InterDigital Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results
- Revenue increased by 20% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
- Operating expenses rose by 2% in 2023.
- Net income saw a significant increase of 128% in 2023.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 7 percentage points in 2023.
- Return of capital to shareholders included share repurchases and dividends.
- Guidance for FY24 revenue is between $620 million and $670 million.
- The company's outlook for 2024 includes existing licenses and potential new agreements.
- None.
Insights
The recent announcement by InterDigital, Inc. regarding its 2023 financial results highlights a robust year-over-year revenue growth of 20%, alongside a significant expansion in profit margins. These figures suggest a strong operational performance, particularly in the context of a competitive technology sector where innovation and intellectual property monetization are key drivers of success. The company's ability to increase its net income by 128% compared to the previous year is a testament to effective cost management and revenue generation strategies.
From a shareholder perspective, the record return of capital, amounting to $379 million through share repurchases and dividends, could be viewed positively as it reflects the company's commitment to delivering shareholder value. However, it's also essential to consider the sustainability of such capital return programs in the long term, especially in light of the company's future investment needs for continued research and development.
InterDigital's forward-looking guidance for FY24, with revenues projected between $620 million to $670 million, indicates confidence in its licensing agreements and potential for new deals. This guidance, however, should be weighed against industry trends and potential market fluctuations that could impact licensing revenue streams.
The licensing agreement with Samsung for TV video IP is a strategic move for InterDigital, potentially opening new revenue streams and solidifying its position in the video technology market. The company's focus on recurring revenues, which remained stable, suggests a reliable and predictable cash flow, which is often favored by investors. However, the significant decrease in catch-up revenues year-over-year (-83%) could raise questions about the volatility and sustainability of such revenue components.
It's important to note that the company operates in the highly dynamic fields of mobile, video and AI technology, where rapid advancements and shifts in consumer preferences can significantly influence market demand and competitive dynamics. Therefore, the ability to secure and maintain licensing agreements with key industry players, such as the one with Samsung, is crucial for future revenue assurance.
Given the company's performance and optimistic outlook, stakeholders should monitor the company's ability to navigate the intellectual property landscape, manage operational expenses and capitalize on emerging technology trends to maintain growth momentum.
InterDigital's financial results and projections must be contextualized within the broader economic environment. The reported margin expansion indicates operational efficiency, which is particularly commendable given the potential macroeconomic headwinds such as inflation, supply chain disruptions and shifts in consumer spending. The company's focus on AI and video technology research and development could position it favorably as these sectors are expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by increased demand for smart devices and digital content.
However, the reported 10% decline in Q4 revenues compared to the same quarter in the previous year could be indicative of market cyclicality or competitive pressures that may need to be addressed to sustain growth. Additionally, the company's guidance for 2024, while optimistic, will likely be contingent upon the broader economic conditions, including corporate investment in technology and the potential impact of regulatory changes on licensing practices within the tech industry.
Investors should consider the company's strategic positioning and its ability to adapt to economic changes when evaluating its long-term growth potential and the viability of its revenue projections.
Revenue growth of
Full year 2024 revenue expected in a range of
WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InterDigital, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC), a mobile, video, and AI technology research and development company, today announced results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.
“InterDigital delivered significant growth in 2023, driven by accelerating innovation and licensing momentum,” commented Liren Chen, President and CEO, InterDigital. “Revenue increased
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | 2023 | 2022 | Change | |||||
| GAAP Results: | |||||||||||
| Revenues | (10)% | ||||||||||
| Operating Expenses | |||||||||||
| Net income1 | |||||||||||
| Net income1margin | 9 ppt | 19 ppt | |||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share1 | |||||||||||
| Non-GAAP Results: | |||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA2 | (18)% | ||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin2 | (4) ppt | 7 ppt | |||||||||
| Non-GAAP Net income3 | (23)% | ||||||||||
| Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share3 | (13)% | ||||||||||
| Additional Information: | |||||||||||
| Revenue by type: | |||||||||||
| Recurring revenues | —% | ||||||||||
| Catch-up revenues | (83)% | ||||||||||
| Revenue by program: | |||||||||||
| Smartphone | (1)% | ||||||||||
| CE, IoT/Auto | (39)% | (22)% | |||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
Return of Capital to Shareholders
| (in millions, except per share data) | Share Repurchases | Dividends Declared | Total Return of Capital | ||||||||||
| Shares | Value | Per Share | Value | ||||||||||
| Fourth quarter 2023 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
| Fiscal year 2023 | 4.4 | ||||||||||||
Near-Term Outlook
The table below presents guidance of the Company's current outlook for first quarter and full year 2024. The outlook for first quarter 2024 covers existing licenses and does not include any new agreements we may sign over the balance of the first quarter. The outlook for full year 2024 includes both existing licenses and the potential for new agreements over the balance of the year.
