Westell Reports Fiscal 2019 Second Quarter Results


AURORA, Ill., Oct. 31, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSTL), a leading provider of high-performance network infrastructure solutions, announced results for its fiscal 2019 second quarter ended September 30, 2018 (2Q19).  Management will host a conference call to discuss 2Q19 results and plans for future growth tomorrow, Thursday, November 1, 2018, at 9:30 AM Eastern Time (details below).

Revenue was $10.1 million and comprised $3.6 million from the In-Building Wireless (IBW) segment, $2.6 million from the Intelligent Site Management (ISM) segment, and $3.8 million from the Communication Network Solutions (CNS) segment.  Cash and short-term investments grew to $28.5 million at September 30, 2018, up from $25.8 million at June 30, 2018, driven by improved working capital, partly offset by an operating loss and share repurchases.

“We grew cash significantly and continued to exceed our gross margin target of 40% or greater.  While 2Q19 sequential IBW and CNS segment revenues were up slightly, overall results were affected by lower ISM revenue from one of our larger customers,” said Stephen John, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “We continue to aggressively pursue growth opportunities through organic initiatives, partnerships, and acquisitions.  In 2Q19, we received initial customer orders and recognized our first revenue for the fiber access solutions we began developing in April of this year.  In addition, our recently announced small cell product agreement positions us to expand in the market for private LTE networks using the emerging OnGo spectrum.”

    
 2Q19
3 months ended
9/30/18
1Q19
3 months ended
6/30/18
+ increase /
- decrease
Revenue$10.1M$13.0M-$2.9M
Gross Margin41.5%45.5%-4.0%
Operating Margin-17.4%-1.2%-16.2%
Net Income (Loss)($1.7M)($0.0M)-$1.7M
Earnings (Loss) Per Share($0.11)($0.00)-$0.11
Non-GAAP Operating Margin (1)-6.2%+8.6%-14.8%
Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) (1)($0.5M)$1.2M-$1.7M
Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share (1)($0.03)$0.08-$0.11
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA (1)($0.5M)$1.3M-$1.8M
Ending Cash and ST Investments$28.5M$25.8M+$2.7M
(1)  Please refer to the schedule at the end of this press release for a complete GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation and other information related to non-GAAP financial measures.
 

In-Building Wireless (IBW) Segment

IBW’s revenue was up slightly in 2Q19 when compared to 1Q19, driven primarily by higher sales of DAS conditioners and passive system components, partly offset by lower repeater revenue.  IBW’s segment profit decrease was due primarily to the increased R&D expense associated with the OnGo small cell development.

    
($ in thousands)2Q19
3 months ended
9/30/18
1Q19
3 months ended
/30/18
+ increase /
- decrease
IBW Segment Revenue$3,646$3,557+$89
IBW Segment Gross Margin46.4%46.7%-0.3%
IBW Segment R&D Expense$867$522+$345
IBW Segment Profit$825$1,140-$315
    

Intelligent Site Management (ISM) Segment

ISM’s revenue decrease was due primarily to lower product revenue as one major domestic customer spent significantly less on remote monitoring than in previous quarters, partly offset by increased support services revenue.  ISM’s segment profit decrease was due to the lower revenue.

    
($ in thousands)2Q19
3 months ended
9/30/18
1Q19
3 months ended
6/30/18
+ increase /
- decrease
ISM Segment Revenue$2,646$5,744-$3,098
ISM Segment Gross Margin53.7%51.3%+2.4%
ISM Segment R&D Expense$558$569-$11
ISM Segment Profit$864$2,379-$1,515
    

Communication Network Solutions (CNS) Segment

CNS’s revenue increase was driven primarily by higher sales of integrated cabinets.  CNS’s segment profit decrease was due primarily to a lower gross margin due to the revenue mix and slightly higher R&D expense related to product development activities for the fiber access solutions.

