Marathon Patent Group, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2014 Financial Results

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/14/14 -- Marathon Patent Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARA) ("Marathon" or "The Company"), a patent licensing company, announced today financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014. Highlights included:

• Revenues of $3.8 million, up 38% from prior quarter and 151% year-over-year
• GAAP net loss of $1.6 million or ($0.29) per share, as compared to a GAAP net loss of $0.3 million or ($0.05) per share in the prior quarter and a GAAP net loss of $0.8 million or ($0.19) per share in the comparable year-ago time period
• Non-GAAP net income of $1.2 million, or $0.21 per share, up from Non-GAAP net income of $0.9 million, or $0.16 per share in the prior quarter and Non-GAAP net income of $0.5 million, or $0.11 per share in the comparable year-ago time period
• Cash and cash equivalents of $6.5 million as of June 30, 2014, compared to $5.4 million as of March 31, 2014 and $3.6 million as of December 31, 2013
• Acquired three companies each with active patent portfolios as well as one additional company with revenue rights associated with two active patent portfolios
• Completed $6.5 million gross equity financing during the quarter
• Expanded strategic relationship with IPNav, including the unveiling of Opus Analytics. More details at opus.marathonpg.com.
• Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Company announced that its shares of common stock were approved for uplisting to The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC effective July 28, 2014

Commenting on the Company's second quarter financial results, Doug Croxall, Founder & CEO of Marathon Patent Group, stated, "I am very pleased with our second quarter financial results, particularly our accelerating quarterly revenue and non-GAAP net income performance. At the top line, revenues of $3.8 million were a record for a single quarter and were generated from settlement and licensing agreements associated with our CRFD Research, CyberFone, IP Liquidity, Selene Communication and Vantage Point subsidiaries."

Mr. Croxall continued, "In addition to the strong financial performance, there were several additional highlights during the quarter including the acquisition of three companies each with active patent portfolios as well as one additional company with revenue rights associated with two active patent portfolios. To help fund these acquisitions we also completed a $6.5 million gross equity financing. We anticipate the patent assets we acquired will contribute meaningfully to Marathon's future revenues."

"Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we were approved for uplisting to The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC and began trading on NASDAQ on July 28, 2014. We believe that this is a significant milestone for Marathon that should provide the Company with greater visibility in the marketplace, help generate interest from a broader base of institutional and retail investors and improve the liquidity in the trading of our common stock. I believe our NASDAQ listing will result in increased shareholder value as we continue to execute our strategic growth initiatives," Mr. Croxall concluded.

Second Quarter 2014 Results

Revenue for the second quarter of 2014 totaled $3.8 million, an increase of 151% from roughly $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2013 and up 38% from $2.8 million in Q1 2014. The growth in revenues was due to an increase in the value of license and settlement agreements associated with patent enforcement activities. Five license and settlement agreements with a total of twelve defendants accounted for the revenue during the second quarter of 2014.

Direct costs of revenues for the second quarter of 2014 totaled $1.8 million, an increase of approximately $1.5 million from the second quarter 2013 and $0.6 million, sequentially. Direct costs of revenues includes contingent payments to patent litigation attorneys, licensing advisors and previous patent owners along with non-contingent costs, principally legal fees and costs for technical experts, associated with enforcing the Company's patent rights and entering into settlement and licensing agreements. The increase in direct costs of revenues can be attributed to both higher revenues generating associated contingent fee payments to patent litigators, licensing advisors, and previous patent owners and the higher level of patent enforcement activity in the quarter.

Gross profit for the quarter totaled $2.1 million, or 54% of revenues, as compared to $1.2 million, or 81% of revenues, in the comparable year-ago time period and $1.7 million, or 60% of revenues, in Q1 2014.

Operating expenses for the second quarter of 2014, including amortization of patents, compensation and related taxes, consulting and professional fees and other general and administrative fees were $2.4 million, compared with $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2013. On a cash basis, expenses increased by approximately $130,000 during the second quarter of 2014 versus the second quarter of 2013. Total non-cash operating expenses for the second quarter of 2014 was $1.5 million. Further, the Company had an increase in non-cash patent amortization expenses of $0.5 million, offset by a decrease in non-cash equity compensation expenses of $0.3 million during Q2 2014.

