Luna Innovations Reports Strong Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Financial Results

  • Revenue of $13.2 million and $46.2 million for the quarter and full fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, up 12.1% and 10.4%, respectively versus same periods prior year
  • Net income from continuing operations of $0.2 million, which includes effects of a one-time pre-tax charge of $0.7 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $1.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, compared to $0.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively, for the same period last year
  • Net loss from continuing operations of less than $0.1 million, which includes effects of a one-time pre-tax charge of $0.7 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $2.5 million for the full year ended December 31, 2017, each up $2.6 million versus the prior full year

(ROANOKE, VA, March 20, 2018) – Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ: LUNA), a leader in advanced optical technology, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.

“We are extremely pleased about our continued progress strategically and operationally, which resulted in our strong financial performance both for the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2017,” said Scott Graeff, President and Chief Executive Officer of Luna.  “We delivered $0.7 million in income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2017 when normalized for the $0.7 million one-time charge related to the departure of My Chung.  We achieved double-digit growth in revenues year over year and recognized positive income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter.  I’m incredibly proud of the whole Luna team, whose sharp focus allowed us to deliver these results.  The demand for our test and measurement products is growing and this was reflected in our robust fourth quarter and 2017 full year results.  Silicon photonics and its applications in high speed networks and data centers is driving the telecommunications test segment, and our ODiSI platform continues to gain traction with the ever-expanding use of composite materials in manufacturing.  We believe the macro trends behind the growing demand in these markets leave us well positioned to continue our growth into 2018 and beyond.”

Total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2017, were $13.2 million, compared to $11.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.  Technology development revenues grew to $5.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, from $4.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.  Products and licensing revenues were $8.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to $7.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

The company recognized income from continuing operations of $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The 2017 results include the effects of a one-time pre-tax charge of $0.7 million in association with the retirement of the company’s former chief executive officer in October 2017.  Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”) was $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $1.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.  Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure used by management to measure operating performance and is reconciled to income from continuing operations for the respective periods within the table included at the end of this release.  Net income attributable to common stockholders was $0.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights

Gross profit increased to $5.4 million, or 41% of total revenues, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to gross profit of $4.7 million, or 40% of total revenues, for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $4.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to $3.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2017 included $0.7 million of costs incurred in association with the retirement of the company’s former chief executive officer in October 2017, including both cash and share-based costs.  Research, development and engineering expenses increased to $0.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to $0.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Before taxes, the company achieved essentially break-even results from continuing operations for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to pre-tax income from continuing operations of $0.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.  Excluding the impact of the expenses recognized in connection with the retirement of the company’s former chief executive officer, the pre-tax income from continuing operations for the three months ended December 31, 2017 would have been $0.7 million.  After tax, the company recognized income from continuing operations of $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

The company had income from discontinued operations of $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to a loss from discontinued operations of less than $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Net income attributable to common stockholders was $0.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Adjusted EBITDA was $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $1.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Cash and cash equivalents were $37.0 million as of December 31, 2017, and $12.8 million as of December 31, 2016.   The company purchased approximately 483,000 shares of its common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2017.

Full Year 2017 Financial Highlights

Total revenues were $46.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $41.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.  Technology development revenues increased to $18.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.  Products and licensing revenues increased to $27.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $25.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2017, grew to $18.1 million compared to $15.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The gross margin was 39% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 38% for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Selling, general and administrative expenses remained flat at $14.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2017 included $0.7 million of costs related to the retirement of the company’s former chief executive officer as described above. 

Research, development and engineering expenses were $3.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

The company’s resulting pre-tax loss from continuing operations improved to $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to a pre-tax loss from continuing operations of $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.  After tax, the company recognized a loss from continuing operations of less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the company recognized income from discontinued operations of $14.7 million related to the after-tax gain associated with the sale of the company’s HSOR business.

The company recognized net income attributable to common stockholders of $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The net income for 2017 resulted from the income from discontinued operations discussed above.  Adjusted EBITDA improved to $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Non-GAAP Measures

In evaluating the operating performance of its business, the company’s management considers adjusted EBITDA, which excludes certain charges and credits that are required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to both management and investors by excluding the effect of certain non-cash expenses and items that the company believes may not be indicative of its operating performance, because either they are unusual and the company 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, the company will conduct an investor conference call at 5:00 p.m. (EDT) today to discuss its financial results and business developments for the fourth quarter of 2017 and the full year ended December 31, 2017. The call can be accessed by dialing 844.578.9643 domestically or 270.823.1522 internationally prior to the start of the call. The participant access code is 3184618.  Investors are advised to dial in at least five minutes prior to the call to register. The conference call will also be webcast live over the Internet. The webcast can be accessed by logging on to the “Investor Relations” section of the company’s website, www.lunainc.com, prior to the event. The webcast will be archived under the “Webcasts and Presentations” section of the Luna website for at least 30 days following the conference call.

