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Cars.com Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

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Exceeded Fourth Quarter Guidance, Delivered 7% Year-Over-Year Revenue Growth

Achieved 7% Year-Over-Year ARPD Growth coupled with Strong Fourth Quarter OEM Performance

Generated $137MM of Annual Cash Flows From Operating Activities

CHICAGO, Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Cars.com Inc. (NYSE: CARS) (d/b/a “Cars Commerce Inc.” or the “Company”), an audience-driven technology company empowering the automotive industry, today released its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.

Q4 2023 Financial and Key Metric Highlights

Revenue of $179.6 million, up $11.4 million, or 7% year-over-yearNet income of $8.3 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to Net Income of $10.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the prior yearAdjusted EBITDA of $55.4 million, or 31% of revenue, up $5.9 million year-over-yearAverage Monthly Unique Visitors (“UVs”) of 24.3 million, compared to 24.6 million a year agoTraffic (“Visits”) of 142.7 million, up 2% year-over-yearMonthly Average Revenue Per Dealer (“ARPD”) of $2,523, up 7% year-over-yearDealer Customers totaled 19,504[1] as of December 31, 2023, up 789 compared to 18,715 as of September 30, 2023

2023 Full-Year Financial and Key Metric Highlights

Revenue of $689.2 million, up $35.3 million, or 5% year-over-yearNet income of $118.4 million, or $1.74 per diluted share, compared to Net income of $17.2 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, in the prior year. Current year Net income was primarily related to the release of a significant portion of the Company’s valuation allowanceAdjusted EBITDA of $194.9 million, or 28.3% of revenue, compared to $186.7 million, or 28.6% of revenue in the prior yearCash flows from operating activities of $136.7 million, compared to $128.5 million in the prior year, with Free cash flow of $115.8 million, compared to $108.8 million in the prior yearUVs of 26.4 million, even compared to the prior yearTraffic of 614.8 million, up 5% year-over-year, setting an all-time Company record for traffic

Operational Highlights

AccuTrade was selected by FordDirect as its preferred Vehicle Acquisition and Trade & Appraisal solution for The Shop, a newly launched preferred vendor selection program for its more than 3,000 U.S. Ford and Lincoln retailersClosed on the acquisition of D2C Media, a leading provider of website and digital advertising solutions; integration of teams and technology underway supporting the Company’s expanding presence in CanadaDebuted VIN Performance Media, a new advertising solution that combines three of the Company’s existing media products into a single solution that saves dealers time and money, while maximizing ad performance and operational efficiency

“2023 marked a year of significant progress. We advanced our platform strategy through the introduction of Cars Commerce, the rollout of our Marketplace Repackaging initiative and our expansion into Canada with the acquisition of D2C Media. Our focus on simplifying everything about buying and selling cars enabled us to continue to deliver value for consumers, dealers, and OEMs, supporting our twelve consecutive quarters of year-over-year profitable revenue growth,” said Alex Vetter, Chief Executive Officer of Cars Commerce. “We begin 2024 well-positioned to continue building on this momentum, unlocking new growth opportunities and driving commerce for the auto industry.”

Q4 2023 Results

Revenue for the fourth quarter, which includes two months of activity related to D2C Media, totaled $179.6 million, an increase of $11.4 million, or up 7%, compared to the prior year period. Excluding D2C Media, the Company’s  revenue would have increased 5%, year-over-year.

Dealer revenue grew 8% year-over-year, driven by continued growth in solutions and media products and the 2023 Marketplace Repackaging initiative. OEM and National revenue also grew 8%, year-over-year driven by a 24% increase in OEM customer revenue. Sequentially, OEM and National revenue increased 6%, driven by 11% growth in OEM customer revenue.

Fourth quarter ARPD grew 7%, or $162, year-over-year to $2,523, primarily driven by the 2023 Marketplace Repackaging initiative. As of December 31, 2023, Dealer Customers totaled 19,504, including 950 dealers associated with the Company’s D2C Media acquisition, an increase of 789 compared to 18,715 at the end of the third quarter of 2023.

Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter were $164.7 million, compared to $148.4 million for the prior year period. Adjusted Operating Expenses for the quarter were $150.8 million, a $10.1 million increase compared to the prior year period. The change in Adjusted operating expenses is primarily due to continued investments in people, an increase in depreciation and amortization, and investments in marketing to support the launch of the Company’s Cars Commerce brand.

