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Quarterhill Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2021 Financial Results

T.QTRH

TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Quarterhill Inc. ("Quarterhill" or the "Company") (TSX: QTRH) (OTCQX: QTRHF), announces its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. All financial information in this press release is reported in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Q3 Fiscal 2021 Highlights

  • Consolidated Revenue was $36.3 million
  • Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA1 was $7.6 million
  • Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments were $37.0 million at September 30, 2021
  • Working capital of $60.0 million at September 30, 2021
  • Completed acquisition of Electronic Transaction Consultants, LLC ("ETC") a leading provider of tolling and mobility systems to some of the largest tolling authorities in the U.S.
  • Subsequent to quarter-end, completed a $57.5 million bought-deal public offering of convertible debentures, which included the exercise of the full over-allotment option

"In Q3, we acquired ETC, an ITS leader in tolling, which represents significant progress on two fundamental objectives of our M&A growth strategy," said Paul Hill, President and CEO of Quarterhill. "First, it brings scale to our ITS business which enhances the overall financial profile of Quarterhill with more visible and consistent revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. Second, it positions us in a vertical - tolling - that we think has significant tailwinds behind it and it also provides us with a second platform in the ITS industry from which we can further accelerate growth via tuck-in acquisitions. So far in 2021 we have deployed approximately $160.0 million on three acquisitions and with our recently completed convertible debenture financing, we look forward to building on our M&A track record in the coming quarters."

"Q3 was a good quarter operationally with both WiLAN, our licensing business, and our ITS segment generating positive Adjusted EBITDA. WiLAN signed multiple licensing agreements and made a patent portfolio acquisition during the quarter, while IRD signed new agreements in Oklahoma, Illinois and Idaho. With ETC, its Q3 contribution reflects only a one-month period post-closing of the acquisition, however, during the quarter the company signed a contract with the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Joint Board to provide back-office technology for services such as billing and account management for a ten-year period. So far the integration of ETC is going well and already here in Q4 they are making good progress advancing opportunities in their pipeline."

Approval of Eligible Dividend

The Board of Directors has declared an eligible quarterly dividend of $0.0125 per common share payable on January 10, 2022, to shareholders of record on December 10, 2021.

Q3 Fiscal 2021 Financial Review

The Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements ("financial statements") for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and for the respective comparison periods have been prepared to reflect continuing operations and therefore exclude results in 2020 during those periods from VIZIYA, which was sold by Quarterhill on May 15, 2020. The 2020 operating results from VIZIYA, up to the date of sale on May 15, 2020, are reported as net income from discontinued operations in accordance with IFRS 5.

Quarterhill's revenue is broadly segmented into Licensing, reflecting the WiLAN business, and ITS, reflecting the IRD and ETC businesses. ETC was acquired September 1, 2021 and as a result, the financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 include approximately one-month of ETC's financial results.

Quarterhill's Management's Discussion and Analysis and financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 are available at the Company's website and at its profile at SEDAR.

Consolidated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2021 ("Q3 2021") were $36.3 million, compared to $88.0 million in Q3 2020. Consolidated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 ("YTD 2021") were $74.5 million, compared to $126.4 million in the same period last year. ITS revenue increased in Q3 2021 and YTD 2021 due primarily to the three acquisitions completed in 2021. With the close of the recent quarter, the ITS segment has reported revenue growth quarter over quarter this year to date. WiLAN's revenue decreased in Q3 2021 and in the YTD 2021 period compared to the respective periods in the prior year as the majority of its licenses are generally one-time in nature and significant fluctuations in revenue, gross margin, and Adjusted EBITDA can result when the volume or dollar value of licenses changes from one period to the next. Despite headwinds related to the COVID-19 pandemic, WiLAN continues to show it can complete licensing agreements in a challenging environment with Q3 2021 being its strongest quarter of the year so far.

