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Stillfront Group — Interim / Quarterly Report 2021
Nov 10, 2021
2969_10-q_2021-11-10_fc0f59b1-8ee0-4df2-9262-2859c26fe955.pdf
Interim / Quarterly Report
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Interim Report, Q3 2021
QUOTE FROM THE CEO
"Stillfront's net revenues amounted to 1,311 MSEK, up by 28 percent compared to the third quarter last year, paired with an adjusted EBIT margin of 33%. We continue to grow our business with high margins and strong cash flows. In 2021, we have continued to invest in our underlying operations with a special focus on increasing the level of collaboration between our studios, including new game development projects. We continue to strengthen and expand our growing games portfolio and we are working hard in backing all our studios to achieve their full potential. The past six months have been challenging, with our studios facing comparison figures affected by the strong inflow of new users during the pandemic as well as changing marketing conditions due to the IDFA changes imposed by Apple on iOS devices. Both factors are transitory and we remain confident in our strategy and in our ability to benefit from the positive underlying market trends in our industry and to generate strong shareholder value."
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Q3
- Net revenue of 1,311 (1,027) MSEK, an increase of 28 percent compared to the third quarter of 2020, of which -11 (19) percent was organic
- EBIT of 243 (306) MSEK, a decrease of 21 percent
- Adjusted EBIT of 433 (419) MSEK, an increase of 3 percent. Adjusted EBIT margin of 33 (41) percent
- Items affecting comparability impacting EBIT amounted to -20 (-18) MSEK, mainly driven by costs related to the acquisition of Jawaker. Amortization of PPA-items amounted to -170 (-95) MSEK
- EBITDA of 499 (454) MSEK, an increase of 10 percent
- Financial net of -55 (-48) MSEK
- Net result of 129 (154) MSEK
- Net result per share undiluted of 0.35 (0.45) SEK. Net result per share diluted of 0.35 (0.45) SEK
- Net debt of 2,645 (1,225) MSEK and adjusted leverage ratio, pro forma of 1.2x (0.7x)
- Cash position of 1,171 MSEK and 3,449 MSEK of undrawn credit facilities
INDICATIVE GUIDANCE FOR Q4 2021*
- Net revenue 1,350-1,500 MSEK
- Adjusted EBIT 425-475 MSEK
| KEY FIGURES | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Last 12 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSEK | Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep | months | Jan-Dec |
| Bookings | 1,304 | 986 | 3,994 | 2,880 | 5,078 | 3,964 |
| Deferred revenue | 7 | 41 | 19 | 31 | 15 | 27 |
| Net revenue | 1,311 | 1,027 | 4,013 | 2,910 | 5,094 | 3,991 |
| EBIT | 243 | 306 | 785 | 748 | 1,030 | 993 |
| Adjusted EBIT | 433 | 419 | 1,342 | 1,094 | 1,741 | 1,493 |
| Adjusted EBIT margin, % | 33 | 41 | 33 | 38 | 34 | 37 |
| EBITDA | 499 | 454 | 1,488 | 1,135 | 1,906 | 1,553 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 519 | 472 | 1,568 | 1,236 | 2,028 | 1,697 |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin, % | 40 | 46 | 39 | 42 | 40 | 43 |
| Profit before tax | 187 | 258 | 613 | 611 | 801 | 799 |
| Net result | 129 | 154 | 427 | 418 | 590 | 581 |
| Number of Employees | 1,256 | 832 | 1,256 | 832 | 1,256 | 1,032 |
| Adjusted Leverage Ratio, pro forma, x | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.9 |
*The assumed exchange rates used for Q4 YTD is 8.5075 for USD/SEK and 10.1426 for EUR/SEK, which is the average YTD rate as of October 2021 closing.
Comments by the CEO
During the last twelve months, we have executed on our strategy to build a leading free-to-play powerhouse. We have further diversified our portfolio of studios and games, adding new genres, games and gamers in new geographies to the portfolio. However, it is also important to acknowledge that the past six months have been challenging, with our studios facing comparison figures affected by the strong inflow of new users during the pandemic, as well as changing marketing conditions due to the IDFA changes imposed by Apple on iOS devices. Both factors are transitory and we remain confident in our strategy and in our ability to benefit from the positive underlying market trends in our industry and to generate strong shareholder value.
In 2021, we have continued to invest in our operations with a special focus on increasing collaboration across the group, including new game development projects. Our Stillops platform creates tangible synergies by enabling engine-sharing across studios and giving access to a bestin-class performance marketing hub, while our financial hub model frees up valuable time for our studios. We continue to strengthen and expand our growing games portfolio and we are working hard with all our studios to achieve their full potential.
Development in the third quarter
Stillfront's net revenues amounted to 1,311 MSEK, up by 28% compared to the third quarter last year. We continue to grow our business with high margins and strong cash flows. The adjusted EBIT amounted to 433 MSEK, resulting in an adjusted EBIT margin of 33% in the quarter. During the last twelve months, our business has generated 991 MSEK in free cash flow, growing by 86% compared to a year ago.
Year-over-year, we continue to meet difficult comparison numbers in Q3, driven by the exceptional inflow of new users that we saw in Q2'20, which had a positive impact on net revenues and profitability in Q3'20 as well. The organic bookings growth amounted to -8% in Q3, which is a clear improvement from the previous quarter, but still far from our ambitions. The positive monetization trend across our portfolio continued into Q3 and ARPDAU was up 13% organically compared to the same period last year, with all three product areas growing ARPDAU organically yearover-year, showing the strength and quality of our diversified game portfolio.
Our business is stable and sound and several of our studios grew at high organic growth rates in Q3. The studios that have been a part of our group for more than one year, together show solid growth over 24 months and have, excluding Kixeye, grown faster than the annual growth rate of our addressable market.
The strong user inflow driven by the pandemic last year was particularly strong for Storm8, which grew its revenues significantly in both Q2'20 and Q3'20. As a result, the studio has had significant negative organic growth during
Q2'21 and Q3'21, but has stabilized at high levels and is performing in line with management expectations. Excluding the effect from Storm8, Stillfront would have had positive organic bookings growth on a group level in Q3'21.
Super Free Games underperformed on net revenues in Q2, and that development has continued during Q3, as the studio has spent less on user acquisition than forecasted. We are working closely together with the management team of Super Free to address these issues and we remain confident in the studio's long-term prospects.
Marketing development in the quarter
In the third quarter of the year, which is seasonally the weakest quarter for user acquisition, we were able to spend 319 MSEK on user acquisition which was very encouraging. This corresponds to 24% of net revenues, up from 164 MSEK during the same quarter last year with continuous high return on ad spend. The marketing landscape was impacted by the IDFA changes imposed by Apple on iOS devices, but we have seen gradual improvements in our user acquisition during Q3 and after the quarter. It is our firm view that the IDFA changes will have limited impact on Stillfront in Q4 and onwards.

JÖRGEN LARSSON, CEO, STILLFRONT GROUP
During Q3, we announced the acquisition of Jawaker, a leading mobile gaming studio in the MENA region with one of the largest classic PvP gaming apps in the world. We see large scaling potential for Jawaker as a part of Stillfront, with opportunities to fuel user acquisition both in the MENA region and among the Arabic population worldwide, leveraging Stillfront's successful experience from marketing Babil's games. During 2021, we have expanded to the Indian subcontinent and further expanded in the
MENA region, enabling significant growth potential in the years to come.
The outlook ahead
Going into the last quarter of the year, our indicative forecast guidance for Q4'21 amounts to a total net revenue of between 1,350 and 1,500 MSEK with an adjusted EBIT of between 425 and 475 MSEK. The guidance indicates an annual growth of between 25% and 39% on net revenues compared to the same period last year. We expect to return to organic growth during the latter part of the quarter.
Summarizing the first nine months of 2021, we are well positioned to execute on our planned activities and targets for 2022 and onwards. Several promising new titles have entered soft launch lately, and there are more to come in Q4 and next year. We remain focused on supporting our studios and we are fully devoted to deliver on our strategy and build a great company for the long-term. We stay committed to our long-term financial targets and our vision to build the leading free-to-play powerhouse of gaming studios.
