Westell Reports Fiscal 2018 Year-End and Fourth Quarter Results


AURORA, Ill., May 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:WSTL), a leading provider of high-performance wireless infrastructure solutions, today announced results for its fiscal 2018 fourth quarter ended March 31, 2018 (4Q18) and its fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 (FY18).  Management will host a conference call to discuss financial and business results tomorrow, Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 9:30 AM Eastern Time (details below).

“Fiscal 2018 was a significant turn-around year for Westell.  Gross margin expanded to 43.0% from 37.7%, net income improved by $15.9 million, and we generated positive operating cash flow of $6.9 million,” said Kirk Brannock, Westell’s Chairman of the Board of Directors.  “While 4Q18 revenue was impacted by in-building wireless carrier spending shifts, on a FY18 year-over-year basis, sales of new public safety products grew significantly, revenue from our remote units for intelligent site management increased by a double-digit percentage, and we grew sales of integrated cabinets and power distribution products.”

 4Q18
3 months
ended
03/31/18
3Q18
3 months
ended
12/31/17
 + increase /
- decrease
 FY18
12 months
ended
03/31/18
FY17
12 months
ended
03/31/17
 + increase /
- decrease
Revenue$11.1M$13.7M-$2.6M $58.6M$63.0M-$4.4M
Gross Margin 45.5% 44.4% +1.1%  43.0% 37.7% +5.3%
Operating Margin -8.5%
 0.3% -8.8%  -2.5% -25.5% +23.0%
Net Income-$0.9M$0.8M-$1.7M $—M-$15.9M+$15.9M
Earnings Per Share-$0.06 $0.05 -$0.11  $0.00 -$1.04 +$1.04 
Non-GAAP Operating Margin (1) +3.5% +10.2% -6.7%  +7.1% -5.6% +12.7%
Non-GAAP Net Income (1)$0.4M$1.5M-$1.1M $4.4M-$3.4M+$7.8M
Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share (1)$0.03 $0.09 -$0.06  $0.28 -$0.22 +$0.50 
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA (1)$0.6M$1.6M-$1.0M $4.9M-$2.1M+$7.0M
Ending Cash & ST Investments$27.7M$26.0M+$1.7M $27.7M$21.8M+$5.9M
(1)  Please refer to the schedule at the end of this press release for a complete GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation and other information related to non-GAAP financial measures.

“Westell began FY19 strong with its largest beginning-of-year backlog in three years,” said Stephen John, Westell’s newly appointed President and CEO.  “We are approaching the testing phase of an expanded suite of new products for the growing public safety market that we expect to introduce soon, and we continue to refresh the existing product portfolio to address the needs of the emerging network densification architecture and eventual 5G roll-outs.  Also, as previously announced, we’ve added a new VP of Global Business Development and M&A to focus on expanding our product offering and customer relationships across existing and adjacent markets.”

In-Building Wireless (IBW) Segment

On a full year-over-year basis, IBW’s revenue decrease was primarily due to lower sales of commercial repeaters and DAS conditioners, partly offset by increased sales of public safety repeaters and passive system components.  On a sequential quarter basis, IBW’s revenue decrease was primarily due to lower sales of our Universal DAS Interface Tray (UDIT) active DAS conditioner.  For both comparative periods, IBW’s gross margin increase was primarily due to lower costs.

 4Q18
3 months
ended
03/31/18
3Q18
3 months
ended
12/31/17
 + increase /
- decrease
 FY18
12 months
ended
03/31/18
FY17
12 months
ended
03/31/17
 + increase /
- decrease
IBW Segment Revenue$3.2M$5.2M-$2.0M $23.3M$25.9M-$2.6M
IBW Segment Gross Margin48.0%47.3%+0.7% 45.8%33.4%+12.4%
IBW Segment R&D Expense$0.5M$0.8M-$0.3M $4.1M$6.7M-$2.6M
IBW Segment Profit$1.0M$1.7M-$0.7M $6.5M$1.9M$4.6M

Intelligent Site Management & Services (ISMS) Segment

On a full year-over-year basis, ISMS’s revenue was essentially flat, primarily as a result of increased sales of remote units offset by lower services revenue; while on a sequential quarter basis, the decrease was primarily due to lower services revenue.  For both comparative periods, ISMS’s gross margin changes were driven primarily by changes in the revenue mix among remotes, software, deployment services, and support services.

