LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 26, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. (“Altisource” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:ASPS) today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2017, reporting service revenue of $224.3 million, net income attributable to Altisource of $7.0 million, adjusted net income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $13.4 million, diluted earnings per share of $0.38 and adjusted diluted earnings per share⁽¹⁾ of $0.73.

Compared to the second quarter of 2017, service revenue declined by 6% due to the normal runoff of Ocwen Financial Corporation’s (“Ocwen”) portfolio, seasonality in the property inspection and preservation business and fewer home sales in the buy-renovate-sell business, partially offset by growth in the renovation management business.  Compared to the third quarter of 2016, service revenue declined by 6% primarily from the normal runoff of Ocwen’s portfolio and Altisource Residential Corporation’s (“RESI”) smaller portfolio of non-performing loans and REO, partially offset by growth in referrals of higher fee property preservation services, growth in revenue in the buy-renovate-sell business, which began operations in the second half of 2016, and growth in the renovation management business.

Compared to the second quarter of 2017, diluted earnings per share and adjusted diluted earnings per share⁽¹⁾ declined by 21% and 17%, respectively, primarily from lower service revenue in certain higher margin businesses.  Compared to the third quarter of 2016, diluted earnings per share and adjusted diluted earnings per share⁽¹⁾ declined by 30% and 19%, respectively.  These declines were driven by higher investments to support the Company’s growth initiatives and service revenue mix changes.  Revenue mix changes were the result of growth in the lower margin buy-renovate-sell and renovation businesses and revenue declines in other higher margin businesses primarily from the normal runoff of Ocwen’s portfolio and RESI’s smaller portfolio of non-performing loans and REO.  The declines in diluted earnings per share and adjusted diluted earnings per share⁽¹⁾ were partially offset by a lower effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016.

Third Quarter 2017 Highlights Include⁽²⁾:

• Strong quarter with service revenue of $224.3 million, operating cash flow of $34.6 million and adjusted operating cash flow⁽¹⁾ of $44.1 million
  – On target to exceed the mid-point of our full year 2017 scenarios for service revenue and to be within the range of the midpoint of our full year 2017 scenarios⁽³⁾ for adjusted diluted earnings per share
  
  
• Growing diversification momentum with non-Ocwen/non-New Residential Investment Corp. (“NRZ”) client revenue
  – Three notable recent wins in the Servicer Solutions business and one in the Origination Solutions business (in the third quarter and early fourth quarter)
  – Tangible improvements in lead conversions in the Consumer Real Estate Solutions business
  – Continued transition of the Real Estate Investor Solutions business with a focus on (1) directly buying, renovating, leasing and selling homes, (2) providing renovation management services and (3) developing and growing our rental and investor property data sales
  
  
• Continued execution on opportunistic debt and share repurchases
  – Purchased $24.1 million of the Company’s senior secured term loan at an average discount of 7.5%, generating a $1.5 million gain
  – Repurchased 273 thousand shares of Altisource’s common stock at an average price of $23.48 per share
  
  
• Prior investments and long-term contractual relationships provide strong free cash flow generation and a high degree of visibility into future earnings
  – On August 28, 2017, entered into a long-term Cooperative Brokerage Agreement with NRZ, one of the largest and most active owners of non-GSE MSRs in the industry, to provide REO brokerage services on NRZ MSRs subserviced by Ocwen and certain other non-Ocwen subserviced MSR portfolios, and a letter of intent to enter into a Services Agreement within 60 days
  – Engaged in constructive negotiations with NRZ on the Services Agreement
  – Effective as of October 23, 2017, entered into an amendment with NRZ to extend the term of the letter of intent to provide the parties until January 12, 2018 to finalize the Services Agreement, as further described in the Company’s third quarter 2017 Form 10-Q
  
  
• Committed to investing in growth initiatives given our success in the Mortgage Market segment and our ability to leverage our experience and expansive suite of offerings to grow the newer Real Estate Market businesses

“With a very active sales pipeline and three notable recent wins in the Servicer Solutions and one in the Origination Solutions business, we are beginning to see an acceleration of the new and existing customer wins that we anticipated were going to occur earlier in the year.  These recent client wins, in conjunction with our sales pipeline, strong contractual cash flows, and the continued development of our newer businesses, pave the path for a very bright future,” said Chief Executive Officer William B. Shepro.

