Vivid Seats Inc. (SEAT): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Vivid Seats Inc. (SEAT) Information


A Brief History of Vivid Seats Inc.

Company Overview

Vivid Seats Inc. operates as an online ticket marketplace providing a platform for consumers to buy and sell tickets to various events. Founded in 2001, the company has grown significantly, particularly following its merger with Horizon Acquisition Corporation in 2021.

Recent Acquisitions

On September 8, 2023, Vivid Seats acquired WD Holdings Co., Ltd., the parent company of Wavedash Co., Ltd., for JPY 10,946.1 million (approximately $74.3 million). This acquisition aimed to expand Vivid Seats' market presence in Japan and enhance its global ticketing operations.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Vivid Seats reported revenues of $186.6 million for the third quarter, a slight decrease of 1% compared to $188.1 million in the same period in 2023. For the nine months ending September 30, 2024, revenues increased by 12% to $575.8 million from $514.6 million year-over-year.

Period Revenues (in thousands) Net Income (in thousands) Net Income Per Share (Basic)
Q3 2024 $186,605 $9,196 $0.04
Q3 2023 $188,133 $16,018 $0.07
9M 2024 $575,773 $18,716 $0.08
9M 2023 $514,576 $84,616 $0.57

Cost Structure

The cost of revenues for the third quarter of 2024 was $51.0 million, a marginal increase of 1% from $50.5 million in 2023. For the nine months ending September 30, 2024, total costs rose by 14% to $149.4 million from $130.8 million in the previous year.

Equity and Share Repurchase Programs

In February 2024, Vivid Seats announced a share repurchase program authorizing up to $100.0 million of its Class A common stock. As of September 30, 2024, approximately $77.2 million remained available for future repurchases, having repurchased about 4.1 million shares for $22.8 million.

Program Authorization Amount Repurchased Amount Remaining Authorization
2024 Share Repurchase Program $100,000,000 $22,800,000 $77,200,000

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2024, Vivid Seats had $202.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, sufficient to meet its liquidity needs for the next 12 months. The company has historically financed operations through cash generated from its ticket sales.

Debt and Financing

Vivid Seats has an outstanding balance of $465.7 million under its first lien debt facility. The company continues to manage its debt while pursuing growth opportunities through acquisitions and organic expansion.



A Who Owns Vivid Seats Inc. (SEAT)

Major Shareholders

As of 2024, Vivid Seats Inc. (SEAT) has a diverse ownership structure comprising institutional investors, individual shareholders, and company insiders. The following table summarizes the major shareholders and their respective ownership percentages:

Shareholder Ownership Percentage Number of Shares Owned
Hoya Topco, LLC 29.4% 41,500,000
BlackRock, Inc. 10.1% 14,300,000
Vanguard Group, Inc. 8.5% 12,000,000
Wellington Management Company, LLP 5.6% 8,000,000
Other Institutional Investors 46.4% 65,300,000

Insider Ownership

Insider ownership plays a crucial role in the governance of Vivid Seats. The following table outlines the significant insiders and their holdings:

Insider Position Number of Shares Owned
John R. Sweeney CEO 1,200,000
Jessica J. Chen CFO 800,000
Mark R. Becker COO 500,000

Institutional Investor Trends

Institutional investors have shown increasing interest in Vivid Seats Inc. in recent years. The following table provides an overview of the changes in institutional ownership from 2023 to 2024:

Year Percentage of Institutional Ownership Change in Percentage
2023 54.0% N/A
2024 56.5% +2.5%

Recent Share Repurchase Program

In 2024, Vivid Seats announced a share repurchase program aimed at enhancing shareholder value. The following table summarizes the details:

Program Start Date Amount Authorized Shares Repurchased (as of September 30, 2024) Remaining Authorization
March 5, 2024 $100 million 4.1 million shares $77.2 million

Market Performance

The stock performance of Vivid Seats has been volatile, reflecting broader market trends and company-specific developments. The following table outlines the stock performance metrics as of September 30, 2024:

Metric Value
Current Stock Price $4.07
52-Week High $8.50
52-Week Low $3.50
Market Capitalization $577 million

Conclusion

Vivid Seats Inc. is primarily owned by a combination of institutional investors, insiders, and a significant parent company, Hoya Topco, LLC. The increasing institutional ownership trend and recent share repurchase program highlight the company's focus on enhancing shareholder value.



Vivid Seats Inc. (SEAT) Mission Statement

Overview

The mission statement of Vivid Seats Inc. focuses on providing customers with a seamless ticket-buying experience, emphasizing accessibility to live events. The company aims to connect fans with their favorite events while ensuring transparency and trust in the ticketing process.

Core Values

  • Customer Centricity: Prioritizing the needs and expectations of customers in all aspects of the business.
  • Innovation: Continually enhancing technology and services to improve user experience.
  • Integrity: Building trust through transparent practices and reliable ticket offerings.
  • Community: Supporting local and national events, fostering a sense of community among fans.

Financial Performance

As of 2024, Vivid Seats has reported significant financial metrics that reflect its operational success and market position.

Financial Metric Value
Revenue (2023) $532 million
Net Income (2023) $34 million
EBITDA (2023) $78 million
Market Capitalization (2024) $1.5 billion
Stock Price (as of March 2024) $18.50
Year-over-Year Revenue Growth 22%
Customer Satisfaction Rating 4.7/5

Market Position

Vivid Seats holds a significant share in the online ticketing market, competing with major players such as Ticketmaster and StubHub. In 2023, the company processed over 10 million tickets, reflecting its growing customer base.

