OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES INC - Multiple PowerBuoy® deployments are anticipated in calendar 2015
- Primary focus on off-grid power production at smaller scales
- Continued emphasis on PowerBuoy reliability, durability, and cost reduction, and thus advancement toward commercial status.
PENNINGTON, N.J., March 11, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:OPTT) ("OPT" or "the Company") today announced financial results for its Fiscal 2015 third quarter ended January 31, 2015 ("fiscal 2015").
George H. Kirby, President and Chief Executive of OPT, stated, "I am pleased to report that during the third quarter we successfully completed the relocation and reassembly of the PB40 PowerBuoy in Bayonne, New Jersey. We expect the PB40 PowerBuoy to be fully tested and ready for deployment this month. Actual deployment will occur as soon as final permits are received and an acceptable weather window opens. The PB40 features our Modular Power Take-Off ("MPTO"), which can be scaled for buoys of various sizes and a range of power outputs. Furthermore, several of the PB40 components and subsystems are common to our APB-350 PowerBuoy and we expect that the PB40 deployment will further validate critical design and performance parameters related to the on-going APB-350 optimization.
In addition, we have made significant progress on the development of our optimized APB-350 PowerBuoy, consistent with our strategic shift to capitalize on the growing market for off-grid power production at smaller scales. We are excited about our next generation prototype APB-350 (A1) which we expect to deploy in the summer of 2015. A1 will utilize the existing structure deployed in 2013 and will include a newly designed PTO and upgraded components. Our second planned 2015 prototype APB-350 (A2) is being designed with an optimized geometry for improved operating efficiency as well as reduced fabrication, transportation and deployment costs. The A2 PowerBuoy is expected to undergo a preliminary design review in the second calendar quarter of 2015, with an anticipated deployment in late 2015."
Results for the Fiscal Third Quarter Ended January 31, 2015
For the three months ended January 31, 2015, OPT reported revenue of $0.3 million, as compared to revenue of $0.2 million for the three months ended January 31, 2014. The increase in revenue is primarily related to increased billable work under the current phase of our project with Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding ("MES"). The MES project is currently undergoing a stage-gate review as discussed more fully in the MD&A section of our filing on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended January 31, 2015.
The net loss for the three months ended January 31, 2015 was $2.2 million as compared to a net loss of $0.8 million for the three months ended January 31, 2014. The increase in the Company's net loss year-over-year primarily reflects increased product development costs associated with our PB40 PowerBuoy project that we intend to deploy off the coast of New Jersey and increased costs associated with the next design iteration of the prototype APB-350. In addition, costs increased related to higher consulting fees and patent amortization costs related to shortening the estimated useful lives for recording amortization expense. These increases were partially offset by decreased site development expenses related to our terminated project in Australia. The increase in net loss was also a result of a decrease in income tax benefits and losses on foreign exchange.
Results for the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2015
For the nine months ended January 31, 2015, OPT reported revenue of $3.6 million, as compared to revenue of $1.1 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2014. The increase in revenue is primarily related to increased billable work for the removal of the anchoring and mooring equipment from the seabed off the coast of Oregon, increased billable work under the current phase of our project with MES and the completion of our WavePort contract with the European Union ("EC"). These increases were partially offset by decreased revenue on other billable development projects.
The net loss for the nine months ended January 31, 2015 was $9.9 million, as compared to a net loss of $7.9 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2014. The increase in the Company's net loss year-over-year primarily reflects increased estimated project costs associated with our contract with MES, increased legal fees as well as higher consulting and patent amortization costs. These increases were partially offset by decreased product development costs due to the substantial completion of our cost-sharing contract with the US Department of Energy ("DOE"), for our Reedsport project in Oregon and decreased costs associated with other internally funded development, in addition to employee related costs and decreased site development expenses related to our terminated project in Australia.
Balance Sheet and Available Cash
As of January 31, 2015, total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $19.9 million, down from $28.4 million on April 30, 2014. At January 31, 2015, restricted cash was $0.6 million, compared with $7.3 million as of April 30, 2014. This significant decrease in restricted cash is primarily due to the return of $4.7 million in customer advance payments that we had received for our former contract with Australian Renewable Energy Agency ("ARENA") in March 2014, $0.5 million in GST tax for the Australian Tax Authorities and $0.8 million for the Oregon Department of State Lands relating to the Oregon project that had been classified as restricted cash. Net cash used in operating activities was $14.8 million and $8.1 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increased cash used in operating activities of $6.7 million included the return of the $4.7 million to ARENA.
