Virgin Galactic Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) reported its Q4 and full-year 2021 results, highlighting strong cash reserves of approximately $931 million. The company remains on track to launch commercial service in Q4 2022 and has opened ticket sales at $450,000 for private astronauts. Key milestones include the completion of fully crewed spaceflights and FAA approval for commercial launches. Despite a net loss of $81 million, reduced from $104 million year-over-year, the company is enhancing its fleet and expanding operations.

Positive

• Cash reserves of approximately $931 million as of December 31, 2021.
• Net loss improved to $81 million in Q4 2021 from $104 million in Q4 2020.
• On track for commercial service launch in Q4 2022.
• Opened ticket sales to the general public at $450,000.

Negative

• Adjusted EBITDA totaled $(65) million in Q4 2021, worsening from $(60) million in Q4 2020.
• GAAP selling, general, and administrative expenses rose to $40 million from $33 million in Q4 2020.
• Non-GAAP selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to $29 million from $21 million in Q4 2020.

• Commercial Service Remains on Track for Q4 2022
• Current Fleet Enhancement Program On Schedule to be Completed in Q3 2022
• Opened Ticket Sales to the General Public

TUSTIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) (“Virgin Galactic” or the "Company”) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021 and provided a business update.

“We remain on track and on schedule to complete our enhancement program and launch commercial service later this year,” said Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic. “We achieved many important milestones in 2021 that laid an essential foundation towards becoming a scaled, commercial operation. In recent weeks, we opened sales to the general public and launched our new global consumer brand. Demand for our one-of-a-kind experience remains strong, and we are currently building our operations to accommodate our growing customer base.”

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Business Highlights:

• Opened sales at new price point of USD $450,000 for private astronauts in Q3 2022.
• Opened a new Engineering, Design and Corporate headquarters, which will serve as the primary hub for R&D and the development of both the Delta class spaceship and the next generation motherships.
• In July 2021, successfully completed first fully crewed spaceflight, Unity 22, which fulfilled test objectives including evaluating the cabin and customer experience.
• In June 2021, received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for full commercial launch license, marking the first time that the agency licensed a company to fly customers to space.
• In May 2021, successfully completed first spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico, Unity 21, which fulfilled various test objectives and carried revenue-generating scientific research experiments.
• Rolled out Spaceship III, VSS Imagine, the second spaceship in the current fleet.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights:

• Cash position remains strong, with cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of approximately $931 million as of December 31, 2021. This does not reflect our recent fundraise.
• GAAP selling, general, and administrative expenses of $40 million, compared to $33 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Non‐GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses of $29 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $21 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
• GAAP research and development expenses of $42 million, compared to $41 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Non‐GAAP research and development expenses of $36 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $38 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
• Adjusted EBITDA totaled $(65) million, compared to $(60) million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
• Net loss of $81 million, compared to a $104 million net loss in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Recent Updates:

• Expected launch of private astronaut commercial service remains on track for Q4 2022.
• Fleet enhancement program for mothership Eve and spaceship Unity remains on track to be completed in Q3 2022. This enhancement program is designed to improve the vehicles’ durability, reliability, and flight rate frequency leading into commercial service.
• On February 15, 2022, announced the opening of tickets sales to the general public and launched new consumer brand.
• On February 8, 2022, announced the appointment of Blair Rich as President and Chief Business Officer, Commercial and Consumer Operations.
• Progressed plans for the design and location of new final assembly manufacturing facility for the Delta class spaceships.
• In final stages of negotiations with preferred suppliers to manufacture the next generation of our motherships.
• In January 2022, we consummated a convertible debt offering that resulted in $425 million in gross proceeds to us. The proceeds of the offering are expected to be used to fund working capital, general and administrative matters and capital expenditures to accelerate the development of the Delta class spaceship fleet and next generation motherships.

Financial Guidance:

The following forward-looking statements reflect our expectations for the first quarter of 2022 as of February 22, 2022, and are subject to substantial uncertainty. Our results are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of this date, but may be materially affected by many factors, as discussed below in “Forward-Looking Statements.”

• Forecasted free cash flow for the first quarter of 2022 is expected to be in the range of $(75) to $(85) million.

Conference Call Information

Virgin Galactic will host a conference call to discuss the results at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) today. To access the conference call, parties should dial +1 844 200 6205 or +1 646 904 5544 and enter the conference ID number 022958. The live audio webcast along with supplemental information will be accessible on the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://investors.virgingalactic.com/events-and-presentations/. A recording of the webcast will also be available following the conference call.

