Quarterhill Announces Q3 Fiscal 2023 Financial Results
- Quarterhill reported a revenue increase to $45.7 million and adjusted EBITDA growth to $1.9 million in Q3 2023, compared to $42.2 million and $1.0 million in Q3 2022, respectively.
- The revenue backlog of over USD$500.0 million indicates a strong future revenue stream for the company.
- The appointment of Charles Myers as CEO brings in an industry veteran to lead the company.
- Contracts with ETC and IRD for tolling projects in Ohio and Hawaii, worth $13.7 million, demonstrate the company's ability to secure significant contracts.
- The CEO's emphasis on the positive impact from integration actions and expected stronger Q4 performance indicates a positive outlook for the company's future performance.
- The decrease in gross profit margin percentage compared to the prior year periods is primarily due to an implementation delay with one tolling project, resulting in additional anticipated costs and a reduced margin profile for the project.
- Cash used in continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, was $2.3 million and $21.0 million, compared to cash used in continuing operations of $23.5 million and $75.0 million in the comparative prior year periods, respectively.
- The decrease in gross profit margin percentage compared to the prior year periods is primarily due to an implementation delay with one tolling project, resulting in additional anticipated costs and a reduced margin profile for the project.
Q3 Fiscal 2023 Highlights
- Revenue was
compared to$45.7 million in Q3 2022.$42.2 million - Adjusted EBITDA1 was
compared to$1.9 million in Q3 2022.$1.0 million - Revenue backlog3 was more than
USD at September 30, 2023.$500.0 million - Working capital was
at September 30, 2023.$111.1 million - Appointed ITS industry veteran Charles ("Chuck") Myers as Chief Executive Officer.
- Electronic Transaction Consultants, LLC ("ETC") went live with its back-office toll operations for the Ohio River Bridges toll service.
- International Road Dynamics ("IRD") won a five-year
contract with the Hawaii Department of Transportation.$13.7 million
"Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth in Q3 reflected progress at both our tolling and enforcement businesses as well as the positive impact from the integration actions we have made this year," said Chuck Myers, CEO of Quarterhill. "Of note in the quarter, certain revenue from two of our tolling projects was pushed from Q3 into subsequent periods due to scheduling adjustments in the quarter. This is expected to result in a stronger Q4 and finish to the year."
"Since joining Quarterhill as CEO in September, I have done a deep dive on the company's operations, spending the majority of my time with employees, customers and partners on the ground in
"Strategically we remain focused on growing our world-class ITS franchises in tolling and enforcement and on capitalizing on the favorable growth trends in the ITS industry. This is an exciting time to be in ITS and I am honored to lead the Company at this stage of its evolution. My ultimate goal for the business is to generate robust cash flows and to manage expenses throughout all our businesses in order to build a healthy and sustainable balance sheet capable of supporting both our organic and acquisitive strategies."
Q3 and Year-to-Date Fiscal 2023 Financial Review
Quarterhill's Management's Discussion and Analysis and financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 are available at the Company's website and at its profile at SEDAR+.
Financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, and for the respective comparison periods, have been prepared to reflect continuing operations and therefore exclude results during those periods from Wi-LAN Inc. ("WiLAN"), which was sold by Quarterhill on June 15, 2023. Operating results from WiLAN in 2022 and up to the date of sale on June 15, 2023, are reported as net income (loss) from discontinued operations.
Revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, was
Gross profit2 as a value and as a percentage of revenues may be subject to significant variance in each reporting period due to the nature and type of contract and service work currently in process, currency volatility and competitive factors, among other things. Gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, was
Operating expenses include sales general and administrative ("SG&A") expense, research and development costs ("R&D"), depreciation and amortization and other charges. Total operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, were
SG&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, was
Adjusted EBITDA1 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, was
Net loss from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, was (
Cash used in continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, was
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were
Conference Call and Webcast
Quarterhill will host a conference call to discuss its financial results today at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.