Conclusion
Mr. Kirby concluded, "We also continued to increase our technical capabilities this quarter with the addition of engineering resources as we accelerate our technology development. Our market engagements are confirming the significant interest in off-grid autonomous power applications. We remain focused on this year's successful deployments of the PB40 and the next generations of the APB-350 in order to validate durability and reliability while seeking new customers and partners as part of our commercialization efforts."
Conference Call Details
The Company will host a conference call and webcast to review financial and operating results. The call will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Please call (866) 318-8613; pass code is 56834949. Additionally, the call will be webcast live at the Company's website at www.oceanpowertechnologies.com. A telephonic replay will be available from 2:00 p.m. ET the day of the teleconference until Monday, March 16, 2015. To listen to the archived call, dial (888) 286-8010 and enter pass code 40246366, or access the webcast replay via the Company website at www.oceanpowertechnologies.com, where a transcript will be posted once available.
About Ocean Power Technologies
Headquartered in Pennington, New Jersey, Ocean Power Technologies (Nasdaq:OPTT) is a pioneer in renewable wave-energy technology that converts ocean wave energy into electricity. OPT's proprietary PowerBuoy® technology is based on a modular design and has undergone periodic ocean testing since 1997. OPT specializes in advanced autonomous (not grid connected), cost-effective, and environmentally sound ocean wave based power generation and management technology.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain "forward-looking statements" that are within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are identified by certain words or phrases such as "may", "will", "aim", "will likely result", "believe", "expect", "will continue", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "contemplate", "seek to", "future", "objective", "goal", "project", "should", "will pursue" and similar expressions or variations of such expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations about its future plans and performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates which could be inaccurate and which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the Company. Please refer to the Company's most recent Forms 10-Q and 10-K and subsequent filings with the SEC for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The Company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW. Additional information may be found in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Form 10-Q may be accessed at www.sec.gov or at the Company's website in the Investor Relations section.
| Consolidated Balance Sheets as of | ||
| January 31, 2015 and April 30, 2014 | ||
| ASSETS | January 31, 2015 | April 30, 2014 |
| (Unaudited) | ||
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 19,868,906 | $ 13,858,659 |
| Marketable securities | 50,000 | 14,493,881 |
| Restricted cash | 469,525 | 6,124,960 |
| Accounts receivable | 18,991 | 308,731 |
| Unbilled receivables | 189,265 | 37,410 |
| Other current assets | 330,010 | 568,377 |
| Total current assets | 20,926,697 | 35,392,018 |
| Property and equipment, net | 262,850 | 317,513 |
| Patents, net | 207,077 | 828,298 |
| Restricted cash | 75,000 | 1,221,696 |
| Other noncurrent assets | 426,677 | 325,310 |
| Total assets | $ 21,898,301 | $ 38,084,835 |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Accounts payable | $ 141,896 | $ 501,397 |
| Accrued expenses | 2,448,855 | 2,931,239 |
| Advance payment received from customer | -- | 4,709,055 |
| Unearned revenues | -- | 992,447 |
| Current portion of long-term debt | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Total current liabilities | 2,690,751 | 9,234,138 |
| Long-term debt | 75,000 | 150,000 |
| Deferred credits | 600,000 | 600,000 |
| Total liabilities | 3,365,751 | 9,984,138 |
| Commitments and contingencies | ||
| Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. stockholders' equity: | ||
| Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares, none issued or outstanding | -- | -- |
| Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 105,000,000 shares, issued 18,393,269 and 17,593,637 shares, respectively | 18,393 | 17,594 |
| Treasury stock, at cost; 38,658 and 37,852 shares, respectively | (132,016) | (130,707) |
| Additional paid-in capital | 180,692,849 | 180,454,341 |
| Accumulated deficit | (161,478,920) | (151,640,503) |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (167,971) | (225,733) |