Gross margin for Q3 2021 was 42% compared to 52% in Q3 2020. Gross margin for the YTD 2021 period was 34% compared to 45% in the same period last year. Gross margin in the ITS segment was 37% in Q3 2021 compared to 50% in Q3 2020, and for the YTD 2021 period was 38%, compared to 42% in the same period last year. ITS margins may fluctuate on a quarterly basis depending primarily on the nature of projects underway during the period and the related margin profile. WiLAN gross margins rose slightly in the quarter and decreased for the YTD 2021 period. Gross margin at WiLAN will fluctuate depending primarily on the level of litigation and contingent legal and partner costs incurred in a respective period relative to revenue generated.

Operating expenses include selling, general and administrative costs ("SG&A"), research and development costs ("R&D"), depreciation and amortization and special charges. Operating expenses for Q3 2021 were $19.1 million compared to $12.1 million in Q3 2020. Operating expenses for the YTD 2021 period were $43.8 million compared to $37.3 million in the same period last year. Operating expenses for Q3 2021 and YTD 2021 included special charges of $3.7 million and $4.0 million, respectively. Overall, operating expenses have increased in 2021 due primarily to special charges and the addition of expenses from the acquired ITS companies.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2021 was $7.6 million compared to $39.0 million in Q3 2020. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the YTD 2021 period was $4.2 million compared to $37.3 million in the same period last year. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA decreased in the 2021 periods due to the significant level of licensing activity at WiLAN in Q3 2020. On a segment basis, the ITS business generated Adjusted EBITDA of $4.5 million in Q3 2021 and $8.6 million for the YTD 2021 period. WiLAN's Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2021 was $5.4 million and for the YTD 2021 period was $2.7 million.

Cash (used in) generated from continuing operations for Q3 2021 was ($10.9) million compared to $4.5 million in Q3 2020. Cash (used in) generated from continuing operations for the YTD 2021 period was ($15.0) million compared to $9.9 million in the same period last year. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $37.0 million at September 30, 2021, compared to $141.3 million at December 31, 2020, with the decrease reflecting cash deployed on the acquisitions made so far in 2021. Working capital at September 30, 2021, was $60.0 million compared to $159.7 million at December 31, 2020. Subsequent to quarter-end, on October 27, 2021, Quarterhill completed a $57.5 million bought-deal public offering of unsecured subordinated convertible debentures which will be reflected in the balance sheet as at December 31, 2021.

Conference Call and Webcast

Quarterhill will host a conference call to discuss its financial results today at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.

Webcast Information

The live audio webcast will be available at:

https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1503336&tp_key=62b180068b

Dial-in Information

  • To access the call from Canada and U.S., dial 1.888.664.6392 (Toll Free)
  • To access the call from other locations, dial 1.416.764.8659 (International)

Replay Information

Webcast replay will be available for 365 days at:

https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1503336&tp_key=62b180068b

Telephone replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on November 17, 2021 at: 1.888.390.0541 (Toll Free North America) or 1.416.764.8677 (International).The telephone replay requires the passcode 671670.

1Non-IFRS Disclosure

Quarterhill has historically used a set of metrics when evaluating our operational and financial performance. We continually monitor, evaluate and update these metrics as required to ensure they provide information considered most useful, in the opinion of our management, to any decision-making based on Quarterhill's performance. This section defines, quantifies and analyzes the key performance indicators used by our management and referred to elsewhere in this press release, which are not recognized under IFRS and have no standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These indicators and measures are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

In this press release, we use the Non-IFRS term "Adjusted EBITDA" to mean net income (loss) from continuing operations before: (i) income taxes; (ii) finance expense or income; (iii) amortization and impairment of intangibles; (iv) special charges and other one-time items; (v) depreciation of right-of-use assets and property, plant and equipment; (vi) stock-based compensation; (vii) foreign exchange (gain) loss; and (viii) equity in earnings and dividends from joint ventures. Adjusted EBITDA is used by our management to assess our normalized cash generated on a consolidated basis and in our operating segments. Adjusted EBITDA is also a performance measure that may be used by investors to analyze the cash generated by Quarterhill and our operating segments. Adjusted EBITDA should not be interpreted as an alternative to net income and cash flows from operations as determined in accordance with IFRS or as a measure of liquidity.