 4Q18
3 months
ended
03/31/18
3Q18
3 months
ended
12/31/17
 + increase /
- decrease
 FY18
12 months
ended
03/31/18
FY17
12 months
ended
03/31/17
 + increase /
- decrease
ISMS Segment Revenue$4.7M$5.8M-$1.1M $19.4M$19.3M$0.1M
ISMS Segment Gross Margin52.3%54.5%-2.2% 51.5%50.6%+0.9%
ISMS Segment R&D Expense$0.6M$0.5M$0.1M $2.3M$4.0M-$1.7M
ISMS Segment Profit$1.8M$2.6M-$0.8M $7.7M$5.8M$1.9M

Communication Network Solutions (CNS) Segment

On a full year-over-year basis, CNS’s revenue decrease was primarily due to declining sales of tower mounted amplifiers and T1 network interface units, partly offset by higher integrated cabinet revenue.  On a sequential quarter basis, CNS’s revenue increase was primarily driven by higher sales of integrated cabinets and power distribution products.  On a full year-over-year basis, CNS’s gross margin decrease was primarily due to a less favorable mix; while on a sequential quarter basis, the increase was driven primarily by lower costs associated with excess and obsolete inventory.

 4Q18
3 months
ended
03/31/18
3Q18
3 months
ended
12/31/17
 + increase /
- decrease
 FY18
12 months
ended
03/31/18
FY17
12 months
ended
03/31/17
 + increase /
- decrease
CNS Segment Revenue$3.2M$2.7M$0.5M $16.0M$17.7M-$1.7M
CNS Segment Gross Margin33.2%16.9%+16.3% 28.5%29.9%-1.4%
CNS Segment R&D Expense$0.2M$0.2M$—M $1.0M$1.7M-$0.7M
CNS Segment Profit$0.8M$0.2M$0.6M $3.6M$3.6M$—M

Conference Call Information

Management will discuss financial and business results during the quarterly conference call on Thursday, May 24, 2018, at 9:30 AM Eastern Time.  Investors may quickly register online in advance of the call at www.conferenceplus.com/westell.  After registering, participants receive dial-in numbers, a passcode and a registration ID that is used to uniquely identify their presence and automatically join them into the audio conference.  A participant may also register by telephone on May 24 by dialing 888-206-4073 no later than 9:15 AM Eastern Time and providing the operator confirmation number 46898730.  

This news release and related information that may be discussed on the conference call, will be posted on the Investor Relations section of Westell's website: www.westell.com.  A digital recording of the entire conference will be available for replay on Westell's website by approximately 1:00 PM Eastern Time following the conclusion of the conference.

About Westell

Westell is a leading provider of high-performance wireless infrastructure solutions focused on innovation and differentiation at the edge of communication networks where end users connect.  The Company's portfolio of products and solutions enable service providers and network operators to improve performance and reduce operating expenses.  With millions of products successfully deployed worldwide, Westell is a trusted partner for transforming networks into high-quality reliable systems. For more information, please visit www.westell.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Certain statements contained herein that are not historical facts or that contain the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “plan,” “should,” or derivatives thereof and other words of similar meaning are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, product demand and market acceptance risks, customer spending patterns, need for financing and capital, economic weakness in the United States (“U.S.”) economy and telecommunications market, the effect of international economic conditions and trade, legal, social and economic risks (such as import, licensing and trade restrictions), the impact of competitive products or technologies, competitive pricing pressures, customer product selection decisions, product cost increases, component supply shortages, new product development, excess and obsolete inventory, commercialization and technological delays or difficulties (including delays or difficulties in developing, producing, testing and selling new products and technologies), the ability to successfully consolidate and rationalize operations, the ability to successfully identify, acquire and integrate acquisitions, the effect of the Company's accounting policies, retention of key personnel and other risks more fully described in the Company's SEC filings, including the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, under Item 1A - Risk Factors.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

Financial Tables to Follow:

Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

      
  Three months ended Twelve months ended 
  March 31,
2018
(Unaudited)
 December 31,
2017
(Unaudited)
 March 31,
2017
(Unaudited)
 March 31,
2018
(Unaudited)
 March 31,
2017
(Audited)
 
