DLH Reports Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

DLH Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: DLHC) reported its fiscal 2024 third quarter results. Revenue was $100.7 million, down slightly from $102.2 million in the same quarter last year. Earnings were $1.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to $1.7 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, in Q3 2023. EBITDA decreased to $10.0 million from $11.4 million year-over-year.

The company continued to reduce its debt, which stood at $166.5 million as of June 30, 2024. Contract backlog was $670.5 million. DLH saw growth in its Department of Health and Human Services portfolio, offset by small business set-aside contract conversions. The company expects to further reduce its debt to between $160.0 million and $157.0 million by the end of fiscal 2024.

Positive

• Revenue growth in Department of Health and Human Services portfolio
• Debt reduction from $170.8 million to $166.5 million in Q3
• Strong cash flow allowing for debt reduction and lower interest expenses
• Robust pipeline of qualified new business opportunities

Negative

• Revenue decreased from $102.2 million to $100.7 million year-over-year
• Earnings per diluted share dropped from $0.12 to $0.08 year-over-year
• EBITDA decreased from $11.4 million to $10.0 million year-over-year
• Contract backlog reduced from $736.2 million to $670.5 million quarter-over-quarter
• New business revenue delayed due to government evaluation process

Insights

Financial Analyst

DLH Holdings' Q3 FY2024 results present a mixed picture. Revenue declined slightly to $100.7 million from $102.2 million in Q3 FY2023, primarily due to small business set-aside contract conversions offsetting growth in the Department of Health and Human Services portfolio. This highlights the challenges faced by mid-sized government contractors in retaining contracts.

Profitability metrics showed some pressure:

• Net income decreased to $1.1 million ($0.08 per diluted share) from $1.7 million ($0.12 per diluted share) year-over-year
• EBITDA declined to $10.0 million (10.0% of revenue) from $11.4 million (11.1% of revenue)
• Operating margin compressed to 5.7% from 7.0%

On a positive note, DLH continues to make progress on debt reduction, lowering total debt to $166.5 million from $170.8 million in the previous quarter. This focus on deleveraging is commendable, especially given the current high-interest rate environment.

The decline in contract backlog to $670.5 million from $736.2 million is concerning and warrants close monitoring. However, management's comments about increased bid activity and a robust pipeline of qualified new business opportunities provide some reassurance for future growth potential.

Investors should keep an eye on the company's ability to win new contracts and maintain its market position in the competitive federal health IT and readiness agencies sector.

Government Contracting Expert

DLH's Q3 results reflect the nuanced landscape of government contracting. The company's experience with small business set-aside contract conversions is a common challenge in this sector. These set-asides, while beneficial for small businesses, can pose difficulties for mid-sized contractors like DLH in retaining certain contracts.

The increase in contract costs as a percentage of revenue, attributed to timing of non-labor costs in logistics business, is not uncommon in government contracting. However, it's important for DLH to manage these costs effectively to maintain profitability.

The company's focus on growth in public health and IT services aligns well with current government priorities. However, the delay in new business revenue due to the government evaluation process highlights the often-lengthy procurement cycles in federal contracting.

The reduction in backlog from $736.2 million to $670.5 million is notable. While concerning, it's not uncommon in this industry to see fluctuations due to contract completions and award timings. The key will be DLH's ability to replenish this backlog through successful bids on upcoming opportunities.

Management's emphasis on pursuing new business and leveraging broad capabilities is a sound strategy in the current environment. The federal procurement landscape remains complex, but DLH's focus on core markets like health IT and readiness agencies positions it well for potential growth.

Debt Reduction Continues as Company Sees Increased Bid Activity to Close Out Fiscal 2024

ATLANTA, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DLH Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: DLHC) (“DLH” or the “Company”), a leading provider of science research and development, systems engineering and integration, and digital transformation and cyber security solutions to federal health IT and readiness agencies, today announced financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Third Quarter Highlights

• Third quarter revenue was $100.7 million in fiscal 2024 versus $102.2 million in fiscal 2023, reflecting growth in our Department of Health and Human Services portfolio offset by small business set-aside contract conversions.
• Earnings were $1.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 versus $1.7 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2023.
• Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") were $10.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 as compared to $11.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2023.
• Total debt was $166.5 million as of June 30, 2024 versus $170.8 million as of March 31, 2024.
• Contract backlog was $670.5 million as of June 30, 2024 versus $736.2 million as of March 31, 2024.

