Energy Recovery Reports its Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Energy Recovery (Nasdaq: ERII) announced its financial results for Q3 2024, with revenue reaching $38.6 million, at the upper end of its $35-39 million guidance. The gross margin was 65.1%, a decrease of 480 basis points compared to Q3 2023, due to higher manufacturing and product mix costs. Operating expenses rose by 7.8% to $18.1 million, primarily from increased consulting and employee costs. Consequently, income from operations fell by 22.7% to $7.1 million. Net income was $8.5 million, and adjusted EBITDA stood at $11.6 million. The company holds $139.9 million in cash and investments. CEO David Moon highlighted the company's progress in desalination, wastewater, and CO2 refrigeration businesses, along with a new five-year growth plan to be detailed in a webinar on November 18, 2024.

Positive

• Revenue of $38.6 million, reaching the upper end of guidance.
• Net income of $8.5 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $11.6 million.
• Cash and investments totaling $139.9 million.

Negative

• Gross margin decreased by 480 basis points to 65.1%.
• Operating expenses increased by 7.8% to $18.1 million.
• Income from operations decreased by 22.7% to $7.1 million.
• Net income decreased by 12% to $8.5 million.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Energy Recovery's Q3 2024 results show mixed performance. $38.6M revenue reached the upper end of guidance, but profitability metrics declined year-over-year. The 65.1% gross margin dropped 4.8% due to higher manufacturing and product mix costs. Operating expenses increased 7.8% to $18.1M, impacting operating income which fell 22.7%.

Key concerns include declining margins and operating efficiency. However, positive signals emerge from:

• Strong cash position of $139.9M
• Growth in core desalination business
• Expansion in wastewater segment
• Progress in CO2 refrigeration business with PX G1300 validation

The upcoming five-year growth strategy presentation on November 18 will be important for understanding future value creation potential across all three business segments.

Market Research Analyst

The market's focus should be on Energy Recovery's strategic diversification beyond its core desalination business. While quarterly financials show some pressure points, the company's expansion into wastewater and CO2 refrigeration markets represents significant growth potential. The third-party validation of PX G1300 technology through white paper results is particularly noteworthy, as it could accelerate OEM adoption in the commercial refrigeration sector.

The upcoming strategic Playbook presentation could be a catalyst for market sentiment, especially if management provides concrete growth targets and implementation timelines. Current $139.9M cash position provides ample runway for executing growth initiatives across all three business segments.

SAN LEANDRO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Energy Recovery, Inc. (Nasdaq:ERII) (“Energy Recovery” or the “Company”) today announced its financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Third Quarter Highlights

• Revenue of $38.6 million, reaching the upper end of our guidance of $35 - $39 million.
• Gross margin of 65.1%, a decrease of 480 bps, as compared to Q3’2023, due primarily to higher manufacturing costs and higher costs related to product mix.
• Operating expenses of $18.1 million, an increase of 7.8%, as compared to Q3’2023, due primarily to higher consulting costs related to enhancement of our corporate growth strategy and higher employee costs.
• Income from operations of $7.1 million, a decrease of 22.7%, as compared to Q3’2023, mainly due to higher operating expenses and lower gross margin.
• Net income of $8.5 million and adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $11.6 million.
• Cash and investments of $139.9 million, which include cash, cash equivalents, and short- and long-term investments.

David Moon, President and CEO, commented on the financial results, “We delivered strong third quarter results, hitting the upper end of our guidance for the quarter and, although there is still work to be done, we believe we are well-positioned in this quarter to deliver on our guidance for the full year. Our core desalination business continues to demonstrate durability of growth, our wastewater business continues to expand, and we are making real progress this year in our CO₂ refrigeration business.”

Mr. Moon continued, “With our PX G1300 summer data collection complete, we just issued a white paper with the measurement and verification results, provided by a third party engineering firm, that we believe will be an important next step to getting the PX G1300 integrated into OEM systems designs and ultimately specified by supermarkets. Finally, we concluded our strategic work on what I have termed our Playbook. This Playbook outlines our five-year plan to grow all three of Energy Recovery’s businesses. It is an ambitious and I believe achievable blueprint for growth that I, along with Mike Mancini, CFO, and our business unit leads, are excited to lay out next month on a live investor webinar we are hosting on November 18, 2024.”