Mr. Shepro further commented, “I am pleased with our continued strong cash flow generation, which allows us to opportunistically repurchase our debt and common stock and invest in the future growth of the Company.  Since December 31, 2014, we have reduced our debt by $166.5 million, including voluntary purchases of $150.1 million par value of our debt at a weighted average discount of 11.9%, bringing our net debt less marketable securities⁽¹⁾ to $264.9 million at the end of the third quarter.”

Third Quarter 2017 Results Compared to Second Quarter 2017 and Third Quarter 2016:

• Service revenue of $224.3 million, a 6% decrease compared to the second quarter 2017 and a 6% decrease compared to the third quarter 2016
• Income before income taxes and non-controlling interests of $10.4 million, a 15% decrease compared to the second quarter 2017 and a 45% decrease compared to the third quarter 2016
• Pretax income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $9.6 million, a 17% decrease compared to the second quarter 2017 and a 47% decrease compared to the third quarter 2016
• Adjusted pretax income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $18.2 million, a 13% decrease compared to the second quarter 2017 and a 38% decrease compared to the third quarter 2016
• Net income attributable to Altisource of $7.0 million, a 23% decrease compared to the second quarter 2017 and a 34% decrease compared to the third quarter 2016
• Adjusted net income attributable to Altisource⁽¹⁾ of $13.4 million, a 19% decrease compared to the second quarter 2017 and a 24% decrease compared to the third quarter 2016
• Diluted earnings per share of $0.38, a 21% decrease compared to the second quarter 2017 and a 30% decrease compared to the third quarter 2016
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share⁽¹⁾ of $0.73, a 17% decrease compared to the second quarter 2017 and a 19% decrease compared to the third quarter 2016
• Cash from operations of $34.6 million, a 12% increase compared to the second quarter 2017 and a 6% decrease compared to the third quarter 2016

________________________

(1) This is a non-GAAP measure that is defined and reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measure herein.
(2) Applies to the third quarter of 2017 unless otherwise indicated.
(3) The scenarios have been adjusted to reflect the anticipated impact of the agreements with NRZ and certain operational changes.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  These forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical fact, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations.  These statements may be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “estimate,” “seek,” “believe,” “potential” and similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management.  Because such statements are based on expectations as to the future and are not statements of historical fact, actual results may differ materially from what is contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  Altisource undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  The risks and uncertainties to which forward-looking statements are subject include, but are not limited to, various risks relating to the transactions described herein, including in respect of the satisfaction of closing conditions to New Residential Investment Corp.’s acquisition of the covered MSR portfolios, including obtaining the necessary third-party approvals; uncertainties as to the timing or completion of transfers related to New Residential Investment Corp.’s acquisition of the covered MSR portfolios; potential litigation relating to the transactions; the possibility of early termination of the Cooperative Brokerage Agreement; the possibility that Altisource and New Residential Investment Corp. will not be able to negotiate a satisfactory services agreement; the inability to obtain, or delays in achieving, the expected benefits of the transactions, as well as, Altisource’s ability to integrate acquired businesses, retain key executives or employees, retain existing customers and attract new customers, general economic and market conditions, behavior of customers, suppliers and/or competitors, technological developments, governmental regulations, taxes and policies, availability of adequate and timely sources of liquidity and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and other sections of Altisource’s Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Webcast

Altisource will host a webcast at 11:00 a.m. EDT today to discuss our third quarter results.  A link to the live audio webcast will be available on Altisource’s website in the Investor Relations section.  Those who want to listen to the call should go to the website at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software.  A replay of the conference call will be available via the website approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for approximately 30 days.

About Altisource

Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. is an integrated service provider and marketplace for the real estate and mortgage industries.  Combining operational excellence with a suite of innovative services and technologies, Altisource helps solve the demands of the ever-changing market.  Additional information is available at www.Altisource.com.

ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS S.A.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
		Three months ended  September 30,								Nine months ended  September 30,
		2017				2016				2017				2016
Service revenue
Mortgage Market		$	189,615			$	199,176			$	583,002			$	584,740
Real Estate Market		21,113				21,231				64,649				68,805
Other Businesses, Corporate and Eliminations		13,580				19,375				44,603				61,841
Total service revenue		224,308				239,782				692,254				715,386
Reimbursable expenses		9,866				12,080				31,786				41,317
Non-controlling interests		805				883				2,107				1,973
Total revenue		234,979				252,745				726,147				758,676
Cost of revenue		165,032				161,922				506,458				475,919
Reimbursable expenses		9,866				12,080				31,786				41,317
Gross profit		60,081				78,743				187,903				241,440
Selling, general and administrative expenses		46,622				53,886				146,793				161,709
Income from operations		13,459				24,857				41,110				79,731
Other income (expense), net:
Interest expense		(5,599		)		(5,952		)		(16,862		)		(18,481		)
Other income (expense), net		2,497				(109		)		8,015				2,608
Total other income (expense), net		(3,102		)		(6,061		)		(8,847		)		(15,873		)
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interests		10,357				18,796				32,263				63,858
Income tax provision		(2,591		)		(7,324		)		(7,615		)		(12,808		)
Net income		7,766				11,472				24,648				51,050
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		(805		)		(883		)		(2,107		)		(1,973		)
Net income attributable to Altisource		$	6,961			$	10,589			$	22,541			$	49,077
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	0.39			$	0.57			$	1.23			$	2.63
Diluted		$	0.38			$	0.54			$	1.20			$	2.49
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		18,023				18,715				18,337				18,669
Diluted		18,429				19,568				18,854				19,738
Comprehensive income:
Net income		$	7,766			$	11,472			$	24,648			$	51,050
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of income tax benefit (provision) of $2,054, $(2,070), $(78), $889, respectively		(5,530		)		5,016				212				(2,156		)
Comprehensive income, net of tax		2,236				16,488				24,860				48,894
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		(805		)		(883		)		(2,107		)		(1,973		)
Comprehensive income attributable to Altisource		$	1,431			$	15,605			$	22,753			$	46,921

ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS S.A.
SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION(1)
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
		Three months ended September 30, 2017
(in thousands)		Mortgage Market				Real Estate Market				Other Businesses, Corporate and Eliminations				Consolidated Altisource
Revenue
Service revenue		$	189,615			$	21,113			$	13,580			$	224,308
Reimbursable expenses		8,842				1,008				16				9,866
Non-controlling interests		805				—				—				805
		199,262				22,121				13,596				234,979
Cost of revenue		137,466				23,497				13,935				174,898
Gross profit (loss)		61,796				(1,376		)		(339		)		60,081
Selling, general and administrative expenses		28,006				4,208				14,408				46,622
Income (loss) from operations		33,790				(5,584		)		(14,747		)		13,459
Total other income (expense), net		26				—				(3,128		)		(3,102		)
Income (loss) before income taxes and  non-controlling interests		$	33,816			$	(5,584	)		$	(17,875	)		$	10,357

		Three months ended September 30, 2016
(in thousands)		Mortgage Market				Real Estate Market				Other Businesses, Corporate and Eliminations				Consolidated Altisource
Revenue
Service revenue		$	199,176			$	21,231			$	19,375			$	239,782
Reimbursable expenses		11,762				285				33				12,080
Non-controlling interests		883				—				—				883
		211,821				21,516				19,408				252,745
Cost of revenue		138,646				16,634				18,722				174,002
Gross profit		73,175				4,882				686				78,743
Selling, general and administrative expenses		29,903				6,961				17,022				53,886
Income (loss) from operations		43,272				(2,079		)		(16,336		)		24,857
Total other income (expense), net		10				—				(6,071		)		(6,061		)
Income (loss) before income taxes and  non-controlling interests		$	43,282			$	(2,079	)		$	(22,407	)		$	18,796

(1) Effective January 1, 2017, our reportable segments changed as a result of changes in our internal organization.  Prior year comparable period segment disclosures have been restated to conform to the current year presentation.

ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS S.A.
SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION(1)
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
		Nine months ended September 30, 2017
(in thousands)		Mortgage Market				Real Estate Market				Other Businesses, Corporate and Eliminations				Consolidated Altisource
Revenue
Service revenue		$	583,002			$	64,649			$	44,603			$	692,254
Reimbursable expenses		29,071				2,665				50				31,786
Non-controlling interests		2,107				—				—				2,107
		614,180				67,314				44,653				726,147
Cost of revenue		421,942				72,484				43,818				538,244
Gross profit (loss)		192,238				(5,170		)		835				187,903
Selling, general and administrative expenses		86,493				14,084				46,216				146,793
Income (loss) from operations		105,745				(19,254		)		(45,381		)		41,110
Total other income (expense), net		138				—				(8,985		)		(8,847		)
Income (loss) before income taxes and  non-controlling interests		$	105,883			$	(19,254	)		$	(54,366	)		$	32,263

		Nine months ended September 30, 2016
(in thousands)		Mortgage Market				Real Estate Market				Other Businesses, Corporate and Eliminations				Consolidated Altisource
Revenue
Service revenue		$	584,740			$	68,805			$	61,841			$	715,386
Reimbursable expenses		39,809				1,424				84				41,317
Non-controlling interests		1,973				—				—				1,973
		626,522				70,229				61,925				758,676
Cost of revenue		408,412				47,946				60,878				517,236
Gross profit		218,110				22,283				1,047				241,440
Selling, general and administrative expenses		90,498				18,755				52,456				161,709
Income (loss) from operations		127,612				3,528				(51,409		)		79,731
Total other income (expense), net		144				—				(16,017		)		(15,873		)
Income (loss) before income taxes and  non-controlling interests		$	127,756			$	3,528			$	(67,426	)		$	63,858

(1) Effective January 1, 2017, our reportable segments changed as a result of changes in our internal organization.  Prior year comparable period segment disclosures have been restated to conform to the current year presentation.

ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS S.A.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
	September 30,  2017				December 31,  2016
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	114,123			$	149,294
Available for sale securities	46,044				45,754
Accounts receivable, net	63,177				87,821
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	59,880				42,608
Total current assets	283,224				325,477
Premises and equipment, net	80,823				103,473
Goodwill	86,283				86,283
Intangible assets, net	128,289				155,432
Deferred tax assets, net	7,214				7,292
Other assets	10,568				11,255
Total assets	$	596,401			$	689,212
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	83,352			$	83,135
Accrued litigation settlement	—				32,000
Current portion of long-term debt	5,945				5,945
Deferred revenue	9,746				8,797
Other current liabilities	10,982				19,061
Total current liabilities	110,025				148,938
Long-term debt, less current portion	414,431				467,600
Other non-current liabilities	7,796				10,480
Commitments, contingencies and regulatory matters
Equity:
Common stock ($1.00 par value; 100,000 shares authorized, 25,413 issued and 17,905 outstanding as of  September 30, 2017; 25,413 shares authorized and issued and 18,774 outstanding as of December 31, 2016)	25,413				25,413
Additional paid-in capital	111,457				107,288
Retained earnings	342,111				333,786
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,533		)		(1,745		)
Treasury stock, at cost (7,508 shares as of September 30, 2017 and 6,639 shares as of December 31, 2016)	(414,668		)		(403,953		)
Altisource equity	62,780				60,789
Non-controlling interests	1,369				1,405
Total equity	64,149				62,194
Total liabilities and equity	$	596,401			$	689,212

ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS S.A.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
	Nine months ended  September 30,
	2017				2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	24,648			$	51,050
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	27,411				27,521
Amortization of intangible assets	27,143				36,432
Change in the fair value of acquisition related contingent consideration	24				(1,174		)
Share-based compensation expense	3,237				4,692
Bad debt expense	3,101				763
Gain on early extinguishment of debt	(5,419		)		(5,464		)
Amortization of debt discount	225				307
Amortization of debt issuance costs	625				850
Deferred income taxes	—				17
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	2,776				30
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	21,543				3,505
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(17,272		)		(10,167		)
Other assets	760				496
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	165				7,005
Other current and non-current liabilities	(41,838		)		(9,828		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	47,129				106,035
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to premises and equipment	(7,485		)		(16,525		)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	—				(9,617		)
Purchase of available for sale securities	—				(48,219		)
Change in restricted cash	(73		)		—
Other investing activities	—				266
Net cash used in investing activities	(7,558		)		(74,095		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment and repurchases of long-term debt	(48,600		)		(49,237		)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	2,084				8,876
Purchase of treasury shares	(24,995		)		(34,321		)
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(2,143		)		(1,637		)
Payment of tax withholding on issuance of restricted shares	(1,088		)		—
Net cash used in financing activities	(74,742		)		(76,319		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(35,171		)		(44,379		)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	149,294				179,327
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$	114,123			$	134,948
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	16,203			$	17,244
Income taxes paid, net	15,445				14,178
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Increase in payables for purchases of premises and equipment	$	52			$	2,458

ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS S.A.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

Pretax income attributable to Altisource, adjusted pretax income attributable to Altisource, adjusted net income attributable to Altisource, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted operating cash flow and net debt less marketable securities are non-GAAP measures used by management, existing shareholders, potential shareholders and other users of our financial information to measure Altisource’s performance and do not purport to be alternatives to income before income taxes and non-controlling interests, net income attributable to Altisource, diluted earnings per share, operating cash flow or long-term debt, including current portion as measures of Altisource’s performance.  We believe these measures are useful to management, existing shareholders, potential shareholders and other users of our financial information in evaluating operating profitability more on a continuing cost basis as they exclude amortization expense related to acquisitions that occurred in prior periods as well as the effect of more significant non-recurring items from earnings and cash flows from operations and long-term debt net of cash on hand and marketable securities.  We believe these measures are also useful in evaluating the effectiveness of our operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance.  Furthermore, we believe the exclusion of more significant non-recurring items enables comparability to prior period performance and trend analysis.

It is management’s intent to provide non-GAAP financial information to enhance the understanding of Altisource’s GAAP financial information, and it should be considered by the reader in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Each non-GAAP financial measure is presented along with the corresponding GAAP measure so as not to imply that more emphasis should be placed on the non-GAAP measure.  The non-GAAP financial information presented may be determined or calculated differently by other companies.  The non-GAAP financial information should not be unduly relied upon.

Pretax income attributable to Altisource is calculated by deducting non-controlling interests from income before income taxes and non-controlling interests.  Adjusted pretax income attributable to Altisource is calculated by adding intangible asset amortization expense to pretax income attributable to Altisource.  Adjusted net income attributable to Altisource is calculated by adding intangible asset amortization expense (net of tax) to GAAP net income attributable to Altisource.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Altisource plus intangible asset amortization expense (net of tax), by the weighted average number of diluted shares.  Adjusted operating cash flow is calculated by adding short-term real estate investments related to the buy-renovate-sell program to cash provided by operating activities.  Net debt less marketable securities is calculated as long-term debt, including current portion, less cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities.

ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS S.A.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

Reconciliations of the non-GAAP measures to the corresponding GAAP measures are as follows:

	Three months ended  September 30,								Three months ended June 30,				Nine months ended  September 30,
	2017				2016				2017				2017				2016
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interests	$	10,357			$	18,796			$	12,160			$	32,263			$	63,858
Non-controlling interests	(805		)		(883		)		(687		)		(2,107		)		(1,973		)
Pretax income attributable to Altisource	9,552				17,913				11,473				30,156				61,885
Intangible asset amortization expense	8,604				11,465				9,393				27,143				36,432
Adjusted pretax income attributable to Altisource	$	18,156			$	29,378			$	20,866			$	57,299			$	98,317
Net income attributable to Altisource	$	6,961			$	10,589			$	9,035			$	22,541			$	49,077
Intangible asset amortization expense	8,604				11,465				9,393				27,143				36,432
Tax benefit from intangible asset amortization	(2,152		)		(4,467		)		(1,883		)		(6,407		)		(7,307		)
Intangible asset amortization expense, net of tax	6,452				6,998				7,510				20,736				29,125
Adjusted net income attributable to Altisource	$	13,413			$	17,587			$	16,545			$	43,277			$	78,202
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.38			$	0.54			$	0.48			$	1.20			$	2.49
Intangible asset amortization expense, net of tax, per diluted share	0.35				0.36				0.40				1.10				1.48
Adjusted diluted earnings per share	$	0.73			$	0.90			$	0.88			$	2.30			$	3.96
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	18,429				19,568				18,836				18,854				19,738
Cash provided by operating activities	$	34,612
Investments in short-term real estate	9,530
Adjusted operating cash flow	$	44,142
	Sept. 30, 2017
Long-term debt, including current portion	$	425,067
Less: Cash and cash equivalents	(114,123		)
Less: Marketable securities	(46,044		)
Net debt less marketable securities	$	264,900

__________________________

Note: Amounts may not add to the total due to rounding.

CONTACT:

Indroneel Chatterjee
Chief Financial Officer
T:  +352 2469 7988
E:  Indroneel.Chatterjee@altisource.com

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