Stillfront at glance
A leading free-to-play powerhouse
Stillfront is a leading free-to-play powerhouse of gaming studios. Our diverse and exciting games portfolio has two common themes; loyal users and long lifecycle games. Organic growth and carefully selected and executed acquisitions embody our growth strategy and our 1,250+ co-workers thrive in an organization that engenders the spirit of entrepreneurship.
Stillfront is headquartered in Sweden, and the company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.
Focus on a digital and sustainable future
Stillfront's purpose is to make a positive impact in our gamers' everyday life, through creating a social, entertaining and positive gaming experience. Our business model is built on our long-term perspective towards our studios, our professionals and our gamers.
Stillfront builds for a digital and carbon-free future, and as of 2020 we are a climate neutral company, fully compensating for the carbon impact in our daily operations and the energy usage of gamers playing our games.

games
mobile
ad bookings
employees
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 Q3'18 Q4'18 Q1'19 Q2'19 Q3'19 Q4'19 Q1'20 Q2'20 Q3'20 Q4'20 Q1'21 Q2'21 Q3'21
NET REVENUE LTM (MSEK) ADJ. EBIT LTM (MSEK)

Portfolio overview
Game performance
Bookings in the third quarter amounted to 1,304 MSEK, of which 1,226 in the active portfolio. The increase of 29 percent in the active portfolio is primarily driven by the addition of recently acquired studios.
Bookings from Other games amounted to 78 MSEK in the third quarter, up from 68 MSEK in the second quarter and from 36 MSEK in the same quarter last year. The increase is mostly attributable to new game releases that have not yet been added to the Active portfolio.
Advertising bookings accounted for 18 percent of total bookings in the active portfolio in the third quarter, slightly down from 19 percent in the second quarter and up from 7 percent the same period last year. Organically, advertising bookings grew by 47 percent in the quarter, driven by increased ad monetization in all three product areas.
Stillfront's share of mobile declined by one percentage point both quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year to 76 percent.
ARPDAU for the active portfolio remained steady quarterover-quarter at 1.1 SEK, down from 2.5 SEK in the same period last year. The decrease in ARPDAU is primarily driven by the the new game mix in the portfolio and the addition of Moonfrog Labs as the studio has a very large user base with lower monetization.
User acquisition costs, UAC, in the active portfolio amounted to 312 MSEK in the third quarter, slightly down compared to 342 MSEK in the second quarter of 2021 and up from 164 MSEK the same period last year. The decrease in UAC is a mostly a result of normal seasonality effects, as UAC spend goes down over the summer holidays. The marketing conditions were still impacted by the IDFA changes imposed by Apple on iOS devices, but there has been a gradual normalization in user acquisition during the third quarter as well as after the quarter.
MAU, monthly active users, grew by 218 percent year over year to 62.3 million, driven by the new studios acquired over the past 12 months.
MPU, monthly paying users, grew by 69 percent year-overyear, also driven by new acquisitions. The discrepancy between the increase in MAU and MPU is mainly a result of the acquisitions of Super Free Games and Moonfrog Labs, as the two studios monetize their user bases through ad bookings to a larger extent than other studios in the group.
| 2021 Q3 | Active Portfolio |
Strategy | Sim / RPG / Action |
Mashup / Casual |
Other games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bookings (MSEK) | 1,226 | 301 | 395 | 531 | 78 |
| Y-o-Y % | 29% | -3% | 53% | 39% | |
| Ad bookings, % | 18% | 1% | 7% | 35% | |
| Mobile bookings, % | 76% | 65% | 57% | 96% | |
| UAC (MSEK) | 312 | 69 | 113 | 130 | 7 |
| Y-o-Y % | 91% | 34% | 137% | 104% | |
| DAU ('000) | 12,319 | 443 | 1,427 | 10,450 | |
| Y-o-Y % | 197% | -7% | 39% | 295% | |
| MAU ('000) | 62,308 | 2,404 | 7,622 | 52,282 | |
| Y-o-Y % | 218% | -13% | 121% | 290% | |
| MPU ('000) | 1,370 | 100 | 295 | 975 | |
| Y-o-Y % | 69% | 0% | 79% | 78% | |
| ARPDAU (SEK) | 1.1 | 7.4 | 3.0 | 0.6 | |
| Y-o-Y % | -57% | 4% | 10% | -65% |
Bookings: Revenue before changes in deferred revenue, including deposits from paying users, in-game advertising revenue and other game-related revenue
Product areas
Strategy
The strategy portfolio consists of 13 classic war and so called 4X games, several of which were originally built as browser games to enable a large map view. Today, a majority of the titles are available cross-platform and attract a large share of mobile gamers too. In the third quarter, 65 percent of the bookings in the strategy portfolio came from mobile devices. Some of the key titles in the strategy portfolio include, for example, Empire and Conflict of Nations: WW3.
The strategy games amounted to 25 percent of the bookings in the active portfolio in the third quarter of 2021. Strategy bookings decreased by -3 percent year-over-year. Both Conflict of Nations: WW3 and War and Peace continued their strong performance and grew significantly year-over-year in the third quarter. Conflict of Nations, which grew by almost 200 percent in the third quarter, has now become one of the largest titles in the Strategy portfolio. The game was released on mobile in September last year following a successful collaboration between Stillfront's two studios Dorado Games and Bytro Labs.
Compared to Q3'20, user acquisition spend was up by 34 percent in Strategy. Daily and monthly active users were down by -7 percent and -13 percent respectively, while monthly paying users remained flat and ARPDAU increased by 4 percent.
Simulation, RPG & Action
Simulation, RPG & Action is a diversified portfolio of 26 game titles including games simulation games such as Big Farm: Mobile Harvest and Hollywood Story, action games such as Battle Pirates, and RPGs such as Albion Online and Shakes & Fidget.
Simulation, RPG & Action totaled 32 percent of the bookings in the active portfolio in the third quarter, growing by 53 percent compared to the same period last year. The growth was driven by organic growth from several titles, as well as the addition of the acquired titles from Nanobit and Sandbox Interactive. Albion Online grew somewhat slower than anticipated in Q3 following its successful mobile launch in Q2, but Stillfront expects the game to show strong performance in coming quarters, driven by the mobile launch and upcoming content releases. Playa Games' successful title Shakes & Fidget had a strong quarter and grew by more than 30 percent organically year-over-year in its twelfth year of existence.
Casual & Mash-up
The Casual and Mash-up portfolio consists of 17 games, including titles like Property Brothers Home Design, BitLife, Word Collect, Trivia Star and Ludo Club. The product area totaled 43 percent of the bookings in the active portfolio in the third quarter of 2021, growing by 39 percent compared to the same period last year. The growth year-over-year was driven by acquired studios Super Free Games and Moonfrog Labs, as well as continued strong organic growth from Candywriter during the quarter. Candywriter's key title BitLife continued its strong performance from the second quarter into the third quarter, growing by more than 30 percent organically year-over-year and grabbing the spot as the second largest title in Stillfront's active portoflio. Going into Q4 and next year, Candywriter has exciting new products in the pipeline based on its successful BitLife engine, including newly announced DogLife, which was released globally early November.
The strong user inflow driven by effects from the Covid-19 pandemic last year was particularly strong for Storm8, which grew its revenues significantly in both Q2'20 and Q3'20. As a result, the studio has had significant negative organic growth during Q2'21 and Q3'21, but has now stabilized at high levels and is performing in line with management expectations. Excluding the negative comps effect from Storm8, Stillfront would have had positive organic bookings growth on a group level in Q3'21.
Moonfrog Labs continued to perform well in Q3, growing both of its key titles quarter-over-quarter, whereas Super Free Games has developed weaker than expected on net revenues, as the studio has spent less on user acquisition than forecasted.