    
($ in thousands)2Q19
3 months ended
9/30/18
1Q19
3 months ended
6/30/18
+ increase /
- decrease
CNS Segment Revenue$3,814$3,736+$78
CNS Segment Gross Margin28.3%35.5%-7.2%
CNS Segment R&D Expense$418$341+$77
CNS Segment Profit$661$984-$323
    

Conference Call Information
Management will discuss financial and business results and plans for future growth during the quarterly conference call on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at 9:30 AM Eastern Time.  Investors may quickly register online in advance of the call at www.conferenceplus.com/Westell.  After registering, participants receive dial-in numbers, a passcode and a registration ID that is used to uniquely identify their presence and automatically join them into the audio conference.  A participant may also register by telephone on November 1, 2018, by calling (877) 875-0056 no later than 8:15 AM Central Time (9:15 AM Eastern Time) and providing the operator confirmation number 47737770.

This news release and related information that may be discussed on the conference call will be posted on the Investor Relations section of Westell's website: http://ir.westell.com.  A digital recording of the entire conference will be available for replay on Westell's website by approximately 12:00 PM Eastern Time following the conclusion of the conference.

About Westell Technologies
Westell is a leading provider of high-performance network infrastructure solutions focused on innovation and differentiation at the edge of communication networks where end users connect.  The Company's portfolio of products and solutions enable service providers and network operators to improve performance and reduce operating expenses.  With millions of products successfully deployed worldwide, Westell is a trusted partner for transforming networks into high-quality reliable systems. For more information, please visit westell.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements contained herein that are not historical facts or that contain the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “plan,” “should,” or derivatives thereof and other words of similar meaning are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, product demand and market acceptance risks, customer spending patterns, need for financing and capital, economic weakness in the United States (“U.S.”) economy and telecommunications market, the effect of international economic conditions and trade, legal, social and economic risks (such as import, licensing and trade restrictions, and the imposition of new, or changes in existing duties and tariffs), the impact of competitive products or technologies, competitive pricing pressures, customer product selection decisions, product cost increases, component supply shortages, new product development, excess and obsolete inventory, commercialization and technological delays or difficulties (including delays or difficulties in developing, producing, testing and selling new products and technologies), the ability to successfully consolidate and rationalize operations, the ability to successfully identify, acquire and integrate acquisitions, the effect of the Company's accounting policies, retention of key personnel and other risks more fully described in the Company's SEC filings, including the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, under Item 1A - Risk Factors.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

      
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
      
  Three months ended Six months ended 
  September 30, June 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, 
  2018 2018 2017 2018 2017 
Revenue $10,106  $13,037  $17,232  $23,143  $33,806  
Cost of revenue 5,913  7,102  9,957  13,015  19,764  
Gross profit 4,193  5,935  7,275  10,128  14,042  
Gross margin 41.5% 45.5% 42.2% 43.8% 41.5% 
Operating expenses:           
R&D 1,843  1,432  2,205  3,275  4,481  
Sales and marketing 1,876  2,137  1,992  4,013  4,328  
General and administrative 1,400  1,534  1,809  2,934  3,520  
Intangible amortization 832  990  1,048  1,822  2,095  
Restructuring     165 (1)  165 (1)
Total operating expenses 5,951  6,093  7,219  12,044  14,589  
Operating profit (loss) (1,758) (158) 56  (1,916) (547) 
Other income, net 165  119  677 (2)284  720 (2)
Income (loss) before income taxes (1,593) (39) 733  (1,632) 173  
Income tax benefit (expense) (10)   (13) (10) (25) 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (1,603) (39) 720  (1,642) 148  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (3) (138)     (138)   
Net income (loss) $(1,741) $(39) $720  $(1,780) $148  
            
Basic net income (loss) per share:           
Basic net income (loss) $(0.11) $  $0.05  $(0.11) $0.01  
Diluted net income (loss) $(0.11) $  $0.05  $(0.11) $0.01  
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:           
Basic 15,583  15,632  15,461  15,602  15,471  
Diluted 15,583  15,632  15,672  15,602  15,638  

(1) During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded restructuring expense related to severance costs for terminated employees.
(2) During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company dissolved the NoranTel legal entity which triggered a one-time $0.6 million foreign currency gain with the reversal of the cumulative translation adjustment.
(3)  During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded indemnification expense related to probable loss contingencies associated with a major customer contract related to a business which was previously sold and therefore is presented as discontinued operations.

