Quarterhill Announces First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

OTTAWA, May 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Quarterhill Inc. ("Quarterhill" or the "Company") (TSX: QTRH) (NASDAQ: QTRH), announces its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018. All financial information in this press release is reported in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

First quarter 2018 Highlights

  • Revenue of $12.0 million

  • Recurring revenues of $4.2 million, representing 35% of total revenue

  • Adjusted EBITDA* of ($7.3) million

  • Net loss of $12.0 million, or $0.10 per common share

  • Hired Russ Stuebing as SVP, Corporate Development, and Neil Urquhart as SVP, Human Resources, to enhance acquisition capabilities

"Financial results in Q1 reflect the variability inherent with WiLAN, our patent license business, and point to the rationale for launching our diversification strategy in 2017," said Doug Parker, President and CEO of Quarterhill. "While we know the variability can also help this business, as it did in Q3 of last year, as we've stated in the past, WiLAN's performance is best judged over a longer period of time as opposed to quarter-to-quarter, and this was true once again in Q1. WiLAN has an active pipeline of license opportunities with a significant number of ongoing litigations, including multiple at the trial stage, but we will continue to be patient in our negotiations and will only settle when we believe we are being offered fair value for our patents."

"With IRD and VIZIYA, the first quarter of the calendar year is typically a seasonally slower period for both businesses and this was reflected in our Q1 results. In each case, we had a number of new wins in the quarter, saw continued expansion in both of their respective sales pipelines and we expect improvement as the year progresses with the results from both companies."

"Our broader vision for Quarterhill is to create substantial value by acquiring, integrating and building companies in the tech sector where we believe we can capitalize on permanent consolidation and convergence trends. We believe there is an established playbook for the type of software-focused M&A strategy we are pursuing that if well executed has been shown to deliver attractive returns to shareholders. Our priorities for 2018 include enhancing performance from our existing portfolio of companies as well as deploying capital on acquisitions. With a growing M&A pipeline and the recent addition of senior resources to our deal team, we expect to invest capital in 2018 but will remain patient and disciplined in our approach and focus only on those acquisition opportunities that meet our strict criteria."

Approval of Eligible Dividend

The Board of Directors has declared an eligible quarterly dividend of CDN $0.0125 per common share payable on July 6, 2018, to shareholders of record on June 15, 2018.

Business Strategy and Segments

Our acquisition strategy focuses primarily on financial metrics while remaining cognizant of broader technology and market trends as we build a portfolio of businesses that are characterized as having recurring revenue, free cash flow and profitable growth potential. Driven by the execution of a proven and disciplined acquisition strategy, we seek to enable shareholders to benefit from consolidation and convergence trends in today's technology industry. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had investments in three segments: Technology (WiLAN); Mobility (IRD); and Factory (VIZIYA).

Q1 Fiscal 2018 Consolidated Financial Review

Quarterhill's consolidated financial results for Q1 fiscal 2018 include a full contribution from Wi‑LAN Inc. ("WiLAN"), International Road Dynamics Inc. ("IRD") and VIZIYA Corp ("VIZIYA"). The 2017 comparative period information presented represents solely WiLAN's results for the specified period. Certain comparative information has been restated to conform to the new basis of presentation.

Consolidated revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $12.0 million, compared to $7.6 million, representing growth of 58% over the same period last year. The year-over-year increase was due to the Company's diversification strategy and the inclusion of the operations of IRD and VIZIYA, which were acquired in Q2 2017.

Gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $0.3 million, or 2.5%, compared to $0.2 million, or 2.6%, in the same period last year. In Q1 2018, positive gross margin from IRD and VIZIYA was mostly offset by negative gross margin at WiLAN.

Operating expenses include selling, general and administrative costs, research and development costs, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets. Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $15.1 million, compared to $7.8 million in the same period last year. Operating expenses increased quarter-over-quarter due to the addition of the IRD and VIZIYA operations.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was ($7.3) million compared to ($2.2) million in the same period last year. The year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA loss is primarily due to lower revenue from WiLAN and an Adjusted EBITDA loss in the operations of IRD resulting from lower project specific revenues. The operations of IRD are seasonal and the first quarter is generally the weakest quarter within a year. VIZIYA generated positive Adjusted EB ITDA of $0.7 million in the quarter representing a margin of 25%.

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was ($12.0) million, or ($0.10) per basic and diluted Common Share, compared to net loss of ($7.2) million, or ($0.06) per basic and diluted Common Share, in the same period last year. Net loss in Q1 2018 increased compared to the same period last year primarily due to lower quarter-over-quarter revenue from WiLAN and a net loss from IRD.

Cash generated from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was ($6.5) million, compared to $8.4 million in the same period last year. The difference in cash from operations was primarily impacted by the timing of collections for certain receivables in Q1 2017, which led to a significant change in non-cash working capital balances quarter-over-quarter. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments amounted to $75.1 million at March 31, 2018, compared to $86.6 million at December 31, 2017.