| (in millions, except per share data) | Q1 2024 | Full Year 2024 | |
| Revenue | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA2(a) | |||
| Diluted earnings per share1(a)(b) | |||
| Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share3(a)(c) |
(a) Includes revenue share costs of
(b) Based on 28.3 million weighted-average diluted shares as of January 31, 2024 and does not factor in any additional repurchases that may occur during the remainder of either period.
(c) Based on 26.5 million and 26.7 million weighted-average diluted shares for Q1 2024 and full year 2024, respectively.
Conference Call Information
InterDigital will host a conference call on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial performance and other company matters.
For a live Internet webcast of the conference call, visit www.interdigital.com and click on the “Webcast” link on the Investors page. The company encourages participants to take advantage of the Internet option.
For telephone access to the conference call, visit www.interdigital.com and click on the “Dial In Registration” link on the Investors page. Registration is necessary to obtain a dial in phone number and PIN to join.
An Internet replay of the conference call will be available on InterDigital’s website under Events in the Investors section. The replay will be available for one year.
About InterDigital®
InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence (“AI”), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital cellular systems to 5G and today’s most advanced Wi-Fi technologies. We are also a leader in video processing and video encoding/decoding technology, with a significant AI research effort that intersects with both wireless and video technologies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on Nasdaq.
InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc.
For more information, visit the InterDigital website: www.interdigital.com.
For additional financial measures, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the financial metrics tracker, which are available on the Investor Relations section of our website.
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. Such statements include information regarding our current beliefs, plans and expectations. Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “forecast,” “goal,” “could,” "would," "should," "if," "may," "might," "future," "target," "trend," "seek to," "will continue," "predict," "likely," "in the event," and variations of any such words or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are made on the basis of management’s current views and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, and actual events that occur, to differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) unanticipated delays, difficulties or accelerations in the execution of patent license agreements; (ii) the resolution of current legal proceedings, including any awards or judgments relating to such proceedings, additional or related legal proceedings, including appeals, changes in the schedules or costs associated with such proceedings or adverse rulings; (iii) our ability to leverage our strategic relationships and secure new patent license agreements on acceptable terms; (iv) our ability to enter into sales and/or licensing partnering arrangements for certain of our patent assets; (v) our ability to expand our revenue opportunities by entering into licensing arrangements with video streaming and other cloud-based service providers; (vi) our ability to enter into partnerships with leading inventors and research organizations and identify and acquire technology and patent portfolios that align with our roadmap; (vii) our ability to commercialize our technologies and enter into customer agreements; (viii) the failure of the markets for our current or new technologies to materialize to the extent or at the rate that we expect; (ix) our continued ability to develop new technologies and secure new patents, including the risk of unexpected delays or difficulties related to the development of our technologies; (x) risks associated with our capital allocation strategies, including risks associated with our planned dividend payments and share repurchases; (xi) changes in our interpretations of, and assumptions and calculations with respect to the impact on us of, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as further guidance that may be issued regarding such act; (xii) risks related to the potential impact of new accounting standards on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows; (xiii) failure to accurately forecast the impact of our restructuring activities on our financial statements and our business; (xiv) the timing and impact of potential administrative and legislative matters; (xv) changes or inaccuracies in market projections; (xvi) our ability to obtain liquidity though debt and equity financings; (xvii) the potential effects that macroeconomic uncertainty could have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows; (xviii) impacts from acts of terrorism, war or political or civil unrest, or any responses thereto, in the United States or elsewhere; (xix) changes in our business strategy; (xx) changes or inaccuracies in our expectations with respect to royalty payments by our customers and (xxi) risks related to our assumptions and application of relevant accounting standards, including with respect to revenue recognition.
We undertake no duty to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as otherwise required by law.
Footnotes
1 Throughout this press release, net income and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) are attributable to InterDigital, Inc. (e.g., after adjustments for non-controlling interests), unless otherwise stated. Net income margin is net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc. over total revenues.
