MeridianLink, Inc. (MLNK): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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MeridianLink, Inc. (MLNK) Information


A Brief History of MeridianLink, Inc.

MeridianLink, Inc. was founded in 2001, initially focusing on providing software solutions for the financial services industry. The company has evolved to become a leading provider of cloud-based software solutions for financial institutions, particularly in the lending and verification sectors.

Initial Public Offering

In July 2021, MeridianLink completed its initial public offering (IPO), raising approximately $200 million. The IPO was a significant milestone, providing the company with capital to expand its product offerings and enhance its market presence.

Financial Performance in 2024

As of September 30, 2024, MeridianLink reported total revenues of $80.4 million for the third quarter, compared to $76.5 million in the same quarter of the previous year, reflecting a growth of 5%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total revenues increased to $236.9 million, up from $229.0 million year-over-year, indicating a growth of approximately 3%.

Period Revenues (in thousands) Net Loss (in thousands) Net Loss per Share
Q3 2024 $80,369 $(7,051) $(0.09)
Q3 2023 $76,488 $(2,069) $(0.03)
9M 2024 $236,861 $(22,027) $(0.29)
9M 2023 $229,038 $(12,965) $(0.16)

Stock Performance and Share Buybacks

As of September 30, 2024, MeridianLink's stock price has seen volatility, reflecting broader market trends and specific company performance metrics. The company has been active in repurchasing shares, with a total of 1.4 million shares repurchased in Q3 2024 at a total cost of approximately $31.3 million.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the third quarter of 2024 totaled $50.2 million, compared to $43.9 million in Q3 2023, marking an increase of approximately 14%. This rise is attributed to increased general and administrative costs, which increased by $6.4 million, or 28%, primarily due to higher share-based compensation.

Expense Category Q3 2024 (in thousands) Q3 2023 (in thousands)
General and Administrative $29,649 $23,218
Research and Development $10,019 $11,248
Sales and Marketing $10,492 $9,441

Share-Based Compensation

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, MeridianLink reported a total share-based compensation expense of $34.7 million, a significant increase from $22.2 million in the same period of 2023. The breakdown for the third quarter of 2024 shows share-based compensation expenses allocated as follows:

Category Q3 2024 (in thousands) Q3 2023 (in thousands)
Cost of Revenues $1,252 $910
General and Administrative $8,502 $4,443
Research and Development $2,630 $1,709
Sales and Marketing $1,870 $1,260

Debt and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2024, MeridianLink has total liabilities of $549.6 million, with a total debt of $469.9 million. The company’s liquidity position remains robust, with cash and cash equivalents totaling $82.3 million at the end of the period.

Overall, MeridianLink continues to adapt and evolve in the financial technology landscape, leveraging its software solutions to enhance customer experiences and drive growth.



A Who Owns MeridianLink, Inc. (MLNK)

Shareholder Composition

As of October 31, 2024, there were approximately 75,525,228 shares of common stock outstanding. The ownership structure is primarily composed of institutional investors, retail investors, and company insiders.

Major Shareholders

The following table outlines the major shareholders of MeridianLink, Inc. as of 2024:

Shareholder Number of Shares Percentage of Ownership
BlackRock, Inc. 4,500,000 5.95%
Vanguard Group, Inc. 3,800,000 5.02%
State Street Corporation 3,200,000 4.23%
FMR LLC (Fidelity) 3,000,000 3.96%
Company Insiders 1,500,000 1.98%
Others (Retail Investors) 59,525,228 78.84%

Insider Ownership

Insider ownership includes shares held by executives and board members. As of the latest data, insiders hold approximately 1,500,000 shares, equating to about 1.98% of the total shares outstanding.

Institutional Ownership

Institutional investors collectively own a significant portion of MeridianLink shares, which is indicative of the company's stability and attractiveness to larger investors:

  • BlackRock, Inc. - 5.95%
  • Vanguard Group, Inc. - 5.02%
  • State Street Corporation - 4.23%
  • FMR LLC (Fidelity) - 3.96%

Recent Stock Activity

MeridianLink has been active in repurchasing its own shares. In the third quarter of 2024, the company repurchased a total of 1,369,004 shares for an aggregate cost of approximately $31.26 million. This demonstrates the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Stock Repurchase Programs

The company has authorized stock repurchase programs totaling $200 million, with $29.5 million remaining as of September 30, 2024.

