Westell Reports Fiscal 2020 Fourth Quarter Results


AURORA, Ill., June 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSTL), a leading provider of high-performance network infrastructure solutions, today announced results for its fiscal 2020 fourth quarter ended March 31, 2020 (4Q20) and its fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 (FY20).  Management will host a conference call to discuss financial and business results tomorrow, Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 9:30 AM Eastern Time (details below).

“The fourth quarter was difficult, and our results were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  We saw a drop in our average daily orders during the quarter, likely due to customers affected by the stay-at-home orders and economic uncertainty.  We also experienced supply chain delays that pushed shipments into the following quarter,” said Westell’s President and CEO Tim Duitsman.

“Since Westell is a communications equipment provider and an essential business, we built and shipped product throughout the quarter.  We instituted many precautions to help our employees remain healthy and safe in this challenging environment.

“Increasing revenue is our highest priority and we are developing new in-building wireless, remote monitoring and rural broadband products to expand our market share in these growing markets,”  Duitsman added.

 4Q20
3 months
ended
03/31/20
3Q20
3 months
ended
12/31/19
+ increase /
- decrease
Revenue$6.2M$7.2M-$1.0M
Gross Margin32.8%38.8%-6.0%
Operating Expenses (1)$4.9M$4.4M$0.5M
Net Income (Loss) (1)($2.8M)($1.5M)-$1.3M
Earnings (Loss) Per Share (1)($0.18)($0.10)-$0.08
Non-GAAP Operating Expenses (2)$3.5M$3.7M-$0.2M
Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) (2)($1.3M)($0.9M)-$0.4M
Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share (2)($0.09)($0.05)-$0.04
Ending Cash$20.9M$22.0M-$1.1M

(1)  Includes a $1.0M non-cash accounting charge in the quarter ended March 31, 2020 for an impairment of an IBW intangible asset related to product licensing rights.
(2)  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 decrease was primarily due to lower sales of cellular repeaters and DAS conditioners, partly offset by increased sales of public safety products and passive RF system components.  IBW’s gross margin decrease was primarily due to a vendor purchase order cancellation fee and fixed costs allocated over lower revenue during the quarter.

($ in thousands)4Q20
3 months
ended
03/31/20
3Q20
3 months
ended
12/31/19
+ increase /
- decrease
IBW Segment Revenue$2,014$2,466($452)
IBW Segment Gross Margin20.8%32.8%-12.0%
IBW Segment R&D Expense$485$470$15
IBW Segment Profit (Loss)($66)$339($405)

Intelligent Site Management (ISM) Segment

ISM’s revenue decreased across all product lines, but the decline was due primarily to lower sales of remote units.  ISM’s gross margin increase was due to a more favorable mix, as higher margin support business made up a larger portion of the total revenue.

($ in thousands)4Q20
3 months
ended
03/31/20
3Q20
3 months
ended
12/31/19
+ increase /
- decrease
ISM Segment Revenue$1,904$2,456($552)
ISM Segment Gross Margin60.4%59.6%+0.8%
ISM Segment R&D Expense$412$505($93)
ISM Segment Profit$738$960($222)

Communication Network Solutions (CNS) Segment

CNS’s revenue increase was driven by higher sales of power distribution and network connectivity products. CNS’s gross margin decrease was primarily driven by increased consumable and period costs during the quarter.

($ in thousands)4Q20
3 months
ended
03/31/20
3Q20
3 months
ended
12/31/19
+ increase /
- decrease
CNS Segment Revenue$2,308$2,237$71
CNS Segment Gross Margin20.5%22.6%-2.1%
CNS Segment R&D Expense$222$247($25)
CNS Segment Profit$251$259($8)

Conference Call Information
Management will discuss financial and business results during the quarterly conference call on Thursday, June 18, 2020, at 9:30 AM Eastern Time.  Investors may quickly register online in advance of the call at https://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 June 18, 2020 by dialing 888-771-4350 no later than 9:15 AM Eastern Time and providing the operator confirmation number 49697163.

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: www.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
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 www.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), 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, the effects and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic or other pandemics, and other risks more fully described in the Company's SEC filings, including the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, 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.

Financial Tables to Follow:

 
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
      
  Three months ended Twelve months ended 
  March 31,
2020
(Unaudited)
 December 31,
2019
(Unaudited)
 March 31,
2019
(Unaudited)
 March 31,
2020
(Unaudited)
 March 31,
2019
(Audited)
 
