Press release

Sequans Communications Announces Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results

0
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4G chipmaker Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2019.

Third Quarter Highlights:

Revenue: Revenue was $7.5 million, a decrease of 7.8% compared to the second quarter of 2019, primarily due to lower product revenue in Cat 1 IoT, partially offset by an increase in other revenue. Q3 2019 revenue represented a decrease of 27.4% compared to the third quarter of 2018, reflecting primarily the decline in the broadband revenue from emerging markets and lower verticals revenue.

Gross margin: Gross margin was 38.0% compared to 40.1% in the second quarter of 2019, compared to 35.0% in the third quarter of 2018.

Operating loss: Operating loss was $7.5 million compared to an operating loss of $6.6 million in the second quarter of 2019 and an operating loss of $7.9 million in the third quarter of 2018.

Net loss: Net loss was $8.7 million, or ($0.09) per diluted share/ADS, compared to a net loss of $8.9 million, or ($0.09) per diluted share/ADS, in the second quarter of 2019 and a net loss of $8.7 million, or ($0.09) per diluted share/ADS, in the third quarter of 2018.

Non-IFRS Net loss: Excluding the non-cash stock-based compensation, the non-cash impact of convertible debt amendments, effective interest adjustments related to the convertible debt and other financings, and deferred tax benefit or expense related to the convertible debt and other financings, non-IFRS net loss was $7.5 million, or ($0.08) per diluted share/ADS, compared to a non-IFRS net loss of $7.6 million, or ($0.08) per diluted share/ADS in the second quarter of 2019, and a non-IFRS net loss of $8.0 million, or ($0.08) per diluted share/ADS, in the third quarter of 2018.

Cash: Cash and cash equivalents at Sept 30, 2019 totaled $6.3 million. This excludes an upfront payment of $18 million received in October 2019, related to a new strategic agreement that was executed after the quarter closed. Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2019 totaled $5.9 million.

“IoT revenue was temporarily affected in Q3 by a short-term channel inventory issue with one Cat 1 customer. We expect this inventory issue to be resolved during Q4, overall Cat 1 demand remains good, and we expect significant growth next year,” said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO. “We continue to see momentum building in Cat M/NB and a major new design win should contribute to our ramp next year. Broadband demand remains steady, and we continue to expect gradual improvement in broadband revenue, mainly from new design wins.

“On the strategic front, we are very pleased to have signed a multi-year non-exclusive license and services agreement with an estimated value exceeding $35 million over 3+ years, subject to Sequans achieving pre-agreed milestones,” added Dr. Karam. “Also, during Q4 we have concluded another strategic agreement, and we see an expanding list of potential new strategic opportunities. This demonstrates a growing recognition that Sequans represents a scarce resource with obvious technology leadership. In addition, we are happy to announce we are sampling our NB-only solution, making us the only company worldwide to offer a complete range of cellular IoT solutions, including NB-only, dual-mode Cat M/NB as well as a fully-optimized Cat 1 solution.”

In millions of US$ except percentages, shares and per share amounts

Key Metrics

Q3 2019

%*

Q2 2019

%*

Q3 2018(1)

%*

Revenue

$7.5

 

 

$8.1

 

 

$10.3

 

 

Gross profit

2.8

 

38.0

%

3.3

 

40.1

%

3.6

 

35.0

%

Operating loss

(7.5

)

(99.9

)%

(6.6

)

(81.3

)%

(7.9

)

(77.1

)%

Net loss

(8.7

)

(116.5

)%

(8.9

)

(109.7

)%

(8.7

)

(84.3

)%

Diluted EPS

($0.09

)

 

($0.09

)

 

($0.09

)

 

Weighted average number of diluted shares/ADS

95,082,574

 

 

94,970,749

 

 

94,533,229

 

 

Cash flow from (used in) operations

(1.0

)

 

(5.7

)

 

(1.3

)

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposit at quarter-end

6.3

 

 

5.9

 

 

5.2

 

 

Additional information on non-cash items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Stock-based compensation included in operating result

0.4

 

 

0.4

 

 

0.4

 

 

– Non-cash interest on convertible debt and other financing

1.2

 

 

1.0

 

 

0.8

 

 

– Non-cash impact of convertible debt amendment

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

– Non-cash impact of deferred tax expense (benefit)

