Catena Media initiated the year with remarkable strength, establishing new milestones in the first quarter. However, their performance in the second quarter proved to be somewhat underwhelming. They disclosed a 5% reduction in revenue compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. This can be primarily attributed to their second-quarter earnings of approximately $29.4 million, falling short of the $30.4 million achieved in the same quarter of 2021.
Furthermore, their profitability presented a cause for concern. Their earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) experienced a substantial decline of 40% during the three months leading up to June. This data was directly obtained from their alliance report.
This downturn in performance stands in stark contrast to their exceptional results in the first quarter of this year, where they generated a significant €45.2 million, representing an impressive 11% surge compared to the previous year.
From a broader perspective, Catena’s total revenue for the first half of the year still reflects a 4% growth, reaching €74.1 million. Nevertheless, their EBITDA for the same period actually contracted by 14% compared to the first half of the preceding year.
The fact that Catena incurred losses in the second quarter took many by surprise. This was particularly unexpected given their recent expansion into the Louisiana and New York markets during the first quarter. This strategic move was widely anticipated to bolster their second-quarter earnings, mirroring the positive impact it had on their first-quarter performance.
Michael Daly, the Chief Executive Officer of Catena Media, addressed these disappointing outcomes, acknowledging that the second quarter posed numerous obstacles for the company. External influences played a part in the 5% decrease in their overall revenue. Moreover, certain segments of their operations faced pressure on profit margins, ultimately contributing to a 40% reduction in their adjusted EBITDA.
Daly elaborated that the deteriorating global economic landscape adversely affected transactions across various markets. This, in turn, hindered the performance of some of their online sports betting and casino portfolio. Additionally, they had elevated their expenditures during this period to support the introduction of new markets and invest in product enhancements.
Share prices for Catenas experienced some turbulence following the release of their Q2 financial results. The stock initially fell, dropping as much as 3% at the market open, but then rebounded, largely in line with expert forecasts. This type of fluctuation is not entirely unexpected, particularly given the news that one of their business units is undergoing a strategic review – essentially, an evaluation to determine whether to maintain, divest, or potentially shutter the operation.