Aviat Networks Announces Fiscal 2024 Second Quarter and Six Month Financial Results, Increases Full Year Guidance

Total Revenue of $95.0 million; Up 4.8% Year-Over-Year

Gross Margin of 38.8%; Up 330 basis points Year-Over-Year

Operating Income of $5.0 million; Non-GAAP Operating Income of $12.6 million

Adjusted EBITDA of $13.7 million; Up 6.5% Year-Over-Year

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aviat Networks, Inc. ("Aviat Networks," "Aviat," or the "Company"), (Nasdaq: AVNW), the leading expert in wireless transport solutions, today reported financial results for its fiscal 2024 second quarter ended December 29, 2023.

Second Quarter Highlights

• Continued year-over-year growth in quarterly revenues and gross margins
• Achieved 14th consecutive quarter of growth in both revenue and Adjusted EBITDA on a trailing twelve-month basis
• Closed acquisition of NEC Corporation's wireless transport business and progressed integration
• Delivered record first half revenue in the Aviat Store
• Shipped first 11 GHz Ultra-High Power radio to capture upgrade opportunity driven by 6 GHz interference risk

Second Quarter Financial Highlights

• Total Revenues: $95.0 million, up 4.8% from the same quarter last year
• GAAP Results: Gross Margin 38.8%; Operating Expenses $31.8 million; Operating Income $5.0 million; Net Income $2.9 million; Net Income per diluted share ("Net Income per share") $0.24
• Non-GAAP Results: Adjusted EBITDA $13.7 million; Gross Margin 38.8%; Operating Expenses $24.3 million; Operating Income $12.6 million; Net Income $11.9 million; Net Income per share $0.97
• Cash and cash equivalents: $45.9 million; Debt net of Cash: $3.6 million

"This quarter was significant for Aviat Networks in many ways. We executed on revenue and gross margin growth and reached a record adjusted EBITDA margin. Aviat also closed its transformational acquisition of the NEC Wireless business, which we now refer to as 'Pasolink'" said Pete Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aviat Networks.

Mr. Smith continued, "Integration of Pasolink is ahead of our plan. We have introduced the Aviat Operating Model to the business to improve the customer experience and achieve a stronger and more profitable business for Aviat. We look forward to proving the value of the Aviat Operating Model in the Pasolink business in the quarters ahead."

Fiscal 2024 Second Quarter and Six Months Ended December 29, 2023

Revenues
The Company reported total revenues of $95.0 million for its fiscal 2024 second quarter, compared to $90.7 million in the fiscal 2023 second quarter, an increase of $4.4 million or 4.8%. North America revenue of $51.3 million decreased by $(0.7) million or (1.4)%, compared to $52.0 million in the prior year due to timing of public safety projects. International revenue of $43.7 million increased by $5.1 million or 13.1%, compared to $38.6 million in the prior year. Growth in Latin America and Asia Pacific more than offset the large initial Bharti Airtel shipment in the prior year quarter and currency headwinds for local service revenue in Africa.

For the six months ended December 29, 2023, revenue increased by 6.2% to $182.6 million, compared to $171.9 million in the same period of fiscal 2023. North America revenue of $106.8 million increased by $5.9 million or 5.9%, compared to $100.9 million in the same period of fiscal 2023. International revenue of $75.8 million increased by $4.7 million or 6.7% as compared to $71.0 million in the same period of fiscal 2023.

Gross Margins
In the fiscal 2024 second quarter, the Company reported GAAP gross margin of 38.8% and non-GAAP gross margin of 38.8%. This compares to GAAP gross margin of 35.5% and non-GAAP gross margin of 35.7% in the fiscal 2023 second quarter, an increase of 330 and 310 basis points, respectively. The improvement was driven by higher software sales and favorable project mix.

For the six months ended December 29, 2023, the Company reported GAAP gross margin of 37.6% and non-GAAP gross margin of 37.8%. This compares to GAAP gross margin of 35.9% and non-GAAP gross margin of 36.1% in the same period of fiscal 2023, an increase of 170 basis points for both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin.