Relative to the first quarter of 2014, operating expenses increased from $2.0 million, an increase of 22%. Included in this increase was an increase in non-cash patent amortization expenses of $0.5 million and a decrease in non-cash equity compensation of $0.1 million. On a cash basis, expenses increased by approximately $77,000 during the second quarter of 2014 versus the first quarter of 2014.

GAAP net loss for the second quarter of 2014 was $1.6 million, or a loss of $0.29 per share, compared with a net loss of $0.8 million, or a loss of $0.19 per share, in the second quarter of 2013 and a net loss of $0.3 million, or a loss of $0.05 per share, in the first quarter of 2014. Included in the GAAP net loss for this quarter is a $1.3 million one-time, non-cash expense resulting from the beneficial conversion feature associated with the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock.

On a non-GAAP basis, net income for the quarter totaled $1.2 million, or $0.21 per share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $0.5 million, or $0.11 per share, in the comparable year-ago time period, and non-GAAP net income of $0.9 million, or $0.16 per share, in the first quarter of 2014. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financials can be found in the financial tables at the end of this press release.

As of June 30, 2014, cash and cash equivalents totaled $6.5 million as compared to $3.6 million as of December 31, 2013.

Acquisition of Patents

During the quarter, Marathon acquired three companies each with active patent portfolios as well as one additional company with revenue rights associated with two active patent portfolios. Under the terms of the transaction, Marathon paid $5 million in cash, issued 391,000 restricted shares of the Company's convertible Series B preferred stock, and has agreed to make additional deferred cash payments of up to $6 million, as well as potential earn-out payments based on net revenues realized by Marathon in excess of its investment and expenses associated with the acquired assets. All of the subject patent portfolios are in various stages of monetization. The patents cover diverse fundamental technologies in the following areas: life sciences; natural language processing and search query; automotive-related sensors; network intrusion, detection and protection; and medical device technology.

Equity Financing

During the quarter, the Company raised gross proceeds of $6.5 million through the sale of 1,023,579 units with each unit comprised of one share of the Company's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock that are convertible into the Company's common stock at a fixed price of $6.50 and a two year warrant to acquire 0.25 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $7.50 per share. The net offering proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering costs payable by the Company, were approximately $6.3 million.

Subsequent Events

On July 23, 2014, the Company announced that its shares of common stock had been approved for uplisting to The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. Effective at the opening of trading on Monday, July 28th the Company's stock began trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under its existing symbol "MARA". The stock had previously traded on the OTC Bulletin Board.

Investor Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results with Chief Executive Officer Doug Croxall and Chief Financial Officer Frank Knuettel II today at 4:30 PM ET/1:30 PM PT on August 14, 2014. To participate in the conference call, investors from the U.S. and Canada should dial (877) 407-0784 ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time. International calls should dial (201) 689-8560.

In addition, the call will be broadcast live over the Internet hosted at the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.marathonpg.com and will be archived online upon completion of the conference call. A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available until 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 21, 2014 by dialing (877) 870-5176 in the U.S. and Canada and (858) 384-5517 internationally and entering the passcode: 13586313.

About Marathon Patent Group
Marathon Patent Group, Inc. is a patent acquisition and monetization company. We acquire patents from a wide range of patent holders from individual inventors to Fortune 500 companies. Our strategy of acquiring patents that cover a wide-range of subject matter allows us to achieve diversity within our patent asset portfolio. We generate revenue with our diversified portfolio through actively managed concurrent patent rights enforcement campaigns. This approach is expected to result in a long-term, diversified revenue stream. To learn more about Marathon Patent Group, visit www.marathonpg.com/

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including the effect of the global economic downturn on technology companies, the ability to successfully develop licensing programs and attract new business, rapid technological change in relevant markets, changes in demand for current and future intellectual property rights, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments addressing licensing and enforcement of patents and/or intellectual property in general and general economic conditions. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Forms 8-K and 8-K/A, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

The results achieved in the most recent quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved by us in any subsequent quarters, as it is currently anticipated that Marathon Patent Group's financial results will vary, and may vary significantly, from quarter to quarter. This variance is expected to result from a number of factors, including risk factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition referenced above, and the particular structure of our licensing transactions, which may impact the amount of inventor royalties and contingent legal fees expenses we incur period to period.

