Novatel Wireless Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2013 Financial Results

 

  • Transition plan for Company on track
  • Significant Tier-1 customer wins and growth of sales pipeline in M2M targeted vertical markets
  • Ongoing realignment of operational and go-to-market strategy in Mobile Computing

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Novatel Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVTL), a leading provider of intelligent wireless solutions, announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

Revenue in the fourth quarter was $65.3 million. GAAP net loss in the quarter was $21.3 million, or $(0.63) per share. On a non-GAAP basis, net loss for the quarter was $5.6 million, or $(0.16) per share. Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter was a loss of $3.4 million.

For fiscal year 2013, revenue was $335.1 million. GAAP net loss for the year was $43.4 million, or $(1.28) per share. On a non-GAAP basis, net loss for the year was $20.9 million, or $(0.62) per share. Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2013 was a loss of $12.5 million. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures is included in the accompanying tables.

"We closed fiscal year 2013 having made substantial progress in transforming the business," said Peter Leparulo, CEO of Novatel Wireless. "We have undertaken significant restructuring initiatives that have meaningfully lowered our cost structure while we simultaneously reshape the company and execute on our transition plan. Growing at 18% in 2013, our M2M business had improved performance and is becoming an increasingly important area of our business. In M2M, we built out our product portfolio with major new releases aligned with our targeted vertical markets, expanded our customer base with key partners in those verticals and advanced our go to market strategy to directly engage enterprise customers. We also began a significant retrenching of our mobile computing business to a new model, focusing our development efforts on select channels and a more variable cost structure for portions of our development activities.

"Moving into 2014, in M2M we have substantial orders and contracts on hand and a robust sales pipeline, and are targeting significant growth in our M2M business. As we integrate with more M2M customers, we are leveraging our deep domain expertise in our targeted verticals and shortening our time to market. Ultimately we believe our new operating and go-to-market strategy in mobile computing will improve the performance of this business. During this transition period, we will continue to align our expenses with our revenue and opportunities, and believe the steps we are taking position the Company for long-term profitability and growth," concluded Leparulo.

First Quarter 2014 Business Outlook

The following statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. Please see the section titled, "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" at the end of this press release. A more detailed description of risks related to our business is included in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Our guidance for the first quarter of 2014 reflects current business indicators and expectations as of the date of this release. All figures are approximations based on management's beliefs and assumptions as of the date of this release.

    First Quarter 2014
Total Revenue   $50 - $54 million
Mobile Computing Revenue   $39 - $42 million
M2M Revenue   $11 - $12 million
     
Non-GAAP Gross Margin   21% - 22%
     
Non-GAAP EPS   $(0.22) - $(0.15)
     

Conference Call Information

Novatel Wireless will host a conference call and live webcast for analysts and investors today at 5:00 p.m. ET. To access the conference call:

  • In the United States, call 1-877-317-6789
  • International parties can access the call at 1-412-317-6789

Novatel Wireless will offer a live webcast of the conference call, which will be accessible from the "Investors" section of the Company's website at www.NVTL.com. A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available one hour after the call and will run through March 14, 2014. To hear the replay, parties in the United States may call 1-877-344-7529 and enter conference code 100 405 70#. International parties may call 1-412-317-0088 and enter the same code.

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leader in the design and development of intelligent wireless solutions based on 2G, 3G and 4G technologies. The Company delivers specialized wireless solutions to carriers, distributors, retailers, OEMs and vertical markets worldwide. Product lines include MiFi® Intelligent Mobile Hotspots, Ovation™ USB modems, Expedite® embedded modules, Mobile Tracking Solutions, Asset Tracking Solutions, and Enabler smart M2M modules. These innovative products provide anywhere, anytime communications solutions for consumers and enterprises. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on NASDAQ: NVTL. For more information please visit www.nvtl.com. (NVTLF)

