Senstar Technologies Q3 2023 Earnings Report

Senstar Technologies EPS Results

• Actual EPS: -$0.01
• Consensus EPS: N/A
• Beat/Miss: N/A
• One Year Ago EPS: N/A

Senstar Technologies Revenue Results

• Actual Revenue: $8.97 million
• Expected Revenue: N/A
• Beat/Miss: N/A
• YoY Revenue Growth: N/A

Senstar Technologies Announcement Details

• Quarter: Q3 2023
• Date: 11/30/2023
• Time: N/A
• Conference Call Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023
• Conference Call Time: 10:00AM ET

Senstar Technologies (NASDAQ:SNT) is a global provider of physical security solutions, specializing in perimeter intrusion detection and video security management. The company develops and markets a comprehensive suite of sensors and systems designed to protect critical infrastructure, commercial facilities and government sites from unauthorized access and potential security threats. Its core technology offerings include fiber optic sensing, fence-mounted detectors, microwave barriers and advanced video analytics, which can be deployed independently or fully integrated into existing security frameworks.

Among its flagship products are fiber optic perimeter intrusion detection systems that use optical sensing to detect disturbances along fences or perimeter lines, as well as active infrared and microwave sensors that create virtual detection zones. These solutions are complemented by intelligent video security platforms that provide real-time monitoring, automated threat analysis and remote incident management capabilities. Applications range from airports and seaports to utilities, transportation networks and military installations.

Operating on a global scale, Senstar serves customers across North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. The company leverages a network of authorized systems integrators and value-added resellers to deliver tailored security deployments, offering project planning, on-site installation, commissioning and ongoing technical support. Its technologies are designed to meet rigorous industry and regulatory standards for critical infrastructure protection and high-security facilities.

Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Senstar Technologies is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker SNT. The company is led by a management team with extensive expertise in engineering, cybersecurity and physical security operations. Through ongoing research and development, Senstar continues to expand its product portfolio and address emerging market requirements in perimeter and video security solutions.

Senstar Technologies Q3 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Key Takeaways

• Q3 revenue declined 7.9% year-over-year to $9 million, weighed down by the non-recurrence of large one-off projects in Canada and the U.S. and by weakness in the APAC (China) market.
• Europe remains a growth engine with revenue up over 20% year-over-year for the second straight quarter, fueled by investments in Germany, France, Spain, Eastern Europe and the Netherlands.
• Senstar unveiled its AI-powered MultiSensor intrusion detection system—integrating five detection technologies into one device—garnering a Platinum Award and set for an April 2024 debut.
• Despite top-line pressure, the company generated positive operating income of $123 000 and EBITDA of $322 000 in Q3, highlighting operational resilience.
• Liquidity remains strong with cash and cash equivalents of $12.7 million as of September 30, 2023, supporting ongoing product launches and growth initiatives.

Presentation

[Operator]

Greetings, and welcome to the Senstar Technologies third quarter 2023 financial results conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A brief question and answer session will follow a formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Brett Maas, of Hayden IR. Thank you, sir. You may begin.

[Brett Maas, Managing Partner at Hayden IR]

Thank you. Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. I want to thank the management of Senstar Technologies for hosting today's call. With us on the call today from the company are Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO, Tomer Hay, CFO, and Miss Alicia Kelly, Vice President of Finance. Before we start, I'd like to point out that this conference call may contain projections and other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the company's future performance. These statements are only projections, and Senstar cannot guarantee that they will in fact occur. Senstar does not assume any obligation to update that information. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected, including as a result of changing market trends, reduced demand, and the competitive nature of the security systems industry, as well as other risks identified in the documents followed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

[Brett Maas, Managing Partner at Hayden IR]

In addition, during the course of the conference call, we will describe certain non-GAAP financial measures, which should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, comparable GAAP financial measures. Please note that in our press release, we have re-reconciled our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in accordance with Reg G requirements. You can also refer to our website at senstartechnologies.com for the most directly comparable financial measures and related reconciliation. With that, I will now hand the call over to Senstar Technologies' CEO, Fabien Haubert. Fabien, please go ahead.