About Quarterhill

Quarterhill is a growth-oriented company in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) industry as well as, through its Wi-LAN Inc. subsidiary, a leader in Intellectual Property licensing. Our goal is to execute an investment strategy that capitalizes on attractive growth opportunities within ITS - and its adjacent markets - to become a global leader in that industry. Quarterhill is listed on the TSX under the symbol QTRH and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol QTRHF. For more information: www.quarterhill.com

Forward-looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding Quarterhill and its business. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by Quarterhill in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and the expected effects of new business strategies, as well as other factors that Quarterhill believes are appropriate in the circumstances. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed herein may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Quarterhill, including: potential risks and uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"); the severity of the disease; the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak; actions that may be taken by governmental authorities to contain the COVID-19 outbreak or to treat its impact; the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and financial markets and any resulting impact on Quarterhill and/or its business. Other factors include, without limitation, the risks described in Quarterhill's March 11, 2021 annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the "AIF"). In addition, readers are also urged to review the additional risk factors disclosed in our Management's Discussion and Analysis for our three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 filed today on www.sedar.com. Quarterhill recommends that readers review and consider all of these risk factors and notes that readers should not place undue reliance on any of Quarterhill's forward-looking statements. Quarterhill has no intention, and undertakes no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Quarterhill Inc.

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Unaudited)

(in thousands and in Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)












Three months ended
September 30,


Nine months ended
September 30,

CONTINUING OPERATIONS


2021


2020


2021


2020

Revenues









Licensing


$

11,416



$

67,263



$

21,014



$

77,783


Intelligent Transportation Systems


24,927



20,734



53,520



48,651




36,343



87,997



74,534



126,434


Direct cost of revenues









Licensing


5,318



32,118



16,041



40,949


Intelligent Transportation Systems


15,612



10,278



33,133



28,290




20,930



42,396



49,174



69,239


Gross profit


15,413



45,601



25,360



57,195


Operating expenses









Depreciation of right-of-use assets


418



257



1,001



738


Depreciation of property, plant and equipment


323



250



812



721


Amortization of intangible assets


5,156



4,726



13,994



14,316


Selling, general and administrative expenses


8,831



6,424



22,242



18,545


Research and development expenses


728



390



1,701



1,814


Impairment losses on intangible assets




62





295


Special charges


3,666





4,048



872




19,122



12,109



43,798



37,301


Results from operations


(3,709)



33,492



(18,438)



19,894


Finance income


(56)



(146)



(110)



(528)


Finance expense


343



153



524



367


Foreign exchange (gain) loss


(637)



72



(655)



(513)


Other income


(661)



(383)



(1,847)



(1,192)


(Loss) income before taxes


(2,698)



33,796



(16,350)



21,760











Current income tax expense


270



325



1,044



1,669


Deferred income tax (recovery) expense


(965)



8,943



(4,728)



5,462


Income tax (recovery) expense


(695)



9,268



(3,684)



7,131











Net (loss) income from continuing operations


(2,003)



24,528



(12,666)



14,629


Net income from discontinued operations








14,255


Net (loss) income


$

(2,003)



$

24,528



$

(12,666)



$

28,884











Other comprehensive income (loss) that may be
reclassified subsequently to net (loss) income:









Foreign currency translation adjustment


4,439



(4,693)



(2,407)



5,182


Comprehensive income (loss)


$

2,436



$

19,835



$

(15,073)



$

34,066











(Loss) income per share









From continuing operations


$

(0.02)



$

0.21



$

(0.11)



$

0.13


From discontinued operations






0.12

(Loss) income per share - Basic


$

(0.02)



$

0.21



$

(0.11)



$

0.25


From continuing operations


$

(0.02)



$

0.21



$

(0.11)



$

0.12


From discontinued operations






0.12

(Loss) income per share - Diluted


$

(0.02)



$

0.21



$

(0.11)



$

0.24



Quarterhill Inc.





Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited)





(in thousands and in Canadian dollars)










As at


September 30, 2021


December 31, 2020

Current assets





Cash and cash equivalents


$

33,925



$

135,700


Short-term investments


3,124



5,550


Restricted short-term investments


3,095




Accounts receivable


27,745



13,747


Unbilled revenue


26,254



13,549


Income taxes recoverable


425



264


Inventories (net of obsolescence)


12,317



9,068


Prepaid expenses and deposits


6,033



8,264




112,918



186,142


Non-current assets





Accounts and other long-term receivables


2,696



844


Right-of-use assets, net


8,371



3,780


Property, plant and equipment, net


5,753



2,783


Intangible assets, net


152,787



59,261


Investment in joint venture


7,173



6,704


Deferred income tax assets


30,921



28,124


Goodwill


53,542



16,093




261,243



117,589


TOTAL ASSETS


$

374,161



$

303,731







Liabilities





Current liabilities





Bank indebtedness


$

12,727



$


Accounts payable and accrued liabilities


26,571



20,038


Income taxes payable


747



631


Current portion of lease liabilities


2,135



1,012


Current portion of deferred revenue


7,519



4,800


Current portion of long-term debt


3,182






52,881



26,481


Non-current liabilities





Deferred revenue


1,735



2,573


Long-term lease liabilities


6,234



2,747


Long-term debt


59,744




Other long-term liabilities


1,241






68,954



5,320


TOTAL LIABILITIES


121,835



31,801







Shareholders' equity





Capital stock


544,065



547,537


Contributed surplus


49,465



46,250


Accumulated other comprehensive income


1,174



3,581


Deficit


(342,378)



(325,438)




252,326



271,930


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


$

374,161



$

303,731


Quarterhill Inc.









Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in thousands and in Canadian Dollars)












Three months ended
September 30,


Nine months ended
September 30,



2021


2020


2021


2020

Cash generated from (used in) operations









Net (loss) income from continuing operations


$

(2,003)



$

24,528



$

(12,666)



$

14,629


Non-cash items









Stock-based compensation expense


374



248



1,384



444


Depreciation of right-of-use assets


418



257



1,001



738


Interest expense on lease liabilities


66



59



150



171


Depreciation and amortization


5,479



4,976



14,806



15,037


Foreign exchange gain


(637)



(38)



(655)



(232)


Equity in earnings from joint venture


(587)



(383)



(1,774)



(1,192)


Impairment losses on intangible assets




62





295


Loss on disposal of assets




14





4


Deferred income tax (recovery) expense


(965)



8,943



(4,728)



5,462


Accounts and other long-term receivables


(573)





(561)




Other long-term liabilities


158





158




Embedded derivatives


49



69



54



(32)


Changes in non-cash working capital balances


(12,693)



(34,231)



(12,212)



(25,414)


Cash (used in) generated from continuing operations


(10,914)



4,504



(15,043)



9,910


Net cash flows attributable to discontinuing operations








(4,349)


Net cash (used in) generated from operating activities


(10,914)



4,504



(15,043)



5,561


Financing









Dividends paid


(1,420)



(1,443)



(4,274)



(2,924)


Advances from (repayment of) revolving credit facility


12,727



(3,596)



12,727



(612)


Net proceeds from long-term debt


62,926





62,926




Payment of lease liabilities


(523)



(274)



(1,085)



(860)


Repayment of long-term debt




(8)





(128)


Repurchase of shares for cancellation




(9,322)



(2,065)



(9,322)


Common shares issued for cash on the exercise of
options


46





280



14


Common shares issued from performance stock units








24


Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities


73,756



(14,643)



68,509



(13,808)


Investing









Proceeds from disposition of a subsidiary








49,400


Cash sold on disposition of a subsidiary








(1,825)


Proceeds from short-term investments






3,000




Purchase of short-term investments




(4,054)





(4,054)


Purchase of restricted short-term investments






(3,025)




Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment




16





32


Purchase of property, plant and equipment


(331)



