AMSC Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results and Provides Business Outlook
- Revenues increased over 60% year-over-year to $39 million
- Reported 25% gross margin
- Non-GAAP net income of $1.3 million
- Operating cash flow of $1.3 million
- Achieved $34 million of new orders and ended the quarter with over $137 million in 12-month backlog
- Optimistic business outlook for the fourth quarter
- None.
Insights
The reported increase in revenues by over 60% to $39 million is a strong indicator of AMSC's growth trajectory, especially when considering that this growth is organically driven by increased shipments of new energy power systems and electrical control systems. This suggests that the company is successfully capturing market demand and possibly gaining market share. Additionally, the achievement of a non-GAAP net income for the second consecutive quarter and the generation of $1.3 million in operating cash flow, reflect positively on the company's operational efficiency and cost management strategies.
However, the forecasted net loss for the fourth quarter, with a cap of $3.5 million, indicates that while the company is growing, it is still navigating through challenges that prevent it from consistently achieving profitability. The guidance of breakeven to a positive cash generation of up to $2.0 million in operating cash flow for the next quarter is cautiously optimistic, suggesting that the management is confident in maintaining liquidity and possibly improving cash reserves, which are projected to be no less than $25 million.
The significant year-over-year revenue growth and the reported 25% gross margin are indicative of a favorable product mix and successful pricing initiatives, which can be seen as a competitive advantage in the industry. The booking of over $34 million in new orders, including a second 3MW ECS order from Inox Wind and the 12-month backlog growing nearly 25% year-over-year to over $137 million, provide visibility into future revenues and suggest sustained customer interest and demand for AMSC's offerings.
It’s important to note the strategic diversification into growing markets, as highlighted by the CEO. This diversification could be a hedge against market volatility and a driver for the resilience of the business model. The shortening of customer lead times is also a key operational metric that can lead to increased customer satisfaction and repeat business, which is vital for long-term growth.
The energy sector is undergoing a significant transformation with the adoption of renewable energy sources and the need for advanced power resiliency solutions. AMSC's focus on megawatt-scale power resiliency solutions positions the company well within this trend. The increased shipments of new energy power systems are likely a response to the global shift towards sustainable energy and AMSC's ability to meet this demand is a testament to its strategic alignment with market needs.
However, the energy sector is also subject to regulatory changes and geopolitical risks that can affect demand and pricing. Investors should monitor how AMSC navigates these challenges, particularly given its involvement with the Navy’s fleet, which may be subject to government funding and policy shifts. The company's performance in the following quarters will be crucial to assess the sustainability of its growth within the context of these external factors.
Q3 Financial Highlights:
- Revenues Increased Over
60% Year Over Year to$39 Million - Reported
25% Gross Margin and Achieved Non-GAAP Net Income - Generated
$1.3 Million of Operating Cash Flow
Company to host conference call tomorrow, January 25th at 10:00 am ET
AYER, Mass., Jan. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AMSC (Nasdaq: AMSC), a leading system provider of megawatt-scale power resiliency solutions that orchestrate the rhythm and harmony of power on the grid™ and protect and expand the capability and resiliency of our Navy’s fleet, today reported financial results for its third quarter of fiscal year 2023 ended December 31, 2023.
Revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 were
AMSC’s net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on December 31, 2023, totaled
"We outperformed expectations during the third quarter of fiscal 2023 with year-over-year revenue growth of over
Business Outlook
For the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2024, AMSC expects that its revenues will be in the range of
Conference Call Reminder
In conjunction with this announcement, AMSC management will participate in a conference call with investors beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, January 25, 2024, to discuss the Company’s financial results and business outlook. Those who wish to listen to the live or archived conference call webcast should visit the “Investors” section of the Company’s website at https://ir.amsc.com. The live call can be accessed by dialing 1-844-481-2802 or 1-412-317- 0675 and asking to join the AMSC call. A replay of the call may be accessed 2 hours following the call by dialing 1-877-344-7529 and using conference passcode 8370084.