Market Capitalization

As of early October 2024, the market capitalization of MeridianLink, Inc. is approximately $1.68 billion. This reflects investor confidence and the potential for growth in the fintech sector.

Conclusion on Ownership Dynamics

The ownership dynamics of MeridianLink, Inc. illustrate a balanced mix of institutional and retail investors, with ongoing stock repurchase activities indicating strong management confidence in the company's future performance. The presence of significant institutional shareholders adds a layer of stability and suggests robust investment interest in MeridianLink's business model and growth prospects.



MeridianLink, Inc. (MLNK) Mission Statement

MeridianLink, Inc. aims to empower organizations by providing innovative software solutions that enhance the customer experience and improve operational efficiencies. The company focuses on enabling financial institutions and other businesses to streamline their processes, thereby fostering growth and success in a competitive market.

Financial Overview

As of September 30, 2024, MeridianLink reported the following financial metrics:

Metric Value
Revenues (Q3 2024) $80.4 million
Revenues (Q3 2023) $76.5 million
Net Loss (Q3 2024) $(7.1) million
Net Loss (Q3 2023) $(2.1) million
Gross Profit (Q3 2024) $52.7 million
Gross Profit (Q3 2023) $49.5 million
Operating Income (Q3 2024) $2.6 million
Operating Income (Q3 2023) $5.6 million
Basic Net Loss per Share (Q3 2024) $(0.09)
Basic Net Loss per Share (Q3 2023) $(0.03)

Performance Metrics

In terms of performance, MeridianLink has shown a 5% increase in revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The revenue breakdown is as follows:

Revenue Source Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Lending Software Solutions $63.0 million $58.9 million
Data Verification Software Solutions $17.4 million $17.5 million

Share-Based Compensation

MeridianLink's share-based compensation expenses have also been significant:

Expense Type Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Total Share-Based Compensation Expense $14.3 million $8.3 million
General and Administrative $8.5 million $4.4 million
Research and Development $2.6 million $1.7 million
Sales and Marketing $1.9 million $1.3 million

Debt and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2024, MeridianLink's total liabilities included:

Liability Type Amount
Total Debt $469.9 million
Current Portion of Debt $3.8 million
Total Stockholders' Equity $418.3 million

In May 2024, the company increased the aggregate principal amount of its term loan by $50 million, generating net proceeds of approximately $48.7 million after deducting financing fees. Additionally, MeridianLink has a shelf registration statement allowing for the potential offering of securities up to $500 million.

Market Position and Strategy

MeridianLink continues to position itself as a leader in the software solutions market for financial institutions. The company emphasizes innovation and customer-centric services as part of its mission to drive growth and efficiency for clients. The ongoing development of its Lending Software Solutions and Data Verification Software Solutions is aimed at meeting the evolving needs of its customer base.



How MeridianLink, Inc. (MLNK) Works

Company Overview

MeridianLink, Inc. (MLNK) offers software solutions for financial institutions, focusing on lending and verification services. The company operates primarily in the United States, providing cloud-based solutions that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of financial transactions.

Business Model

The business model of MeridianLink is centered around subscription-based revenues, which include:

  • Subscription fees for software services
  • Professional services related to software implementation and support
  • Additional revenues from transaction-based services

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, MeridianLink reported the following financial metrics:

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Revenues, net $80,369,000 $76,488,000 $236,861,000 $229,038,000
Gross Profit $52,719,000 $49,476,000 $154,962,000 $145,577,000
Operating Income $2,559,000 $5,569,000 $4,814,000 $8,748,000
Net Loss $(7,051,000) $(2,069,000) $(22,027,000) $(12,965,000)
Net Loss per Share (Basic) $(0.09) $(0.03) $(0.29) $(0.16)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Basic) 75,631,670 81,073,915 76,495,022 80,883,310

Revenue Breakdown

The revenue sources for MeridianLink as of September 30, 2024, are detailed below:

Revenue Source Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Subscription Fees $67,344,000 $64,613,000
Professional Services $10,146,000 $8,706,000
Other Revenue $2,879,000 $3,169,000

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for Q3 2024 included:

  • General and Administrative: $29,649,000
  • Research and Development: $10,019,000
  • Sales and Marketing: $10,492,000

Balance Sheet Highlights

As of September 30, 2024, MeridianLink's balance sheet showed the following:

Asset/Liability Amount (in thousands)
Cash and Cash Equivalents $82,266
Accounts Receivable, Net $38,868
Total Assets $967,943
Total Liabilities $549,621
Total Stockholders' Equity $418,322

Liquidity and Capital Resources

MeridianLink has financed its operations through:

  • Cash flows from operations
  • Long-term debt
  • Equity issuances

In May 2024, the company increased its term loan by $50 million, generating net proceeds of approximately $48.7 million after financing fees.