Net income for the quarter was $8.3 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to Net income of $10.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2022. The change in Net income is primarily attributable to the changes in the fair value contingent consideration associated with the Company’s prior acquisitions.

Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded sequentially throughout the year, reaching 31% of revenue for the quarter, or $55.4 million, compared to 29% of revenue, or $49.5 million, for the prior year period.

2023 Full-Year Results

Revenue for the year totaled $689.2 million, an increase of $35.3 million, or up 5%, compared to the prior year period. Dealer revenue grew 7% year-over-year, driven by the continued growth in solutions and media and the 2023 Marketplace Repackaging initiative. OEM and National revenue was down 5%, year-over-year; while OEM revenue increased 8% relative to the prior year, revenue from insurance customers was down compared to a year ago. Other Revenue was $4.5 million lower compared to the prior year primarily due to the planned expiration of a non-cash transition services agreement related to AccuTrade in the first quarter of 2023.

For the year, total operating expenses were $635.1 million, compared to $587.8 million in 2022. Adjusted Operating Expenses for the year were $594.1 million, a $38.2 million increase compared to the prior year that was largely driven by increased compensation and employee related expenses, particularly in Marketing and sales and Product and technology. Additionally, as the Company has accelerated product development and technology investments, Depreciation and amortization expense was also up, year-over-year.

Marketing and sales costs increased primarily due to higher compensation and higher investments in Brand Media to support both the Company’s Possibilities advertising campaign and launch of its enterprise brand, Cars Commerce.

2023 Net income totaled $118.4 million, or $1.74 per diluted share, compared to Net income of $17.2 million, or $0.25 per diluted share in the prior year. The increase in Net income is primarily related to the release of a significant portion of the Company’s valuation allowance, given the expectation of projected future income and utilization of the Company’s tax assets.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year totaled $194.9 million, or 28.3% of revenue, compared to $186.7 million, or 28.6% of revenue, in the prior year period.

The Company remained focused on driving high-quality traffic at scale. Organic traffic remained strong at 61% for the year and Average Monthly Unique Visitors for the year were in line with the prior year. In 2023, total Traffic increased 5%, reaching 614.8 million, a new all-time Company record.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2023 was $136.7 million, compared to $128.5 million in the prior year. Free cash flow in 2023 totaled $115.8 million compared to $108.8 million in 2022. The increase is primarily due to  an $8.2 million year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA and favorable working capital, partially offset by a year-over-year increase in cash taxes of $17.1 million.

In 2023, the Company made $36.3 million in debt payments. Total debt outstanding was $490.0 million as of December 31, 2023 and the Company’s net leverage (as defined in the Company’s credit facility) remained within its target net leverage range of 2.0x to 2.5x, improving to 2.3x, compared to 2.4x as of December 31, 2022. Total liquidity as of December 31, 2023 was $234.2 million, which is defined as Cash and cash equivalents of $39.2 million and revolver capacity of $195.0 million.

For the year, the Company repurchased 1.7 million of its common shares, or 2.6% of the 66.3 million shares outstanding at December 31, 2022, for $31.3 million

“2023 was a year with robust revenue growth and strong Adjusted EBITDA margins, driven by our focus on execution. Our asset light business model consistently generates strong free cash flow conversion that enables us to invest in growth areas that continue to deliver sustained value for consumers, customers, and shareholders,” said Sonia Jain, Chief Financial Officer of Cars Commerce.

2024 Outlook 

The Company expects to deliver another year of strong growth. The Company believes market conditions are improving, with increased OEM production, new model launches, and rising dealer inventory, which coupled with a still cautious consumer makes the Company’s in-market solutions more valuable.

First quarter revenue is expected to be between $179 million and $181 million, representing year-over-year growth of 7% to 8%. First quarter revenue outlook reflects continued strong growth in Dealer revenue driven by continued adoption of the Cars Commerce suite of products, the D2C acquisition, and the full period impact of the 2023 Marketplace Repackaging Initiative. OEM and National Advertising spend is also expected to be up year-over-year, but historically has experienced some seasonality from the fourth quarter to the first quarter. For the year, the Company anticipates continued growth across its platform with both dealer and OEM customers which is reflected in its revenue growth guidance of 6% to 8%.

Adjusted EBITDA margin for the first quarter of 2024 is expected to be between 27% and 29%. It’s important to note, the Company has seasonally higher investments in Marketing and sales in the first quarter, due to the timing of in-person industry events. The Company expects margins to improve over the course of the year and deliver a full year Adjusted EBITDA margin between 28% to 30%.