Operating Expenses
The Company reported GAAP total operating expenses of $31.8 million for the fiscal 2024 second quarter, compared to $23.5 million in the fiscal 2023 second quarter, an increase of $8.3 million or 35.2%. Non-GAAP total operating expenses, excluding the impact of restructuring charges, share-based compensation, and merger and acquisition expenses for the fiscal 2024 second quarter were $24.3 million, compared to $21.0 million in the prior year, an increase of $3.3 million or 15.6%.

For the six months ended December 29, 2023, the Company reported total operating expenses of $58.1 million, compared to $49.1 million in the same period of fiscal 2023, an increase of $9.1 million or 18.5%. Non-GAAP total operating expenses, excluding the impact of restructuring charges, share-based compensation, and merger and acquisition expenses for the six months ended December 29, 2023 were $45.6 million, as compared to $41.4 million in the same period of fiscal 2023, an increase of $4.2 million or 10.1%.

Operating Income
The Company reported GAAP operating income of $5.0 million for the fiscal 2024 second quarter, compared to $8.7 million in the fiscal 2023 second quarter, a decrease of $(3.7) million or (42.5)%. Operating income decreased primarily due to merger and acquisition related expenses. On a non-GAAP basis, the Company reported operating income of $12.6 million for the fiscal 2024 second quarter, compared to $11.4 million in the prior year, an increase of $1.2 million or 10.9%.

For the six months ended December 29, 2023, the Company reported GAAP operating income of $10.5 million, as compared to $12.6 million in the same period of fiscal 2023, a decrease of $(2.1) million or (16.3)%. Operating income decreased primarily due to merger and acquisition related expenses. On a non-GAAP basis, the Company reported operating income of $23.3 million, compared to $20.6 million in the same period of fiscal 2023, an increase of $2.8 million or 13.4%.

Income Taxes
The Company reported GAAP income tax expense of $2.3 million in the fiscal 2024 second quarter, compared to $3.1 million in the fiscal 2023 second quarter, a decrease of $(0.7) million or (24.1)%.

For the six months ended December 29, 2023, the Company reported GAAP income tax expense of $3.0 million compared to $7.0 million in the same period of fiscal 2023, a decrease of $(4.0) million or (57.1)%. The decrease was driven by non-recurrence of a $2.6 million deferred tax liability in the prior year related to legal entity restructuring.

Net Income / Net Income Per Share
The Company reported GAAP net income of $2.9 million in the fiscal 2024 second quarter or GAAP net income per share of $0.24. This compared to GAAP net income of $6.0 million or GAAP net income per share of $0.51 in the fiscal 2023 second quarter. On a non-GAAP basis, the Company reported net income of $11.9 million or non-GAAP net income per share of $0.97, compared to non-GAAP net income of $11.1 million or $0.94 per share in the prior year.

The Company reported GAAP net income of $6.9 million for the six months ended December 29, 2023, or GAAP net income per fully diluted share of $0.57. This compared to GAAP net income of $3.3 million or $0.28 per share in the comparable fiscal 2023 period. On a non-GAAP basis, the Company reported net income of $22.3 million or net income per share of $1.84 for the six months ended December 29, 2023, as compared to non-GAAP net income of $19.9 million or $1.69 per share in the comparable fiscal 2023 period.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") for the fiscal 2024 second quarter was $13.7 million, compared to $12.9 million in the fiscal 2023 second quarter, an increase of $0.8 million or 6.5%.

For the six months ended December 29, 2023, the Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $25.8 million, as compared to $23.6 million in the comparable fiscal 2023 period, an increase of $2.2 million, or 9.5%.

Balance Sheet Highlights
The Company reported $45.9 million in cash as of December 29, 2023, compared to $22.2 million as of June 30, 2023. Total debt increased to $49.7 million as of December 29, 2023, compared to no debt as of September 29, 2023. The debt was incurred to fund the acquisition of the NEC Wireless business during the quarter. Significant additions to the balance sheet as of the acquisition date in the fiscal 2024 second quarter were as follows:

• $51.9 million of Accounts Receivable;
• $35.6 million of Inventories; and
• $18.5 million of Accounts Payable and other liabilities.

