Luna Innovations Reports Strong Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2022 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ: LUNA) reported a strong performance for Q4 and full fiscal year 2022. Revenues reached $31.7 million for Q4, a 31% increase year-over-year, and $109.5 million for the full year, up 25%. The company achieved a gross margin of 61%, compared to 58% in the previous year. Despite a net income of $0.9 million in Q4, down from $1.6 million, adjusted EBITDA rose to $4.7 million. For 2023, Luna expects revenues between $125 million to $130 million. The company emphasizes its focus on fiber optics and market expansion following recent strategic acquisitions.

Positive

• Q4 revenues of $31.7 million, up 31% year-over-year.
• Full-year revenues of $109.5 million, up 25% year-over-year.
• Gross margin increased to 61%, compared to 59% in the prior year.
• Adjusted EBITDA rose to $4.7 million for Q4, a 50% increase year-over-year.
• 2023 revenue guidance set between $125 million to $130 million.

Negative

• Net income decreased in Q4 to $0.9 million from $1.6 million year-over-year.
• Operating expenses increased by 37% in Q4, affecting profitability.

Provides 2023 Guidance

Q4 Financial Highlights

• Revenues of $31.7 million, up 31% year over year
  • Revenues in constant currency of $32.5 million; up 34% year over year
• Gross margin of 61%, compared to 58% for the prior year
• Net income of $0.9 million, compared to net income of $1.6 million for the prior year
• Adjusted EBITDA of $4.7 million, compared to $3.1 million for the prior year
• Adjusted EPS of $0.08, compared to $0.08 for the prior year

Full-Year Financial Highlights

• Revenues of $109.5 million, up 25% year over year
  • Revenues in constant currency of $111.9 million; up 28% year over year
• Gross margin of 61%, compared to 59% for the prior year
• Net income of $9.3 million, compared to net income of $1.4 million for the prior year
• Adjusted EBITDA of $12.1 million, compared to $7.6 million for the prior year
• Adjusted EPS of $0.21, compared to $0.17 for the prior year

ROANOKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ: LUNA), a global leader in advanced optical technology, today announced its financial results for the three months and full fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

"2022 was a transformational year for Luna representing the culmination of execution on the five-year strategic plan we outlined in 2017, thereby creating a pure-play fiber optics company,” said Scott Graeff, President and Chief Executive Officer of Luna. “We’ve moved into FY23 with keen focus and high expectations for organizational optimization, large customer wins, and market expansion.

“With the completed divestiture of Luna Labs, our acquisition of Lios Sensing, and the integration of OptaSense, we created a solid base that reflects our fiber-focused vision for our business going forward. We believe these accomplishments will help us deliver strong financial results in FY23 and will enable our success far into the future.

“We are creating a leading global organization with world-class capabilities,” Graeff continued. “With the right people in the right places in a right-sized organization, we are preparing for significant scalability and targeting meaningful growth. We are looking forward to a strong year in an expanding market with incredible potential.”

Fourth-Quarter Fiscal 2022 Financial Summary

Highlights of the financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2022 are:

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Change
(in thousands, except share and per share data)			2022				2021
Revenues		$	31,702			$	24,222			31	%
Gross profit			19,335				14,120			37	%
Gross margin			61	%			58	%
Operating expense			17,871				13,085			37	%
Operating income			1,464				1,035
Operating margin			4.6	%			4.3	%
Other (expense)/income and income tax (expense)/benefit			(647	)			440
Net income from continuing operations		$	817			$	1,475
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes of $500 and $203			36				100
Net income		$	853			$	1,575
Earnings per diluted share (EPS)		$	0.02			$	0.05
Adjusted EPS		$	0.08			$	0.08			—	%
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding			34,354,984				33,665,613
Adjusted EBITDA		$	4,692			$	3,123			50	%

A reconciliation of Adjusted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA to the nearest comparable figures under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") can be found in the schedules included in this release.

Revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2022 increased 31% compared to the prior year period; 34% in constant currency.

Gross margin for the three months ended December 31, 2022 was 61%, compared to 58% for the three months ended December 31, 2021, driven primarily by product mix. Operating income increased to $1.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022, compared to $1.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021.

Net income was $0.9 million, or $0.02 per fully diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2022, compared to $1.6 million, or $0.05 per fully diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2021. Adjusted EPS was $0.08 for the three months ended December 31, 2022 compared to $0.08 for the three months ended December 31, 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA was $4.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022, compared to $3.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021.