Q4 2023 Earnings Call

As previously announced, management will hold a conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. CT. This webcast may be accessed at the Cars Commerce Investor relations website,  investor.cars.com. An archive of the webcast will be available at investor.cars.com following the conclusion of the call.

About Cars Commerce

Cars Commerce is an audience-driven technology company empowering the automotive industry. The Company simplifies everything about car buying and selling with powerful products, solutions and AI-driven technologies that span pretail, retail and post-sale activities – enabling more efficient and profitable retail operations. The Cars Commerce platform is organized around four industry-leading brands: the flagship automotive marketplace and dealer reputation site Cars.com, award-winning technology and digital retail technology and marketing services from Dealer Inspire, essential trade-in and appraisal technology from AccuTrade, and exclusive in-market media solutions from the Cars Commerce Media Network. Learn more at www.carscommerce.inc.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release discusses Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin and Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Operating Expenses. These financial measures are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). These financial measures are presented as supplemental measures of operating performance because the Company believes they provide meaningful information regarding the Company’s performance and provide a basis to compare operating results between periods. In addition, the Company uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure for determining incentive compensation targets. Adjusted EBITDA also is used as a performance measure under the Company’s credit agreement and includes adjustments such as the items defined below and other further adjustments, which are defined in the credit agreement. These non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by the Company’s lenders, securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in the Company’s industry. For a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures presented in this earnings release to their most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP, see “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.

Other companies may define or calculate these measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are presented in the tables below.

The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before (1) interest expense, net, (2) income tax (benefit) expense, (3) depreciation, (4) amortization of intangible assets, (5) stock-based compensation expense, (6) unrealized mark-to-market adjustments and cash transactions related to derivative instruments, and (7) unrealized foreign currency exchange gains and losses, and (8) certain other items, such as transaction-related items, severance, transformation and other exit costs and write-off and impairments of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets.

Transaction-related items result from actual or potential transactions such as business combinations, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, spin-offs, financing transactions, and other strategic transactions, including, without limitation, (1) transaction-related bonuses and (2) expenses for advisors and representatives such as investment bankers, consultants, attorneys and accounting firms. Transaction-related items may also include, without limitation, transition and integration costs such as retention bonuses and acquisition-related milestone payments to acquired employees, consulting, compensation and other incremental costs associated with integration projects, fair value changes to contingent considerations and amortization of deferred revenue related to the Accu-Trade acquisition.

The Company defines Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, including purchases of property and equipment and capitalization of internally developed technology.

The Company defines Adjusted Operating Expenses as total operating expenses adjusted to exclude stock-based compensation, write-off and impairments of goodwill, intangible assets, long-lived assets, severance, transformation and other exit costs and transaction-related items.

Key Metric Definitions

Average Monthly Unique Visitors (“UVs”) and Traffic (“Visits”). The Company defines UVs in a given month as the number of distinct visitors that engage with its platform during that month. Visitors are identified when a user first visits an individual Cars.com property on an individual device/browser combination or installs one of its mobile apps on an individual device. If a visitor accesses more than one of its web properties or apps or uses more than one device or browser, each of those unique property/browser/app/device combinations counts toward the number of UVs. Traffic is defined as the number of visits to Cars.com desktop and mobile properties (responsive sites and mobile apps). The Company measures UVs and Traffic via Adobe Analytics. These metrics do not include traffic to Dealer Inspire or D2C Media websites.

Monthly Average Revenue Per Dealer (“ARPD”). The Company believes that its ability to grow ARPD is an indicator of the value proposition of its platform. The Company defines ARPD as Dealer revenue, excluding digital advertising services, during the period divided by the monthly average number of Dealer Customers during the same period. Beginning with the three months ended June 30, 2022, AccuTrade is included in our ARPD metric. No prior period has been recast as it would be impracticable to do so and the inclusion of AccuTrade would have had an immaterial impact on ARPD for prior periods. Additionally, beginning December 31, 2023, this key operating metric includes D2C Media.

