AMSC Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results and Provides Business Outlook

AYER, Mass., Aug. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AMSC (Nasdaq: AMSC), a leading system provider of megawatt-scale power resiliency solutions that orchestrate the rhythm and harmony of power on the grid™ and protect and expand the capability and resiliency of our Navy’s fleet, today reported financial results for its first quarter of fiscal year 2023 ended June 30, 2023.

Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 were $30.3 million compared with $22.7 million for the same period of fiscal 2022. The year-over-year increase was driven primarily by higher new energy power systems revenues, versus the year ago period. 

AMSC’s net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $5.4 million, or $0.19 per share, compared to a net loss of $8.7 million, or $0.32 per share, for the same period of fiscal 2022.  The Company’s non-GAAP net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $2.1 million, or $0.08 per share, compared with a non-GAAP net loss of $6.8 million, or $0.25 per share, in the same period of fiscal 2022. Please refer to the financial table below for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results.

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on June 30, 2023, totaled $23.1 million, compared with $25.7 million at March 31, 2023.

“Fiscal 2023 is off to a good start with first quarter revenues exceeding our expectations. Solid execution on strong demand from our new energy power systems and Navy markets drove revenue for the quarter. Additionally, stronger margins drove a narrowed cash burn,” said Daniel P. McGahn, Chairman, President and CEO, AMSC. “During the quarter, we booked over $34 million of new energy power systems orders across a diversity of end markets including new military applications, which provide efficient and reliable shore power to naval vessels. We look forward to continued solid momentum as we move into the next quarter.

Business Outlook
For the second quarter ending September 30, 2023, AMSC expects that its revenues will be in the range of $29 million to $32 million. The Company’s net loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 is expected not to exceed $5.3 million, or $0.19 per share. The Company’s net loss guidance assumes no changes in contingent consideration. The Company's non-GAAP net loss (as defined below) is expected not to exceed $3.5 million, or $0.12 per share.  The Company expects operating cash flow to be a burn of $1.0 million to a positive cash generation of $1.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2023. The Company expects cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on September 30, 2023, to be no less than $21 million.

Conference Call Reminder
In conjunction with this announcement, AMSC management will participate in a conference call with investors beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 10, 2023, to discuss the Company’s financial results and business outlook. Those who wish to listen to the live or archived conference call webcast should visit the “Investors” section of the Company’s website at https://ir.amsc.com. The live call can be accessed by dialing 1-844-481-2802 or 1-412-317- 0675 and asking to join the AMSC call. A replay of the call may be accessed 2 hours following the call by dialing 1-877-344-7529 and using conference passcode 1779022.

About AMSC (Nasdaq: AMSC)
AMSC generates the ideas, technologies and solutions that meet the world’s demand for smarter, cleaner … better energy™. Through its Gridtec™ Solutions, AMSC provides the engineering planning services and advanced grid systems that optimize network reliability, efficiency and performance.  Through its Marinetec™ Solutions, AMSC provides ship protection systems and is developing propulsion and power management solutions designed to help fleets increase system efficiencies, enhance power quality and boost operational safety.  Through its Windtec® Solutions, AMSC provides wind turbine electronic controls and systems, designs and engineering services that reduce the cost of wind energy. The Company’s solutions are enhancing the performance and reliability of power networks, increasing the operational safety of navy fleets, and powering gigawatts of renewable energy globally. Founded in 1987, AMSC is headquartered near Boston, Massachusetts with operations in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. For more information, please visit www.amsc.com.