Full-Year Fiscal 2022 Financial Summary

Highlights of the financial results for the year ended December 31, 2022 are:

		Full Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)			2022				2021			Change
Revenues		$	109,497			$	87,513			25	%
Gross profit		$	66,497			$	51,556			29	%
Gross margin			61	%			59	%
Operating expense			68,381				54,146			26	%
Operating loss			(1,884	)			(2,590	)
Operating margin			(1.7	)%			(3.0	)%
Other (expense)/income and income tax benefit			(416	)			1,501
Net loss from continuing operations		$	(2,300	)		$	(1,089	)
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes $3,705 and $584			11,579				2,471
Net income		$	9,279			$	1,382
Earnings per diluted share (EPS)		$	0.28			$	0.04			600	%
Adjusted EPS		$	0.21			$	0.17			24	%
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding			32,591,973				31,658,085
Adjusted EBITDA		$	12,143			$	7,584			60	%

A reconciliation of Adjusted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA to the nearest comparable GAAP figures can be found in the schedules included in this release.

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased 25% compared to the prior-year period; 28% on a constant currency basis.

Gross margin of 61% for the year ended December 31, 2022 was up compared to 59% for the year ended December 31, 2021. Operating loss of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, decreased compared to operating loss of $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Net income was $9.3 million, or $0.28 per fully diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to a net income of $1.4 million, or $0.04 per fully diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2021. Adjusted EPS was $0.21 for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $0.17 for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA was $12.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Q4 Business Highlights

• Closed multiple, new, large and recurring OEM accounts
• Won multiple, large contracts for our fiber sensing solutions in the infrastructure and energy industries
• Achieved strong, 47% year-over-year growth for the Company's Terahertz products
• Record quarter in the Company's Communications test vertical, delivering 59% year-over-year revenue growth
• Delivered a new generation laser tester for Silicon Photonics applications

2023 Full-Year Outlook

For fiscal year and Q1 2023, Luna expects:

• Total revenues in the range of $125 million to $130 million for full year 2023
• Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $14 million to $18 million for full year 2023
• Total revenues in the range of $23 million to $25 million for Q1 2023

Luna is not providing an outlook for net income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Adjusted EBITDA, because changes in the items that Luna excludes from net income to calculate Adjusted EBITDA, such as share-based compensation, tax expense, and significant non-recurring charges, among other things, can be dependent on future events that are less capable of being controlled or reliably predicted by management and are not part of Luna's routine operating activities.

The outlook above does not include any future acquisitions, divestitures, or unanticipated events.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In evaluating the operating performance of its business, Luna’s management considers Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EPS and revenue measured on a constant currency basis, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS exclude certain charges and income that are required by GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding the effect of certain non-cash expenses and items that Luna believes may not be indicative of its operating performance, because either they are unusual and Luna does not expect them to recur in the ordinary course of its business, or they are unrelated to the ongoing operation of the business in the ordinary course.

The Company calculates revenue measured on a constant currency basis by translating its foreign revenues for the relevant period in U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate in effect for the comparable prior year period. The Company presents revenue in this manner because it is a global company that transacts business in multiple currencies and reports financial information in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations affect the amounts reported by the Company in U.S. dollars with respect to its foreign revenues. Exchange rate fluctuations can have a significant effect on reported revenues. The Company believes presenting constant currency revenue information provides useful information to investors, as it provides information to assess how its businesses performed excluding the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and assists investors in evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance.

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EPS and revenue measured on a constant currency basis should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS have been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measure in the table following the financial statements attached to this press release.

Conference Call Information

As previously announced, Luna will conduct an investor conference call at 5:00 pm (ET) today to discuss its financial results for the three months and full-year ended December 31, 2022. The investor conference call will be available via live webcast on the Luna website at www.lunainc.com under the tab “Investor Relations.” To participate by telephone, the domestic dial-in number is 1.877.270.2148 and the international dial-in number is 1.412.902.6510. Participants should ask to join the Luna Innovations Incorporated conference call and are advised to dial in at least fifteen minutes prior to the call. A replay of the conference call will be available on the company's website under "Webcasts and Presentations" for 30 days following the conference call.