Product areas as share of bookings in Q3 2021 in total active portfolio

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW OF THE THIRD QUARTER
Revenue and operating profit
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Last 12 | 2020 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSEK | Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Chg% Jan-Sep Jan-Sep | Chg% | months | Jan-Dec | ||
| Net Revenue | 1,311 | 1,027 | 28 | 4,013 | 2,910 | 38 | 5,094 | 3,991 |
| EBITDA | 499 | 454 | 10 | 1,488 | 1,135 | 31 | 1,906 | 1,553 |
| EBITDA margin, % | 38 | 44 | 37 | 39 | 37 | 39 | ||
| EBIT | 243 | 306 | -21 | 785 | 748 | 5 | 1,030 | 993 |
| EBIT margin, % | 18 | 30 | 20 | 26 | 20 | 25 | ||
| Items affecting comparability | -20 | -18 | 11 | -80 | -101 | -21 | -123 | -144 |
| Adjusted EBITDA* | 519 | 472 | 10 | 1,568 | 1,236 | 27 | 2,028 | 1,697 |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin*, % | 40 | 46 | 39 | 42 | 40 | 43 | ||
| Amortization of PPA items | -170 | -95 | 80 | -477 | -245 | 95 | -589 | -357 |
| Adjusted EBIT* | 433 | 419 | 3 | 1,342 | 1,094 | 23 | 1,741 | 1,493 |
| Adjusted EBIT margin*, % | 33 | 41 | 33 | 38 | 34 | 37 |
*Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding items affecting comparability. Adjusted EBIT is defined as EBIT excluding items affecting comparability and amortization of PPA-items.
Net revenue in the third quarter amounted to 1,311 (1,027) MSEK. The increase of 28 percent is driven by acquired studios (+40 percent year-on-year), offset by negative organic growth (-11 percent year-on-year), and currency movements (-1 percent). Organic growth in terms of bookings was -8 percent year-over-year.
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Jan-Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net revenue growth | Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep | 2020 |
| Change through acquisitions, % | 40.3 | 85.1 | 52.5 | 88.9 | 89.3 |
| Change through currency movements, % | -1.3 | -5.5 | -5.7 | -0.5 | -2.3 |
| Organic growth, % | -11.4 | 19.0 | -8.9 | 17.2 | 15.9 |
| Total net revenue growth, % | 27.7 | 98.5 | 37.9 | 105.6 | 102.9 |
EBITDA amounted to 499 (454) MSEK during the third quarter. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to 519 (472) MSEK, corresponding to an adjusted EBITDA margin of 40 (46) percent during the third quarter.
EBIT amounted to 243 (306) MSEK in the third quarter. Adjusted EBIT amounted to 433 (419) MSEK, corresponding to an adjusted EBIT margin of 33 (41) percent. Items affecting comparability amounted to -20 (-18) MSEK in the third quarter and consisted in the quarter mainly of transaction costs for the acquisition of Jawaker.
Product development
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Last 12 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSEK | Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep | months | Jan-Dec |
| Capitalization of product development | 143 | 115 | 436 | 322 | 558 | 444 |
| Amortization of product development | -72 | -43 | -184 | -112 | -233 | -162 |
| Amortization of PPA items | -170 | -95 | -477 | -245 | -589 | -357 |
In the third quarter, investments in product development have been capitalized by 143 (115) MSEK. Investments include development of new games such as DogLife as well as other not yet announced games. Investments also pertain to other new titles based on existing engines as well as larger extensions and additions to existing games.
Amortization of product development of -72 (-43) MSEK was charged during the third quarter. Amortization of PPA items amounted to -170 (-95) MSEK, where the increase is driven by recent acquisitions.
Financial net
The financial net was -55 (-48) MSEK in the third quarter, consisting of net interest expenses -41 (-26) MSEK, non-cash interest charge on earnout consideration -17 (-19) MSEK, and currency effects of 3 (-2) MSEK. The non-cash interest charge on earnout consideration is lower in the third quarter than in the second quarter as a result of earnouts having been settled at the end of the second quarter.
Net revenue development (MSEK)

Adj EBIT development (MSEK)

Tax
The group's tax expense amounted to -58 (-104) MSEK for the third quarter, equivalent to a tax rate of 31 (40) percent. Excluding the impact of non-deductible transaction costs, the tax rate for the quarter would have been 28 percent.
Financing
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| MSEK | 30 Sep | 30 Sep |
| Net debt | 2,645 | 1,225 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1,171 | 1,052 |
| Adjusted Interest Coverage Ratio, pro forma, x | 14.5 | 14.2 |
| Adjusted Leverage Ratio, pro forma, x | 1.2 | 0.7 |
In the quarter, a directed issue of shares in the amount of 877 MSEK was completed, mainly to finance the acquisition of Jawaker in October. An additional directed share issue of 123 MSEK was completed after the end of the quarter. New senior unsecured bonds of SEK 1,500m were issued earlier in the year.
In order to meet its commitments under the long-term incentive program established at the Annual General Meeting in May 2021 (LTIP 2021/2025), Stillfront has in the third quarter entered into an equity swap agreement with a bank. Under the agreement, the bank undertakes to distribute Stillfront shares to participants in the program when the date for allotment occurs in accordance with the terms and conditions of the program. The fair value of the underlying Stillfront shares when the swap agreement was signed amounted to 224 MSEK. It is recorded as a liability and as a reduction of equity, as if the shares would have been repurchased by the company.
Net debt as of September 30, 2021, amounted to 2,645 (1,225) MSEK, including equity swaps.
Adjusted interest coverage ratio, pro forma was 14.5 (14.2)x as of September 30, 2021. The definition of the interest coverage ratio has been updated since last year in order to align with the financial covenants on the Group's external financing, with comparative figures being restated correspondingly. See 'Definitions' below.
The adjusted leverage ratio, pro forma was 1.2 (0.7)x. Stillfront has a financial target of maximum 1.5x for the adjusted leverage ratio pro forma with the ability to exceed this target for shorter periods. Including the cash settlement for the Jawaker acquisition in the beginning of October, the leverage ratio would have been around Stillfront's communicated financial targets of 1.5x.
As of September 30, 2021, Stillfront had unutilized credit facilities of 3,449 (1,026) MSEK, of which 3,249 (926) MSEK were long-term credit facilities, and a cash balance of 1,171 (1,052) MSEK.
The Group's financial assets and liabilities are in general measured at amortized cost, which is also a good approximation of their fair value. Bond loans with a carrying value of 3,091 MSEK, however, have a fair value of 3,159 MSEK. FX forwards and currency basis swaps with a carrying amount of -8 MSEK are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. Contingent purchase considerations (earnout provisions) with a carrying amount of 2,282 MSEK are measured at fair value through profit and loss.
| MSEK | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provisions for earnouts | ||||||
| Cash | - | 528 | 552 | 317 | 102 | 1,498 |
| Equity | - | 263 | 306 | 182 | 33 | 784 |
| Total provisions for earnout | - | 790 | 858 | 499 | 135 | 2,282 |
The amounts stated above refer to provisions in the balance sheet, calculated as present values of nominal expected future payments, by year of expected settlement. As of September 30, 2021, the Group had liabilities of 2,282 (1,784) MSEK for earnout provisions, of which 790 (872) MSEK current and 1,492 (912) MSEK noncurrent. The amounts will be settled during 2022 to 2025, where 1,498 MSEK of the current book value corresponds to amounts expected to be paid out in cash and 784 MSEK expected to be paid out in newly issued shares.
Cash flow
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Last 12 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSEK | Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep | months | Jan-Dec |
| Cash flow from operations | 486 | 332 | 1,178 | 838 | 1,591 | 1,251 |
| Cash flow from investment activities | -181 | -858 | -2,661 | -3,727 | -3,671 | -4,737 |
| Cash flow from financing activities | -14 | 648 | 1,597 | 3,615 | 2,196 | 4,214 |
| Cash flow for the period | 291 | 122 | 115 | 727 | 117 | 728 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period | 1,171 | 1,052 | 1,171 | 1,052 | 1,171 | 1,005 |
The Group had a strong cash flow from operations of 486 (332) MSEK in the third quarter. The amount includes taxes paid of -53 (-120) MSEK during the quarter and changes in working capital of 97 (38) MSEK, primarily driven by timing effects of payments from platform providers.
Cash flow from investment activities amounted to -181 (-858) MSEK, including investments in product development -143 (-115) MSEK and the final payment for the Crush Them All asset acquisition -42 MSEK.
