Spark Networks SE (LOVLY) 10-Q2022 Q2 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

* Not for trading purposes, but only in connection with the registration of American Depository Shares pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Description of Business

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") and applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), regarding interim financial reporting. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

In management's opinion, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements and reflect, in management’s opinion, all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company's balance sheets, statement of operations and comprehensive loss, statement of shareholders' equity and statement of cash flows for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the Company's entire fiscal year. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2021 ("2021 Form 10-K").

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant estimates and assumptions are required in the determination of: revenue reserves, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, unrecognized tax benefits, classification and measurement of virtual stock option plans, and annual impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company evaluates its estimates and judgements on an ongoing basis based on historical experience, expectations of future events and various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances and revises them when necessary. Actual results may differ from the original or revised estimates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of the date of the financial statements, the Company has generated losses from operations, incurred historical impairment charges to its Zoosk goodwill and intangible assets and has a working capital deficiency. These factors are potential indications of the Company's inability to continue as a going concern. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Going Concern, the Company evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that these consolidated financial statements are issued.

sufficient to meet its anticipated cash requirements for financial liabilities, capital expenditures and contractual obligations, for at least the next 12 months from the issuance of these financial statements.

COVID-19 Update

During 2020, the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") outbreak spread worldwide and was declared a global pandemic in March 2020. Despite challenging economic conditions on consumers, we maintained stable churn levels during the period and experienced positive user engagement. The global outbreak of COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve. Management is actively monitoring the global situation and potential impact on the Company's business. The effects of COVID-19 did not have a material impact on the Company's result of operations or financial condition for the period ended June 30, 2022. However, given the evolution of the COVID-19 situation, and the global responses to curb its spread, the Company is not able to estimate the effects COVID-19 may have on its future results of operations or financial condition.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

There were no new accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and through the date of filing of this report that had or are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

During the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $33.5 million and $34.1 million of revenue, respectively, that was included in the deferred revenue balances as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded income tax expense of $0.2 million and $18.9 million, respectively, which reflects an effective tax rate of (2.3)% and (62.7)%, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded income tax benefit of $0.1 million and income tax expense of $21.2 million, respectively, which reflects an effective rate of 0.6% and (61.9)%, respectively. The change in the provision for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 was primarily driven by the Company benefiting from year to date losses in the U.S. jurisdiction and the June 2021 establishment of a valuation allowance against US deferred tax assets.

The Company had a valuation allowance against certain U.S., Israel, and German deferred tax assets as of both June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The Company evaluates on a quarterly basis whether the deferred tax assets are realizable which requires significant judgement. The Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including historical operating performance and expectations of future operating performance.

As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company has $4.8 million and $4.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively. Of the $4.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2022, $1.4 million would impact the effective tax rate if recognized, and $2.9 million would result in an increase in the valuation allowance. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company has recorded $0.8 million and $0.7 million of interest and penalties, respectively, related to unrecognized tax benefits. The Company’s policy is to classify interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense.

As a matter of course, the Company may be audited by Germany, U.S. Federal and state, Israel, France, the U.K. and other foreign tax authorities within which it operates. From time to time, these audits result in proposed assessments. The Company was notified during 2020 that the Israeli tax authorities were auditing Spark Networks Ltd. for the tax years 2016-2019. There is minimal activity in the entity and, while we do not expect adverse findings, any potential findings would result in a reduction of the net operating loss carryforward which has a full valuation allowance against it. The Company received correspondence from the German tax authorities auditing Spark SE for the tax years 2017-2018, as well as Spark GmbH for the tax years 2016-2018 during the quarter ending June 30, 2022. While the Company is in the process of assessing and responding to the correspondence, there does not appear to be any material changes or adjustments.

Based on the current status of Germany, U.S. Federal, state, local and other foreign audits, the Company does not expect the amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly decrease in the next 12 months as a result of settlements of tax audits and/or the expiration of statutes of limitations.

The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if triggering events indicate a possible impairment in one or more of its reporting units. During the second quarter of 2021, the Company lowered its financial expectations for the remainder of 2021 due to increased cyberattacks, delays in product initiatives and a more uncertain COVID-19 outlook. These factors constituted an interim triggering event as of the end of the Company's second quarter of 2021, and the Company performed an impairment analysis with regard to its indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill.

Goodwill

The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021:

For the quarter ended June 30, 2021, the Company recognized $21.8 million impairment charges for its Zoosk reporting unit. NaN goodwill impairment was recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2022.