About Virgin Galactic Holdings

Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. It is developing a spaceflight system designed to connect the world to the love, wonder and awe created by space travel and to offer customers a transformative experience. You can find more information at https://www.virgingalactic.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws with respect to Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (the "Company"), including statements regarding the Company’s spaceflight systems, markets and expected flight schedule. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by words such as “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.virgingalactic.com. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)

This presentation references certain financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), including Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP selling, general, and administrative expense, non-GAAP research and development expense and free cash flow. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and certain other items the Company believes are not indicative of its core operating performance. It defines non-GAAP selling, general, and administrative expenses as selling, general, and administrative expenses other than stock-based compensation and non-capitalized transaction costs, and non-GAAP research and development expenses as research and development expenses other than stock-based compensation. It defines free cash flow as net cash used by operating activities less capital expenditures. None of these non-GAAP financial measures is a substitute for or superior to measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to any other measures derived in accordance with GAAP.

The Company believes that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplemental information to investors about the Company in understanding and evaluating its operating results, enhancing the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects, and allowing for greater transparency with respect to key financial metrics used by its management in financial and operational-decision making. However, there are a number of limitations related to the use of non-GAAP measures and their nearest GAAP equivalents. For example, other companies may calculate non-GAAP measures differently, or may use other measures to calculate their financial performance, and therefore any non-GAAP measures the Company uses may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

VIRGIN GALACTIC HOLDINGS, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (In thousands except for per share data)
		Three Months Ended								Years Ended
		(Unaudited)
		December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020				December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Revenue		$	141			$	—			$	3,292			$	238
Cost of revenue			2				—				272				173
Gross profit			139				—				3,020				65
Selling, general, and administrative expenses			39,902				32,854				173,178				116,592
Research and development expenses			41,518				41,481				149,377				158,757
Operating loss			(81,281	)			(74,335	)			(319,535	)			(275,284	)
Change in fair value of warrants			—				(30,080	)			(34,650	)			(371,852	)
Interest income, net			417				262				1,183				2,241
Other income (expense)			72				9				182				14
Loss before income taxes			(80,792	)			(104,144	)			(352,820	)			(644,881	)
Income tax (benefit) expense			5				(28	)			79				6
Net loss			(80,797	)			(104,116	)			(352,899	)			(644,887	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustment			118				(48	)			129				(54	)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities			(1,566	)			—				(2,003	)			—
Total comprehensive loss		$	(82,245	)		$	(104,164	)		$	(354,773	)		$	(644,941	)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted		$	(0.31	)		$	(0.44	)		$	(1.43	)		$	(2.94	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted			257,887,722				236,722,884				247,618,557				219,107,905

VIRGIN GALACTIC HOLDINGS, INC. Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share data)
		December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	524,481			$	665,924
Restricted cash			25,549				13,031
Marketable securities, short-term			79,418				—
Inventories			29,668				30,483
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			19,476				18,489
Total current assets			678,592				727,927
Marketable securities, long-term			301,463				—
Property, plant, and equipment, net			47,498				53,148
Other non-current assets			41,281				22,915
Total assets		$	1,068,834			$	803,990
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable			9,237				5,998
Accrued liabilities			28,787				22,982
Customer deposits			90,863				83,211
Other current liabilities			2,636				2,830
Total current liabilities			131,523				115,021
Non-current liabilities
Warrant liability			—				135,440
Other long-term liabilities			43,047				26,451
Total liabilities		$	174,570			$	276,912
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 authorized; none issued and outstanding			—				—
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 700,000,000 shares authorized; 258,166,417 and 236,123,659 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively			26				23
Additional paid-in capital			2,019,750				1,297,794
Accumulated deficit			(1,123,643	)			(770,744	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			(1,869	)			5
Total stockholders' equity			894,264				527,078
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	1,068,834			$	803,990

VIRGIN GALACTIC HOLDINGS, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Years Ended
		(Unaudited)
		December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020				December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss		$	(80,797	)		$	(104,116	)		$	(352,899	)		$	(644,887	)
Stock-based compensation			13,101				11,749				61,805				30,324
Depreciation and amortization			2,883				2,783				11,518				9,781
Change in fair value of warrant liability			—				30,080				34,650				371,852
Other operating activities, net			53				21				11				96
Change in assets and liabilities
Inventories			(363	)			176				815				1,371
Other current and non-current assets			(9,807	)			(8,569	)			(3,465	)			(2,417	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			6,111				(1,729	)			7,935				(1,010	)
Customer deposits			5,504				21				7,652				(151	)
Other current and non-current liabilities			(1,811	)			(512	)			1,215				1,882
Net cash used in operating activities			(65,126	)			(70,096	)			(230,763	)			(233,159	)
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures			(2,183	)			(3,540	)			(4,635	)			(17,201	)
Purchases of marketable securities			(96,752	)			—				(382,884	)			—
Net cash used in investing activities			(98,935	)			(3,540	)			(387,519	)			(17,201	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Payments of finance lease obligations			(35	)			(34	)			(140	)			(123	)
Repayment of notes payable			—				(310	)			(310	)			(310	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock pursuant to stock options exercised			1,124				2,582				19,980				2,582
Withholding taxes paid on behalf of employee on net settled stock-based awards			(7,622	)			(4,368	)			(23,401	)			(4,767	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stocks			—				—				500,000				460,200
Transaction costs			(19	)			(122	)			(6,772	)			(20,988	)
Net cash provided by (used in) by financing activities			(6,552	)			(2,252	)			489,357				436,594
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(170,613	)			(75,888	)			(128,925	)			186,234
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			720,643				754,843				678,955				492,721
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		$	550,030			$	678,955			$	550,030			$	678,955

