NetSol Technologies Q2 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

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February 13, 2024

There are 8 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good morning, and welcome to NetSol Technologies Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call. On the call today are Najeeb Ghauri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Roger Aument, Chief Financial Officer and Patty MacGlassen, General Counsel and Naeem Ghauri, President and Founder. I would now like to turn the call Patty MacGlassen, who will provide the necessary cautions regarding the forward looking statements made by management during this call. Please proceed.

Speaker 1

Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. Following a review of the company's business highlights and financial results, we will open the call for questions. I'll now provide the necessary cautions regarding the forward looking statements made by management during this call. Please note that all the information discussed on today's call is covered under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. The company's discussion may include forward looking statements reflecting management's current forecast of certain aspects of the company's future and our actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied.

Speaker 1

These forward looking statements are qualified by the cautionary statements contained in NetSol's press releases and SEC filings, including our annual report on Form 10 ks and quarterly reports on Form 10 Q. I would also like to point out that we will be discussing certain non GAAP measures. The press release earlier today contains a reconciliation of these non GAAP financial results to their most comparable GAAP measures. Finally, I would like to remind everyone that this call will be recorded and made available for replay at www.nedsaltec.com and see a link available in today's press release. Now, I'd like to turn the call over to Najeeb.

Speaker 1

Najeeb?

Speaker 2

Thank you. Yes. Thank you, Terry, and good morning, everyone. Like we began the fiscal year, our Q2 of fiscal 2024 was characterized by increases in total revenue, improved gross margins and profitability, which demonstrates both the strength of our business model and our ability to execute on our growth strategy. Revenue grew once again in the quarter driven by solid performance across our business.

Speaker 2

As we continue to scale our SaaS business, our hybrid license And SaaS model has become a strong catalyst for our growth in both this quarter and throughout the fiscal 2024. We recognized substantial license fees of $3,000,000 in this quarter as part of part of a new large contract in Asia With a major automotive company, we are thrilled to have distinguished ourselves from a highly competitive pool of candidates to win this contract, which we expect to officially announce in the coming weeks. Our selection reflects both our visibility and recognition in the market as well as the superior performance and reliability of our products that is acquired by major companies operating on a global scale. License fees are a key part of our business and we expect them to continue to represent a significant portion of our revenue for the foreseeable future. That said, License revenue can be a bit lumpy and a major focus for us is to continue to build on an already robust pipeline of potential licensing and SaaS opportunities to deliver more consistent results over the long term.

Speaker 2

We achieved growth in our recurring subscription and support revenues in the quarter. At the heart of our SaaS business are products like the OTOZ digital retail platform and our API first marketplace, Apex Now. We are committed to the continuous innovation An improvement of these and additional SaaS offerings to meet the diverse demands of our customers, Integrating leading technology such as deep learning AI algorithms to ensure that we are positioned at the forefront of our industry. During the quarter, we unveiled OTOZ 2.0, implementing major updates to our digital retail and mobility platform to expand on existing offerings with a phased launch planned over the next year. The OTOZ platform is a premier SaaS offering powering services such as MiniUSA's Mini Anywhere retail platform since June 2021.

Speaker 2

Supported by autos, Mini Anywhere enrollment has doubled over the past 12 months and is now active across nearly 2 thirds of the Mini USA dealership network in the U. S, enabling a 5 times increase in lead volume and vehicle sales. Also in the quarter, we expanded our relationship with 1 of our key automotive clients by supporting the launch of AutoNation's mobility microlease marketplace with auto's back end technology. The automotive market is witnessing a significant shift towards short term vehicle usage options in lieu of traditional long term leases and the OTOZ 2.0 platform is ideally Suited to support this new microlease marketplace that allows customers to navigate the entire leasing process from vehicle selection to deal configuration to finalizing each transaction. Overall, We're very excited and pleased with our 2nd quarter results.

Speaker 2

As I said before, our performance is a demonstration of both the strength of our business model and our ability to execute on our growth strategy. Moreover, we continue to strategically invest and allocate capital to further expand our presence across key high growth markets like North America, and we are pleased to see steady progress across all three of geographic markets, North America, Europe and APAC. Given our recent results and trajectory, we expect to see strong double digit organic revenue growth and improved margins in fiscal 2024 as we move into period of more sustainability profitability. I'll now turn the call over to Raj Amman, our CFO, to go over our financials from this quarter. Rajar?