About Luna

Luna Innovations Incorporated (www.lunainc.com) is a leader in optical technology, providing unique capabilities in high-performance, fiber optic-based, test products for the telecommunications industry and distributed fiber optic-based sensing for a multitude of industries. Luna’s business model is designed to accelerate the process of bringing new and innovative technologies to market.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this release that are not historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include Luna's expectations regarding its projected 2023 financial results and outlook and growth potential, as well as potential organizational optimization, large customer wins and market expansion. Management cautions the reader that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to a number of both known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance, and/or achievements of Luna may differ materially from the future results, performance, and/or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. These factors include, without limitation, failure of demand for Luna's products and services to meet expectations, failure of target market to grow and expand, technological and strategic challenges, uncertainties related to the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and those risks and uncertainties set forth in Luna’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, and Luna's other periodic reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Such filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on Luna’s website at www.lunainc.com. The statements made in this release are based on information available to Luna as of the date of this release and Luna undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

Luna Innovations Incorporated Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands of U.S Dollars)
	December 31, 2022				December 31, 2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6,024			$	17,128
Accounts receivable, net		33,249				20,913
Contract assets		7,691				5,166
Inventory		36,582				22,493
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		4,328				3,793
Assets held for sale		—				12,952
Total current assets		87,874				82,445
Property and equipment, net		4,893				2,988
Intangible assets, net		18,750				17,177
Goodwill		26,927				18,984
Operating lease right-of-use assets		4,661				5,075
Other non-current assets		3,255				247
Deferred tax assets		4,647				3,321
Total assets		151,007				130,237
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt obligation	$	2,500			$	4,167
Accounts payable		8,109				2,809
Accrued and other current liabilities		16,694				9,258
Contract liabilities		4,089				4,649
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		2,239				2,101
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale		—				9,703
Total current liabilities		33,631				32,687
Long-term debt obligation		20,726				11,673
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities		2,804				3,509
Other long-term liabilities		444				445
Total liabilities		57,605				48,314
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $0.001, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 34,901,954 and 33,855,725 shares issued, 33,105,080 and 32,116,270 shares outstanding at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively		35				34
Treasury stock at cost, 1,796,862 and 1,744,206 shares at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively		(5,607	)			(5,248	)
Additional paid-in capital		104,893				98,745
Accumulated deficit		(2,296	)			(11,575	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(3,623	)			(33	)
Total stockholders’ equity		93,402				81,923
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	151,007			$	130,237

Luna Innovations Incorporated Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except per share data)
	Three months ended December 31,								Year ended December 31,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
Revenues	$	31,702			$	24,222			$	109,497			$	87,513
Cost of revenues		12,367				10,102				43,000				35,957
Gross profit		19,335				14,120				66,497				51,556
Operating expense:
Selling, general and administrative		15,017				10,542				57,544				43,956
Research, development and engineering		2,854				2,543				10,837				10,190
Total operating expense		17,871				13,085				68,381				54,146
Operating income/(loss)		1,464				1,035				(1,884	)			(2,590	)
Other (expense)/income:
Other income		8				—				216				—
Investment income		—				—				46				—
Interest expense, net		(348	)			(104	)			(898	)			(479	)
Total other expense		(340	)			(104	)			(636	)			(479	)
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		1,124				931				(2,520	)			(3,069	)
Income tax (expense)/benefit		(307	)			544				220				1,980
Income/(loss) from continuing operations		817				1,475				(2,300	)			(1,089	)
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax expenses		1,108				100				1,730				2,471
(Loss)/gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax of income taxes		(1,072	)			—				9,849				—
Net income from discontinued operations		36				100				11,579				2,471
Net income	$	853			$	1,575			$	9,279			$	1,382
Net income/(loss) per share from continuing operations:
Basic	$	0.02			$	0.05			$	(0.07	)		$	(0.03	)
Diluted	$	0.02			$	0.04			$	(0.07	)		$	(0.03	)
Net loss per share from discontinued operations:
Basic	$	—			$	—			$	0.36			$	0.08
Diluted	$	—			$	—			$	0.36			$	0.08
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.02			$	0.05			$	0.28			$	0.04
Diluted	$	0.02			$	0.05			$	0.28			$	0.04
Weighted average shares (in thousands):
Basic		32,977				32,014				32,592				31,658
Diluted		34,355				33,666				32,592				31,658