(0.3

)

 

(0.2

)

 

(0.8

)

 

Non-IFRS diluted EPS (excludes non-cash stock-based compensation, impact of convertible debt amendments, effective interest adjustments related to the convertible and other debt and embedded derivative, impact of revaluation of interest-free government loan) and related deferred tax benefit (expense)

($0.08

)

 

($0.08

)

 

($0.08

)

 

* Percentage of revenue

(1) Updated from the 2018 earnings release provided on October 30, 2018

Q4 2019 Outlook

The following statement is based on management’s current assumptions and expectations. This statement is forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. Sequans undertakes no obligation to update this statement.

Sequans expects revenue for the fourth quarter of 2019 to show sequential improvement.

Conference Call and Webcast

Sequans plans to conduct a teleconference and live webcast to discuss the financial results for the third quarter of 2019 today, November 6, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. EST /14:00 CET. To participate in the live call, analysts and investors should dial 800-230-1059, or 612-234-9959 if outside the U.S. A live and archived webcast of the call will be available from the Investors section of the Sequans website at www.sequans.com/investors/. A replay of the conference call will be available until December 6, 2019 by dialing toll free 800-475-6701 or 320-365-3844 from outside the U.S., using the following access code: 472756.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains projections and other forward-looking statements regarding future events or our future financial performance and potential financing sources. All statements other than present and historical facts and conditions contained in this release, including any statements regarding our future results of operations and financial positions, business strategy and plans, expectations for IoT and Broadband sales, the expected value of a recent strategic agreement, the potential for new strategic transactions and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the 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 statements are only predictions and reflect our current beliefs and expectations with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risk and uncertainties and subject to change at any time. We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein include, without limitation: (i) the contraction or lack of growth of markets in which we compete and in which our products are sold, (ii) unexpected increases in our expenses, including manufacturing expenses, (iii) our inability to adjust spending quickly enough to offset any unexpected revenue shortfall, (iv) delays or cancellations in spending by our customers, (v) unexpected average selling price reductions, (vi) the significant fluctuation to which our quarterly revenue and operating results are subject due to cyclicality in the wireless communications industry and transitions to new process technologies, (vii) our inability to anticipate the future market demands and future needs of our customers, (viii) our inability to achieve new design wins or for design wins to result in shipments of our products at levels and in the timeframes we currently expect, (ix) our inability to enter into and execute on strategic alliances, (x) (our ability to meet performance milestones under strategic license agreements, (xi) the impact of natural disasters on our sourcing operations and supply chain, (xii) our ability to remediate material weaknesses in our internal controls relating to the impact of accounting changes relating to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities related to the application of IFRS to deferred taxes on debt instruments with equity components, and (xiii) other factors detailed in documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Use of Non-IFRS/non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our unaudited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, we disclose certain non-IFRS, or non-GAAP, financial measures. These measures exclude the non-cash stock-based compensation and the non-cash impacts of convertible debt amendments, effective interest adjustments related to the convertible debt and other financings, and deferred tax benefit or expense related to the convertible debt and other financings. We believe that these measures can be useful to facilitate comparisons among different companies. These non-GAAP measures have limitations in that the non-GAAP measures we use may not be directly comparable to those reported by other companies. We seek to compensate for this limitation by providing a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measures in the table attached to this press release.

About Sequans Communications

Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a leading provider of single-mode 4G LTE wireless semiconductor solutions for Internet of Things (IoT) and a wide range of broadband data devices. Founded in 2003, Sequans has developed and delivered seven generations of 4G technology and its chips are certified and shipping in 4G networks around the world. Today, Sequans offers two LTE product lines: StreamliteLTE™, optimized for IoT and M2M devices and StreamrichLTE™, optimized for feature-rich mobile computing and home and portable router devices. The company is based in Paris, France with additional offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, and China.