Speaker 3

Thanks, Najeeb. Our total net revenues for the Q2 of fiscal 2024 were $15,200,000 compared with $12,400,000 in the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, total net revenues were $15,300,000 For the 6 months ended December 31, 2023, total net revenues were $29,500,000 compared to $25,100,000 in the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, total net revenues were $29,600,000 License fees for the quarter ended fiscal 2024 were $3,000,000 compared with $16,000 in the prior year period. License fees on a constant currency basis were $3,100,000 In the 1st 6 months of fiscal 2024 license fees were $4,300,000 compared with $266,000 in the prior year period the same on a constant currency basis.

Speaker 3

Recurring revenues or subscription and support revenues for the Q2 of fiscal 2024 were 6 $800,000 compared with $6,500,000 in the prior year period and the same on a constant currency basis. Recurring revenues for the 1st months of fiscal 2024 were $13,300,000 compared to $12,500,000 in the prior year period and the same on a constant currency basis. Total services revenue for the Q2 of fiscal 2024 were $5,400,000 compared with $5,900,000 in the prior year period and the same on a constant currency basis. Total services revenues for the 1st 6 months of fiscal 20 $24,000,000 were $11,900,000 compared to $12,300,000 in the prior year period and the same on a constant currency basis. Total cost of revenues were $8,100,000 for the Q2 of fiscal 2024 compared to $9,200,000 the Q2 of fiscal year 2023, on a constant currency basis, total cost of revenues was $9,400,000 Gross profit for the Q2 of fiscal 2024 was $7,200,000 or 47 percent of net revenues compared with $2,100,000 or 25% of net revenues in the prior year period.

Speaker 3

On a constant currency basis, gross profit was 5,900,000 Gross profit for the 6 months of fiscal 2024 was $13,300,000 or 45 percent of net revenues compared to $7,400,000 or 29% of net revenues in the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, gross profit for the 6 months ended December 31, 2023 was $10,600,000 Operating expenses for the Q2 of fiscal 2024 were $6,100,000 or 40% of sales compared to $6,200,000 or 50 percent of sales in the same period last year. On a constant currency basis, operating for the 6 months ended December 31, 2023 were $12,000,000 or 41 percent of sales compared with $12,300,000 or 49% of sales in the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, operating expenses for the 1st 6 months of fiscal 2024 were $13,100,000 or 44 percent of sales. Turning to our profitability metrics, GAAP net income attributable to netsoul for the 2nd of fiscal 2024 totaled $408,000 or $0.04 per diluted share compared with a GAAP net loss $2,100,000 or a loss of $0.19 per diluted share in the Q2 of fiscal 2023.

Speaker 3

GAAP net income attributable to net sold for the 1st 6 months of fiscal 2024 totaled 439,000 or $0.04 per diluted share compared with a GAAP net loss of $2,700,000 or a loss of $0.24 per diluted share in the prior year period. Included in our net income this quarter was a loss of $15,000 on foreign currency exchange transactions compared to a gain of $657,000 in the Q2 of fiscal 2023. On a constant currency basis, we realized a loss of $23,000 on foreign currency exchange transactions. Included in our net income for the 6 months ended December 31, 2023 was a loss of $149,000 on foreign currency exchange transactions compared to a gain of $2,000,000 in the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, we realized a loss of $197,000 on foreign currency exchange transactions.

Speaker 3

Because we operate in several geographical regions, a significant portion of our business is conducted in currencies other than the U. S. Dollar. A decrease in the value of the U. S.

Speaker 3

Dollar compared to foreign currency exchange rates generally has the effect of increasing our revenues, It also increases our expenses denominated in currencies other than the U. S. Dollar. Similarly, as the U. S.

Speaker 3

Dollar gains strength relative to foreign currency exchange rate. It tends to reduce our revenues, but it also reduces our expenses denominated in currencies other than the U. S. Dollar. Moving to our non GAAP metrics, our non GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the Q2 of fiscal 2024 was 725,000 dollars per diluted share compared with a non GAAP adjusted EBITDA loss of $1,300,000 or $0.12 per diluted share in the Q2 of the previous fiscal year.

Speaker 3

Non GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the 1st 6 months of fiscal 2024 was 1,200,000 or $0.10 per diluted share compared with a non GAAP adjusted EBITDA loss of $1,400,000 or $0.12 per diluted share in the Q2 of the prior fiscal year. Please see the reconciliation schedules contained in our earnings release for our revised calculations of adjusted EBITDA for the quarters ended December 31, of approximately $15,700,000 or approximately $1.38 per diluted common share. Total net sole stockholders' equity at December 31, 2023 was $34,500,000 or $3.03 per share. That concludes my prepared remarks. I'll now turn the call back over to Najeeb.

Speaker 3

Najeeb?