Luna Innovations Incorporated Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands of U.S. Dollars)
		Year ended December 31,
			2022				2021
Cash flows (used in)/provided by operating activities:
Net income		$	9,279			$	1,382
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			5,449				4,628
Stock-based compensation			4,232				2,955
Loss on sale and disposal of property and equipment			53				—
Gain from discontinued operations, net of tax			(9,849	)			—
Deferred tax benefit			(2,363	)			(1,501	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(9,151	)			113
Contract assets			(5,008	)			(1,672	)
Inventory			(10,028	)			939
Other current assets			(386	)			582
Other long-term assets			1,108				—
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			6,122				(3,213	)
Contract liabilities			1,973				186
Other long-term liabilities			2				84
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities			(8,567	)			4,483
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			(22,085	)			—
Acquisition of property and equipment			(2,888	)			(1,412	)
Intangible property costs			(50	)			(356	)
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations, net			13,968				—
Net cash used in investing activities			(11,055	)			(1,768	)
Cash flows provided by/(used in) financing activities:
Proceeds from debt obligations			24,150				—
Payments on debt obligations			(16,763	)			(4,144	)
Payments on finance lease obligation			(48	)			(48	)
Purchase of treasury stock			(359	)			(459	)
Proceeds from ESPP			944				1,131
Proceeds from the exercise of options			1,588				2,256
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities			9,512				(1,264	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			(10,110	)			1,451
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(994	)			311
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period			17,128				15,366
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period		$	6,024			$	17,128
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid for interest		$	805			$	458
Net cash received for income taxes		$	39			$	113

Luna Innovations Incorporated Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands)
	Three months ended December 31,								Year ended December 31,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
Net income	$	853			$	1,575			$	9,279			$	1,382
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		36				100				11,579				2,471
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations		817				1,475				(2,300	)			(1,089	)
Interest expense		293				104				735				479
Income tax provision/(benefit)		307				(544	)			(220	)			(1,980	)
Depreciation and amortization (1)		1,455				1,077				5,449				4,517
EBITDA		2,872				2,112				3,664				1,927
Share-based compensation (1)		1,067				693				4,094				2,826
Integration and transaction expense		(21	)			249				2,163				2,322
Amortization of inventory step-up		286				69				677				509
Other non-recurring charges (2)		488				—				1,545				—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	4,692			$	3,123			$	12,143			$	7,584
(1) Excludes portion classified in discontinued operations. (2) Other non-recurring charges include severance, customer accommodation, facility consolidation and debt refinancing costs.

Luna Innovations Incorporated Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EPS (in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three months ended December 31,								Year ended December 31,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
Net income	$	853			$	1,575			$	9,279			$	1,382
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		36				100				11,579				2,471
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations		817				1,475				(2,300	)			(1,089	)
Share-based compensation (1)		1,067				693				4,094				2,826
Integration and transaction expense		(21	)			249				2,163				2,322
Amortization of intangible assets (1)		952				760				3,745				3,113
Amortization of inventory step-up		286				69				677				509
Other non-recurring charges (2)		488				—				1,545				—
Income tax effect on adjustments		(693	)			(443	)			(3,056	)			(2,193	)
Adjusted income from continuing operations	$	2,896			$	2,803			$	6,868			$	5,488
Adjusted EPS	$	0.08			$	0.08			$	0.21			$	0.17
Adjusted weighted average shares:
Diluted		34,355				33,666				32,592				31,658
(1) Excludes portion classified in discontinued operations. (2) Other non-recurring charges include severance, customer accommodation, facility consolidation and debt refinancing costs.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230314005906/en/

Investor Contact:

Allison Woody

Phone: 540-769-8465

Email: IR@lunainc.com

Source: Luna Innovations Incorporated

FAQ

What were Luna's revenues for Q4 2022?

Luna's revenues for Q4 2022 were $31.7 million, a 31% increase year-over-year.

How did Luna perform financially in 2022?

In 2022, Luna reported full-year revenues of $109.5 million, a 25% increase year-over-year.

What is Luna's gross margin as of Q4 2022?

Luna's gross margin for Q4 2022 was 61%, compared to 58% in Q4 2021.

What is the revenue outlook for Luna in 2023?

For 2023, Luna expects total revenues in the range of $125 million to $130 million.

How much did Luna's adjusted EBITDA increase in Q4 2022?

Luna's adjusted EBITDA increased to $4.7 million in Q4 2022, representing a 50% rise year-over-year.