About AMSC (Nasdaq: AMSC)
AMSC generates the ideas, technologies and solutions that meet the world’s demand for smarter, cleaner … better energy™. Through its Gridtec™ Solutions, AMSC provides the engineering planning services and advanced grid systems that optimize network reliability, efficiency and performance. Through its Marinetec™ Solutions, AMSC provides ship protection systems and is developing propulsion and power management solutions designed to help fleets increase system efficiencies, enhance power quality and boost operational safety. Through its Windtec® Solutions, AMSC provides wind turbine electronic controls and systems, designs and engineering services that reduce the cost of wind energy. The Company’s solutions are enhancing the performance and reliability of power networks, increasing the operational safety of navy fleets, and powering gigawatts of renewable energy globally. Founded in 1987, AMSC is headquartered near Boston, Massachusetts with operations in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. For more information, please visit www.amsc.com.
AMSC, American Superconductor, D-VAR, D-VAR VVO, Gridtec, Marinetec, Windtec, Neeltran, NEPSI, Smarter, Cleaner … Better Energy, and Orchestrate the Rhythm and Harmony of Power on the Grid are trademarks or registered trademarks of American Superconductor Corporation. All other brand names, product names, trademarks or service marks belong to their respective holders.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Any statements in this release regarding our goals and strategies; backlog; growing markets for our products; customer lead times; expectations regarding year over year revenue growth for fiscal 2023; our expected GAAP and non-GAAP financial results for the quarter ending March 31, 2024; our expected cash generation during the quarter ending March 31, 2024; our expected cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash balance on March 31, 2024; functionality, performance and capabilities of our products, systems and solutions; momentum, and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will" and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements represent management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. There are a number of important factors that could materially impact the value of our common stock or cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These important factors include but are not limited to: We have a history of operating losses, which may continue in the future. Our operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and may fall below expectations in any particular fiscal quarter; We have a history of negative operating cash flows, and we may require additional financing in the future, which may not be available to us; We may be required to issue performance bonds or provide letters of credit, which restricts our ability to access any cash used as collateral for the bonds or letters of credit; Changes in exchange rates could adversely affect our results of operations; If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting, our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements could be impaired and may lead investors and other users to lose confidence in our financial data; We may not realize all of the sales expected from our backlog of orders and contracts; Our contracts with the U.S. government are subject to audit, modification or termination by the U.S. government and include certain other provisions in favor of the government. The continued funding of such contracts remains subject to annual congressional appropriation, which, if not approved, could reduce our revenue and lower or eliminate our profit; COVID-19 adversely impacted our business, financial condition and results of operations and other future pandemics or health crises may have similar impacts; Changes in U.S. government defense spending could negatively impact our financial position, results of operations, liquidity and overall business; We rely upon third-party suppliers for the components and subassemblies of many of our Grid and Wind products, making us vulnerable to supply shortages and price fluctuations, which could harm our business; Uncertainty surrounding our prospects and financial condition may have an adverse effect on our customer and supplier relationships; We have not manufactured our Amperium wire in commercial quantities, and a failure to manufacture our Amperium wire in commercial quantities at acceptable cost and quality levels would substantially limit our future revenue and profit potential; Our success is dependent upon attracting and retaining qualified personnel and our inability to do so could significantly damage our business and prospects; A significant portion of our Wind segment revenues are derived from a single customer. If this customer's business is negatively affected, it could adversely impact our business; Our success in addressing the wind energy market is dependent on the manufacturers that license our designs; Our business and operations would be adversely impacted in the event of a failure or security breach of our or any critical third parties information technology infrastructure and networks; Failure to comply with evolving data privacy and data protection laws and regulations or to otherwise protect personal data, may adversely impact our business and financial results; Many of our revenue opportunities are dependent upon subcontractors and other business collaborators; If we fail to implement our business strategy successfully, our financial performance could be harmed; Problems with product quality or product performance may cause us to incur warranty expenses and may damage our market reputation and prevent us from achieving increased sales and market share; Many of our customers outside of the United States may be either directly or indirectly related to governmental entities, and we could be adversely affected by violations of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti-bribery laws outside the United States; We have had limited success marketing and selling our superconductor products