advertising solutions to brands and marketers looking to reach specific, engaged audiences. Key revenue streams include display advertising, sponsored content, and partnerships with advertisers seeking to leverage VerticalScope's extensive user base. Additionally, VerticalScope may earn income from subscription services or premium content offerings, although its primary focus remains on advertising revenue. Strategic partnerships with content creators and brands enhance its ability to attract and retain advertisers, contributing significantly to its earnings.

VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. Financial Statement Overview

Summary
VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. shows a mixed financial performance. While there is a positive trend in profitability with improving margins and strong cash flow generation, revenue growth remains a concern. The balance sheet is stable with manageable leverage, but debt management requires attention to maintain long-term financial health.
Income Statement
62
Positive
VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. shows a mixed performance in its income statement. The TTM data indicates a gross profit margin of 71.38%, which is strong. The net profit margin improved to 4.06% from a negative margin in the previous year, indicating a positive trend in profitability. However, the revenue growth rate shows a decrease from prior years, reflecting some challenges in revenue expansion. EBIT and EBITDA margins are positive, with a significant improvement in EBIT from negative to 11.23%. These improvements highlight operational enhancements, although the overall growth trajectory requires attention.
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
The balance sheet reveals moderate stability for VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. The debt-to-equity ratio is 0.55, indicating a manageable level of leverage. Stockholders' equity has grown, showing a positive equity ratio of 59.50%, which is stable. Return on equity stands at 3.33%, reflecting moderate profitability relative to equity. While these indicators suggest a stable financial position, the company must continue to manage its debt levels carefully to ensure long-term financial health.
Cash Flow
68
Positive
The cash flow statement presents a favorable outlook. The free cash flow growth rate is robust, moving from $13.25 million to $20.36 million in TTM, reflecting strong cash generation capabilities. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is high at 8.21, indicating efficient cash conversion from earnings. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 7.49, underscoring strong cash flow relative to net income. These metrics highlight the company's effective cash management and ability to generate sufficient cash flow for operations and investments.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020Dec 2019
Income StatementTotal Revenue
67.05M60.90M80.49M65.76M56.92M58.45M
Gross Profit
47.86M34.22M45.67M38.95M35.46M35.53M
EBIT
7.53M-2.99M-20.29M-6.76M3.58M2.24M
EBITDA
22.19M18.55M14.71M440.34K8.54M24.05M
Net Income Common Stockholders
2.72M-4.95M-24.77M-12.26M-1.51M-1.73M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
4.60M6.02M8.77M20.49M4.60M5.11M
Total Assets
87.68M152.95M177.56M217.03M87.68M102.00M
Total Debt
104.70M61.52M61.64M84.06M104.70M115.16M
Net Debt
100.10M55.51M52.87M63.56M100.10M110.05M
Total Liabilities
110.23M72.27M96.06M120.79M110.23M125.00M
Stockholders Equity
-22.54M80.69M81.50M96.24M-22.54M-23.00M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
20.36M13.25M10.92M-4.09M9.39M10.90M
Operating Cash Flow
22.32M15.51M20.64M19.60M14.10M16.57M
Investing Cash Flow
-1.92M-17.07M-9.66M-87.76M-3.45M-5.65M
Financing Cash Flow
-20.95M-1.13M-22.47M84.40M-11.19M-21.91M

VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price10.80
Price Trends
50DMA
11.95
Negative
100DMA
10.50
Positive
200DMA
9.68
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.36
Positive
RSI
37.39
Neutral
STOCH
25.76
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:FORA, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 10.8 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 12.59, below the 50-day MA of 11.95, and above the 200-day MA of 9.68, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.36 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 37.39 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 25.76 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for TSE:FORA.

VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (59)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
60
Neutral
C$231.13M61.963.45%8.87%
TSSTC
60
Neutral
C$225.07M-2.60%-2.76%77.19%
59
Neutral
$29.20B0.14-13.78%4.02%2.18%-51.50%
57
Neutral
C$563.66M-6.14%3.54%9.94%-147.16%
TSTGO
45
Neutral
C$26.20M-96.12%1.15%25.39%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:FORA
VerticalScope Holdings, Inc.
10.80
5.74
113.44%
TSE:STC
Sangoma Technologies
6.70
0.32
5.02%
TSE:RAY.A
Stingray Digit SV
8.30
1.21
17.07%
TSE:TGO
TeraGo Inc.
1.31
-0.04
-2.96%

VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Nov 12, 2024 | % Change Since: 24.71% | Next Earnings Date: Mar 12, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong revenue and MAU growth, impressive programmatic advertising gains, and a strengthened financial position. However, there were challenges in e-commerce revenue, a slight decline in adjusted EBITDA margin, and no new LLM deals were signed. The positive aspects, particularly in advertising growth and financial health, outweigh the negatives.
Highlights
Revenue and MAU Growth
Revenue grew by 15%, and MAUs reached a record 122 million, up 21% over last year.
Programmatic Advertising Growth
Programmatic advertising increased by 36% and now constitutes 71% of the advertising revenue.
Strengthened Financial Position
Debt reduced to less than $40 million, with a leverage ratio of 1.3x. Free cash flow increased by 7% to $6.4 million.
Expanding M&A Pipeline
The company is close to making a second tuck-in acquisition, with an improving deal-making environment anticipated for 2025.
Positive Momentum in Advertising
Advertising revenue was $15.6 million, up 22%, with strong programmatic performance and improving direct advertising trends.
Lowlights
Flat E-commerce Revenue
E-commerce revenue was flat compared to Q2 and down 20% year-over-year, representing only 12% of total revenue.
Decline in Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Adjusted EBITDA margin declined from 44% to 42%, due to higher performance-based incentives and technology investments.
No New LLM Deals
The company did not sign any LLM deals in the quarter, with the process expected to continue into 2025.
Company Guidance
In the third quarter of 2024, VerticalScope Holdings reported a 15% growth in revenue, driven by a significant 36% increase in programmatic advertising, which now accounts for 71% of their ad revenue. The company served a record 122 million monthly active users (MAUs), up 21% from the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA rose by 9% to $7.4 million, while free cash flow increased by 7% to $6.4 million, with a conversion rate of 86%. The digital advertising sector grew by 22%, with direct advertising showing momentum for Q4. VerticalScope's debt was reduced to less than $40 million, reflecting a 1.3x leverage, and they have secured a new credit facility for future acquisitions. The company is optimistic about sustained MAU growth and is exploring new technologies, including AI and blockchain, to enhance user engagement and authenticity. Looking ahead, they expect double-digit revenue growth in the advertising segment for Q4 and continued M&A activity to drive growth in 2025.

VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. Corporate Events

VerticalScope Reports Strong Growth and Record User Numbers
Nov 12, 2024

VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. reported a significant rise in financial results for Q3 2024, with revenue climbing 15% to $17.8 million and monthly active users increasing by 21% to a record 122 million. The company’s digital advertising revenue was a key driver of this growth, supported by new partnerships and the rising demand for authentic perspectives on its platform. Additionally, VerticalScope improved its financial position by reducing debt and purchasing shares, paving the way for future growth opportunities.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.