Reports third-quarter GAAP revenues of $61 million
Reports third-quarter net income of $1.1 million, GAAP EPS of $0.02 and adjusted EPS of $0.05
Reports third-quarter adjusted EBITDA of $7 million
Reports strong cash flow from operations of $8.8 million
Sells its automation unit on October 1, 2024, for $27 million in cash, with $7 million held in escrow
Declares fourth-quarter dividend of $0.045 per share, payable December 20, 2024, to shareholders of record as of December 3, 2024
Sets fourth-quarter guidance: revenues between $57 million and $58 million and adjusted EBITDA between $6.0 and $7.0 million
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III ), a leading global technology research and advisory firm, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.
“ISG closed the third quarter strong, achieving the top of our updated guidance, with strong operating cash flow in the quarter,” said Michael P. Connors, chairman and CEO. “As we look ahead to 2025, we see signs that client demand in the U.S. is on the rise, including $5 billion of contract value now flowing through ISG Tango™, our digital sourcing platform, up 25 percent sequentially from the second quarter.”
Divestiture of Automation Unit
On October 1, ISG sold its robotic process automation unit to UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, for $27 million in an all-cash transaction. ISG received $20 million in cash at closing with the remaining $7 million held in escrow, $4 million of which is subject to meeting certain contractual conditions with clients within 90 days and the remaining amount subject to the divested automation unit meeting certain revenue objectives by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
Third-Quarter 2024 Results
Reported revenues for the third quarter were $61.3 million, down 15 percent from $71.8 million in the prior year’s third quarter. Reported revenues were $40.1 million in the Americas, down 5 percent; $16.2 million in Europe, down 27 percent; and $4.9 million in Asia Pacific, down 32 percent, all versus the prior year.
ISG reported third-quarter operating income of $4.3 million, compared with operating income of $6.2 million in the prior year. The firm’s reported third-quarter net income was $1.1 million, compared with net income of $3.2 million in the prior year. Income per fully diluted share was $0.02, compared with income per fully diluted share of $0.06 in the prior year.
Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure defined below under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”) for the third quarter was $2.5 million, or $0.05 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared with adjusted net income of $5.7 million, or $0.11 per share on a fully diluted basis, in the prior year’s third quarter.
Third-quarter adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure defined below under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”) was $7.1 million, down 34 percent from the prior-year third quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin (a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing adjusted EBITDA by reported revenues) was 11.6 percent, compared with 14.8 percent in the prior year.
Other Financial and Operating Highlights
ISG generated $8.8 million of cash from operations in the third quarter, compared with generating $3.2 million of cash in the third quarter last year. The firm’s cash balance totaled $9.7 million at September 30, 2024, down from $11.8 million at June 30, 2024. During the third quarter, ISG paid down $8.0 million of debt, paid dividends of $2.3 million and repurchased $0.8 million of shares. As of September 30, 2024, ISG had $66.2 million in debt outstanding, down from $79.2 million at the end of last year.
2024 Fourth-Quarter Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA Guidance
“For the fourth quarter, ISG is targeting revenues of between $57 million and $58 million and adjusted EBITDA of between $6.0 million and $7.0 million. We will continue to monitor the macroeconomic environment, including the impact of FX, inflation and other factors, and adjust our business plans accordingly,” said Connors.
Quarterly Dividend
The ISG Board of Directors declared a fourth-quarter dividend of $0.045 per share, payable on December 20, 2024, to shareholders of record as of December 3, 2024.
“ISG remains committed to a disciplined capital allocation strategy that includes reinvesting in our business, managing our debt, returning capital to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases, and supplementing our organic growth with strategic acquisitions to drive long-term shareholder value,” Connors said.
Conference Call
ISG has scheduled a call for 9 a.m., U.S. Eastern Time, November 8, 2024, to discuss the firm’s third-quarter results. The call can be accessed by dialing +1 (800) 715-9871 , or, for international callers, by dialing +1 (646) 307-1963 . The access code is 8229408 . A recording of the conference call will be accessible on ISG’s investor relations page for approximately four weeks following the call.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” which represent the current expectations and beliefs of management of ISG concerning future events and their potential effects. Statements contained herein including words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “continue,” “should,” “may,” and other similar expressions are “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Those risks relate to inherent business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies relating to the businesses of ISG and its subsidiaries, including without limitation: (1) the failure to secure new engagements or loss of important clients; (2) the ability to hire and retain enough qualified employees to support operations; (3) the ability to maintain or increase billing and utilization rates; (4) management of growth; (5) the success of expansion internationally; (6) competition; (7) the ability to move the product mix into higher margin businesses; (8) the effect of the divestiture of the automation unit on ISG’s relationships with its customers and suppliers and on its retained business generally; (9) general political and social conditions such as war, political unrest and terrorism; (10) healthcare and benefit cost management; (11) the ability to protect ISG and its subsidiaries’ intellectual property or data and the intellectual property or data of others; (12) currency fluctuations and exchange rate adjustments; (13) the ability to successfully consummate or integrate strategic acquisitions; (14) outbreaks of diseases, including coronavirus, or similar public health threats or fear of such an event; and (15) potential terminations of engagements, delays or reductions in scope by clients. Certain of these and other applicable risks, cautionary statements and factors that could cause actual results to differ from ISG’s forward-looking statements are included in ISG’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. ISG undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
ISG reports all financial information required in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In this release, ISG has presented both GAAP financial results as well as non-GAAP information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023. ISG believes that evaluating its ongoing operating results will be enhanced if it discloses certain non-GAAP information. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude non-cash and certain other special charges that many investors believe may obscure the user’s overall understanding of ISG’s current financial performance and the Company’s prospects for the future. ISG believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors because they improve the comparability of the financial results between periods and provide for greater transparency of key measures used to evaluate the Company’s performance.
ISG provides adjusted EBITDA (defined as net income, plus interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, foreign currency transaction gains/losses, non-cash stock compensation, interest accretion associated with contingent consideration, change in contingent consideration, acquisition-related costs, and severance, integration and other expense), adjusted net income (defined as net income, plus amortization of intangible assets, non-cash stock compensation, foreign currency transaction gains/losses, interest accretion associated with contingent consideration, change in contingent consideration, acquisition-related costs, write-off of deferred financing cost and severance, integration and other expense on a tax-adjusted basis), adjusted net income per diluted share, adjusted EBITDA margin, and selected financial data on a constant currency basis which are non-GAAP measures that the Company believes provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses and financial implications of foreign currency translations, which management believes are not indicative of ISG’s core operations. These non-GAAP measures are used by ISG to evaluate the Company’s business strategies and management’s performance.
We evaluate our results of operations on both an as reported and a constant currency basis. The constant currency presentation, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, excludes the impact of year-over-year fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We believe providing constant currency information provides valuable supplemental information regarding our results of operations, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of our business performance, and is consistent with how management evaluates the Company’s performance. We calculate constant currency percentages by converting our current and prior periods’ local currency financial results using the same point in time exchange rates and then comparing the adjusted current and prior period results. This calculation may differ from similarly titled measures used by others and, accordingly, the constant currency presentation is not meant to be a substitution for recorded amounts presented in conformity with GAAP, nor should such amounts be considered in isolation.
Management believes this information facilitates comparison of underlying results over time. Non-GAAP financial measures, when presented, are reconciled to the most closely applicable GAAP measure. Non-GAAP measures are provided as additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the forward-looking non-GAAP estimates contained herein to the corresponding GAAP measures is not being provided, due to the unreasonable efforts required to prepare it.