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the information presented in this release constitutes forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and often contain words such as "may," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "will" and similar words and phrases indicating future results. The information presented in this release related to our financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, our outlook for the first quarter of 2014, our outlook for fiscal year 2014, as well as statements regarding new product launches, are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company therefore cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Actual results could differ materially from the Company's expectations.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Novatel Wireless' expectations are set forth as risk factors in the Company's SEC reports and filings and include (1) the future demand for wireless broadband access to data, (2) the growth of wireless wide-area networking, (3) changes in commercially adopted wireless transmission standards and technologies including 3G and 4G standards, (4) continued customer and end user acceptance of the Company's current products and market demand for the Company's anticipated new product offerings, (5) increased competition and pricing pressure from current or future wireless market participants, (6) dependence on third party manufacturers in Asia and key component suppliers worldwide, (7) unexpected liabilities or expenses, (8) the Company's ability to introduce new products in a timely manner, (9) litigation, regulatory and IP developments related to our products or component parts of our products, (10) the outcome of pending or future litigation, including the current class action securities litigation, (11) the continuing impact of the recent global credit crisis on the value and liquidity of the securities in our investment portfolio, (12) dependence on a small number of customers, (13) the effect of changes in accounting standards and in aspects of our critical accounting policies and (14) the Company's plans and expectations relating to strategic relationships, international expansion, software and hardware developments, personnel matters cost containment initiatives, and operating strategies.

These factors, as well as other factors described in the reports filed by the Company with the SEC (available at www.sec.gov), could cause actual results to differ materially. Novatel Wireless assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future, except as otherwise required pursuant to applicable law and our on-going reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Novatel Wireless has provided in this release financial information that has not been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP operating expenses, net income (loss) and earnings per share exclude stock-based compensation expenses, acquisition-related intangible-asset amortization, income tax adjustments, contingent loss for litigation, and restructuring and other severance charges. Non-GAAP net income and earnings per share for the full year also exclude the impact of establishing a valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets and assume a tax rate which management believes reflects its long-term effective tax rate.

Adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP net income (loss), earnings per share, operating expenses, and gross margin are supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be used in isolation and, moreover, they should not be considered as a substitute for net income, diluted earnings per share, operating expenses, gross margin or any other performance measure determined in accordance with GAAP. We present adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP net income (loss), earnings per share, operating expenses, and gross margin because we consider each to be an important supplemental measure of our performance.

Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to make operational decisions, evaluate the Company's performance, prepare forecasts and determine compensation. Further, management believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the Company's performance when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. The stock-based compensation expenses are expected to vary depending on the number of new grants issued to both current and new employees, and changes in the Company's stock price, stock market volatility, expected option life and risk-free interest rates, all of which are difficult to estimate. In calculating non-GAAP operating expenses, net income (loss) and earnings per share, management excludes stock-based compensation expenses, acquisition-related intangible-asset amortization, income tax adjustments, contingent loss for litigation, and restructuring and other severance charges to facilitate comparability of the Company's operating performance on a period-to-period basis because such expenses are not, in management's review, related to the Company's ongoing operating performance. Management uses this view of its operating performance for purposes of comparison with its business plan and individual operating budgets and allocation of resources.

We further believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in providing greater transparency to the information used by management in its operational decision making. We believe that the use of non-GAAP operating expenses, net income (loss) and earnings per share also facilitates a comparison of Novatel Wireless' underlying operating performance with that of other companies in our industry, which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results.

Calculating non-GAAP operating expenses, net income (loss) and earnings per share have limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider these measures in isolation or as substitutes for GAAP operating expenses, net income and earnings per share. In the future, we expect to continue to incur expenses similar to the non-GAAP adjustments described above, and exclusion of these items in the presentation of our non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an inference that these costs are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Investors and potential investors are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool. Some of the limitations in relying on non-GAAP operating expenses, net income (loss) and earnings per share are:

  • Other companies, including other companies in our industry, may calculate non-GAAP operating expenses, net income and earnings per share differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as a comparative tool.
  • The Company's income tax expense will be ultimately based on its GAAP taxable income and actual tax rates in effect, which may differ significantly from the effective tax rate used in our non-GAAP financial measures.

In addition, the adjustments to our GAAP operating expenses, net income (loss) and earnings per share reflect the exclusion of stock-based compensation expenses that are recurring and will be reflected in the Company's financial results for the foreseeable future. The Company compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amount excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures. The Company further compensates for the limitations of our use of non-GAAP financial measures by presenting comparable GAAP measures more prominently. The Company evaluates the non-GAAP financial measures together with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Investors and potential investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures contained within this press release with our GAAP operating expenses, net income (loss), earnings per share and gross margin. For more information, see the consolidated statements of operations and the "Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss to Non-GAAP Net Loss" contained in this press release.