The table below highlights financial performance for the Company's Technology, Mobility and Factory segments. For detailed results and discussion related to these segments, please refer to the Management's Discussion and Analysis document, which will be filed on SEDAR and at www.quarterhill.com in the investor section.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018

 

Technology

Mobility

Factory

Corporate

Total

Revenues

$

1,767

$

7,412

$

2,830

$

-

$

12,009

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)

 

5,905

 

5,498

 

331

 

-

 

11,734

   

(4,138)

 

1,914

 

2,499

 

-

 

275

Selling, general and administrative

 

631

 

2,573

 

1,569

 

2,280

 

7,053

Research and development

 

-

 

549

 

390

 

-

 

939

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

 

75

 

290

 

29

 

1

 

395

Amortization of intangibles

 

5,002

 

992

 

757

 

-

 

6,751

Results from operations

 

(9,846)

 

(2,490)

 

(246)

 

(2,281)

 

(14,863)

Finance income

 

-

 

(1)

 

-

 

(190)

 

(191)

Finance expense

 

-

 

36

 

3

 

-

 

39

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

 

300

 

(148)

 

(9)

 

(273)

 

(130)

Other expense (income)

 

-

 

(250)

 

(77)

 

-

 

(327)

Income (loss) before taxes

 

(10,146)

 

(2,127)

 

(163)

 

(1,818)

 

(14,254)

Current income tax expense (recovery)

 

104

 

9

 

(434)

 

-

 

(321)

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

 

(1,403)

 

(568)

 

(238)

 

321

 

(1,888)

Income tax expense (recovery)

 

(1,299)

 

(559)

 

(672)

 

321

 

(2,209)

Net income (loss)

$

(8,847)

$

(1,568)

$

509

$

(2,139)

$

(12,045)

                     

Adjusted EBITDA

 

(4,763)

 

(1,037)

 

667

 

(2,204)

 

(7,337)

                     

Other reconciling items:

                   

Effect of deleted deferred revenue

 

-

 

97

 

127

 

-

 

224

Stock-based compensation

 

6

 

74

 

-

 

76

 

156

 

   

For the three
months ended
March 31,
2017

   

Technology

Revenues

 

$

7,578

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)

   

7,394

     

184

Selling, general and administrative

   

2,402

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

   

91

Amortization of intangibles

   

5,303

Results from operations

   

(7,612)

Finance income

   

(218)

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

   

(285)

Income (loss) before taxes

   

(7,109)

Current income tax expense (recovery)

   

743

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

   

(623)

Income tax expense (recovery)

   

120

Net loss

 

$

(7,229)

       

Adjusted EBITDA

   

(2,187)

       

Other reconciling items:

     

Stock-based compensation

   

31

 

Conference Call and Webcast
Quarterhill will host a conference call to discuss its financial results today at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.

 

Webcast Information  
The live audio webcast will be available at: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/1665412/0B32B4E32C27AB7B8AD1FA1DE90AED24

 

Dial-in Information 

  • To access the call from Canada and U.S., dial 1.888.231.8191 (Toll Free)

  • To access the call from other locations, dial 1.647.427.7450 (International)

 

Replay Information  
Webcast replay will be available for 90 days at: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/1665412/0B32B4E32C27AB7B8AD1FA1DE90AED24

 

Telephone replay will be available from 1:00 PM ET on May 10, 2018 until 11:59 PM ET on May 17, 2018 at: 1.855.859.2056 (Toll Free) or 1.416.849.0833 (International). The telephone replay requires the passcode 3867547.

 

Non-GAAP Disclosure*

Quarterhill follows U.S. GAAP in preparing its interim and annual financial statements. We use the term "Adjusted EBITDA" to mean net income from continuing operations before: (i) income taxes; (ii) finance expense or income; (iii) amortization and impairment of intangibles; (iv) special charges and other one-time items; (v) depreciation of property, plant and equipment; (vi) effects of deleted deferred revenue; (vii) the effects of fair value step up in inventory acquired; (viii) stock based compensation; (ix) foreign exchange (gain) loss; and * equity in earnings and dividends from joint ventures. Adjusted EBITDA is used by Quarterhill management to assess our normalized cash generated on a consolidated basis and in our operating segments. Adjusted EBITDA is also a performance measure that may be used by investors to analyze the cash generated by Quarterhill and our operating segments. ADJUSTED EBITDA IS NOT A MEASURE OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE UNDER U.S. GAAP. IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY STANDARDIZED MEANING PRESCRIBED BY U.S. GAAP AND IS THEREFORE UNLIKELY TO BE COMPARABLE TO SIMILARLY TITLED MEASURES USED BY OTHER COMPANIES. ADJUSTED EBITDA SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO NET EARNINGS AND CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS AS DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH U.S. GAAP OR AS A MEASURE OF LIQUIDITY.