About ISG
ISG (Information Services Group) (Nasdaq: III ) is a leading global technology research and advisory firm. A trusted business partner to more than 900 clients, including more than 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is committed to helping corporations, public sector organizations, and service and technology providers achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm specializes in digital transformation services, including AI, cloud and data analytics; sourcing advisory; managed governance and risk services; network carrier services; strategy and operations design; change management; market intelligence and technology research and analysis. Founded in 2006, and based in Stamford, Conn., ISG employs 1,600 digital-ready professionals operating in more than 20 countries—a global team known for its innovative thinking, market influence, deep industry and technology expertise, and world-class research and analytical capabilities based on the industry’s most comprehensive marketplace data. For more information, visit www.isg-one.com.
New facility will enable testing of liquid hydrogen (LH2), liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid methane (LCH4)
BATAVIA, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM) (“Graham” or “the Company”), a global leader in the design and manufacture of mission critical fluid, power, heat transfer and vacuum technologies for the defense, space, energy and process industries, announced today its plans to construct a state-of-the-art cryogenic propellant testing facility in Florida, near its P3 Technologies, LLC subsidiary. Leveraging Graham’s longstanding expertise in the cryogenic and space launch industries, this new facility will help to meet increasing demand for efficient, scalable testing solutions in key markets, including Space, Defense, New Energy, and potential applications in the medical field.
The facility will offer a cost-effective, timely alternative to existing testing centers, which often prioritize flagship programs and leave other critical programs with limited options. This new facility will enable liquid hydrogen (LH2), liquid oxygen (LOX), and liquid methane (LCH4) testing at pressurized, sub-cooled, or saturated conditions, and is ideally suited for testing pumps, components, fluid management systems, and combustion devices. By expanding Graham’s capabilities in cryogenic propellant testing, the Company aims to better support both current and future customer programs, adding agility and depth to its testing services in response to diverse and evolving program requirements.
“We believe this new testing facility will strengthen our position as a trusted partner by directly addressing customer needs for timely and cost-effective cryogenic propellant testing, complementing our existing capabilities and advancing the support we can offer current programs,” said Dan Thoren, Graham Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer. “This investment underscores our commitment to supporting both current and future customer programs through innovative and accessible testing solutions, while enhancing Graham’s role across the Space, Defense, and New Energy sectors.”
The project will be executed over the next year, with initial tests anticipated to begin by mid-2025. The facility is projected to achieve a cash payback period of approximately two to three years and deliver an internal rate of return exceeding 20%, representing a strategic investment in Graham’s future.
About Graham Corporation
Graham is a global leader in the design and manufacture of mission critical fluid, power, heat transfer and vacuum technologies for the defense, space, energy, and process industries. Graham Corporation and its family of global brands are built upon world-renowned engineering expertise in vacuum and heat transfer, cryogenic pumps, and turbomachinery technologies, as well as its responsive and flexible service and the unsurpassed quality customers have come to expect from the Company’s products and systems. Graham Corporation routinely posts news and other important information on its website, grahamcorp.com, where additional information on Graham Corporation and its businesses can be found.
Safe Harbor Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words such as “can,” “expects,” “potential,” “will,” “plans,” “aims,” “believe,” “projected,” and other similar words. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that Graham Corporation expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including but not limited to, the completion of the testing facility within the projected timeline, the Company’s ability to capitalize on the potential benefits of the new facility and timing to realize expected returns on investment, the estimated total market opportunity and the Company’s ability to capitalize on such market opportunity. Because they are forward-looking, they should be evaluated in light of important risk factors and uncertainties. These risk factors and uncertainties are more fully described in Graham Corporation’s most recent Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading entitled “Risk Factors,” its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings it makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of Graham Corporation’s underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated. In addition, undue reliance should not be placed on Graham Corporation’s forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Graham Corporation disclaims any obligation to update or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release.
New Zeus Motors are in Production and Ready for Use
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a technology company in Defense, National Security and Global Markets, today announced that its Zeus 1 and Zeus 2 Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) completed their first successful flight on October 24, 2024, from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. This milestone launch provides the qualifications necessary to transition the Zeus SRMs to test programs supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, Foreign Allies, NASA, and commercial launch sponsors.
Kratos Zeus Solid Rocket Motors Complete Successful First Flight at Wallops
The flight test featured a Kratos two-stage Zeus 1 – Zeus 2 suborbital launch vehicle and provided substantial data to support rocket motor evaluation for use by future customers and sponsors who have baselined the Zeus rocket motors as part of their future test plans. Kratos expects to have production motors ready in the first quarter of 2025.
Kratos developed the Zeus family of SRMs in direct response to the need for affordable commercial launch vehicle stages for hypersonic test, ballistic missile targets, scientific research, sounding rocket and special customer missions. Kratos applied its significant rocket launch experience to establish the Zeus 1 and Zeus 2 motor specifications in close coordination with respective customer and user communities. Kratos internally funded development of the Zeus SRMs which are designed and manufactured to Kratos’ specifications by key merchant supplier and partner, L3Harris Technologies. L3Harris is on contract to begin delivering production motors to Kratos in the first quarter of 2025.
George Rumford, Director of the Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center, said, “Advancements in solid rocket motor development are critical to achieving rapid, affordable hypersonic testing.”
Dave Carter, President of Kratos’ Defense & Rocket Support Services Division, said, “I couldn’t be prouder of our whole team. They met the challenge to deliver these robust motors to market as fast as possible and meet the growing demand for rapid, reliable testing. The motors performed exceptionally well against predictions and are ready for immediate use by the broader test and research community.”
The Zeus 1 and Zeus 2 are high-performance, 32.5-inch diameter SRMs providing substantial performance improvements over similar legacy rockets. They are purposely designed to be fully compatible with existing payloads and launch infrastructure to enable rapid integration of new technologies and advanced payloads, including those currently under development by Kratos. These and other key attributes will provide Kratos and our customers with opportunities to fly more often, faster and farther, using fewer stages, and at a substantially reduced cost.
The Zeus SRM family is designed with versatility and affordability in mind as a complement to Kratos’ other internally funded investments such as the Erinyes hypersonic test “flyer” that debuted in June of this year. Kratos’ investments in the hypersonic and other relevant areas create a versatile family of test and evaluation products that offer complete systems. With the Zeus SRMs, the Erinyes, and other Kratos front end systems, Kratos is one of the only companies boasting both launcher and flyer systems within one organization, providing unmatched innovation, disruptive capabilities, mission responsiveness and affordability to the customer.
Eric DeMarco, President & CEO of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., said, “Kratos is laser focused on supporting the Department of Defense, U.S. National Security requirements and working with our government partners to reinvigorate our country’s defense industrial base. Zeus’ successful mission is representative of the value Kratos’ strategy delivers to our stakeholders, with Kratos’ internally funded investments allowing us to rapidly develop and be first to market with affordable relevant systems for our partners and customers.”
