DSP Group, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2018 Results


Growth Initiatives Account for 50% of Total Revenues for the First Time 

GAAP and Non GAAP Gross Margins of 48.8% and 49.1%, Respectively, Exceeding Guidance

MILPITAS, Calif., April 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DSP Group®, Inc. (NASDAQ:DSPG), a leading global provider of wireless chipset solutions for converged communications, announced today its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018.

First Quarter Business and Financial Highlights:

  • Total revenues of $28.1 million, up 1% year-over-year, including new products revenues of $14.1 million which were up 26% year-over-year:
    • Office/VoIP segment revenues of $8.4 million, a year-over-year increase of 27%.
    • SmartVoice segment revenues of $1.6 million, a year-over-year increase of 316%.
    • SmartHome segment revenues of $4.1 million, a year-over-year decrease of 2%.
  • GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin of 48.8% and 49.1%, respectively, 500 bps and 490 bps improvement, as compared to the first quarter of 2017 on GAAP and non-GAAP basis, respectively.
  • GAAP loss per share of ($0.08) and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.01, compared to GAAP and non-GAAP loss per share of ($0.13) and ($0.05), respectively, for the first quarter of 2017.
  • GAAP operating loss of ($2.4) million and non-GAAP operating loss of ($0.2) million, compared to GAAP and non-GAAP operating loss of ($3.4) and ($1.5) million, respectively, for the first quarter of 2017.
  • GAAP net loss of ($1.8) million and non-GAAP net income of $0.2 million, compared to GAAP and non-GAAP net loss of ($2.9) and ($1.1) million, respectively, for the first quarter of 2017.
  • Repurchased approximately 98,000 shares for a total consideration of $1.2 million, with $7.7 million remaining available for repurchase under existing authorization.
  • Cash, deposits and marketable securities of approximately $123.6 million as of March 31, 2018.
  • Continued to solidify our leadership position in the unified communications market as demonstrated by our growing design wins with Tier 1 OEMs:  
    • Avaya launched its new J100 IP phone series based on our DVF9929/19 SoCs.
    • Cisco launched its new multi-platform ATA products based on our DVF9929 SoCs.
    • Polycom launched Obi2182, a top-line IP phone, based on our DVF9919 SoCs.
  • Growing engagement pipeline and design wins for voice as a user interface with leading consumer electronic products thereby helping to drive growth of a burgeoning new market:
    • Two Chinese smartphone OEMs selected our SmartVoice SoC for their new smartphone models.
    • A leading Japanese mobile OEM launched a series of tablet products based on our SmartVoice SoC.
    • A leading European audio consumer brand selected our SmartVoice solution for its new smart speaker product.
  • Expanding ULE reach into new markets with innovative products that leverage ULE’s unmatched characteristics for wireless indoor IoT:
    • Leading Tier 1 European service provider launching a SmartHome service based on our ULE technology in late 2018.
    • Launched our new DHAN-J ULE module for industrial IoT and smart building applications.
    • SGW Global launched a line of truly wireless Alexa-integrated voice activated products based on our ULE and SmartVoice SoCs.

Management Comments:
Commenting on the results, Ofer Elyakim, CEO of DSP Group, stated, “With Office/VoIP, SmartVoice and SmartHome revenues representing 50% of our business, we are now at the inflection point where our growth initiatives will define our future and more than offset the secular decline of the cordless telephony market, thereby accelerating overall growth for the company.  These initiatives collectively grew at 26% year-over-year, and combined with our solid and growing engagement pipeline, we are well positioned for long term sustainable growth in each of these product categories.”

Mr. Elyakim added, “Our improved mix of innovative, differentiated products coupled with operational efficiencies drove our non-GAAP gross margin improvement of 490 bps to 49.1% and a return to non-GAAP profitability.”  

First Quarter GAAP Results:

Revenues for the first quarter of 2018 were $28.1 million, an increase of 1% from revenues of $27.9 million for the first quarter of 2017.  Net loss and LPS for the first quarter of 2018 were ($1.8) million and ($0.08) respectively. Net loss and LPS for the first quarter of 2017 were ($2.9) million and ($0.13), respectively.

