Acorn Energy Inc.
05/12/2021 | Press release | Archived content
IoT & Remote Monitoring Solutions Provider Acorn’s Q1 Revenues Rise 27%, Yielding Q1 Net Income of $20K versus Year-Ago Net Loss of $283K Investor Call Today 11am ET (Form 8-K)
IoT & Remote Monitoring Solutions Provider Acorn's Q1 Revenues Rise 27%, Yielding Q1 Net Income of $20K versus Year-Ago Net Loss of $283K
Investor Call Today 11am ET
Wilmington, DE - May 12, 2021 -Acorn Energy, Inc. (OTCQB: ACFN), a provider of Internet of Things (IoT) remote monitoring and control solutions for stand-by power generators, gas pipelines, air compressors and other industrial equipment through its OmniMetrix subsidiary, today announced improved results and profitability for its first quarter ended March 31, 2021 (Q1'21). Acorn will host an investor call today at 11:00 a.m. ET (details below).
OmniMetrix Summary Financial Results
| ($ in thousands) | Q1'21 | Q1'20 | % chg. | |||||||||
| Monitoring revenue | $ | 1,008 | $ | 895 | 12.6 | % | ||||||
| Hardware revenue | 2,697 | 443 | 57.3 | % | ||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 1,705 | $ | 1,338 | 27.4 | % | ||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 1,210 | $ | 922 | 31.2 | % | ||||||
| Gross margin | 71.0 | % | 68.9 | % |
Note: All of Acorn's revenue is derived from its 99%-owned operating subsidiary, OmniMetrix.
Jan Loeb, Acorn's CEO, commented, 'Acorn achieved profitable operations in Q1'21 on 27% revenue growth, building on our Q4'20 performance. Notably, we increased our Q1'21 revenue by $367,000 to $1.7M from $1.3M in Q1'20. More than 80% of this increase fell to the bottom line, demonstrating the leverage in the business model we have built, as well as the benefit of our lean operating structure. With our first-class engineering team that designs exceptional products supported by our very knowledgeable technical support and sales engineering staff and the can-do attitude of our marketing and client administrative support personnel, we are excited about how 2021 has started and look forward to growing our customer base and building even more positive brand awareness for OmniMetrix.
'We improved our gross margin to 71% in Q1'21 from 69% a year ago, reflecting higher-margin next-generation products such as our Hero-2 rectifier monitor and our premier industrial and commercial generator monitor, True Guard Pro. We continue to invest in R&D and new product initiatives, such as our Smart Annunciator for critical electrical systems, as well a new release of our OmniPro data management software for pipelines, and are working on other new product opportunities.
'Our financial position remains strong with approximately $2M of cash and no debt. We generated $68,000 of net cash from operating activities in Q1'21 and paid off our receivables line which had $149,000 outstanding at year end. We chose not to renew the line at this time, considering our current cash position and expected future cash generation. We feel we have a solid financial base on which to grow the existing business and to consider accretive growth opportunities in the IoT space. Importantly, Acorn accrued no income tax expense in Q1'21, due to our NOL position of nearly $70M, which should largely shield future income from taxes and enhance our cash flows for years to come.
'Ultimately, the strong outlook for our business is based on the value and environmental benefits that our remote monitoring solutions deliver versus the alternative of ongoing physical inspections by teams out in the field or, even more detrimental, not having a mechanism for monitoring at all. We offer a compelling value proposition to the industrial and residential markets we serve which still have very low levels of penetration for wireless monitoring and control solutions. This gives us confidence in our long-term growth opportunity and our belief that the business can grow at a 20% rate or better going forward.'
OmniMetrix Results
OmniMetrix revenue grew 27% to $1.7M in Q1'21 from $1.3M in Q1'20, attributable to a 57% increase in hardware revenue and a 13% increase in monitoring revenue. The increased hardware revenue was due in part to the sale of custom units designed to one specific customer's specifications to allow them to monitor these units themselves, and an increase in the sale of accessories. These revenues are recognized at the point of sale and not deferred over the life of the unit. There was also an overall increase in sales of next generation monitors, including our Hero-2 pipeline rectifier monitors. The increase in monitoring is due to a growing number of installed and billable connections that results from new hardware sales, a shift in our sales concentration from residential to commercial and industrial, and a restructuring of our data plan.