Management Discussion
"The third quarter results depict the dynamic nature of our Company, with growth in key markets being offset by some of our contracts transitioning to small businesses, impacting our top line," said Zach Parker, DLH President and Chief Executive Officer. "New business revenue for fiscal 2024 has been delayed due to the government evaluation process. However, strong cash flow has allowed us to reduce debt and lower interest expenses. Our broad capabilities have allowed us to increase the pursuit of new business. Despite the complexity and delays of federal procurement, our robust pipeline of qualified new business continues to offer substantial growth opportunities in our core markets for the future."

Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $100.7 million versus $102.2 million in fiscal 2023, reflecting growth across the Company's key strategic programs — primarily in public health and IT services — offset by certain contracts converting to small business set-aside contracts.

Income from operations was $5.8 million versus $7.1 million in the fiscal 2023 third quarter and, as a percentage of revenue, the Company reported operating margin of 5.7% in fiscal 2024 versus 7.0% in the prior-year period. We experienced an increase in contract costs as a percent of revenue, primarily driven by the timing of non-labor costs that, by their nature, generate lower margins. The increase does not represent a change in our long term cost of performance expectations, but rather reflects the periodic needs of some of our logistics business. The increase in contracts cost was offset by a decrease in general and administrative expense of $0.9 million from $9.9 million in fiscal 2023 Q3 to $9.0 million in fiscal 2024 Q3.

Interest expense was $4.1 million in the fiscal quarter of 2024 versus $4.9 million in the prior-year period, reflecting lower debt outstanding due to the Company's use of cash flow generation to de-lever the balance sheet. Income before income taxes was $1.6 million for the third quarter this year versus $2.2 million in fiscal 2023, representing 1.6% and 2.1% of revenue, respectively, for each period.

For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, DLH recorded a $0.5 million and $0.5 million provision for income tax expense, respectively. The Company reported net income of approximately $1.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 versus $1.7 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2023. As a percentage of revenue for fiscal 2024 and 2023, net income was 1.1% and 1.7%, respectively.

On a non-GAAP basis, EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was approximately $10.0 million versus $11.4 million in the prior-year period, or 10.0% and 11.1% of revenue, respectively and was in range of our expectations.

Key Financial Indicators
During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, DLH generated $4.6 million in operating cash. As of June 30, 2024 the Company had cash of $0.4 million and debt outstanding under its credit facilities of $166.5 million versus cash of $0.2 million and debt outstanding of $179.4 million as of September 30, 2023. The debt reduction of $4.3 million during the third quarter was all voluntary prepayments applied to floating rate debt. We have satisfied all mandatory term amortization payments through March 31, 2025. The Company expects to reduce its total debt balance to between $160.0 million and $157.0 million by the end of fiscal 2024, attibutable to an increase in days sales outstanding ("DSO") of 50 to 53 days.

As of June 30, 2024 total backlog was approximately $670.5 million, including funded backlog of approximately $141.5 million and unfunded backlog of $529.0 million.

Conference Call and Webcast Details
DLH management will discuss third quarter results and provide a general business update, including current competitive conditions and strategies, during a conference call beginning at 10:00 AM Eastern Time tomorrow, August 1, 2024. Interested parties may listen to the conference call by dialing 888-347-5290 or 412-317-5256. Presentation materials will also be posted on the Investor Relations section of the DLH website prior to the commencement of the conference call.

A digital recording of the conference call will be available for replay two hours after the completion of the call and can be accessed on the DLH Investor Relations website or by dialing 877-344-7529 and entering the conference ID 2566648.