Financial Highlights

	Quarter-to-Date							Year to Date
	Q3’2024		Q3’2023		vs. Q3’2023			2024		2023		2024 vs. 2023
	(In millions, except net income (loss) per share, percentages and basis points)
Revenue	$38.6		$37.0		up 4%			$77.9		$71.2		up 9%
Gross margin	65.1%		69.9%		down 480 bps			64.0%		66.9%		down 290 bps
Operating margin	18.3%		24.7%		down 640 bps			(7.6%)		(2.2%)		down 540 bps
Net income (loss)	$8.5		$9.7		down 12%			($0.4)		$1.7		down 125%
Net income (loss) per share	$0.15		$0.17		down $0.02			($0.01)		$0.03		down $0.04
Effective tax rate								62.4%		(114.2%)
Cash provided by (used for) operations	($3.0)		$7.7					$11.6		$12.3

Non-GAAP Financial Highlights ⁽¹⁾

	Quarter-to-Date							Year to Date
	Q3’2024		Q3’2023		vs. Q3’2023			2024		2023		2024 vs. 2023
	(In millions, except adjusted net income per share, percentages and basis points)
Adjusted operating margin	27.5%		29.5%		down 200 bps			9.7%		6.0%		up 370 bps
Adjusted net income	$12.0		$11.4		up 5%			$12.4		$6.8		up 81%
Adjusted net income per share	$0.21		$0.20		up $0.01			$0.22		$0.12		up $0.10
Adjusted EBITDA	$11.6		$12.0					$10.6		$7.3
Free cash flow	($3.2)		$7.4					$10.4		$11.1

___________
(1)		Refer to the sections “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for definitions of our non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP amounts, respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release and on the conference call are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including the belief that the Company is well-positioned in the fourth quarter to deliver on our guidance for the full year, the belief that the Company is making real progress this year in its CO₂ refrigeration business, the belief that the Company’s recently published white paper is an important next step to getting the PX G1300 integrated into original equipment manufacturers’ systems designs and ultimately specified by supermarkets, and the belief that the Company’s Playbook is an achievable blueprint for growth. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and on management’s beliefs, assumptions, estimates, or projections and are not guarantees of future events or results. Potential risks and uncertainties include risks relating to the future demand for the Company’s products, risks relating to performance by our customers and third-party partners, risks relating to the timing of revenue, and any other factors that may have been discussed herein regarding the risks and uncertainties of the Company’s business, and the risks discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as other reports filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time. Because such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the predictions in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income, adjusted net income per share, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position, or cash flows that either exclude or include amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect a comprehensive system of accounting, differ from GAAP measures with the same captions, and may differ from non-GAAP financial measures with the same or similar captions that are used by other companies. As such, these non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures to analyze its operating performance and future prospects, develop internal budgets and financial goals, and to facilitate period-to-period comparisons. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of its operations that, when viewed with its GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting its business.

Notes to the Financial Results

• Adjusted operating margin is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company defines as income (loss) from operations which excludes i) share-based compensation; and ii) executive transition costs, such as executive search costs, retention costs, one-time severance costs and one-time corporate growth strategy costs, divided by revenues.
• Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company defines as net income which excludes i) share-based compensation; ii) executive transition costs; and iii) the applicable tax effect of the excluded items including the share-based compensation discrete tax item.
• Adjusted net income per share is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company defines as net income (loss), which excludes i) share-based compensation; ii) executive transition costs and iii) the applicable tax effect of the excluded items including the share-based compensation discrete tax item, divided by basic shares outstanding.
• Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company defines as net income (loss) which excludes i) depreciation and amortization; ii) share-based compensation; iii) executive transition costs; iv) other income, net, such as interest income and other non-operating income (expense), net; and v) provision for (benefit from) income taxes.
• Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company defines as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures.

Conference Call to Discuss Financial Results

LIVE CONFERENCE CALL:
Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET
US / Canada Toll-Free: +1 (866) 682-6100
Local / International Toll: +1 (862) 298-0702

CONFERENCE CALL REPLAY:
Available approximately three hours after conclusion of the live call.
Expiration: Friday, November 29, 2024
US / Canada Toll-Free: +1 (877) 660-6853
Local / International Toll: +1 (201) 612-7415
Access code: 13749222

Investors may also access the live call and the replay over the internet on the “Events” page of the Company’s website located at https://ir.energyrecovery.com/news-events/ir-calendar.

Disclosure Information

Energy Recovery uses the investor relations section on its website as means of complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor Energy Recovery’s investor relations website in addition to following Energy Recovery’s press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts.

