Press release

Luna Innovations Reports Strong Third-Quarter 2020 Results

0
Sponsored by Businesswire

Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ: LUNA), a global leader in advanced optical technology, today announced its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

“I’m extremely pleased with our strong third-quarter 2020 performance, which reflects the team’s focus on delivering results during these challenging times,” said Scott Graeff, President and Chief Executive Officer of Luna. “I’m particularly pleased with how well the entire team has navigated the unusual and constantly changing environment, with a focus on growing top-line, expanding both gross and operating margins year-over-year, all while managing expenses prudently. Although we continue to experience some impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are performing close to our original budget year-to-date, which under the circumstances is quite extraordinary. We will continue to focus on supporting customers with excellence, delivering strong results for our shareholders, and providing a safe and supportive environment for our employees.”

Third-Quarter Fiscal 2020 Financial Summary

Financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2020 marked the 12th consecutive quarter of year-on-year revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth.

Highlights of the financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2020 are:

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

2020

 

2019

 

Change

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Lightwave

 

$

15,350

 

 

$

13,088

 

 

17

%

Luna Labs

 

5,700

 

 

5,301

 

 

8

%

Total revenues

 

21,050

 

 

18,389

 

 

14

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

10,949

 

 

9,275

 

 

18

%

Gross margin

 

52

%

 

50

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expense

 

8,697

 

 

7,793

 

 

12

%

Operating income

 

2,252

 

 

1,482

 

 

52

%

Operating margin

 

11

%

 

8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income and income tax benefit/(expense)

 

850

 

 

(252

)

 

437

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,102

 

 

$

1,230

 

 

152

%

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

32,411,086

 

 

32,115,847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share (diluted)

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.04

 

 

150

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

4,267

 

 

$

2,883

 

 

48

%

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income can be found in the schedules included in this release.

Lightwave revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2020 increased compared to the prior-year period, due primarily to increased revenues from our communication test and sensing businesses. Luna Labs revenue increased for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the prior-year period, due to growth in various government research programs.

Operating income and margin improved to $2.3 million and 11% of total revenues, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $1.5 million and 8% of total revenues, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increase in operating income was primarily due to our revenue mix and operating expense leverage. The Lightwave division represented a larger portion of our total revenues and generally carries stronger margins. Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased 1.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019.

Net income was $3.1 million, or $0.10 per fully diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $1.2 million, or $0.04 per fully diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Net income attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2020, was $3.1 million, or $0.10 per fully diluted share, compared to $1.1 million, or $0.03 per fully diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increase in both net income from continuing operations and net income attributable to common stockholders is primarily due to Lightwave’s additional gross profit and operating expense leverage.

Adjusted EBITDA was $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increase was driven by revenue growth, increased gross profit, and operating expense leverage.

Nine Months Year-to-Date Fiscal 2020 Financial Summary

The results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 include nine months of the business of General Photonics Corporation (“GP”), acquired in March 2019, compared to seven months for the prior-year period.

Highlights of the financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 are:

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

2020

 

2019

 

Change

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Lightwave

 

$

39,837

 

 

$

35,129

 

 

13

 

%

Luna Labs

 

16,929

 

 

15,907

 

 

6

 

%

Total revenues

 

56,766

 

 

51,036

 

 

11

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

28,830

 

 

24,795

 

 

16

 

%

Gross margin

 

51

%

 

49

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expense

 

24,378

 

 

23,196

 

 

5

 

%

Operating income

 

4,452

 

 

1,599

 

 

178

 

%

Operating margin

 

8

%

 

3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income and income tax benefit

 

339

 

 

1,597

 

 

(79

)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

 

$

4,791

 

 

$

3,196

 

 

50

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax of $464

 

(1,436

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,355

 

 

$

3,196

 

 

5

 

%

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

32,478,625

 

 

31,768,575

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share from continuing operations (diluted)

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

50

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

8,803

 

 

$

6,236

 

 

41

 

%

Lightwave revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased compared to the prior-year period due to the inclusion of the incremental revenues associated with the acquired operations of GP, as well as increased revenues associated with our sensing business. Luna Labs revenues increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the prior period, due to growth in Phase 2 SBIR government research programs.

