GSE Systems Announces 2015 Third Quarter Financial Results

Q3 2015 OVERVIEW

  • Revenue increased 91% to $15.0 million from $7.8 million in Q3 2014, reflecting $5.1 million of incremental revenue from Hyperspring, LLC and a $2.1 million increase in Performance Improvement Solutions revenue, a 27% increase over Q3 2014.
  • Implemented a company-wide restructuring program that is expected to deliver permanent annual cash savings of nearly $5 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $162,000, the Company’s first positive quarterly adjusted EBITDA figure since Q4 2013.
  • Operating loss totaled $3.4 million, including a write-down of capitalized software development costs totaling $1.5 million and restructuring charges totaling $1.6 million, compared to an operating loss of $1.9 million in Q3 2014, including restructuring charges of $0.3 million.
  • Excluding the write-down of capitalized software development costs and restructuring charges, adjusted operating loss was $0.3 million, compared to an adjusted operating loss of $1.7 million in Q3 2014.
  • Net loss was $3.6 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.9 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in Q3 2014.

At September 30, 2015

  • Total cash and equivalents of $16.4 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, including $3.5 million of restricted cash.
  • Working capital of $8.3 million and current ratio of 1.4x.
  • $0 long-term debt.
  • Backlog of $47.5 million, compared to $48.4 million at December 31, 2014.

SYKESVILLE, Md.--()--GSE Systems, Inc. (“GSE” or “the Company”) (NYSE MKT: GVP), the global energy industry performance improvement company, today announced financial results for the third quarter (“Q3”) ended September 30, 2015. Results for Q3 2015 include the results of Hyperspring, LLC (“Hyperspring”), which was acquired on November 14, 2014.

Kyle J. Loudermilk, President and Chief Executive Officer of GSE, said, “We have made considerable progress in the first three months since I joined GSE. During Q3 2015, we initiated a comprehensive review of our global operations and implemented a company-wide restructuring program that is expected to deliver permanent annual cash savings of nearly $5 million. With a streamlined cost structure and operating efficiencies in place, we’ve addressed the first step of our strategic plan, and have positioned GSE for a return to profitability in the quarters to come. In Q3 2015, we recorded adjusted EBITDA of $162,000, our first positive quarterly adjusted EBITDA figure since Q4 2013.”

Mr. Loudermilk continued, “Our quarter-end backlog remained strong at $47.5 million, reflecting our team’s commitment to providing high-quality solutions to our blue-chip client base. During the quarter, our Hyperspring subsidiary received a significant three-year contract, with a total value of up to $35 million, for the continuation of nuclear operations support services to a longstanding, valued customer. Since September 1, we have been awarded multiple contracts with an aggregate value of over $4.6 million, covering nuclear, fossil, and oil and gas projects primarily in Asia and North America. I am optimistic about the business opportunities in front of us, not only in our Performance Improvement Solutions and Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting segments, but also in adjacent markets. Under the next phase of our strategic plan, we expect to take actions to reinvigorate the growth of GSE’s businesses, including enhancing our senior leadership team. We also expect to add new elements to our growth platform over time, including initiatives that support a more diversified, recurring revenue base. I am confident that as we continue to successfully execute our strategy, we will increase cash flow, improve GSE’s strong balance sheet, and enhance shareholder value.”

Q3 2015 RESULTS

Q3 2015 revenue increased to $15.0 million from $7.8 million in Q3 2014, reflecting $5.1 million of incremental Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting revenue for services provided by Hyperspring, and a 26.6% increase in Performance Improvement Solutions revenue.

(in thousands)    

Three Months ended

September 30,

     

Nine Months ended

September 30,

Contract Revenue:   2015     2014   2015       2014
Performance Improvement Solutions $ 9,903 $ 7,823 $ 26,911 $ 24,823
Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting   5,058   -   15,678   -
Total Contract Revenue $ 14,961 $ 7,823 $ 42,589   $ 24,823

The $2.1 million increase in Performance Improvement Solutions revenue in Q3 2015 reflected a $1.0 million increase in fossil project revenue, combined with an increase in revenue from a mix of other industries, including the nuclear and process end-markets. Performance Improvement Solutions orders totaled $3.8 million in Q3 2015 compared to $17.6 million in Q3 2014. Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting orders totaled $1.5 million in Q3 2015.

Gross profit in Q3 2015 was $2.3 million, or 15.1% of revenue, compared to $2.5 million, or 31.4% of revenue, in Q3 2014.