About Luna:

Luna Innovations Incorporated (www.lunainc.com) is a leader in advanced optical technology, providing unique capabilities in high speed optoelectronics and high performance fiber optic test products for the telecommunications industry and distributed fiber optic sensing for the aerospace and automotive industries. The company is organized into two business segments, which work closely together to turn ideas into products: a Technology Development segment and a Products and Licensing segment. The company’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 the company’s expectations regarding the company’s potential for continued growth in 2018 and beyond. 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 the company 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 the company’s products and services to meet expectations, technological challenges and those risks and uncertainties set forth in the company’s periodic reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Such filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on the company’s website at www.lunainc.com. The statements made in this release are based on information available to the company as of the date of this release and the company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

Luna Innovations Incorporated
Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

Three months ended December 31,

 

Years ended December 31,

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology development revenues

$

5,147,954

 

 

$

4,508,851

 

 

$

18,576,383

 

 

$

16,280,582

 

Products and licensing revenues

8,067,243

 

 

7,284,556

 

 

27,660,891

 

 

25,587,187

 

Total revenues

13,215,197

 

 

11,793,407

 

 

46,237,274

 

 

41,867,769

 

Cost of revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology development costs

3,943,118

 

 

3,486,897

 

 

13,988,378

 

 

12,473,211

 

Products and licensing costs

3,919,842

 

 

3,634,871

 

 

14,120,071

 

 

13,589,858

 

Total cost of revenues

7,862,960

 

 

7,121,768

 

 

28,108,449

 

 

26,063,069

 

Gross profit

5,352,237

 

 

4,671,639

 

 

18,128,825

 

 

15,804,700

 

Operating expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

4,427,717

 

 

3,467,323

 

 

14,770,986

 

 

14,763,709

 

Research, development, and engineering

887,719

 

 

750,426

 

 

3,469,193

 

 

3,540,227

 

Total operating expense

5,315,436

 

 

4,217,749

 

 

18,240,179

 

 

18,303,936

 

Operating income/(loss)

36,801

 

 

453,890

 

 

(111,354

)

 

(2,499,236

)

Other expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income/(expense), net

175

 

 

15,002

 

 

(4,498

)

 

13,071

 

Interest expense, net

(38,647

)

 

(82,253

)

 

(218,506

)

 

(319,334

)

Total other expense

(38,472

)

 

(67,251

)

 

(223,004

)

 

(306,263

)

(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes

(1,671

)

 

386,639

 

 

(334,358

)

 

(2,805,499

)

Income tax (benefit)/expense

(235,915

)

 

38,233

 

 

(295,753

)

 

(135,567

)

Income/(loss) from continuing operations

234,244

 

 

348,406

 

 

(38,605

)

 

(2,669,932

)

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

201,085

 

 

(42,246

)

 

14,653,510

 

 

300,440

 

Net income/(loss)

435,329

 

 

306,160

 

 

14,614,905

 

 

(2,369,492

)

Preferred stock dividend

49,558

 

 

30,527

 

 

146,889

 

 

105,258

 

Net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders

$

385,771

 

 

$

275,633

 

 

$

14,468,016

 

 

$

(2,474,750

)

Net income/(loss) per share from continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.01

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

 

 

$

(0.10

)

       Diluted

$

0.01

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

 

 

$

(0.10

)

Net income/(loss) per share from discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.01

 

 

$

 

 

$

0.53

 

 

$

0.01

 

       Diluted

$

0.01

 

 

$

 

 

$

0.53

 

 

$

0.01

 

Net income/(loss) per share attributable to common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.01

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

0.52

 

 

$

(0.09

)

       Diluted

$

0.01

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

0.52

 

 

$

(0.09

)

Weighted average shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

27,485,278

 

 

27,543,882

 

 

27,579,988

 

 

27,547,217

 

Diluted

31,790,418

 

 

32,568,289

 

 

27,579,988

 

 

27,547,217

 

 

Luna Innovations Incorporated
Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

(unaudited)

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

36,981,533

 

 

$

12,802,458

 

Accounts receivable, net

9,857,009

 

 

10,269,012

 

Receivable from sale of HSOR business

4,000,976

 

 

 

Inventory, net

6,951,110

 

 

6,848,835

 

Prepaid expenses

1,220,650

 

 

1,375,659

 

Current assets held for sale

 

 

5,801,629

 

Total current assets

59,011,278

 

 

37,097,593

 

Property and equipment, net

3,453,741

 

 

3,482,687

 

Intangible assets, net

3,237,593

 

