Remark Media (NASDAQ: MARK) reported Q4 EPS of ($0.19), $0.10 worse than the analyst estimate of ($0.09). Revenue for the quarter came in at $22.3 million versus the consensus estimate of $26.64 million.

"We closed the year on a strong note, generating solid top-line growth at both of our business segments," said Kai-Shing Tao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Remark Holdings. "Our success in turning around Vegas.com under our ownership during the past three years has allowed us to move forward in monetizing this asset and transitioning into a pure-play AI enterprise. Our sale of Vegas.com will allow us to substantially reduce our debt, restructure our balance sheet and streamline our cost structure, as we shift all of our attention on expanding our AI business.

"KanKan contributed $2.4 million to our fourth quarter revenues; which excludes an additional $4.6 million that will be recognized in future periods, beginning in the second quarter of 2019. KanKan's fourth quarter delivery was its highest since we launched our AI operations. Our operating momentum has continued in the first quarter of 2019, as we demonstrate the effectiveness of our solutions at retail, including elevating engagement, increasing sales and driving deeper connections with shoppers.

"Looking ahead, we're focused on building on the success of our retail launch, while continuing to work with our partners in the safety and security space to develop tailored AI solutions for construction sites, campuses, restaurants, and traffic monitoring and enforcement. As a pure-play AI company, we will be optimally positioned to maximize our resources, including our proprietary technology, to expand our business in multiple sectors, with the goal of building a stream of recurring revenues, supported by modest recurring capital costs."

Recent Strategic and Operational Highlights

• Continued to work closely with a diverse group of clients in executing on various stages of deployment regarding KanKan AI solutions in retail, construction sites, traffic control, restaurants and entertainment.
• Entered into an agreement to sell Vegas.com, LLC to VDC-MGG Holdings LLC, an affiliate of Remark's senior lenders, for an anticipated enterprise value of approximately $45 million. The cash proceeds of the transaction will be used to pay amounts due to Remark's senior lenders, leaving only approximately $10 million of remaining debt owed to the senior lenders.
• The sale of Vegas.com will transform Remark into a pure play AI company and allow the company to significantly reduce debt, restructure its balance sheet and its cost structures. The sale of Vegas.com remains subject to certain closing conditions, including approval of the transaction by our stockholders. We will hold a special meeting of stockholders to obtain stockholder approval for the transaction. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place during the second quarter of 2019.

Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 compared to 2017

• Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2018 was approximately $22.3 million, compared to $18.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Results reflect a $4.0 million increase in revenue resulting from transaction growth in the Travel & Entertainment segment, offset by a $.3 million decrease in revenue from the Company's other business units. Our Technology & Data Intelligence segment contributed $2.4 million in revenue from the deployment of our AI-based retail and safety solutions. A further $4.6 million was delivered for our AI- based public safety and risk management solutions, but revenue recognition will be deferred until such time as we collect the amounts due from the customer. We anticipate collections to begin in the second quarter of 2019.
• Total cost and expense for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $32.4 million, compared to $40.0 million in 2017, driven in part by a reduction in impairment charges to $2.2 million, from $14.6 million in 2017, which included recognized losses of $5.8 million and $8.8 million, on impairments of long-lived intangible assets and goodwill respectively, which were acquired through the CBG acquisition. During the fourth quarter of 2018 we also recorded a $.6 million impairment of the remaining long-lived intangible asset acquired in the CBG acquisition, and a $1.6 million impairment of goodwill related to the sale of substantially all the remaining assets of Banks.com.
• The Company\'s cost and expense for the fourth quarter of 2018 also included a $4.7 million increase in cost of revenue in the Technology and Data Intelligence segment to deliver projects, and a $1.5 million increase in paid-search costs in the Travel & Entertainment segment resulting from the competitive nature of the paid-search marketplace. Also, during the same period, Remark recorded $2.0 million less in employee stock compensation.
• Operating loss was $10.1 million, compared to $21.4 million due to the decrease in total cost and expense.
• Adjusted EBITDA was negative $4.6 million, compared to negative $2.2 million.
• Net loss was $(7.1) million, or $(0.19) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(89.2) million or $(3.47) per diluted share. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2018 included a non-cash gain of $5.7 million related to a change in the fair value of Remark's warrant liability, which occurred due to the decrease in the Company's stock price during the period. The same period of 2017 included a non-cash loss of $66.5 million related to a change in the fair value of Remark's warrant liability, which occurred due to the increase in the Company's stock price during that period.
• At December 31, 2018, the cash and cash equivalents balance was $14.4 million, and total restricted cash was $11.1 million, bringing the total combined cash position to $25.5 million, compared to a total combined cash position of $34.3 million at December 31, 2017. Cash decreased primarily due to an increase in total expense as the Company grew its operations in China and engaged in multiple proof-of-concept projects, the timing of payments related to elements of working capital, and paying security deposits related to the Travel & Entertainment business.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Remark Media (MARK) click here.