Operating income and margin improved to $4.5 million and 8% of total revenues, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $1.6 million and 3% of total revenues, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase in operating income was primarily due to our revenue mix and operating expense leverage. The Lightwave division represented a larger portion of our total revenues and generally carries stronger margins.

Net income from continuing operations was $4.8 million, or $0.15 per fully diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $3.2 million, or $0.10 per fully diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, which included a $1.3 million income tax benefit related to a reduction in deferred tax asset valuation allowances due to the GP acquisition. The increase in net income from continuing operations was primarily due to increased revenue and gross profit as well as operating expense leverage. Net income attributable to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, was $3.4 million, or $0.10 per fully diluted share, compared to $2.9 million, or $0.09 per fully diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase in net income attributable to common stockholders is primarily due to increased revenue and gross profit as well as operating expense leverage, partially offset by the loss from discontinued operations. The loss from discontinued operations was attributable to the resolution of a $2.5 million indemnification claim related to the August 2017 sale of Luna’s high-speed optical receivers (HSOR) business that was recorded in the first quarter of 2020. The resolution of the HSOR claim resulted in Luna receiving $0.6 million from escrow and the buyer receiving $1.9 million, net of a tax benefit of $0.5 million.

2020 Full-Year Outlook

Luna is reaffirming its full-year guidance:

  • Total revenues of $81M to $83M
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $10M to $12M

COVID-19 Update

Luna continues to operate at its normal capacity with the well-being and safety of its workforce a priority and, to date, has not experienced any material impact related to COVID-19.

The company has a strong cash position and adequate access to capital. Cash and cash equivalents were $26.4 million as of September 30, 2020, and in addition, Luna has access to its $10 million revolving credit facility.

The company continues to believe it is in a strong position to take advantage of trends such as 5G, lightweighting and infrastructure monitoring and that these trends will continue during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luna’s operations are deemed essential and continue to operate at normal capacity with necessary COVID-19 precautions. To date, the company has been able to mitigate disruptions to its supply chain.

An important part of Luna’s sales effort has been done historically through a series of in-person tradeshows and conferences, none of which are currently taking place. Luna’s successful shift to a robust online presence has, in many instances, improved engagement between Luna’s sales force and its customers, allowing Luna to curate a specific message over a longer and more dedicated period of customer “face time”. Yet, in-person meetings have historically been helpful in closing the sale. This has created a slight challenge around Luna’s ability to forecast the exact timing of closing certain customer contracts and receiving purchase orders. Due to Luna’s innovative, reliable products and its close customer relationships, the lack of in-person discussions has not, to date, had an adverse effect on the likelihood of obtaining the orders themselves.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In evaluating the operating performance of its business, Luna’s management considers Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes certain charges and credits that are required by GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to both management and investors by excluding the effect of certain non-cash expenses and items that Luna believes may not be indicative of its operating performance, because either they are unusual and Luna does not expect them to recur in the ordinary course of its business, or they are unrelated to the ongoing operation of the business in the ordinary course. Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Adjusted EBITDA has been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measure in the table following the financial statements attached to this press release.

Conference Call Information

As previously announced, Luna will conduct an investor conference call at 5:00 pm (ET) today to discuss its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. The investor conference call will be available via live webcast on the Luna website at www.lunainc.com under the tab “Investor Relations.” To participate by telephone, the domestic dial-in number is 844.578.9643 and the international dial-in number is 270.823.1522. The participant access code is 1262746. Investors are advised to dial in at least five minutes prior to the call to register. The webcast will be archived on the company’s website under “Webcasts and Presentations” for 30 days following the conference call.