Cash flow from financing activities amounted to -14 (648) MSEK including proceeds from share issuance of 877 MSEK and net repayment of borrowings -868 MSEK.
Free cash flow for the last twelve months amounted to 991 (533) MSEK. Cash conversion rate, defined as free cash flow for the last twelve months divided by EBITDA for the last twelve months, amounted to 0.52 (0.40) in the third quarter.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE QUARTER
Stillfront announced the earn-out considerations for the financial year 2020
July 1, Stillfront announced the agreed earn-out considerations for the financial year 2020 with the sellers of Imperia Online, Playa Games, Candywriter and Storm8, respectively.
Stillfront announced the acquisition of Jawaker
September 8, Stillfront announced the acquisition of 100% of the shares and votes in Jawaker FZ-LLC. Jawaker is a leading mobile gaming studio in the MENA region and was founded in 2009. The studio holds one of the largest classic PvP (Player versus Player) gaming apps in the world, with a focus on board & card games and other popular games specific to the region. Jawaker is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, with a team of approximately 50 people. Of the USD 205 million in upfront consideration, 74 percent was paid in cash and 26 percent in 8,540,092 issued shares in Stillfront. The acquisition of Jawaker was completed on October 4, and was consolidated into Stillfront's consolidated financial reporting from October 1, 2021. The purchase price allocation for the acquisition has not yet been completed.
Stillfront completed a directed share issue, raised proceeds of SEK 1 billion
September 9, Stillfront carried out a a directed share issue of 15,723,270 new shares at subscription price of SEK 63.60 per share, directed to institutional investors. Stillfront received SEK 1 billion through the directed share issue before deduction of costs. The subscription price was determined through an accelerated book-building procedure led by Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ) and Joh. Berenberg, Gossler & Co. KG. The investors in the directed share issue consisted of a number of Swedish and international institutional investors, including Stillfront's largest shareholder Laureus Capital GmbH. The reason for the new share issue and the deviation from the shareholders' pre-emption rights was to raise capital in a time efficient manner in order to finance the acquisition of Jawaker and to further strengthen the company's financial flexibility in line with the company's announced financial targets. Proceeds from the issue were received in the amount of 877 MSEK before the end of the quarter and 123 MSEK after the end of the quarter.
EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
Announcement from the extraordinary general meeting
October 4, Stillfront held an extraordinary general meeting on 4 October 2021 where the general meeting approved the board of directors' resolution dated September 9, on a directed share issue through an issue of not more than 1,929,567 shares (as described above). It was resolved that Laureus Capital GmbH should have the right to subscribe for the new shares. The meeting also resolved, in accordance with the proposal of the board of directors, to authorise the board of directors to, within the scope of the articles of association, with or without deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights, on one or several occasions during the period until the next annual general meeting, resolve to increase the company's share capital by issuing new shares, warrants or convertible debt in the company. The authorisation shall be limited whereby the board of directors may not resolve to issue shares, warrants or convertible debt that involve the issue of, or conversion into shares corresponding to, more than ten (10) percent of the shares in the company at the time when the board of directors first utilises the authorisation. The authorisation replaced the authorisation adopted at the annual general meeting on 11 May 2021.
Lawsuit relating to earnout to the sellers of Kixeye
Fortis Advisors LLC, representing the founders and sellers of Kixeye, has filed a complaint against Stillfront Midco AB in the Court of Chancery of the state of Delaware. The founders are no longer active in Kixeye. Fortis claims that Stillfront Midco AB has breached the merger agreement in bad faith and owes the sellers the maximum MUSD 30 earnout amount payable under the merger agreement for the financial year 2019. Furthermore, Fortis claims that Stillfront Midco AB must pay interest on the claimed earnout amount, compensation for alleged consequential damages, and attorney fees. Stillfront has previously communicated that no earnout amount is due or owing under the merger agreement for the financial year 2019 and that Kixeye continued to underperform also during 2020, which resulted in a cost optimization project of Kixeye that was initiated in the beginning of 2021. Stillfront has made no provision with regard to this dispute as it deems that Fortis's claims lack any factual or legal basis and as the potential impact on consolidated earnings, if any, is currently expected to be non-material.
For more information on events, please visit: https://www.stillfront.com/en/section/media/press-releases/
MARKET
The gaming industry is today the largest entertainment industry in the world with close to 3 billion gamers globally. In 2021, the gaming industry is expected to generate revenues of around USD 175.8 billion, a year-on-year decrease by -1.1%, according to Newzoo. The games market will swiftly recover from its slight 2021 decline, according to Newzoo, and they expect the global market to grow with a CAGR of +8.7% between 2019 to 2024 and exceed USD 200 billion at the end of 2023.
Mobile gaming is the world's most popular form of gaming. Mobile games are expected to reach 2.6 billion players and generate revenues of USD 90.7 billion in 2021, representing more than half of the global games market in term of revenues. The mobile games market is expected to grow by 4.4% year-on-year in 2021 and will continue to grow faster than the total games market up to 2024, according to Newzoo.
Stillfront's games are predominantly within the Free-to-Play (F2P) segment. The F2P model has successfully been applied to the browser game market for years and it has now taken over the mobile segment as well. In the world's single largest market, Asia, and particularly in China, the model dominates, and it is gaining ground across all platforms globally.
People across all age demographics play online games. The average age of a gamer in the US is 31 years of age, according to the Entertainment Software Association, ESA, and 80% of all gamers are above 18 years old. The number of female gamers has increased during the past years and represents 45% of the total population of gamers in the US.
Sources for market data:
Newzoo's Global Games Market Report 2021 Essential Facts of the Video Game Industry 2021, by ESA.
PARENT COMPANY
Customary group management functions and group wide services are provided via the parent company. The revenue for the parent during the first nine months was 101 (77) MSEK. The profit before tax amounted to -227 (39) MSEK.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Other than customary transactions with related parties such as remuneration to key individuals, there have been no transactions with related parties.
THE SHARE AND SHAREHOLDERS
| # | Owners | No of shares | Capital/votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laureus Capital GmbH | 44,530,690 | 11.8% |
| 2 | Swedbank Robur Funds | 38,240,311 | 10.2% |
| 3 | SEB Funds | 24,709,988 | 6.6% |
| 4 | Handelsbanken Funds | 21,156,255 | 5.6% |
| 5 | AMF Pension & Funds | 20,726,834 | 5.5% |
| 6 | First National Pension Fund | 11,891,411 | 3.2% |
| 7 | Fidelity Investments (FMR) | 9,131,352 | 2.4% |
| 8 | Man Hay Tam | 5,941,538 | 1.6% |
| 9 | Janus Henderson Investors | 5,585,360 | 1.5% |
| 10 | TIN Funds | 5,089,610 | 1.4% |
| 11 | Other Shareholders | 189,661,071 | 50.4% |
The total number of shares per September 30, 2021, was 376,664,420. This is the number of shares registered at the Companies' Registration Office at that date.
As from May 26, 2021, the share is traded on Nasdaq Stockholm. Closing price as of September 30, 2021 was 55.50 SEK/share.
Following bonds are traded on Nasdaq Stockholm:
2018/2022 bond: ISIN: SE0011897925 2019/2024 bond: ISIN: SE0012728830 2021/2025 bond: ISIN: SE0015961065
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
This interim report has been prepared in accordance with IAS34, Interim Financial Reporting. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU and the relevant references to Chapter 9 of the Swedish Annual Accounts Act. The parent company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with RFR2, Accounting for Legal Entities and the Swedish Annual Accounts Act. No material changes in accounting principles have taken place since the Annual Report for 2020.
Equity swap agreements entered into with a bank in order to meet Stillfront's commitments under long-term incentive programs are accounted for as a financial liability at amortised cost and as a reduction of shareholders' equity. Consequently, the fair value of the underlying shares when the agreement was signed is accounted for as a liability and the fees to the bank are recognized over time as financial costs.