Speaker 2

Thank you, Roger. This was an excellent quarter for NetSol. We're excited by our progress and are very optimistic for the journey ahead. We believe that we are well positioned on a path towards growth and sustainable profitability and we look forward to driving value for our shareholders as we continue to execute on our growth strategy in the later half of twenty twenty four. Roger?

Speaker 3

Yes, I'm here.

Speaker 2

Where is the operator?

Speaker 3

Yeah. I don't know.

Speaker 2

John, you're there? There's got to be some glitch somewhere.

Speaker 4

Someone should just ring the main line again and reconnect to the operator.

Speaker 2

Hold on. I'm trying to reach her.

Speaker 1

Yes. I'm sorry. We're trying. Hold on.

Speaker 2

This guy is on technical glitch. This is the it's never happened before. Are you calling John Perry?

Speaker 1

Yes, I'm sorry. We're handling this on the chat. Hopefully, we can get her attention in a moment. So please hold on.

Speaker 5

Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the inconvenience. Please stand by, we will resume momentarily. Ladies and gentlemen, once again, we thank you for your patience.

Speaker 6

You mentioned integrating deep learning AI algorithms into your technology. Could you elaborate a little more on those and how you're kind of leveraging that AI to enhance your product offerings?

Speaker 2

Thank you for the question. Naim, you want to jump in?

Speaker 3

Yes, sure, sure

Speaker 4

Najib. So what we do is that we have access to A lot of data and we actually build, if you like, a warehouse of metadata. And then we run our algorithms based on that data that's coming from thousands of dealers and Our installations are across the globe coming from different markets. So what we are able to determine are behavior and trends and patterns On, for example, what type of products are sold in one market as opposed to another, credit risk, credit underwriting, residual values on cars, how they're moving. So that data is really a treasure trove in terms of, you like, we run about $300,000,000,000 worth of assets on our portfolios across the globe.

Speaker 4

So you can imagine the amount of data that we get. And on that data, we can build large language models, which is primarily can be used for generative AI. And then that is how we actually build our algorithms based on data that can generate A two way conversation with any consumer going directly on our platforms as well as our dealers We're accessing systems able to understand somebody's credit risk pretty quickly based on how that data presents itself. So really, we are at the literally the tip of the iceberg, if you like, in terms of exploiting and manipulating that data to just add so much more value into our tech stack. And going forward, you'll be hearing a lot more about more specialized modules and more discrete modules that we can deploy just for AI based on the amount of data we have and how much Information we have on behavior patterns, credit risk.

Speaker 4

And in fact, even what type of cards are being sold, Down to what color with which markets. So really it's a very exciting time for us in terms of Getting into the AI, if you like, generation and iteration to now There'll be more use cases out of the data that we have. Hopefully that answers your question.

Speaker 6

Absolutely, absolutely. Yes, understood. Thank you. That's all from me.

Speaker 4

Thank you.

Speaker 5

Thank you. Our next question is coming from the line of Todd Felt with Aegis Financial. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 7

Hey, guys. Congratulations on a great quarter there. Nice to see the improvement. Just had a few quick questions here. On the Deals with Mini Cooper and AutoNation, I think if I remember correctly, we're in 50 or 60 dealerships now.

Speaker 7

Can you quantify as to how much revenue that produces on a yearly basis for you guys?

Speaker 2

Yes. Thank you for this question, Todd. Both Roger and NIM, but This is almost 60 plus dealership that we have onboarded so far. Rod, do you have specific numbers, right, for the annual revenue?

Speaker 3

Yes. Currently, we have, as Najeeb said, 60 dealers and it brings in about $100,000 a year with the 60 dealers. So that's $100,000 a month, sorry, dollars 100,000 a month, which is $1,200,000 a year currently with the 60 dealers.

Speaker 7

Okay. That's great to hear. And on the AutoNation, I know you're growing really fast there. How much Revenue is AutoNation contributing now and what would you project for the current fiscal year?

Speaker 2

Nam, you want to jump in? Nam is a champion of automation and mobility products. Go ahead, Nam, please.

Speaker 4

I can pick that up. So, Todd, this is a different use case to For Mini, we are doing digital retail. For AutoNation, we're doing subscription. And what they've done is that they would launch subscription product, we did a soft launch. But in terms of the revenue we have generated already is just over $1,000,000 in terms of implementation and just tailoring the platform for their use case.

Speaker 4

Going forward, we believe if they hit their targets, This could be big or as big at least, if not bigger than what we're doing with Mini, subject to dumb hitting targets because the subscription is based on certain tiers. If they hit those tiers in terms of usage, then the revenue starts to grow. So it's an exciting model because it's a win win. If they grow, when they grow, we grow with them. And there's no upper limit or ceiling to where the revenue can grow if they do grow the product with the right marketing and planning.

