Duos Technologies Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Duos Technologies Group reported Q4 and full-year 2020 financial results. Total Q4 revenue decreased 34% year-over-year to $3.78 million, but sequentially increased 195%. Full-year revenue fell 41% to $8.04 million due to COVID-related order delays. Gross profit for Q4 was down 48% to $1.65 million, and the net loss was $426,000. For 2021, the company projects revenue of $18 million, anticipating breakeven operations and positive cash flow, bolstered by recent capital raises. Operational improvements are aimed at enhancing customer relationships and product quality.

Positive

• Q4 2020 revenue of $3.78 million showed a sequential growth of 195%.
• Company projected 2021 revenue guidance of $18 million based on existing contracts.
• Operational improvements aim to enhance product quality and customer relationships.
• Completed $4.5 million capital raise to support future growth.

Negative

• Q4 2020 total revenue decreased by 34% year-over-year.
• Full-year 2020 revenue fell 41% to $8.04 million due to order delays.
• Gross profit decreased by 48% in Q4 2020, reflecting revenue declines.
• Net loss for 2020 increased to $6.75 million from $2.47 million.

Strong Sequential Improvements Across All Business Segments Driven by Successful Implementation and Execution of Ongoing Strategic Initiatives Introduced in Q3 2020

Company Provides Preliminary 2021 Revenue Guidance of $18.0 Million, Profitability and Positive Cash Flow

JACKSONVILLE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 25, 2021 / Duos Technologies Group, Inc. ("Duos" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:DUOT), a provider of intelligent security analytical technology solutions, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.

Fourth Quarter 2020 and Recent Operational Highlights

• In October, awarded a new contract from existing customer CN, which includes complete North American service, support, maintenance and spare components sourcing for the seven (7) Railcar Inspection Portals (rip®) currently in operation at CN. The total contract will be recognized as recurring revenue through 2022.
• Elected rail industry veteran Ed Harris to the Board of Directors, who will serve as the Chairman of the Company's Nominating and Governance Committees and will also take a position as a member of the Audit Committee.
• Featured in Dell Technologies' podcast Technology Powers X, entitled "The Leading Edge of Rail."
• Developed and will be filing a patent for a new Oblique Vehicle Undercarriage Examiner ("Oblique VUE"). Once operational, the Oblique VUE can monitor an additional 21 inspection points on the underside of a rail car. The Company's first installation is scheduled for late March/early April at an existing rip® location with additional deployments expected in the coming months.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results
It should be noted that the following Financial Results represent the consolidation of the Company with its subsidiaries Duos Technologies, Inc. and truevue360™.

Total revenue decreased 34% to $3.78 million compared to $5.75 million in the same quarterly period last year. The decrease in total revenue was driven by fewer systems deployed in the current year period. On a sequential basis, total revenues increased 195% as a result of a delay in receiving an order for a large project, which was initially planned for execution during the third quarter of 2020 that was substantially completed in the fourth quarter. Revenues also increased as the result of certain clients allowing Duos employees to visit facilities after their COVID restrictions were relaxed.

Gross profit decreased 48% to $1.65 million (44% of total revenue) compared to $3.15 million (55% of total revenue) in the same quarterly period last year. The decrease in gross profit was a result of the decrease in total revenues previously noted. During the period total cost of revenues decreased by 27%, which was driven by a decrease in technology systems expenses as a result of fewer systems deployed in the current year period. Additional costs were recognized as the result of the deployment of certain new technologies although the additional costs are expected to be one-time in nature.

Operating expenses decreased 18% to $2.06 million from $2.52 million in the same quarterly period last year. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily driven by lower engineering costs as well as lower AI development costs after the completion of the truevue360™ platform. The Company had reduced certain operating expenses, primarily for personnel and travel as a result of the pandemic.

Net loss totaled $426,000, compared to net income of $592,000 in the same quarter a year-ago. The greater in net loss was primarily attributable to the decrease in revenues previously noted.

Cash and cash equivalents at quarter-end totaled $4.0 million, compared to $56,000 at December 31, 2019.

Full Year 2020 Financial Results
It should be noted that the following Financial Results represent the consolidation of the Company with its subsidiaries Duos Technologies, Inc. and truevue360™.

Total revenue decreased 41% to $8.04 million from $13.64 million last year. The decrease in total revenue was driven by significant delays in expected new orders during the year as a result of to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company received no cancellations of current contracts or expected orders with order flow starting to recover beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Gross profit decreased 57% to $2.79 million (35% of total revenue) from $6.48 million (48% of total revenue) last year. The decrease in gross profit was mainly the result of

a slowdown in project revenues due to the delay in new orders previously noted. As a percentage, the overall gross margin also decreased as a result of higher costs related to new products being deployed during the fourth quarter and certain fixed project costs having a greater effect on the lower revenues.

Operating expenses increased 6% to $9.42 million from $8.89 million last year. Excluding a one-time payment related to the retirement of the Company's former CEO, expenses from continuing operations would have decreased overall by 24%. The decrease was driven by headcount reductions, lower research and AI development costs after the completion of the truevue360™ platform, and a decrease in sales and marketing costs.

Net loss totaled $6.75 million, compared to a net loss of $2.47 million last year. The greater net loss was primarily attributable to the decrease in revenues as well as the one-time charges related to the former CEO severance as previously noted.