2 Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures that InterDigital believes provide investors with important insight into the Company's ongoing business performance. InterDigital defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to InterDigital Inc. plus net loss attributable to non-controlling interest, income tax (provision) benefit, other income (expense) & interest expense, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, and other items. Other items include restructuring costs, impairment charges and other non-recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA over total revenues. These non-GAAP financial measures used by the company may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies. The presentation of these financial measures, which are not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is provided below.
3 Non-GAAP net income, Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, and Non-GAAP weighted-average diluted shares are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures that InterDigital believes provides investors with important insight into the Company's ongoing business performance. InterDigital defines Non-GAAP net income as net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc. plus share-based compensation, acquisition related amortization, depreciation and amortization, restructuring costs, impairment charges and one-time adjustments, losses on extinguishments of long-term debt, the related income tax effect of the preceding items, and adjustments to income taxes. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share is defined as Non-GAAP net income divided by Non-GAAP weighted average diluted shares, which adjusts the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the dilutive effect of the Company's convertible notes, offset by our hedging arrangements. InterDigital’s computation of these non-GAAP financial measures might not be comparable to similarly named measures reported by other companies. The presentation of these financial measures, which are not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of each of these metrics to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is provided below.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (in thousands except per share data) (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| REVENUES | $ | 105,518 | $ | 117,055 | $ | 549,588 | $ | 457,794 | |||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES: | |||||||||||||||
| Research and portfolio development | 45,725 | 45,732 | 195,285 | 185,202 | |||||||||||
| Licensing | 19,863 | 20,170 | 79,397 | 71,419 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative | 14,605 | 12,559 | 53,291 | 47,377 | |||||||||||
| Restructuring activities | — | — | — | 3,280 | |||||||||||
| Total Operating expenses | 80,193 | 78,461 | 327,973 | 307,278 | |||||||||||
| Income from operations | 25,325 | 38,594 | 221,615 | 150,516 | |||||||||||
| INTEREST EXPENSE | (7,906 | ) | (10,050 | ) | (44,817 | ) | (29,496 | ) | |||||||
| OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET | 15,509 | 11,652 | 57,812 | (3,457 | ) | ||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 32,928 | 40,196 | 234,610 | 117,563 | |||||||||||
| INCOME TAX BENEFIT (PROVISION) | 6,158 | (8,190 | ) | (23,557 | ) | (25,502 | ) | ||||||||
| NET INCOME | $ | 39,086 | $ | 32,006 | $ | 211,053 | $ | 92,061 | |||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | — | (402 | ) | (3,016 | ) | (1,632 | ) | ||||||||
| NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERDIGITAL, INC. | $ | 39,086 | $ | 32,408 | $ | 214,069 | $ | 93,693 | |||||||
| NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE — BASIC | $ | 1.52 | $ | 1.09 | $ | 7.97 | $ | 3.11 | |||||||
| WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING — BASIC | 25,676 | 29,664 | 26,860 | 30,106 | |||||||||||
| NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE — DILUTED | $ | 1.41 | $ | 1.08 | $ | 7.62 | $ | 3.07 | |||||||
| WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING — DILUTED | 27,640 | 30,031 | 28,102 | 30,485 | |||||||||||
| CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.35 | $ | 1.50 | $ | 1.40 | |||||||
| SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (in thousands) (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 39,086 | $ | 32,006 | $ | 211,053 | $ | 92,061 | |||||||
| Non-cash adjustments | (63,835 | ) | (28,238 | ) | 3,876 | 221,567 | |||||||||
| Working capital changes | 1,164 | 352,740 | (1,196 | ) | (27,589 | ) | |||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (23,585 | ) | 356,508 | 213,733 | 286,039 | ||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||
| Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments | 5,039 | (179,893 | ) | (38,667 | ) | (271,953 | ) | ||||||||
| Capitalized patent costs and purchases of property and equipment | (13,467 | ) | (11,614 | ) | (44,626 | ) | (42,753 | ) | |||||||
| Long-term investments | (2,444 | ) | — | (1,877 | ) | — | |||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (10,872 | ) | (191,507 | ) | (85,170 | ) | (314,706 | ) | |||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||