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology, products, system and software company addressing the defense, national security, and commercial markets. Kratos makes true internally funded research, development, capital and other investments, to rapidly develop, produce and field solutions that address our customers’ mission critical needs and requirements. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we seek to utilize proven, leading-edge approaches and technology, not unproven bleeding edge approaches or technology, with Kratos’ approach designed to reduce cost, schedule and risk, enabling us to be first to market with cost effective solutions. We believe that Kratos is known as an innovative disruptive change agent in the industry, a company that is an expert in designing products and systems up front for successful rapid, large quantity, low-cost future manufacturing which is a value-add competitive differentiator for our large traditional prime system integrator partners and also to our government and commercial customers. Kratos intends to pursue program and contract opportunities as the prime or lead contractor when we believe that our probability of win (PWin) is high and any investment required by Kratos is within our capital resource comfort level. We intend to partner and team with a large, traditional system integrator when our assessment of PWin is greater or required investment is beyond Kratos’ comfort level. Kratos’ primary business areas include virtualized ground systems for satellites and space vehicles including software for command & control (C2) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C), jet powered unmanned aerial drone systems, hypersonic vehicles and rocket systems, propulsion systems for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic systems, space craft and launch systems, C5ISR and microwave electronic products for missile, radar, missile defense, space, satellite, counter UAS, directed energy, communication and other systems, and virtual & augmented reality training systems for the warfighter. For more information, visit www.KratosDefense.com.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.
ATLANTA, Nov. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray,” “Gray Media,” “we,” “us” or “our”) (NYSE: GTN) today announced a strong third quarter ended September 30, 2024. Gray also projected full-year 2024 political advertising revenue of $500 million, as well as full-year 2024 Net Debt reduction of $500 million.
SUMMARY OF THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS:
Total revenue in the third quarter of 2024 was $950 million, an increase of 18% from the third quarter of 2023.
Core advertising revenue in the third quarter of 2024 was $365 million, an increase of 1% from the third quarter of 2023.
Retransmission consent revenue in the third quarter of 2024 was $369 million, a decrease of 2% from the third quarter of 2023.
Political advertising revenue in the third quarter of 2024 was $173 million, an increase of 565% from the third quarter of 2023.
Total operating expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of assets) in the third quarter of 2024 was $617 million, which was 2% below the low end of our previously announced guidance for the quarter.
Net income attributable to common stockholders was $83 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $53 million in the third quarter of 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA was $338 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 61% from the third quarter of 2023, due primarily to the cyclical increase in political advertising revenue.
OTHER KEY METRICS:
Through September 30, 2024, we reduced the principal amount of our debt by $241 million in 2024 and expect full-year 2024 Net Debt reduction of approximately $500 million.
As of September 30, 2024, calculated as set forth in our Senior Credit Agreement, our First Lien Leverage Ratio and Leverage Ratio, which are net of $69 million of cash, were 3.00 to 1.00 and 5.67 to 1.00, respectively.
Currently, we have $674 million of borrowing availability under our undrawn Revolving Credit Facility.
Non-cash stock-based compensation was $5 million during each of the third quarters ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
FINANCIAL RESULTS AND EXPECTATIONS
Our results in the third quarter were largely in line with our guidance, with the exception of political advertising revenues, which, while strong, were slightly below our expectations. Our broadcast and corporate operating expenses were much lower than expectations.
Our total revenue and our Core advertising revenue were within our guidance range at $950 million and $365 million, respectively, with Core advertising revenue up 1% compared to the third quarter of 2023. Our local television stations in several Southeastern markets experienced reductions in Core and political advertising revenues during late September, due to their extensive, often round-the-clock and commercial-free coverage of Hurricane Helene to support those affected communities in the third quarter.
For the fourth quarter of 2024, we currently expect that Core advertising revenue will be down approximately 11% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, due primarily to political advertising revenue displacement and the movement of SEC college football games in our Southeastern markets from the CBS Network to the ABC Network. In addition, the continuing impact of Hurricane Helene and the added impact of Hurricane Milton in the fourth quarter is expected to adversely impact Core advertising revenue in several of our Southeastern markets. We now anticipate Core advertising revenues within a range of $1.475 billion to $1.488 billion for full-year 2024, which is down approximately 3% from our earlier guidance of $1.525 billion and down approximately 2% compared to full-year 2023.
Our political advertising revenue in the third quarter of 2024 was $173 million, compared to the $190 million of political advertising revenue during the third quarter of 2020 that was recorded by our current television station portfolio. We anticipate that political advertising revenues for the fourth quarter of 2024 will be within a range of $248 million to $253 million, and for full-year 2024 within a range of $495 million to $500 million. Our political advertising revenue was impacted by fewer competitive non-presidential races in some of our markets during the second half of this year as well as the same significant factors affecting core advertising that are identified above.
Our retransmission consent revenue in the third quarter of 2024 was $369 million, which was within our guidance range. We currently expect retransmission consent revenues in the range of $355 million to $360 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 and, in a range of approximately $1.476 billion to $1.481 billion, for full-year 2024.
For the third quarter of 2024, our broadcasting operating expenses and corporate operating expenses were $14 million and $3 million below the low end of the expense guidance ranges, respectively. For full-year 2024, we currently expect broadcasting operating expenses and corporate operating expenses will be within the range of $2.324 billion to $2.334 billion, and $110 million to $115 million, respectively. These updated full-year expense estimates reflect significant decreases from the initial full-year guidance, provided in February of this year, of approximately $2.4 billion and $125 million, respectively. In addition, we currently anticipate capital expenditures for full-year 2024 of $135 million, which includes approximately $35 million, net of reimbursements, related to Assembly Atlanta. We expect additional reimbursements of approximately $18 million in the first quarter of 2025 related to 2024 capital expenditures at Assembly Atlanta.
COST CONTAINMENT INITIATIVES
Starting in August 2024, we began identifying and implementing various measures throughout the company that we expect will further reduce our operating expense run-rate by approximately $60 million on an annualized basis. As part of our routine budgeting process, we are carefully evaluating our capital expenditure needs for 2025.
We have taken several steps to reduce personnel expenses in 2025. These steps include streamlining workflows at our television stations and other business units, closing certain unfilled positions for which we were recruiting, eliminating certain positions that will not be filled following normal attrition throughout the second half of this year, and, for the first time in many years, eliminating certain positions in a handful of television stations and certain business units. Importantly, despite these staffing changes, we will continue to produce local newscasts with local journalists and local meteorologists in all of our existing local news markets, including small markets.
In terms of non-operating expenses, we anticipate a significant amount of interest savings due to lower debt balances resulting from open market debt repurchases and debt paydowns that have already occurred, and we anticipate will continue on an ongoing basis. We also anticipate that our cash income tax payments, net of refunds, for full-year 2024 will be approximately $133 million, approximately $49 million less than estimated in August of this year, due in part to interest expense deductibility in connection with Gray’s real estate assets, driven primarily by our Assembly Atlanta development.
DEBT REPURCHASES AND REPAYMENTS
We continue to focus on improving our balance sheet. From January 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024, we have reduced our principal amount of debt outstanding by $241 million. During the third quarter of 2024, we:
Repurchased and retired $29 million of our outstanding 2027 Notes on the open market at an average price of approximately 92.1% of par value, thereby reducing the remaining par value of our 2027 Notes to $671 million;
Repaid all amounts outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility; and
Repurchased and retired approximately $16 million of our outstanding 2021 Term Loan on the open market at an average price of approximately 90.8% of par value.
In addition to the amounts above, we have previously entered into agreements to further reduce our 2021 Term Loan by an additional $39 million at an average price of approximately 92.6% of par value, which transactions will close in November 2024. We anticipate that upon completion of all of the above transactions, the remaining 2021 Term Loan principal outstanding at par value will be $1.400 billion.
