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Energy Recovery Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

San Leandro, Calif., November 1, 2018 - Energy Recovery Inc. (NASDAQ: ERII) (“Energy Recovery” or the “Company”), the leader in pressure energy technology for industrial fluid flows, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended on September 30, 2018.

Third Quarter Summary:
Total revenue of $22.2 million, an increase of 30% year-over-year
Product gross margin of 73%
Total gross margin(1) of 77%
Net Income of $4.7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share

Year-to-Date Summary:
Total revenue of $56.8 million, an increase of 25% year-over-year
Product gross margin of 70%
Total gross margin(1) of 75%
Net Income of $19.7 million, or $0.36 per diluted share

President and CEO Chris Gannon remarked, “Our positive momentum for the first half of 2018 has continued into the third quarter, driven by strength in our Water business which generated 38% year-over-year growth in total revenue. Our core water business is a phenomenal, healthy and vibrant enterprise and a key strategic area of focus and growth for our company moving forward. Market and project activity within desalination remain robust as we look to 2019 and, given our backlog and pipeline for large-scale Mega and OEM projects, we remain confident in the strength of our Water business moving forward into the future.”

Mr. Gannon continued, “On the Oil & Gas side, our collective focus remains the full-scale commercialization of the VorTeq™ system. We are working with both our product licensee and product partner, as well as independently, to advance the technology and shorten the path to commercialization. Specifically, we have made significant progress on system-level design enhancements integral to the fully-commercialized VorTeq system.”

Mr. Gannon concluded, “We remain proud of the company’s financial performance through the first three quarters of 2018 and are excited about the opportunities in front of us both in 2019 and beyond. We remain fully committed to executing on our initiatives to further drive growth in our Water business and bring our VorTeq and MTeq™ technologies to full commercialization.”

Revenues
For the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company generated total revenue of $22.2 million. Total revenue for the quarter increased by $5.2 million, or 30%, from $17.1 million in the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. The $5.2 million increase in total revenue is attributable to higher Water segment revenue.

The Water segment generated total product revenue of $18.5 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to $13.2 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $5.2 million, or 40%. This increase was due to higher Mega-Project (“MPD”) shipments.
The Oil & Gas segment generated total revenue of $3.8 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, on par with the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. While we recognized lower cost-to-total cost (previously known as percentage of completion) revenue recognition associated with the sale of multiple IsoBoost® systems this period, this was offset by an increase in license and development revenue during the period. The increase in license and development revenue was primarily due to higher costs incurred according to input measures, based on changes required due to the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard in the first quarter of 2018.


1




Gross Margin
For the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, product gross margin was 73%. Product gross margin increased by 340 basis points from 69.6% in the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. This increase was largely driven by higher MPD shipments. Including license and development revenue, total gross margin(1) was 77.4% for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018. Total gross margin(1) increased by 210 basis points from 75.3% in the third quarter ended September 30, 2017.

The Water segment generated product gross margin of 73.7% for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018. Water segment product gross margin increased by 220 basis points, compared to 71.5% in the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. This increase was largely driven by higher MPD shipments.

The Oil & Gas segment generated product gross margin of (50.0%) for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to 30.0% in the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. This decrease was attributable to higher project costs. Including license and development revenue, the Oil & Gas segment total gross margin(1) for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 was 95.5%.

Operating Expenses
For the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, operating expenses were $11.6 million, an increase of $2.3 million from $9.3 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. This increase in operating expenses was due to increases in Water segment, O&G segment and Corporate segment expenses.

The Water segment operating expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $2.6 million, $0.5 million higher than the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. This increase was driven by higher general and administrative, sales and marketing and research and development activities.

The Oil & Gas segment operating expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $4.4 million, $1.0 million higher than the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. This increase was driven by the Company’s continued investment in research and development activities.

The Corporate operating expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $4.5 million, $0.8 million higher than the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. This increase was driven by higher tax planning expenses and higher employee expenses.

Bottom Line Summary
To summarize the Company’s financial performance, on a quarterly basis, the Company reported a net income of $4.7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to a net income of $3.5 million, or $0.06 per diluted share for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. 