Webcast Information
- Live audio webcast will be available at: https://app.webinar.net/R2gYoZwnlzM
- Webcast replay will be available at: https://app.webinar.net/R2gYoZwnlzM
Traditional Dial-in Information
- To access the call from
Canada andU.S. , dial 1.888.664.6383 (Toll Free) - To access the call from other locations, dial 1.416.764.8650 (International)
Rapidconnect
To instantly join the conference call by phone, please use the following URL to easily register and be connected into the conference call automatically: https://emportal.ink/48C6OLQ
Telephone Replay
Telephone replay will be available from 1:00 p.m. ET on November 8, 2023, until 11:59 p.m. ET on August 15, 2023, at: 1.888.390.0541 (Toll Free North America) or 1.416.764.8677.
Conference ID: 21772343 and Replay Passcode: 772343 #
Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Non-IFRS Ratios
Quarterhill uses both IFRS and certain non-IFRS financial measures to assess performance. Non-IFRS financial measures are financial measures disclosed by a company that (a) depict historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of a company, (b) with respect to their composition, exclude amounts that are included in, or include amounts that are excluded from the composition of the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in the primary financial statements of the company, (c) are not disclosed in the financial statements of the company and (d) are not a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation. Non-IFRS ratios are financial measures disclosed by a company that are in the form of a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation that has a non-IFRS financial measure as one or more of its components, and that are not disclosed in the financial statements of the company.
These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios are not standardized financial measures under IFRS, and, therefore, are unlikely to be comparable to similar financial measures presented by other companies. Management believes these non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios provide transparent and useful supplemental information to help investors evaluate our financial performance, financial condition, and liquidity using the same measures as management. These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.
Adjusted EBITDA - Non-IFRS Financial Measures
We use the non-IFRS financial measure "Adjusted EBITDA" to mean net (loss) income adjusted for (i) income taxes, (ii) finance expense or income; (iii) amortization and impairment of intangibles; (iv) other charges and other on-time items; (v) depreciation of right-of-use assets and property, plant and equipment; (vi) stock- based compensation; (vii) foreign exchange (gain) loss; and (viii) other income which includes equity in earnings from joint ventures, and (ix) dividends received from joint ventures. Adjusted EBITDA is used by our management to assess our normalized cash generated on a consolidated basis. Adjusted EBITDA is also a performance measure that may be used by investors to analyze the cash generated by Quarterhill. Adjusted EBITDA should not be interpreted as an alternative to net (loss) income and cash flows from operations as determined in accordance with IFRS or as measure of liquidity. The most directly comparable IFRS financial measure is Net (loss) income.
Adjusted EBITDA per share – Non-IFRS ratio
Adjusted EBITDA per share is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by the basic weighted average of common shares. Adjusted EBITDA per share is used by our management and investors to analyze cash generated by Quarterhill on a per share basis. The most comparable IFRS measure is earnings per share.
Backlog - Non-IFRS Financial Measures
We use the non-IFRS measure "backlog" to mean the total value of work that has not yet been completed but that in management's experience of similar situations has: (a) a high certainty of being performed pursuant to existing contracts or work orders specifying job scope, value and timing; (b) an expectation of expansion of existing contracts due to expected extensions; and/or (c) been awarded to one or more of our ITS operating subsidiaries as evidenced by a binding contract or where the finalization of a binding contract is reasonably assured. Activities under such contracts may cover a period of up to 15 years. We do not include in "backlog", the value of any expected but unsigned change orders that management considers may apply to such contracts.
Supplementary Financial Measures
Supplementary financial measures are financial measures disclosed by a company that (a) are, or are intended to be, disclosed on a periodic basis to depict the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of a company (b) are not disclosed in the financial statement of the company, (c) are not non-IFRS financial measures, and (d) are not non-IFRS ratios.
Key supplementary measures disclosed are as follows:
Gross margin %
Calculated as gross profit as a percentage of revenue.