About Energy Recovery

Energy Recovery (Nasdaq: ERII) is a trusted global leader in energy efficiency technology. Building on the Company’s pressure exchanger technology platform, the Company designs and manufactures reliable, high-performance solutions that generate cost savings and increase energy efficiency across several industries. With a strong foundation in the desalination industry, the Company has delivered transformative solutions that optimize operations and deliver positive environmental impact to its customers worldwide for more than 30 years. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Company has manufacturing and research and development facilities across California and Texas with sales and on-site technical support available globally. To learn more, visit https://energyrecovery.com/.

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
	September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Cash, cash equivalents and investments	$	139,911		$	122,375
Accounts receivable and contract assets		33,319			47,529
Inventories, net		33,464			26,149
Prepaid expenses and other assets		5,295			3,251
Property, equipment and operating leases		26,504			30,168
Goodwill		12,790			12,790
Deferred tax assets and other assets		11,422			10,712
TOTAL ASSETS	$	262,705		$	252,974
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	13,938		$	18,583
Contract liabilities and other liabilities, non-current		3,069			1,304
Lease liabilities		11,825			13,279
Total liabilities		28,832			33,166
Stockholders’ equity		233,873			219,808
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	262,705		$	252,974

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024				2023
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Revenue	$	38,584		$	37,036		$	77,873			$	71,160
Cost of revenue		13,472			11,154			28,060				23,580
Gross profit		25,112			25,882			49,813				47,580
Operating expenses
General and administrative		7,673			7,369			24,771				21,704
Sales and marketing		6,413			5,411			18,669				15,397
Research and development		3,969			3,969			12,264				12,043
Total operating expenses		18,055			16,749			55,704				49,144
Income (loss) from operations		7,057			9,133			(5,891	)			(1,564	)
Other income, net		1,768			1,045			4,771				2,357
Income (loss) before income taxes		8,825			10,178			(1,120	)			793
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		344			518			(699	)			(906	)
Net income (loss)	$	8,481		$	9,660		$	(421	)		$	1,699
Net income (loss) per share
Basic	$	0.15		$	0.17		$	(0.01	)		$	0.03
Diluted	$	0.15		$	0.17		$	(0.01	)		$	0.03
Number of shares used in per share calculations
Basic		57,756			56,443			57,409				56,346
Diluted		58,290			57,969			57,409				57,761

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024				2023
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(421	)		$	1,699
Non-cash adjustments		11,432				8,817
Net cash provided by (used in) operating assets and liabilities		556				1,756
Net cash provided by operating activities		11,567				12,272
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net investment in marketable securities		(21,067	)			(17,278	)
Capital expenditures		(1,194	)			(1,179	)
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets		90				82
Net cash used in investing activities		(22,171	)			(18,375	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock		5,795				1,184
Net cash provided by financing activities		5,795				1,184
Effect of exchange rate differences		(23	)			27
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	(4,832	)		$	(4,892	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	63,393			$	51,566

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC. SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
Channel Revenue
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			vs. 2023		2024			2023			vs. 2023
	(In thousands, except percentages)
Megaproject	$	29,009		$	26,829		up 8%		$	48,924		$	42,283		up 16%
Original equipment manufacturer		4,919			5,307		down 7%			15,210			16,845		down 10%
Aftermarket		4,656			4,900		down 5%			13,739			12,032		up 14%
Total revenue	$	38,584		$	37,036		up 4%		$	77,873		$	71,160		up 9%

Segment Activity
	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2024														2023
	Water			Emerging Technologies				Corporate				Total			Water			Emerging Technologies				Corporate				Total
	(In thousands)
Revenue	$	38,344		$	240			$	—			$	38,584		$	36,812		$	224			$	—			$	37,036
Cost of revenue		13,334			138				—				13,472			11,114			40				—				11,154
Gross profit		25,010			102				—				25,112			25,698			184				—				25,882
Operating expenses
General and administrative		1,803			906				4,964				7,673			2,039			1,061				4,269				7,369
Sales and marketing		3,777			1,977				659				6,413			3,272			1,560				579				5,411
Research and development		1,145			2,824				—				3,969			1,098			2,871				—				3,969
Total operating expenses		6,725			5,707				5,623				18,055			6,409			5,492				4,848				16,749
Operating income (loss)	$	18,285		$	(5,605	)		$	(5,623	)		$	7,057		$	19,289		$	(5,308	)		$	(4,848	)		$	9,133