The financial statements are presented in SEK, which is the functional currency of the Parent Company. All amounts, unless otherwise stated, are rounded to the nearest million (MSEK). Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout these consolidated financial statements may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTY FACTORS
As a global group with a wide geographic spread, Stillfront is exposed to several strategic, financial, market and operational risks. Attributable risks include for example risks relating to market conditions, regulatory risks, tax risks and risks attributable to public perception. Other strategic and financial risks are risks attributable to acquisitions, credit risks and funding risks. Operational risks are for example risks attributable to distribution channels, technical developments and intellectual property. The risks are described in more detail in the Annual Report of 2020. No significant risks are considered to have arisen besides those being described in the Annual Report.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some statements herein are forward-looking that reflect Stillfront's current views or expectations of future financial and operational performance. Because these forward-looking statements involve both known and unknown risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from the information set forth in the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, technological and legal uncertainties and/or risks. Forward-looking statements in this report apply only at the time of announcement of the report and are subject to change without notice. Stillfront undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable law or stock market regulations.
SIGNATURE
Stockholm, 10 November 2021
Jörgen Larsson, CEO & Founder
AUDITOR'S REPORT (UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION)
Stillfront Group AB (publ) corp. reg. no. 556721-3078
Introduction
We have reviewed the condensed interim financial information (interim report) of Stillfront Group AB (publ) ("the Parent Company") and its subsidiaries (together "the Group") as of 30 September 2021 and the nine-month period then ended. The board of directors and the CEO are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the condensed interim financial information in accordance with IAS 34 and the Swedish Annual Accounts Act. Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on this interim report based on our review.
Scope of Review
We conducted our review in accordance with the International Standard on Review Engagements ISRE 2410, Review of Interim Report Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity. A review consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing, ISA, and other generally accepted auditing standards in Sweden. The procedures performed in a review do not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.
Conclusion
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the interim report is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 and the Swedish Annual Accounts Act, regarding the Group, and with the Swedish Annual Accounts Act, regarding the Parent Company.
Stockholm, 10 November, 2021
Öhrlings PricewaterhouseCoopers AB
Nicklas Kullberg Authorized Public Accountant
Financial reports
INCOME STATEMENT IN SUMMARY, GROUP
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Last 12 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSEK | Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep | months | Jan-Dec |
| Revenues | ||||||
| Bookings | 1,304 | 986 | 3,994 | 2,880 | 5,078 | 3,964 |
| Deferred revenue | 7 | 41 | 19 | 31 | 15 | 27 |
| Net revenue | 1,311 | 1,027 | 4,013 | 2,910 | 5,094 | 3,991 |
| Own work capitalized | 116 | 87 | 338 | 241 | 425 | 328 |
| Other revenue | 2 | 2 | 14 | 11 | 18 | 15 |
| Operating expenses | ||||||
| Platform fees | -284 | -280 | -918 | -811 | -1,209 | -1,103 |
| User acquisition costs | -319 | -164 | -1,028 | -528 | -1,243 | -743 |
| Other external expenses | -72 | -52 | -202 | -152 | -245 | -195 |
| Personnel expenses | -234 | -150 | -649 | -435 | -811 | -597 |
| Items affecting comparability | -20 | -18 | -80 | -101 | -123 | -144 |
| Amortization of product development | -72 | -43 | -184 | -112 | -233 | -162 |
| Amortization of PPA items | -170 | -95 | -477 | -245 | -589 | -357 |
| Depreciation | -14 | -10 | -42 | -30 | -54 | -41 |
| Operating result | 243 | 306 | 785 | 748 | 1,030 | 993 |
| Result from financial items | ||||||
| Net financial items | -55 | -48 | -172 | -137 | -229 | -193 |
| Profit before tax | 187 | 258 | 613 | 611 | 801 | 799 |
| Taxes for the period | -58 | -104 | -186 | -193 | -211 | -219 |
| Net result for the period | 129 | 154 | 427 | 418 | 590 | 581 |
| Other comprehensive income | ||||||
| Items that later can be reversed in profit | ||||||
| Foreign currency translation differences | 242 | -183 | 429 | -294 | -92 | -814 |
| Total comprehensive income for period | 371 | -29 | 856 | 124 | 498 | -233 |
| Net result for the period attributed to: | ||||||
| Parent company shareholders | 128 | 153 | 420 | 414 | 586 | 580 |
| Non-controlling interest | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Period total comprehensive income | ||||||
| Parent company shareholders | 370 | -35 | 848 | 121 | 494 | -233 |
| Non-controlling interest | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 4 | -1 |
| Average number of shares | ||||||
| Undiluted | ||||||
| 365,745,314 339,397,080 | 359,796,530 319,045,349 | 356,449,217 | 324,161,085 | |||
| Diluted | 366,152,848 | 341,220,700 360,606,890 | 320,144,491 357,470,645 | 325,531,355 | ||
| Net result per share attributable to the parent company | ||||||
| shareholders | ||||||
| Undiluted, SEK/share | 0.35 | 0.45 | 1.17 | 1.30 | 1.64 | 1.79 |
| Diluted, SEK/share | 0.35 | 0.45 | 1.16 | 1.29 | 1.64 | 1.78 |
The number of shares and earnings per share are recalculated for all periods taking into account the 10:1 share split that took place in 2020.
BALANCE SHEET IN SUMMARY, GROUP
| MSEK | 9/30/2021 | 9/30/2020 | 12/31/2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodwill | 10,591 | 6,281 | 7,929 |
| Other non-current intangible assets | 4,008 | 2,327 | 2,822 |
| Tangible non-current assets | 127 | 110 | 113 |
| Deferred tax assets | 49 | 52 | 31 |
| Other non-current assets | 7 | 11 | 11 |
| Current receivables | 565 | 1,210 | 455 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1,171 | 1,052 | 1,005 |
| Total assets | 16,518 | 11,043 | 12,366 |
| Shareholders' equity | |||
| Shareholders' equity attributable to parent company's shareholding | 8,749 | 5,846 | 6,129 |
| Non-Controlling interest | 24 | 21 | 17 |
| Total Shareholders' equity | 8,773 | 5,866 | 6,146 |
| Non-current liabilities | |||
| Deferred tax liabilities | 881 | 547 | 631 |
| Bond loans | 3,091 | 1,602 | 1,602 |
| Liabilities to credit institutions | 501 | 674 | 1,216 |
| Other liabilities | 54 | 122 | 72 |
| Provisions for earnout | 1,492 | 912 | 1,330 |
| Total non-current liabilities | 6,019 | 3,858 | 4,852 |
| Current liabilities | |||
| Liabilities to credit institutions | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Equity swap | 224 | - | - |
| Other liabilities | 711 | 446 | 595 |
| Provisions for earnout | 790 | 872 | 773 |
| Total current liabilities | 1,726 | 1,319 | 1,369 |
| Total Liabilities and Shareholders' equity | 16,518 | 11,043 | 12,366 |
