NuZee, Inc. Reports Full-Year Fiscal 2023 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

NuZee, Inc. reported fiscal 2023 earnings per share of ($11.95), compared with ($21.32) in 2022. The company focused on reducing operating expenses, which declined more than 20% from the prior year. They have also initiated a restructuring program expected to generate cost reductions in excess of $1.0 million annually. Looking ahead to fiscal 2024, the company anticipates continued improvement across core aspects of the operating business.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Examining NuZee's full-year fiscal 2023 financial results, a significant reduction in losses per share from ($21.32) to ($11.95) indicates a substantial improvement in the company's financial health. The reported 20% decrease in operating expenses reflects effective cost management strategies implemented by the company. This is a positive signal to investors as it suggests that the management is taking concrete steps towards profitability. However, it is crucial to analyze the company's revenue streams and balance sheet to assess the sustainability of these cost reductions and to understand whether they have been achieved at the expense of future growth opportunities.

Furthermore, the announcement of a restructuring program projected to save over $1.0 million annually could be a double-edged sword. While it may enhance operational efficiency and contribute to the bottom line in the short term, the long-term implications depend on how these changes affect the company's competitive position and its ability to innovate in the coffee co-packing and technology sector.

Market Research Analyst

From a market perspective, NuZee's focus on operating expenses and the initiation of a restructuring program may be interpreted as a strategic pivot in response to industry trends. The coffee industry is highly competitive, with constant pressure on margins due to fluctuating commodity prices and consumer demand. NuZee's cost-containment measures could be a response to these market forces. It is essential to evaluate how these changes align with consumer preferences and industry shifts, such as the increasing demand for sustainable and specialty coffee products. The ability of NuZee to balance cost reductions with investment in product innovation and market expansion will be critical in maintaining its market share and ensuring long-term growth.

Economist

On an economic level, NuZee's financial results must be contextualized within the broader economic environment. Factors such as inflation, interest rates and consumer spending patterns have a significant impact on companies like NuZee that operate in consumer goods sectors. The reduction in operating expenses and the restructuring program could be seen as proactive measures in anticipation of economic downturns or as a response to past economic pressures. It is important to monitor macroeconomic indicators and industry-specific economic data to predict how these factors may influence NuZee's performance going forward.

Additionally, the company's financial results may affect its stock price and investor confidence. Improved earnings per share and operational efficiencies might contribute to a more favorable view among investors, potentially leading to an increased stock valuation. However, it is vital to remain cautious and look for consistent, long-term trends in financial performance rather than relying solely on a single fiscal year's results.

VISTA, Calif., Jan. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NuZee, Inc. ("NuZee" or the "Company")(NASDAQ: NUZE), a leading coffee co-packing and technology company, today announced its full-year fiscal 2023 financial results for the period ended September 30, 2023. The company reported fiscal 2023 earnings per share of ($11.95), compared with ($21.32) in 2022.

Randy Weaver, President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of NuZee said, "Fiscal 2023 was a year of focus on operating expenses, which declined more than 20% from the prior year. Looking ahead to fiscal 2024, we expect to see continued improvement across core aspects of the operating business. As previously disclosed, we have begun a restructuring program which we expect to generate cost reductions in excess of $1.0 million annually. In addition to continued focus on controlling expenses, we are optimistic about improving revenue trends, with fiscal first quarter 2024 revenue showing a sequential improvement from the prior quarter."

Operating Results

Total revenue for fiscal year 2023 increased 7.7% to $3.3 million from $3.1 million last year, reflecting higher co-packing revenues in Korea, partially offset by lower revenues in North America.

The Company sustained a full-year operating loss of $8.9 million in fiscal 2023 compared with an operating loss of $11.4 million in fiscal year 2022. The Company also recognized a full-year gross profit of $0.0 million compared with a loss of ($0.1) million in 2022. 

Full-year operating expenses declined 21.4% to $8.9 million from $11.3 million, reflecting lower stock-based compensation, lower impairment charges, and lower marketing consulting, insurance and facilities expenses, partially offset by higher legal expenses.

Subsequent Events

On December 6, 2023, the Company appointed Randell Weaver to serve as the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Weaver continues to also serve as the Company's Chief Financial Officer.

The Company offered, in an underwritten public offering (the "Offering"), 425,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the "Common Stock"), at a price to the public of $3.00 per share of Common Stock (the "Offering Price"). The Offering was made pursuant to a shelf registration statement filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") (Registration No. 333-274818), a base prospectus, dated October 5, 2023, included as part of the registration statement, and a prospectus supplement, dated October 17, 2023.

On October 18, 2023, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") with Maxim Group LLC, as the sole book-running manager and underwriter (the "Underwriter"), relating to the Offering. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted the Underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to 63,750 additional shares of Common Stock at the Offering Price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The Company received approximately $1.0 million in net proceeds from the Offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated Offering expenses payable by the Company.  In addition, on December 5, 2023, the Underwriter utilized its option to purchase additional shares of Common Stock resulting in additional net proceeds of $178,000 after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions.