About DLH
DLH (NASDAQ: DLHC), a Russell 2000 company, enhances technology, public health, and cyber security readiness missions through science, technology, cyber, and engineering solutions and services. Our experts solve some of the most complex and critical missions faced by federal customers, leveraging digital transformation, artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, cloud-based applications, telehealth systems, and more. With over 3,000 employees dedicated to the idea that “Your Mission is Our Passion,” DLH brings a unique combination of government sector experience, proven methodology, and unwavering commitment to innovative solutions to improve the lives of millions. For more information, visit www.DLHcorp.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or DLH`s future financial performance. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances or that are not statements of historical fact (including without limitation statements to the effect that the Company or its management “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “intends” and similar expressions) should be considered forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or DLH’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among others, statements regarding estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings and cash flow. These statements reflect our belief and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Our actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements made in this release due to a variety of factors, including: the risk that we will not realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions (including anticipated future financial performance and results); the diversion of management’s attention from normal daily operations of the business and the challenges of managing larger and more widespread operations; the inability to retain employees and customers; contract awards in connection with re-competes for present business and/or competition for new business; our ability to manage our debt obligations; compliance with bank financial and other covenants; changes in client budgetary priorities; government contract procurement (such as bid and award protests, small business set asides, loss of work due to organizational conflicts of interest, etc.) and termination risks; the impact of inflation and higher interest rates; and other risks described in our SEC filings. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, as well as subsequent reports filed thereafter. The forward-looking statements contained herein are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry and business.

Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and may become outdated over time. The Company does not assume any responsibility for updating forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

CONTACTS:

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Contact: Chris Witty
Phone: 646-438-9385
Email: cwitty@darrowir.com

DLH HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenue	$	100,694			$	102,241			$	299,551			$	274,385
Cost of operations:
Contract costs		81,646				80,919				239,839				216,779
General and administrative costs		9,013				9,935				28,420				27,670
Corporate development costs		—				—				—				1,735
Depreciation and amortization		4,272				4,280				12,769				11,281
Total operating costs		94,931				95,134				281,028				257,465
Income from operations		5,763				7,107				18,523				16,920
Interest expense		4,143				4,917				12,991				11,512
Income before provision for income taxes		1,620				2,190				5,532				5,408
Provision for income tax expense		481				452				430				1,318
Net income	$	1,139			$	1,738			$	5,102			$	4,090
Net income per share - basic	$	0.08			$	0.13			$	0.36			$	0.30
Net income per share - diluted	$	0.08			$	0.12			$	0.35			$	0.28
Weighted average common stock outstanding
Basic		14,232				13,854				14,156				13,638
Diluted		14,704				14,539				14,716				14,421

DLH HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands except par value of shares)
	June 30, 2024				September 30, 2023
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash	$	423			$	215
Accounts receivable		58,341				59,119
Other current assets		2,742				3,067
Total current assets		61,506				62,401
Goodwill		138,161				138,161
Intangible assets, net		112,435				124,777
Operating lease right-of-use assets		7,498				9,656
Deferred taxes, net		3,381				3,070
Equipment and improvements, net		1,790				1,590
Other long-term assets		186				186
Total assets	$	324,957			$	339,841
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	23,189			$	29,704
Debt obligations - current, net of deferred financing costs		17,646				17,188
Accrued payroll		14,232				13,794
Operating lease liabilities - current		2,889				3,463
Other current liabilities		482				638
Total current liabilities		58,438				64,787
Long-term liabilities:
Debt obligations - long-term, net of deferred financing costs		143,258				155,147
Operating lease liabilities - long-term		13,521				15,908
Other long-term liabilities		1,135				1,560
Total long-term liabilities		157,914				172,615
Total liabilities		216,352				237,402
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 14,183 and 13,950 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively		14				14
Additional paid-in capital		101,038				99,974
Retained earnings		7,553				2,451
Total shareholders’ equity		108,605				102,439
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	324,957			$	339,841