and system-level solutions, and our failure to more broadly market and sell our products and solutions could lower our revenue and cash flow; We may acquire additional complementary businesses or technologies, which may require us to incur substantial costs for which we may never realize the anticipated benefits; We or third parties on whom we depend may be adversely affected by natural disasters, including events resulting from climate change, and our business continuity and disaster recovery plans may not adequately protect us or our value chain from such events; Adverse changes in domestic and global economic conditions could adversely affect our operating results; Our international operations are subject to risks that we do not face in the United States, which could have an adverse effect on our operation results; Our products face competition, which could limit our ability to acquire or retain customers. We have operations in, and depend on sales in, emerging markets, including India, and global conditions could negatively affect our operating results or limit our ability to expand our operations outside of these markets. Changes in India’s political, social, regulatory and economic environment may affect our financial performance; Our success depends upon the commercial adoption of the REG system, which is currently limited, and a widespread commercial market for our products may not develop; Industry consolidation could result in more powerful competitors and fewer customers; The increasing focus on environmental sustainability and social initiatives could increase our costs, and inaction could harm our reputation and adversely impact our financial results; Growth of the wind energy market depends largely on the availability and size of government subsidies, economic incentives and legislative programs designed to support the growth of wind energy; Lower prices for other fuel sources may reduce the demand for wind energy development, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow our Wind business; The increasing focus on environmental sustainability and social initiatives could increase our costs, and inaction could harm our reputation and adversely impact our financial results; We may be unable to adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information; Our patents may not provide meaningful protection for our technology, which could result in us losing some or all of our market position; There are a number of technological challenges that must be successfully addressed before our superconductor products can gain widespread commercial acceptance, and our inability to address such technological challenges could adversely affect our ability to acquire customers for our products; Third parties have or may acquire patents that cover the materials, processes and technologies we use or may use in the future to manufacture our Amperium products, and our success depends on our ability to license such patents or other proprietary rights; Our technology and products could infringe intellectual property rights of others, which may require costly litigation and, if we are not successful, could cause us to pay substantial damages and disrupt our business; We face risks related to our legal proceedings; We face risks related to our common stock; and the other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Part 1. Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, and our other reports filed with the SEC. These important factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements made herein and presented elsewhere by management from time to time. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||||
| Grid | $ | 33,603 | $ | 20,809 | $ | 87,854 | $ | 66,337 | ||||||||
| Wind | 5,750 | 3,072 | 15,757 | 7,904 | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 39,353 | 23,881 | 103,611 | 74,241 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | 29,369 | 23,364 | 78,759 | 69,533 | ||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 9,984 | 517 | 24,852 | 4,708 | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 2,199 | 2,083 | 5,693 | 7,076 | ||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 7,833 | 7,173 | 23,648 | 22,084 | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles | 538 | 690 | 1,614 | 2,058 | ||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | 852 | (220 | ) | 3,052 | (340 | ) | ||||||||||
| Restructuring | — | - | (14 | ) | - | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 11,422 | 9,726 | 33,993 | 30,878 | ||||||||||||
| Operating loss | (1,438 | ) | (9,209 | ) | (9,141 | ) | (26,170 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest income, net | 150 | 42 | 518 | 112 | ||||||||||||
| China dissolution | - | — | - | (1,921 | ) | |||||||||||
| Other expense, net | (298 | ) | (287 | ) | (618 | ) | (48 | ) | ||||||||
| Loss before income tax expense | (1,586 | ) | (9,454 | ) | (9,241 | ) | (28,027 | ) | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | 63 | 127 | 291 | 144 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (1,649 | ) | $ | (9,581 | ) | $ | (9,532 | ) | $ | (28,171 | ) | ||||
| Net loss per common share | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.34 | ) | $ | (0.33 | ) | $ | (1.01 | ) | ||||
| Diluted | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.34 | ) | $ | (0.33 | ) | $ | (1.01 | ) | ||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 29,092 | 27,954 | 28,728 | 27,794 | ||||||||||||
| Diluted | 29,092 | 27,954 | 28,728 | 27,794 | ||||||||||||
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)
| December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 23,979 | $ | 23,360 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 24,721 | 30,665 | ||||||
| Inventory, net | 44,197 | 36,986 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 6,635 | 13,429 | ||||||
| Restricted cash | 667 | 1,733 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 100,199 | 106,173 | ||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 11,205 | 12,309 | ||||||
| Intangibles, net | 6,907 | 8,527 | ||||||
| Right-of-use assets | 2,401 | 2,857 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 43,471 | 43,471 | ||||||