Revenue:           
Products $10,063  $11,754  $14,290  $53,459  $56,530  
Services 1,033  1,921  1,096  5,118  6,435  
Total revenue $11,096  $13,675  $15,386  $58,577  $62,965  
Cost of revenue:           
Products 5,769  7,114  8,331  31,829  36,119  
Services 278  485  292  1,581  3,097  
Total cost of revenue 6,047  7,599  8,623  33,410  39,216  
Gross profit 5,049  6,076  6,763  25,167  23,749  
Gross margin 45.5% 44.4% 44.0% 43.0% 37.7% 
Operating expenses:           
Research & development 1,352  1,542  2,349  7,375  12,367  
Sales & marketing 2,012  1,950  2,124  8,290  10,344  
General & administrative 1,580  1,502  1,651  6,602  7,991  
Intangibles amortization 1,047  1,047  1,151  4,189  4,764  
Restructuring     100 (1)165 (2)3,155 (1)
Long-lived assets impairment         1,181 (3)
Total operating expenses 5,991  6,041  7,375  26,621  39,802  
Operating income (loss) (942) 35  (612) (1,454) (16,053) 
Other income (expense), net 89  79  94  888 (4)170  
Income (loss) before income taxes (853) 114  (518) (566) (15,883) 
Income tax benefit (expense) (63) 685 (5)(38) 597 (5)(58) 
Net income (loss) $(916) $799  $(556) $31  $(15,941) 
            
Net income (loss) per share:           
Basic net income (loss) $(0.06) $0.05  $(0.04)(6)$0.00  $(1.04)(6)
Diluted net income (loss) $(0.06) $0.05  $(0.04)(6)$0.00  $(1.04)(6)
            
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:           
Basic 15,541  15,504  15,431 (6)15,497  15,344 (6)
Diluted 15,541  15,755  15,431 (6)15,707  15,344 (6)

(1) The Company recorded restructuring expense relating to severance costs for terminated employees and abandonment of excess office space at its headquarters and in New Hampshire.

(2) 2Q18 restructuring expense related to severance costs for terminated employees.

(3) Non-cash impairment related to long-lived assets associated with the previously announced strategic decision related to the discontinuation of ClearLink DAS.

(4) During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company dissolved the NoranTel legal entity which triggered a one-time $0.6 million foreign currency gain with the reversal of a cumulative translation adjustment.

(5) During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, the Company had an income tax benefit of $697K from the release of the tax valuation allowance associated with previously generated alternative minimum tax (AMT) credits due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

(6) All common stock, equity, share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect a one-for-four reverse stock split which was effective June 7, 2017.

Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands)

     
Assets: March 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
 March 31, 2017
(Audited)
Cash and cash equivalents $24,963  $21,778
Short-term investments 2,779  0
Accounts receivable, net 8,872  12,075
Inventories 9,222  12,511
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 816  1,409
Total current assets 46,652  47,773
Property and equipment, net 1,601  1,984
Intangible assets, net 11,435  15,624
Other non-current assets 771  160
Total assets $60,459  $65,541
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:    
Accounts payable $1,903  $4,163
Accrued expenses 3,328  4,273
Accrued restructuring 63  1,171
Deferred revenue 1,790  2,359
Total current liabilities 7,084  11,966
Deferred revenue non-current 846  1,102
Accrued restructuring non-current   63
Other non-current liabilities 234  236
Total liabilities 8,164  13,367
Total stockholders’ equity 52,295  52,174
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $60,459  $65,541
        

Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Amounts in thousands)

     
  Three months
ended March 31,
 Twelve months 
ended March 31,
Cash flows from operating activities: 2018
 (Unaudited)
 2018
(Unaudited)
 2017
(Audited)
Net income (loss) $(916) $31  $(15,941)
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided
by (used in) operating activities:
      
Depreciation and amortization 1,210  4,957  6,144 
Long-lived assets impairment     1,181 
Stock-based compensation 283  1,271  1,594 
Restructuring   165  3,155 
Gain on disposal of foreign operations   (608)  
Deferred taxes   (697) (10)
Loss (gain) on sale of fixed assets 12  22  27 
Exchange rate loss (gain) 22  2  2 
Changes in assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable 2,175  3,200  4,281 
Inventories 242  3,289  987 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (999) (4,541) (9,570)
Deferred revenue (207) (825) 624 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 48  593  491 
Other asset 6  86  24 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 1,876  6,945  (7,011)
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Net purchases of short-term investments and debt securities 1,758  (2,779) 10,555 
Proceeds from sale of assets 2  2   
Purchases of property and equipment (147) (408) (596)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 1,613  (3,185) 9,959 
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Payment of contingent consideration     (175)
Purchases of treasury stock (16) (574) (163)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (16) (574) (338)
Gain (loss) of exchange rate changes on cash (2) (1) (1)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,471  3,185  2,609 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 21,492  21,778  19,169 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $24,963  $24,963  $21,778 
             

Westell Technologies, Inc.
Segment Statement of Operations
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Sequential Quarter Comparison