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), not limited to Risk Factors relating to its patent business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

INFORMATION ABOUT NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES. As used herein, "GAAP" refers to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. To supplement our consolidated financial statements prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, this earnings release includes financial measures, including (1) non-GAAP net income and (2) non-GAAP Earnings Per Share ("EPS"), that are considered non-GAAP financial measures as defined in Rule 101 of Regulation G promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's historical or future performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of this non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

We use these non-GAAP financial measures for internal financial and operational decision making purposes and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons of the performance and results of operations of our core business. Our management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the performance of our core business by excluding non-cash stock compensation charges, non-cash patent amortization charges and excess benefit related non-cash tax expense that may not be indicative of our recurring core business operating results. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal planning and comparisons to our historical performance and liquidity. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors as they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision making and are used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the performance and operational results of our core business.

Non-GAAP Net income and EPS. We define non-GAAP net income as net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, plus non-cash stock compensation charges, non-cash patent amortization charges and excess benefit related non-cash tax expense. Non-GAAP EPS is defined as non-GAAP net income divided by the weighted average outstanding shares, on a fully diluted basis, calculated in accordance with GAAP, for the respective reporting period.

Due to the inherent volatility in stock prices, the use of estimates and assumptions in connection with the valuation and expensing of share-based awards and the variety of award types that companies can issue under FASB ASC Topic 718, management believes that providing a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes non-cash stock compensation allows investors to make meaningful comparisons between our recurring core business operating results and those of other companies, as well as providing our management with a critical tool for financial and operational decision making and for evaluating our own period-to-period recurring core business operating results. Similarly, due to the variability associated with the timing and amount of patent acquisition payments and estimates inherent in the capitalization and amortization of patent acquisition costs, management believes that providing a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes non-cash patent amortization charges allows investors to make meaningful comparisons between our recurring core business operating results and those of other companies, and also provides our management with a useful tool for financial and operational decision making and for evaluating our own period-to-period recurring core business operating results. Lastly, for financial reporting purposes, tax expense is required to be calculated without the excess tax benefit related to the exercise and vesting of equity-based incentive awards, however, the deduction related to the exercise and vesting of equity-based incentive awards is available to offset taxable income on our consolidated tax returns. Accordingly, the non-cash tax expense calculated without the excess benefit for financial statement purposes is credited to additional paid-in capital, not taxes payable, and does not represent a cash tax obligation. Management believes that providing a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes excess benefit related non-cash tax expense allows investors to assess our net results and the economic impact of income taxes based largely on cash tax obligations, make more meaningful comparisons between our recurring core business net results and those of other companies, and also provides our management with a useful tool for financial and operational decision making and for evaluating our own period-to-period recurring core business net results.

There are a number of limitations related to the use of non-GAAP net income and EPS versus net income and EPS calculated in accordance with GAAP. For example, non-GAAP net income excludes significant non-cash stock compensation charges, non-cash patent amortization charges and excess benefit related non-cash tax expense that are recurring, and will continue to be recurring for the foreseeable future. In addition, non-cash stock compensation is a critical component of our employee compensation programs and non-cash patent amortization reflects the cost of certain patent portfolio acquisitions, amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated economic useful life of the respective patent portfolio, and may reflect the acceleration of amortization related to recoupable up-front patent portfolio acquisition costs. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from non-GAAP net income and EPS and evaluating non-GAAP net income and EPS in conjunction with net income and EPS calculated in accordance with GAAP.

The accompanying table above provides a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures presented to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Investor Relations Contact:

Addo Communications
Lasse Glassen
Director
424-238-6249
lasseg@addocommunications.com

Source: Marathon Patent Group

Released August 14, 2014