Revenue $6,226  $7,159  $9,705  $29,956  $43,570  
Cost of revenue 4,184  4,379  6,059  20,309 (1)25,206 (1)
Gross profit 2,042  2,780  3,646  9,647  18,364  
Gross margin 32.8% 38.8% 37.6% 32.2% 42.1% 
Operating expenses:           
Research & development 1,119  1,222  1,779  5,346  6,790  
Sales & marketing 1,445  1,556  2,330  7,592  8,342  
General & administrative 1,051  1,093  2,027  4,757  6,699  
Intangibles amortization 309  308  783  1,233  3,435  
Restructuring   234 (2)  234 (2)  
Long-lived assets impairment 1,007 (3)  4,722 (4)1,007 (3)4,722 (4)
Total operating expenses 4,931  4,413  11,641  20,169  29,988  
Operating income (loss) (2,889) (1,633) (7,995) (10,522) (11,624) 
Other income (expense), net 58  109  184  456  626  
Income (loss) before income taxes (2,831) (1,524) (7,811) (10,066) (10,998) 
Income tax benefit (expense) (9) (20) (28) (36) (39) 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (2,840) (1,544) (7,839) (10,102) (11,037) 
Income from discontinued operations     (207)(5)  (345)(5)
Net income (loss) $(2,840) $(1,544) $(8,046) $(10,102) $(11,382) 
            
Net income (loss) per share:           
Basic net income (loss) $(0.18) $(0.10) $(0.52) $(0.65) $(0.73) 
Diluted net income (loss) $(0.18) $(0.10) $(0.52) $(0.65) $(0.73) 
            
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:           
Basic 15,579  15,575  15,342  15,530  15,517  
Diluted 15,579  15,575  15,342  15,530  15,517  

(1)  The Company recorded provisions for excess and obsolete inventory with a charge of $2.0 million and $0.6 million in fiscal year 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(2)  Restructuring expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, related to severance costs for terminated employees.
(3)  Non-cash impairment related to an IBW intangible asset related to product licensing rights incurred in the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
(4)  Non-cash impairment related to acquisition-related intangible assets associated with the IBW reporting unit incurred in the quarter ended March 31, 2019.
(5)  During the second and fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, 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.  In fiscal year 2020, the Company settled these matters by paying the $345,000 which was accrued as of March 31, 2019.

 
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands)
     
Assets: March 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
 March 31, 2019
(Audited)
Cash and cash equivalents $20,869  $25,457 
Accounts receivable, net  4,047   6,865 
Inventories  6,807   9,801 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  1,298   1,706 
Total current assets  33,021   43,829 
Property and equipment, net  1,076   1,298 
Intangible assets, net  2,728   3,278 
Right-of-use assets on operating leases  628    
Other non-current assets  73   492 
Total assets $37,526  $48,897 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:        
Accounts payable $1,065  $2,313 
Accrued expenses  3,136   3,567 
Deferred revenue  1,099   1,217 
Total current liabilities  5,300   7,097 
Deferred revenue non-current  221   444 
Other non-current liabilities  344   176 
Total liabilities  5,865   7,717 
Total stockholders’ equity  31,661   41,180 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $37,526  $48,897 
       


 
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Amounts in thousands)
      
  Three months
ended March 31,
 Twelve months ended March 31, 
Cash flows from operating activities: 2020
(Unaudited)
 2020
(Unaudited)
 2019
(Audited)
 
Net income (loss) $(2,840) $(10,102) $(11,382) 
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:       
Depreciation and amortization 474  1,900  4,026  
Intangible assets impairment 1,007  1,007  4,722  
Stock-based compensation 177  774  1,171  
Restructuring   234    
Loss (gain) on sale of fixed assets   (11) 2  
Exchange rate loss (gain) 14  12  2  
Changes in assets and liabilities:       
Accounts receivable 873  2,807  2,007  
Inventories 815  2,994  (579) 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (2,077) (1,745) 528  
Deferred revenue (262) (341) (646) 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 405  408  (890) 
Other asset 366  (209) 279  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (1,048) (2,272) (760) 
Cash flows from investing activities:       
Net purchases of short-term investments and debt securities     2,779  
Purchase of product licensing rights (1)   (1,950)   
Proceeds from sale of assets   11    
Purchases of property and equipment (72) (185) (290) 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (72) (2,124) 2,489  
Cash flows from financing activities:       
Purchases of treasury stock (1) (192) (1,233) 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (1) (192) (1,233) 
Gain (loss) of exchange rate changes on cash     (2) 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (1,121) (4,588) 494  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 21,990  25,457  24,963 (2)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $20,869  $20,869  $25,457  

(1)  During the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, the Company made payments of $700,000 and $950,000, respectively, for the purchase of product licensing rights. The remaining $0.3 million that is due is recorded in Accounts Payable as of March 31, 2020. The corresponding asset was recorded in intangible assets.
(2)  As of March 31, 2018, the Company had $2.8 million 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 March 31, 2020 Three months Ended December 31, 2019
  IBW ISM CNS Total IBW ISM CNS Total
Revenue $2,014  $1,904  $2,308  $6,226  $2,466  $2,456  $2,237  $7,159 
Gross profit 419  1,150  473  2,042  809  1,465  506  2,780 
Gross margin 20.8% 60.4% 20.5% 32.8% 32.8% 59.6% 22.6% 38.8%
R&D expense 485  412  222  1,119  470  505  247  1,222 
Segment profit $(66) $738  $251  $923  $339  $960  $259  $1,558 
                                 