Financial Outlook
For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, the Company expects total revenue to be approximately $18.0 million. The Company's guidance is based on contracts in backlog and near-term pending orders that are already performing or scheduled to be executed by the fourth quarter of 2021. Management also expects its operations to achieve breakeven or better in 2021 with an improved cash liquidity position by year end. Although uncertainties continue in the macro economic climate, management believes that 2021 will yield a much stronger financial performance for revenue and profitability.

Management Commentary
"After my first six months at Duos, I am encouraged by the great work our team has accomplished, and we are pushing forward to meet the objectives of our 2021 operating plan," said Company Chief Executive Officer Chuck Ferry. "In a short amount of time, our business has improved in terms of operational-technical delivery, customer satisfaction, and financial performance, all of which are core tenants of the plan we laid out following our strategic review late last year. However, these initial victories, while noteworthy, underlie the substantial work that must still be done in the coming months. Our continued improvement within our commercial, operational, financial, and personnel-related initiatives will allow us to produce new and better-quality products, close more deals on more favorable terms and form stronger customer and strategic partner relationships within our industry.

"Financially, our recently completed $4.5 million capital raise, led by two existing shareholders, has us well-positioned to support the requirements for larger follow-on orders that should come as we expand our relationships with current customers. These positive developments considered and with our current visibility into the next twelve months of orders and deployments on the horizon, we are projecting $18 million in revenue for the year, which, under our current investment rate, would have us at a breakeven level and also cash flow positive. With the backdrop of a tentative global economic recovery underway and a return to more normalized business conditions, we believe the next year will see Duos return to growth as we build for scale and sustained profitability."

Conference Call
The Company's management will host a conference call today, Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time) to discuss these results, followed by a question and answer period.

Date: Thursday, March 25, 2021

Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time)

U.S. dial-in: (877) 407-3088

International dial-in: (201) 389-0927

Confirmation: 13717246

Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time of the conference call. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Investor Relations at (949) 574-3860.

The conference call will be broadcasted live via telephone and available for online replay via the investor section of the Company's website here.

About Duos Technologies Group, Inc.
Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOT), based in Jacksonville, Florida, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Duos Technologies, Inc., designs, develops, deploys and operates intelligent technology solutions supporting rail, logistics, intermodal and Government customers that streamlines operations, improves safety and reduces costs. The Company provides cutting edge solutions that automate the mechanical and security inspection of fast moving trains, trucks and automobiles through a broad range of proprietary hardware, software, information technology and artificial intelligence. For more information, visit www.duostech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "anticipates," "plans," or similar expressions or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause Duos Technologies Group, Inc.'s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A in Duos' Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, and other factors as may periodically be described in Duos' filings with the SEC.

Corporate Contact:
Fei Kwong
Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOT)
904-652-1625
fk@duostech.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Matt Glover or Tom Colton
Gateway Investor Relations
949-574-3860
DUOT@gatewayIR.com

DUOS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

		For the Years Ended
		December 31,
		2020				2019
REVENUES:
Technology systems		$	4,956,130			$	11,963,438
Technical support			1,801,043				1,377,459
Consulting services			273,604				300,418
AI technologies			1,008,671				-
Total Revenues			8,039,448				13,641,315
COST OF REVENUES:
Technology systems			3,665,493				6,510,658
Technical support			1,109,741				528,966
Consulting services			117,004				120,253
AI technologies			360,817				-
Total Cost of Revenues			5,253,055				7,159,877
GROSS PROFIT			2,786,393				6,481,438
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Sales & marketing			717,809				950,962
Engineering			1,358,925				1,254,235
Research and development			1,022,188				1,479,334
Administration			5,011,913				3,987,941
AI technologies			1,309,986				1,215,488
Total Operating Expenses			9,420,821				8,887,960
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS			(6,634,428	)			(2,406,522	)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):
Interest Expense			(150,137	)			(69,322	)
Other income, net			37,130				4,962
Total Other Income (Expense)			(113,007	)			(64,360	)
NET LOSS		$	(6,747,435	)		$	(2,470,882	)
Basic & Diluted Net Loss Per Share		$	(2.03	)		$	(1.39	)
Weighted Average Shares-Basic & Diluted			3,320,193				1,781,704

DUOS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

		December 31,				December 31,
		2020				2019
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash		$	3,969,100			$	56,249
Accounts receivable, net			1,244,876				2,611,608
Contract assets			102,458				1,375,920
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			486,626				716,598
Total Current Assets			5,803,060				4,760,375
Property and equipment, net			342,180				260,181
Operating lease right of use asset			196,144				430,146
OTHER ASSETS:
Software Development Costs, net			-				20,000
Patents and trademarks, net			64,415				61,598
Total Other Assets			64,415				81,598
TOTAL ASSETS		$	6,405,798			$	5,532,300
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable		$	599,317			$	2,641,437
Accounts payable - related parties			7,700				12,791
Notes payable - financing agreements			42,942				42,299
Notes payable - related parties, net of discounts			-				905,373

FAQ

What were Duos Technologies' Q4 2020 financial results?

Duos reported Q4 2020 revenue of $3.78 million, a 34% decrease year-over-year but a 195% increase sequentially.

What is the revenue guidance for Duos Technologies in 2021?

The company projects revenue of about $18 million for the fiscal year 2021.

What factors contributed to the revenue decline in 2020 for Duos Technologies?

Revenue decline in 2020 was primarily due to COVID-related delays in expected new orders.

What is the net loss reported by Duos Technologies for 2020?

The net loss for the full year 2020 was $6.75 million, compared to a net loss of $2.47 million in 2019.