Catena Media Navigates Q3 2023 With Reduced Income but Positive Net Cash

Although Catena Media experienced a 28% reduction in income during the third quarter of 2023, the company maintains a positive net cash balance of €21.2 million.

The organization generated €15.9 million in overall operating income for the July-September 2023 timeframe, with the North American market contributing a substantial 84% of that figure.

To provide perspective, Catena Media’s Q3 2023 income represents a 28% year-over-year decrease to €15.9 million (approximately $17.4 million). When factoring in discontinued business segments, total income actually plummeted 42% from Q3 2022 to €18.7 million. It’s worth noting that Q2 2023 witnessed a 37% revenue decline when including discontinued operations.

Throughout this year, Catena Media has been divesting assets, including its Italian online sports wagering and casino businesses for €19.8 million. This explains why the affiliate marketing firm is incorporating earnings from discontinued operations when analyzing revenue for the preceding quarters.

Concentrating exclusively on ongoing operations, revenue for Q2 2022 amounted to €21.9 million, reflecting the previously mentioned 28% drop.

The most substantial decline in Catena’s Q3 2023 report was observed in adjusted EBITDA. For continuing operations, adjusted EBITDA reached €3.1 million, marking a considerable 65% decrease. This translates to a 19% margin; nevertheless, Catena Media emphasized that its North American EBITDA margin remained robust in Q3 2023 at 44%.

Notwithstanding the financial challenges, Catena Media disclosed a net cash position of €21.2 million, which encompasses an anticipated €46.6 million cash influx from asset sales between now and 2025. However, as of September 30, 2023, Catena’s net debt stood at €25.4 million.

Eighteen months into a Catena Media restructuring initiative, CEO Michael Daly contemplates the company’s evolution. “We’ve become a more agile, targeted entity, producing positive financial returns and poised to allocate resources towards technology that will propel our growth within the North American sector.” A recent discussion with Daly provided insights into his professional trajectory, his contributions to Catena Media, and his outlook for the company’s future. The complete interview is available for your perusal.