DSP Group, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2019 Results


Growth Initiatives Account for 63% of Quarterly Revenues
Record Quarterly GAAP Gross Margin of 51.1%

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DSP Group®, Inc. (NASDAQ: DSPG), a leading global provider of wireless chipset solutions for converged communications, announced today its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.

First Quarter Business and Financial Highlights:

  • Total revenues of $28.3 million, a year-over-year increase of 1%
    • Revenues of $17.7 million from growth initiatives accounted for 63% of total revenues, a year-over-year increase of 26%:
      • Unified Communications revenues of $9.4 million, a year-over-year increase of 13%.
      • SmartVoice revenues of $4.1 million, a year-over-year increase of 162%.
      • SmartHome revenues of $4.2 million, a year-over-year increase of 2%.
    • Cordless revenues of $10.6 million, a year-over-year decrease of 25%.
  • GAAP and non-GAAP gross margins of 51.1% and 51.5%, respectively, compared to GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin of 48.8% and 49.1%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2018.
  • GAAP operating loss of $1.6 million and non-GAAP operating income of $0.4 million, compared to GAAP operating loss of $2.4 and non-GAAP operating loss of $0.2 million for the first quarter of 2018.
  • GAAP net loss of $1.1 million and non-GAAP net income of $1.2 million, compared to GAAP net loss of $1.8 million and non-GAAP net income of $0.2 million for the first quarter of 2018.
  • GAAP loss per share of $0.05 and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.05, compared to GAAP loss per share of $0.08 and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.01 for the first quarter of 2018.
  • Used $3.5 million of cash for operating activities, compared to $3.4 million used during the first quarter of 2018.
  • Cash, deposits and marketable securities of approximately $120.1 million as of March 31, 2019.
  • Expanding our position in the unified communications market, as demonstrated by the following design wins: 
    • A new tier 1 OEM selected our DVF101 SoC for its high-end conferencing system.
    • NEC, a leading Japanese networking OEM, launched a SIP phone based on our DVF97 SoC.
  • Enhancing our engagement pipeline and design wins for voice user interface with leading consumer electronics OEMs, thereby driving growth of a burgeoning new market:
    • Oppo, a leading mobile OEM, launched its new Reno smartphone together with Breeno voice assistant based on our SmartVoice technology.
    • A tier 1 OEM selected our SmartVoice solution for its high-end TV’s smart remote control that integrates always-on voice.
    • Arlo, America's leading connected camera brand, launched its Ultra 4K camera with our SmartVoice technology.
    • A leading Chinese OEM launched a new education tablet product based on our SmartVoice solution.
  • Growing our ULE ecosystem with leading global IoT vendors that recognize ULE’s unmatched characteristics for wireless indoor IoT including superior range, interference-free spectrum and natural support for two-way voice:
    • Network Thermostat, a leading U.S. connected thermostat company, selected our ULE technology for its next-generation of smart thermostats.
    • Snips selected ULE technology to bring multi-room embedded voice recognition architecture for smart home and smart building verticals.
    • Gigaset launched a smart speaker offering and integrated our DECT/ULE solution for HD two-way voice.

Management Comments:
Commenting on the results, Ofer Elyakim, CEO of DSP Group, stated: “We are pleased with our first quarter results that were ahead of our guidance on most financial metrics. Revenues from growth initiatives comprised 63% of total revenues and increased by 26% year-over-year, consequently driving record high GAAP and non-GAAP gross margins of 51.1% and 51.5%, respectively. In addition, we continued to execute on the transformation of our business into a growth company by securing strategic business wins across our growth initiatives.  For instance, in our SmartVoice segment, we commenced shipments to three leading consumer electronics brands; in our Unified Communications segment we began shipments to two new tier 1 OEMs; and in our SmartHome product line, we secured strategic design wins for ULE in the U.S. and European markets.”

Mr. Elyakim continued, “Looking ahead to the second quarter of 2019, we project a sequential increase in revenues, with record demand for SmartVoice products offset by near term softness in our Unified Communications business due to inventory adjustments. We believe that our Unified Communications revenues will rebound in the second half of 2019 and we are confident that our design-wins, coupled with the solid momentum and our engagement pipeline across the growth initiatives, position us well for sustainable growth in 2019 and beyond.”