First Quarter Non-GAAP Results:
Non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2018 were $0.2 million and $0.01, respectively, as compared to non-GAAP net loss and loss per share of ($1.1) million and ($0.05), respectively, for the first quarter of 2017.  Non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2018 exclude the impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets in the amount of $425,000 associated with previous acquisitions; equity-based compensation expenses of $1.7 million; and changes in deferred taxes in the amount of $197,000 related to intangible assets acquired in previous acquisitions and equity-based compensation expenses.  Non-GAAP net loss and loss per share for the first quarter of 2017 exclude the impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets of $425,000 associated with previous acquisitions; equity-based compensation expenses of $1.5 million; and changes in deferred taxes in the amount of $182,000 related to intangible assets acquired in previous acquisitions and equity-based compensation expenses.

Earnings Conference Call Details
DSP Group will discuss its first quarter financial results, along with its outlook and guidance for the second quarter of 2018, on its conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET today, and invites you to listen via our conference call or a live broadcast over the Internet.

Investors may access the conference call by dialing +1 800 239 9838 (domestic US) or +1 929 477 0448 (international) approximately 10 minutes prior to the starting time. The password is 9332537. The broadcast via the Internet can be accessed by all interested parties through the Investor Relations section of DSP Group’s website at www.dspg.com or link to: https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/wyqn95ue

A replay of the conference call will be available for a week following the call. To listen to the session, please dial +1 719 457 0820 (domestic US) or +44 20 7660 0134 (international) and enter the company access code: 9332537#.

Presentation of Non-GAAP Net Income and EPS
The Company believes that the non-GAAP presentation of net income and diluted earnings per share presented in this press release is useful to investors in comparing results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 to the same period in 2017 because the exclusion of the above noted expenses may provide a more meaningful analysis of the Company’s core operating results. Further, the Company believes it is useful to investors to understand how the expenses associated with equity-based compensation are reflected in its statements of income.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that qualify as “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including Mr. Elyakim’s statements that the company’s growth initiatives will define its future and more than offset the secular decline of the cordless telephony market, thereby accelerating overall growth for the company, as well as the company being well positioned for long term sustainable growth in each of the new products categories.  The results from these statements may not actually arise as a result of various factors, including the market penetration of new products such as products with Voice User Interface; unexpected delays in the commercial launch of new products, including in the mobile and office segments; speed of decline in the cordless market; DSP Group's ability to manage costs; DSP Group’s ability to develop and produce new products at competitive costs and in a timely manner and the ability of such products to achieve broad market acceptance; and general market demand for products that incorporate DSP Group’s technology in the market. These factors and other factors which may affect future operating results or DSP Group’s stock price are discussed under “RISK FACTORS” in the Form 10-K for fiscal 2017, as well as other reports DSP Group has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which are available on DSP Group’s website (www.dspg.com) under Investor Relations. DSP Group assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates.

About DSP Group
DSP Group®, Inc. (NASDAQ:DSPG) is a leading global provider of wireless chipset solutions for converged communications. Delivering semiconductor system solutions with software and hardware reference designs, DSP Group enables OEMs/ODMs, consumer electronics (CE) manufacturers and service providers to cost-effectively develop new revenue-generating products with fast time to market. At the forefront of semiconductor innovation and operational excellence for over two decades, DSP Group provides a broad portfolio of wireless chipsets integrating DECT/CAT-iq, ULE, Wi-Fi, PSTN, HDClear™, video and VoIP technologies. DSP Group enables converged voice, audio, video and data connectivity across diverse mobile, consumer and enterprise products – from mobile devices, connected multimedia screens, and home automation & security to cordless phones, VoIP systems, and home gateways. Leveraging industry-leading experience and expertise, DSP Group partners with CE manufacturers and service providers to shape the future of converged communications at home, office and on the go. For more information, visit www.dspg.com.        

