
Xcel Brands Inc (XELB) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strategic Moves and Financial ...
Total Revenue Q4 2024: $1.2 million.
Total Revenue FY 2024: $8.3 million.
Total Revenue Q1 2025: $1.3 million.
Adjusted EBITDA Q4 2024: Negative $0.8 million, a 31% improvement over last year.
Adjusted EBITDA FY 2024: Negative $3.5 million, a 40% improvement over the prior fiscal year.
Adjusted EBITDA Q1 2025: Negative $0.7 million, a 56% improvement over the prior year quarter.
Net Loss Q4 2024: Approximately $7.1 million or minus $3 per share on a GAAP basis.
Net Loss FY 2024: Approximately $22.4 million or $9.84 per share on a GAAP basis.
Net Loss Q1 2025: Approximately $2.8 million or minus $1.18 per share on a GAAP basis.
Operating Expenses Q1 2025: Approximately $2.3 million, 40% lower than the prior year period.
Stockholders' Equity as of March 31, 2025: Approximately $26 million.
Unrestricted Cash as of March 31, 2025: Approximately $0.3 million.
Long-term Debt as of March 31, 2025: $8.7 million.
Refinanced Term Debt April 2025: Net increase of approximately $3 million in liquidity, current term debt $13.6 million.
Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with XELB.
Release Date: June 04, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Xcel Brands Inc (NASDAQ:XELB) closed a strategic transaction with United Trademark Group, enhancing global distribution and supply chain capabilities.
The partnership with UTG provided $3 million in liquidity and reduced interest and principal payments by over $1 million annually through March 2027.
Social media reach expanded significantly from 5 million to 45 million followers, enhancing brand visibility and potential for video commerce.
C. Wonder and Christie Brinkley brands are the fastest-growing on HSN, indicating strong market performance.
The company has successfully reduced operating costs by nearly 50% year over year, improving financial efficiency.
Total revenues for Q4 2024 and the full fiscal year were significantly lower compared to the previous year due to the sale of the Lori Goldstein brand and exit from wholesale operations.
The company reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of $792,000 in Q4 2024, although it was an improvement over the previous year.
Net loss for Q1 2025 was approximately $2.8 million, reflecting ongoing financial challenges.
The impact of tariffs and the consolidation of HSN's operations into QVC's headquarters pose potential risks to future performance.
Liquidity remains a concern with only $0.3 million in unrestricted cash as of March 31, 2025, despite recent refinancing efforts.
Q: Robert, you mentioned an adjusted EBITDA forecast for 2025 between $1 million and $2.5 million. Does this include the impact of tariffs? A: Yes, it includes potential impacts from tariffs and any disruptions from HSN's move from Tampa to West Chester, PA. We are working on mitigating measures, including domestic production options.
Q: Jim, you mentioned a run rate of $1 million. Is this per month? A: The run rate refers to overhead costs, which are less than $2.5 million per quarter, or about $9 million annually.
Q: Can you remind us of the guarantees from G-III on Halston, and when do those royalties start? A: The guaranteed minimum under the license is $1.7 million per year. We plan on the minimums with some pick-up in Q2, and expect to exceed minimums as they ship for fall.
Q: How do you view your liquidity needs for this year, especially with new brand launches? A: Our liquidity is currently good. We have more transactions in the pipeline and will address additional capital needs if they arise. For now, we believe we are okay.
Q: Can you discuss the revenue potential of your recently launched brands? A: All brands are exciting, especially Cesar Millan's pet products, which we expect to be strong. Gemma Stafford and Jenny Martinez also have significant potential in retail and e-commerce. These brands collectively reach over 30 million social media followers.
Q: Regarding the Isaac Mizrahi brand, are you considering monetizing your minority interest? A: Isaac Mizrahi has been a great brand for us. We oversee the QVC business and will continue to support the brand as needed. WHP partners handle third-party licensing.
Q: What types of acquisitions are you interested in? A: We are interested in brands with significant social media followings and media companies that can extend our reach.
Q: How do you view the revenue growth associated with the increase in social media followers? A: Each opportunity has the potential to generate $5 million to $10 million of royalty income per year. It will take time to ramp up, but we are optimistic about the potential.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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