First Quarter GAAP Results:
Revenues for the first quarter of 2019 were $28.3 million, an increase of 1% from revenues of $28.1 million for the first quarter of 2018.  Net loss and loss per share for the first quarter of 2019 were $1.1 million and $0.05, respectively. Net loss and loss per share for the first quarter of 2018 were $1.8 million and $0.08, respectively.

First Quarter Non-GAAP Results:
Non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2019 were $1.2 million and $0.05, respectively, as compared to non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share of $0.2 million and $0.01, respectively, for the first quarter of 2018.  Non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2019 excluded the impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets in the amount of $0.1 million associated with previous acquisitions, equity-based compensation expenses of $1.9 million, non-cash exchange rate differences resulting from the new lease accounting standard (ASC 842) in the amount of $0.3 million and changes in deferred taxes in the amount of $0.1 million related to intangible assets acquired in previous acquisitions and equity-based compensation expenses.

Non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2018 excluded the impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets of $0.4 million associated with previous acquisitions, equity-based compensation expenses of $1.7 million, and changes in deferred taxes in the amount of $0.2 million related to intangible assets acquired in previous acquisitions and equity-based compensation expenses.

Earnings Conference Call Details

DSP Group will discuss its first quarter financial results, along with its outlook and guidance for the second quarter of 2019, on its conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET today, and invites you to listen via our conference call or a live broadcast over the Internet.

+1 866 966 1396 (domestic US) or +1 631 510 7495 (international) approximately 10 minutes prior to the starting time. The password is 3986834.

The broadcast via the Internet can be accessed by all interested parties through the Investor Relations section of DSP Group’s website at www.dspg.com or link to: https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/k9f49nbs.

A replay of the conference call will be available for a week following the call. To listen to the session, please dial +1 917 677 7532, domestically or +44 33 3300 9785, internationally and enter the company access code: 3986834.

Presentation of Non-GAAP Net Income and EPS
The Company believes that the non-GAAP presentation of net income and diluted earnings per share presented in this press release is useful to investors in comparing results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 to the same period in 2018 because the exclusion of the above noted expenses may provide a more meaningful analysis of the Company’s core operating results. Further, the Company believes it is useful to investors to understand how the expenses associated with equity-based compensation are reflected in its statements of income.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that qualify as “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including Mr. Elyakim’s statements that (i) a sequential increase in revenues for the second quarter of 2019 resulting from a demand pick up for SmartVoice products is anticipated, (ii) a short term softness in the company’s Unified Communications business is anticipated in the second quarter of 2019 due to inventory adjustments but believe Unified Communications revenues will rebound in the second half of 2019; and (iii) the company’s design-wins, coupled with the solid momentum and engagement pipeline across the growth initiatives, position the company well for sustainable growth in 2019 and beyond. The results from these statements may not actually arise as a result of various factors, including the market penetration of DSP Group’s unified communications, ULE, voice user interface, SmartVoice and SmartHome products; unexpected delays in the commercial launch of new products; unexpected inventory adjustments, the speed of decline in the cordless market; DSP Group’s ability to manage costs; DSP Group’s ability to develop and produce new products at competitive costs and in a timely manner and the ability of such products to achieve broad market acceptance; and general market demand for products that incorporate DSP Group’s technology in the market. These factors and other factors which may affect future operating results or DSP Group’s stock price are discussed under “RISK FACTORS” in the Form 10-K for fiscal 2018, as well as other reports DSP Group has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which are available on DSP Group’s website (www.dspg.com) under Investor Relations. DSP Group assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates.

About DSP Group
DSP Group®, Inc. (NASDAQ: DSPG) is a global leader in wireless chipsets for a wide range of smart-enabled devices. The company was founded in 1987 on the principles of experience, insight and continuous advancement which enable the company to consistently deliver next-generation solutions in the areas of voice, audio, video and data connectivity. Experts in voice processing, DSP Group invests heavily in innovation for the smart future, the result is leading-edge semiconductor technology that is enabling our customers to develop a new wave of products that bring enhanced user experiences through innovation, like conversation technology. From mobile phones to VoIP and virtual assistants using cloud-based voice services, DSP Group is the answer to the growing demand for the ever-expanding collection of voice controlled smart devices. For more information, visit www.dspg.com.

