QTRH Quarterhill Inc

Q3 Revenue of $25.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $2.0 million; cash balance at quarter-end was $72.1 million

KITCHENER, ON, Nov. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Quarterhill Inc. ("Quarterhill" or the "Company") (TSX: QTRH) (NASDAQ: QTRH), announces its financial results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019. All financial information in this press release is reported in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Third Quarter 2019 Highlights

• Revenues of $25.4 million, compared to $19.6 million in Q3 last year
• Recurring revenues of $4.7 million, compared to $6.3 million in Q3 last year
• Adjusted EBITDA* of $2.0 million, compared to ($2.5) million in Q3 last year
• Net income of $9.3 million, or $0.08 per basic and diluted common share, compared to net loss of ($9.3) million, or ($0.08) per basic and diluted common share, in Q3 last year
• Cash and cash equivalents were $72.1 million at September 30, 2019, compared to $67.3 million at December 31, 2018
• Subsequent to quarter-end, appointed David Cortens as interim CFO

"Q3 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA increased year-over-year due to stronger performance at IRD and VIZIYA," said John Gillberry, Chairman of Quarterhill. "Overall, on a year-to-date basis, each business is performing ahead of the prior year with the net result being an increase in cash from operations and a strengthening of our balance sheet to support our diversification strategy. Our CEO search is now firmly underway and subsequent to quarter-end, we were very pleased to appoint Dave Cortens as interim CFO of Quarterhill. Dave was CFO of IRD at the time of the appointment, so we expect a smooth transition for that role."

"With our Q2 results we announced that VIZIYA had signed two software license contracts in July and we noted the related impact that those contracts could have on the earn-out portion of the VIZIYA acquisition. In terms of an update, we were able to recognize revenue from one contract during the quarter, toward the end of September, while the second contract was not completed. As a result, VIZIYA's Q3 results reflect only the economics from the one contract and based on the timing of that contract being recognized, we have reversed the earn-out contingency in full in our Q3 financial statements. We continue to believe that these larger multi-million-dollar opportunities reflect the operational and economic value that VIZIYA's solutions can bring to its customers."

Approval of Eligible Dividend
The Board of Directors has declared an eligible quarterly dividend of CDN $0.0125 per common share payable on January 10, 2020, to shareholders of record on December 13, 2019.

Business Strategy and Segments
Quarterhill's acquisition strategy focuses primarily on financial metrics while remaining cognizant of broader technology and market trends as it builds a portfolio of businesses that are characterized as having recurring revenue, free cash flow and profitable growth potential. Driven by the execution of a proven and disciplined acquisition strategy, the Company seeks to enable shareholders to benefit from consolidation and convergence trends in today's technology industry.

Q3 and Year-to-Date 2019 Consolidated Financial Review
Consolidated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2019 ("Q3 2019") were $25.4 million, compared to $19.6 million in Q3 2018, representing growth of 30%. Consolidated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 ("Year-to-Date") were $107.6 million, compared to $52.0 million in the same period last year, representing growth of 107%. Growth for Q3 2019 was driven by IRD and VIZIYA, while growth for the Year-to-Date period was due to higher revenue from all three businesses – WiLAN, IRD and VIZIYA.

Gross margin for Q3 2019 was $10.3 million, or 41%, compared to $5.1 million, or 26%, in Q3 2018. Gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $50.8 million, or 47%, compared to $9.3 million, or 18%, in the same period last year. The Q3 2019 improvement in gross margin was due primarily to better margin performance at IRD and VIZIYA, and for the Year-to-Date period, increased gross margin was due to better margin performance from all three businesses – WiLAN, IRD and VIZIYA.

Operating expenses include selling, general and administrative costs, research and development costs, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and special charges. Q3 2019 operating expenses include a special charge recovery of the $11.6 million contingent liability related to the earn-out payment in the VIZIYA acquisition. This special charge recovery is a result of VIZIYA not meeting its requirements for the earn-out payment. All Special charges are excluded in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA.

Excluding the $11.6 million special charge recovery, operating expenses for Q3 2019 were $13.7 million, compared to $14.4 million in Q3 2018, which excludes a $2.3 million special charge in that period. For the Year-to-Date period, excluding special charges in both 2018 and 2019, operating expenses were $40.6 million, compared to $44.3 million in the same period last year. Operating expenses decreased year-over-year due primarily to the restructurings at IRD and WiLAN that took place in 2018 as well as Quarterhill's ongoing focus on cost control.

Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2019 was $2.0 million compared to ($2.5) million in Q3 2018. Adjusted EBITDA for the Year-to-Date period was $27.4 million compared to ($13.8) million in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 reflects, in general, improving operations at all three portfolio companies in 2019.

Net income for Q3 2019 was $9.3 million, or $0.08 per basic and diluted Common Share, compared to net loss of ($9.3) million or ($0.08) per basic and diluted Common Share in Q3 2018. Net income for Q3 2019 includes a special charge recovery of $11.6 million while net loss for Q3 2018 includes a special charge expense of $2.3 million. Net income for the Year-to-Date period was $4.9 million, or $0.04 per basic and diluted Common Share, compared to a net loss of ($29.2) million, or ($0.25) per basic and diluted Common Share, in the same period last year. The Year-to-Date period for 2019 includes a special charge expense of $0.9 million, while the same period in the prior year includes a special charge expense of $2.3 million. Year-over-year, the Company's bottom-line has improved primarily due to higher revenue at all three portfolio companies, combined with a lower cost base following the restructurings at WiLAN and IRD in 2018.

Cash used in operations in Q3 2019 was ($9.8) million, compared to cash used in operations of ($9.0) million in Q3 2018. Cash used in operations in Q3 2019 was due primarily to working capital adjustments of ($11.0) million. Cash generated from operations for the Year-to-Date period was $11.9 million, compared to cash used in operations of ($17.9) million in the same period last year. Cash from operations in 2019 has benefited from the improved financial performance at all three businesses.

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments amounted to $72.1 million at September 30, 2019, compared to $67.3 million at December 31, 2018.

The table below highlights financial performance for the Company's Licensing, Intelligent Systems and Enterprise Software segments. For detailed results and discussion related to these segments, please refer to the Management's Discussion and Analysis document, which will be filed on SEDAR and at www.quarterhill.com in the investor section.

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://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2113582/40879998B72BE11500C14B8D9C9764CE 

Dial-in Information 

• To access the call from Canada and U.S., dial 1.888.231.8191 (Toll Free)
• To access the call from other locations, dial 1.647.427.7450 (International)

Replay Information 

Webcast replay will be available for 90 days at: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2113582/40879998B72BE11500C14B8D9C9764CE

Telephone replay will be available from 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 7, 2019 until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 14, 2019 at: 1.855.859.2056 (Toll Free) or 1.416.849.0833 (International). The telephone replay requires the passcode 8757799.

Non-GAAP Disclosure*
Quarterhill follows U.S. GAAP in preparing its interim and annual financial statements. We use the 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 property, plant and equipment; (vi) effects of deleted deferred revenue; (vii) the effects of fair value step up in inventory acquired; (viii) stock based compensation; (ix) foreign exchange (gain) loss; and * equity in income and dividends from joint ventures. Adjusted EBITDA is used by Quarterhill 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 IS NOT A MEASURE OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE UNDER U.S. GAAP. IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY STANDARDIZED MEANING PRESCRIBED BY U.S. GAAP AND IS THEREFORE UNLIKELY TO BE COMPARABLE TO SIMILARLY TITLED MEASURES USED BY OTHER COMPANIES. ADJUSTED EBITDA SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO NET INCOME AND CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS AS DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH U.S. GAAP OR AS A MEASURE OF LIQUIDITY.

About Quarterhill
Quarterhill is focused on the disciplined acquisition, management and growth of companies in dedicated technology areas including, vertical market software and solutions, intelligent industrial systems, and innovation and licensing. Quarterhill's emphasis is on seeking out acquisition opportunities at reasonable valuations that provide a foundation for recurring revenues, predictable cash flows and margins, profitable growth, intimate customer relationships and dedicated management teams.  Quarterhill is listed on the TSX and NASDAQ under the symbol QTRH. For more information: www.quarterhill.com.

Forward-looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other United States and Canadian securities laws.  Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information 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. Many factors could cause Quarterhill's actual performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation, the risks described in Quarterhill's February 28, 2019 annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the "AIF"). Copies of the AIF may be obtained at www.sedar.com and as part of Quarterhill's Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.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 or forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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