We project, including actions taken to date, reduction of our Net Debt (also referred to herein as Adjusted Total Indebtedness) during full-year 2024 of $500 million during full-year 2024.
On November 7, 2024, our Board of Directors approved an increase in our debt repurchase authorization to repurchase additional debt in the open market, which replenished the previous authorization, bringing the total current authorization to $250 million. The extent of such repurchases, including the amount and timing of any repurchases, will depend on general market conditions, regulatory requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other considerations. This repurchase program supersedes any previous repurchase authorization, does not require us to repurchase a minimum amount of debt, and it may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.
TAXES
During the nine-months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we made income tax payments, net of refunds, of $130 million and $43 million, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 2024, based on our current forecasts, we anticipate making income tax payments, net of refunds, of approximately $3 million.
As of September 30, 2024, we have an aggregate of $282 million of various state operating loss carryforwards, of which we expect that approximately $201 million will not be utilized.
GUIDANCE FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024
Based on our current forecasts for the quarter ending December 31, 2024, we anticipate the following key financial results, as outlined below in approximate ranges and as compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2023, as well as certain currently anticipated full-year financial results. As always, guidance may change in the future based on several factors and therefore may not reflect actual results:
The Company
We are a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 43 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV households. We also own Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Our additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. Gray also owns a majority interest in Swirl Films.
Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based largely on our current expectations and reflect various estimates and assumptions by us. These statements are statements other than those of historical fact and may be identified by words such as “estimates,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “implied,” “assume” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such risks, trends and uncertainties, which in some instances are beyond our control, include: estimates of future revenue, future expenses, future capital expenditures, future income tax payments, future workforce reductions and other future events. We are subject to additional risks and uncertainties described in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including in the “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections contained therein, which reports are made publicly available via our website, www.graymedia.com. Any forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. This press release reflects management’s views as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, Gray undertakes no obligation to update or revise any information contained in this press release beyond the published date, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information about certain potential factors that could affect our business and financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements are included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and may be contained in reports subsequently filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov.
Conference Call Information:
We will host a conference call to discuss our third quarter operating results on November 8, 2024. The call will begin at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. The live dial-in number is 1 (800) 285-6670. The call will be webcast live and available for replay at www.graymedia.com. The taped replay of the conference call will be available at 1 (888) 556-3470, Confirmation Code: 898476# until December 8, 2024.
Gray Contacts
Web site: www.graymedia.com
Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, (404) 266-5513
Pat LaPlatney, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, (334) 206-1400
Jeffrey R. Gignac, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, (404) 504-9828
Kevin P. Latek, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Development Officer, (404) 266-8333
Non-GAAP Terms
In addition to results prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), this earnings release discusses “Adjusted EBITDA” a non-GAAP performance measure that management uses to evaluate the performance of the business. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income (loss), adjusted for income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation costs, non-cash 401(k) expense, depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, impairment of investments, loss (gain) on asset disposals and certain other miscellaneous items. We consider Adjusted EBITDA to be an indicator of our operating performance.
In addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, “Leverage Ratio Denominator” is a metric that management uses to calculate our compliance with our financial covenants in our indebtedness agreements. This metric is calculated as specified in our Senior Credit Agreement and is a significant measure that represents the denominator of a formula used to calculate compliance with material financial covenants within the Senior Credit Agreement that govern our ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, make investments and make restricted payments, among other limitations usual and customary for credit agreements of this type. Accordingly, management believes this metric is a very material metric to our debt and equity investors. Leverage Ratio Denominator gives effect to the revenue and broadcast expenses of all completed acquisitions and divestitures as if they had been acquired or divested, respectively, on October 1, 2022. It also gives effect to certain operating synergies expected from the acquisitions and related financings and adds back professional fees incurred in completing the acquisitions. Certain of the financial information related to the acquisitions, if applicable, has been derived from, and adjusted based on, unaudited, un-reviewed financial information prepared by other entities, which Gray cannot independently verify. We cannot assure you that such financial information would not be materially different if such information were audited or reviewed and no assurances can be provided as to the accuracy of such information, or that our actual results would not differ materially from this financial information if the acquisitions had been completed on the stated date. In addition, the presentation of Leverage Ratio Denominator as determined in the Senior Credit Agreement and the adjustments to such information, including expected synergies, if applicable, resulting from such transactions, may not comply with GAAP or the requirements for pro forma financial information under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933. Leverage Ratio Denominator, as determined in the Senior Credit Agreement, represents an average amount for the preceding eight quarters then ended.
We define Transaction Related Expenses as incremental expenses incurred specific to acquisitions and divestitures, including but not limited to legal and professional fees, severance and incentive compensation, and contract termination fees. We present certain line items from our selected operating data, net of Transaction Related Expenses, in order to present a more meaningful comparison between periods of our operating expenses and our results of operations.
Our “Adjusted Total Indebtedness” or “Net Debt”, “First Lien Adjusted Total Indebtedness” and “Secured Adjusted Total Indebtedness” in each case net of all cash, represents the amount of outstanding principal of our long-term debt, plus certain other obligations as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement for the applicable amount of indebtedness.
These non-GAAP terms are not defined in GAAP and our definitions may differ from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies, thereby limiting their usefulness. Such terms are used by management in addition to, and in conjunction with, results presented in accordance with GAAP and should be considered as supplements to, and not as substitutes for, net income and cash flows reported in accordance with GAAP.
DENVER, Nov. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Medicine Man Technologies, Inc., operating as Schwazze, (OTC: SHWZ) (Cboe CA: SHWZ) (“Schwazze” or the “Company”), today announced preliminary financial and operational results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.
“We continued to generate momentum from our retail growth and optimization initiatives in Q3, reflected by our ability to outpace two highly competitive markets while generating sequential improvements in profitability and positive cash flow from operations,” said Forrest Hoffmaster, Interim CEO of Schwazze. “Our efforts to sharpen our pricing and promotional strategy, elevate the in-store experience, and improve product quality, assortment and in-stock positions are yielding positive results. I’m proud of our team’s hard work and dedication to drive these improvements in the overall customer experience, which has led to increased store traffic in both Colorado and New Mexico. Over the past year, our focused efforts to optimize our operations have built a solid foundation, setting the stage for sustained growth and enhanced levels of profitability in the year ahead.
“Due to our ongoing re-review process with our new auditor, Baker Tilly, we expect a delay in filing our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Our team, in close collaboration with Baker Tilly, is making every effort to complete this re-review promptly. We expect to release our unaudited third quarter results and host a conference call in the coming weeks to discuss our financial and operational performance in greater detail.”
Q3 2024 Preliminary Financial Results
Based on preliminary and unaudited results, the Company expects to report the following for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024:
Revenue of approximately $42 million
Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $11 million
Cash flow from operations of approximately $0.2 million
At quarter end, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of approximately $11 million with principal amount of debt outstanding of approximately $196 million.
Update on Delayed Filing
As previously announced on April 8, 2024, Schwazze dismissed BF Borgers CPA PC (“BF Borgers”) as its independent registered public accountant and engaged Baker Tilly US, LLP (“Baker Tilly”) as its new independent accountant. Subsequent to the transition, on May 3, 2024, the SEC issued an Order against BF Borgers for systemic failures in meeting PCAOB standards, which impacted over 1,500 SEC filings and affected at least 75 percent of BF Borgers’ 369 clients.