Contact:
Tali Chen, Chief Marketing Officer, Tali.Chen@dspg.com

 
DSP GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 Three Months Ended March 31
 2019
 2018
 (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
    
Revenues$28,276  $28,111 
Cost of revenues 13,820   14,397 
        
Gross profit 14,456   13,714 
Operating expenses:       
Research and development, net 8,922   8,998 
Sales and marketing 4,483   4,068 
General and administrative 2,555   2,581 
Amortization of intangible assets 104   425 
        
Total operating expenses 16,064   16,072 
        
Operating loss (1,608)  (2,358)
        
Financial income, net 313   396 
        
Loss before taxes on income   (1,295)    (1,962)
        
Income tax benefit 229   209 
        
Net loss$  (1,066) $  (1,753)
Net loss per share:       
Basic$(0.05) $(0.08)
Diluted$(0.05) $(0.08)
    
Weighted average number of shares used in per share computations of loss per share:    
Basic 22,542   22,678 
Diluted 22,542   22,678 
        


  Three Months Ended
  March 31,
  2019
 2018
  Unaudited Unaudited
GAAP net loss $(1,066) $(1,753)
Equity-based compensation expense included in cost of revenues  115   98 
Equity-based compensation expense included in research and development, net  750   652 
Equity-based compensation expense included in sales and marketing  402   406 
Equity-based compensation expense included in general and administrative  638   543 
Amortization of intangible assets  104   425 
Exchange rates differences resulting from the new lease accounting standard (ASC 842)  307   - 
Changes of deferred taxes related to intangible assets and equity-based compensation expense  (81)  (197)
Non-GAAP net income $  1,169  $  174 
    
Weighted-average number of common stock used in computation of GAAP diluted net earnings (loss) per share (in thousands)  22,542   22,678 
    
Weighted-average number of shares related to outstanding options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units (in thousands)  1,394   1,359 
    
Weighted-average number of common stock used in computation of non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share (in thousands)  23,936   24,037 
    
GAAP diluted net loss per share  $(0.05) $(0.08)
Equity-based compensation expense  0.08   0.08 
Amortization of intangible assets  0.01   0.02 
Exchange rates differences resulting from the new lease accounting standard (ASC 842)    0.01     - 
Changes of deferred taxes related to intangible assets and equity-based compensation expense  -   (0.01)
Non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share $  0.05  $  0.01 
         


 
DSP GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(In thousands)
 
  March 31, December 31,
  2019
 2018
  (Unaudited) (Audited)
Assets     
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents
 $
11,390
  $
12,146
 
Restricted deposits  1,078   493 
Marketable securities and short term deposits  31,141   35,713 
Trade receivables, net  15,636   13,475 
Inventories  9,278   9,819 
Other accounts receivable and prepaid expenses  3,872   3,670 
Total current assets
  72,395   75,316 
         
Property and equipment, net  5,105   2,748 
         
Long term marketable securities and deposits  76,473   75,538 
Severance pay fund  14,800   14,158 
Operating leases  11,972   - 
Deferred income taxes  4,090   3,580 
Intangible assets, net  7,217   7,321 
Long term prepaid expenses and lease deposits  1,306   1,229 
   115,858   101,826 
Total assets
 $193,358  $179,890 
         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity 
Current liabilities:   
Trade payables $8,176  $9,579 
Lease liability  1,885   - 
Other current liabilities  11,505   13,120 
Total current liabilities  21,566   22,699 
    
Accrued severance pay  15,028   14,348 
Lease liability  10,394   - 
Accrued pensions  815   827 
Deferred income taxes  142   151 
Total long term liabilities  26,379   15,326 
         
Stockholders’ equity:   
Common stock  23   22 
Additional paid-in capital  380,777   378,855 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (1,525)  (2,324)
Less – Cost of treasury stock  (117,968)  (122,325)
Accumulated deficit  (115,894)  (112,363)
Total stockholders’ equity  145,413   141,865 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $193,358  $179,890 
         

A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/19567818-4ac2-415b-84b5-07dfc94c1303


Attachments

DSP Group Q1 2019 Infographic