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Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (GILT)

Q1 2017 Earnings Call· Tue, May 16, 2017

$17.45

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Transcript

Operator

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. Welcome to Gilat's First Quarter 2017 Results Conference Call. All participants are present in listen-only mode. Following the management's formal presentation, instructions will be given for the question-and-answer session. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded May 16, 2017. I would now like to turn the call over to June Filingeri, of Comm-Partners, to read the Safe Harbor statement. June, please go ahead.

June Filingeri

Analyst

Thank you, Otiva [ph]. Good morning and good afternoon everyone. Thank you for joining us today for Gilat's first quarter 2017 conference call and webcast. A recording of this call will be available beginning at approximately noon Eastern Time today, May 16th, and will be available for telephone replay until May 19th at noon. The webcast also will be archived on the Gilat's Web site for a period of 30 days. Also please note that investors are urged to read the forward-looking statements in Gilat's earnings releases, with the reminder that statements made on this earnings call that are not historical facts may be deemed forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All such forward-looking statements, including statements regarding future financial operating results, involve risks, uncertainties, and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of Gilat, and which may cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. Gilat is under no obligation to update or alter these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The company expressly disclaims any obligation to do so. More detailed information about risk factors can be found in Gilat's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. With that said, let me turn to introductions. On the call today are Yona Ovadia, Gilat's CEO; and Adi Sfadia, Gilat's Chief Financial Officer. I would now like to turn over the call over to Yona Ovadia. Yona, we are ready to begin.

Yona Ovadia

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Thank you, June, and good morning and good day, good afternoon everyone. Thank you for joining us today. I'm very pleased today to report that Gilat achieved very good results for the first quarter of 2017. Revenues increased 21% year-over-year to $63.9 million compared to $52.7 million in Q1 of 2016, and adjusted EBITDA reached $4.2 million or 6.6% of revenues, and a significant increase compared to $763,000 or 1.4% of revenues in the first quarter of last year. This profitability improvement is a result of our effort, both on the business side, where we see more profitable revenue from deals that are the fruit of our new strategy, as well as continued efforts on the operations side to drive costs out of the business. We're of course pleased with these results, which I'll elaborate on in my closing comments. And we are committed to continue our efforts to get back to profitable growth. In the first quarter, there were several important developments in the satellite industry, namely in-flight connectivity industry, China and cellular backhaul that have direct relevance to Gilat and our business going forward. Let me start with in-flight connectivity, which we have identified as a growth engine for Gilat. Last week, Gogo had held a high-profile live urban event for media and analysts about their test plan [ph] the Jimmy Ray. Gogo demonstrated their next generation 2Ku service that is powered by our ISP solutions. I am pleased to report that our ISP modem exhibited unprecedented performance and received high marks from the analysts and media community. For example, Andrew [indiscernible] of Macquarie [ph] commented in a research report published after the event, and I quote, "We observed significant improvement in throughput, speed, and latency on today's test flight with [indiscernible] 2015 likely tied to the use…

Adi Sfadia

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Thank you, Yona, and good morning and good afternoon everyone. I would like to remind everyone that our financial results are presented both on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. We regularly use supplemental non-GAAP financial measures internally to understand, manage, and evaluate our business and to make operating decisions. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide consistent and comparable measures to help investors understand our current and future operating performance. Non-GAAP financial measures mainly include the effect of stock-based compensation, amortization of purchased intangibles, and litigation expenses related to trade secret claims. The reconciliation table in our press release highlight this data and our non-GAAP information presented exclude these items. I will now move to our financial highlights for the first quarter of 2017. Revenues for the first quarter of 2017 were $63.9 million. A 21% increase compared to $52.7 million in the first quarter of 2016. In comparison to the first quarter of 2016, our total revenues were 20% lower. The decrease is primarily attributable to seasonality in our business with our first quarter typically our strongest. In addition, we had lower revenues from our project for FITEL in Peru compared to the previous quarter. As discussed previously, revenues from FITEL can vary quarter to quarter depending on the percentage of the project's completion. First quarter FITEL-related revenues were as expected. Our GAAP gross margin in the first quarter of 2017 increased to 27.1% of revenues, from 23.5% in the same quarter last year. The increase in our gross margin is mainly attributable to a different revenue mix. Our gross margin in the previous quarter were 30.1%, which benefited from higher revenue volume. Total R&D expenses on a GAAP basis were $6.7 million, compared to $5.8 million in the same quarter of last year, and $6.5 million in the…

Operator

Operator

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time we'll begin the question-and-answer session. [Operator Instructions] The first question is from Kevin Dede of Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead.