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY, GROUP
| Other | Equity | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | equity incl | attributed to | |||||
| Share | Shareholders | Other | profit of the | parent share | Non controlling | Total | |
| MSEK | capital | Contributions | Reserves | year | holders | interest | equity |
| Opening balance | |||||||
| 2020-01-01 | 18 | 1,765 | 4 | 154 | 1,942 | 18 | 1,959 |
| Net result for the period | 414 | 414 | 3 | 418 | |||
| Foreign currency translation differences | -293 | -293 | -0 | -294 | |||
| Total comprehensive income | - | - | -293 | 414 | 121 | 3 | 124 |
| Transactions with shareholders | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total transactions with shareholders | 6 | 3,777 | - | 3,783 | - | 3,783 | |
| Closing balance | |||||||
| 2020-09-30 | 24 | 5,542 | -289 | 569 | 5,846 | 21 | 5,866 |
| Opening balance | |||||||
| 2021-01-01 | 24 | 6,179 | -808 | 734 | 6,129 | 17 | 6,146 |
| Net Result for the period | 420 | 420 | 7 | 427 | |||
| Foreign currency translation differences | 428 | 428 | 1 | 429 | |||
| Total comprehensive income | - | - | 428 | 420 | 848 | 7 | 856 |
| Total transactions with shareholders | 2 | 1,769 | - | - | 1,772 | - | 1,772 |
| Closing balance | |||||||
| 2021-09-30 | 26 | 7,948 | -380 | 1,155 | 8,749 | 24 | 8,773 |
CASH FLOW IN SUMMARY, GROUP
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Last 12 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSEK | Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep | months | Jan-Dec |
| Operations | ||||||
| Profit before tax | 187 | 258 | 613 | 611 | 801 | 799 |
| Adj for items not in cash flow etc | 256 | 156 | 733 | 448 | 945 | 660 |
| Tax paid | -53 | -120 | -136 | -178 | -244 | -286 |
| Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital | 389 | 293 | 1,210 | 881 | 1,503 | 1,174 |
| Changes in working capital | ||||||
| Increase(-)/Decrease(+) in operating receivables | 120 | 51 | 49 | -72 | 157 | 35 |
| Increase (+)/Decrease(-) in operating liabilities | -23 | -13 | -81 | 30 | -69 | 42 |
| Cash flow from changes in working capital | 97 | 38 | -32 | -43 | 88 | 77 |
| Cash flow from operations | 486 | 332 | 1,178 | 838 | 1,591 | 1,251 |
| Investment activities | ||||||
| Acquisition of business | 8 | -738 | -2,125 | -3,394 | -3,004 | -4,273 |
| Acquisition of tangible assets | -4 | -4 | -11 | -10 | -19 | -19 |
| Acquisition of intangible assets | -143 | -115 | -436 | -322 | -558 | -444 |
| Acquistion of game assets | -42 | - | -89 | - | -89 | - |
| Cash flow from investment activities | -181 | -858 | -2,661 | -3,727 | -3,671 | -4,737 |
| Financing activities | ||||||
| Net change in borrowings | -868 | 650 | 693 | 1,143 | 1,302 | 1,752 |
| IFRS 16 lease repayment | -10 | -9 | -33 | -25 | -43 | -34 |
| Proceeds from share issuance | 877 | 8 | 951 | 2,556 | 951 | 2,556 |
| Issue cost | -14 | -1 | -14 | -57 | -15 | -57 |
| Payment to shareholders (incl. dividend paid) | 0 | - | 0 | -2 | 0 | -2 |
| Cash flow from financing activities | -14 | 648 | 1,597 | 3,615 | 2,196 | 4,214 |
| Cash flow for the period | 291 | 122 | 115 | 727 | 117 | 728 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at start of period | 850 | 936 | 1,005 | 342 | 1,052 | 342 |
| Translation differences | 29 | -6 | 50 | -17 | 2 | -66 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 1,171 | 1,052 | 1,171 | 1,052 | 1,171 | 1,005 |
PARENT COMPANY INCOME STATEMENT, SUMMARY
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Last 12 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSEK | Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep | months | Jan-Dec |
| Revenue | ||||||
| Net revenue | 35 | 28 | 101 | 77 | 143 | 119 |
| Operating expenses | ||||||
| Other external expenses | -14 | -14 | -57 | -48 | -73 | -64 |
| Personnel expenses | -29 | -12 | -58 | -42 | -70 | -53 |
| Operating result | -8 | 2 | -14 | -12 | 0 | 1 |
| Result from financial items | ||||||
| Net financial items | -134 | 22 | -213 | 51 | -40 | 224 |
| Result after financial items | -143 | 24 | -227 | 39 | -40 | 225 |
| Appropriations | ||||||
| Group contribution | - | - | - | - | -75 | -75 |
| Profit before tax | -143 | 24 | -227 | 39 | -115 | 150 |
| Tax for the period | 27 | -26 | 38 | -26 | 27 | -38 |
| Net result for the period | -116 | -2 | -189 | 12 | -88 | 113 |
PARENT COMPANY BALANCE SHEET, SUMMARY
| MSEK | 9/30/2021 | 9/30/2020 | 12/31/2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intangible assets | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| Tangible non-current assets | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Financial non-current assets | 16,076 | 10,786 | 12,583 |
| Deferred tax | 39 | 12 | 1 |
| Current receivables | 65 | 783 | 592 |
| Cash and bank | 177 | 634 | 115 |
| Total assets | 16,361 | 12,222 | 13,299 |
| Shareholders' equity | 9,956 | 7,651 | 8,371 |
| Provisions for earnouts | 1,360 | 1,784 | 1,404 |
| Non-current liabilities | 1 | 25 | 24 |
| Bond loans | 3,091 | 1,602 | 1,602 |
| Liabilities to credit institutions | 501 | - | 602 |
| Equity swap | 224 | - | - |
| Other current liabilities | 1,229 | 1,159 | 1,296 |
| Total liabilities & Shareholders' equity | 16,361 | 12,222 | 13,299 |
KEY FIGURES, GROUP
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Last 12 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSEK | Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep | months | Jan-Dec |
| Bookings | 1,304 | 986 | 3,994 | 2,880 | 5,078 | 3,964 |
| Deferred revenue | 7 | 41 | 19 | 31 | 15 | 27 |
| Net revenue | 1,311 | 1,027 | 4,013 | 2,910 | 5,094 | 3,991 |
| EBIT | 243 | 306 | 785 | 748 | 1,030 | 993 |
| EBIT margin, % | 18 | 30 | 20 | 26 | 20 | 25 |
| Adjusted EBIT* | 433 | 419 | 1,342 | 1,094 | 1,741 | 1,493 |
| Adjusted EBIT margin*, % | 33 | 41 | 33 | 38 | 34 | 37 |
| EBITDA | 499 | 454 | 1,488 | 1,135 | 1,906 | 1,553 |
| EBITDA margin, % | 38 | 44 | 37 | 39 | 37 | 39 |
| Adjusted EBITDA* | 519 | 472 | 1,568 | 1,236 | 2,028 | 1,697 |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin*, % | 40 | 46 | 39 | 42 | 40 | 43 |
| Profit before tax | 187 | 258 | 613 | 611 | 801 | 799 |
| Net result | 129 | 154 | 427 | 418 | 590 | 581 |
| Number of Employees | 1,256 | 832 | 1,256 | 832 | 1,256 | 1,032 |
| Adjusted Interest Coverage Ratio, pro forma, x | 14.5 | 14.2 | 14.5 | 14.2 | 14.5 | 18.4 |
| Adjusted Leverage Ratio, pro forma, x | 1.19 | 0.67 | 1.19 | 0.67 | 1.19 | 0.88 |
| Shareholders' equity per share undiluted, SEK | 23.23 | 17.01 | 23.23 | 17.01 | 23.23 | 17.69 |
| Shareholders' equity per share diluted, SEK | 23.20 | 16.92 | 23.18 | 16.95 | 23.16 | 17.62 |
| Earnings per share undiluted, SEK | 0.35 | 0.45 | 1.17 | 1.30 | 1.64 | 1.79 |
| Earnings per share diluted, SEK | 0.35 | 0.45 | 1.16 | 1.29 | 1.64 | 1.78 |
| No of shares end of period undiluted | 376,664,420 | 343,672,070 376,664,420 | 343,672,070 376,664,420 346,537,200 | |||
| No of shares end of period diluted | 377,071,955 345,495,690 | 377,474,780 | 344,771,211 377,685,848 347,907,470 | |||
| Average no of shares period undiluted | 365,745,314 339,397,080 359,796,530 | 319,045,349 | 356,449,217 | 324,161,085 | ||
| Average no of shares period diluted | 366,152,848 | 341,220,700 360,606,890 | 320,144,491 357,470,645 | 325,531,355 |
* Adjusted EBIT defined as EBIT excluding items affecting comparability and amortization of PPA-items. Adjusted EBITDA defined as EBITDA excluding items affecting comparability.