About Quarterhill
Quarterhill is a leading provider of tolling and enforcement solutions in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) industry. Our goal is global leadership in ITS, via organic growth of the Electronic Transaction Consultants, LLC (ETC) and International Road Dynamics, Inc. (IRD) platforms, and by continuing an acquisition-oriented investment strategy that capitalizes on attractive growth opportunities within ITS and its adjacent markets. Quarterhill is listed on the TSX under the symbol QTRH and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol QTRHF. For more information: www.quarterhill.com.
Forward-looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding Quarterhill, its operating subsidiaries and their respective businesses. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by Quarterhill in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and the expected effects of new business strategies, as well as other factors that Quarterhill believes are appropriate in the circumstances. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed herein may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Quarterhill, which include, without limitation, the risks described in Quarterhill's March 22, 2023 annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the "AIF"). In addition, readers are also urged to review the additional risk factors disclosed in our Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 filed today on www.sedarplus.ca. Quarterhill recommends that readers review and consider all of these risk factors and notes that readers should not place undue reliance on any of Quarterhill's forward-looking statements. Quarterhill has no intention, and undertakes no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(in thousands and in Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Revenues | ||||
Direct cost of revenues | 35,120 | 30,663 | 106,785 | 91,549 |
Gross profit | 10,565 | 11,522 | 29,080 | 27,643 |
Operating expenses | ||||
Depreciation of right-of-use assets | 566 | 546 | 1,537 | 1,580 |
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 532 | 602 | 1,634 | 1,590 |
Amortization of intangible assets | 2,733 | 2,679 | 8,358 | 8,787 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 8,219 | 11,245 | 25,859 | 36,689 |
Research and development expenses | 756 | 516 | 3,285 | 1,953 |
Other charges | 523 | 1,405 | 2,571 | 16,007 |
13,329 | 16,993 | 43,244 | 66,606 | |
Results from operations | (2,764) | (5,471) | (14,164) | (38,963) |
Finance income | (486) | (130) | (567) | (250) |
Finance expense | 2,193 | 2,095 | 6,730 | 7,177 |
Foreign exchange gain | (2,026) | (2,159) | (540) | (2,669) |
Other income | (475) | (1,170) | (1,383) | (9,427) |
Loss before taxes | (1,970) | (4,107) | (18,404) | (33,794) |
Current income tax expense (recovery) | 33 | 437 | (3,417) | 989 |
Deferred income tax expense | 225 | 441 | 13,201 | 423 |
Income tax expense | 258 | 878 | 9,784 | 1,412 |
Net loss from continuing operations | (2,228) | (4,985) | (28,188) | (35,206) |
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations | 365 | (4,729) | (21,809) | 58,061 |
Net (loss) income | (1,863) | (9,714) | (49,997) | 22,855 |
Other comprehensive income that may be reclassified | ||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | 6,318 | 15,215 | 903 | 17,764 |
Comprehensive income (loss) | ( | |||
(Loss) income per share - Basic | ||||
From continuing operations | ( | ( | ( | ( |
From discontinued operations | 0.00 | (0.04) | (0.19) | 0.51 |
(Loss) income per share - Basic | ( | ( | ( | |
(Loss) income per share - Diluted | ||||
From continuing operations | ( | ( | ( | ( |
From discontinued operations | 0.00 | (0.04) | (0.19) | 0.51 |
(Loss) income per share - Diluted | ( | ( | ( |
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (in thousands and in Canadian dollars)
As at | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 |
Current assets | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | ||