Gross profit grew 31% in Q1'21 as compared to Q1'20, driven by increased sales to commercial and industrial customers versus residential customers, an increase in accessory sales, and growth in high-margin monitoring revenue. Gross margin on monitoring increased to 86% in Q1'21 from 84% in Q1'20, due to the increased commercial and industrial concentration. Gross margin on hardware increased to 49% in Q1'21 from 39% in Q1'20, due to increased sales of next-generation Hero-2 pipeline monitors and customized True Guard Pro units that provide greater features, functionality and value to customers.
OmniMetrix's total operating expenses decreased 3% to $943,000 in Q1'21 from $975,000 in Q1'20, principally due to a $55,000 decrease in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses related to travel and trade show expense, partially offset by a $23,000 increase in R&D expenses, for new product development. Now that businesses are reopening for sales calls and air travel is beginning to return to pre-COVID levels, we expect that trade show and travel expenses will increase in future quarters as we continue to ramp up business development activities.
OmniMetrix generated operating income of $267,000 in Q1'21 versus an operating loss of $53,000 in Q1'20, primarily due to increased revenue.
Acorn Consolidated Financial Results
Compared to Q1'20, Acorn's corporate SG&A costs increased $20,000 (9%) to $241,000 in Q1'21, principally due to increased non-cash stock compensation, and audit and tax accounting fees, offset by a decrease in travel expenses.
Reflecting the improved performance at OmniMetrix, Q1'21 net income attributable to Acorn shareholders improved by $303,000 to $20,000, or $0.00 per share, from a net loss of $283,000, or ($0.01) per share, in Q1'20.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash generated from operating activities was $68,000 in Q1'21, compared to $237,000 in Q1'20, reflecting the collection in Q1'20 of several significant customer receivable balances that were outstanding at December 31, 2019. Also, during the first quarter of 2020 we aggressively focused on receivables collections and extending payment terms on our payables to conserve cash in the beginning phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Consolidated cash and cash equivalents were $1,974,000 at the close of Q1'21, compared to $1,416,000 at the close of Q1'20 and $2,063,000 at December 31, 2020. In Q1'21, OmniMetrix paid off the outstanding balance on its receivables-based line of credit, which was $149,000 as of December 31, 2020. Management elected not to renew the credit line given our current cash position and expected cash flow from operations in the future.
Although apparently receding, the continuing global impact of COVID-19 remains an uncertainty. The Company's operations could be materially affected by a lingering pandemic, including a material adverse impact on the Company's financial position, operations and cash flows. Possible impacts may include, but are not limited to, disruption to the Company's customers and revenue, absenteeism, and supply chain disruptions.
Conference Call Details
| Date/Time: |
Wednesday, May 12th at 11:00 am ET |
| Dial-in Number: |
1-844-834-0644 or 1-412-317-5190 (Int'l) |
| Online Replay/Transcript: |
Audio file and call transcript will be posted to the Investor section of Acorn's website when available. |
| Submit Questions via Email: |
[email protected] - before or after the call. |
About Acorn (www.acornenergy.com) and OmniMetrixTM (www.omnimetrix.net)
Acorn Energy, Inc. owns a 99% equity stake in OmniMetrix, a pioneer and leader in machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) wireless remote monitoring and control solutions for stand-by power generators, gas pipelines, air compressors and other industrial equipment. OmniMetrix's proven, cost-effective solutions make critical systems more reliable. The company monitors tens of thousands of assets for customers, which include 25 Fortune/Global 500 companies. In addition to residential generators, OmniMetrix solutions monitor critical equipment used by cell towers, manufacturing plants, medical facilities, data centers, retail stores, public transportation systems, energy distribution and federal, state and municipal government facilities.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. There is no assurance that Acorn will be successful in growing its business, reaching profitability, or maximizing the value of its operating company and other assets. A complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may affect Acorn Energy's business, including the business of its subsidiary, is included in 'Risk Factors' in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Investor Relations Contacts
Catalyst IR
William Jones, 267-987-2082
David Collins, 212-924-9800
ACORN ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
| Three months ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 1,705 | $ | 1,338 | ||||
| Cost of sales | 495 | 416 | ||||||