The total accumulated impairment loss of the Company's goodwill was $84.5 million as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consists of the following as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

During the quarter ended June 30, 2021, the Company recognized a Zoosk trademark impairment charge of $10.3 million. No impairment charge was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

Amortization expense for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 was $0.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 was $0.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

MGG Term Loan Agreement

On March 11, 2022, the Company entered into a Financing Agreement ( the "Financing Agreement" ) with Zoosk, Inc. and Spark Networks, Inc., the subsidiary guarantor party thereto, the lender party thereto, and MGG Investment Group LP ("MGG"), as administrative agent and collateral agent (the "Term Loan"). The Financing Agreement provides for senior secured term loans of $100.0 million. Substantially all of the Company's assets are pledged as collateral. Borrowings under the Term Loan bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 7.5% per annum. The proceeds were used to repay in full all amounts outstanding under the loan facilities with Blue Torch Finance LLC. The outstanding principal amounts will be repayable in quarterly payments of $1.25 million commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2023 through March 31, 2025, and $2.50 million commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2025 and thereafter.

The Term Loan was issued at a discount of 2.0% of the aggregate principal amount of the $100.0 million. Transaction costs and overhead fees of $3.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively, were paid at closing. Through the effective interest rate method, the discount and overhead fees on the Term Loan are amortized to interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss through the maturity on March 11, 2027 ("Maturity Date"). The effective interest on the Term Loan was 10.1%. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan, within 5 days after the annual financial statements are required to be delivered to the lender, commencing with the delivery of the fiscal year 2022 audited financial statements, the Company is required to make a prepayment of the loan principal in an amount equal to a percentage of the excess cash flow of the most recently completed fiscal year.

The Financing Agreement requires the following financial covenants to be maintained: (i) quarterly leverage ratio no greater than 4.50 to 1.00 for the quarter ending June 30, 2022, 4.25 to 1.00 through June 30, 2023, 3.75 to 1.00 through June 30, 2024, 3.25 to 1.00 through June 30, 2025, 2.75 to 1.00 through June 30, 2026 and 2.25 to 1.00 through the maturity date of the loan; (ii) marketing efficiency ratio to be less than 1.36 to 1.00 for the quarter ending June 30, 2022 through the maturity date of the loan; and (iii) minimum liquidity of $5.0 million at any time. In addition, the Financing Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the Company and its subsidiaries' ability to: incur additional indebtedness, create liens, engage in mergers or consolidations, sell or transfer assets, pay dividends and distributions, make share repurchases, make certain acquisitions, engage in certain transactions with affiliates and change lines of business.

On August 5, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment to the Financing Agreement (the "Amendment"). The Amendment revised certain financial covenants associated with the quarterly leverage ratio and requires the Company to maintain quarterly leverage ratio no greater than 5.25 to 1.00 for the quarter ending June 30, 2022, 5.50 to 1.00 for the quarter ending September 30, 2022, 5.75 to 1.00 for the quarter ending December 31, 2022, and 5.50 to 1.00 for the quarter ending March 31, 2023. The remaining quarterly leverage ratio did not change. The Amendment also requires the Company's minimum marketing spend for the twelve consecutive month period ending at the end of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2022, not to be less than $80.0 million.

Additionally, the Amendment amended the margin for the Term Loan interest to be set at the levels based on the period for which the leverage ratio is calculated. Specifically, from August 5, 2022 to June 30, 2023, the margin shall be 7.5% or 8.5% on reference rate or LIBOR rate, respectively, based on the leverage ratio greater than or equal to 4.25 to 1.00, or 7.0% or 8.0% on reference rate or LIBOR rate, respectively, based on the leverage ratio less than 4.25 to 1.00, and after June 30, 2023, the margin shall be 7.5% or 8.5% on reference rate or LIBOR rate, respectively, based on the leverage ratio greater than or equal to 3.75 to 1.00, or 7.0% or 8.0% on reference rate or LIBOR rate, respectively, based on the leverage ratio less than 3.75 to 1.00.

As of June 30, 2022, we were in compliance with all such covenants, and the aggregated outstanding principal balance and amortized cost basis of the Term Loan was $100 million and $94.5 million, respectively.