Visit Sequans online at www.sequans.com; www.facebook.com/sequans; www.twitter.com/sequans

Condensed financial tables follow

SEQUANS COMMUNICATIONS S.A.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three months ended

(in thousands of US$, except share and per share amounts)

Sept 30,

2019

 

June 30,

2019

 

Sept 30,

2018 (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue :

 

 

 

 

 

Product revenue

$

5,872

 

 

$

6,966

 

 

$

7,526

 

Other revenue

1,598

 

 

1,136

 

 

2,759

 

Total revenue

7,470

 

 

8,102

 

 

10,285

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of product revenue

4,234

 

 

4,368

 

 

6,026

 

Cost of other revenue

394

 

 

482

 

 

664

 

Total cost of revenue

4,628

 

 

4,850

 

 

6,690

 

Gross profit

2,842

 

 

3,252

 

 

3,595

 

Operating expenses :

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

6,205

 

 

5,773

 

 

6,750

 

Sales and marketing

1,857

 

 

2,026

 

 

2,229

 

General and administrative

2,245

 

 

2,038

 

 

2,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

10,307

 

 

9,837

 

 

11,524

 

Operating loss

(7,465

)

 

(6,585

)

 

(7,929

)

Financial income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (expense), net

(2,293

)

 

(2,214

)

 

(1,278

)

Convertible debt amendment

 

 

 

 

(265

)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

874

 

 

(303

)

 

58

 

Loss before income taxes

(8,884

)

 

(9,102

)

 

(9,414

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

(179

)

 

(213

)

 

(739

)

Loss

$

(8,705

)

 

$

(8,889

)

 

$

(8,675

)

Attributable to :

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders of the parent

(8,705

)

 

(8,889

)

 

(8,675

)

Minority interests

 

 

 

 

 

Basic loss per share

($0.09

)

 

($0.09

)

 

($0.09

)

Diluted loss per share

($0.09

)

 

($0.09

)

 

($0.09

)

Weighted average number of shares used for computing:

 

 

 

 

 

— Basic

95,082,574

 

 

94,970,749

 

 

94,533,229

 

— Diluted

95,082,574

 

 

94,970,749

 

 

94,533,229

 

(1) Updated from the 2018 earnings release provided on October 30, 2018

SEQUANS COMMUNICATIONS S.A.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Nine months ended Sept 30,

(in thousands of US$, except share and per share amounts)

2019

 

2018(1)

 

 

 

 

Revenue :

 

 

 

Product revenue

$

17,519

 

 

$

25,082

 

Other revenue

5,091

 

 

9,095

 

Total revenue

22,610

 

 

34,177

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

 

Cost of product revenue

12,177

 

 

19,014

 

Cost of other revenue

1,450

 

 

1,902

 

Total cost of revenue

13,627

 

 

20,916

 

Gross profit

8,983

 

 

13,261

 

Operating expenses :

 

 

 

Research and development

18,135

 

 

21,421

 

Sales and marketing

6,104

 

 

7,232

 

General and administrative

6,196

 

 

6,792

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

30,435

 

 

35,445

 

Operating loss

(21,452

)

 

(22,184

)

Financial income (expense):

 

 

 

Interest income (expense), net

(6,483

)

 

(3,745

)

Convertible debt amendment

 

 

 

(265

)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

893

 

 

34

 

Loss before income taxes

(27,042

)

 

(26,160

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

(409

)

 

(646

)

Loss

$

(26,633

)

 

$

(25,514

)

Attributable to :

 

 

 

Shareholders of the parent

(26,633

)

 

(25,514

)

Minority interests

 

 

 

Basic loss per share

($0.28

)

 

($0.27

)

Diluted loss per share

($0.28

)

 

($0.27

)

Weighted average number of shares used for computing:

 

 

 

— Basic

94,947,800

 

 

93,486,416

 

— Diluted

94,947,800

 

 

93,486,416

 

(1) Updated from the 2018 earnings release provided on October 30, 2018

SEQUANS COMMUNICATIONS S.A.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

At Sept 3,

At Dec 31,

(in thousands of US$)

2019

2018

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

Non-current assets

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

$

9,110

 

$

6,271

 

Intangible assets

15,653

 

12,409

 

Deposits and other receivables

379

 

394

 

Other non-current financial assets

320

 

337

 

Total non-current assets

25,462

 

19,411

 

Current assets

 

 

Inventories

7,396

 

8,243

 

Trade receivables

11,948

 

13,177

 

Contract assets

3,021

 

2,707

 

Prepaid expenses and other receivables

3,995

 

3,237

 

Recoverable value added tax

507

 

565

 