Year-over-Year Quarter Comparison
     
  Three months ended March 31, 2020 Three months ended March 31, 2019
  IBW ISM CNS Total IBW ISM CNS Total
Revenue $2,014  $1,904  $2,308  $6,226  $2,477  $3,757  $3,471  $9,705 
Gross profit 419  1,150  473  2,042  779  1,771  1,096  3,646 
Gross margin 20.8% 60.4% 20.5% 32.8% 31.4% 47.1% 31.6% 37.6%
R&D expense 485  412  222  1,119  684  693  402  1,779 
Segment profit $(66) $738  $251  $923  $95  $1,078  $694  $1,867 
                                 


Full-Year Comparison
     
  Twelve months ended March 31, 2020 Twelve months ended March 31, 2019
  IBW ISM CNS Total IBW ISM CNS Total
Revenue $10,021  $10,101  $9,834  $29,956  $12,474  $17,263  $13,833  $43,570 
Gross profit 2,613  5,236  1,798  9,647  5,202  9,040  4,122  18,364 
Gross margin 26.1% 51.8% 18.3% 32.2% 41.7% 52.4% 29.8% 42.1%
R&D expense 1,757  2,237  1,352  5,346  2,755  2,390  1,645  6,790 
Segment profit $856  $2,999  $446  $4,301  $2,447  $6,650  $2,477  $11,574 
                                 


 
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
     
  Three months ended Twelve months ended
  March 31, December 31, March 31, March 31, March 31,
  2020 2019 2019 2020 2019
GAAP consolidated operating expenses $4,931  $4,413  $11,641  $20,169  $29,988 
Adjustments:          
Stock-based compensation (1) (158) (132) (270) (705) (1,124)
Amortization of intangibles (2) (309) (308) (783) (1,233) (3,435)
Intangible assets impairment (3) (1,007)   (4,722) (1,007) (4,722)
Restructuring, separation, and transition (4)   (234)   (234)  
Total adjustments (1,474) (674) (5,775) (3,179) (9,281)
Non-GAAP consolidated operating expenses $3,457  $3,739  $5,866  $16,990  $20,707 


  Three months ended Twelve months ended
  March 31, December 31, March 31, March 31, March 31,
  2020 2019 2019 2020 2019
GAAP consolidated net income (loss) $(2,840) $(1,544) $(8,046) $(10,102) $(11,382)
Less:          
Income tax benefit (expense) (9) (20) (28) (36) (39)
Other income (expense), net 58  109  184  456  626 
Discontinued operations (5)     (207)   (345)
GAAP consolidated operating profit (loss) $(2,889) $(1,633) $(7,995) $(10,522) $(11,624)
Adjustments:          
Stock-based compensation (2) 177  152  282  774  1,171 
Amortization of intangibles (3) 309  308  783  1,233  3,435 
Intangible assets impairment (3) 1,007    4,722  1,007  4,722 
Restructuring, separation, and transition (4)   234    234   
Total adjustments 1,493  694  5,787  3,248  9,328 
Non-GAAP consolidated operating profit (loss) $(1,396) $(939) $(2,208) $(7,274) $(2,296)
Amortization of product licensing rights (6) 97  98    260   
Depreciation 68  78  151  407  591 
Non-GAAP consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (7) $(1,231) $(763) $(2,057) $(6,607) $(1,705)


  Three months ended Twelve months ended
  March 31, December 31, March 31, March 31, March 31,
  2020 2019 2019 2020 2019
GAAP consolidated net income (loss) $(2,840) $(1,544) $(8,046) $(10,102) $(11,382)
Adjustments:          
Stock-based compensation (1) 177  152  282  774  1,171 
Amortization of intangibles (2) 309  308  783  1,233  3,435 
Intangible assets impairment (3) 1,007    4,722  1,007  4,722 
Restructuring, separation, and transition (4)   234    234   
Discontinued operations (5)     207    345 
Total adjustments 1,493  694  5,994  3,248  9,673 
Non-GAAP consolidated net income (loss) $(1,347) $(850) $(2,052) $(6,854) $(1,709)
GAAP consolidated net income (loss) per common share:          
Diluted $(0.18) $(0.10) $(0.52) $(0.65) $(0.73)
Non-GAAP consolidated net income (loss) per common share:          
Diluted $(0.09) $(0.05) $(0.13) $(0.44) $(0.11)
Average number of common shares outstanding:          
Diluted 15,579  15,575  15,342  15,530  15,517 
                

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)  Non-cash impairment related to an IBW intangible asset related to product licensing rights incurred in the quarter ended March 31, 2020.  Non-cash impairment related to acquisition-related intangible assets associated with the IBW reporting unit incurred in the quarter ended March 31, 2019.
(4)  Restructuring expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, related to severance costs for terminated employees.
(5)  During the second and fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, 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.  In fiscal year 2020, the Company settled these matters by paying the $345,000 which was accrued as of March 31, 2019. 
(6)  Amortization of the acquired product licensing rights are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA, but included in the Non-GAAP consolidated net income (loss), because the amortization is related to the ongoing operation of the business in the ordinary course.
(7)  EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that represents Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization.  The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA.

For additional information, contact:

Tim Duitsman
Chief Executive Officer
Westell Technologies, Inc.
+1 (630) 898-2500
tduitsman@westell.com