Termination of Blue Torch Term Loan Facility and Blue Torch Revolving Credit Facility

The Company is involved in lawsuits, claims and proceedings incident to the ordinary course of business and establishes reserves for specific legal matters when it determines that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is probable and the loss is reasonably estimable. Management has also identified certain other legal matters where the Company believes an unfavorable outcome is not probable and, therefore, no reserve is established. Any claims against the Company, whether meritorious or not, could result in costly litigation, require significant amounts of management's time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. The results of these lawsuits, claims and proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. However, the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these current matters will not have a material adverse effect on its liquidity, results of operations or financial condition.

Cybersecurity Matters

On July 22, 2020, a putative class action was filed against the Company and Zoosk in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by individuals claiming to be Zoosk users whose information was affected by the 2020 security incident disclosed by Zoosk. The complaint, as subsequently amended, asserts that by reason of the Zoosk security incident Spark and Zoosk violated the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA"), the California Unfair Competition Law ("UCL"), and common-law obligations. Based on these assertions, the complaint seeks statutory damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys' fees, and injunctive relief. On December 14, 2020, plaintiffs voluntarily withdrew their claim under the CCPA. On January 30, 2021, the district court granted in part, and denied in part, Zoosk's motion to dismiss the remainder of the complaint for failure to state a claim by dismissing the UCL claim, but allowing the common-law claim to go forward. The court held in abeyance the Company's motion to dismiss itself on jurisdictional grounds and for failure to state a claim. The court granted plaintiffs limited jurisdictional discovery as to the Company. Zoosk answered the portion of the complaint that asserts the one remaining common-law claim by denying its material allegations and asserting a number of affirmative defenses. The court stayed the case pending resolution of the jurisdictional discovery. On May 6, 2021, plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the Company from the case and the stay was lifted. On July 28, 2021, plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint re-alleging the UCL claim on behalf of a subclass. The court granted Zoosk’s motion to dismiss that amended claim on October 5, 2021. On October 28, 2021, plaintiffs sought leave to file a third amended complaint that re-alleges a UCL claim. Following briefing and oral argument, the court granted plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint as to one theory of UCL liability and ordered plaintiffs either file the third amended complaint or seek leave to file a fourth amended complaint by February 17, 2022. Plaintiffs filed a third amended complaint, then sought leave to file a fourth amended complaint to substitute one of the two named plaintiffs. On March 31 2022, the court granted Zoosk’s motion to dismiss with prejudice one named plaintiff for failure to prosecute. The court also granted Plaintiffs’ motion to substitute the dismissed plaintiff with a new plaintiff but ordered Plaintiffs to reimburse Zoosk for reasonable costs and attorney fees incurred in connection with the dismissed named plaintiff. Fact discovery concluded on April 29, 2022 except as to discovery from the new named plaintiff, and the parties are engaged in expert discovery. The parties have submitted a proposed order to the court setting the deadline for plaintiffs’ motion for class certification on May 20, 2022 and trial in late 2022. On July 27, 2022, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California denied the plaintiff's move for class certification due to the valid class action waiver the plaintiff agreed to in Zoosk's Terms of Use (the "TOU").

Separately, a group of lawyers that is different from those who filed the putative class action described above filed 77 separate arbitration demands against Zoosk in the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. ("JAMS") arbitration forum. Zoosk has objected that neither JAMS nor any arbitrator appointed by JAMS has authority to arbitrate any of these claims or to rule on the issue of arbitrability. JAMS decided to commence arbitration proceedings in regard to one of the arbitration claims filed to date, but that claim was withdrawn in November 2021 as it was established that the claimant was not affected by the incident. On May 5, 2021, the same group of attorneys that filed the arbitration demands, described above, filed a petition to compel arbitration in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of three other individuals claiming to be Zoosk users affected by the 2020 security incident. The attorneys then voluntarily dismissed the petition in its entirety on July 15, 2021. JAMS has initiated three further arbitration claims previously filed and intends to proceed with those arbitrations if requisite fees are paid. Zoosk has refused to pay the respondents’ share of the initiation fee for those arbitrations. On December 8, 2021, the same attorneys then filed a petition to compel arbitration in Orange County Superior Court in California on behalf of those three individuals. In response, Zoosk filed a motion to dismiss the California petition based on the forum selection clause in the Zoosk TOU that selects New York as the venue for any dispute. Zoosk's motion to dismiss was granted in April 2022. Zoosk has also filed a petition to stay arbitration in New York on the basis that the claimants breached the TOU when they filed their arbitration demands and Zoosk is therefore under no obligation to arbitrate.

Intellectual Property

Trademarks are an important element in running online dating websites and mobile applications. Given the large number of markets and brands, the Company deals with claims against its trademarks from time to time in the ordinary course of business. The Company vigorously defends against each of the above legal proceedings.