     
  Three months ended March 31, 2018 Three months Ended December 31, 2017
  IBW ISMS CNS Total IBW ISMS CNS Total
Revenue $3,167  $4,688  $3,241  $11,096  $5,223  $5,802  $2,650  $13,675 
Gross profit 1,520  2,454  1,075  5,049  2,469  3,160  447  6,076 
Gross margin 48.0% 52.3% 33.2% 45.5% 47.3% 54.5% 16.9% 44.4%
R&D expense 485  629  238  1,352  750  547  245  1,542 
Segment profit $1,035  $1,825  $837  $3,697  $1,719  $2,613  $202  $4,534 
                                 

Year-over-Year Quarter Comparison

     
  Three months ended March 31, 2018 Three months ended March 31, 2017
  IBW ISMS CNS Total IBW ISMS CNS Total
Revenue $3,167  $4,688  $3,241  $11,096  $6,944  $4,548  $3,894  $15,386 
Gross profit 1,520  2,454  1,075  5,049  2,933  2,557  1,273  6,763 
Gross margin 48.0% 52.3% 33.2% 45.5% 42.2% 56.2% 32.7% 44.0%
R&D expense 485  629  238  1,352  1,473  619  257  2,349 
Segment profit $1,035  $1,825  $837  $3,697  $1,460  $1,938  $1,016  $4,414 
                                 

Full-Year Comparison

     
  Twelve months ended March 31, 2018 Twelve months ended March 31, 2017
  IBW ISMS CNS Total IBW ISMS CNS Total
Revenue $23,265  $19,350  $15,962  $58,577  $25,933  $19,321  $17,711  $62,965 
Gross profit 10,653  9,959  4,555  25,167  8,671  9,778  5,300  23,749 
Gross margin 45.8% 51.5% 28.5% 43.0% 33.4% 50.6% 29.9% 37.7%
R&D expense 4,141  2,264  970  7,375  6,738  3,955  1,674  12,367 
Segment profit $6,512  $7,695  $3,585  $17,792  $1,933  $5,823  $3,626  $11,382 
                                 

Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP IBW Segment Gross Margin

     
  Twelve months ended March 31, 2018 Twelve months ended March 31, 2017
  Revenue Gross Profit Gross Margin Revenue Gross Profit Gross
Margin
GAAP - IBW segment $23,265  $10,653  45.8% $25,933  $8,671  33.4%
ClearLink DAS E&O (1)         1,581   
Stock-based compensation (2)   5      9   
Non-GAAP - IBW segment $23,265  $10,658  45.8% $25,933  $10,261  39.6%
(1)  Excess and Obsolete inventory charges on ClearLink DAS inventory and firm purchase commitments.
(2)  Stock-based compensation is a non-cash expense incurred in accordance with share-based compensation accounting standards.
 

Westell Technologies, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

       
  Three months ended
March 31, 2018
 Three months ended
 December 31, 2017
 Three months ended
 March 31, 2017
  Revenue Gross
Profit
 Gross
Margin
 Revenue Gross
Profit
 Gross
Margin
 Revenue Gross
Profit
 Gross
Margin
GAAP - Consolidated $11,096  $5,049  45.5% $13,675  $6,076  44.4% $15,386  $6,763  44.0%
Deferred revenue adjustment (1)             64  64   
Stock-based compensation (2)   (3)     11      10   
Non-GAAP - Consolidated $11,096  $5,046  45.5% $13,675  $6,087  44.5% $15,450  $6,837  44.3%
                                  


  Twelve months ended
March 31, 2018
 Twelve months ended
 March 31, 2017
  Revenue Gross
Profit
 Gross
Margin
 Revenue Gross Profit Gross
Margin
GAAP - Consolidated $58,577  $25,167  43.0% $62,965  $23,749  37.7%
Deferred revenue adjustment (1)       254  254   
Stock-based compensation (2)   30      34   
ClearLink DAS E&O (3)         1,581   
Non-GAAP - Consolidated $58,577  $25,167  43.0% $63,219  $25,618  40.5%


  Three months ended Twelve months ended
  March 31, December 31, March 31, March 31, March 31,
  2018 2017 2017 2018 2017
GAAP consolidated operating expenses $5,991  $6,041  $7,375  $26,621  $39,802 
Adjustments:          
Stock-based compensation (2) (286) (305) (238) (1,241) (1,560)
Long-lived asset impairment (4)         (1,181)
Amortization of intangibles (5) (1,047) (1,047) (1,151) (4,189) (4,764)
Restructuring, separation, and transition (6)     (100) (165) (3,155)
Total adjustments (1,333) (1,352) (1,489) (5,595) (10,660)
Non-GAAP consolidated operating expenses $4,658  $4,689  $5,886  $21,026  $29,142 