| Gross profit | 1,210 | 922 | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development expense | 178 | 155 | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expense | 1,006 | 1,041 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 1,184 | 1,196 | ||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 26 | (274 | ) | |||||
| Finance expense, net | (4 | ) | (10 | ) | ||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 22 | (284 | ) | |||||
| Income tax expense | - | - | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | 22 | (284 | ) | |||||
| Non-controlling interest share of net (income) loss | (2 | ) | 1 | |||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders | $ | 20 | $ | (283 | ) | |||
| Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders: | ||||||||
| Total attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders | $ | 0.00 | $ | (0.01 | ) | |||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding attributable to Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted: | ||||||||
| Basic | 39,687 | 39,631 | ||||||
| Diluted | 39,860 | 39,631 |
ACORN ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
|
As of March 31, 2021 |
As of December 31, 2020 |
|||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,974 | $ | 2,063 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 647 | 608 | ||||||
| Inventory, net | 243 | 236 | ||||||
| Deferred charges | 722 | 764 | ||||||
| Other current assets | 141 | 126 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 3,727 | 3,797 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 258 | 268 | ||||||
| Right-of-use assets, net | 471 | 494 | ||||||
| Other assets | 623 | 642 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,079 | $ | 5,201 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND DEFICIT | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Short-term credit | $ | - | $ | 149 | ||||
| Accounts payable | 298 | 229 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | 191 | 168 | ||||||
| Deferred revenue | 3,181 | 3,214 | ||||||
| Current operating lease liabilities | 101 | 99 | ||||||
| Other current liabilities | 27 | 33 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 3,798 | 3,892 | ||||||
| Non-current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Deferred revenue | 1,299 | 1,340 | ||||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 417 | 443 | ||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 48 | 45 | ||||||
| Total long-term liabilities | 1,764 | 1,828 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Deficit: | ||||||||
| Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders | ||||||||
| Common stock - $0.01 par value per share: | ||||||||
| Authorized - 42,000,000 shares; Issued - 39,687,589 shares at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 | 397 | 397 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 102,741 | 102,726 | ||||||
| Warrants | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (100,593 | ) | (100,613 | ) | ||||
| Treasury stock, at cost - 801,920 shares at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 | (3,036 | ) | (3,036 | ) | ||||
| Total Acorn Energy, Inc. shareholders' deficit | (488 | ) | (523 | ) | ||||
| Non-controlling interests | 5 | 4 | ||||||
| Total deficit | (483 | ) | (519 | ) | ||||
| Total liabilities and deficit | $ | 5,079 | $ | 5,201 |
ACORN ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED) (IN THOUSANDS)
| Three months ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Cash flows provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 22 | $ | (284 | ) | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | 18 | 16 | ||||||
| Non-cash lease expense | 29 | 29 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 15 | 6 | ||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable | (39 | ) | 434 | |||||
| Increase in inventory | (7 | ) | (18 | ) | ||||
| Decrease in deferred charges | 61 | 27 | ||||||
| (Increase) decrease in other current assets | (15 | ) | 53 | |||||
| Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses | 92 | (7 | ) | |||||
| Decrease in deferred revenue | (74 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||
| Decrease in operating lease liability | (30 | ) | (28 | ) | ||||
| (Decrease) increase in other current liabilities and non-current liabilities | (4 | ) | 18 | |||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 68 | 237 | ||||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of hardware and software | (8 | ) | (87 | ) | ||||
| Payments made for patent filings | - | (3 | ) | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (8 | ) | (90 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities: | ||||||||
| Short-term credit, net | (149 | ) | 3 | |||||
| Stock option exercise proceeds | - | 19 | ||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (149 | ) | 22 | |||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash | (89 | ) | 169 | |||||
| Cash at the beginning of the year | 2,063 | 1,247 | ||||||
| Cash at the end of the period | $ | 1,974 | $ | 1,416 |