Reglikedomain industry desk

MMX notes earnings: .XXX to help, one-off sales to hurt

Firm looks forward to contribution from ICM Registry domain names.

Top level domain name firm Minds + Machines (MMX) noted first half earnings today and set out expectations for the rest of the year.

The firm noted revenue of $6.4 million in H1 2018, up from $5.3 million in H1 2017. A better measure of revenue takes into account partner payments. That was $5.3 million, up from $4.3 million.

While MMX purchased ICM Registry, the firm that runs the .xxx top level domain, in the first half its contribution was only for two weeks. ICM will add significantly to the firm’s performance in the second half of the year, but the firm cautions that one-off high ticket premium domain sales last year will create headwinds on this year’s second half since the firm doesn’t foresee a repeat performance.

The firm also noted good results with .VIP. During the second anniversary of its launch, renewal rates were 76%. This is despite a bursting of the Chinese domain name bubble. 9 of the top 10 registrars for .VIP are Chinese.

I am speaking with MMX CEO Toby Hall later today and will have more commentary.

Also on the wire

Other reporting from the domain desk.

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