| Restricted cash | 379 | 582 | ||||||
| Deferred tax assets | 1,141 | 1,114 | ||||||
| Other assets | 640 | 528 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 166,343 | $ | 175,561 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 23,002 | $ | 38,383 | ||||
| Lease liability, current portion | 680 | 808 | ||||||
| Debt, current portion | 41 | 75 | ||||||
| Contingent consideration | 1,230 | 1,270 | ||||||
| Deferred revenue, current portion | 52,598 | 43,572 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 77,551 | 84,108 | ||||||
| Deferred revenue, long term portion | 7,145 | 7,188 | ||||||
| Lease liability, long term portion | 1,861 | 2,184 | ||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | 235 | 243 | ||||||
| Debt, long-term portion | — | 15 | ||||||
| Other liabilities | 26 | 26 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 86,818 | 93,764 | ||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||
| Common stock | 311 | 299 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,146,405 | 1,139,113 | ||||||
| Treasury stock | (3,639 | ) | (3,639 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 1,527 | 1,571 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (1,065,079 | ) | (1,055,547 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 79,525 | 81,797 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 166,343 | $ | 175,561 | ||||
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
| Nine Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (9,532 | ) | $ | (28,171 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,360 | 4,104 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 3,608 | 3,492 | ||||||
| Provision for excess and obsolete inventory | 1,536 | 1,247 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 3 | 65 | ||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | 3,052 | (340 | ) | |||||
| China dissolution | — | 1,921 | ||||||
| Other non-cash items | 495 | 185 | ||||||
| Unrealized foreign exchange loss on cash and cash equivalents | (1 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||
| Changes in operating asset and liability accounts: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | 5,945 | 2,738 | ||||||
| Inventory | (8,737 | ) | (16,324 | ) | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 7,139 | (165 | ) | |||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (15,859 | ) | 2,565 | |||||
| Deferred revenue | 8,894 | 11,619 | ||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (97 | ) | (17,067 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (635 | ) | (970 | ) | ||||
| Change in other assets | (8 | ) | (194 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (643 | ) | (1,164 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Repayment of debt | (49 | ) | (56 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options and ESPP | 136 | 127 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 87 | 71 | ||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | 3 | 25 | ||||||
| Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (650 | ) | (18,135 | ) | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 25,675 | 49,486 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 25,025 | $ | 31,351 | ||||
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET LOSS TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands, except per share data)
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Nine Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (1,649 | ) | $ | (9,581 | ) | $ | (9,532 | ) | $ | (28,171 | ) | ||||
| China dissolution | — | — | — | 1,921 | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 1,140 | 1,440 | 3,608 | 3,492 | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles | 538 | 696 | 1,620 | 2,096 | ||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | 852 | (220 | ) | 3,052 | (340 | ) | ||||||||||
| Non-GAAP net income (loss) | $ | 881 | $ | (7,665 | ) | $ | (1,252 | ) | $ | (21,002 | ) | |||||
| Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share - basic | $ | 0.03 | $ | (0.27 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.76 | ) | |||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | 29,092 | 27,954 | 28,728 | 27,794 | ||||||||||||
Reconciliation of Forecast GAAP Net Loss to Non-GAAP Net Loss
(In millions, except per share data)
| Three Months Ending | |||||
| March 31, 2024 | |||||
| Net loss | $ | (3.5 | ) | ||
| Stock-based compensation | 1.3 | ||||
| Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles | 0.5 | ||||
| Non-GAAP net loss | $ | (1.7 | ) | ||
| Non-GAAP net loss per share | $ | (0.06 | ) | ||
| Shares outstanding | 29.3 | ||||
Note: Non-GAAP net income (loss) is defined by the Company as net loss before; China dissolution; stock-based compensation; amortization of acquisition-related intangibles; change in fair value of contingent consideration; other non-cash or unusual charges, and the tax effect of adjustments calculated at the relevant rate for our non-GAAP metric. The Company believes non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share assist management and investors in comparing the Company’s performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding these non-cash, non-recurring or other charges that it does not believe are indicative of its core operating performance. Actual GAAP and non-GAAP net loss for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2024, including the above adjustments, may differ materially from those forecasted in the table above, including as a result of changes in the fair value of contingent consideration. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measure included in this release, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, operating income or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net loss is set forth in the table above.
AMSC Contacts
Investor Relations Contact:
LHA Investor Relations
Carolyn Capaccio
(212) 838-3777
amscIR@lhai.com
AMSC Senior Communications Manager:
Nicol Golez
978-399-8344
Nicol.Golez@amsc.com
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