Virgin Galactic Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Rhea-AI Summary

Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) has announced its Q4 and full year 2024 financial results. The company plans its first spaceflight with the new Delta SpaceShip carrying research payloads in summer 2026, followed by private astronaut spaceflights in fall 2026. Assembly of the first SpaceShip begins March 2025.

Financial highlights include:

• Cash position of $657 million as of December 31, 2024
• Q4 revenue declined to $0.4 million from $2.8 million YoY
• Q4 net loss improved to $76 million from $104 million YoY
• Full year 2024 revenue remained flat at $7 million
• Full year net loss improved to $347 million from $502 million in 2023

The company raised $138 million through stock issuance and expects Q1 2025 free cash flow between $(115) million to $(125) million. A contract with Redwire was executed for next-generation SpaceShip research payload lockers, and work advances on a potential second spaceport study with Italy's aviation authority.

Positive

• Net loss improved by 27% YoY to $76M in Q4 2024
• Strong cash position of $657M
• Full year net loss improved by 31% to $347M
• Operating expenses reduced significantly YoY
• Clear timeline for Delta SpaceShip commercial operations

Negative

• Q4 revenue declined 86% YoY to $0.4M
• Ongoing cash burn with $(475M) free cash flow in 2024
• No commercial flights until summer 2026
• 12.9M shares issued causing dilution
• Continued quarterly losses

Insights

Financial Analyst

Virgin Galactic's Q4 and FY2024 results highlight a company in strategic transition, with commercial spaceflight operations paused to focus resources on developing the next-generation Delta SpaceShips. This pivot has created a significant revenue gap, with Q4 revenue plummeting 85.7% year-over-year to $0.4 million, while full-year revenue remained flat at $7 million.

The company's timeline reveals a longer path to commercial operations than many investors may have anticipated, with the first Delta research flights not occurring until summer 2026 and private astronaut flights delayed until fall 2026. This extended development period creates substantial financial pressure, as assembly of the first spacecraft only begins in March 2025.

On the positive side, SPCE has implemented aggressive cost-cutting measures, reducing Q4 operating expenses by 30% year-over-year to $82 million and narrowing the net loss to $76 million from $104 million. The $657 million cash position provides approximately 5-6 quarters of runway at current burn rates, potentially requiring additional financing before commercial operations resume.

Capital expenditures have doubled year-over-year to $122 million for 2024, reflecting the significant investment required for the Delta fleet development. The company continues to rely on equity dilution for funding, raising $138 million through ATM offerings in 2024 by issuing 12.9 million new shares, representing about 4.4% dilution based on current outstanding shares.

The partnership with Redwire for payload lockers signals a potential diversification toward research revenue streams, while the Italian spaceport feasibility study suggests a long-term international expansion strategy. However, both initiatives are unlikely to materially impact finances before 2027.

With Q1 2025 free cash flow guidance of -$115 million to -$125 million, investors should expect continued heavy cash burn throughout the development phase, creating significant execution risk before commercial operations can resume at scale.

• First spaceflight with new Delta SpaceShip carrying research payloads planned for summer 2026
• Private astronaut spaceflights planned for fall 2026
• Assembly of first Delta SpaceShip begins in March 2025

ORANGE COUNTY, 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, 2024 and provided a business update.

CEO Michael Colglazier said, "We are excited to share that our first spaceflight with our new Delta SpaceShips is planned for summer 2026. This first spaceflight will carry scientific research, and we expect to begin private astronaut spaceflights in the fall of 2026. We have made tremendous progress with the fabrication of tools and parts, and assembly of the first SpaceShip begins next month in Phoenix.”

Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

• Cash position remains strong, with cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $657 million as of December 31, 2024.
• Revenue of $0.4 million, compared to $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, with the decrease driven by the pause in commercial spaceflights to focus efforts on the production of the Delta Class SpaceShips.
• GAAP total operating expenses of $82 million, compared to $117 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP total operating expenses of $72 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $100 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
• Net loss of $76 million, compared to a $104 million net loss in the fourth quarter of 2023, with the improvement primarily driven by lower operating expenses.
• Adjusted EBITDA totaled $(63) million, compared to $(84) million in the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily driven by lower operating expenses.
• Net cash used in operating activities totaled $81 million, compared to $95 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
• Cash paid for capital expenditures totaled $36 million, compared to $18 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
• Free cash flow totaled $(117) million, compared to $(114) million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
• Generated $29 million in gross proceeds through the issuance of 4.1 million shares of common stock as part of the Company's at-the-market offering program.

Full Year 2024 Financial Highlights

• Revenue of $7 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, which was primarily attributable to commercial spaceflights and memberships fees related to future astronauts.
• GAAP total operating expenses of $384 million, compared to $538 million in 2023. Non-GAAP total operating expenses of $338 million, compared to $476 million in 2023.
• Net loss of $347 million, compared to a $502 million net loss in 2023, with the improvement primarily driven by lower operating expenses.
• Adjusted EBITDA totaled $(289) million, compared to $(427) million in 2023, with the improvement primarily driven by lower operating expenses.
• Net cash used in operating activities totaled $353 million, compared to $448 million in 2023.
• Cash paid for capital expenditures totaled $122 million, compared to $44 million in 2023.
• Free cash flow totaled $(475) million, compared to $(493) million in 2023.
• Generated $138 million in gross proceeds through the issuance of 12.9 million shares of common stock as part of the Company's at-the-market offering programs.