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024															2023
	Water			Emerging Technologies				Corporate				Total				Water			Emerging Technologies				Corporate				Total
	(In thousands)
Revenue	$	77,351		$	522			$	—			$	77,873			$	70,622		$	538			$	—			$	71,160
Cost of revenue		27,633			427				—				28,060				23,136			444				—				23,580
Gross profit		49,718			95				—				49,813				47,486			94				—				47,580
Operating expenses
General and administrative		5,637			2,908				16,226				24,771				5,837			2,976				12,891				21,704
Sales and marketing		11,359			5,484				1,826				18,669				9,567			4,171				1,659				15,397
Research and development		3,318			8,946				—				12,264				3,121			8,922				—				12,043
Total operating expenses		20,314			17,338				18,052				55,704				18,525			16,069				14,550				49,144
Operating income (loss)	$	29,404		$	(17,243	)		$	(18,052	)		$	(5,891	)		$	28,961		$	(15,975	)		$	(14,550	)		$	(1,564	)

Share-based Compensation
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
	(In thousands)
Stock-based compensation expense charged to:
Cost of revenue	$	176		$	158		$	980		$	555
General and administrative		954			905			3,372			2,628
Sales and marketing		845			436			2,767			1,684
Research and development		437			292			1,393			944
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	2,412		$	1,791		$	8,512		$	5,811

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (1) (Unaudited)
This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial information because we plan and manage our business using such information. The following table reconciles the GAAP financial information to the non-GAAP financial information.
	Quarter-to-Date								Year to Date
	Q3'2024				Q3'2023				Q3'2024				Q3'2023
	(In millions, except shares, per share and percentages)
Operating margin		18.3	%			24.7	%			(7.6	)%			(2.2	)%
Share-based compensation		6.3				4.8				10.9				8.2
Executive transition costs		2.9				—				6.4				—
Adjusted operating margin		27.5	%			29.5	%			9.7	%			6.0	%
Net income (loss)	$	8.5			$	9.7			$	(0.4	)		$	1.7
Share-based compensation		2.4				1.8				8.5				5.8
Executive transition costs (2)		1.0				—				4.4				—
Share-based compensation discrete tax item		0.1				(0.1	)			(0.1	)			(0.7	)
Adjusted net income	$	12.0			$	11.4			$	12.4			$	6.8
Net income (loss) per share	$	0.15			$	0.17			$	(0.01	)		$	0.03
Adjustments to net income (loss) per share (3)		0.06				0.03				0.23				0.09
Adjusted net income per share	$	0.21			$	0.20			$	0.22			$	0.12
Net income (loss)	$	8.5			$	9.7			$	(0.4	)		$	1.7
Share-based compensation		2.4				1.8				8.5				5.8
Depreciation and amortization		1.0				1.1				3.1				3.1
Executive transition costs		1.1				—				5.0				—
Other income, net		(1.8	)			(1.0	)			(4.8	)			(2.4	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		0.3				0.5				(0.7	)			(0.9	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	11.6			$	12.0			$	10.6			$	7.3
Free cash flow
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(3.0	)		$	7.7			$	11.6			$	12.3
Capital expenditures		(0.2	)			(0.3	)			(1.2	)			(1.2	)
Free cash flow	$	(3.2	)		$	7.4			$	10.4			$	11.1

___________
(1)		Amounts may not total due to rounding.
(2)		Amounts presented are net of tax.
(3)		Refer to the sections “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for description of items included in adjustments.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241030567814/en/

Investor Relations

ir@energyrecovery.com

Source: Energy Recovery, Inc.

FAQ

What were Energy Recovery's Q3 2024 revenue and net income?

Energy Recovery reported Q3 2024 revenue of $38.6 million and net income of $8.5 million.

How did Energy Recovery's gross margin perform in Q3 2024?

Energy Recovery's gross margin in Q3 2024 was 65.1%, a decrease of 480 basis points compared to Q3 2023.

What is the adjusted EBITDA for Energy Recovery in Q3 2024?

Energy Recovery's adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2024 was $11.6 million.

What are the cash and investment holdings of Energy Recovery as of Q3 2024?

Energy Recovery holds $139.9 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short- and long-term investments as of Q3 2024.

When will Energy Recovery present its new five-year growth plan?

Energy Recovery will present its new five-year growth plan during a live investor webinar on November 18, 2024.