About Luna

Luna Innovations Incorporated (www.lunainc.com) is a leader in optical technology, providing unique capabilities in high-performance, fiber optic-based, test products for the telecommunications industry and distributed fiber optic-based sensing for the aerospace and automotive industries. Luna is organized into two business segments, which work closely together to turn ideas into products: a Lightwave segment and a Luna Labs segment. Luna’s business model is designed to accelerate the process of bringing new and innovative technologies to market.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this release that are not historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include Luna’s expectations regarding its projected 2020 financial results and outlook, the continuation of trends such as 5G, lightweighting and infrastructure monitoring, the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business, operations and financial results, and growth potential. Management cautions the reader that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to a number of both known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance, and/or achievements of Luna may differ materially from the future results, performance, and/or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. These factors include, without limitation, failure of demand for Luna’s products and services to meet expectations, failure of target market to grow and expand, technological and strategic challenges, uncertainties related to the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and those risks and uncertainties set forth in Luna’s Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, and Luna’s other periodic reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Such filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on Luna’s website at www.lunainc.com. The statements made in this release are based on information available to Luna as of the date of this release and Luna undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

Luna Innovations Incorporated

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

September 30, 2020

 

December 31, 2019

 

(unaudited)

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

26,422

 

 

$

25,006

 

Accounts receivable, net

18,254

 

 

16,269

 

Receivable from sale of HSOR business

 

 

2,501

 

Contract assets

4,219

 

 

2,759

 

Inventory

11,713

 

 

10,294

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

3,268

 

 

1,287

 

Total current assets

63,876

 

 

58,116

 

Long-term contract assets

577

 

 

449

 

Property and equipment, net

2,111

 

 

3,466

 

Intangible assets, net

9,193

 

 

10,194

 

Goodwill

10,542

 

 

10,542

 

Other assets

7,855

 

 

2,341

 

Deferred tax asset

1,729

 

 

1,416

 

Total assets

$

95,883

 

 

$

86,524

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

3,177

 

 

$

2,787

 

Accrued liabilities

7,716

 

 

10,369

 

Contract liabilities

3,721

 

 

3,888

 

Total current liabilities

14,614

 

 

17,044

 

Other long-term liabilities

7,761

 

 

2,011

 

Total liabilities

22,375

 

 

19,055

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $0.001, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 32,510,506 and 31,788,896 shares issued, 30,823,065 and 30,149,105 shares outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

33

 

 

32

 

Treasury stock at cost, 1,687,441 and 1,639,791 shares at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

(4,666

)

 

(4,337

)

Additional paid-in capital

91,034

 

 

88,022

 

Accumulated deficit

(12,893

)

 

(16,248

)

Total stockholders’ equity

73,508

 

 

67,469

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

95,883

 

 

$

86,524

 

Luna Innovations Incorporated

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2020

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lightwave

$

15,350

 

 

$

13,088

 

 

 

$

39,837

 

 

$

35,129

 

Luna Labs

5,700

 

 

5,301

 

 

 

16,929

 

 

15,907

 

Total revenues

21,050

 

 

18,389

 

 

 

56,766

 

 

51,036

 

Cost of revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lightwave

5,670

 

 

5,449

 

 

 

15,736

 

 

15,063

 

Luna Labs

4,431

 

 

3,665

 

 

 

12,200

 

 

11,178

 

Total cost of revenues

10,101

 

 

9,114

 

 

 

27,936

 

 

26,241

 

Gross profit

10,949

 

 

9,275

 

 

 

28,830

 

 

24,795

 

Operating expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

6,505

 

 

5,746

 

 

 

19,085

 

 

17,955

 

Research, development and engineering

1,616

 

 

2,047

 

 

 

4,717

 

 

5,241

 

Loss on sale of property and equipment

576

 

 

 

 

 

576

 

 

 

Total operating expense

8,697

 

 

7,793

 

 

 

24,378

 

 

23,196

 

Operating income

2,252

 

 

1,482

 

 

 

4,452

 

 

1,599

 

Other income/(expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income

1

 

 

76

 

 

 

65

 

 

324

 

Other income/(expense)

14

 

 

1

 

 

 

19

 

 

(5

)

Interest expense

(1

)

 

(4

)

 

 

(2

)

 

(15

)

Total other income

14

 

 

73

 

 

 

82

 

 

304

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

2,266

 