Short-term investments | - | 1,550 |
Restricted short-term investments | - | 6,529 |
Accounts receivable, net | 30,847 | 23,277 |
Unbilled revenue | 38,246 | 41,423 |
Income taxes receivable | 253 | 340 |
Inventories (net of obsolescence) | 14,677 | 13,671 |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | 6,283 | 6,852 |
151,174 | 159,999 | |
Non-current assets | ||
Accounts and other long-term receivables | 5,699 | 539 |
Long-term prepaid expenses and deposits | 478 | 1,705 |
Right-of-use assets, net | 9,481 | 10,312 |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 6,629 | 6,926 |
Intangible assets, net | 111,009 | 141,335 |
Investment in joint venture | 7,732 | 7,751 |
Investment in other entity | 3,974 | - |
Deferred compensation asset | 1,219 | 1,344 |
Deferred income tax assets | 20 | 25,648 |
Goodwill | 39,254 | 56,385 |
185,495 | 251,945 | |
TOTAL ASSETS | ||
Liabilities | ||
Current liabilities | ||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ||
Income taxes payable | 683 | 982 |
Current portion of lease liabilities | 2,633 | 2,611 |
Current portion of deferred revenue | 6,660 | 8,542 |
Current portion of long-term debt | 2,886 | 29,292 |
40,101 | 88,490 | |
Non-current liabilities | ||
Deferred revenue | 1,871 | 2,744 |
Long-term lease liabilities | 8,377 | 9,655 |
Long-term debt | 24,197 | - |
Convertible debentures | 50,042 | 48,379 |
Derivative liability | 1,277 | 1,786 |
Deferred compensation liabilities | 1,205 | 1,169 |
Deferred income tax liabilities | 1,886 | 2,061 |
88,855 | 65,794 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 128,956 | 154,284 |
Shareholders' equity | ||
Capital stock | 427,060 | 546,482 |
Contributed surplus | 170,960 | 50,958 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 17,360 | 16,457 |
Deficit | (407,667) | (356,237) |
207,713 | 257,660 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands and in Canadian dollars)
Three months ended | Nine months ended | ||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||
Operating activities: | |||||
Net loss from continuing operations | ( | ( | ( | ( | |
Add (deduct) non-cash items: | |||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 345 | 536 | 710 | 1,305 | |
Depreciation of right-of-use assets | 566 | 546 | 1,537 | 1,580 | |
Depreciation and amortization | 3,265 | 3,281 | 9,992 | 10,377 | |
Foreign exchange gain | (2,026) | (2,159) | (540) | (2,669) | |
Other income, excluding change in derivative liability | (227) | (262) | (874) | (2,104) | |
Loss on disposal of assets | - | - | - | 70 | |
Deferred income tax expense | 225 | 441 | 9,332 | 423 | |
Embedded derivatives | - | 881 | 126 | 341 | |
Change in fair value of derivative liability | (248) | (908) | (509) | (7,323) | |
Non-cash interest expense | 727 | - | 2,546 | 452 | |
Net change in non-cash working capital balances | (2,711) | (20,895) | (15,106) | (42,200) | |
Cash used in continuing operations | (2,312) | (23,524) | (20,974) | (74,954) | |
Net cash flows attributable to discontinued operations | - | (3,350) | (6,303) | 116,721 | |
Net cash (used in) generated from operating activities | (2,312) | (26,874) | (27,277) | 41,767 | |
Financing activities: | |||||
Dividends paid | - | (1,420) | (2,866) | (4,260) | |
Payment of lease liabilities | (288) | (710) | (1,403) | (1,646) | |
Repayment of long-term debt | (721) | (20,777) | (2,396) | (35,280) | |
Common shares issued for cash on the exercise of | 107 | 54 | 107 | 1,149 | |
Cash used in financing activities | (902) | (22,853) | (6,558) | (40,037) | |
Net financing cash flows attributable to discontinued | - | (67) | (135) | (201) | |
Net cash (used in) financing activities | (902) | (22,920) | (6,693) | (40,238) | |
Investing activities: | |||||
Net proceeds from disposition of a subsidiary | 497 | - | 43,181 | - | |
Cash sold on disposition of a subsidiary | - | - | (10,501) | - | |
Proceeds from short-term investments | - | - | - | 301 | |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | 56 | - | 56 | 211 | |