AMSC, American Superconductor, D-VAR, D-VAR VVO, Gridtec, Marinetec, Windtec, Neeltran, NEPSI, Smarter, Cleaner … Better Energy, and Orchestrate the Rhythm and Harmony of Power on the Grid are trademarks or registered trademarks of American Superconductor Corporation. All other brand names, product names, trademarks or service marks belong to their respective holders.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Any statements in this release regarding our goals and strategies, market demand, and order pipeline; our expected GAAP and non-GAAP financial results for the quarter ending September 30, 2023; our expected cash burn during the quarter ending September 30, 2023; our expected cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash balance on September 30, 2023; functionality, performance and capabilities of our products, systems and solutions; momentum; and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will" and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements represent management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. There are a number of important factors that could materially impact the value of our common stock or cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These important factors include but are not limited to: We have a history of operating losses, which may continue in the future. Our operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and may fall below expectations in any particular fiscal quarter; We have a history of negative operating cash flows, and we may require additional financing in the future, which may not be available to us; We may be required to issue performance bonds or provide letters of credit, which restricts our ability to access any cash used as collateral for the bonds or letters of credit; Changes in exchange rates could adversely affect our results of operations; If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting, our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements could be impaired and may lead investors and other users to lose confidence in our financial data; We may not realize all of the sales expected from our backlog of orders and contracts; Our contracts with the U.S. government are subject to audit, modification or termination by the U.S. government and include certain other provisions in favor of the government. The continued funding of such contracts remains subject to annual congressional appropriation, which, if not approved, could reduce our revenue and lower or eliminate our profit; The COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted our business, financial condition and results of operations and other future pandemics or health crises may have similar impacts; Changes in U.S. government defense spending could negatively impact our financial position, results of operations, liquidity and overall business; We rely upon third-party suppliers for the components and subassemblies of many of our Grid and Wind products, making us vulnerable to supply shortages and price fluctuations, which could harm our business; Uncertainty surrounding our prospects and financial condition may have an adverse effect on our customer and supplier relationships; We have not manufactured our Amperium wire in commercial quantities, and a failure to manufacture our Amperium wire in commercial quantities at acceptable cost and quality levels would substantially limit our future revenue and profit potential; Our success is dependent upon attracting and retaining qualified personnel and our inability to do so could significantly damage our business and prospects; A significant portion of our Wind segment revenues are derived from a single customer. If this customer's business is negatively affected, it could adversely impact our business; Our success in addressing the wind energy market is dependent on the manufacturers that license our designs; Our business and operations would be adversely impacted in the event of a failure or security breach of our or any critical third parties information technology infrastructure and networks; Failure to comply with evolving data privacy and data protection laws and regulations or to otherwise protect personal data, may adversely impact our business and financial results; Many of our revenue opportunities are dependent upon subcontractors and other business collaborators; If we fail to implement our business strategy successfully, our financial performance could be harmed; Problems with product quality or product performance may cause us to incur warranty expenses and may damage our market reputation and prevent us from achieving increased sales and market share; Many of our customers outside of the United States may be either directly or indirectly related to governmental entities, and we could be adversely affected by violations of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti-bribery laws outside the United States; We have had limited success marketing and selling our superconductor products and system-level solutions, and our failure to more broadly market and sell our products and solutions could lower our revenue and cash flow; We may acquire additional complementary businesses or technologies, which may require us to incur substantial costs for which we may never realize the anticipated benefits; We or third parties on whom we depend may be adversely affected by natural disasters, including events resulting from climate change, and our business continuity and disaster recovery plans may not adequately protect us or our value chain from such events; Adverse changes in domestic and global economic conditions could adversely affect our operating results; Our international operations are subject to risks that we do not face in the United States, which could have an adverse effect on our operation results; Our products face competition, which could limit our ability to acquire or retain customers. We have operations in, and depend on sales in, emerging markets, including India, and global conditions could negatively affect our operating results or limit our ability to expand our operations outside of these markets. Changes in India’s political, social, regulatory and economic environment may affect our financial performance; Our success depends upon the commercial adoption of the REG system, which is currently limited, and a widespread commercial market for our products may not develop; Industry consolidation could result in more powerful competitors and fewer customers; The increasing focus on environmental sustainability and social initiatives could increase our costs, and inaction could harm our reputation and adversely impact our financial results; Growth of the wind energy market depends largely on the availability and size of government subsidies, economic incentives and legislative programs designed to support the growth of wind energy; Lower prices for other fuel sources may reduce the demand for wind energy development, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow our Wind business; The increasing focus on environmental sustainability and social initiatives could increase our costs, and inaction could harm our reputation and adversely impact our financial results; We may be unable to adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information; Our patents may not provide meaningful protection for our technology, which could result in us losing some or all of our market position; There are a number of technological challenges that must be successfully addressed before our superconductor products can gain widespread commercial acceptance, and our inability to address such technological challenges could adversely affect our ability to acquire customers for our products; Third parties have or may acquire patents that cover the materials, processes and technologies we use or may use in the future to manufacture our Amperium products, and our success depends on our ability to license such patents or other proprietary rights; Our technology and products could infringe intellectual property rights of others, which may require costly litigation and, if we are not successful, could cause us to pay substantial damages and disrupt our business; We face risks related to our legal proceedings; We face risks related to our common stock; and the other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Part 1. Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, and our other reports filed with the SEC. These important factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements made herein and presented elsewhere by management from time to time. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)