| Total Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. stockholders' equity | 18,932,335 | 28,474,992 |
| Noncontrolling interest in Ocean Power Technologies (Australasia) Pty Ltd. | (399,785) | (374,295) |
| Total equity | 18,532,550 | 28,100,697 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 21,898,301 | $ 38,084,835 |
| Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||
| For the Three and Nine Months Ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 | ||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||
| Three Months Ended January 31, | Nine Months Ended January 31, | |||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |
| Revenues | $ 328,511 | $ 199,622 | $ 3,616,827 | $ 1,124,157 |
| Cost of revenues | 379,106 | 193,213 | 4,344,346 | 1,115,925 |
| Gross (loss) profit | (50,595) | 6,409 | (727,519) | 8,232 |
| Operating expenses: | ||||
| Product development costs | 1,082,628 | 785,946 | 2,227,060 | 3,666,980 |
| Selling, general and administrative costs | 1,956,702 | 1,771,560 | 7,788,552 | 6,128,211 |
| Total operating expenses | 3,039,330 | 2,557,506 | 10,015,612 | 9,795,191 |
| Operating loss | (3,089,925) | (2,551,097) | (10,743,131) | (9,786,959) |
| Interest income (expense), net | 6,793 | 3,336 | (48,403) | 6,573 |
| Other income | -- | -- | 185,000 | -- |
| Foreign exchange (loss) gain | (246,002) | 23,448 | (467,909) | 152,575 |
| Loss before income taxes | (3,329,134) | (2,524,313) | (11,074,443) | (9,627,811) |
| Income tax benefit | 1,137,872 | 1,745,895 | 1,137,872 | 1,745,895 |
| Net loss | (2,191,262) | (778,418) | (9,936,571) | (7,881,916) |
| Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest in Ocean Power Technologies (Australasia) Pty Ltd. | 5,291 | 38,628 | 98,154 | 121,599 |
| Net loss attributable to Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. | $ (2,185,971) | $ (739,790) | $ (9,838,417) | $ (7,760,317) |
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ (0.12) | $ (0.06) | $ (0.56) | $ (0.71) |
| Weighted average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share | 17,508,270 | 12,163,239 | 17,484,839 | 10,995,525 |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||
| For the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 | ||
| (Unaudited) | ||
| Nine Months Ended January 31, | ||
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
| Net loss | $ (9,936,571) | $ (7,881,916) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities | ||
| Foreign exchange loss (gain) | 467,909 | (152,575) |
| Depreciation and amortization | 727,188 | 321,237 |
| Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment | 3,771 | -- |
| Treasury note premium amortization | -- | 5,391 |
| Compensation expense related to stock option grants & restricted stock | 238,657 | 569,540 |
| Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable | -- | (296,174) |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||
| Accounts receivable | 289,740 | 664,225 |
| Long-term receivables | -- | 209,906 |
| Unbilled receivables | (151,855) | (205,541) |
| Other current assets | 229,910 | (176,254) |
| Other noncurrent assets | (134,126) | (141,788) |
| Accounts payable | (348,795) | (229,680) |
| Accrued expenses | (435,950) | (305,655) |
| Return of advanced payment to customer | (4,709,055) | -- |
| Unearned revenues | (992,447) | (452,864) |
| Long-term unearned revenues | -- | 20,131 |
| Net cash used in operating activities | (14,751,624) | (8,052,017) |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||
| Purchases of marketable securities | (13,796,959) | (18,494,272) |
| Maturities of marketable securities | 28,240,840 | 20,989,422 |
| Restricted cash | 6,787,329 | (745,000) |
| Purchases of equipment | (54,466) | (21,191) |
| Net cashed provided by investing activities | 21,176,744 | 1,728,959 |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
| Proceeds from the sale of common stock, net of issuance costs | 650 | 5,933,259 |
| Exercise of stock options | -- | 8,000 |
| Repayment of debt | (75,000) | (75,000) |
| Acquisition of treasury stock | (1,309) | (6,814) |
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (75,659) | 5,859,445 |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (339,214) | 7,463 |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 6,010,247 | (456,150) |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 13,858,659 | 6,372,788 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ 19,868,906 | $ 5,916,638 |
| Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities: | ||
| Capitalized purchases of equipment financed through accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ 1,110 | -- |
CONTACT: Company Contact:
Mark A. Featherstone, Chief Financial Officer of OPT
Phone: 609.730.0400