Speaker 7

That's great to hear. And I assume that since it's set up the margins on that automation business now that everything is set up are extremely high for you?

Speaker 4

I'm sorry, what's the question? It's all set up, yes.

Speaker 7

Yes. So the margins should be very high on that automation business continues to grow.

Speaker 4

Well, what happens is that there is a setup cost, which the client pays for. And our product is deployed on the cloud and it's very, very scalable. So it's like we could grow the autos revenue by 5 fold, 5x without having a major impact on cost. So really it's the adoption, the Faster or bigger the adoption, the better the margins because we do have a fixed amount of cost to run the platform and we are already in profit in terms of what we bring from Mini and AutoNation. So we're already in the black.

Speaker 4

However, as they scale and they grow and we get additional customers, so we have a pipeline of new customers we are bidding for. And as that happens, with scale, the profit margins will grow quite rapidly.

Speaker 7

That's great to hear. I know your license agreement can be lumpy and I know that currency exchanges or the currency gains and losses can affect your net income, but have you all reached a point yet where you're able to project positive operating income Every quarter going forward, are you comfortable thinking that will happen?

Speaker 2

I'll just give

Speaker 4

you a little take then I leave it up to My take, Todd, is that ultimately the future for us is SaaS. And but we are operating on a hybrid model, where license is still very attractive. And although it's lumpy, good news is that from where we were 3, 4 years ago, we're depending completely on license. Now we are offsetting a large portion of our revenue within ARR, which is annual recurring revenue as opposed to Lumpy license revenue. So even if you don't get a big license revenue or if you like a win, We continue to grow our SaaS revenue at a decent pace so that at some point, we'll have a tipping point where we will get to a position where even without any license income, we are profitable as a company.

Speaker 2

Also, if I can add one let me add one more point, Todd, to Naeem. The beauty of our model is that, Like I mentioned, the hybrid model, we do have a pretty good demand for our flagship Ascent in all three markets. Yes, It's a much longer sales cycle than it goes through a lot of, I think, iteration. But combination is amazing with the license revenue And then of course, the sales, which is a growing trajectory for us. So all in all, I believe we are in a good position if you look at the competitor.

Speaker 2

I think really you see a company which has such an amazing history for license sales in all these 25 years. Now we're managing both quite well effectively and we believe eventually, as I said in my prepared remarks and the growth is quite positive coming quarters and hopefully will continue in the following years. So I think overall, the high revenue, whether it's license or of course SaaS, It just affects all the way to the gross margin and net income and companies are doing a good job to be more efficient and a bit more leaner That will impact all our metrics in the coming quarters.

Speaker 7

That's great. And that tipping point that Neem spoke about where you won't even need licensing agreements to achieve an operating profit. Would you expect that to happen this year or next year? Or Is there any sort of I

Speaker 2

believe next year is more public because we're still building the sales trajectory here. So I think next is a better way to look at it, but to your question specifically on the margins.

Speaker 3

Okay.

Speaker 4

Yes. Look, I think In terms of when that tipping point is, I don't think we could predict that, but I think it's imminent. If you see a growth and if you see how subscription revenue has grown from In a single digit millions to where we are in a relatively short time, I think we're reaching that point very soon. I don't I can't put a, if you like, flag on exactly which quarter of which month, but I think we know far off.

Speaker 7

Okay. That's great to hear. And then my final question is, I know in the past you've had several Share buybacks going. You look at the stock now, I think we're right around $3 a share in book value and we're doing over $5 a share In sales, do you have any share buybacks going on now? Or do you plan to announce any in the near future?

Speaker 2

Well, at this stage, we don't have any plan immediately in the short run simply because, As I mentioned, we are investing in key markets, whether it's North America and some other regions and there's lots of activities in the new business opportunities, some new markets also, which we'll share with the market in the appropriate time. So obviously, we have done buybacks a few times in the past. And you're right, it is very attractive price to do that, but we are very open about it, but we have not made the decision at this point.

Speaker 7

Okay. Well, I really appreciate you all taking my questions and congratulations on a fantastic quarter.

Speaker 2

Thank you. Thank you, Todd.

Speaker 5

Thank you. We have reached the end of our question and answer session. So I'd like to pass the floor back to management for any additional closing remarks.

Speaker 2

Thank you for joining us today. And I do apologize for this little glitch in the beginning of the Q and A. I especially want to thank all of our investors, our

Speaker 5

again, we thank you for your participation and you may disconnect your lines at this time.

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NetSol Technologies Q2 2024
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