(309)



(419)



(1,196)


Acquisition of business, VDS






(2,780)




Acquisition of business, ETC - net of cash acquired


(151,469)





(151,469)




Dividends received from joint venture


1,348





1,348




Purchase of intangible assets


(252)



(30)



(252)



(55)


Cash (used in) generated from continuing operations
investing activities


(150,704)



(4,377)



(153,597)



42,302


Net cash flows attributable to discontinuing operations








(81)


Net cash (used in) generated from investing activities


(150,704)



(4,377)



(153,597)



42,221


Foreign exchange on cash held in foreign currencies


1,924



(2,869)



(1,644)



2,286


Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents


(85,938)



(17,385)



(101,775)



36,260


Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of


119,863



141,515



135,700



87,870


Cash and cash equivalents, end of


$

33,925



$

124,130



$

33,925



$

124,130



Quarterhill Inc.






Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Unaudited)

(in thousands and in Canadian dollars)








Capital Stock

Contributed
Surplus

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

Deficit

Total S
hareholders'
Equity

January 1, 2020

$

570,553


$

32,011


$

10,936


$

(338,297)


$

275,203








Net income




28,884


28,884


Repurchase of shares for
cancellation

(9,322)





(9,322)


Other comprehensive income



5,182



5,182


Stock-based compensation
expense


444




444


Exercise of options

14





14


Common shares issued from
performance stock units

24





24


Dividends declared




(4,441)


(4,441)


September 30, 2020

$

561,269


$

32,455


$

16,118


$

(313,854)


$

295,988








January 1, 2021

$

547,537


$

46,250


$

3,581


$

(325,438)


$

271,930








Net loss




(12,666)


(12,666)


Repurchase of shares for
cancellation

(4,027)


1,962




(2,065)


Other comprehensive loss



(2,407)



(2,407)


Stock-based compensation expense


1,384




1,384


Exercise of options

387


(107)




280


Common shares issued from
restricted stock units

156


(12)




144


Common shares issued from
performance stock units

12


(12)





Dividends declared




(4,274)


(4,274)


September 30, 2021

$

544,065


$

49,465


$

1,174


$

(342,378)


$

252,326


Quarterhill Inc.







Reconciliation of Net loss to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)

(in thousands and in Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)










Three months ended September 30,



2021


2020



$

Per Share


$

Per Share

Net (loss) income from continuing operations


$

(2,003)


$

(0.02)



$

24,528


$

0.21


Adjusted for:







Income tax (recovery) expense


(695)


(0.01)



9,268


0.08


Foreign exchange (gain) loss


(637)


(0.01)



72



Finance expense, net


287




7



Special charges


3,666


0.04





Impairment losses on intangible assets





62



Depreciation and amortization


5,897


0.06



5,233


0.05


Stock based compensation expense


374




248



Dividends received from joint venture


1,348


0.01





Other income


(661)


(0.01)



(383)



Adjusted EBITDA


$

7,576


$

0.06



$

39,035


$

0.34









Weighted average number of Common Shares







Basic



113,756,329




115,990,313



Nine months ended September 30,


2021


2020


$

Per Share


$

Per Share

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

$

(12,666)


$

(0.11)



$

14,629


$

0.13


Adjusted for:






Income tax (recovery) expense

(3,684)


(0.03)



7,131


0.06


Foreign exchange gain

(655)




(513)



Finance expense (income), net

414




(161)



Special charges

4,048


0.04



872


0.01


Impairment losses on intangible assets




295



Depreciation and amortization

15,807


0.15



15,775


0.13


Stock based compensation expense

1,384


0.01



444



Dividends received from joint venture

1,348


0.01





Other income

(1,847)


(0.02)



(1,192)


(0.01)


Adjusted EBITDA

$

4,149


$

0.05



$

37,280


$

0.32








Weighted average number of Common Shares






Basic


114,109,298




117,884,124


Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quarterhill-announces-third-quarter-fiscal-2021-financial-results-301420800.html

SOURCE Quarterhill Inc.



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