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (360) | (1,391) | (1,220) | (2,487) | |
Dividend received from joint venture | - | 718 | - | 718 | |
Capitalized software costs | (1,057) | (2,083) | (4,179) | (3,303) | |
Cash (used in) generated from investing activities | (864) | (2,756) | 27,337 | (4,560) | |
Net investing cash flows attributable to discontinued | - | - | 1,603 | (3,516) | |
Net cash (used in) generated from financing activities | (864) | (2,756) | 28,940 | (8,076) | |
Foreign exchange on cash held in foreign currencies | 3,930 | 5,390 | (459) | 10,002 | |
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (148) | (47,160) | (5,489) | 3,455 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of | 61,016 | 121,361 | 66,357 | 70,746 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of |
Quarterhill Inc.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(in thousands and in Canadian dollars)
Capital | Contributed | Accumulated | Deficit | Total | ||
Balance, January 1, 2022 | ( | |||||
Net income | - | - | - | 22,855 | 22,855 | |
Other comprehensive income | - | - | 17,764 | - | 17,764 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | - | 1,540 | - | - | 1,540 | |
Exercise of stock options | 1,778 | (629) | - | - | 1,149 | |
Common shares issued from restricted | - | 289 | - | - | 289 | |
Common shares issued from performance | 46 | (46) | - | - | - | |
Dividends declared | - | - | - | (4,260) | (4,260) | |
Balance, September 30, 2022 | ( | |||||
Balance, January 1, 2023 | ( | |||||
Net loss | - | - | - | (49,997) | (49,997) | |
Other comprehensive income | - | - | 903 | - | 903 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | - | 710 | - | - | 710 | |
Exercise of stock options | 195 | (88) | - | - | 107 | |
Common shares issued from restricted |
308 |
(545) |
- |
- |
(237) | |
Common shares issued from deferred |
75 |
(75) |
- |
- |
- | |
Reduction of stated capital | (120,000) | 120,000 | - | - | - | |
Dividends declared | - | - | - | (1,433) | (1,433) | |
Balance, September 30, 2023 |
Quarterhill Inc.
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA
(in thousands and in Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)
Three months ended September 30, | ||||
2023 | 2022 | |||
$ | Per Share [2] | $ | Per Share | |
Net loss from continuing operations | ( | ( | ( | ( |
Adjusted for: | ||||
Income tax expense | 258 | 0.00 | 878 | 0.01 |
Foreign exchange gain | (2,026) | (0.02) | (2,159) | (0.02) |
Finance expense, net | 1,707 | 0.02 | 1,965 | 0.02 |
Other charges | 523 | 0.01 | 1,405 | 0.01 |
Depreciation and amortization | 3,831 | 0.03 | 3,827 | 0.03 |
Stock based compensation expense | 345 | 0.00 | 536 | 0.01 |
Dividends received from joint venture | - | - | 718 | 0.01 |
Other income | (475) | (0.00) | (1,170) | (0.01) |
Adjusted EBITDA [1] | ||||
Weighted average number of Common Shares | ||||
Basic | 114,785,188 | 114,601,779 |
Nine months ended September 30, | ||||
2023 | 2022 | |||
$ | Per Share [2] | $ | Per Share | |
Net loss from continuing operations | ( | ( | ( | ( |
Adjusted for: | ||||
Income tax expense | 9,784 | 0.09 | 1,412 | 0.01 |
Foreign exchange gain | (540) | (0.00) | (2,669) | (0.02) |
Finance expense, net | 6,163 | 0.05 | 6,927 | 0.06 |
Other charges | 2,571 | 0.02 | 16,007 | 0.14 |
Depreciation and amortization | 11,529 | 0.10 | 11,957 | 0.10 |
Stock based compensation expense | 710 | 0.01 | 1,305 | 0.01 |
Dividends received from joint venture | - | - | 718 | 0.01 |
Other income | (1,383) | (0.01) | (9,427) | (0.08) |
Adjusted EBITDA [1] | ( | ( | ||
Weighted average number of Common Shares | ||||
Basic | 114,692,086 | 114,305,328 |
1 Please refer to the Adjusted EBITDA Non- IFRS Financial Measures section for further information. |
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SOURCE Quarterhill Inc.
FAQ
What were Quarterhill's Q3 2023 revenue and adjusted EBITDA?
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