(in thousands)     Three Months ended

September 30,

    Nine Months ended

September 30,

Gross Profit:   2015     %         2014     %     2015     %         2014     %  
Performance Improvement Solutions $ 3,127 31.6 % $ 2,455 31.4 % $ 8,158 30.3 % $ 7,326 29.5 %
Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting   676 13.4 %   - -   1,782 11.4 %   - -
Total 3,803 25.4 % 2,455 31.4 % 9,940 23.3 % 7,326 29.5 %
Less: Write-down of Capitalized Software Development Costs   1,538 10.3 %   - -   1,538 3.6 %   - -
Consolidated Gross Profit $ 2,265 15.1 % $ 2,455 31.4 % $ 8,402 19.7 % $ 7,326 29.5 %

The decline in gross margin as a percentage of total revenue in Q3 2015 is attributable to the Hyperspring Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting revenue, which has lower margins than Performance Improvement Solutions revenue, as well as a $1.5 million write-down of capitalized software development costs in Q3 2015. Excluding this write-down, adjusted gross profit in 3Q 2015 was $3.8 million, or 25.4% of revenue.

Performance Improvement Solutions gross profit increased to $3.1 million, resulting in a 31.6% gross margin in Q3 2015, from $2.5 million, or 31.4% gross margin in Q3 2014. Nuclear Industry Training and Consulting gross profit was $0.7 million, resulting in a 13.4% gross margin in Q3 2015.

Selling, general & administrative expenses in Q3 2015 was $3.8 million, or 25.5% of revenue, compared to $4.0 million, or 50.5% of revenue, in Q3 2014.

Restructuring charges related to costs for facility closings, severance and other employee benefits totaled $1.6 million in Q3 2015, compared to restructuring charges of $0.3 million in Q3 2014 for U.S. severance and other employee benefit costs.

Operating loss for Q3 2015 was $3.4 million compared to an operating loss of $1.9 million in Q3 2014.

Excluding the write-down of capitalized software development costs and restructuring charges, Q3 2015 adjusted operating loss was $0.3 million, compared to an adjusted operating loss of $1.7 million in Q3 2014.

Net loss for Q3 2015 was $3.6 million, or $0.20 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.9 million, or $0.11 per basic and diluted share, in Q3 2014.

The EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) loss for Q3 2015 was $3.3 million compared to EBITDA loss of $1.7 million in Q3 2014.

Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes write-down of capitalized software development costs, loss from the change in fair value of contingent consideration, and restructuring charges, totaled $162,000 in Q3 2015 compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of $1.4 million in Q3 2015.

Backlog at September 30, 2015 was $47.5 million, compared to $48.4 million at December 31, 2014. Backlog at September 30, 2015 was comprised of $5.4 million of Hyperspring backlog and $42.1 million of Performance Improvement Solutions backlog.

GSE’s cash position at September 30, 2015 was $12.8 million, excluding $3.5 million of restricted cash, as compared to $13.6 million, excluding $4.2 million of restricted cash, at December 31, 2014. The decline in cash at September 30, 2015 from December 31, 2014 is primarily due to: (i) the payment of $0.5 million in contingent consideration for the acquisition of EnVision Systems, Inc., (ii) $1.6 million of capital expenditures and capitalized software development, and (iii) $0.3 million to pay down the outstanding balance of Hyperspring’s line of credit, partially offset by approximately $1.6 million generated by changes in various working capital items.

CONFERENCE CALL

Management will host a conference call today at 5:00 pm Eastern Time to discuss Q3 results and other matters.

Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing:

  • (877) 407-9753 (Domestic) or
  • (201) 493-6739 (International)

The conference call will also be accessible via the following link:

http://www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=174482

ABOUT GSE SYSTEMS, INC.

GSE Systems, Inc. is a world leader in real-time high-fidelity simulation, providing a wide range of simulation, training and engineering solutions to the power, energy and process industries. Its comprehensive and modular solutions help customers achieve performance excellence in design, training and operations. GSE’s products and services are tailored to meet specific client requirements such as scope, budget and timeline. The Company has over four decades of experience, more than 1,100 installations, and hundreds of customers in over 50 countries spanning the globe. GSE Systems is headquartered in Sykesville (Baltimore), Maryland, with offices in St. Marys, Georgia; Chennai, India; Nyköping, Sweden; Stockton-on-Tees, UK; and Beijing, China. Information about GSE Systems is available at www.gses.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

We make statements in this press release that are considered 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. These statements reflect our current expectations concerning future events and results. We use words such as “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean a statement is not forward-looking. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause our actual performance or achievements to be materially different from those we project. For a full discussion of these risks, uncertainties, and factors, we encourage you to read our documents on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in our periodic reports under the forward-looking statements and risk factors sections. We do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