Dealer Customers. Dealer Customers represent dealerships using our products as of the end of each reporting period. Each physical or virtual dealership location is counted separately, whether it is a single-location proprietorship or part of a large, consolidated dealer group. Multi-franchise dealerships at a single location are counted as one dealer. Beginning June 30, 2022, this key operating metric includes AccuTrade; however, no prior period has been recast as it would be impracticable to do so. Additionally, beginning December 31, 2023, this key operating metric includes D2C Media.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements often use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “project,” “anticipate,” “outlook,” “intend,” “strategy,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “seek,” “will,” “may,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “forecasts,” “mission,” “strive,” “more,” “goal” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs, strategies, estimates, projections and assumptions, experience in the industry as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors we think are appropriate. Such forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Cars Commerce and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. While Cars Commerce and its management make such statements in good faith and believe such judgments are reasonable, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of future strategic action, performance or results. Our actual results, performance, achievements, strategic actions or prospects could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, you should not rely on forward-looking statements in making investment decisions. When we make comparisons of results between current and prior periods, we do not intend to express any future trends, or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and you should view such comparisons as historical data. Whether or not any such forward-looking statement is in fact achieved will depend on future events, some of which are beyond our control.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results and strategic actions to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. For a detailed discussion of many of these and other risks and uncertainties, see “Part I, Item 1A., Risk Factors” and “Part II, Item 7., Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 22, 2024 and our other filings filed with the SEC and available on our website at investor.cars.com or via EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this press release in the context of these risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based only on information currently available to us and speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking or cautionary statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of events, unanticipated or otherwise, or changes in future operating results over time or otherwise. The forward-looking statements in this report are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the federal securities laws.

Cars Commerce Investor Relations Contact:
Robbin Moore-Randolph
rmr@carscommerce.com
312.601.5929

Cars Commerce Media Contact:
Marita Thomas
mthomas@carscommerce.com
312.601.5692

[1]As of December 31, 2023, this key metric includes the addition of 950 D2C Media only customers.

Cars.com Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,

2023

2022

2023

2022

Revenue:

  Dealer

$               161,393

$               149,424

$               621,661

$               579,222

  OEM and National

15,410

14,330

55,904

58,557

  Other 

2,803

4,447

11,618

16,097

       Total revenue

179,606

168,201

689,183

653,876

Operating expenses:

  Cost of revenue and operations

30,918

28,875

122,205

114,959

  Product and technology

25,230

23,166

99,584

89,015

  Marketing and sales

58,835

56,515

235,471

221,879

  General and administrative

23,069

16,128

76,807

67,593

  Depreciation and amortization

26,619

23,706

101,000

94,394

       Total operating expenses

164,671

148,390

635,067

587,840

         Operating income

14,935

19,811

54,116

66,036

Nonoperating expense:

  Interest expense, net

(8,254)

(8,442)

(32,425)

(35,320)

  Other (expense) income, net

(4,790)

5,093

(3,586)

(8,140)

       Total nonoperating expense, net

(13,044)

(3,349)

(36,011)

(43,460)

       Income before income taxes

1,891

16,462

18,105

22,576

       Income tax (benefit) expense

(6,455)

6,200

(100,337)

5,370

          Net income

$                   8,346

$                 10,262

$               118,442

$                 17,206

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

Basic

66,510

66,546

66,742

68,215

Diluted

68,326

68,513

68,227

69,649

Earnings per share:

Basic

$                     0.13

$                     0.15

$                     1.77

$                     0.25

Diluted

0.12

0.15

1.74

0.25

 

Cars.com Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share data)

December 31, 2023

December 31, 2022

Assets:

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$                       39,198

$                       31,715

Accounts receivable, net

125,373

107,930

Prepaid expenses

12,553

8,377

Other current assets

1,314

605

Total current assets

178,438

148,627

Property and equipment, net

43,853

45,218

Goodwill

147,058

102,856

Intangible assets, net 

669,167

707,088

Deferred tax assets, net

112,953

48

Investments and other assets, net

20,980

21,033

Total assets

$                  1,172,449

$                  1,024,870

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$                       22,259

$                       18,230

Accrued compensation

31,669

19,316

Current portion of long-term debt, net

23,129

14,134

Other accrued liabilities

68,691

54,332

Total current liabilities

145,748

106,012

Noncurrent liabilities:

Long-term debt, net

460,119

458,249

Deferred tax liabilities, net

8,757

1,401

Other noncurrent liabilities

65,717

74,778

Total noncurrent liabilities

534,593

534,428

Total liabilities

680,341

640,440

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity:

Preferred Stock at par, $0.01 par value; 5,000 shares authorized; no
   shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022,
   respectively