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Thank you, Brett. Thank you for joining the call today to review our third quarter financial results. Starting with an overview of the results this quarter, we booked revenue at $9 million, underscoring our sustained strength in Europe and LATAM, which have been areas of investment over the past few years. This growth was tempered by the absence of one-off project in Canada and the U.S., completed in the third quarter of last year, but did not repeat this year. Additionally, our revenue declined in the APAC region, primarily due to challenging economic conditions in China. Our gross profit was affected by the delivery of a lower margin legacy project. We're working to have our gross margin returning to more normalized levels in the coming quarters. Despite the dip in revenue and gross margin in the quarter, we maintained positive operating income and positive EBITDA.

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Switching to our performance per region, we continue to deliver strong growth in Europe, where revenue increased by over 20% year-over-year for the second quarter in a row. Thanks to our significant investment in the countries like Germany, France, Spain, Eastern Europe, and the Netherlands, we're harvesting the fruits of that focus and taking market share. We believe we can continue to gain market share in Europe and anticipate that this large and productive region will be a steady growth engine for us over the next few years. As a percentage of revenue, the U.S. is our largest market. This year, we have experienced a recovery in correction business, our largest vertical in the U.S. market. Federal budget restriction and relocation impacted this segment in the prior year. Year-to-date, revenue in the U.S. is up 8%.

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

To further expand our market position, we have added a senior executive in the third quarter to continue rebuilding in this critical region and accelerate our market share gains in our verticals. The LATAM region was also a standout performer regionally, delivering 10% growth year-over-year. Year-to-date, this region has grown almost 20%. Looking at our home market, Canada, Senstar remain well positioned. Last year, we had a one-off project that closed in the third quarter, which did not reoccur this year with the same magnitude. Lastly, APAC has been a challenging market this year, primarily due to the weak Chinese economy. The decline in this market year to date has been a headwind for our top-line growth. Now, let me turn to something I'm very excited about.

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

We recently introduced our latest breakthrough, the Senstar MultiSensor Intrusion Detection System, a disruptive AI-powered sensor unit that seamlessly integrates five intrusion detection capabilities into a single powerful device. The MultiSensor offers unparalleled situational awareness, effectively neutralizing false alarms, and as a versatile standalone solution, expands its potential application beyond the conventional perimeter intrusion detection use cases. The remarkable feature of our innovation lies in its ability to streamline multiple technologies into a single intelligent unit, simplifying intrusion detection correlation and significantly enhancing overall performance. The device lowers the occurrence of false alarms next to zero. Additionally, this innovative solution reduces the need of numerous sensors and camera installations. While this provides substantial advantages for our customers in reducing system complexity, it also benefits Senstar considerably. It will also decrease Senstar field costs related to installation, management, and support...

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

The MultiSensor, by encapsulating all these capabilities within a single unit, will enable us to decrease our product portfolio range and realize improved operating scale. Furthermore, this product extends our strategic vision beyond our current PIDS market focus. With the MultiSensor, we aim to penetrate broad markets by offering the product as a standalone unit. These markets may possess critical security vulnerabilities, but do not constitute critical infrastructure. Our investment in this project is already paying off since MultiSensor received the Platinum Award for the best intrusion detection and prevention solution from American Security Today’s annual ASTOR Homeland Security 2023 Awards. I’m excited to officially announce that we will unveil the MultiSensor at ISC West in April 2024, followed by a full-scale launch later in the year. In summary, our solution protects essential assets and facilities crucial to the global economy.

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Each of our key verticals are benefiting from macro trends. As a result, our products are increasingly deployed in critical infrastructure, logistics, correctional, and energy site worldwide. Senstar remains committed to delivering product innovation, improving regional performance, and driving growth in key verticals. Now, I will pass the call over CFO, Tomer Hay. Tomer, please go ahead and review the financial results.

[Tomer Hay, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

Thank you, Fabien. Our revenues for the third quarter of 2023 was $9 million, a decrease of 7.9% compared with revenues of $9.7 million in the third quarter of 2022. As Fabien discussed, the decrease was mainly due to a challenging comparison in Canada and in the U.S., due to one-off projects in the third quarter of last year that were not repeated this year, and the continued weakness in China. Those declines were partially offset by growth in Europe and in Latin America. The geography breakdown as a percentage of revenues for the third quarter of 2023 compared to the year ago quarter is as follows: North America, 43% compared to 50%, Europe 34% compared to 25%, APAC 16% compared to 19%, and Latin America 7% compared to 6%.