GSE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

     
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Three Months ended Nine Months ended
September 30, September 30,
  2015         2014     2015         2014  
 
Contract revenue $ 14,961 $ 7,823 $ 42,589 $ 24,823
Cost of revenue 11,158 5,368 32,649 17,497

Write-down of capitalized software

development costs

  1,538     -     1,538     -  
 
Gross profit 2,265 2,455 8,402 7,326
 
Selling, general and administrative 3,811 3,954 11,031 11,939
Restructuring charges 1,600 272 1,746 883
Depreciation 119 140 383 413
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets   123     36     370     108  
Operating expenses   5,653     4,402     13,530     13,343  
 
Operating loss (3,388 ) (1,947 ) (5,128 ) (6,017 )
 
Interest income, net 19 44 67 103
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments 20 69 (59 ) 178
Other expense, net   (156 )   -     (235 )   (7 )
 
Loss before income taxes (3,505 ) (1,834 ) (5,355 ) (5,743 )
 
Provision for income taxes   50     61     211     162  
 
Net loss $ (3,555 ) $ (1,895 ) $ (5,566 ) $ (5,905 )
 
Basic loss per common share $ (0.20 ) $ (0.11 ) $ (0.31 ) $ (0.33 )
Diluted loss per common share $ (0.20 ) $ (0.11 ) $ (0.31 ) $ (0.33 )
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic   17,894,272     17,887,859     17,890,020     17,887,859  
Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted   17,894,272     17,887,859     17,890,020     17,887,859  

GSE SYSTEMS, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Selected Balance Sheet Data (in thousands)

         
(unaudited)
September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014
 
Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,832 $ 13,583
Restricted cash – current 223 613
Current assets 27,675 31,729
Long-term restricted cash 3,305 3,591
Total assets 40,221 45,999
 
Current liabilities $ 19,387 $ 20,273
Long-term liabilities 2,459 1,986
Stockholders' equity 18,375 23,740

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation (in thousands)

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Management believes EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, in addition to operating profit, net income and other GAAP measures, are useful to investors to evaluate the Company’s results because it excludes certain items that are not directly related to the Company’s core operating performance that may, or could, have a disproportionate positive or negative impact on our results for any particular period. Investors should recognize that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA might not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies. This measure should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, any measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measure in accordance with SEC Regulation G follows:

              Three Months ended     Nine Months ended
September 30, September 30,
  2015         2014     2015         2014  
 
Net loss $ (3,555 ) $

(1,895

) $ (5,566 ) $ (5,905 )
Interest income, net (19 ) (44 ) (67 ) (103 )
Provision for income taxes 50 61 211 162
Depreciation and amortization   242     176     753     521  
EBITDA $ (3,282 ) $ (1,702 ) $ (4,669 ) $ (5,325 )
Write-down of capitalized software development costs 1,538 - 1,538 -
Loss from the change in fair value of contingent consideration 306 22 739 69
Restructuring charges   1,600     272     1,746     883  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 162   $ (1,408 ) $ (646 ) $ (4,373 )

Operating Loss and Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Loss Reconciliation (in thousands)

Adjusted operating loss is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Management believes adjusted operating loss, in addition to other GAAP measures, is useful to investors to evaluate the Company’s results because it excludes certain items that are not directly related to the Company’s core operating performance that may, or could, have a disproportionate positive or negative impact on our results for any particular period. This measure should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, any measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted operating loss to GAAP operating loss, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, is as follows:

            Three Months ended     Nine Months ended
September 30, September 30,
  2015         2014     2015         2014  
 
GAAP operating loss $ (3,388 ) $ (1,947 ) $ (5,128 ) $ (6,017 )
Write-down of capitalized software development costs 1,538 - 1,538 -
Restructuring charges   1,600     272     1,746     883  
Non-GAAP adjusted operating loss $ (250 ) $ (1,675 ) $ (1,844 ) $ (5,134 )

Contacts

Company
GSE Systems, Inc.
Chris Sorrells, 410-970-7802
Interim Chief Operating Officer
or
The Equity Group Inc.
Devin Sullivan, 212-836-9608
Senior Vice President
dsullivan@equityny.com
or
Kalle Ahl, CFA, 212-836-9614
Senior Associate
kahl@equityny.com

Contacts

Company
GSE Systems, Inc.
Chris Sorrells, 410-970-7802
Interim Chief Operating Officer
or
The Equity Group Inc.
Devin Sullivan, 212-836-9608
Senior Vice President
dsullivan@equityny.com
or
Kalle Ahl, CFA, 212-836-9614
Senior Associate
kahl@equityny.com