Business Updates

• Production schedule for Delta Class SpaceShips remains on track for commercial service in 2026.
• Contract executed with Redwire for the design and production of next-generation SpaceShip research payload lockers.
• SpaceShip Factory completes on-boarding of team and begins assembly of first SpaceShip in March 2025.
• Work advances on feasibility study with Italy's civil aviation authority for potential second spaceport.

Financial Guidance

The following forward-looking statements reflect our expectations for the first quarter of 2025 as of February 26, 2025 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.”

• Free cash flow for the first quarter of 2025 is expected to be in the range of $(115) million to $(125) million.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the Company's results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), the Company is also providing certain non-GAAP financial measures. A discussion regarding the use of non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of such measures to the most directly comparable GAAP information is presented later in this press release.

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 +1 800-715-9871 or +1 646-307-1963 and enter the conference ID number 9301433. 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-first spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. Scale and profitability are driven by next-generation vehicles capable of bringing humans to space at an unprecedented frequency with an industry-leading cost structure. You can find more information at https://www.virgingalactic.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our spaceflight systems, development, production and design of our Delta Class spaceships and proposed timeline for assembly and commercial service using such spaceships, our plans to advance design work on our next-generation SpaceShip launch vehicle, the acceleration of our next phase of growth, our plans to begin major parts delivery and assembly at our Phoenix-Mesa spaceship factory, our plans to work with Italy's civil aviation authority in connection with a potential second spaceport, and our objectives for future operations, growth plans and the Company’s financial forecasts, including first quarter 2025 expected free cash flow, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to any delay in future commercial flights of our spaceflight fleet, our ability to successfully develop and test our next generation vehicles, and the time and costs associated with doing so, our expected capital requirements and the availability of additional financing, and the other factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, 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, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results

VIRGIN GALACTIC HOLDINGS, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (In thousands, except per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
			2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenue		$	429			$	2,809			$	7,036			$	6,800
Operating expenses:
Spaceline operations			20,271				24,338				90,024				50,538
Research and development			28,237				53,848				152,678				295,140
Selling, general and administrative			29,703				30,844				125,496				174,864
Depreciation and amortization			4,171				3,646				15,467				13,369
Special charges			—				4,398				—				4,398
Total operating expenses			82,382				117,074				383,665				538,309
Operating loss			(81,953	)			(114,265	)			(376,629	)			(531,509	)
Interest income			8,573				13,644				42,352				42,234
Interest expense			(3,237	)			(3,224	)			(12,927	)			(12,872	)
Other income, net			59				99				538				263
Loss before income taxes			(76,558	)			(103,746	)			(346,666	)			(501,884	)
Income tax expense (benefit)			(145	)			238				74				453
Net loss			(76,413	)			(103,984	)			(346,740	)			(502,337	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(25	)			72				—				81
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities			(939	)			1,608				(93	)			7,616
Total comprehensive loss		$	(77,377	)		$	(102,304	)		$	(346,833	)		$	(494,640	)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted		$	(2.53	)		$	(5.20	)		$	(13.89	)		$	(29.79	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted			30,254				19,988				24,955				16,863

VIRGIN GALACTIC HOLDINGS, INC. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands)
		December 31,
			2024				2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	178,605			$	216,799
Restricted cash			32,280				36,793
Marketable securities, short-term			384,621				657,238
Other current assets			32,430				39,999
Total current assets			627,936				950,829
Marketable securities, long-term			61,280				71,596
Property, plant and equipment, net			209,114				93,806
Other non-current assets			62,895				63,286
Total assets		$	961,225			$	1,179,517
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	3,696			$	32,415
Customer deposits			84,493				97,841
Other current liabilities			61,821				55,404
Total current liabilities			150,010				185,660
Non-current liabilities:
Convertible senior notes, net			420,120				417,886
Other long-term liabilities			68,815				70,495
Total liabilities			638,945				674,041
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock			3				2
Additional paid-in capital			2,794,871				2,631,235
Accumulated deficit			(2,472,872	)			(2,126,132	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			278				371
Total stockholders' equity			322,280				505,476
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	961,225			$	1,179,517