		Three Months Ended
		June 30,
		2023				2022
Revenues
Grid		$	25,737			$	19,829
Wind			4,517				2,850
Total revenues			30,254				22,679
Cost of revenues			23,972				20,458
Gross margin			6,282				2,221
Operating expenses:
Research and development			1,853				2,678
Selling, general and administrative			7,868				7,562
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles			538				680
Change in fair value of contingent consideration			1,350				170
Restructuring			6				-
Total operating expenses			11,615				11,090
Operating loss			(5,333	)			(8,869	)
Interest income, net			174				24
Other income (expense), net			(118	)			167
Loss before income tax expense			(5,277	)			(8,678	)
Income tax expense			121				32
Net loss		$	(5,398	)		$	(8,710	)
Net loss per common share
Basic		$	(0.19	)		$	(0.32	)
Diluted		$	(0.19	)		$	(0.32	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic			28,258				27,560
Diluted			28,258				27,560

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(In thousands, except per share data)

		June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	22,005			$	23,360
Accounts receivable, net			30,116				30,665
Inventory, net			42,874				36,986
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			6,703				13,429
Restricted cash			496				1,733
Total current assets			102,194				106,173
Property, plant and equipment, net			11,947				12,309
Intangibles, net			7,983				8,527
Right-of-use assets			2,694				2,857
Goodwill			43,471				43,471
Restricted cash			622				582
Deferred tax assets			1,115				1,114
Other assets			608				528
Total assets		$	170,634			$	175,561
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	28,828			$	38,383
Lease liability, current portion			781				808
Debt, current portion			64				75
Contingent consideration			2,620				1,270
Deferred revenue, current portion			50,856				43,572
Total current liabilities			83,149				84,108
Deferred revenue, long term portion			7,227				7,188
Lease liability, long term portion			2,047				2,184
Deferred tax liabilities			259				243
Debt, long-term portion			9				15
Other liabilities			25				26
Total liabilities			92,716				93,764
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock			307				299
Additional paid-in capital			1,140,626				1,139,113
Treasury stock			(3,639	)			(3,639	)
Accumulated other comprehensive gain			1,569				1,571
Accumulated deficit			(1,060,945	)			(1,055,547	)
Total stockholders' equity			77,918				81,797
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	170,634			$	175,561

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

		Three Months Ended June 30,
		2023				2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(5,398	)		$	(8,710	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations:
Depreciation and amortization			1,119				1,401
Stock-based compensation expense			1,357				1,033
Provision for excess and obsolete inventory			384				346
Deferred income taxes			(1	)			61
Change in fair value of contingent consideration			1,350				170
Other non-cash items			168				(127	)
Changes in operating asset and liability accounts:
Accounts receivable			549				(1,426	)
Inventory			(6,272	)			(9,633	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			6,901				580
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			(9,720	)			6,343
Deferred revenue			7,318				4,099
Net cash used in operating activities			(2,245	)			(5,863	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(214	)			(441	)
Change in other assets			(79	)			(55	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(293	)			(496	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt			(17	)			(20	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(17	)			(20	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			2				(17	)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			(2,553	)			(6,396	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			25,675				49,486
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		$	23,122			$	43,090

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET LOSS TO NON-GAAP NET LOSS
(In thousands, except per share data)

		Three Months Ended June 30,
		2023				2022
Net loss		$	(5,398	)		$	(8,710	)
Stock-based compensation			1,357				1,033
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles			544				712
Change in fair value of contingent consideration			1,350				170
Non-GAAP net loss		$	(2,147	)		$	(6,795	)
Non-GAAP net loss per share - basic		$	(0.08	)		$	(0.25	)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic			28,258				27,560

Reconciliation of Forecast GAAP Net Loss to Non-GAAP Net Loss
(In millions, except per share data)

		Three Months Ending
		September 30, 2023
Net loss		$	(5.3	)
Stock-based compensation			1.3
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles			0.5
Non-GAAP net loss		$	(3.5	)
Non-GAAP net loss per share		$	(0.12	)
Shares outstanding			28.5

Note: Non-GAAP net loss is defined by the Company as net loss before; stock-based compensation; amortization of acquisition-related intangibles; change in fair value of contingent consideration; other non-cash or unusual charges, and the tax effect of adjustments calculated at the relevant rate for our non-GAAP metric. The Company believes non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share assist management and investors in comparing the Company’s performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding these non-cash, non-recurring or other charges that it does not believe are indicative of its core operating performance. Actual GAAP and non-GAAP net loss for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2023, including the above adjustments, may differ materially from those forecasted in the table above, including as a result of changes in the fair value of contingent consideration. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures included in this release, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, operating income or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net loss is set forth in the table above.

AMSC Contacts
Investor Relations Contact:
LHA Investor Relations
Carolyn Capaccio
(212) 838-3777
amscIR@lhai.com

AMSC Senior Communications Manager:
Nicol Golez
978-399-8344
Nicol.Golez@amsc.com