Common Stock at par, $0.01 par value; 300,000 shares authorized;
   65,929 and 66,287 shares issued and outstanding as of
   December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively

659

662

Additional paid-in capital

1,500,232

1,511,944

Accumulated deficit

(1,009,734)

(1,128,176)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

951

Total stockholders’ equity

492,108

384,430

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$                  1,172,449

$                  1,024,870

 

Cars.com Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

Year Ended December 31,

2023

2022

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$               118,442

$                 17,206

Adjustments to reconcile Net income to Net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation

22,331

16,380

Amortization of intangible assets

78,669

78,014

Amortization of Accumulated other comprehensive loss on interest rate swap

2,362

Changes in fair value of contingent consideration

5,537

8,130

Stock-based compensation

28,491

22,342

Deferred income taxes

(114,498)

1,283

Provision for doubtful accounts

2,986

1,888

Amortization of debt issuance costs

3,042

3,235

Unrealized gain on foreign currency denominated transactions

(2,072)

Amortization of deferred revenue related to AccuTrade Acquisition

(883)

(4,417)

Other, net

1,026

1,202

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

Accounts receivable

(15,567)

(9,337)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

(5,101)

(423)

Accounts payable

3,722

2,611

Accrued compensation

11,638

(4,296)

Other liabilities

(1,043)

(7,669)

Net cash provided by operating activities

136,720

128,511

Cash flows from investing activities:

     Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(76,168)

(64,663)

     Capitalization of internally developed technology

(19,602)

(17,886)

     Purchase of property and equipment

(1,280)

(1,828)

Net cash used in investing activities

(97,050)

(84,377)

Cash flows from financing activities:

     Proceeds from Revolving Loan borrowings

45,000

45,000

     Payments of Revolving Loan borrowings and long-term debt

(36,250)

(41,250)

     Payments for stock-based compensation plans, net

(9,205)

(6,256)

     Repurchases of common stock

(31,293)

(48,982)

     Payments of debt issuance costs and other fees

Net cash used in financing activities

(31,748)

(51,488)

Impact of foreign currency on Cash and cash equivalents

(439)

Net increase (decrease) in Cash and cash equivalents

7,483

(7,354)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

31,715

39,069

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$                 39,198

$                 31,715

Supplemental cash flow information:

Cash paid for income taxes

$                 17,636

$                      545

Cash paid for interest and swap

30,416

33,370

 

Cars.com Inc.

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,

2023

2022

2023

2022

Reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDA

Net income

$                   8,346

$                 10,262

$               118,442

$                 17,206

Interest expense, net

8,254

8,442

32,425

35,320

Income tax (benefit) expense

(6,455)

6,200

(100,337)

5,370

Depreciation and amortization

26,619

23,706

101,000

94,394

Stock-based compensation, including related payroll tax expense

7,844

5,390

30,127

22,966

Non-operating foreign exchange income

(2,072)

(2,072)

Write-off of long-lived assets and other

389

929

1,027

999

Severance, transformation and other exit costs

1,226

960

3,574

4,329

Transaction-related items

11,253

(6,370)

10,698

6,144

Adjusted EBITDA

$                 55,404

$                 49,519

$               194,884

$               186,728

Reconciliation of Net cash provided by operating activities to Free cash flow

Net cash provided by operating activities

$                 45,140

$                 37,220

$               136,720

$               128,511

Capitalization of internally developed technology

(4,764)

(4,739)

(19,602)

(17,886)

Purchase of property and equipment

(543)

(576)

(1,280)

(1,828)

Free cash flow

$                 39,833

$                 31,905

$               115,838

$               108,797

Reconciliation of Operating expenses to Adjusted operating expenses for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023:

As Reported

Adjustments (1)

Stock-Based Compensation

As Adjusted

Cost of revenue and operations

$                 30,918

$                        —

$                    (396)

$                 30,522

Product and technology

25,230

(2,518)

22,712

Marketing and sales

58,835

(48)

(1,566)

57,221

General and administrative

23,069

(6,003)

(3,364)

13,702

Depreciation and amortization

26,619

26,619

Total operating expenses

$               164,671

$                 (6,051)

$                 (7,844)

$               150,776

Total nonoperating expense, net

$               (13,044)

$                   4,745

$                        —

$                 (8,299)

(1) Includes transaction related items, unrealized gain on foreign currency denominated transactions, severance, transformation and other exit costs, and write-off of long-lived assets and other.