As a result of the SEC Order, Schwazze’s new auditor needs additional time to complete its prior period review, which includes re-auditing the Company’s fiscal year 2023 financial statements and re-reviewing the closing of its 2022 balance sheet prior to filing its 2024 Annual Report. Baker Tilly is actively working to re-audit the Company’s financial statements for the associated periods.
Due to the ongoing re-review process, Schwazze anticipates a delay in filing its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three- and nine-months ending September 30, 2024. Moreover, the Company expects to simultaneously file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ending March 31, 2024, and June 30, 2024.
About Schwazze
Schwazze (OTC: SHWZ) (Cboe CA: SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to explore taking its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale.
Schwazze is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company’s leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector.
Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze’s former operating trade name. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth. To learn more about Schwazze, visit https://schwazze.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements include financial outlooks; any projections of net sales, earnings, or other financial items; any statements of the strategies, plans and objectives of our management team for future operations; expectations in connection with the Company’s previously announced business plans; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; and statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our management team. Such statements may be preceded by the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intends,” “plans,” “strategy,” “prospects,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “approximately,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” or the negative of these terms or other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future events or future operating or financial performance, although the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. We have based our forward-looking statements on management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and trends affecting our business and industry. Although we do not make forward-looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. Therefore, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) regulatory limitations on our products and services and the uncertainty in the application of federal, state, and local laws to our business, and any changes in such laws; (ii) our ability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (iii) our ability to identify, consummate, and integrate anticipated acquisitions; (iv) general industry and economic conditions; (v) our ability to access adequate capital upon terms and conditions that are acceptable to us; (vi) our ability to pay interest and principal on outstanding debt when due; (vii) volatility in credit and market conditions; (viii) the loss of one or more key executives or other key employees; and (ix) other risks and uncertainties related to the cannabis market and our business strategy. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law.
Investor Relations Contact Sean Mansouri, CFA or Aaron D’Souza Elevate IR (720) 330-2829 ir@schwazze.com
Third Quarter 2024 Revenues of $275.9 Million Compared with Third Quarter 2023 Revenues of $274.6 Million
Third Quarter 2024 Unmanned Systems Revenues of $64.2 Million Compared with Third Quarter 2023 Revenues of $56.7 Million
Third Quarter 2024 Consolidated Book to Bill Ratio of 1.0 to 1 and Last Twelve Months Ended September 29, 2024 Consolidated Book to Bill Ratio of 1.1 to 1
Third Quarter 2024 Consolidated Bookings of $267.2 Million and Last Twelve Months Ended September 29, 2024 Consolidated Bookings of $1.240 Billion
Affirms Full Year 2024 Financial Forecast
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS), a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets, today reported its third quarter 2024 financial results, including Revenues of $275.9 million, Operating Income of $6.5 million, Net Income of $3.2 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $24.6 million and a consolidated book to bill ratio of 1.0 to 1.0.
Included in third quarter 2024 Net Income and Operating Income is non-cash stock compensation expense of $7.2 million and Company-funded Research and Development (R&D) expense of $9.9 million.
Kratos reported third quarter 2024 GAAP Net Income attributable to Kratos of $3.2 million and Earnings Per Share of $0.02 compared to a GAAP Net Loss attributable to Kratos of $1.6 million and a GAAP Net Loss per share of $0.01 for the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted EPS was $0.11 for the third quarter of 2024 compared to $0.12 for the third quarter of 2023.
Third quarter 2024 Revenues of $275.9 million increased $1.3 million, or 0.5 percent, from third quarter 2023 Revenues of $274.6 million. Including the impact of the Sierra Technical Services, Inc. (STS) acquisition on a pro forma basis as if acquired at the beginning of 2023, Unmanned Systems reported 8.7 percent organic revenue growth. Kratos Turbine Technologies, Microwave Products, C5ISR, Defense Rocket Support and Training Solutions businesses in KGS also all reported organic revenue growth, offset by the previously reported and expected decline of approximately $24.2 million in the Space and Satellite business, primarily resulting from the industry related impact from OEM delays in the manufacture and delivery of software defined satellites.
Third quarter 2024 Cash Flow Generated from Operations was $6.1 million, which includes working capital requirements for increases in prepaid assets, inventory balances, vendor required deposits and reduction in deferred revenue or customer prepayment balances. Free Cash Flow Used in Operations was $9.2 million after funding of $15.3 million of capital expenditures, including the continued manufacture of two production lots of Kratos Valkyrie unmanned tactical jet drone aircraft prior to contract award.
For the third quarter of 2024, Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Segment (KUS) generated Revenues of $64.2 million, compared to $56.7 million in the third quarter of 2023, with organic revenue growth of 8.7 percent, driven primarily by increased target drone production, and reflects the pro forma impact of the STS acquisition as if acquired at the beginning of 2023. KUS’s Operating Income was $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to Operating Income of $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2023, primarily reflecting the mix of revenues and resources.
KUS’s Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2024 was $3.6 million, compared to third quarter 2023 KUS Adjusted EBITDA of $5.4 million, reflecting the mix of revenues and resources.
KUS’s book-to-bill ratio for the third quarter of 2024 was 0.5 to 1.0 and 1.1 to 1.0 for the last twelve months ended September 29, 2024, with bookings of $32.6 million for the three months ended September 29, 2024, and bookings of $295.1 million for the last twelve months ended September 29, 2024. Total backlog for KUS at the end of the third quarter of 2024 was $273.9 million compared to $305.5 million at the end of the second quarter of 2024.
For the third quarter of 2024, Kratos’ Government Solutions Segment (KGS) generated Revenues of $211.7 million compared to $217.9 million in the third quarter of 2023, reflecting aggregate organic revenue increases of $18.0 million generated by the Kratos’ Turbine Technologies, Microwave Products, C5ISR, Defense Rocket Support and Training Solutions businesses in KGS, offset by the previously reported and expected decline of $24.2 million in the Space and Satellite business, as noted above.
KGS reported operating income of $13.5 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $15.9 million in the third quarter of 2023, primarily reflecting the revenue volume and mix of revenues and resources. Third quarter 2024 KGS Adjusted EBITDA was $21.0 million, compared to third quarter 2023 KGS Adjusted EBITDA of $22.3 million, reflecting the mix in revenues, revenue volume and resources.
For the third quarter of 2024 and the last twelve months ended September 29, 2024, KGS reported a book-to-bill ratio of 1.1 to 1.0, and bookings of $234.6 million and $945.0 million for the three and last twelve months ended September 29, 2024, respectively. KGS’s total backlog at the end of the third quarter of 2024 was $1.02 billion, as compared to $997.2 million at the end of the second quarter of 2024.
For the third quarter of 2024, Kratos reported consolidated bookings of $267.2 million and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.0 to 1.0, with consolidated bookings of $1.24 billion and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 for the last twelve months ended September 29, 2024. Consolidated backlog was $1.294 billion on September 29, 2024 and $1.303 billion on June 30, 2024. Kratos’ bid and proposal pipeline was $12.0 billion at September 29 and June 30, 2024. Backlog at September 29, 2024 was comprised of funded backlog of $1.098 billion and unfunded backlog of $195.4 million.