[Tomer Hay, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

The third quarter reported gross margin was 66.5% of revenues, down compared with 61.1% in the year ago quarter. The change was mainly due to the delivery of a lower margin legacy project. As Fabien discussed, we are working to have our gross margin returning to more normalized levels in the coming quarters. Our operating expenses were $4.9 million, up a modest 2.7% compared to $4.8 million in the prior year's quarter. On a year-to-date basis, our operating expenses are essentially flat compared to the prior year period. Our operating income for the third quarter was $123,000, compared to $1.1 million in the year ago period.

[Tomer Hay, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

Financial expenses was $64,000 in the third quarter of this year, compared to financial income of $212,000 in the third quarter of last year. This is mainly a non-cash accounting effect we regularly report due to adjustments to the valuation of our monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the operational entities in the group, in accordance with GAAP. Our loss from continuing operation was $122,000 in the third quarter of 2023, compared to income from continuing operation of $1.2 million in the year ago quarter. The company's EBITDA from continuing operation for the third quarter was $322,000, compared to $1.5 million in the third quarter of last year.

[Tomer Hay, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

Net loss attributed to Senstar Technologies shareholder in the third quarter was $122,000, or -$0.01 per share, compared to net income attributed to Senstar Technologies shareholder of $1.3 million, or $0.06 per share in the third quarter of last year. The reported net income in the third quarter of last year includes net income of $66,000 from discontinued operations. Added to Senstar operational contribution are the public platform expenses and amortization of intangible assets from historical acquisitions. The corporate expenses for the third quarter were approximately $0.6 million. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits as of September 30, 2023, were $12.7 million, or $0.55 per share. That concludes my prepared remarks. Operator, we would like to open the call to questions now.

[Operator]

Thank you. We will now be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two if you would like to remove your question from the queue.... For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. One moment please while we poll for questions. Thank you. Our first question comes from the line of Mike Disler with AMX. Please proceed with your question.

[Mike Distler, Analyst at AMX]

Yeah, thank you. Good afternoon, gentlemen. Just regarding the re-domiciling of the company from Israel to Canada, is that, I assume, it's proceeding on time, and will that affect the corporate taxes going forward?

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Go ahead.

[Tomer Hay, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

So, yeah. Thanks for the question. So yeah, it's going according to schedule. It's not going forward, the operational is the same operational entities. So each legal entity has its own taxes. So we don't see an ongoing impact.

[Mike Distler, Analyst at AMX]

Okay. Thank you very much. Just the second question, I was wondering how the backlog looks going forward the next three to 12 months?

[Tomer Hay, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

So, you know, from past calls, we are not, this is not data that we are giving regarding our backlog, but we can say that, you know, our backlog is stable and is okay.

[Mike Distler, Analyst at AMX]

Okay. Thank you very much. I'll remain in the queue.

[Tomer Hay, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

Thank you.

[Operator]

As a reminder, if you would like to ask a question, press star one on your telephone keypad. Our next question comes from Jeremy Levine with Levco. Please proceed with your question.

[Jeremy Levine, Team Member at Levco]

I have two questions. How many years have you been in operation?

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

The company has been 40 years. We have 42 years, exactly.

[Jeremy Levine, Team Member at Levco]

How many years?

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

42.

[Jeremy Levine, Team Member at Levco]

42 years. Your revenue for the quarter is $9 million?

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Yes, indeed.

[Jeremy Levine, Team Member at Levco]

Don't you consider that to be, astonishingly puny, sales revenue for a company that's been around that long?

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Sorry, I'm sorry, the sound connection is-

[Jeremy Levine, Team Member at Levco]

Don't you consider that to be a majorly puny revenue for a company that's been in business for 40 years?

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

We're working hard to create some growth engine to make sure it is getting better.

[Jeremy Levine, Team Member at Levco]

I've asked all my questions.

[Operator]

Thank you. We have no further questions at this time. I would now like to turn the floor back over to management for closing comments.

[Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO at Senstar Technologies]

On behalf of management, I would like to thank you for your continued interest and long-term support of our business, and I look forward to updating you next quarter. Have a good day.

[Operator]

Ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude today's teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation, and have a wonderful day.

Participants

Executives

• Fabien Haubert, Interim CEO
• Tomer Hay, CFO

Analysts

• Brett Maas, Managing Partner at Hayden IR
• Jeremy Levine, Team Member at Levco
• Mike Distler, Analyst at AMX