Reconciliation of Operating expenses to Adjusted operating expenses for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2022:

As Reported

Adjustments (1)

Stock-Based Compensation

As Adjusted

Cost of revenue and operations

$                 28,875

$                        —

$                    (224)

$                 28,651

Product and technology

23,166

(1,765)

21,401

Marketing and sales

56,515

(1,164)

55,351

General and administrative

16,128

(2,373)

(2,237)

11,518

Depreciation and amortization

23,706

23,706

Total operating expenses

$               148,390

$                 (2,373)

$                 (5,390)

$               140,627

Total nonoperating expense, net

$                 (3,349)

$                 (5,229)

$                        —

$                 (8,578)

(1) Includes transaction related items, severance, transformation and other exit costs, and write-off of long-lived assets and other.

Reconciliation of Operating expenses to Adjusted operating expenses for the Year Ended December 31, 2023:

As Reported

Adjustments (1)

Stock-Based Compensation

As Adjusted

Cost of revenue and operations

$               122,205

$                        —

$                 (1,571)

$               120,634

Product and technology

99,584

(9,360)

90,224

Marketing and sales

235,471

(48)

(6,078)

229,345

General and administrative

76,807

(10,797)

(13,118)

52,892

Depreciation and amortization

101,000

101,000

Total operating expenses

$               635,067

$               (10,845)

$               (30,127)

$               594,095

Total nonoperating expense, net

$               (36,011)

$                   3,465

$                        —

$               (32,546)

(1) Includes transaction related items, severance, transformation and other exit costs, unrealized gain on foreign currency denominated transactions, and write-off of long-lived assets and other.

Reconciliation of Operating expenses to Adjusted operating expenses for the Year Ended December 31, 2022:

As Reported

Adjustments (1)

Stock-Based Compensation

As Adjusted

Cost of revenue and operations

$               114,959

$                        —

$                    (983)

$               113,976

Product and technology

89,015

(6,851)

82,164

Marketing and sales

221,879

(5,068)

216,811

General and administrative

67,593

(8,943)

(10,064)

48,586

Depreciation and amortization

94,394

94,394

Total operating expenses

$               587,840

$                 (8,943)

$               (22,966)

$               555,931

Total nonoperating expense, net

$               (43,460)

$                   7,946

$                        —

$               (35,514)

(1) Includes transaction related items, severance, transformation and other exit costs, and write-off of long-lived assets and other.

 

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SOURCE Cars Commerce

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Hyundai Motor Group Accelerates Autonomous Driving Innovation with AI-Powered Data Flywheel

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Hyundai Motor Group hosts “HMG Autonomous Driving Media Day”, outlining its roadmap for the next era of autonomous driving; first showcase of Level 2++ technologyDual-Track strategy accelerates Level 2+ production through NVIDIA collaboration while internalizing key autonomous driving technologies through proprietary Atria AI
…NVIDIA solutions-based Level 2+ production targeted for the H1 2028 and Level 2++ in H2 2028, followed by Atria AI-powered Level 2++ vehicles in H2 2029
…Progressive sensor standardization across Hyundai Motor, Kia, 42dot and Motional brings together autonomous driving capabilities across the GroupData Flywheel strategy establishes a virtuous cycle of data collection, training, validation and deployment to continuously advance AI capabilities
…Expands the Group’s data ecosystem by leveraging its annual sales of 7 million vehicles and Data Union framework, while implementing a data-centric development framework based on hard example mining, continuous training and SER
…Real-world Level 4 pilot to launch in Gwangju by year-end in partnership with Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to secure large-scale validation data42dot shares Vision-Language-Action (VLA)-based autonomous driving technology that integrates visual information and language-based reasoning to guide driving decisions
…VLA research focuses on addressing edge cases, while parallel development of end-to-end (E2E) autonomy and VLA models enhances technical stability and scalability
…VLA model validation currently underway, with on-road testing and the full development process scheduled to run through early next yearNew Atria AI urban driving videos — an executive ride-along, one-take footage, and edge-case handling — are live on the Group’s YouTube channel

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) announced that it has put its Data Flywheel into full operation, marking a new phase in its autonomous driving technology strategy. The system creates a virtuous cycle of data collection, AI training, validation and deployment to secure a competitive advantage through accelerated learning and technology development.