Fiscal 2024 Full Year Outlook

The Company is raising its fiscal 2024 full year guidance as follows:

• Full year Revenue between $425 and $432 million
• Full year Adjusted EBITDA between $51.0 and $56.0 million¹

Conference Call Details
Aviat Networks will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) today, February 6, 2024, to discuss its financial and operational results for the fiscal 2024 second quarter ended December 29, 2023. Participating on the call will be Peter Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer; David Gray, Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Andrew Fredrickson, Director of Corporate Development and Investor Relations. Following management's remarks, there will be a question and answer period.

Interested parties may access the conference call live via the webcast through Aviat Network's Investor Relations website at investors.aviatnetworks.com/events-and-presentations/events, or may participate via telephone by registering using this online form. Once registered, telephone participants will receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN number that must be used to access the call. A replay of the conference call webcast will be available after the call on the Company's investor relations website.

About Aviat Networks
Aviat Networks, Inc. is the leading expert in wireless transport and access solutions and works to provide dependable products, services and support to its customers. With more than one million systems sold into 170 countries worldwide, communications service providers and private network operators including state/local government, utility, federal government and defense organizations trust Aviat with their critical applications. Coupled with a long history of microwave innovations, Aviat provides a comprehensive suite of localized professional and support services enabling customers to drastically simplify both their networks and their lives. For more than 70 years, the experts at Aviat have delivered high performance products, simplified operations, and the best overall customer experience. Aviat is headquartered in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit www.aviatnetworks.com or connect with Aviat Networks on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements
The information contained in this document includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including Aviat's beliefs and expectations regarding the transaction with NEC, outlook, business conditions, new product solutions, customer positioning, future orders, bookings, new contracts, cost structure, profitability in fiscal 2024, process improvements, plans and objectives of management, realignment plans and review of strategic alternatives and expectations regarding future revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, operating income of earnings or loss per share. All statements, trend analyses and other information contained herein regarding the foregoing beliefs and expectations, as well as about the markets for the services and products of Aviat and trends in revenue, and other statements identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "will," "see," "continue," "delivering," "view," and "intend," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, forward-looking statements are based on estimates reflecting the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the senior management of Aviat regarding the future of its business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should therefore be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in this document. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include the following: disruption the NEC transaction may cause to customers, vendors, business partners and our ongoing business; our ability to integrate the operations of the acquired NEC Corporation businesses with our existing operations and fully realize the expected synergies of the NEC Transaction on the expected timeline; the impact of COVID-19; disruptions relating to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas; continued price and margin erosion in the microwave transmission industry; the impact of the volume, timing, and customer, product, and geographic mix of our product orders; our ability to meet financial covenant requirements; the timing of our receipt of payment; our ability to meet product development dates or anticipated cost reductions of products; our suppliers' inability to perform and deliver on time, component shortages, or other supply chain constraints; the effects of inflation; customer acceptance of new products; the ability of our subcontractors to timely perform; weakness in the global economy affecting customer spending; retention of our key personnel; our ability to manage and maintain key customer relationship; uncertain economic conditions in the telecommunications sector combined with operator and supplier consolidation; our failure to protect our intellectual property rights or defend against intellectual property infringement claims; the results of our restructuring efforts; the effects of currency and interest rate risks; the effects of current and future government regulations; general economic conditions, including uncertainty regarding the timing, pace and extent of an economic recovery in the United States and other countries where we conduct business; the conduct of unethical business practices in developing countries; the impact of political turmoil in countries where we have significant business; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of any proposed or recent acquisitions; the impact of tariffs, the adoption of trade restrictions affecting our products or suppliers, a United States withdrawal from or significant renegotiation of trade agreements, the occurrence of trade wars, the closing of border crossings, and other changes in trade regulations or relationships; our ability to implement our stock repurchase program or that it will enhance long-term stockholder value; and the impact of adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, including events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults or non-performance by financial institutions.

For more information regarding the risks and uncertainties for Aviat's business, see "Risk Factors" in Aviat's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on August 30, 2023, as well as other reports filed by Aviat with the SEC from time to time. Aviat undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, for any reason, except as required by law, even as new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

Investor Relations:
Andrew Fredrickson
Director, Corporate Development & Investor Relations
Phone: (408) 501-6214
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Aviat Networks, Inc.