The Company may encounter future legal claims in the normal course of business.

At this time, management does not believe the above matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition and believes the recorded legal provisions as of June 30, 2022 are adequate with respect to the probable and estimable liabilities. However, no assurance can be given that these matters will be resolved in the Company's favor.

Hungarian Proceeding

At this time, management does not believe the above matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition and believes the recorded legal provisions as of June 30, 2022 are adequate with respect to the probable and estimable liabilities. However, no assurance can be given that these matters will be resolved in the Company's favor.

Note 8. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

The Company records long-term debt at carrying value less unamortized discount and unamortized fees as it is not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of long-term debt was determined using observable inputs (Level 2). The valuation considers the present value of expected future repayments, discounted using a market interest rate equal to the interest margin on the borrowings and variable interest rate.

The following table presents the carrying values and the estimated fair values of long-term debt as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

The Company's financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, deposits, accounts receivable, and accounts payable are carried at cost, which approximates their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company does not have financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

Note 9. Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense reflects share awards issued under the Company's 2018 virtual stock option plan and the Long Term Incentive Plan adopted in 2020 (the "LTIP"). For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense for all the plans of $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense for all the plans of $1.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Total stock-based compensation expense is included as a component of Other operating expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

The LTIP provides for the grant of virtual stock options, where each option represents the right to receive, upon exercise, a certain amount in cash determined based on the relevant ADS Stock Price of the option minus the strike price of such options; provided, however, that the Company may elect to settle options in ADSs or ordinary shares of the Company instead of cash. In connection with the adoption of the LTIP, the Administrative Board of the Company (the "Administrative Board") authorized the issuance of virtual options for up to 3.5 million American Depository Shares ("ADSs"), subject to limitations imposed by German law. As of June 30, 2022, 117,080 ADSs have been issued pursuant to previous exercises.

The following table summarizes the activity for the Company's options under the LTIP during the six months ended June 30, 2022:

The total unrecognized compensation expense related to awards granted under the LTIP at June 30, 2022 was $3.2 million, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.11 years.

As of June 30, 2022 and 2021, diluted loss per share excludes 1,250,688 and 938,384 potentially dilutive common shares, respectively, related to vested option awards, as their effect was anti-dilutive.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview

We are a leader in social dating platforms for meaningful relationships focusing on the 40+ age demographic and faith-based affiliations. Since our inception, we have had 107 million users register with our dating platforms (which includes inactive accounts). We currently operate one or more of our brands worldwide.

We intend to continue to expand our presence in North America through significant marketing investment in this region as we look to drive both organic growth of our existing brand portfolio and expansion through the launch of new or acquired brands. We intend to incorporate more social features in our products with content, community and social discovery functionality to allow our users to meet in more informal ways and to provide new ways to date online. We believe our portfolio of strong brands along with our improved financial strength positions us to deliver a superior user experience to our customers and drive long-term value to shareholders.

Our ability to compete effectively will depend upon our ability to address the needs of our members and paying subscribers, on the timely introduction and performance of innovative features and services associated with our brands, and our ability to respond to services and features introduced by competitors. We must also achieve these objectives within the parameters of our consolidated and operating segment profitability targets. We are focused on enhancing and augmenting our portfolio of services while also continuing to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations. We believe we have sufficient available cash resources on hand to accomplish the enhancements currently contemplated.

We offer services both via websites and mobile applications and utilize a "subscription" business model, where certain basic functionalities are provided free of charge, while providing premium features (such as interacting with other community members via messages) only to paying subscribers. We generate revenues primarily through paid membership subscriptions. We manage our operations through one reportable segment.

In addition to operating in the United States ("U.S."), we also operate in various markets outside the U.S., primarily in various jurisdictions within the European Union ("EU"), and as a result, are exposed to foreign exchange risk for the Euro, U.S. dollar, British pound, Australian dollar and Canadian dollar. Financial statements of subsidiaries outside the U.S. are generally measured using the local currency as the functional currency. We translate revenue generated outside the U.S. (the "non-U.S. revenue") into U.S. dollar-denominated operating results and during periods of a strengthening U.S. dollar, such revenue will be reduced when translated into U.S. dollars. In addition, as foreign currency exchange rates fluctuate, the translation of the non-U.S. revenue into U.S. dollar-denominated operating results affects the period-over-period comparability of such results and can result in foreign currency exchange gains or losses. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, 32.6% of our total revenue was non-U.S. revenue. The average U.S. dollar versus Euro exchange rate was 13.3% and 10.3% higher, respectively, during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to the same periods prior year. The strengthening in U.S. dollar against other major currencies has partially resulted in the decreases in our total revenue for the current periods. Historically, we have not hedged any foreign currency exposures. If U.S. dollar continue strengthening against Euro and other foreign currency our revenue earned in, our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations and as a result such fluctuations could adversely affect our future results of operations.