Eric DeMarco, Kratos’ President and CEO, said, “Kratos’ strategy of making internally funded investments, to be first to market with relevant hardware, software and systems, in coordination with our partners and customers is working, as reflected in our financial results and our $12 billion opportunity pipeline. A recent representative example of this success is the successful flight of Kratos’ Zeus 1 and Zeus 2 system solid rocket motor stack with our customer’s payload, positioning Kratos for potential growth above our current future revenue year over year 10% target beginning in 2026.”
Mr. DeMarco went on, “Consistent with the success of and opportunities from Kratos’ strategy, earlier this year we completed an equity raise to position the Company to ensure successful execution on programs we have received and expect to receive. As an update to the related investments we are making: Kratos is currently manufacturing ~ 165 jet drones a year and we are now positioned to increase to ~400 a year including Valkyrie. Kratos can now produce ~10,000 small jet engines annually for drones and missiles, Kratos Microwave Electronics’ expansion in Israel is on track for a Q2 2025 completion, including an additional new manufacturing facility, an expanded existing manufacturing facility and a space & satellite qualified capability; we have identified the site for our new rocket system production and integration facility including for Zeus, Oriole and Erinyes and plan to break ground by the end of this year; and we have now identified the site for our new turbofan engine facility. Importantly, each of these expansion initiatives have existing programs, customer funded backlog or opportunities, or are in conjunction with a partner.”
Mr. DeMarco continued, “We continue to make progress in Kratos’ tactical drone business, with Kratos’ Apollo drone program now in contract documentation and Kratos’ Athena drone program under contract. Additionally, we have had recent successful Valkyrie flights with the U.S. Marines, Navy and Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Kratos recently has been selected on a new tactical drone opportunity. Importantly, our Ghost Works is on track to fly both a Kratos tactical drone and Kratos target drone in 2025 with Kratos internally funded, developed and manufactured jet engines, which will provide increased performance and electrical power, at reduced cost. Kratos Ghost Works is also expecting to fly the newest version of Kratos Valkyrie in 2025, as we make internally funded investments and continue to expand the Valkyrie families’ capability set and further drive down its operating and overall cost, and our newest 5th Generation drone is also scheduled for first flight in 2025 in conjunction with our customer.”
Mr. DeMarco concluded, “We are in a generational recapitalization of strategic weapon systems, with Kratos being an industry leader in hardware, software and systems for mission critical National Security and Defense applications. Expected growth drivers for Kratos in 2025 include; Kratos Erinyes, Zeus, Dark Fury, Oriole and other relevant rocket systems; Kratos jet engine and propulsion systems for missiles, drones, supersonic and space systems; microwave electronics and C5ISR products for air defense, CUAS, missile and radar systems and jet target drone systems.”
Financial Guidance
We are providing our initial 2024 fourth quarter financial guidance and affirming our full year 2024 guidance today, which ranges include our current forecasted business mix assumptions and expected contract execution and delivery schedules. Our financial guidance also includes our expectations and assumptions for our supply chain’s execution, and for employee sourcing, hiring, retention and related costs. We have also taken into consideration in our affirmed fiscal 2024 guidance the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Continuing Resolution Authorization (CRA) which began on October 1, 2024, and under such expected CRA, no new program or contract awards, no increases in existing production contract funding, and no transition from program development to production are expected.
Our fourth quarter and full year 2024 guidance ranges are as follows:
For Kratos’ Fiscal year 2025, we are currently forecasting base case Revenue growth of approximately 10%, and Adjusted EBITDA growth. Our industry is currently operating under a Federal Fiscal Year 2025 CRA, which began October 1, 2024 and which is currently expected to continue into Kratos’ Fiscal 2025. There was also an approximate 6-month Federal Fiscal 2024 CRA, which was previously resolved in March 2024, Kratos’ current 2024 fiscal year. Additionally, the recent election will impact the Administration, House and Senate. Accordingly, we will be providing our detailed 2025 Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, Cash Flow and other financial forecast information and guidance when we report our Fiscal 2024 results, currently expected to be in late February 2025. This will provide Kratos additional time to assess the impacts of these ongoing and recent events, if any, on National Security priorities, our 2025 business mix, contractual and program funding and timing assumptions and potential fiscal year 2025 fiscal quarter to quarter impacts. Kratos’ base case financial forecast does not assume or include any potential tactical drone program production.
Management will discuss the Company’s financial results, on a conference call beginning at 2:00 p.m. Pacific (5:00 p.m. Eastern) today. The call will be available at www.kratosdefense.com. Participants may register for the call using this Online Form. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN that can be used to access the call. For those who cannot access the live broadcast, a replay will be available on Kratos’ website.
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology, products, system and software company addressing the defense, national security, and commercial markets. Kratos makes true internally funded research, development, capital and other investments, to rapidly develop, produce and field solutions that address our customers’ mission critical needs and requirements. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we seek to utilize proven, leading edge approaches and technology, not unproven bleeding edge approaches or technology, with Kratos’ approach designed to reduce cost, schedule and risk, enabling us to be first to market with cost effective solutions. We believe that Kratos is known as an innovative disruptive change agent in the industry, a company that is an expert in designing products and systems up front for successful rapid, large quantity, low cost future manufacturing which is a value add competitive differentiator for our large traditional prime system integrator partners and also to our government and commercial customers. Kratos intends to pursue program and contract opportunities as the prime or lead contractor when we believe that our probability of win (PWin) is high and any investment required by Kratos is within our capital resource comfort level. We intend to partner and team with a large, traditional system integrator when our assessment of PWin is greater or required investment is beyond Kratos’ comfort level. Kratos’ primary business areas include virtualized ground systems for satellites and space vehicles including software for command & control (C2) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C), jet powered unmanned aerial drone systems, hypersonic vehicles and rocket systems, propulsion systems for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic systems, space craft and launch systems, C5ISR and microwave electronic products for missile, radar, missile defense, space, satellite, counter UAS, directed energy, communication and other systems, and virtual & augmented reality training systems for the warfighter. For more information, visit www.KratosDefense.com
Notice RegardingForward–LookingStatements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, express or implied statements concerning the Company’s expectations regarding its future financial performance, including the Company’s expectations for its fourth quarter and full year 2024 and fiscal year 2025 revenues, revenue growth, Adjusted EBITDA growth, organic revenue growth rates, R&D, operating income (loss), depreciation, amortization, stock based compensation expense, and Adjusted EBITDA, and full year 2024 operating cash flow, capital expenditures and other investments, and free cash flow, the Company’s future growth trajectory and ability to achieve improved revenue mix and profit in certain of its business segments and the expected timing of such improved revenue mix and profit, including the Company’s ability to achieve sustained year over year increasing revenues, profitability and cash flow, the Company’s expectation of ramp on projects and that investments in its business, including Company funded R&D expenses and ongoing development efforts, will result in an increase in the Company’s market share and total addressable market and position the Company for significant future organic growth, profitability, cash flow and an increase in shareholder value, the Company’s bid and proposal pipeline and backlog, including the Company’s ability to timely execute on its backlog, demand for its products and services, including the Company’s alignment with today’s National Security requirements and the positioning of its C5ISR and other businesses, planned 2024 investments, including in the tactical drone and satellite areas, and the related potential for additional growth in 2025 and beyond, ability to successfully compete and expected new customer awards, including the magnitude and timing of funding and the future opportunity associated with such awards, including in the target and tactical drone and satellite communication areas, performance of key contracts and programs, including the timing of production and demonstration related to certain of the Company’s contracts and control (TT&C) product offerings, the impact of the Company’s restructuring efforts and cost reduction measures, including its ability to improve profitability and cash flow in certain business units as a result of these actions and to achieve financial leverage on fixed administrative costs, the ability of the Company’s advanced purchases of inventory to mitigate supply chain disruptions and the timing of converting these investments to cash through the sales process, benefits to be realized from the Company’s net operating loss carry forwards, the availability and timing of government