ACQUISITIONS
MSEK
| Purchase price | Storm8 Candywriter | Nanobit | Everguild | Sandbox | Super Free | Moonfrog Game Labs | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | 2,290 | 381 | 695 | 8 | 1,045 | 656 | 740 | 203 | 6,018 |
| New shares issued | 805 | 414 | 263 | 6 | 337 | 665 | - | 82 | 2,572 |
| Contingent consideration (earnout) | 901 | 469 | 220 | 57 | 497 | 616 | 207 | 77 | 3,044 |
| Total purchase consideration | 3,996 | 1,264 | 1,178 | 71 | 1,880 | 1,936 | 947 | 362 | 11,634 |
| The fair value of acquired assets and | |||||||||
| assumed liabilities (SEKm): | |||||||||
| Intangible non-current assets | 993 | 334 | 359 | 21 | 460 | 665 | 230 | 190 | 3,253 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 22 | - | 6 | - | 2 | 1 | 2 | - | 33 |
| Current receivables excl cash and bank | 222 | 39 | 53 | 1 | 9 | 108 | 33 | 4 | 469 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 277 | 30 | 62 | 3 | 110 | 82 | 65 | 15 | 643 |
| Non-current liabilities | -27 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | -27 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | -213 | -90 | -62 | -4 | -139 | -180 | -58 | -40 | -785 |
| Current liabilities | -367 | -37 | -32 | -1 | -86 | -139 | -36 | -6 | -704 |
| Total net assets acquired excluding | |||||||||
| goodwill | 907 | 276 | 386 | 20 | 356 | 538 | 237 | 162 | 2,882 |
| Goodwill | 3,089 | 987 | 791 | 52 | 1,523 | 1,398 | 710 | 200 | 8,751 |
| Total net assets acquired | 3,996 | 1,263 | 1,177 | 72 | 1,880 | 1,936 | 947 | 362 | 11,633 |
| Less | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | -277 | -30 | -62 | -3 | -110 | -82 | -65 | -15 | -643 |
| Ordinary shares issued | -805 | -414 | -263 | -6 | -337 | -665 | - | -82 | -2,572 |
| Provision for earnout | -901 | -469 | -220 | -57 | -497 | -616 | -207 | -77 | -3,044 |
| Net cash outflow on acquisition of | |||||||||
| business | 2,013 | 350 | 632 | 6 | 935 | 574 | 675 | 189 | 5,374 |
| Percentage of shares and votes acquired | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | - |
| Transaction costs | 42 | 17 | 12 | 3 | 11 | 22 | 23 | 13 | 143 |
| Consolidated since | 1 Mar 2020 | 1 May 2020 | 1 Oct 2020 | 1 Nov 2020 31 Dec 2020 | 1 Feb 2021 | 1 Mar 2021 | 1 May 2021 | - | |
| Net revenues for the year, before being consolidated by Stillfront |
202 | 109 | 451 | 12 | 150 | 91 | 41 | 15 | - |
| Adjusted EBITDA for the year, before being consolidated by Stillfront |
113 | 56 | 96 | 3 | 82 | -3 | 15 | 6 | - |
The acquisitions in 2020 of Candywriter, Nanobit, Everguild and Sandbox, and their preliminary purchase price allocations are described in the Annual Report 2020. The purchase price allocations for Candywriter and Nanobit have since been finalized with no adjustments made.
On January 29, 2021, Stillfront announced the completion of the acquisition of 100 percent of the shares and votes in Super Free Games, Inc. for an upfront consideration of USD 150 million on a cash and debt free basis. Super Free is a rapidly growing and profitable US-headquartered gaming company focusing on market-leading Casual games including successful titles such as Word Collect, Word Nut and Trivia Star. The sellers were the joint founders and main owners of Super Free as well as certain key employees and other investors. The upfront consideration was partly paid by a set-off by a transfer of 7,503,240 newly issued shares in Stillfront to the sellers, equivalent of approximately USD 79 million, and approximately USD 71 million was paid in cash to the sellers. Super Free was consolidated into Stillfront's financial reporting from February 1, 2021.
On February 1, 2021, Stillfront announced the acquisition of 100 percent in four tranches of the shares and votes in Moonfrog Labs, a rapidly growing independent game studio based in Bangalore, India, focusing on Board and Social Card Games, for an initial consideration of approximately USD 90 million on a cash and debt free basis. On February 26, 2021, Stillfront announced it had completed the acquisition of 91 percent of the shares and votesin Moonfrog Labs and Moonfrog Labs was consolidated into Stillfront's consolidated financial reporting from March 1, 2021.
On May 7, 2021, Stillfront announced the acquisition of 100 percent of the shares in Game Labs Inc. Game Labs is a rapidly growing independent game studio with a strong track record of developing strategy and action games for PC. The sellers are the joint founders and management of Game Labs. The upfront consideration amounted to USD 32.5 million on a cash and debt free basis, of which USD 9.75 million was payable in 981,813 newly issued shares in Stillfront and the remaining amount was payable in cash. Game Labs was consolidated into Stillfront's consolidated financial reporting from May 2021.
The preliminary purchase price allocation analyses of Super Free Games, Moonfrog Labs and Game Labs are provided above. The purchase price allocations are based on assumptions regarding fair values of intangible assets and earnouts among other things, that may be adjusted during the twelve-months period following the acquisition. Goodwill recognized in the acquisitions pertains to the value of the skills within the companies in terms of their capability to develop and publish new games and new versions of existing games.
DEFINITIONS
Key figures and alternative performance measures
ARPDAU
Average revenue per daily active user. Calculated as Bookings in the quarter divided by days in the quarter divided by average daily active users in the quarter.
Bookings
Revenue before changes in deferred revenue, including deposits from paying users, in-game advertising revenue and other game-related revenue.
Cash conversion ratio
Free cash flow for the last twelve months divided by EBITDA for the last twelve months.
DAU
Average daily active users. Calculated as the average daily active users each month of the quarter, divided by months in the quarter.
EBITDA
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted for items affecting comparability.
EBITDA margin
EBITDA as a percentage of Net revenue. Adjusted EBITDA margin is EBITDA margin adjusted for items affecting comparability.
EBIT
Profit before financial items and tax. Adjusted EBIT is EBIT excluding items affecting comparability and amortization of PPA, purchase price allocation-items
EBIT margin
EBIT as a percentage of Net revenue. Adjusted EBIT margin is EBIT margin excluding items affecting comparability and amortization of PPA, purchase price allocation-items.
Free cash flow
Cash flow from operations minus acquisitions of intangible assets and repayment of lease liabilities.
Gross profit margin
Gross profit as a percentage of Net revenue, where Gross profit is defined as Net revenue minus Platform fees.
IAC, Items affecting comparability
Significant income statement items that are not included in the Group's normal recurring operations and which distort the comparison between the periods.
Interest Coverage Ratio
Adjusted EBITDA Pro forma divided by net financial items excluding revaluation of provision for earnouts and interest on earnout consideration for the past twelve months.
Adjusted Leverage ratio
Net interest-bearing debt excluding earnout payments in relation to the last twelve months Adjusted EBITDA Pro forma.
MAU
Average monthly active users. Calculated as monthly active users each month of the quarter, divided by months in the quarter.
MPU
Average monthly paying users. Calculated as monthly paying users each month of the quarter, divided by months in the quarter.
Net Debt
Interest bearing liabilities, including the book value of equity swaps, minus cash and cash equivalents. Provisions for earnouts are not considered interest bearing in this context.
Organic growth
Change in consolidated net revenues, excluding the translation impact of changed currency exchange rates and acquisitions. Net revenues in acquired operations are considered as acquired growth during twelve months from the acquisition date.
Shareholders' equity/share
Shareholders' equity attributable to the parent company shareholders divided by the number of shares at the end of the period.
UAC
User acquisition cost.
The purpose of each key figure and alternative performance measure is described in the Annual Report 2020.