Inflation has increased during the periods covered by this Quarterly Report, and is expected to continue to increase for the near future. Inflationary factors, such as increases in customer acquisition costs, interest rates and overhead costs may adversely affect our operating results. Historically, we have been able to increase prices at a rate equal to or greater than that of inflation and we do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations to date, we may experience some effect in the future, especially if inflation rates continue to rise.

Management continues to actively monitor the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") developments and potential impact on our employees, business and operations. The effects of COVID-19 did not have a material impact on our result of operations or financial condition for the period ended June 30, 2022. However, given the evolution of the COVID-19 situation, and the global responses to curb its spread, we are not able to estimate the effects COVID-19 may have on our future results of operations or financial condition.

Key Business Metrics

We regularly review certain operating metrics in order to evaluate the effectiveness of our operating strategies and monitor the financial performance of the business. The key business metrics that we utilize include the following:

Total registrations are defined as the total number of new members registering to our platforms with their email address. Those include members who enter into premium subscriptions and free memberships.

Paying subscribers are defined as individuals who have paid a monthly fee for access to premium services, which include, among others, unlimited communication with other registered users, access to user profile pictures and enhanced search functionality. Average paying subscribers for each month are calculated as the sum of the paying subscribers at the beginning and the end of the month, divided by two. Average paying subscribers for periods longer than one month are calculated as the sum of the average paying subscribers for each month, divided by the number of months in such period.

Monthly ARPU represents the total net subscriber revenue for the period divided by the number of average paying subscribers for the period, divided by the number of months in the period.

Contribution is defined as revenue, net of refunds and credit card chargebacks, less direct marketing.

Direct Marketing is defined as online and offline advertising spend and is included within Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization within our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Unaudited selected statistical information regarding the key business metrics described above is shown in the table below:

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, new members registered to our platforms increased by 0.4 million, or 13.1%, and 0.2 million, or 3.3%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021. The increases were primarily driven by an increase in Zoosk registrations, as we began to scale our marketing spend in the second quarter of 2022.

While the new member registration increased, average paying subscribers during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 decreased by less than 0.1 million, or 5.6%, and 0.1 million, or 6.0%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021, as it took us longer than expected to scale our marketing spend during the second quarter of 2022.

Monthly ARPU for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 decreased by 7.9% and 6.6%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021. The decline in ARPU was a result of currency fluctuations and our emphasis on longer duration subscriptions through price incentives.

Results of Operations

The following table shows our results of operations for the periods presented. The period-over-period comparison of our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future.

Revenue during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 decreased by $7.2 million, or 13.1%, and $13.7 million, or 12.3%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the decline in revenue was attributable to the decrease in the number of average paying subscribers of 5.6% and 6.0%, respectively, as well as the fluctuations of foreign exchange rate as the U.S. dollar strengthened against all major currencies. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, 32.6% of total revenue was generated outside the United States.

Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization consists primarily of direct marketing expenses, data center expenses, credit card fees and mobile application processing fees. Cost of revenue during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 increased by $3.5 million, or 10.6%, and $0.8 million, or 1.2%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021, The increases were primarily due to the increased marketing spend.

Other operating expenses

Other operating expenses consists primarily of costs for sales and marketing, customer service, technical operations and development, and corporate functions. These costs include personnel, technology platform and system costs, third-party service and professional fees, occupancy and other overhead costs. Other operating expenses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 decreased by $0.4 million, or 2.7%, and 1.1 million, or 3.6%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021. The decreases were primarily driven by increased capitalization of personnel and freelancer costs related to new product initiatives, as well as decreases in technical operations and development consulting costs, stock-based compensation expense, and accounting and audit fees due to higher fees in connection with the U.S. GAAP conversion in the first quarter of 2021. The decreases in other operating expenses were partially offset by an increase in sales and marketing expenses due to higher personnel costs driven by increased headcount, and higher consulting costs.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 decreased by $1.7 million, or 74.9%, and $3.4 million, or 74.3%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021. The decreases were primarily driven by the decrease in amortization of our customer relationships asset which was fully amortized in 2021.