funding for the Company’s offerings, including the strength of the future funding environment, the short-term delays that may occur as a result of Continuing Resolutions or delays in U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) budget approvals, timing of LRIP and full rate production related to the Company’s unmanned aerial target system offerings, as well as the level of recurring revenues expected to be generated by these programs once they achieve full rate production, market and industry developments, and the current estimated impact of the national election, supply chain disruptions, availability of an experienced skilled workforce, inflation and increased costs, risks related to potential cybersecurity events or disruptions of our information technology systems, and delays in our financial projections, industry, business and operations, including projected growth. Such statements are only predictions, and the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Factors that may cause the Company’s results to differ include, but are not limited to: risks to our business and financial results related to the reductions and other spending constraints imposed on the U.S. Government and our other customers, including as a result of sequestration and extended continuing resolutions, the Federal budget deficit and Federal government shut-downs; risks of adverse regulatory action or litigation; risks associated with debt leverage; risks that our cost-cutting initiatives will not provide the anticipated benefits; risks that changes, cutbacks or delays in spending by the DoD may occur, which could cause delays or cancellations of key government contracts; risks of delays to or the cancellation of our projects as a result of protest actions submitted by our competitors; risks that changes may occur in Federal government (or other applicable) procurement laws, regulations, policies and budgets; risks of the availability of government funding for the Company’s products and services due to performance, cost growth, or other factors, changes in government and customer priorities and requirements (including cost-cutting initiatives, the potential deferral of awards, terminations or reduction of expenditures to respond to the priorities of Congress and the Administration, or budgetary cuts resulting from Congressional committee recommendations or automatic sequestration under the Budget Control Act of 2011, as amended); risks that the unmanned aerial systems and unmanned ground sensor markets do not experience significant growth; risks that products we have developed or will develop will become programs of record; risks that we cannot expand our customer base or that our products do not achieve broad acceptance which could impact our ability to achieve our anticipated level of growth; risks of increases in the Federal government initiatives related to in-sourcing; risks related to security breaches, including cyber security attacks and threats or other significant disruptions of our information systems, facilities and infrastructures; risks related to our compliance with applicable contracting and procurement laws, regulations and standards; risks related to the new DoD Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification; risks relating to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian military conflict; risks to our business in Israel; risks related to our international operations; risks related to contract performance; risks related to failure of our products or services; risks associated with our subcontractors’ or suppliers’ failure to perform their contractual obligations, including the appearance of counterfeit or corrupt parts in our products; changes in the competitive environment (including as a result of bid protests); failure to successfully integrate acquired operations and compete in the marketplace, which could reduce revenues and profit margins; risks that potential future goodwill impairments will adversely affect our operating results; risks that anticipated tax benefits will not be realized in accordance with our expectations; risks that a change in ownership of our stock could cause further limitation to the future utilization of our net operating losses; risks that we may be required to record valuation allowances on our net operating losses which could adversely impact our profitability and financial condition; risks that the current economic environment will adversely impact our business, including with respect to our ability to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of qualified personnel to execute on our programs and contracts, as well as expected contract awards and risks related to increasing interest rates and risks related to the interest rate swap contract to hedge Term SOFR associated with the Company’s Term Loan A; and risks related to natural disasters or severe weather. These and other risk factors are more fully discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023, and in our other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Performance Metrics This news release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including organic revenue growth rates, Adjusted EPS (computed using income from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding income (loss) from discontinued operations, excluding income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest, excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of capitalized contract and development costs, stock-based compensation expense, acquisition and restructuring related items and other, which includes, but is not limited to, legal related items, non-recoverable rates and costs, and foreign transaction gains and losses, less the estimated impact to income taxes) and Adjusted EBITDA (which includes net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest and excludes, among other things, losses and gains from discontinued operations, acquisition and restructuring related items, stock compensation expense, foreign transaction gains and losses, and the associated margin rates). Additional non-GAAP financial measures include Free Cash Flow from Operations computed as Cash Flow from Operations less Capital Expenditures plus proceeds from sale of assets and Adjusted EBITDA related to our KUS and KGS businesses. Kratos believes this information is useful to investors because it provides a basis for measuring the Company’s available capital resources, the actual and forecasted operating performance of the Company’s business and the Company’s cash flow, excluding non-recurring items and non-cash items that would normally be included in the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating the Company’s actual and forecasted operating performance, capital resources and cash flow. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with GAAP, and investors should carefully evaluate the Company’s financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations to those financial results. In addition, non-GAAP financial measures as reported by the Company may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts reported by other companies. As appropriate, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and information reconciling these non-GAAP financial measures to the Company’s financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP are included in this news release.
Another Performance Metric the Company believes is a key performance indicator in our industry is our Book to Bill Ratio as it provides investors with a measure of the amount of bookings or contract awards as compared to the amount of revenues that have been recorded during the period and provides an indicator of how much of the Company’s backlog is being burned or utilized in a certain period. The Book to Bill Ratio is computed as the number of bookings or contract awards in the period divided by the revenues recorded for the same period. The Company believes that the rolling or last twelve months’ Book to Bill Ratio is meaningful since the timing of quarter-to-quarter bookings can vary.
Key Points: – Mattr’s acquisition of AmerCable strengthens its presence in North America and broadens its product offerings. – The acquisition is immediately accretive to EPS and expected to bring recurring revenue and stability. – Addition of AmerCable’s medium-voltage cable capabilities complements Mattr’s Shawflex line, supporting growth in electrification and infrastructure.
Mattr Corp. (TSX: MATR), a leader in materials technology, has announced an agreement to acquire AmerCable Incorporated, a premier U.S.-based manufacturer of highly engineered wire and cable solutions. The acquisition, valued at $280 million USD, is expected to close by the end of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals. This strategic move positions Mattr to enhance its footprint in the U.S. and expand its product offerings in the growing global electrification market.
This acquisition will integrate AmerCable’s capabilities with Mattr’s Connection Technologies segment, allowing Mattr to better serve its North American clients by increasing its manufacturing capacity for medium and low-voltage electrical power, control, and instrumentation cables. Through AmerCable’s facilities in Arkansas and Texas, Mattr is poised to strengthen its North American manufacturing network, which includes its Shawflex brand in Canada.
The acquisition is aligned with Mattr’s strategy of diversifying its portfolio and building a more extensive geographic presence. Mattr CEO Mike Reeves highlighted that this acquisition will support the ongoing modernization of critical infrastructure in North America, bringing enhanced capabilities in low and medium voltage cable solutions essential to the electrification movement.
AmerCable’s products are designed for mission-critical applications, where durability and reliability are paramount. Its robust production network in the U.S. adds complementary capabilities to Mattr’s existing Shawflex brand, offering an expanded product range. In particular, AmerCable’s medium-voltage solutions will broaden Mattr’s offerings, making it a key provider of both high-tech and durable cable systems for extreme operating environments.
The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Mattr’s earnings per share (EPS) and is projected to create substantial long-term value for Mattr shareholders. CFO Tom Holloway noted that AmerCable’s addition would boost Mattr’s financial performance and is expected to bring added stability through recurring revenues, thanks to AmerCable’s long-term relationships with key blue-chip clients.
