SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Telenav®, Inc. (NASDAQ:TNAV), a leading provider of connected car and location-based services, today released its financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2018 by issuing this press release and posting a quarterly letter to stockholders on its website. Please visit Telenav’s investor relations website at http://investor.telenav.com to view the Q4 and fiscal 2018 financial results and letter to stockholders.
“We are pleased that we continue to increase penetration of our location-based services solution across more vehicles and brands, including new GM models such as the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks and Chevrolet Equinox,” said HP Jin, Chairman and CEO of Telenav. “We continue to work to expand billings and revenue, with the goal of achieving positive adjusted EBITDA on billings in fiscal 2019.”
Financial Highlights for the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2018
- Total revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was $16.6 million, compared with $13.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018, and $40.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. Total revenue for fiscal 2018 was $106.2 million, compared with $169.6 million in fiscal 2017. As previously announced, the year-over-year decline resulted primarily from a change in revenue recognition due to the commencement of Ford's map update program, whereby revenue from certain on-board navigation products offered with map updates is deferred and recognized over the contractual period during which we provide map updates, as well as the deferral of all prospective Ford royalties beginning January 1, 2018 pending completion of milestone deliveries.
- When we adopt ASC 606 as of July 1, 2018, we expect we will be able to recognize a substantial portion of revenue as automotive royalties are billed.
- Billings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 were $59.2 million, compared with $58.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 and $66.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. The year over year decline was due primarily to lower per unit pricing resulting from lower third-party content costs. Billings for fiscal 2018 were $253.9 million, compared with $233.6 million for fiscal 2017.
- Net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was $(26.6) million, compared with $(30.8) million for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 and $(12.8) million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, with the year over year increase in net loss primarily due to the change in revenue recognition criteria related to the Ford agreement. Net loss for fiscal 2018 was $(89.1) million compared with $(47.3) million for fiscal 2017.
- Adjusted EBITDA on billings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was a $(2.5) million loss compared with a $(4.1) million loss in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 and a $(0.4) million loss in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. Adjusted EBITDA on billings for fiscal 2018 was a $(12.8) million loss, compared with a $(6.1) million loss in fiscal 2017.
- Ending cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, excluding restricted cash, were $84.9 million as of June 30, 2018. This represented cash and short-term investments of $1.89 per share, based on 44.8 million shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2018. Telenav had no debt as of June 30, 2018.
Recent Business Highlights
- 1.2 million Telenav-equipped cars capable of connected services were deployed into the global market during the quarter ended June 30, 2018, now totaling 9.4 million cumulative units deployed to date.
- GM launched Telenav’s hybrid navigation solution on additional model year 2019 truck and SUV/CUV models, including Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Equinox.
- On June 20, 2018, Ford Motor Company announced that it had earned its best-ever scores in the 2018 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, which includes improvements in navigation technology. Telenav provides the embedded navigation solution for Ford SYNC®3 globally, including the recent availability of the connected services feature.
- Telenav announced its first open-source machine-learning technology designed to detect navigation features in street-level imagery to more efficiently improve OpenStreetMaps.
Q1 Fiscal 2019 Business Outlook
For the quarter ending September 30, 2018, Telenav offers the following guidance. The Company is finalizing its application of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, effective July 1, 2018, as respects the accounting treatment of revenue and deferred revenue and the associated cost of revenue and deferred content costs. In addition, the Company has not concluded on its application of ASC 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs, Contracts with Customers, effective July 1, 2018, as respects the accounting treatment regarding the potential capitalization of research and development costs and recognition therein as cost of revenue, as discussed below. Accordingly, for the quarter ending September 30, 2018, forward looking guidance on certain financial metrics is limited to a non-GAAP presentation.
- Total revenue is expected to be $52 million to $56 million, including approximately $3 million of customized software development fees, which reflects the anticipated impact of Telenav’s adoption of ASC 606 on July 1, 2018.
- Billings are expected to be $60 million to $62 million.