(C) 2014 Novatel Wireless, Inc. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless name and logo are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc.

 
NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
         
    December 31,   December 31,
      2013       2012  
   

(Preliminary and
unaudited)

   
ASSETS        
         
Current assets:        
         
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 2,911     $ 16,044  
Marketable securities     16,612       38,064  
Restricted marketable securities     2,566       -  
Accounts receivable, net     39,985       42,652  
Inventories     27,793       39,016  
Deferred tax assets, net     100       126  
Prepaid expenses and other     5,662       4,829  
Total current assets     95,629       140,731  
         
Property and equipment, net     9,901       15,229  
         
Marketable securities     3,443       1,201  
         
Intangible assets, net     2,131       3,163  
         
Deferred tax assets, net     81       584  
         
Other assets     280       623  
Total assets   $ 111,465     $ 161,531  
         
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
         
Current liabilities:        
         
Accounts payable   $ 24,538     $ 45,732  
Accrued expenses     23,271       27,800  
Current portion of contingent loss for litigation     4,326       -  
Short-term bridge loan facility     2,566       -  
Total current liabilities     54,701       73,532  
         
Other long-term liabilities     1,848       2,552  
Long-term portion of contingent loss for litigation     10,000       -  
         
Total liabilities     66,549       76,084  
         
Stockholders' equity:        
         
Common stock     34       34  
Additional paid-in capital     441,368       438,477  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     5       14  
Accumulated deficit     (371,491 )     (328,078 )
      69,916       110,447  
Treasury stock at cost     (25,000 )     (25,000 )
Total stockholders' equity     44,916       85,447  
         
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 111,465     $ 161,531  
                 

 

NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
                 
                 
   

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

   

December 31,

 

December 31,

      2013       2012       2013       2012  
   

(Preliminary and
unaudited)

  (Unaudited)  

(Preliminary and
unaudited)

   
                 
Net revenues   $ 65,335     $ 70,675     $ 335,053     $ 344,288  
Cost of net revenues     53,296       57,117       266,759       271,845  
Gross profit     12,039       13,558       68,294       72,443  
                 
Operating costs and expenses:                
Research and development     8,979       15,440       48,246       60,422  
Sales and marketing     4,159       6,246       20,898       27,501  
General and administrative     4,970       6,607       24,179       22,668  
Goodwill and intangible assets impairment     -       (300 )     -       49,521  
Amortization of purchased intangible assets     140       183       562       1,074  
Contingent loss for litigation     14,326       -       14,326       -  
Restructuring charges     893       -       3,304       -  
Total operating costs and expenses     33,467       28,176       111,515       161,186  
                 
Operating loss     (21,428 )     (14,618 )     (43,221 )     (88,743 )
                 
Other income (expense):                
Interest income, net     4       53       113       291  
Other expense, net     (139 )     (12 )     (222 )     (203 )
                 
Loss before income taxes     (21,563 )     (14,577 )     (43,330 )     (88,655 )
                 
Income tax provision (benefit)     (257 )     335       83       611  
                 
Net loss   $ (21,306 )   $ (14,912 )   $ (43,413 )   $ (89,266 )
                 
Per share data:                
                 
Net loss per share:                
Basic and diluted   $ (0.63 )   $ (0.45 )   $ (1.28 )   $ (2.72 )
                 
                 

Weighted average shares used in computation of net loss per share:

               
Basic and diluted     34,084       33,356       33,948       32,852  
                                 

 

NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
                 
               
    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,   December 31,
      2013       2012       2013       2012  
   

(Preliminary and
unaudited)

  (Unaudited)  

(Preliminary and
unaudited)

   
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net loss   $ (21,306 )   $ (14,912 )   $ (43,413 )   $ (89,266 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     2,175       2,590       8,949       12,337  
Loss on goodwill and purchased intangible assets impairment     -       (300 )     -       49,521  
Impairment loss on equipment, leasehold improvements and software license intangible assets     400       10       418       100  
Provision for bad debts     931       400       1,936       439  
Net impairment loss on marketable securities     -       -       -       39  
Inventory provision     1,275       1,180       4,344       2,843  
Share-based compensation expense     595       2,091       3,443       7,500  
Contingent loss for litigation