Research tax credit receivable

2,196

 

3,148

 

Cash and cash equivalents

6,251

 

12,086

 

Total current assets

35,314

 

43,163

 

Total assets

$

60,776

 

$

62,574

 

 

 

 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

 

 

Equity

 

 

Issued capital, euro 0.02 nominal value, 95,163,202 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 (94,732,539 shares at December 31, 2018)

$

2,393

 

$

2,384

 

Share premium

233,729

 

225,470

 

Other capital reserves

43,135

 

39,768

 

Accumulated deficit

(298,669

)

(272,036

)

Other components of equity

(686

)

(605

)

Total equity

(20,098

)

(5,019

)

Non-current liabilities

 

 

Government grant advances and loans

6,756

 

5,674

 

Venture debt

7,982

 

11,811

 

Convertible debt and accrued interest

22,031

 

19,723

 

Lease liabilities

2,978

 

 

Trade payables

1,344

 

 

Provisions

1,865

 

1,689

 

Deferred tax liabilities

937

 

691

 

Deferred revenue

445

 

808

 

Total non-current liabilities

44,338

 

40,396

 

Current liabilities

 

 

Trade payables

10,325

 

9,412

 

Interest-bearing receivables financing

7,995

 

10,295

 

Venture Debt

4,455

 

823

 

Convertible debt and accrued interest

6,927

 

 

Lease liabilities

827

 

 

Government grant advances and loans

814

 

688

 

Other current liabilities

4,223

 

4,654

 

Deferred revenue

705

 

973

 

Provisions

265

 

352

 

Total current liabilities

36,536

 

27,197

 

Total equity and liabilities

$

60,776

 

$

62,574

 

SEQUANS COMMUNICATIONS S.A.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

 

Nine months ended Sept 30,

(in thousands of US$)

2019

 

2018(1)

Operating activities

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

$

(27,042

)

 

$

(26,160

)

Non-cash adjustment to reconcile income before tax to net cash from (used in) operating activities

 

 

 

Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment

2,900

 

 

2,372

 

Amortization and impairment of intangible assets

3,310

 

 

2,334

 

Share-based payment expense

1,279

 

 

1,505

 

Increase (decrease) in provisions

68

 

 

66

 

Financial expense (income)

6,483

 

 

3,745

 

Convertible debt amendment

 

 

265

 

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

(1,059

)

 

(174

)

Loss (Gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment

(32

)

 

 

Working capital adjustments

 

 

 

Decrease (Increase) in trade receivables and other receivables

704

 

 

847

 

Decrease (Increase) in inventories

847

 

 

89

 

Decrease in research tax credit receivable

1,376

 

 

407

 

Increase in trade payables and other liabilities

466

 

 

114

 

Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue

(631

)

 

94

 

Increase (decrease) in government grant advances

245

 

 

(744

)

Income tax paid

(247

)

 

(80

)

Net cash flow used in operating activities

(11,333

)

 

(15,320

)

Investing activities

 

 

 

Purchase of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

(2,888

)

 

(4,456

)

Capitalized development expenditures

(3,537

)

 

(2,224

)

Sale (purchase) of financial assets

32

 

 

25

 

Interest received

5

 

 

71

 

Net cash flow used in investments activities

(6,388

)

 

(6,237

)

Financing activities

 

 

 

Proceeds from issue of warrants, exercise of stock options/warrants

 

 

30

 

Public equity offering proceeds, net of transaction costs paid

 

 

20,840

 

Proceeds from issuing of warrants, net of transaction costs paid

8,269

 

 

 

Proceeds (Repayment of) from interest-bearing receivables financing

(2,300

)

 

2,136

 

Proceeds from interest-bearing research project financing

1,126

 

 

1,574

 

Proceeds from convertible debt, net of transaction costs

7,970

 

 

 

Payment of lease liabilities

(1,048

)

 

 

Repayment of government loans

(335

)

 

(352

)

Interest paid

(1,788

)

 

(438

)

Net cash flows from financing activities

11,894

 

 

23,790

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(5,827

)

 

2,233

 

Net foreign exchange difference

(8

)

 

(2

)

Cash and cash equivalent at January 1

12,086

 

 

2,948

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

$

6,251

 

 

$

5,179

 