Cash Flow Highlights
The Company finished the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 with cash and cash equivalents of $33.4 million, restricted cash of $0.6 million, and short-term & long-term investments of $67.8 million, all of which represent a combined total of $101.8 million. As of September 30, 2018, 1,193,102 shares of the Company’s common stock were repurchased for $10.0 million under the stock repurchase program authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors on March 7, 2018.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release and on the conference call are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including the Company’s belief that the Company’s Water business will continue to grow in the future, the Company’s belief that the Company will be able to shorten the path to commercialization of the VorTeq, and the Company’s belief that the Company will be able to bring its VorTeq and MTeq technologies to full commercialization. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and on management’s beliefs, assumptions, estimates, or projections and are not guarantees of future events or results. Potential risks and uncertainties include the Company’s ability to achieve the milestones under the VorTeq license agreement, any other factors that may have been discussed herein regarding the risks and uncertainties of the Company’s business, and the risks discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the year ended December 31, 2017 as well as other reports filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time. Because such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the predictions in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements.


2




Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including total gross margin. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position, or cash flows that either exclude or include amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect a comprehensive system of accounting, differ from GAAP measures with the same captions, and may differ from non-GAAP financial measures with the same or similar captions that are used by other companies. As such, these non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures to analyze its operating performance and future prospects, develop internal budgets and financial goals, and to facilitate period-to-period comparisons. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of its operations that, when viewed with its GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting its business.

(1) 
“Total gross margin” and “Adjusted net income” are non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the discussion under headings “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Conference Call to Discuss Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results
LIVE CONFERENCE CALL:
Thursday, November 1, 2018, 2:00 PM PDT / 5:00 PM EDT
Listen-only, US / Canada Toll-free: +1 877-709-8150
Listen-only, Local / International Toll: +1 201-689-8354
Access code: 13684109
CONFERENCE CALL REPLAY:
Expiration: Saturday, December 1, 2018
US / Canada Toll-free: +1 877-660-6853
Local / International Toll: +1 201-612-7415
Access code: 13684109

Investors may also access the live call or the replay over the internet at ir.energyrecovery.com. The replay will be available approximately three hours after the live call concludes.

Disclosure Information
Energy Recovery uses the investor relations section on its website as means of complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor Energy Recovery’s investor relations website in addition to following Energy Recovery’s press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts.

About Energy Recovery Inc.
Energy Recovery, Inc. (ERII) is an energy solutions provider to industrial fluid flow markets worldwide. Energy Recovery solutions recycle and convert wasted pressure energy into a usable asset and preserve pumps that are subject to hostile processing environments. With award-winning technology, Energy Recovery simplifies complex industrial systems while improving productivity, profitability, and efficiency within the oil & gas, chemical processing, and water industries. Energy Recovery products save clients more than $1.8 billion (USD) annually. Headquartered in the Bay Area, Energy Recovery has offices in Houston, Ireland, Shanghai, and Dubai. For more information about the Company, please visit www.energyrecovery.com.

Contact
James Siccardi
JSiccardi@energyrecovery.com
(281) 962-8105






3





ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data and par value)
(Unaudited)
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017 *
 
(In thousands, except share data and par value)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
33,394

 
$
27,780

Restricted cash
509

 
2,664

Short-term investments
65,446

 
70,020

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $384 and $103 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
7,666

 
12,465

Contract assets
3,237

 
6,278

Inventories
6,275

 
5,514

Income Tax Receivable
205

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
2,329

 
1,342

Total current assets
119,061

 
126,063

Restricted cash, non-current
86

 
182

Contract assets, non-current
108

 

Long-term investments
2,341

 

Deferred tax assets, non-current
18,082

 
7,933

Property and equipment, net
15,634

 
13,393

Operating lease, right of use asset
12,428

 
2,843

Goodwill
12,790

 
12,790

Other intangible assets, net
796

 
1,269

Other assets, non-current
287

 
12

Total assets
$
181,613

 
$
164,485

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
4,515

 
$
4,091

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
6,646

 
7,948

Lease liabilities
764

 
1,603

Income taxes payable

 
432

Accrued warranty reserve
409

 
366

Contract liabilities
15,899

 
15,909

Current portion of long-term debt
12

 
11

Total current liabilities
28,245

 
30,360

Long-term debt, less current portion
7

 
16

Lease liabilities, non-current
12,797

 
1,698

Contract liabilities, non-current
30,727

 
40,517

Other non-current liabilities
242

 

Total liabilities
72,018

 
72,591

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)

 

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 59,230,828 shares issued and 53,774,893 shares outstanding at September 30, 2018 and 58,168,433 shares issued and 53,905,600 shares outstanding at December 31, 2017
59

 
58

Additional paid-in capital
157,008

 
149,006

Accumulated comprehensive loss
(101
)
 
(125
)
Treasury stock, at cost, 5,455,935 shares repurchased at September 30, 2018 and 4,262,833 shares repurchased at December 31, 2017
(30,486
)
 
(20,486
)
Accumulated deficit
(16,885
)
 
(36,559
)
Total stockholders’ equity
109,595

 
91,894

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
181,613

 
$
164,485

*Prior-period information has been retrospectively adjusted due to our adoption of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) on January 1, 2018.