     
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Amounts in thousands)
     
  September 30, 2018
(Unaudited)
 March 31, 2018
Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $28,471  $24,963 
Short-term investments   2,779 
Accounts receivable, net 6,957  8,872 
Inventories 10,370  9,222 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,131  816 
Total current assets 46,929  46,652 
Land, property and equipment, net 1,463  1,601 
Intangible assets, net 9,613  11,435 
Tax receivable, non-current 697  697 
Other non-current assets 73  74 
Total assets $58,775  $60,459 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity    
Accounts payable $2,822  $1,903 
Accrued expenses 3,235  3,328 
Accrued restructuring   63 
Deferred revenue 1,095  1,790 
Total current liabilities 7,152  7,084 
Deferred revenue non-current 557  846 
Other non-current liabilities 241  234 
Total liabilities 7,950  8,164 
Total stockholders’ equity 50,825  52,295 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $58,775  $60,459 
         


      
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
      
  Three months
ended
September 30,
 Six months
 ended
September 30,
 
  2018 2018 2017 
Cash flows from operating activities:   
Net income (loss) $(1,741) $(1,780) $148  
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:       
Depreciation and amortization 971  2,113  2,526  
Stock-based compensation 295  586  672  
Loss on sale of fixed assets 1  1  8  
Restructuring     165  
Gain on disposal of foreign operations     (608)(1)
Exchange rate loss (gain) (9) 1  (6) 
Changes in assets and liabilities:       
Accounts receivable 3,619  1,914  1,025  
Inventory (643) (1,148) 2,528  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 746  770  (2,306) 
Deferred revenue (463) (655)(2)(1,477) 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 152  (315) 375  
Other assets 1  1  73  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 2,929  1,488  3,123  
Cash flows from investing activities:       
Net maturity (purchase) of short-term investments 1,346  2,779  (5,011) 
Purchases of property and equipment, net (103) (153) (254) 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 1,243  2,626  (5,265) 
Cash flows from financing activities:       
Purchase of treasury stock (200) (605) (456) 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (200) (605) (456) 
Gain (loss) of exchange rate changes on cash 2  (1) 20  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,974  3,508  (2,578) 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 24,497 (3)24,963 (3)21,778  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $28,471  $28,471  $19,200 (3)

(1)  During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company dissolved the NoranTel legal entity which triggered a one-time $0.6 million foreign currency gain with the reversal of the cumulative translation adjustment.
(2)  Includes the cumulative effect adjustment of the ASC 606 adoption.
(3) As of June 30, 2018, March 31, 2018, and September 30, 2017, the Company had $1.3 million, $2.8 million and $5.0 million, respectively, of short-term investments in addition to cash and cash equivalents.

     
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Segment Statement of Operations
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
     
Sequential Quarter Comparison
     
  Three months ended September 30, 2018 Three months ended June 30, 2018
  IBW ISM CNS Total IBW ISM CNS Total
Total revenue $3,646  $2,646  $3,814  $10,106  $3,557  $5,744  $3,736  $13,037 
Gross profit 1,692  1,422  1,079  4,193  1,662  2,948  1,325  5,935 
Gross margin 46.4% 53.7% 28.3% 41.5% 46.7% 51.3% 35.5% 45.5%
R&D expenses 867  558  418  1,843  522  569  341  1,432 
Segment profit $825  $864  $661  $2,350  $1,140  $2,379  $984  $4,503 
                                 


     
Year-over-Year Quarter Comparison
     
  Three months ended September 30, 2018 Three months ended September 30, 2017
  IBW ISM CNS Total IBW ISM CNS Total
Total revenue $3,646  $2,646  $3,814  $10,106  $7,919  $4,730  $4,583  $17,232 
Gross profit 1,692  1,422  1,079  4,193  3,650  2,219  1,406  7,275 
Gross margin 46.4% 53.7% 28.3% 41.5% 46.1% 46.9% 30.7% 42.2%
R&D expenses 867  558  418  1,843  1,443  523  239  2,205 
Segment profit $825  $864  $661  $2,350  $2,207  $1,696  $1,167  $5,070 
                                 