 

3,367,217

 

Goodwill

502,000

 

 

502,000

 

Other assets

18,024

 

 

38,194

 

Non-current assets held for sale

 

 

10,509,282

 

Total assets

$

66,222,636

 

 

$

54,996,973

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

Current portion of long term debt obligation

1,833,333

 

 

1,833,333

 

Current portion of capital lease obligation

43,665

 

 

52,128

 

Accounts payable

2,962,863

 

 

2,954,742

 

Accrued liabilities

8,959,935

 

 

7,913,544

 

Deferred revenue

1,026,339

 

 

837,906

 

Current liabilities held for sale

 

 

2,376,703

 

Total current liabilities

14,826,135

 

 

15,968,356

 

Long-term deferred rent

1,184,438

 

 

1,319,402

 

Long-term debt obligation

603,007

 

 

2,420,032

 

Long-term capital lease obligation

71,275

 

 

114,940

 

Non-current liabilities held for sale

 

 

84,555

 

Total liabilities

16,684,855

 

 

19,907,285

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

Preferred stock, par value $0.001, 1,321,514 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016

1,322

 

 

1,322

 

Common stock, par value $0.001, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 28,354,822 and 27,988,104 shares issued, 27,283,918 and 27,541,277 shares outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively

29,186

 

 

28,600

 

Treasury stock at cost, 1,070,904 and 446,827 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively

(1,649,746

)

 

(517,987

)

Additional paid-in capital

83,563,208

 

 

82,451,958

 

Accumulated deficit

(32,406,189

)

 

(46,874,205

)

Total stockholders’ equity

49,537,781

 

 

35,089,688

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

66,222,636

 

 

$

54,996,973

 

 

Luna Innovations Incorporated
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

Cash flows provided by/(used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

14,614,905

 

 

$

(2,369,492

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,526,609

 

 

3,713,879

 

Stock-based compensation

 

715,094

 

 

860,215

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

3,640

 

 

 

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes

 

(15,671,028

)

 

 

Bad Debt

 

99,888

 

 

305,593

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

1,152,055

 

 

(3,568,761

)

Inventory

 

(1,902,311

)

 

492,932

 

Other assets

 

83,428

 

 

(238,736

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(896,534

)

 

564,689

 

Deferred credits

 

189,296

 

 

(160,156

)

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

 

915,042

 

 

(399,837

)

Cash flows provided by/(used in) investing activities:

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of property and equipment

 

(1,352,531

)

 

(1,509,984

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 

3,000

 

 

 

Intangible property costs

 

(495,597

)

 

(490,200

)

Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations, net

 

28,026,528

 

 

 

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities

 

26,181,400

 

 

(2,000,184

)

Cash flows used in financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Payments on debt obligations

 

(1,833,333

)

 

(1,871,635

)

Payments on capital lease obligation

 

(52,128

)

 

(56,873

)

Purchase of treasury stock

 

(1,131,759

)

 

(333,053

)

Borrowings under term loans

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from the exercise of options

 

99,853

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(2,917,367

)

 

(2,261,561

)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

24,179,075

 

 

(4,661,582

)

Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period

 

12,802,458

 

 

17,464,040

 

Cash and cash equivalents—end of period

 

$

36,981,533

 

 

$

12,802,458

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

209,497

 

 

$

308,116

 

Dividend on preferred stock, 79,292 shares of common stock issuable for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

 

$

146,889

 

 

$

105,258

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

377,907

 

 

$

233,732

 

Cash received for income tax refunds

 

$

 

 

$

67,127

 


Luna Innovations Incorporated
Reconciliation of Income/(Loss) from Continuing Operations to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

Three months ended
 December 31,

 

Year ended
December 31,

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

Income/(loss) from continuing operations

$

234,244

 

 

$

348,406

 

 

$

(38,605

)

 

$

(2,669,932

)

Interest expense

38,647

 

 

82,253

 

218,506

 

 

319,334

 

Income tax (benefit)/expense

(235,915

)

 

38,233

 

 

(295,753

)

 

(135,567

)

Depreciation and amortization

375,049

 

 

376,931

 

 

1,261,768

 

 

1,466,171

 

EBITDA

412,025

 

 

845,823

 

 

1,145,916

 

 

(1,019,994

)

Share-based compensation

238,667

 

 

194,861

 

 

715,094

 

 

860,215

 

CEO separation costs other than share-based compensation

595,992

 

 

 

 

595,992

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

1,246,684

 

 

$

1,040,684

 

 

$

2,457,002

 

 

$

(159,779

)

 

###

Investor Contact:
Dale Messick, CFO
Luna Innovations Incorporated
Phone: 1.540.769.8400
Email: IR@lunainc.com