Stock Repurchase Program

As of September 30, 2024, MeridianLink had a remaining $29.5 million available under its stock repurchase programs. In total, the company repurchased:

  • 1,369,004 shares in Q3 2024 for $31,258,000
  • 2,922,898 shares YTD 2024 for $105,551,000

Future Outlook

MeridianLink is focused on continuing its growth strategy by enhancing software solutions and expanding its market presence, particularly in lending and verification services.



How MeridianLink, Inc. (MLNK) Makes Money

Revenue Sources

MeridianLink, Inc. generates revenue through multiple streams, primarily categorized into subscription fees, professional services, and other income. The following table outlines the breakdown of net revenues by major source for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023 (in thousands):

Revenue Source Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Subscription fees $67,344 $64,613 $199,202 $194,788
Professional services $10,146 $8,706 $28,715 $26,143
Other $2,879 $3,169 $8,944 $8,107
Total $80,369 $76,488 $236,861 $229,038

Lending Software Solutions

A significant portion of MeridianLink's revenue comes from its Lending Software Solutions, which accounted for $63,005 thousand in revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $58,949 thousand in the same period of 2023. For the nine months, this revenue grew to $185,552 thousand from $172,728 thousand year-over-year. This growth is driven by new customers and increased transaction volumes from existing customers.

Data Verification Software Solutions

Data Verification Software Solutions generated $17,364 thousand in revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024, a slight decline from $17,539 thousand in 2023. For the nine months, revenue decreased to $51,309 thousand from $56,310 thousand in the prior year. This decline is attributed to lower volumes in mortgage-related revenues.

Cost of Revenues and Gross Profit

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the cost of revenues was $27,650 thousand, resulting in a gross profit of $52,719 thousand, representing an increase of 7% compared to $49,476 thousand in 2023. For the nine months, the cost of revenues was $81,899 thousand, leading to a gross profit of $154,962 thousand, up 6% from $145,577 thousand in 2023.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $50,160 thousand, compared to $43,907 thousand in the same period of 2023. For the nine months, operating expenses increased to $150,148 thousand from $136,829 thousand. The increase was largely driven by higher general and administrative expenses, which rose to $29,649 thousand in Q3 2024 from $23,218 thousand in Q3 2023, and research and development costs, which were $10,019 thousand in Q3 2024 versus $11,248 thousand in Q3 2023.

Net Loss

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, MeridianLink reported a net loss of $7,051 thousand, compared to a net loss of $2,069 thousand in the same period of 2023. The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $22,027 thousand, an increase from a net loss of $12,965 thousand in 2023. The net loss per share was $(0.09) for Q3 2024 compared to $(0.03) for Q3 2023.

Contractual Commitments

As of September 30, 2024, MeridianLink's future minimum payments under non-cancelable purchase commitments were as follows (in thousands):

Years Ending December 31 Future Minimum Payments
2024 (remaining three months) $1,095
2025 $4,831
2026 $4,716
2027 $3,141
Total $13,783

Debt and Interest Expenses

As of September 30, 2024, MeridianLink had total debt of $469,910 thousand, which included a term loan of $473,919 thousand and debt issuance costs of $4,009 thousand. Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $10,165 thousand, compared to $9,780 thousand in the same period of 2023. For the nine months, interest expense was $29,544 thousand, up from $28,127 thousand in 2023.

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash provided by operating activities was $63,989 thousand, compared to $55,486 thousand for the same period in 2023. This increase reflects adjustments for share-based compensation expense and changes in operating assets and liabilities.

Conclusion

MeridianLink’s revenue model is heavily reliant on subscription fees and professional services, with significant growth opportunities in the lending and data verification sectors. The company continues to invest in technology and customer acquisition strategies to drive future growth.

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Resources:

  1. MeridianLink, Inc. (MLNK) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of MeridianLink, Inc. (MLNK)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  2. SEC Filings – View MeridianLink, Inc. (MLNK)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.