VIRGIN GALACTIC HOLDINGS, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands)
		Three Months Ended						Years Ended
		(Unaudited)
		December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents		$	524,481		$	665,924		$	524,481		$	665,924
Restricted cash			25,549			13,031			25,549			13,031
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		$	550,030		$	678,955		$	550,030		$	678,955

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)

This press release references certain financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), including Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP selling, general, and administrative expense and non-GAAP research and development expense. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and certain other items the Company believes are not indicative of its core operating performance. It defines non-GAAP selling, general, and administrative expenses as selling, general, and administrative expenses other than stock-based compensation and non-capitalized transaction costs, and non-GAAP research and development expenses as research and development expenses other than stock-based compensation. None of these non-GAAP financial measures is a substitute for or superior to measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP.

The Company believes that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplemental information to investors about the Company in understanding and evaluating its operating results, enhancing the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects, and allowing for greater transparency with respect to key financial metrics used by its management in financial and operational-decision making. However, there are a number of limitations related to the use of non-GAAP measures and their nearest GAAP equivalents. For example, other companies may calculate non-GAAP measures differently, or may use other measures to calculate their financial performance, and therefore any non-GAAP measures the Company uses may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are set forth below (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended								Years Ended
		December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020				December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Net Loss		$	(80,797	)		$	(104,116	)		$	(352,899	)		$	(644,887	)
Income tax (benefit) expense			5				(28	)			79				6
Interest expense			6				10				25				36
Depreciation & amortization			2,883				2,783				11,518				9,781
EBITDA			(77,903	)			(101,351	)			(341,277	)			(635,064	)
Non-capitalized transaction costs*			—				—				—				697
Stock-based compensation			13,101				11,749				61,805				30,324
Change in fair value of warrants			—				30,080				34,650				371,852
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(64,802	)		$	(59,522	)		$	(244,822	)		$	(232,191	)

A reconciliation of selling, general, and administrative expenses to non-GAAP selling, general, and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are set forth below (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended						Years Ended
		December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		$	39,902		$	32,854		$	173,178		$	116,592
Stock-based compensation			9,177			9,800			46,181			21,272
Depreciation and amortization			1,590			1,579			6,364			5,388
Non-capitalized transaction costs*			—			—			—			697
Non-GAAP selling, general, administration expenses		$	29,135		$	21,475		$	120,633		$	89,235

A reconciliation of research and development expenses to non-GAAP research and development expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are set forth below (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended						Years Ended
		December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Research and development expenses		$	41,518		$	41,481		$	149,377		$	158,757
Stock-based compensation			3,924			1,949			15,624			9,052
Depreciation and amortization			1,293			1,204			5,155			4,393
Non-GAAP Research and development expenses		$	36,301		$	38,328		$	128,598		$	145,312

_______________

*

Non-capitalized transaction costs include non-recurring expenses related to preparation and filing of an S-1 registration statement in the first quarter of 2020.

The following table reconciles forecasted net cash used in operating activities to forecasted free cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in thousands):

		Forecasted Range
Net cash used in operating activities		($ 74,000) - ($ 82,000)
Capital expenditures		($ 1,000) - ($ 3,000)
Free cash flow		($ 75,000) - ($ 85,000)

 

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For media inquiries:

Aleanna Crane - Vice President Communications

Virgingalacticpress@virgingalactic.com

575.800.4422

For investor inquiries:

vg-ir@virgingalactic.com

Source: Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

What are the financial results of Virgin Galactic for Q4 2021?

Virgin Galactic reported a net loss of $81 million in Q4 2021, with total cash reserves of approximately $931 million.

When is the expected launch date for Virgin Galactic's commercial service?

The expected launch date for Virgin Galactic's private astronaut commercial service remains on track for Q4 2022.

What is the new ticket price for Virgin Galactic's space flights?

Ticket sales for Virgin Galactic's space flights are now priced at $450,000 for private astronauts.