About Quarterhill

Quarterhill is focused on the disciplined acquisition, management and growth of companies in dedicated technology areas including, vertical market software and solutions, intelligent industrial systems, and innovation and licensing. Quarterhill's emphasis is on seeking out acquisition opportunities at reasonable valuations that provide a foundation for recurring revenues, predictable cash flows and margins, profitable growth, intimate customer relationships and dedicated management teams. Quarterhill is listed on the TSX and NASDAQ under the symbol QTRH. For more information: www.quarterhill.com.

Forward-looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other United States and Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information 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. Many factors could cause Quarterhill's actual performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation, the risks described in Quarterhill's March 1, 2018 annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2017 (the "AIF"). Copies of the AIF may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov. 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 or forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

All trademarks and brands mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners.

Quarterhill Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per share amounts)

           
 

For the three months ended,

 

March 31, 2018

 

March 31, 2017

Revenues

$

12,009

 

$

7,578

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)

 

11,734

   

7,394

   

275

   

184

Operating expenses

         

Selling, general and administrative

 

7,053

   

2,402

Research and development

 

939

   

-

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

 

395

   

91

Amortization of intangibles

 

6,751

   

5,303

   

15,138

   

7,796

Results from operations

 

(14,863)

   

(7,612)

           

Finance income

 

(191)

   

(218)

Finance expense

 

39

   

-

Foreign exchange loss

 

(130)

   

(285)

Other income

 

(327)

   

-

Loss before taxes

 

(14,254)

   

(7,109)

           

Current income tax expense (recovery)

 

(321)

   

743

Deferred income tax recovery

 

(1,888)

   

(623)

Income tax expense (recovery)

 

(2,209)

   

120

Net loss

$

(12,045)

 

$

(7,229)

           

Net loss per share

         
 

  Basic and fully diluted                                             

$

(0.10)

 

$

(0.06)

           

Weighted average number of common shares

         
 

  Basic

 

118,658,249

   

118,572,181

 

  Fully diluted

 

118,658,249

   

118,572,181

 

Quarterhill Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Operations Information

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of United States dollars)

           
 

For the three months ended,

 

March 31, 2018

 

March 31, 2017

Revenues

         
 

License

$

2,493

 

$

6,991

 

Systems

 

4,693

   

-

 

Services

 

653

   

-

 

Recurring                                                                         

 

4,170

   

587

Total revenues

$

12,009

 

$

7,578

           

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)

         
 

License

$

5,931

 

$

7,394

 

Systems

 

3,466

   

-

 

Services

 

305

   

-

 

Recurring

 

2,032

   

-

Total cost of revenues

$

11,734

 

$

7,394

 

Quarterhill Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of United States dollars)

 

For the three months ended,

 

March 31, 2018

 

March 31, 2017

 Net loss

$

(12,045)

 

$

(7,229)

           

 Other comprehensive income (loss):

         
 

 Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(790)

   

-

Comprehensive loss

$

(12,835)

 

$

(7,229)

           

 

Quarterhill Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of United States dollars)

           

As at

March 31, 2018

 

December 31, 2017

Current assets

         
 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

70,419

 

$

81,818

 

Short-term investments

 

1,202

   

1,236

 

Restricted Short-term investments

 

3,500

   

3,500

 

Accounts receivable

 

15,305

   

19,298

 

Other current assets

 

12

   

13

 

Unbilled revenue

 

7,154

   

3,045

 

Income taxes receivable

 

150

   

144

 

Inventories

 

5,265

   

5,083

 

Prepaid expenses and deposits

 

3,683

   

4,129

   

106,690

   

118,266

Non-current assets

         
 

Property, plant and equipment

 

3,467

   

3,801

 

Intangible assets

 

107,705

   

114,944

 

Investment in joint venture

 

3,902

   

3,383

 

Deferred income tax assets

 

23,611

   

20,195

 

Goodwill

 

42,133

   

42,587

TOTAL ASSETS

$

287,508

 

$

303,176

           

Liabilities

         

Current liabilities

         
 

Bank indebtedness

$

1,511

 

$

3,568

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

14,683

   

20,487

 

Income taxes payable

 

12

   

599

 

Patent finance obligation

 

2,742

   

4,090

 

Current portion of deferred revenue

 

7,549

   

6,733

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

120

   

115

   

26,617

   

35,592

Non-current liabilities

         
 

Contingent consideration

 

4,474

   

4,474

 

Deferred revenue

 

851

   

884

 

Long-term debt

 

381

   

401

 

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

7,280

   

7,291

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

39,603

   

48,642

Shareholders' equity

         
 

Capital stock

 

418,873

   

418,873

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

22,645

   

22,489

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

19,321

   

20,111

 

Deficit

 

(212,934)

   

(206,939)

   

247,905

   

254,534

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

287,508

 

$

303,176

 

Quarterhill Inc.

 Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of United States dollars)

           
 

For the three months ended,

 

March 31, 2018

 

March 31, 2017

Cash generated from (used in):

         

Operations

         

Net loss

$

(12,045)

 

$

(7,229)

 

Non-cash items

         
   

Stock-based compensation

 

156

   

31

   

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,146

   

5,394

   

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

 

78

   

(47)

   

Equity in earnings from joint venture

 

(250)

   

-

   

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

 

1

   

-

   

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

 

(1,888)

   

(623)

   

Accrued investment income

 

-

   

(76)

   

Embedded derivatives

 

2

   

-

 

Changes in non-cash working capital balances

 

261

   

10,929

Cash generated from (used in) operations

 

(6,539)

   

8,379

Financing

         
 

Dividends paid

 

(1,171)

   

(1,129)

 

Bank indebtedness

 

(2,057)

   

-

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(15)

   

-

Cash used in financing

 

(3,243)

   

(1,129)

Investing

         
 

Purchase of restricted short-term investments

 

-

   

(3,500)

 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

11

   

-

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(123)

   

(7)

 

Repayment of patent finance obligations

 

(1,390)

   

(1,389)

 

Purchase of intangibles

 

(40)

   

-

Cash used in investing

 

(1,542)

   

(4,896)

Foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash held in foreign currency

 

(75)

   

36

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(11,399)

   

2,390

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

81,818

   

106,553

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

70,419

 

$

108,943

 

Quarterhill Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Shareholders' Equity

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of United States dollars)

 

Capital Stock

Additional
paid in Capital

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

Deficit

Total Equity

Balance - January 1, 2017

$

419,485

$

21,036

$

16,225

$

(212,602)

$

244,144

                     

Comprehensive loss:

                   
 

Net loss

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(7,229)

 

(7,229)

Shares and options issued:

                   
 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

-

 

31

 

-

 

-

 

31

Dividends declared

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(1,138)

 

(1,138)

Balance - March 31, 2017

$

419,485

$

21,067

$

16,225

$

(220,969)

$

235,808

                     

Balance - January 1, 2018

$

418,873

$

22,489

$

20,111

$

(206,939)

$

254,534

Adoption of ASU 2014-09

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

4,272

 

4,272

Adoption of ASU 2016-16

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,949

 

2,949

Balance January 1, 2018, revised

 

418,873

 

22,489

 

20,111

 

(199,718)

 

261,755

                     

Comprehensive loss:

                   
 

Net loss

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(12,045)

 

(12,045)

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

-

 

-

 

(790)

 

-

 

(790)

Shares and options issued:

                   
 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

-

 

156

 

-

 

-

 

156

Dividends declared

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(1,171)

 

(1,171)

Balance - March 31, 2018

$

418,873

$

22,645

$

19,321

$

(212,934)

$

247,905

 

 

Quarterhill Inc.

Reconciliations of GAAP Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per share amounts)

         
 

For the three months ended,

Adjusted EBITDA

March 31, 2018

March 31, 2017

Net loss

$

(12,045)

$

(7,229)

         

Adjusted for:

       
 

Income tax expense (recovery)

 

(2,209)

 

120

 

Foreign exchange gain

 

(130)

 

(285)

 

Finance expense

 

39

 

-

 

Finance income

 

(191)

 

(218)

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

6,751

 

5,303

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

 

395

 

91

 

Effect of deleted deferred revenue

 

224

 

-

 

Stock-based compensation

 

156

 

31

 

Other income

 

(327)

 

-

Adjusted EBITDA

$

(7,337)

$

(2,187)

         

Adjusted EBITDA per share

       

Net loss

$

(0.10)

$

(0.06)

         

Adjusted for:

       
 

Income tax expense (recovery)

 

(0.02)

 

-

 

Foreign exchange gain

 

-

 

-

 

Finance expense

 

-

 

-

 

Finance income

 

-

 

-

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

0.06

 

0.04

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

 

-

 

-

 

Effect of deleted deferred revenue

 

-

 

-

 

Stock-based compensation

 

-

 

-

 

Other income

 

-

 

-

Adjusted EBITDA per share

$

(0.06)

$

(0.02)

         

Weighted average number of Common Shares

       
 

Basic

 

118,658,249

 

118,572,181

 


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SOURCE Quarterhill Inc.

 

For media and investor inquiries, please contact:

Shaun McEwan, Chief Financial Officer

T: 613.688.4898

E: smcewan@quarterhill.com

 

Dave Mason, Investor Relations

T: 613.688.1693

E: ir@quarterhill.com