During the Group’s “HMG Autonomous Driving Media Day” at 42dot headquarters in Gyeonggi Province, Korea, the Group presented its autonomous driving development strategy, technology roadmap, key achievements and implementation plans. The presentation underscored the Group’s strategic positioning in the global autonomous driving technology competition and detailed how integrated data and AI systems form the foundation for next-generation vehicle technology.

At the event, the Group identified the Data Flywheel as a key element of its autonomous driving competitiveness and shared the operational framework and execution strategy that transforms large-scale real-world driving data into continuous technology improvements.

42dot also introduced key technologies and the development progress for the Group’s proprietary autonomous driving artificial intelligence, Atria AI, while outlining the background and future plans for its Vision-Language-Action (VLA) technology development initiative.

In line with the event, the Group unveiled footage of an Atria AI-equipped SDV Testbed navigating complex urban traffic without driver intervention. Operating at a Level 2++ capability, the autonomous driving system showcased in the footage illustrates how the Data Flywheel is enabling a continuous cycle of learning, validation and performance improvement. The footage is available on the Group’s official YouTube channel.

“Autonomous driving competition is no longer about comparing specific features. Competitiveness is determined by how much data you secure, how quickly you learn and how effectively you can reflect those results in actual products and services. At its core, autonomous driving competitiveness comes down to having systems that enable continuous, rapid learning. Hyundai Motor Group will develop autonomous driving technology that customers can trust, based on a virtuous cycle of data, AI and validation. Our goal is to ensure the safety and quality levels customers can trust while we learn and improve rapidly.” – Minwoo Park, President and Head of Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) Division at Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of 42dot

About Hyundai Motor Group

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at: http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai, Kia Global Newsroom, Genesis Newsroom

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Allstream Energy Partners Nominated in Multiple Categories for Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators

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Nomination Categories for Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in AI & Automation, Advertising, Marketing & PR

HOUSTON, Sept. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Allstream Energy Partners has been nominated in multiple categories for Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators program, recognizing organizations redefining their industries through innovation, leadership, and emerging technologies.

The company received nominations in six categories:

Best Workplaces for Innovators North AmericaAI, Automation and Machine Learning ExcellenceAdvertising, Marketing and PRSmall & Mighty CompaniesInnovative Leader of the Year: Efrain Garcia, Founder and CEOInnovative Team of the Year

The nominations recognize Allstream’s investment in proprietary AI-driven marketing technologies, digital publishing solutions, and workflows designed to change how energy companies build visibility, authority, and customer engagement.

Where Oil and Gas Digital Marketing Meets Publishing

Allstream Energy Partners has developed an agency-plus-publisher model combining digital marketing, content creation, industry communications, media publishing, executive networking, and business development.

As artificial intelligence changes how buyers discover suppliers, manufacturers, engineering firms, service companies, and technology providers, Allstream helps clients position themselves to be recommended—not simply found.

Its integrated capabilities include AI marketing strategy, AI-optimized website development, SEO for Oil and Gas, Answer Engine Optimization, Generative Engine Optimization, AI search visibility, content marketing, industry publishing, public relations, social media, paid search, email marketing, event promotion, podcasting, branding, and digital advertising.

Innovation Built for Energy

Unlike a general marketing agency, Allstream was built specifically for oil and gas, energy, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and industrial markets. Each founder brings 27 years of experience supporting sales, business development, capital projects, technical services, industrial marketing, and digital strategy.

This experience gives Allstream an understanding of how technical buyers evaluate suppliers, how projects move through the market, and how engineering, procurement, operations, and executive teams consume information.

The company continues investing in proprietary methodologies that combine industry knowledge, journalism, publishing, AI optimization, communications, and business development strategy. As AI becomes an important starting point for supplier research and vendor discovery, Allstream helps organizations evolve beyond traditional SEO.

“Marketing has fundamentally changed,” said Efrain Garcia, Founder and CEO of Allstream Energy Partners. “Our team recognized early that AI would transform how buyers discover companies, evaluate expertise, and make purchasing decisions. These nominations reflect our commitment to innovation and our mission to help the energy industry succeed in an AI-first world.”