| Net proceeds from debt refinancing | — | (307 | ) | (100 | ) | 138,886 | |||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock | (36,976 | ) | — | (339,704 | ) | (74,445 | ) | ||||||||
| Dividends paid | (10,348 | ) | (10,382 | ) | (39,454 | ) | (42,306 | ) | |||||||
| Other | (970 | ) | (136 | ) | (9,505 | ) | (3,531 | ) | |||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (48,294 | ) | (10,825 | ) | (388,763 | ) | 18,604 | ||||||||
| NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH | (82,751 | ) | 154,176 | (260,200 | ) | (10,063 | ) | ||||||||
| CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 525,712 | 548,985 | 703,161 | 713,224 | |||||||||||
| CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD | $ | 442,961 | $ | 703,161 | $ | 442,961 | $ | 703,161 | |||||||
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) (unaudited) | |||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||
| ASSETS | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | $ | 1,006,356 | $ | 1,201,777 | |
| Accounts receivable | 117,292 | 53,182 | |||
| Prepaid and other current assets | 43,976 | 89,716 | |||
| Property & equipment and patents, net | 324,567 | 365,337 | |||
| Other long-term assets, net | 278,623 | 190,093 | |||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 1,770,814 | $ | 1,900,105 | |
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 578,752 | $ | — | |
| Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, taxes payable & dividends payable | 148,779 | 82,287 | |||
| Current deferred revenue | 153,597 | 189,059 | |||
| Long-term deferred revenue | 223,866 | 237,580 | |||
| Long-term debt & other long-term liabilities | 84,271 | 660,666 | |||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 1,189,265 | 1,169,592 | |||
| TOTAL INTERDIGITAL, INC. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | 581,549 | 724,895 | |||
| Noncontrolling interest | — | 5,618 | |||
| TOTAL EQUITY | 581,549 | 730,513 | |||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 1,770,814 | $ | 1,900,105 | |
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
The table below presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc., the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in thousands, except Outlook):
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | Outlook (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | Q1 2024 | Full Year 2024 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc. | $ | 39,086 | $ | 32,408 | $ | 214,069 | $ | 93,693 | |||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest | — | (402 | ) | (3,016 | ) | (1,632 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
| Income tax provision | (6,158 | ) | 8,190 | 23,557 | 25,502 | 22 | 40 - 50 | ||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net & interest expense | (7,603 | ) | (1,602 | ) | (12,995 | ) | 32,953 | 1 | 5 - 15 | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 19,094 | 19,422 | 77,792 | 78,571 | 18 | 73 | |||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | 8,876 | 6,918 | 35,741 | 22,127 | 7 | 42 | |||||||||||||
| Other items(a) | — | — | 10,037 | 3,280 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA2 | $ | 53,295 | $ | 64,934 | $ | 345,185 | $ | 254,494 | |||||||||||
(a) Other items in the above table includes a
The table below presents a reconciliation of Non-GAAP net income to Net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc., the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in thousands, except Outlook):
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | Outlook (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | Q1 2024 | Full Year 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc. | $ | 39,086 | $ | 32,408 | $ | 214,069 | $ | 93,693 | |||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | 8,876 | 6,918 | 35,741 | 22,127 | 7 | 42 | |||||||||||||||
| Acquisition related amortization | 10,145 | 10,788 | 40,937 | 42,506 | 8 | 33 | |||||||||||||||
| Other operating items(a) | — | — | 10,037 | 3,280 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Other non-operating items(b) | (4,745 | ) | 2,939 | (14,115 | ) | 12,529 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Related income tax and noncontrolling interest effect of above items | (2,998 | ) | (4,335 | ) | (16,496 | ) | (16,892 | ) | (3 | ) | (16 | ) | |||||||||
| Adjustments to income taxes | (12,892 | ) | (124 | ) | (15,776 | ) | (2,407 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
| Non-GAAP net income3 | $ | 37,472 | $ | 48,594 | $ | 254,397 | $ | 154,836 | |||||||||||||
| Weighted average dilutive shares - GAAP | 27,640 | 30,031 | 28,102 | 30,485 | 28.3 | 28.3 | |||||||||||||||
| Less: Dilutive impact of the Convertible Notes | 1,154 | — | 538 | — | 1.8 | 1.6 | |||||||||||||||
| Weighted average dilutive shares - Non-GAAP3 | 26,486 | 30,031 | 27,564 | 30,485 | 26.5 | 26.7 | |||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share3 | $ | 1.41 | $ | 1.62 | $ | 9.23 | $ | 5.08 | |||||||||||||
(a) Other items in the above table includes a
(b) Other non-operating items includes
| CONTACT: | InterDigital, Inc. |
| investor.relations@interdigital.com | |
| +1 (302) 300-1857 |
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