VIRGIN GALACTIC HOLDINGS, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
			2024				2023				2024				2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(76,413	)		$	(103,984	)		$	(346,740	)		$	(502,337	)
Stock-based compensation			5,712				8,660				29,752				44,258
Depreciation and amortization			4,171				3,646				15,467				13,369
Amortization of debt issuance costs			565				548				2,234				2,166
Accretion of marketable securities purchased at a discount			(2,673	)			(7,077	)			(16,635	)			(15,085	)
Other non-cash items			827				1				1,457				1,509
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Other current and non-current assets			(3,058	)			2,262				10,566				16,555
Accounts payable			(3,839	)			(394	)			(29,203	)			8,625
Customer deposits			(1,647	)			(82	)			(13,348	)			(4,806	)
Other current and non-current liabilities			(4,680	)			1,111				(6,253	)			(12,447	)
Net cash used in operating activities			(81,035	)			(95,309	)			(352,703	)			(448,193	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures			(35,709	)			(18,368	)			(121,855	)			(44,309	)
Purchases of marketable securities			(16,073	)			(136,886	)			(543,434	)			(1,009,836	)
Proceeds from maturities and calls of marketable securities			110,982				235,526				840,335				937,872
Other investing activities			12				—				610				—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			59,212				80,272				175,656				(116,273	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of finance lease obligations			(44	)			(60	)			(193	)			(235	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			29,098				—				137,796				484,145
Withholding taxes paid on behalf of employees on net settled stock-based awards			(54	)			(239	)			(1,207	)			(3,240	)
Transaction costs related to issuance of common stock			(1,008	)			(133	)			(2,054	)			(5,239	)
Other financing activities			—				—				(2	)			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			27,992				(432	)			134,340				475,431
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			6,169				(15,469	)			(42,707	)			(89,035	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			204,716				269,061				253,592				342,627
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		$	210,885			$	253,592			$	210,885			$	253,592
Cash and cash equivalents		$	178,605			$	216,799			$	178,605			$	216,799
Restricted cash			32,280				36,793				32,280				36,793
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		$	210,885			$	253,592			$	210,885			$	253,592

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This press release references certain financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, including non-GAAP total operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. The Company defines non-GAAP total operating expenses as total operating expenses other than stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization and certain other items the Company believes are not indicative of its core operating performance. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and certain other items the Company believes are not indicative of its core operating performance. The Company defines free cash flow as net cash provided 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.

A reconciliation of total operating expenses to non-GAAP total operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, is set forth below (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended						Year Ended
		December 31,						December 31,
		2024			2023			2024			2023
Total operating expenses		$	82,382		$	117,074		$	383,665		$	538,309
Stock-based compensation			5,712			8,660			29,752			44,258
Depreciation and amortization			4,171			3,646			15,467			13,369
Special charges(1)			—			4,398			—			4,398
Non-GAAP total operating expenses		$	72,499		$	100,370		$	338,446		$	476,284

⁽¹⁾ Special charges includes severance and related benefit costs in connection with the Company's workforce reduction.

A reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, is set forth below (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
			2024				2023				2024				2023
Net loss		$	(76,413	)		$	(103,984	)		$	(346,740	)		$	(502,337	)
Interest expense			3,237				3,224				12,927				12,872
Income tax expense (benefit)			(145	)			238				74				453
Depreciation and amortization			4,171				3,646				15,467				13,369
Stock-based compensation			5,712				8,660				29,752				44,258
Special charges(1)			—				4,398				—				4,398
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(63,438	)		$	(83,818	)		$	(288,520	)		$	(426,987	)

⁽¹⁾ Special charges includes severance and related benefit costs in connection with the Company's workforce reduction.

The following table reconciles net cash used in operating activities to free cash flow for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
			2024				2023				2024				2023
Net cash used in operating activities		$	(81,035	)		$	(95,309	)		$	(352,703	)		$	(448,193	)
Capital expenditures			(35,709	)			(18,368	)			(121,855	)			(44,309	)
Free cash flow		$	(116,744	)		$	(113,677	)		$	(474,558	)		$	(492,502	)

The Company has not provided a reconciliation of forward-looking free cash flow to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures because such a reconciliation is not available without unreasonable efforts, due to the variability of these items and the fact that there is substantial uncertainty associated with predicting any future adjustments that we may make to our GAAP financial measures in calculating our non-GAAP financial measures.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250226106834/en/

For media inquiries:



Aleanna Crane - Vice President, Communications

news@virgingalactic.com

575.800.4422



For investor inquiries:



Eric Cerny - Vice President, Investor Relations

vg-ir@virgingalactic.com

949.774.7637

Source: Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

When will Virgin Galactic (SPCE) resume commercial spaceflights with Delta SpaceShip?

Virgin Galactic plans to resume commercial spaceflights with research payloads in summer 2026, followed by private astronaut flights in fall 2026.

What was Virgin Galactic's (SPCE) revenue and net loss for Q4 2024?

Q4 2024 revenue was $0.4 million with a net loss of $76 million, compared to revenue of $2.8 million and net loss of $104 million in Q4 2023.

How much cash does Virgin Galactic (SPCE) have as of December 2024?

Virgin Galactic had $657 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 2024.

How much capital did Virgin Galactic (SPCE) raise through stock issuance in 2024?

The company raised $138 million in gross proceeds through the issuance of 12.9 million shares of common stock via at-the-market offering programs.

What is Virgin Galactic's (SPCE) expected free cash flow for Q1 2025?

Virgin Galactic expects free cash flow for Q1 2025 to be between $(115) million to $(125) million.