Contact:
Daniel Amir
Corporate Vice President, Business Development, Strategy and Investor Relations
Work: 1-415-726-5900, Daniel.amir@dspg.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/1ef6f170-745f-47fd-abd3-730f15e9a1b1

DSP GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

    Three Months Ended 
    March 31, 
   2018  2017  
  (Unaudited)(Unaudited) 
     
Revenues  $28,111 $27,933  
Cost of revenues  14,397  15,686  
     
Gross profit  13,714    12,247  
Operating expenses:    
Research and development, net  8,998   9,190  
Sales and marketing  4,068  3,575  
General and administrative  2,581  2,487  
Amortization of intangible assets  425  425  
     
Total operating expenses  16,072  15,677  
     
Operating loss    (2,358)   (3,430) 
     
Financial income, net    396    416  
     
Loss before taxes on income  (1,962) (3,014) 
Income tax benefit   
  209
    148  
     
Net loss $  (1,753)$  (2,866) 
Net loss per share:    
  Basic $  (0.08)$  (0.13) 
  Diluted $  (0.08)$  (0.13) 
     
Weighted average number of shares used in per share computations of net loss per share:    
  Basic  22,678  22,102  
  Diluted  22,678  22,102  


Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

  (In thousands, except per share amounts)
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 
  2018  2017 
 UnauditedUnaudited 
GAAP net loss$  (1,753)$  (2,866)
Equity-based compensation expense included in cost of revenues 98  97 
Equity-based compensation expense included in research and development, net 652  616 
Equity-based compensation expense included in sales and marketing 406  300 
Equity-based compensation expense included in general and administrative 543  518 
Amortization of intangible assets 425  425 
Changes in deferred taxes related to intangible assets and equity-based compensation expense (197) (182)
Non-GAAP net income (loss)$  174 $  (1,092)
   
Weighted-average number of common stock used in computation of GAAP diluted net earnings (loss) per share (in thousands) 22,678  22,102 
Weighted-average number of shares related to outstanding options, stock appreciation rights and restricted share units (in thousands) 1,359  - 
Weighted-average number of common stock used in computation of non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share (in thousands) 24,037  22,102 
   
GAAP net loss per share$  (0.08)$  (0.13)
Equity-based compensation expense 0.08  0.07 
Amortization of intangible assets 0.02  0.02 
Changes of deferred taxes related to intangible assets and equity-based compensation expense (0.01) (0.01)
Non-GAAP diluted net earnings (loss) per share$  0.01 $  (0.05)
    
    

DSP GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

 March 31,December 31,
  2018  2017 
   (Unaudited)  (Audited)
Assets    
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted deposits
$

15,635
527
 $

21,324
524
 
Marketable securities and short term deposits 30,961  24,697 
Trade receivables, net 15,910  13,416 
Inventories 8,414  9,422 
Other accounts receivable and prepaid expenses 3,168  3,167 
Total current assets

 
 74,615  72,550 
Property and equipment, net 2,991  3,184 
Long term marketable securities and deposits 76,446  82,669 
Severance pay fund 15,136  15,190 
Deferred income taxes 1,041  1,043 
Intangible assets, net 8,597  9,022 
Long term prepaid expenses and lease deposits 1,574   1,541  
  102,794  109,465 
Total assets $180,400 $185,199 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity 
Current liabilities:  
Trade payables$7,651 $8,660 
Other current liabilities 9,981  12,819 
Total current liabilities 17,632  21,479 
   
 Accrued severance pay 15,274  15,463 
 Accrued pensions 912  883 
 Deferred income taxes   332    424 
 Total long term liabilities 16,518  16,770 
Stockholders’ equity:  
 Common stock 23  22 
 Additional paid-in capital 373,740  372,041 
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,517) (1,874)
 Less – Cost of treasury stock  (115,731)  (118,397)
Accumulated deficit   (109,265)   (104,842)
Total stockholders’ equity   146,250  146,950 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$180,400 $185,199 
DSP Group Q1 18 Infographic