On November 9, 2023, the Company issued in a private placement to an accredited investor 46,800 shares of Common Stock, together with warrants to purchase a total of approximately 5,200 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.77 per share (collectively, the "Subscription Shares") in accordance with the terms of a Subscription Agreement and Common Stock Purchase Warrant. The warrants have a five-year term and are exercisable upon the six-month anniversary of the original issuance date. The Subscription Shares were issued with a purchase price of $129,636.

NuZee, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
		September 30, 2023	September 30, 2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash		$     1,373,101	$	8,315,053
Accounts receivable, net		586,878		345,258
Inventories, net		998,070		947,995
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		418,200		547,773
Total current assets		3,376,249		10,156,079
Property and equipment, net		309,555		525,075
Other assets:
Right-of-use asset – operating lease		403,258		642,624
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate		162,259		169,634
Intangible assets, net		110,000		140,000
Other assets		79,677		77,962
Total other assets		755,194		1,030,220
Total assets		$    4,440,998	$	11,711,374
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$    1,903,923	$	820,200
Current portion of long-term loan payable		4,753		7,947
Current portion of lease liability - operating lease		216,128		388,325
Current portion of lease liability - finance lease		26,048		24,518
Deferred income		379,795		319,707
Other current liabilities		25,756		39,241
Total current liabilities		2,556,403		1,599,938
Non-current liabilities:
Lease liability - operating lease, net of current portion		162,301		267,786
Lease liability - finance lease, net of current portion		-		29,622
Loan payable - long term, net of current portion		-		4,745
Other noncurrent liabilities		47,937		66,484
		210,238		368,637
Total liabilities		$     2,766,641	$	1,968,575
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock; 200,000,000 shares authorized, $0.00001 par value; 782,739 and 676,229 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively		8		7
Additional paid in capital		74,925,843		74,281,418
Accumulated deficit		(73,371,987)		(64,622,520)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		120,493		83,894
Total stockholders' equity		1,674,357		9,742,799
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$    4,440,998	$	11,711,374

 

NuZee, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
		Year Ended September 30, 2023		Year Ended September 30, 2022
Revenues, net		$	3,348,831	3,109,162
Cost of sales			3,340,013	3,219,575
Gross loss			8,818	(110,413)
Operating expenses			8,880,435	11,292,105
Loss from operations			(8,871,617)	(11,402,518)
Other income			365,766	191,631
Loss from equity method investment			(7,375)	(5,791)
Other expense			(251,656)	(574,710)
Interest income (expense), net			15,415	(6,324)
Net loss		$	(8,749,467)	(11,797,712)
Basic and diluted loss per common share		$	(11.95)	(21.32)
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common stock outstanding			732,421	553,322

About NuZee

NuZee, Inc., (NASDAQ: NUZE), is a leading co-packing company for single-serve coffee formats that partners with companies to help them expand within the single-serve and private label coffee category. Providing end-to-end innovative and sustainable solutions with the flexibility and capacity for both small roasters and large global brands, NuZee is revolutionizing the way single-serve coffee is enjoyed in the U.S. Through the brand's unique process, NuZee fulfills every aspect of co-packing needs, from sourcing, roasting and blending, to packing and packaging.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions 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. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, NuZee's beliefs, plans, goals, objectives, expectations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, future performance, other statements that are not historical facts and statements identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "seeks", "estimates" or words of similar meaning. NuZee cautions you that such statements are simply predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. These statements reflect NuZee's current expectations and NuZee does not undertake to update or revise these forward-looking statements except as required by law, even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied in this or other NuZee statements will not be realized. Further, these statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond NuZee's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Statements related to, among other things, the consummation of the offering of common stock and potential changes in market conditions constitute forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, include: NuZee's plan to obtain funding for its operations, including funding necessary to develop, manufacture and commercialize its products; the impact to NuZee's business from the COVID-19 global crisis; general market acceptance of and demand for NuZee's products; and NuZee's commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; for description of additional factors that may cause NuZee's actual results, performance or expectations to differ from any forward looking statements, please review the information set forth in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of NuZee's public reports and NuZee's other filings made with the SEC.

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SOURCE NuZee, Inc.

FAQ

What were NuZee's fiscal 2023 earnings per share?

NuZee reported fiscal 2023 earnings per share of ($11.95), compared with ($21.32) in 2022.

How much did NuZee's operating expenses decline in fiscal 2023?

NuZee's operating expenses declined more than 20% from the prior year in fiscal 2023.

What cost reductions are expected from NuZee's restructuring program?

NuZee expects the restructuring program to generate cost reductions in excess of $1.0 million annually.

What improvements does NuZee anticipate for fiscal 2024?

NuZee anticipates continued improvement across core aspects of the operating business in fiscal 2024.