4




ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017 *
 
2018
 
2017 *
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Product revenue
$
18,578

 
$
13,860

 
$
47,042

 
$
36,969

Product cost of revenue
5,022

 
4,217

 
14,312

 
12,401

Product gross profit
13,556

 
9,643

 
32,730

 
24,568

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
License and development revenue
3,661

 
3,197

 
9,768

 
8,495

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
5,266

 
4,034

 
16,030

 
12,369

Sales and marketing
1,873

 
2,061

 
5,643

 
6,688

Research and development
4,270

 
3,038

 
11,792

 
8,624

Amortization of intangible assets
158

 
157

 
474

 
473

Total operating expenses
11,567

 
9,290

 
33,939

 
28,154

Income from operations
5,650

 
3,550

 
8,559

 
4,909

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
369

 
243

 
1,043

 
612

Interest expense

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
Other non-operating expense, net
(22
)
 
(10
)
 
(66
)
 
(150
)
Total other income, net
347

 
232

 
976

 
460

Income before income taxes
5,997

 
3,782

 
9,535

 
5,369

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
1,339

 
310

 
(10,140
)
 
546

Net income
$
4,658

 
$
3,472

 
$
19,675

 
$
4,823

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.09

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.37

 
$
0.09

Diluted
$
0.08

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.36

 
$
0.09

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
53,665

 
53,580

 
53,719

 
53,717

Diluted
55,295

 
55,140

 
55,382

 
55,571



*Prior-period information has been retrospectively adjusted due to our adoption of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) on January 1, 2018.



5




ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017 *
 
(In thousands)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
19,675

 
$
4,823

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation
4,226

 
3,136

Depreciation and amortization
2,898

 
2,704

Amortization of premiums on investments
380

 
379

Provision for warranty claims
213

 
145

Reversal of accruals related to expired warranties
(171
)
 
(237
)
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation

 
69

Provision for doubtful accounts
336

 
16

Adjustments for excess or obsolete inventory
132

 
(230
)
Deferred income taxes
(10,150
)
 
(244
)
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
58

 

Other non-cash adjustments

 
(145
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
4,463

 
(186
)
Contract assets
2,934

 
(2,956
)
Inventories
(894
)
 
(1,503
)
Prepaid and other assets
(445
)
 
(350
)
Accounts payable
(2,198
)
 
1,831

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
(1,270
)
 
(2,232
)
Income taxes
(638
)
 
718

Contract liabilities
(9,800
)
 
(7,910
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
9,749

 
(2,172
)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Maturities of marketable securities
62,213

 
30,977

Purchases of marketable securities
(60,334
)
 
(64,530
)
Capital expenditures
(2,029
)
 
(6,843
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(150
)
 
(40,396
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
3,873

 
3,722

Tax payment for employee shares withheld
(115
)
 
(228
)
Repayment of long-term debt
(8
)
 
(8
)
Repurchase of common stock
(10,000
)
 
(4,276
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(6,250
)
 
(790
)
Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents
14

 
(55
)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
3,363

 
(43,413
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year
30,626

 
65,748

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
$
33,989

 
$
22,335



*Prior-period information has been retrospectively adjusted due to our adoption of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows, Restricted Cash (Topic 230) on January 1, 2018.