Kevin Dede

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Hi, gentlemen. Thanks very much for taking my questions. It's Kevin Dede at Rodman. Yona, thanks for detailing the update on the Chinese train system, [ph], I appreciate hearing that, and congratulations on the progress there. I was just a little curious about the second driver that you mentioned in terms of your growth strategy as the HTS satellite in China, and the fact that you've been chosen for the ground segment there, which I think is incredibly appealing. It just seems to me, if I take a step back and I look at it maybe from a geosynchronous view -- sorry for the satellite reference there, but it just seems to me that's not synchronous with the way that the Chinese tend to operate. It just seems to me that they choose to rely on internally Chinese-developed technology. And I'm wondering -- I mean, it's not a matter of when -- or it's not a matter of if, it's just a matter of when. And I'm just wondering what you're doing to protect your IP, and to make sure that even though you're being relied upon for the initial deployment, how you'll be able to stay involved?

Yona Ovadia

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Kevin, first, it's a very, very valid question. First, as far as the growth, say, that we're projecting obviously once the satellite is launched, they will look to sell the capacity in all possible applications, be that ISP, maritime, on the ground. And they are already discussing with us acquiring the VSAT and the peripheral equipment that is necessary for that. We have a balance here to maintain. The standard position, not only Chinasat Com, but anybody you did business with in China would be that if we want to make a breakthrough in the Chinese market we have to reduce our prices, and make them significantly lower than whatever they are. So we are here, we need to run a balancing act between the fact that we want to protect our IP versus the fact that we want, of course, to capture as much as possible from the market. At this point in time, we are managing very strict policy of protection of our IP. And without being able to go into detail, we defined a strategy or I would say better, an approach, how to protect our IP, which we will defend at all costs. And we'll make sure that we are compensated this way or the other for technology and the product that we deliver. We may find various forms of cost reduction for the pressures of the market, you know, it's a big marketplace. But under no circumstances will we violate the framework and guidelines we define to ourselves to protect our IP, and I hope that we will strike the right balance.

Kevin Dede

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

So will you be manufacturing in China?

Yona Ovadia

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

We will not be manufacturing. China, we may be assembling in China at some point in time if volumes pick up. But we're not going to transfer the IP into China. We're not going to transfer key components of our product into China. However, it may be at some point we will do assembling.

Kevin Dede

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Okay. Congrats on the work with Global and the IFC advances there. I'm curious about your relationships with other airlines and other airline manufacturers. I know that, especially that Gogo service is available across many airlines. And I'm just wondering if you can talk to the progress you've made with other customers.

Yona Ovadia

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Well, we already announced our relationship with Air Media in China. And they're a service provider. And their role in the relationship is to bring the airlines into the agreement. So we're working with them and supporting them on that. We're also in touch with other service providers around the world, but at this point I cannot go into specific names and where those opportunities stand.

Kevin Dede

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Okay, fair enough. If we were just to take a step back, how would you characterize the different initiatives that you're working on, because you detailed quite a few things, and some seem that they could be contributing immediately and some later? I was just wondering what you think we should look for near-term, say, over the next couple of quarters to support your $280 million to $300 million guidance, and what you think we should look for later on. I understand, obviously, with the CRRC and the mobility for train initiative, that's probably a second-half or 2018 initiative. But could you just characterize some of the other things that you think are more near-term?

Adi Sfadia

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Yes. I think that we will see more cellular backhaul deal in the coming two quarters. I think also that we will see progress with the service providers of the in-flight connectivity on various front and components. I think we will see continued improvement in our voice stream business. And the underlying assumption is we see continue to improvement in the efficiency of our business and our efforts to drive cost out of the business. So, I think these are the four factors that will work for us in the coming two-three quarters. And I think it all is summarized into the fact that we're comfortable with our revenue but importantly our EBITDA. And we have planned quite detail one how to make sure that we -- quarter after quarter in 2017, we will meet our targets. Particularly, not that I am saying we will miss our target on the revenue side but our focus is on making the -- meeting while scaling profitability prediction.

Yona Ovadia

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Kevin, hi. I think it's important to mention that those three lines, [indiscernible], IFC, and our voice streamline of business has significantly better margins than regular enterprise and consumer. Over there, customers are willing to pay not only on boxes but also on technology. And the margins are better, but it's also a growth engine on the top line but also on the bottom line.