 

  14,326  

 

  -  

 

  14,326       -  
Non-cash income tax expense (benefit)     (46 )     268       220       462  
Changes in assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable     6,625       (2,782 )     730       (6,242 )
Inventories     (2,043 )     (3,669 )     6,879       420  
Prepaid expenses and other assets     1,680       1       (489 )     (1,237 )
Accounts payable     (21,926 )     4,675       (19,237 )     (10,433 )
Accrued expenses, income taxes, and other     (4,988 )     3,405       (4,733 )     3,638  
                 
Net cash used in operating activities     (22,302 )     (7,043 )     (26,627 )     (29,879 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Purchases of property and equipment     (106 )     (558 )     (5,011 )     (4,579 )
Purchases of intangible assets     -       (104 )     -       (104 )
Purchases of marketable securities     (2,024 )     (12,345 )     (24,262 )     (44,216 )
Marketable securities maturities/sales     9,166       19,190       40,897       46,696  
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     7,036       6,183       11,624       (2,203 )
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Proceeds from the issuance of short-term debt, net of issuance costs     6,900       9,000       20,300       14,000  
Principal repayments of short-term debt     (6,765 )     (9,000 )     (17,734 )     (14,000 )
Principal payments under capital lease obligations     -       -       -       (46 )

Proceeds from stock option exercises and ESPP net of taxes paid on vested restricted stock units

    (37 )     583       (552 )     1,166  
Net cash provided by financing activities     98       583       2,014       1,120  
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents     (59 )     (20 )     (144 )     (63 )
                 
Net decrease in cash     (15,227 )

 

  (297 )     (13,133 )     (31,025 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     18,138       16,341       16,044       47,069  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 2,911  

 

$ 16,044     $ 2,911     $ 16,044  
                                 

 

Novatel Wireless, Inc.
Preliminary Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss to Non-GAAP Net Loss
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
                 
                 
    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
   

December 31, 2013

 

December 31, 2013

                 
   

Net
Income
(Loss)

 

Income (Loss)
Per Share,
Diluted

 

Net
Income
(Loss)

 

Income (Loss)
Per Share,
Diluted

                 
GAAP net loss   $ (21,306 )     (0.63 )   $ (43,413 )   $ (1.28 )
                 
Adjustments:                
Share-based compensation expense (a)     595       0.02       3,443     $ 0.10  
                 
Acquisition related charges (b)     224       0.01       896     $ 0.03  
                 
Income tax adjustments (c)     (325 )     (0.01 )     (124 )   $ (0.01 )
                 
Contingent loss for litigation (d)     14,326       0.42       14,326     $ 0.42  
                 
Restructuring and other severance (e)     893       0.03       3,967     $ 0.12  
Non-GAAP net loss   $ (5,593 )   $ (0.16 )   $ (20,905 )   $ (0.62 )
                 
(a) Adjustments reflect share-based compensation expense recorded under ASC Topic 718.
                 
(b) Adjustments reflect amortization of purchased intangibles.
                 
(c) Adjustments for certain deferred tax valuation activity.
                 

(d) Adjustments reflect contingent loss for litigation

                 
(e) Adjustments reflect restructuring and other reduction in force charges.
                 
See "Non -GAAP Financial Measures" for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP financial measures.
                  .  

 

Novatel Wireless, Inc.
Preliminary Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Costs and Expenses to Non-GAAP Operating Costs and Expenses
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
                         
                         
    GAAP  

Share-based
compensation
expense
(a)

 

Purchased
intangibles
amortization
(b)

 

Contingent
Loss
Litigation
(c)

 

Restructuring
charges (d)

  Non-GAAP
                         
Cost of net revenues   $ 53,296   $ 35   $ 84   $ -   $ -   $ 53,177
                         
Operating costs and expenses:                        
Research and development     8,979     206     -     -     -     8,773
Sales and marketing     4,159     51     -     -     -     4,108
General and administrative     4,970     303     -     -     -     4,667
Amortization of purchased intangibles assets     140     -     140     -     -     -
Contingent loss for litigation     14,326     -     -     14,326     -     -
Restructuring charges     893     -     -     -     893     -
Total operating costs and expenses   $ 33,467     560     140     14,326     893   $ 17,548
                         
Total       $ 595   $ 224   $ 14,326   $ 893    
                         
                         
(a) Adjustments reflect share-based compensation expense recorded under ASC Topic 718.
                         