 

1,555

 

 

 

4,534

 

 

1,903

 

Income tax (benefit)/expense

(836

)

 

325

 

 

 

(257

)

 

(1,293

)

Net income from continuing operations

3,102

 

 

1,230

 

 

 

4,791

 

 

3,196

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax of $464

 

 

 

 

 

(1,436

)

 

 

Net income

3,102

 

 

1,230

 

 

 

3,355

 

 

3,196

 

Preferred stock dividend

 

 

113

 

 

 

 

 

285

 

Net income attributable to common stockholders

$

3,102

 

 

$

1,117

 

 

 

$

3,355

 

 

$

2,911

 

Net income per share from continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.04

 

 

 

$

0.16

 

 

$

0.11

 

Diluted

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.04

 

 

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.10

 

Net loss per share from discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

(0.05

)

 

$

 

Diluted

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

 

Net income per share attributable to common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.04

 

 

 

$

0.11

 

 

$

0.10

 

Diluted

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.09

 

Weighted average shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

30,809,896

 

 

28,291,297

 

 

 

30,593,954

 

 

28,193,330

 

Diluted

32,411,086

 

 

32,115,847

 

 

 

32,478,625

 

 

31,768,575

 

Luna Innovations Incorporated

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2020

 

2019

 

 

Cash flows provided by operating activities

 

 

 

Net income

$

3,355

 

 

$

3,196

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

2,126

 

 

1,835

 

Share-based compensation

1,538

 

 

1,140

 

Bad debt expense

147

 

 

 

Loss on sale of property and equipment

576

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

1,436

 

 

 

Deferred taxes

(313

)

 

 

Tax benefit from release of valuation allowance

 

 

(1,889

)

Change in assets and liabilities

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

(2,131

)

 

(2,238

)

Contract assets

(1,589

)

 

(1,106

)

Inventory

(1,419

)

 

(73

)

Other current assets

(1,982

)

 

(74

)

Other long term assets

 

 

(339

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

(1,481

)

 

(114

)

Contract liabilities

(166

)

 

747

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

97

 

 

1,085

 

Cash flows provided by/(used in) investing activities

 

 

 

Acquisition of property and equipment

(422

)

 

(501

)

Intangible property costs

(291

)

 

(192

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

403

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

600

 

 

 

Acquisition of General Photonics Corporation

 

 

(19,004

)

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities

290

 

 

(19,697

)

Cash flows provided by/(used in) financing activities

 

 

 

Payments on finance lease obligations

(39

)

 

(27

)

Payments of debt obligations

 

 

(625

)

Repurchase of common stock

(329

)

 

(2,220

)

Proceeds from the exercise of options and warrants

1,397

 

 

438

 

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

1,029

 

 

(2,434

)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

1,416

 

 

(21,046

)

Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period

25,006

 

 

42,460

 

Cash and cash equivalents-end of period

$

26,422

 

 

$

21,414

 

Luna Innovations Incorporated

Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

3,102

 

 

$

1,230

 

 

$

3,355

 

 

$

3,196

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

 

(1,436

)

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

3,102

 

 

1,230

 

 

4,791

 

 

3,196

 

Interest expense

1

 

 

4

 

 

2

 

 

15

 

Investment income

(1

)

 

(76

)

 

(65

)

 

(324

)

Income tax (benefit)/expense

(836

)

 

325

 

 

(257

)

 

(1,293

)

Depreciation and amortization

762

 

 

669

 

 

2,126

 

 

1,835

 

EBITDA

3,028

 

 

2,152

 

 

6,597

 

 

3,429

 

Share-based compensation

571

 

 

420

 

 

1,538

 

 

1,140

 

Non-recurring charges (1)

668

 

 

 

 

668

 

 

942

 

Amortization of inventory step-up

 

 

311

 

 

 

 

725

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

4,267

 

 

$

2,883

 

 

$

8,803

 

 

$

6,236

 

(1) Non-recurring charges consist of transaction and moving related expenses for the sale of property and equipment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and transaction related expenses for the acquisition of General Photonics during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.