RECONCILIATION OF ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Items Affecting Comparability, IAC
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Last 12 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSEK | Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep | months | Jan-Dec |
| Items affecting comparability, IAC | ||||||
| Revenue | ||||||
| Other | - | - | 7 | - | 7 | - |
| Total IAC Revenues affecting EBIT | - | - | 7 | - | 7 | - |
| Costs | ||||||
| Transaction costs | -18 | -12 | -54 | -72 | -97 | -114 |
| Long term incentive programs | -2 | -3 | -7 | -17 | -9 | -19 |
| Other costs | 0 | -3 | -26 | -12 | -24 | -10 |
| Total IAC in operating profit (EBIT) | -20 | -18 | -80 | -101 | -123 | -144 |
| Financial income | ||||||
| Revaluation of earnouts | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total IAC financial income | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Financial costs | ||||||
| Revaluation of earnouts | 0 | - | 2 | -30 | 2 | -30 |
| Total IAC financial costs | 0 | - | 2 | -30 | 2 | -30 |
| Total IAC in net financial items | 0 | - | 2 | -30 | 2 | -30 |
APM
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Last 12 | Jan-Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSEK | Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep | months | 2020 |
| Net revenue | 1,311 | 1,027 | 4,013 | 2,910 | 5,094 | 3,991 |
| Platform fees | -284 | -280 | -918 | -811 | -1,209 | -1,103 |
| Gross profit | 1,027 | 748 | 3,095 | 2,099 | 3,884 | 2,888 |
| Gross profit margin, % | 78 | 73 | 77 | 72 | 76 | 72 |
| EBITDA and EBIT | ||||||
| Operating profit (EBIT) | 243 | 306 | 785 | 748 | 1,030 | 993 |
| Amortization of PPA items | 170 | 95 | 477 | 245 | 589 | 357 |
| Other amortization and depreciation | 86 | 53 | 226 | 142 | 287 | 203 |
| EBITDA | 499 | 454 | 1,488 | 1,135 | 1,906 | 1,553 |
| Adjusted EBITDA and EBIT | ||||||
| Operating profit (EBIT) | 243 | 306 | 785 | 748 | 1,030 | 993 |
| Items affecting comparability | 20 | 18 | 80 | 101 | 123 | 144 |
| Amortization of PPA items | 170 | 95 | 477 | 245 | 589 | 357 |
| Adjusted Operating profit (EBIT) | 433 | 419 | 1,342 | 1,094 | 1,741 | 1,493 |
| Other amortization and depreciation | 86 | 53 | 226 | 142 | 287 | 203 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 519 | 472 | 1,568 | 1,236 | 2,028 | 1,697 |
| In relation to net revenue | ||||||
| EBITDA margin, % Adjusted EBITDA margin, % |
38 40 |
44 46 |
37 39 |
39 42 |
37 40 |
39 43 |
| Operating profit (EBIT) margin, % | 18 | 30 | 20 | 26 | 20 | 25 |
| Adjusted operating profit (EBIT) margin, % | 33 | 41 | 33 | 38 | 34 | 37 |
| 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | Last 12 | Jan-Dec | ||
| 2020 | ||||||
| MSEK | Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep | months | 2020 |
| Adjusted interest coverage ratio | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA last 12 months | 2,028 | 1,445 | 2,028 | 1,445 | 2,028 | 1,697 |
| Divided by Net financial items last 12 months |
229 | 113 | 229 | 113 | 229 | 193 |
| Total IAC affecting financial items last 12 months | 2 | -28 | 2 | -28 | 2 | -30 |
| Interest on earn-out consideration affecting financial items | -79 | 43 | -79 | 43 | -79 | -52 |
| Adjusted interest coverage ratio, x | 13.3 | 11.3 | 13.3 | 11.3 | 13.3 | 15.2 |
| Adjusted leverage ratio | ||||||
| Bond loans | 3,091 | 1,602 | 3,091 | 1,602 | 3,091 | 1,602 |
| Liabilities to credit institutions | 502 | 675 | 502 | 675 | 502 | 1,217 |
| Equity swap | 224 | - | 224 | - | - | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | -1,171 | -1,052 | -1,171 | -1,052 | -1,171 | -1,005 |
| Total net debt | 2,645 | 1,225 | 2,645 | 1,225 | 2,422 | 1,814 |
| Divided by | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA last 12 months | 2,028 | 1,445 | 2,028 | 1,445 | 2,028 | 1,697 |
| Adjusted leverage ratio | 1.30 | 0.85 | 1.30 | 0.85 | 1.19 | 1.07 |
| Cash conversion last 12 months | ||||||
| Cash flow from operations last 12 months | 1,591 | 969 | 1,591 | 969 | 1,591 | 1,251 |
| IFRS 16 lease repayment last 12 months | -43 | -30 | -43 | -30 | -43 | -34 |
| Acquisition of intangible assets last 12 months | -558 | -406 | -558 | -406 | -558 | -444 |
| Free cash flow last 12 months | 991 | 533 | 991 | 533 | 991 | 773 |
| Divided by | ||||||
| EBITDA last 12 months Cash conversion rate |
1,906 0.52 |
1,339 0.40 |
1,906 0.52 |
1,339 0.40 |
1,906 0.52 |
1,553 0.50 |
APM Pro Forma
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| MSEK | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep |
| Adjusted EBITDA, pro forma | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA last 12 months | 2,028 | 1,445 |
| Including | ||
| EBITDA, Acquired companies | 189 | 383 |
| Adjusted EBITDA, pro forma | 2,217 | 1,828 |
| Adjusted interest coverage ratio, pro forma | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA last 12 months, pro forma | 2,217 | 1,828 |
| Divided by | ||
| Net financial items last 12 months | 229 | 113 |
| Total IAC affecting financial items last 12 months | 2 | -28 |
| Interest on earn-out consideration affecting financial items | -79 | 43 |
| Adjusted interest coverage ratio, x, pro forma | 14.5 | 14.2 |
| Adjusted leverage ratio, pro forma | ||
| Bond loans | 3,091 | 1,602 |
| Liabilities to credit institutions | 502 | 675 |
| Equity swap | 224 | - |
| Cash and cash equivalents | -1,171 | -1,052 |
| Net debt | 2,645 | 1,225 |
| Divided by | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA, pro forma | 2,217 | 1,828 |
| Adjusted leverage ratio, pro forma | 1.19 | 0.67 |
Share data
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Last 12 | Jan-Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul-Sep | Jul-Sep | Jan-Sep | Jan-Sep | months | 2020 | |
| Equity per share | ||||||
| Shareholders' equity attributable to parent | 8,749 | 5,845 | 8,749 | 5,845 | 8,749 | 6,129 |
| company's shareholders, MSEK | ||||||
| Divided by | ||||||
| No of shares end of period undiluted | 376,664,420 | 343,672,070 | 376,664,420 343,672,070 | 376,664,420 | 346,537,200 | |
| Shareholders' equity per share undiluted, SEK | 23.23 | 17.01 | 23.23 | 17.01 | 23.23 | 17.69 |
| No of shares end of period diluted | 377,071,955 345,495,690 | 377,474,780 | 344,771,211 | 377,685,848 | 347,907,470 | |
| Shareholders' equity per share diluted, SEK | 23.20 | 16.92 | 23.18 | 16.95 | 23.16 | 17.62 |
| Earnings per share | ||||||
| Net result for the period attributed to parent | ||||||
| company's shareholders, MSEK | 128 | 153 | 420 | 414 | 586 | 580 |
| Divided by | ||||||
| Average no of shares period undiluted | 365,745,314 | 339,397,080 | 359,796,530 319,045,349 | 356,449,217 | 324,161,085 | |
| Earnings per share undiluted, SEK | 0.35 | 0.45 | 1.17 | 1.30 | 1.64 | 1.79 |
| Average no of shares period diluted | 366,152,848 | 341,220,700 | 360,606,890 | 320,144,491 | 357,470,645 | 325,531,355 |
| Earnings per share diluted, SEK | 0.35 | 0.45 | 1.16 | 1.29 | 1.64 | 1.78 |
The number of shares and earnings per share are recalculated for all periods taking into account the 10:1 share split that took place in December 2020.
Financial calendar
Interim report October – December 2021 16 February 2022 Interim report January – March 2022 4 May 2022 Interim report April - June 2022 10 August 2022 Interim report July - September 2022 26 October 2022
This information is information that Stillfront Group AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, on November 10, 2021 at 07.00 CET.
For further information, please contact: Jörgen Larsson, CEO Andreas Uddman, CFO
Tel: +46 70 3211800, [email protected] Tel: +46 70 0807846, [email protected]
About Stillfront
Stillfront is a free-to-play powerhouse of gaming studios. Our diverse and exciting games portfolio has two common themes; loyal users and long lifecycle games. Organic growth and carefully selected and executed acquisitions embody our growth strategy and our 1,250+ co-workers thrive in an organization that engenders the spirit of entrepreneurship. Our main markets are the US, Germany, MENA, UK, and Canada. We are headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and the company, is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. For further information, please visit: www.stillfront.com