- Deferred revenue is expected to increase by $8 million to $10 million, from a lower, restated balance that will reflect the adoption of ASC 606 on July 1, 2018.
- Deferred costs are expected to increase by $5 million to $8 million, from a lower restated balance that will reflect the adoption of ASC 606 on July 1, 2018. Telenav has not yet finalized the accounting treatment of certain research and development costs as a result of its adoption of ASC 606 and 340-40 on July 1, 2018. Should we determine that we are required to capitalize certain research and development costs as deferred development costs under ASC 340-40 rather than expense them, such amounts for the three months ending September 30, 2018 are estimated to be $3 million to $5 million which would be in addition to the potential recognition during the quarter of approximately $2.5 million as cost of revenue from the balance of deferred development costs. This would result in a net increase in capitalized deferred development costs of $0.5 million to $2.5 million (such recognition and such capitalization, the “Capitalized Research and Development Costs”).
- Non-GAAP gross profit is expected to be approximately $22 million to $24 million, and non-GAAP gross margin is expected to be approximately 45 percent, both of which exclude the potential recognition of $2.5 million as cost of revenue from the balance of deferred development costs should the company determine such accounting treatment under ASC 340-40.
- Direct contribution from billings is expected to be approximately $26 million to $27 million, which range excludes the potential impact of the Capitalized Research and Development Costs.
- Direct contribution margin from billings is expected to be approximately 44%, which margin excludes the potential impact of Capitalized Research and Development Costs under ASC 340-40.
- Non-GAAP operating expenses are expected to be $34 million to $35 million, which include $3 million to $5 million of potential capitalizable research and development costs.
- Non-GAAP net loss is expected to be approximately $(9.5) million to $(11.5) million, which excludes the potential impact of the Capitalized Research and Development Costs.
- Adjusted EBITDA loss is expected to be approximately $(5.5) million to $(7.5) million, which excludes the potential impact of the Capitalized Research and Development Costs.
- Adjusted EBITDA on billings loss is expected to be approximately $(2.5) million to $(4.5) million, which excludes the potential impact of the Capitalized Research and Development Costs. In addition, effective September 30, 2018, the Company anticipates that the metric “adjusted EBITDA on billings” will be relabeled as “Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations.”
- Automotive is expected to be approximately 80 percent to 85 percent of total revenue.
- Advertising is expected to be approximately 12 percent of total revenue.
- Weighted average diluted shares outstanding are expected to be approximately 45.5 million.
Subject to anticipated volumes, take rates and timing of model expansion under Telenav’s various automotive OEM programs, including the potential impact, if any, from Ford’s recent announcement of its intention to modify its North American passenger car portfolio, Telenav anticipates that adjusted EBITDA on billings (adjusted cash flow from operations) will be positive for fiscal 2019.
The above information concerning guidance represents Telenav’s outlook only as of the date hereof, and is subject to change, as a result of amendments to material contracts and other changes in business conditions. Telenav undertakes no obligation to update or revise any financial forecast or other forward-looking statements, as a result of new developments, or otherwise.
Conference Call and Quarterly Commentary
Telenav will host an investor conference call and live webcast on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time (5:30 p.m. Eastern Time). Management has posted its letter to stockholders in combination with Telenav’s Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2018 Financial Results press release on its investor relations website in lieu of management providing remarks at the start of the conference call. Instead, management will respond to questions during the call. To listen to the webcast and view Telenav’s quarterly commentary, please visit Telenav’s investor relations website at http://investor.telenav.com. Listeners can also access the conference call by dialing 800-347-6311 (toll-free, domestic only) or 323-794-2094 (domestic and international toll) and entering pass code 5861321. A replay of the conference call will be available for two weeks beginning approximately two hours after its completion. To access the replay, dial 888-203-1112 (toll-free, domestic only) or 719-457-0820 (domestic and international toll) and enter pass code 5861321.