     
  Three months ended Twelve months ended
  March 31, December 31, March 31, March 31, March 31,
  2018 2017 2017 2018 2017
GAAP consolidated net income (loss) $(916) $799  $(556) $31  $(15,941)
Less:          
Income tax benefit (expense) (63) 685  (38) 597  (58)
Other income (expense), net 89  79  94  888  170 
GAAP consolidated operating profit (loss) $(942) $35  $(612) $(1,454) $(16,053)
Adjustments:          
Deferred revenue adjustment (1)     64    254 
Stock-based compensation (2) 283  316  248  1,271  1,594 
ClearLink DAS E&O (3)         1,581 
Long-lived asset impairment (4)         1,181 
Amortization of intangibles (5) 1,047  1,047  1,151  4,189  4,764 
Restructuring, separation, and transition (6)     100  165  3,155 
Total adjustments 1,330  1,363  1,563  5,625  12,529 
Non-GAAP consolidated operating profit (loss) $388  $1,398  $951  $4,171  $(3,524)
Depreciation 163  174  279  768  1,380 
Non-GAAP consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (7) $551  $1,572  $1,230  $4,939  $(2,144)


     
  Three months ended Twelve months ended
  March 31, December 31, March 31, March 31, March 31,
  2018 2017 2017 2018 2017
GAAP consolidated net income (loss) $(916) $799  $(556) $31  $(15,941)
Adjustments:          
Deferred revenue adjustment (1)     64    254 
Stock-based compensation (2) 283  316  248  1,271  1,594 
ClearLink DAS E&O (3)         1,581 
Long-lived asset impairment (4)         1,181 
Amortization of intangibles (5) 1,047  1,047  1,151  4,189  4,764 
Restructuring, separation, and transition (6)     100  165  3,155 
Foreign currency translation adjustment (8)       (608)  
Income taxes (9)   (697)   (697)  
Total adjustments 1,330  666  1,563  4,320  12,529 
Non-GAAP consolidated net income (loss) $414  $1,465  $1,007  $4,351  $(3,412)
GAAP consolidated net income (loss) per common share:          
Diluted $(0.06) $0.05  $(0.04) $0.00  $(1.04)
Non-GAAP consolidated net income (loss) per common share:          
Diluted $0.03  $0.09  $0.06  $0.28  $(0.22)
Average number of common shares outstanding:          
Diluted 15,794  15,755  15,528  15,707  15,344 
                

The Company conforms to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the preparation of its financial statements.  The schedules above reconcile the Company's non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.  The adjustments share one or more of the following characteristics: they are unusual and the Company does not expect them to recur in the ordinary course of its business; they do not involve the expenditure of cash; they are unrelated to the ongoing operation of the business in the ordinary course; or their magnitude and timing is largely outside of the Company's control.  Management believes that the non-GAAP financial information provides meaningful supplemental information to investors.  Management also believes the non-GAAP financial information reflects the Company's core ongoing operating performance and facilitates comparisons across reporting periods.  The Company uses these non-GAAP measures when evaluating its financial results.  Non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as a substitute for the Company's GAAP results.

Footnotes:

(1) On April 1, 2013, the Company purchased Kentrox.  The acquisition required the step-down on acquired deferred revenue, which resulted in lower revenue that will not recur once those liabilities have fully settled.  The adjustment removes the step-down on acquired deferred revenue that was recognized.
(2) Stock-based compensation is a non-cash expense incurred in accordance with share-based compensation accounting standards.
(3) Non-recurring excess and obsolete inventory charges on inventory and firm purchase commitments associated with the previously announced strategic decision related to the discontinuation of ClearLink DAS.
(4) Non-cash impairment related to tangible long-lived assets associated with the previously announced strategic decision related to the discontinuation of ClearLink DAS.
(5) Amortization of intangibles is a non-cash expense arising from previously acquired intangible assets.
(6) Restructuring expenses are not directly related to the ongoing performance of our fundamental business operations, including costs relating to abandonment of excess office space at our headquarters and in New Hampshire, and severance costs for terminated employees.  This adjustment also includes severance benefits related to the departure of certain former executives.
(7) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that represents Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization.  The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA.
(8) Non-recurring foreign currency translation gain related to the wind-up of the NoranTel legal entity during the quarter ended September 30, 2017.
(9) Adjustment removes one-time tax effect of changes in valuation allowance reserves associated with previously generated alternative minimum tax (AMT) credits due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

For additional information, contact:

Tom Minichiello
Chief Financial Officer
Westell Technologies, Inc.
+1 (630) 375-4740
 tminichiello@westell.com