(b) Adjustments reflect amortization of purchased intangibles.
                         
(c) Adjustments reflect contingent loss for litigation
                         
(d) Adjustments reflect restructuring charges.
See "Non -GAAP Financial Measures" for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP financial measures.
 

 

Novatel Wireless, Inc.
Preliminary Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Costs and Expenses to Non-GAAP Operating Costs and Expenses

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013

(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
                         
                         
    GAAP  

Share-based
compensation
expense
(a)

 

Purchased
intangibles
amortization
(b)

 

Contingent
Loss
Litigation
(c)

 

Restructure
and Other
Severance
(d)

  Non-GAAP
                         
Cost of net revenues   $ 266,759   $ 84   $ 334   $ -   $ 40   $ 266,301
                         
Operating costs and expenses:                        
Research and development     48,246     1,114     -     -     433     46,699
Sales and marketing     20,898     669     -     -     185     20,044
General and administrative     24,179     1,576     -     -     5     22,598
Amortization of purchased intangibles assets     562     -     562     -     -     -
Contingent loss for litigation     14,326     -     -     14,326     -     -
Restructuring charges     3,304     -     -     -     3,304     -
Total operating costs and expenses   $ 111,515     3,359     562     14,326     3,927   $ 89,341
                         
Total       $ 3,443   $ 896   $ 14,326   $ 3,967    
                         
                         
(a) Adjustments reflect share-based compensation expense recorded under ASC Topic 718.
                         
(b) Adjustments reflect amortization of purchased intangibles.
                         

(c) Contingent loss for litigation

                         
(d) Restructuring and other reduction in force charges.
                         
See "Non -GAAP Financial Measures" for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP financial measures.
 

 

Novatel Wireless, Inc.
Preliminary Reconciliation of GAAP Loss before Income Taxes to Adjusted EBITDA
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
         
    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31, 2013   December 31, 2013
         
Loss before income taxes   $ (21,563 )   $ (43,330 )
Depreciation and amortization     2,175       8,949  
Share-based compensation expense     595       3,443  
Contingent loss for litigation     14,326       14,326  
Restructuring and other severance charges     893       3,967  
Other expense     135       109  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ (3,439 )   $ (12,536 )
         
See "Non -GAAP Financial Measures" for information regarding our use of Non-GAAP financial measures.
 

 

NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.
Segment Reporting
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
(in thousands)
                 
                 
   

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

   

December 31,

 

December 31,

      2013       2012       2013       2012  
   

(Preliminary and
unaudited)

  (Unaudited)  

(Preliminary and
unaudited)

   

Net revenues by reportable segment:

               
Mobile Computing Products   $ 56,989     $ 63,888     $ 297,499     $ 312,508  
M2M Products and Solutions     8,346       6,787       37,554       31,780  
Total   $ 65,335     $ 70,675     $ 335,053     $ 344,288  
                 

Operating loss by reportable segment:

               
Mobile Computing Products   $ (18,138 )   $ (11,223 )   $ (27,939 )   $ (22,924 )
M2M Products and Solutions     (3,290 )     (3,395 )     (15,282 )     (65,819 )
Total   $ (21,428 )   $ (14,618 )   $ (43,221 )   $ (88,743 )
                 
                 
            December 31,   December 31,
              2013       2012  
           

(Preliminary and
unaudited)

   

Identifiable assets by reportable segment:

               
Mobile Computing Products           $ 96,516     $ 141,045  
M2M Products and Solutions             14,949       20,486  
Total           $ 111,465     $ 161,531  

 

Investor contact:
The Blueshirt Group for Novatel Wireless
Chris Danne, 415-217-5865
chris@blueshirtgroup.com
Matthew Hunt, 415-489-2194
matt@blueshirtgroup.com

Source: Novatel Wireless, Inc.

 

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