Kevin Dede

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Okay. Thanks. That sort of helps get my arms around the -- my last question, which is just to your point [ph] Yona, on you know, operating efficiency and cost efficiency. Is it really -- could you just sort of -- I understand the margin profile now, so thanks for that. But I just wanted to make I understood what you were doing on the cost side to ensure. I know that you've spoken to it in past calls. I was just hoping you wouldn't mind refreshing my memory.

Yona Ovadia

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

On the cost side, we are continuously [ph] looking for efficiency. We recently replaced our full time key manufacturer and managed to reduce the cost. And we are looking on a daily basis how to be more efficient and how to drive the cost of the product lower so we will be able to be more competitive in the market.

Kevin Dede

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Okay. Fair enough. Thank you very much gentlemen for entertaining my questions and congrats on the nice job and the quarter.

Yona Ovadia

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Thanks, Kevin.

Adi Sfadia

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

Thank you, Kevin.

Operator

Operator

The next question is from Andrew Spinola of Wells Fargo. Please go ahead.

Andrew Spinola

Analyst · Wells Fargo. Please go ahead

Hi, I was wondering if you could maybe provide a little additional color on the growth year-over-year. I guess your revenue in the quarter was up 21%. I am just wondering which markets are driving that, or which of your products are driving that? Is it some of the new products you've referenced like the deals with Gogo? Is that what's driving it? Or, is it your traditional business?

Yona Ovadia

Analyst · Wells Fargo. Please go ahead

Hi, Andrew. It's a combination of two. First of all, we show more focus in our project in Peru, if we are talking about year-over-year, and also in mobility, we saw a very nice growth year-over-year. [Indiscernible] remember that in our business it's not -- you cannot expect to see every quarter quarter-over-quarter or year-over-year change because in some cases we depend on large scale project. So it might be changing between the quarters. But if we are comparing to the first quarter, last year the main change is that our project in Peru and mobility.

Andrew Spinola

Analyst · Wells Fargo. Please go ahead

Understood. Could you maybe provide some color on the activity you've seen in the enterprise market with your VSAT products? That market has been under a lot of pressure for the operators, lot of pricing pressure. I am wondering how that's translating to your business?

Yona Ovadia

Analyst · Wells Fargo. Please go ahead

In general, we continue to see the price pressure as you said. It's ongoing battle in every deal. And over there, most of the customers are -- it's a price battle. Less on technology, more on price noted in the cellular backhaul which over there you can see better margin.

Andrew Spinola

Analyst · Wells Fargo. Please go ahead

Understood. Just to follow-up on that question I guess sort of hoping that at some point the lower price points on the capacity is going to drive more demand. And I am just -- doesn't sound like you are seeing that in the enterprise market. I just wanted to be clear with that. And also as a follow-on, have you seen any difference now that the EPIC satellites were in the sky. Is that driving any additional demand in enterprise or is that just mostly mobility?

Adi Sfadia

Analyst · Wells Fargo. Please go ahead

As far as EPIC, I think it's mostly mobility. But, we believe that the market currently is developing opportunities, but also see that the trend of reduction. And from what I can tell you, Andrew, is that I see others that are waiting to see whether we hit rock bottom before they are engaging. And if they are waiting to engage, it's a very term because they want to benefit from further reduction. So I think we haven't hit rock bottom yet and at point which we will see -- start to see more opportunities mature. I think that the world is looking at a price going down and saying well, have we reached the bottom or is it -- does it continue, basically at least what we [indiscernible] our customers. We get discussions and extensions which are short termed because everybody wants to see where it is going.

Andrew Spinola

Analyst · Wells Fargo. Please go ahead

Understood. Thanks very much.

Adi Sfadia

Analyst · Wells Fargo. Please go ahead

Okay. Thank you, Andrew.

Operator

Operator

[Operator Instructions] There are no further questions at this time. Before I ask Mr. Yona Ovadia to go ahead with his closing statement, I would like to remind participants that a replay of this call is scheduled to begin in two hours after the conference. In U.S. please call, 1888-782-4291. In Israeli, please call 03-925-5918. Internationally, please call 972-392-55918. Mr. Ovadia, would you like to make a concluding statement?

Yona Ovadia

Analyst · Rodman & Renshaw. Please go ahead

I want to thank you all joining us on the call today and for your time and attention. We hope to see you soon. Look forward to speak to in our next call. Thank you very much. And have a great day.

Operator

Operator

Thank you. This concludes Gilat's first quarter 2017 results conference call. Thank you for your participation. You may go ahead and disconnect.