About Allstream Energy Partners

Allstream Energy Partners is a Houston-based, AI-powered marketing and media company serving the energy and industrial supply chain. Through SEO, GEO, AEO, AI-optimized websites, publishing, strategic communications, networking events, and business partnerships, Allstream helps Oil and Gas companies strengthen their brands, improve visibility across search engines and AI platforms, and generate qualified business opportunities.
Visit www.AllstreamEP.com

Media Contact:
Efrain Garcia
efrain@allstreamep.com
8324963004

Photo(s):
https://www.prlog.org/13170255

Press release distributed by PRLog

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SOURCE Allstream Energy Partners

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Krelva Accepted Into the HBS Foundry Bootcamp at Harvard Business School

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Foster Britton spent four years learning to trade. Jerry Klamm grew a website to $100,000 a month in high school. Their bootstrapped, pre-launch company, Krelva, joins the new program in October and opens Krelva Meet, small live rooms where day traders trade the market together at their respective skill levels.

BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Krelva, a bootstrapped, pre-launch Buffalo company built for futures day traders, has been accepted into the HBS Foundry Bootcamp at Harvard Business School, a new online program for founders working toward their first check. Foster Britton started trading in 10th grade, at 15, before settling on futures trading. Jerry Klamm, 19, built Geometry Spot at 16, grew it to more than 175 million pageviews and $100,000 a month in revenue before he finished high school, and left the University at Buffalo to run Krelva full time.

“Krelva Meet is the room I wish I had at 15.” Foster Britton, co-founder, Krelva

Krelva exists because of how hard Britton’s first four years were. Trading is highly complex, the internet is full of people teaching it, and most of what a beginner finds is confusing, contradictory, or sold by someone with something to sell. The question is never whether there is enough information. It is where to start and who to listen to.

“I started trading in 10th grade, in forex before anything else, and it took me four years to get it right,” Britton said. “It was not that the charts were hard. It was that there is so much online, most of it is confusing, and there is no way to know where to start or who to listen to.”

Today Krelva has two things. The first is a free beginner course that shows people where to start; it teaches the basics without promising anyone a payday. The second is Krelva Meet, which opens in October at $50 a month with a 14-day free trial: a new way to trade Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500 futures, not alone and not in a crowd of strangers, but in a small live room with people at your own verified level.

Krelva Meet started with a frustration anyone who has spent time in a trading Discord will recognize. People post their results, and some of those results are real. Screenshots are easy to fake, a few prop firms now issue verified payout cards, and none of it tells a beginner whether the person answering their question is actually where they say they are. So the beginner guesses, and the loudest voice usually wins.

Krelva Meet checks. Every trader has a level that Krelva verifies before they enter a room, and the company is building direct brokerage verification so the check happens automatically. Rooms are built from traders at the same level. Someone who has never passed a prop firm evaluation sits with others who have not either. Pass one, and you move up to rooms with traders who have passed. Get paid out, and you move up again. Alongside the rooms, Krelva is launching a rating: simple, earned over time, and moved by how you answer questions during the session rather than by what you claim. Rooms are not a signal service and tell no one what to buy or sell. They are about the process: reading the market before the open, talking it through with people at your level, and finding out afterward where and why you were right or wrong.

Krelva does not claim to make anyone a better trader faster. It is trying to give people a place to start.

“Krelva Meet is the room I wish I had at 15,” Britton said.

The HBS Foundry Bootcamp at Harvard Business School has drawn attention since its launch for its $699 price and its format, which from Krelva’s understanding pairs weekly live sessions with HBS faculty and guests with AI versions of those same professors, built to push back on weak ideas.

“I’m interested in this new program at Harvard Business School. I think using AI tools to learn is the future, but I’m curious to see how Harvard does it and if it actually works,” Klamm said. “I like that it says the AI professors are built to challenge weak ideas, so I’m going to push it to the limit and see how it performs compared to a real professor.”

The waitlist for Krelva Meet is open now at https://krelva.com.

“Most traders look at the chart at 9:30 every morning by themselves. There are thousands of other traders just like you,” Klamm said. “Why would you trade alone if you could trade with a group you trust? That is the whole idea.”

About Krelva

Krelva is a Buffalo, New York company built for futures day traders. Its free beginner course, built by co-founder Foster Britton, teaches the basics of trading. Its paid product, Krelva Meet, puts traders in small live rooms with other traders at the same verified level to trade Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500 futures together, for $50 a month with a 14-day free trial. Krelva was founded in 2026 by Jerry Klamm and Foster Britton. Learn more at https://krelva.com.

Media Contact

Jerry Klamm, Krelva, 1 716-261-7634, info@krelva.com, https://krelva.com/

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