DLH HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended
	June 30,
	2024				2023
Operating activities
Net income	$	5,102			$	4,090
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		12,769				11,281
Amortization of deferred financing costs charged to interest expense		1,437				1,540
Stock-based compensation expense		2,290				2,020
Deferred taxes, net		(311	)			—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable		778				(1,918	)
Other assets		2,484				130
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(6,515	)			(4,221	)
Accrued payroll		437				274
Other liabilities		(3,540	)			1,801
Net cash provided by operating activities		14,931				14,997
Investing activities
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired		—				(180,711	)
Purchase of equipment and improvements		(627	)			(580	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(627	)			(181,291	)
Financing activities
Proceeds from revolving line of credit		257,067				144,697
Repayment of revolving line of credit		(252,123	)			(128,204	)
Proceeds from debt obligations		—				168,000
Repayments of debt obligations		(17,813	)			(10,688	)
Payments of deferred financing costs		—				(7,666	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of options and warrants		261				1,107
Payment of tax obligations resulting from net exercise of stock options		(1,488	)			(650	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(14,096	)			166,596
Net change in cash		208				302
Cash - beginning of year		215				228
Cash - end of year	$	423			$	530
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for interest	$	11,656			$	10,006
Cash paid during the year for income taxes	$	2,280			$	4,055
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activity
Common stock surrendered for the exercise of stock options	$	2,432			$	238

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company uses EBITDA and EBITDA as a percent of revenue as supplemental non-GAAP measures of performance. We define EBITDA as net income excluding (i) interest expense, (ii) Provision for income tax expense and (iii) depreciation and amortization. EBITDA as a percent of revenue is EBITDA for the measurement period divided by revenue for the same period.

These non-GAAP measures of performance are used by management to conduct and evaluate its business during its review of operating results for the periods presented. Management and the Company's Board utilize these non-GAAP measures to make decisions about the use of the Company's resources, analyze performance between periods, develop internal projections and measure management performance. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors in evaluating the Company's ongoing operating and financial results and understanding how such results compare with the Company's historical performance. EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, and when analyzing our performance investors should (i) evaluate adjustments in our reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measures and (ii) use non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not as an alternative to, measures of our operating results as defined under GAAP.

Reconciliation of GAAP net income to EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure (in thousands):        

	Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
	June 30,												June 30,
	2024				2023				Change				2024				2023				Change
Net income	$	1,139			$	1,738			$	(599	)		$	5,102			$	4,090			$	1,012
(i) Interest expense, net		4,143				4,917				(774	)			12,991				11,512				1,479
(ii) Provision for income tax expense		481				452				29				430				1,318				(888	)
(iii) Depreciation and amortization		4,272				4,280				(8	)			12,769				11,281				1,488
EBITDA	$	10,035			$	11,387			$	(1,352	)		$	31,292			$	28,201			$	3,091
Net income as a % of revenue		1.1	%			1.7	%		(0.6		)%			1.7	%			1.5	%			0.2	%
EBITDA as a % of revenue		10.0	%			11.1	%		(1.1		)%			10.4	%			10.3	%			0.1	%
Revenue	$	100,694			$	102,241			$	(1,547	)		$	299,551			$	274,385			$	25,166

FAQ

What was DLH Holdings Corp's (DLHC) revenue for Q3 2024?

DLH Holdings Corp's revenue for Q3 2024 was $100.7 million, compared to $102.2 million in Q3 2023.

How much did DLH Holdings Corp (DLHC) earn per share in Q3 2024?

DLH Holdings Corp earned $0.08 per diluted share in Q3 2024, compared to $0.12 per diluted share in Q3 2023.

What was DLH Holdings Corp's (DLHC) EBITDA for Q3 2024?

DLH Holdings Corp's EBITDA for Q3 2024 was $10.0 million, compared to $11.4 million in Q3 2023.

How much debt did DLH Holdings Corp (DLHC) have as of June 30, 2024?

DLH Holdings Corp had total debt of $166.5 million as of June 30, 2024, down from $170.8 million as of March 31, 2024.

What was DLH Holdings Corp's (DLHC) contract backlog as of June 30, 2024?

DLH Holdings Corp's contract backlog was $670.5 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $736.2 million as of March 31, 2024.