VMob widens loss, doubles revenue while focusing on US market

Monday 30th May 2016

VMob, the mobile advertising firm which joined the NZX main board in January, widened its annual loss while investing in building a presence in the US market and in the development of its technology platform.

The net loss was $6.6 million in the 12 months ended March 31, from $4.4 million a year earlier, the San Francisco-headquartered company said in a statement. Revenue more than doubled to $6.6 million from $2.9 million in 2015.

Annualised committed monthly revenue (ACMR) rose 70 percent to $5.4 million. In April, the company affirmed guidance for ACMR of $10 million within six-to-nine months and said it expects to reach that target by the end of September. ACMR soared more than 1,000 percent to $4.8 million in VMob's first half, when it reported a net loss of $3.2 million.

VMob said it expects to raise more capital in the second half of 2016, possibly including a US-based strategic shareholder. The company raised $8.5 million in the last financial year and is currently raising up to $4 million in a private placement.

Major international clients including McDonald's, IKEA, Anheuser-Busch and 7-Eleven Australia will underpin revenue growth in the year ahead, VMob said, and the company has added sales staff in the US. VMob’s technology platform delivers personalised, location-based promotional offers to mobile phone users on behalf of major brands to increase sales.

In January, founder Scott Bradley said funds raised from an earlier $5 million placement would last the company through to mid-year with its cash burn hovering between $600,000 and $700,000 a month. VMob had $2.6 million cash and equivalents as of March 31, from $1.9 million a year earlier, and said it was focussed on cost management and wants to grow sales without increasing operating burn.

The shares last traded at 38 cents and have dropped 14 percent this year.

(Business Dek)

“This is the classic early stage company. The market can get wary of these companies very quickly. The LOSS for the period is equal to its sales (both $6.6m). Everyone knows you can buy sales but the purpose of business is to invest for profit. With only $2.6m cash and a burn rate of $600,000 to $700,000 the company is fast approaching a period when it will go one of 2 ways. This will be very interesting to watch” said Mr Maurice Greenough, Investment adviser at Equity Investment Advisers Ltd.

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