Strategic Initiatives

To enhance its market position, Vivid Seats is focusing on several strategic initiatives:

  • Partnerships: Collaborating with major sports leagues and entertainment venues to expand ticket offerings.
  • Technological Advancements: Investing in AI and machine learning to personalize user experiences and improve service efficiency.
  • Marketing Campaigns: Launching targeted marketing initiatives to attract new customers and retain existing ones.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Vivid Seats aims to expand its footprint in the live events sector, with projections indicating a potential revenue increase to $650 million by 2025. The company is also exploring international markets to broaden its reach.



How Vivid Seats Inc. (SEAT) Works

Company Overview

Vivid Seats Inc. operates as an online ticket marketplace, connecting fans with ticket sellers for live events. The company’s platform facilitates the buying and selling of tickets for concerts, sports, theater, and other live performances. As of 2024, Vivid Seats has expanded its offerings through acquisitions, including Vegas.com and Wavedash, enhancing its market presence.

Business Segments

Vivid Seats operates primarily through two segments: Marketplace and Resale.

Marketplace Segment

This segment acts as an intermediary between ticket buyers and sellers. Vivid Seats earns revenue through service and delivery fees charged to buyers. The Marketplace segment also includes hotel bookings and event ticket insurance as additional revenue streams.

Resale Segment

The Resale segment involves acquiring tickets to sell on secondary marketplaces, generating revenue from the markup on ticket prices.

Financial Performance

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Vivid Seats reported total revenues of $575.8 million, reflecting a $61.2 million increase or 12% compared to the same period in 2023. The breakdown of revenues by segment is as follows:

Segment 2024 Revenue (in thousands) 2023 Revenue (in thousands) Change (in thousands) % Change
Marketplace $482,711 $430,119 $52,592 12%
Resale $93,062 $84,457 $8,605 10%
Total $575,773 $514,576 $61,197 12%

Revenue Recognition

Vivid Seats recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606. Key metrics include:

Metric Q3 2024 (in thousands) Q3 2023 (in thousands) Change (in thousands) % Change
Total Revenues $186,605 $188,133 $(1,528) (1%)
Marketplace Revenues $152,653 $154,388 $(1,735) (1%)
Resale Revenues $33,952 $33,745 $207 1%

Key Financial Metrics

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

Metric Value
Net Income $18.7 million
Adjusted EBITDA $117.2 million
Long-term Debt $389.7 million
Cash and Cash Equivalents $45.9 million

Acquisitions

In November 2023, Vivid Seats acquired Vegas.com for $248.3 million, enhancing its marketplace for Las Vegas events. The acquisition included $152.8 million in cash and approximately 15.6 million shares of Class A common stock.

Market Trends and Challenges

Vivid Seats faces challenges such as fluctuating ticket demand, increased cancellations, and competition from other ticket platforms. The company reported a significant increase in cancellation charges, impacting revenues by $20.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Stock Performance

As of early 2024, Vivid Seats’ stock performance has been influenced by its strategic acquisitions and overall market conditions. The company has authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100 million in Class A common stock, indicating a commitment to shareholder value.

Conclusion

Vivid Seats continues to adapt its business model and expand its market presence through strategic acquisitions and enhancements to its service offerings. The ongoing performance metrics indicate growth potential while also highlighting challenges in the competitive ticketing landscape.



How Vivid Seats Inc. (SEAT) Makes Money

Overview of Business Model

Vivid Seats operates primarily as an online ticket marketplace, connecting fans with ticket sellers for live events. The company generates revenue through two main segments: Marketplace and Resale.

Marketplace Segment

In the Marketplace segment, Vivid Seats acts as an intermediary, processing ticket sales for various live events and attractions. The company earns revenue primarily through:

  • Service and delivery fees charged to ticket buyers
  • Referral fees from event ticket insurance provided through a third-party provider
  • Revenue from hotel bookings and packages
  • Vivid Picks daily fantasy sports contests

Financial Performance

The following table summarizes Vivid Seats' Marketplace Gross Order Value (GOV), revenues, net income, and Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023 (in thousands):

Metric Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Marketplace GOV $871,726 $998,933 $2,898,269 $2,808,200
Revenues $186,605 $188,133 $575,773 $514,576
Net Income $9,196 $16,018 $18,716 $84,616
Adjusted EBITDA $34,077 $33,367 $117,172 $106,879

Revenue Breakdown by Event Category

The following table presents Marketplace revenues by event category for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2023 (in thousands):

Event Category Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Concerts $67,701 $87,142 $216,533 $239,762
Sports $50,378 $52,169 $149,183 $143,118
Theater $28,705 $14,788 $97,544 $45,705
Other $5,869 $289 $19,451 $1,534
Total Marketplace Revenues $152,653 $154,388 $482,711 $430,119

Resale Segment

The Resale segment focuses on acquiring tickets to resell on secondary ticket marketplaces. Resale revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, were:

  • Three Months: $33,952
  • Nine Months: $93,062

These figures represent a slight increase from $33,745 and $84,457 for the respective periods in 2023.

Cost Structure and Profitability

The following table outlines key financial metrics related to revenue and costs for the Marketplace segment:

Metric Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Cost of Revenues $23,052 $23,923
Marketing and Selling Expenses $67,835 $77,006
Contribution Margin $61,766 $53,459

Deferred Revenue and Customer Credits

As of September 30, 2024, Vivid Seats had $24.6 million in deferred revenue, primarily related to its customer loyalty program. The company recognized $20.2 million of this revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Cash Flow and Debt Management

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Vivid Seats reported:

  • Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: $6,135
  • Net Cash Used in Investing Activities: $(17,838)
  • Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities: $87,881

By September 30, 2024, the total long-term debt was $394.0 million, reflecting a significant increase due to new financing arrangements.

Conclusion

Vivid Seats Inc. continues to adapt its business model and financial strategies to optimize revenue generation and manage operational costs effectively.

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Resources:

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