     
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
     
  Three months ended Six months ended
  September 30, June 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
  2018 2018 2017 2018 2017
GAAP consolidated operating expenses $5,951  $6,093  $7,219  $12,044  $14,589 
Adjustments:          
Stock-based compensation (1) (284) (279) (345) (563) (650)
Amortization of intangibles (2) (832) (990) (1,048) (1,822) (2,095)
Restructuring, separation, and transition (3)     (165)   (165)
Total adjustments (1,116) (1,269) (1,558) (2,385) (2,910)
Non-GAAP consolidated operating expenses $4,835  $4,824  $5,661  $9,659  $11,679 
                     


     
  Three months ended Six months ended
  September 30, June 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
  2018 2018 2017 2018 2017
GAAP consolidated net income (loss) $(1,741) $(39) $720  $(1,780) $148 
Less:          
Income tax benefit (expense) (10)   (13) (10) (25)
Other income, net 165  119  677  284  720 
Discontinued operations (4) (138) $  $  (138) $ 
GAAP consolidated operating profit (loss) $(1,758) $(158) $56  $(1,916) $(547)
Adjustments:          
Stock-based compensation (1) 295  291  342  586  672 
Amortization of intangibles (2) 832  990  1,048  1,822  2,095 
Restructuring, separation, and transition (3)     165    165 
Total adjustments 1,127  1,281  1,555  2,408  2,932 
Non-GAAP consolidated operating profit (loss) $(631) $1,123  $1,611  $492  $2,385 
Depreciation 139  152  201  291  431 
Non-GAAP consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (5) $(492) $1,275  $1,812  $783  $2,816 
                     


     
  Three months ended Six months ended
  September 30, June 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
  2018 2018 2017 2018 2017
GAAP consolidated net income (loss) $(1,741) $(39) $720  $(1,780) $148 
Adjustments:          
Stock-based compensation (1) 295  291  342  586  672 
Amortization of intangibles (2) 832  990  1,048  1,822  2,095 
Restructuring, separation, and 
transition (3)
     165    165 
Discontinued operations (4) 138      138   
Foreign currency translation adjustment (6)     (608)   (608)
Total adjustments 1,265  1,281  947  2,546  2,324 
Non-GAAP consolidated net income (loss) $(476) $1,242  $1,667  $766  $2,472 
GAAP consolidated net income (loss) per common share:          
Diluted $(0.11) $  $0.05  $(0.11) $0.01 
Non-GAAP consolidated net income (loss) per common share:          
Diluted $(0.03) $0.08  $0.11  $0.05  $0.16 
Average number of common shares outstanding:          
Diluted 15,583  15,748  15,672  15,713  15,638 

The Company conforms to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the preparation of its financial statements.  The schedules above reconcile the Company's non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.  The adjustments share one or more of the following characteristics: they are unusual and the Company does not expect them to recur in the ordinary course of its business; they do not involve the expenditure of cash; they are unrelated to the ongoing operation of the business in the ordinary course; or their magnitude and timing is largely outside of the Company's control.  Management believes that the non-GAAP financial information provides meaningful supplemental information to investors.  Management also believes the non-GAAP financial information reflects the Company's core ongoing operating performance and facilitates comparisons across reporting periods.  The Company uses these non-GAAP measures when evaluating its financial results.  Non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as a substitute for the Company's GAAP results.

Footnotes:

(1)  Stock-based compensation is a non-cash expense incurred in accordance with share-based compensation accounting standards.
(2)  Amortization of intangibles is a non-cash expense arising from previously acquired intangible assets.
(3)   Restructuring, separation, and transition expenses are not directly related to the ongoing performance of our fundamental business operations.
(4)  During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded indemnification expense related to probable loss contingencies associated with a major customer contract related to a business which was previously sold and therefore is presented as discontinued operations.
(5)  EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that represents Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization.  The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA.
(6)  Non-recurring foreign currency translation gain related to the wind-up of the NoranTel legal entity during the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

For additional information, contact:

Tom Minichiello
Chief Financial Officer
Westell Technologies, Inc.
+1 (630) 375 4740
tminichiello@westell.com