The transaction value of $280 million USD represents a compelling valuation, with a purchase price set at approximately 5.0 times AmerCable’s Adjusted EBITDA for the 12-month period ending June 2024. Post-transaction, AmerCable will add around $75 million CAD in TTM Adjusted EBITDA, reinforcing Mattr’s commitment to margin growth within its Connection Technologies segment.
In addition to enhancing its financial profile, the acquisition will also improve Mattr’s raw material procurement efficiency and create opportunities for cross-selling and innovation by leveraging the shared technical expertise of both companies. This move is expected to accelerate Mattr’s position in high-growth markets, driven by the rise of electrification and infrastructure renewal.
With AmerCable’s production sites in Arkansas and Texas complementing Mattr’s facilities in Vaughan, Ontario, the combined network will provide a platform for organic and acquisition-driven growth opportunities across North America. The transaction has received unanimous board approval from both Mattr and Nexans, AmerCable’s previous parent company, with the anticipated close set for year-end.
Mattr will host a shareholder and analyst conference call to discuss further details on the acquisition and its strategic implications on November 8, 2024.
Robert LeBoyer, Senior Vice President, Equity Research Analyst, Biotechnology, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
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Financial Condition Improved In 3Q24. Cadrenal reported a loss of $2.4 million or $(2.18) per share, adjusted for the 1-for-15 reverse split on August 20, 2024. This loss was slightly less than our projections. Cash on September 30 was $4.4 million, excluding financing that brought in $9.8 million after the close of the quarter. The company reported that its current cash balance was approximately $11.3 million on November 7, 2024.
The Tecarfarin Made Progress In Its Next Indication. Cadrenal held a Type-B meeting with the FDA to discuss the planned Phase 3 trial for use of tecarfarin in patients with left ventricular assist devices. The company will use the guidance and comments from the meeting to design the pivotal trial. Cadrenal also continued to discuss collaborating with Abbott about a clinical trial with patients that have the Abbott HeartMate 3, the only LVAD available in the United States. Cadrenal has Orphan Drug designation for the LVAD indication, providing a strong incentive for collaborations.
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Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
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Support for Danone. In response to Lifeway’s rejection of the Danone offer to acquire the Company, yesterday, Edward and Ludmila Smolyansky released a statement stating, among other things, “we strongly support Danone’s offer, which represents a substantial premium over Lifeway’s recent share price and reflects their confidence in the growing U.S. kefir market…” They go on to say, “As we approach one of most significant and closely watched earnings releases in Lifeway’s history, we remain optimistic about the company’s potential and believe that Danone’s proposal presents a unique opportunity to enhance value for all shareholders.”
Ownership. According to their most recent amended 13D filing dated August 14th, Edward and Ludmila may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of an aggregate of 4,332,451 shares of common stock, representing approximately 29.3% of the outstanding shares of common stock. This includes 500,000 shares (3.3% of the outstanding) held in a trust of which Edward and Julie each own 50%. Danone owns 3,454,756 shares representing 23.4% of the outstanding. Together, Danone and the Smolyansky’s control over 50% of the outstanding, even if we split the 500,000 trust shares equally.
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Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.
Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
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Solid Quarter. Kratos reported a solid quarter, with Unmanned Systems reporting 8.7% organic revenue growth. Turbine Technologies, Microwave Products, C5ISR, Defense Rocket Support, and Training Solutions businesses also all reported organic revenue growth. This was offset by the previously reported and expected decline of approximately $24.2 million in the Space and Satellite business, primarily resulting from the industry related impact from OEM delays.
3Q24 Results. Kratos reported revenue of $275.9 million, flat with the same period last year. We had estimated $280 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $24.6 million, compared to $27.7 million last year and our $21 million estimate. Reported net income was $3.2 million, or $0.02/sh, up from a $1.6 million loss, or a loss of $0.01/sh in 3Q23. Adjusted EPS was $0.11 compared to $0.12 last year. We were at $0.01 and $0.06, respectively.
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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
ISG (Information Services Group) (Nasdaq: III) is a leading global technology research and advisory firm. A trusted business partner to more than 700 clients, including more than 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is committed to helping corporations, public sector organizations, and service and technology providers achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm specializes in digital transformation services, including automation, cloud and data analytics; sourcing advisory; managed governance and risk services; network carrier services; strategy and operations design; change management; market intelligence and technology research and analysis. Founded in 2006, and based in Stamford, Conn., ISG employs more than 1,300 digital-ready professionals operating in more than 20 countries—a global team known for its innovative thinking, market influence, deep industry and technology expertise, and world-class research and analytical capabilities based on the industry’s most comprehensive marketplace data. For additional information, visit www.ISG-One.com
Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
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Hitting the Top of Revised Guidance. ISG reported revenue and net income at the top end of the Company’s revised guidance and in-line with our estimates. Revenue for the quarter was $61.3 million, which while down 15% from last year, was slightly above our estimate of $61 million. Net income was $1.1 million, or EPS of $0.02, beating out our estimate of $0.2 million or flat EPS.
Rising Client Demand. Management noted that ISG Tango now includes over $5 billion of contract value, up from $4 billion in the previous earnings release. Management is seeing signs that client demand in the U.S. is on the rise, translating to higher spending. We believe that the rise in contract value offers a sign towards higher spending on projects.
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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
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Patrick McCann, CFA, Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
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Q3 beat. The company reported Q3 revenue of $118.3 million and an adj. EBITDA loss of $12.1 million, better than our estimates of $104.0 million and a loss of $14.1 million, respectively. Notably, the company benefited from improved efficiency with declines in direct costs of policy submissions and strong agent productivity.
Prepared for AEP. In our view, the company is well positioned heading onto this year’s Annual Enrolment Period (AEP) with several technological enhancements that drive favorable customer experiences and agent productivity. Using AI based tools, such as Plan GPT, the company has reduced its average call time from 90 minutes to 67 minutes. We believe the company could make additional incremental efficiency enhancements in Q4 and beyond, which could lead to more volume and margin improvement.
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Kelly (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) connects talented people to companies in need of their skills in areas including Science, Engineering, Education, Office, Contact Center, Light Industrial, and more. We’re always thinking about what’s next in the evolving world of work, and we help people ditch the script on old ways of thinking and embrace the value of all workstyles in the workplace. We directly employ nearly 350,000 people around the world and connect thousands more with work through our global network of talent suppliers and partners in our outsourcing and consulting practice. Revenue in 2021 was $4.9 billion. Visit kellyservices.com and let us help with what’s next for you.
Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
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Challenges. In the third quarter, Kelly remained focused on what it could control, but the uncertain economic environment persisted, impacting consolidated results. On an organic basis, revenue rose in two of the business units, while gross profit rate fell in three of the four units. Integration costs related to the MRP acquisition of $6.1 million also impacted results. Investors reacted negatively to the results, sending the shares down 18% to $18.14.
3Q24 Results. Revenue of $1.038 billion, down 7.1% y-o-y, but essentially flat on an organic basis. We were at $1.075 billion, the same as the consensus. Adjusted EBITDA of $26.2 million, up 2.7% y-o-y, but below our $34 million estimate and consensus $33 million. Net income of $0.8 million, or $0.02/sh and adjusted EPS of $0.21, compared to $0.18 and $0.50 in 3Q23.
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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