6




ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY SEGMENT
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Water
 
Oil & Gas
 
Total
 
Water
 
Oil & Gas
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Product revenue
$
18,464

 
$
114

 
$
18,578

 
$
46,628

 
$
414

 
$
47,042

Product cost of revenue
4,851

 
171

 
5,022

 
13,719

 
593

 
14,312

Product gross profit
13,613

 
(57
)
 
13,556

 
32,909

 
(179
)
 
32,730

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
License and development revenue

 
3,661

 
3,661

 

 
9,768

 
9,768

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
470

 
373

 
843

 
1,441

 
1,395

 
2,836

Sales and marketing
1,435

 
335

 
1,770

 
4,243

 
997

 
5,240

Research and development
545

 
3,713

 
4,258

 
1,019

 
10,753

 
11,772

Amortization of intangibles
158

 

 
158

 
474

 

 
474

Operating expenses
2,608

 
4,421

 
7,029

 
7,177

 
13,145

 
20,322

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
$
11,005

 
$
(817
)
 
10,188

 
$
25,732

 
$
(3,556
)
 
22,176


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Corporate operating expenses
 
 
 
 
4,538

 
 

 
 

 
13,617

Consolidated operating income
 
 
 
 
5,650

 
 

 
 

 
8,559

Non-operating income
 
 
 
 
347

 
 

 
 

 
976

Income before income taxes
 
 
 
 
$
5,997

 
 

 
 

 
$
9,535


7




 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 *
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 *
 
Water
 
Oil & Gas
 
Total
 
Water
 
Oil & Gas
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Product revenue
$
13,227

 
$
633

 
$
13,860

 
$
33,707

 
$
3,262

 
$
36,969

Product cost of revenue
3,774

 
443

 
4,217

 
10,003

 
2,398

 
12,401

Product gross profit
9,453

 
190

 
9,643

 
23,704

 
864

 
24,568

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
License and development revenue

 
3,197

 
3,197

 

 
8,495

 
8,495

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
334

 
361

 
695

 
965

 
1,085

 
2,050

Sales and marketing
1,296

 
431

 
1,727

 
4,039

 
1,635

 
5,674

Research and development
316

 
2,669

 
2,985

 
810

 
7,734

 
8,544

Amortization of intangibles
157

 

 
157

 
473

 

 
473

Operating expenses
2,103

 
3,461

 
5,564

 
6,287

 
10,454

 
16,741

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
$
7,350

 
$
(74
)
 
7,276

 
$
17,417

 
$
(1,095
)
 
16,322


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Corporate operating expenses
 
 
 
 
3,726

 
 

 
 

 
11,413

Consolidated operating income
 
 
 
 
3,550

 
 

 
 

 
4,909

Non-operating income
 
 
 
 
232

 
 

 
 

 
460

Income before income taxes
 
 
 
 
$
3,782

 
 

 
 

 
$
5,369


*Prior-period information has been retrospectively adjusted due to our adoption of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) on January 1, 2018.


8




ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

This press release includes non-GAAP financial information because we plan and manage our business using such information. Our non-GAAP Total Gross Margin is determined by adding back the license and development revenue associated with the amortization of the VorTeq exclusivity fee. Our non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income or Loss is determined by adding back non-recurring operating and tax expenses/(benefits).

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017*
 
2018
 
2017*
Product revenue
$
18,578

 
 
$
13,860

 
 
$
47,042

 
 
$
36,969

 
License and development revenue
3,661
 
 
 
3,197
 
 
 
9,768
 
 
 
8,495
 
 
Total revenue
$
22,239

 
 
$
17,057

 
 
$
56,810

 
 
$
36,969

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product gross profit
$
13,556

 
 
$
9,643

 
 
$
32,730

 
 
$
24,568

 
License and development gross profit
3,661
 
 
 
3,197
 
 
 
9,768
 
 
 
8,495
 
 
Total gross profit (non-GAAP)
$
17,217

 
 
$
12,840

 
 
$
42,498

 
 
$
33,063

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product gross margin
73.0
%
 
 
69.6
%
 
 
69.6
%
 
 
66.5
%
 
Total gross margin (non-GAAP)
77.4
%
 
 
75.3
%
 
 
74.8
%
 
 
89.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
4,658

 
 
$
3472

 
 
$
19,675

 
 
$
4,823

 
Reversal of non-recurring expense (benefit) (non-GAAP)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(10,763
)
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)
$
4,658

 
 
$
3,472

 
 
$
8,912

 
 
$
4,823

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted
$
0.08

 
 
$
0.06

 
 
$
0.36

 
 
$
0.09

 
Diluted (non-GAAP)
$
0.08

 
 
$
0.06

 
 
$
0.16

 
 
$
0.09

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of diluted shares used in per share calculations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted shares
55,295
 
 
 
55,140
 
 
 
55,382
 
 
 
55,571
 
 
*Prior-period information has been retrospectively adjusted due to our adoption of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) on January 1, 2018.

9