(1) Updated from the 2018 earnings release provided on October 30, 2018

SEQUANS COMMUNICATIONS S.A.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-IFRS FINANCIAL RESULTS

(in thousands of US$, except share and per share amounts)

Three months ended

Sept 30,

2019

 

June 30,

2019

 

Sept 30,

2018 (3)

Net IFRS loss as reported

$

(8,705

)

 

$

(8,889

)

 

$

(8,675

)

Add back

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense according to IFRS 2 (1)

362

 

 

429

 

 

446

 

Non-cash interest on convertible debt and other financing (2)

1,180

 

 

1,041

 

 

761

 

Non-cash impact of convertible debt amendment

 

 

 

 

265

 

Non-cash impact of deferred tax income (loss)

(287

)

 

(166

)

 

(817

)

 

$

(7,450

)

 

$

(7,585

)

 

$

(8,020

)

IFRS basic loss per share as reported

($0.09

)

 

($0.09

)

 

($0.09

)

Add back

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense according to IFRS 2 (1)

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

 

$0.01

 

Non-cash interest on convertible debt and other financing (2)

$0.01

 

 

$0.01

 

 

$0.01

 

Non-cash impact of convertible debt amendment

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

Non-cash impact of deferred tax income (loss)

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

 

($0.01

)

Non-IFRS basic loss per share

($0.08

)

 

($0.08

)

 

($0.08

)

IFRS diluted loss per share

($0.09

)

 

($0.09

)

 

($0.09

)

Add back

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense according to IFRS 2 (1)

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

 

$0.01

 

Non-cash interest on convertible debt and other financing (2)

$0.01

 

 

$0.01

 

 

$0.01

 

Non-cash impact of convertible debt amendment

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

Non-cash impact of deferred tax income (loss)

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

 

($0.01

)

Non-IFRS diluted loss per share

($0.08

)

 

($0.08

)

 

($0.08

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Included in the IFRS loss as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of product revenue

$

2

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

2

 

Research and development

110

 

 

121

 

 

116

 

Sales and marketing

54

 

 

60

 

 

66

 

General and administrative

196

 

 

245

 

 

262

 

(2) Related to the difference between contractual and effective interest rates

(3) Updated from the 2018 earnings release provided on October 30, 2018

SEQUANS COMMUNICATIONS S.A.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-IFRS FINANCIAL RESULTS

(in thousands of US$, except share and per share amounts)

Nine months ended Sept 30,

2019

 

2018

Net IFRS loss as reported

$

(26,633

)

 

$

(25,514

)

Add back

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense according to IFRS 2 (1)

1,279

 

 

1,504

 

Non-cash interest on convertible debt and other financing (2)

3,093

 

 

2,177

 

Non-cash impact of convertible debt amendment

 

 

265

 

Non-cash impact of deferred tax income (loss)

(529

)

 

(817

)

 

$

(22,790

)

 

$

(22,385

)

IFRS basic loss per share as reported

($0.28

)

 

($0.27

)

Add back

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense according to IFRS 2 (1)

$0.01

 

 

$0.02

 

Non-cash interest on convertible debt and other financing (2)

$0.03

 

 

$0.02

 

Non-cash impact of convertible debt amendment

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

Non-cash impact of deferred tax income (loss)

$0.00

 

 

($0.01

)

Non-IFRS basic loss per share

($0.24

)

 

($0.24

)

IFRS diluted loss per share

($0.28

)

 

($0.27

)

Add back

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense according to IFRS 2 (1)

$0.01

 

 

$0.02

 

Non-cash interest on convertible debt and other financing (2)

$0.03

 

 

$0.02

 

Non-cash impact of convertible debt amendment

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

Non-cash impact of deferred tax income (loss)

$0.00

 

 

($0.01

)

Non-IFRS diluted loss per share

($0.24

)

 

($0.24

)

 

 

 

 

(1) Included in the IFRS loss as follows:

 

 

 

Cost of product revenue

$

7

 

 

$

8

 

Research and development

371

 

 

382

 

Sales and marketing

182

 

 

219

 

General and administrative

719

 

 

895

 

 

 

 

 

(2) Related to the difference between contractual and effective interest rates

 

 

 

(3) Updated from the 2018 earnings release provided on October 30, 2018