ASC 606 Adoption
We anticipate that when we adopt ASC 606, significant amounts currently set forth in deferred revenue and deferred costs as of June 30, 2018 will be restated as revenue and cost of revenue in our prior period statements of operations and as accumulated deficit on our July 1, 2018 balance sheet.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Telenav prepares its financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for the United States, or GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures such as billings, direct contribution from billings, direct contribution margin from billings, change in deferred revenue, change in deferred costs, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA on billings and free cash flow included in this press release are different from those otherwise presented under GAAP. Telenav has provided these measures in addition to GAAP financial results because management believes these non-GAAP measures help provide a consistent basis for comparison between periods that are not influenced by certain items and therefore, are helpful in understanding Telenav’s underlying operating results. These non-GAAP measures are some of the primary measures Telenav’s management uses for planning and forecasting. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP and these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to information provided by other companies.
To reconcile the historical GAAP results to non-GAAP financial metrics, please refer to the reconciliations in the financial statements included in this earnings release.
Billings measure GAAP revenue recognized plus the change in deferred revenue from the beginning to the end of the period. Direct contribution from billings reflects GAAP gross profit plus change in deferred revenue less change in deferred costs. Direct contribution margin from billings reflects direct contribution from billings divided by billings. Telenav has also provided a breakdown of the calculation of the change in deferred revenue by segment, which is added to revenue in calculating its non-GAAP metric of billings. In connection with its presentation of the change in deferred revenue, Telenav has provided a similar presentation of the change in the related deferred costs. Such deferred costs primarily include costs associated with third party content and certain development costs associated with our customized software solutions whereby customized engineering fees are earned. As deferred revenue and deferred costs become larger components of its operating results, Telenav believes these metrics are useful in evaluating cash flows.
Telenav considers billings, direct contribution from billings and direct contribution margin from billings to be useful metrics for management and investors because billings drive revenue and deferred revenue, which is an important indicator of its business. Telenav believes direct contribution from billings and direct contribution margin from billings are useful metrics because they reflect the impact of the contribution over time for such billings, exclusive of the incremental costs incurred to deliver any related service obligations. There are a number of limitations related to the use of billings, direct contribution from billings and direct contribution margin from billings versus revenue, gross profit, and gross margin calculated in accordance with GAAP. First, billings, direct contribution from billings and direct contribution margin from billings include amounts that have not yet been recognized as revenue or cost and may require additional services or costs to be provided over contracted service periods. For example, billings related to certain connected solutions cannot be fully recognized as revenue in a given period due to requirements for ongoing map updates and provisioning of services such as hosting, monitoring, customer support and, for certain customers, additional period content and associated technology costs. Accordingly, direct contribution from billings and direct contribution margin from billings do not include all costs associated with billings. Second, Telenav may calculate billings, direct contribution from billings, and direct contribution margin from billings in a manner that is different from peer companies that report similar financial measures, making comparisons between companies more difficult. When Telenav uses these measures, it attempts to compensate for these limitations by providing specific information regarding billings, direct contribution from billings and direct contribution margin from billings and how they relate to revenue, gross profit and gross margin calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA measures GAAP net loss excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, other income (expense), provision (benefit) for income taxes, and other applicable items such as legal settlements and contingencies, deferred rent reversal and tenant improvement allowance recognition due to sublease termination, net of tax and goodwill impairment. Stock-based compensation expense relates to equity incentive awards granted to its employees, directors, and consultants. Legal settlements and contingencies represent settlements and offers made to settle litigation in which Telenav is a defendant and royalty disputes. Deferred rent reversal and tenant improvement allowance recognition represent the reversal of Telenav’s deferred rent liability and recognition of Telenav’s deferred tenant improvement allowance, as amortization of these amounts is no longer required due to the termination of our Santa Clara facility sublease and subsequent entry into a new lease agreement with our landlord for this same facility effective September 2017. Goodwill impairment represents the impairment charge related to Telenav’s Mobile Navigation segment.
Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA on billings are key measures used by Telenav’s management and board of directors to understand and evaluate Telenav’s core operating performance and trends, to prepare and approve our annual budget and to develop short- and long-term operational plans. In particular, Telenav believes that the exclusion of the expenses eliminated in calculating adjusted EBITDA can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of Telenav’s core business.
Adjusted EBITDA on billings measures adjusted EBITDA plus the effect of changes in deferred revenue and deferred costs. Telenav believes adjusted EBITDA on billings is a useful measure, especially in light of the impact it continues to expect on reported GAAP revenue for certain value-added offerings the company provides its customers, including Ford map updates and the impact of future deliverables. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA on billings, while generally measures of profitability, can also represent losses. In addition, adjusted EBITDA on billings is a key financial measure used by the compensation committee of Telenav’s board of directors in connection with the development of incentive-based compensation for Telenav’s executive officers. Accordingly, Telenav believes that adjusted EBITDA on billings generally provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating Telenav’s operating results in the same manner as its management and board of directors. Effective September 30, 2018, the Company anticipates that the metric “adjusted EBITDA on billings” will be relabeled as “Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations.”
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure Telenav defines as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, less purchases of property and equipment. Telenav considers free cash flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash (used in) generated by its business after purchases of property and equipment.
In this press release, Telenav has provided guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 on a non-GAAP basis for billings, change in deferred revenue, gross profit, gross margin, change in deferred costs, direct contribution from billings, direct contribution margin from billings, operating expenses, net loss, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA on billings. Telenav does not provide reconciliations of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measures due to the high variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections with respect to deferred revenue, deferred costs, stock-based compensation and tax provision (benefit), which are components of these non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, stock-based compensation is impacted by future hiring and retention needs, as well as the future fair market value of Telenav’s common stock, all of which is difficult to predict and subject to constant change. The actual amounts of these items will have a significant impact on Telenav’s GAAP net loss per diluted share and GAAP tax provision. Accordingly, reconciliations of Telenav’s forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measures are not available without unreasonable effort.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on Telenav management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to its management. Actual events or results may differ materially from those described in this document due to a number of risks and uncertainties. These potential risks and uncertainties include, among others: Telenav’s ability to develop and implement products for Ford, GM and Toyota and to support Ford, GM and Toyota and their customers; the impact of Ford’s recent announcement regarding the elimination of various sedans in North America over the near term; Telenav’s success in extending its contracts for current and new generation of products with its existing OEMs and automotive manufacturers, particularly Ford; Telenav’s ability to achieve additional design wins and the delivery dates of automobiles including Telenav’s products; adoption by vehicle purchasers of Scout GPS Link; Telenav’s dependence on a limited number of automotive manufacturers and OEMs for a substantial portion of its revenue; reductions in demand for automobiles; potential impacts of OEMs including competitive capabilities in their vehicles such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; Telenav’s ability to grow and scale its advertising business; Telenav’s ability to develop new advertising products and technology while also achieving cash flow break even and ultimately profitability in the advertising business; Telenav incurring losses and operating expenses in excess of expectations; failure to reach agreement with customers for awards and contracts on products and services in which Telenav has expended resources developing; competition from other market participants who may provide comparable services to subscribers without charge; the timing of new product releases and vehicle production by Telenav’s automotive customers, including inventory procurement and fulfillment; possible warranty claims, and the impact on consumer perception of its brand; Telenav’s ability to develop and support products including OpenStreetMap (“OSM”), as well as transition existing navigation products to OSM and any economic benefit anticipated from the use of OSM versus proprietary map products; the potential that Telenav may not be able to realize its deferred tax assets and may have to take a reserve against them; Telenav’s reliance on its automotive manufacturers for volume and royalty reporting; the impact on revenue recognition and other financial reporting due to the amendment of contracts or changes in accounting standards, such as the implementation of ASC 606 and ASC 340-40; and macroeconomic and political conditions in the U.S. and abroad, in particular China. Telenav discusses these risks in greater detail in “Risk factors” and elsewhere in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent management’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date made. You should review our SEC filings carefully and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from what Telenav expects.
