Senstar Technologies Q4 2024 Earnings Results & Report

Senstar Technologies EPS Results

• Actual EPS: $0.07
• Consensus EPS: N/A
• Beat/Miss: N/A
• One Year Ago EPS: N/A

Senstar Technologies Revenue Results

• Actual Revenue: $10.24 million
• Expected Revenue: N/A
• Beat/Miss: N/A
• YoY Revenue Growth: N/A

Senstar Technologies (NASDAQ:SNT) Corporation, formerly known as Magal Security Systems Ltd., develops and supplies physical security solutions for protecting facilities, perimeters and critical infrastructure. Its offerings are designed to help organizations detect, assess and respond to security threats across sites such as utilities, transportation facilities, correctional institutions, airports, government properties and industrial locations.

The company’s product portfolio includes perimeter intrusion detection systems, video management and analytics software, security sensors, access control solutions and integrated command-and-control platforms. Senstar’s technologies include fence-mounted, buried and fiber-optic sensing systems, as well as radar and other tools intended to support continuous monitoring and threat detection.

Senstar serves customers internationally through direct operations, partners and distributors. The business traces its history to Magal Security Systems, an Israeli security technology company established in 1965, and adopted the Senstar Technologies name as it focused on the Senstar security product portfolio. Its solutions are used by public- and private-sector organizations seeking to protect people, assets and geographically distributed facilities.

Senstar Technologies Q4 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

Key Takeaways

• Revenue for Q4 rose 14.5% year-over-year, driven by a 43% increase in the U.S. and 44% growth in EMEA markets.
• Gross margin expanded to 64.5% in Q4 (up 7.9 percentage points) and 64.1% for the full year, fueled by pricing adjustments, balanced solution mix, cost-saving initiatives, and supply-chain normalization.
• Operating expenses fell 5% for the full year, helping drive a turnaround to a $4.6 million EBITDA versus a $0.3 million loss in 2023, and net income of $2.6 million versus a $1.3 million loss, with $20.5 million in cash and no debt at year-end.
• Revenue in the energy vertical declined in 2024 compared to 2023, signaling continued pressure in that segment despite competitive technology positioning.
• Initial customer feedback for the MultiSensors perimeter solution has been overwhelmingly positive, and a newly hired global business development team is in place to accelerate new customer wins.

Presentation

[Operator]

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. Welcome to Senstar Technologies' fourth quarter and full year 2024 results conference call. All participants are at present in a listen-only mode. Following management's formal presentation, we will have a question-and-answer session. Instructions will be given at that time. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. I would now like to hand the call over to Kim Rogers of Hayden IR. Thank you. You may begin.

[Kim Rogers, Managing Director at Hayden IR]

Thank you, Sherry. 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 Mr. Fabien Haubert, CEO, and Ms. Alicia Kelly, CFO. Before we start, I'd like to point out that this conference call may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the company's future performance. These statements are only predictions, 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 filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

[Kim Rogers, Managing Director 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 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 www.senstar.com for the most directly comparable financial measures and related reconciliations. With that, I will now hand the call over to Senstar Technologies' CEO, Fabien Haubert. Fabien, please go ahead.

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Thank you, Kim. Thank you for joining us today to review our fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results. Starting with an overview of this quarter's performance, our revenue increased by 14.5% compared to Q4 2023, driven by solid growth across our core geographies, with the U.S. and EMEA markets expanding by 43% and 44%, respectively. During the quarter, we also achieved major wins across the telecom, data centers, airports, and correction verticals, which served as important tailwinds for the business heading into 2025. Similar to the prior quarter, gross margin was strong at 64.5%, representing a 7.9 percentage points increase versus Q4 2023. The improvement in the quarter was primarily driven by the combination of a balanced solution mix, pricing adjustments, a continued streamlining of cost-saving initiatives, and normalization in the supply chain of the component markets.

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

As previously communicated, our gross margin levels are aligned with our expectation to deliver a gross margin of 60% or better. While we remain focused on diligent expense management, operating expenses increased by 7% compared to Q4 2023, primarily due to higher costs driven by recent headcount additions in both the general and administrative and sales and marketing functions. The combination of revenue growth and gross margin expansions, in tandem with diligent investments to drive sales, led to a significant increase in our profitability. Accordingly, EBITDA in the quarter reached $1.6 million versus the $0.5 million in the year-ago quarter, while net income improved from $0.4 million to $1.6 million. We continue to experience strong growth in the U.S. and EMEA, and our core verticals have remained significant growth contributors on the company overall.

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Our performance this quarter reflects both the successful execution of our strategic focus on high-potential sectors and the continued customer adoptions of our tailored solutions. Turning to our fiscal year 2024 results, total revenue increased by 9% to $35.8 million, driven by strong performance in our U.S.A., EMEA, and APAC markets. We experienced a healthy growth rate from our targeted verticals, with notable strengths in the corrections, utility, and transportation verticals, along with a great performance in data centers and renewable energy. We continue to focus our efforts on data centers among globally recognized names, which supported an over 30% growth in the utility verticals in 2024. Gross margin for 2024 expanded for 6.6 percentage points to 64.1% from 57.5% in 2023. The increase in gross margin was driven by price adjustment, streamlining initiatives, and the stabilization of the supply chain following a period of constraints related to COVID.

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Based on streamlining initiatives that we began in 2023, we are continuing to optimize our cost structure and deliver the 5% decline in operating expenses for the year of 2024. As a result of this powerful combination of revenue growth, gross margin expansion, and lower operating expenses, our profit trajectory shows a meaningful improvement. For the full year of 2024, EBITDA reached $4.6 million compared to EBITDA loss of $0.3 million in 2023, and net income improved by $3.9 million to $2.6 million versus net loss of $1.3 million in 2023. Our capital structure remains healthy, with a cash balance of $20.5 million, along with no debt as of December 31st, 2024. Now turning to vertical sales, correctional facilities. We achieved important wins in the correction verticals, driven by steady demand for our advanced security technologies that ensure public safety, mainly in the U.S.A.

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Our customers and the broader market see value in reliable, intelligent threat detections that adapt to complex environments. Leveraging on the power of AI, our Multi-Sensor product is an example of our advanced perimeter solutions, and is uniquely suited to address the modern needs of complex facilities such as correctional institutions. Our offerings have helped strengthen our competitive positioning as a trusted partner, leading to an increase in contract wins, particularly in the U.S. market. Utilities, the growth trajectory of these verticals remains one of our strongest, and we experienced a significant breakthrough with data centers across all our core markets in 2024. The EMEA, U.S., and APAC regions showed notable strength with broad-based demand across data centers, telecom infrastructure, solar farms, and energy generation. As the utility sector accelerates investments in securing critical infrastructure, we are strategically positioned to capture a growing share of the markets.

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Our technology is showing increased adoption by operators of these high-value assets, which demonstrates the scalability and ingenuity of our solutions. Transport, in Q4 2024, we accomplished major wins in the transport sector with a steady flow of demand for upgraded airport infrastructure across a variety of our core markets. The EMEA and APAC region, in particular, are expanding rapid development in transport infrastructure, and our technology is uniquely positioned to address these markets' increasing needs for securing monitoring systems. In addition to EMEA and APAC, we're continuing to prioritize a broad base of geographies where modern transportation security initiatives are aligned with our innovative and secure solution. Energy, the vertical was pressured under 2024 with revenue declining versus 2023. However, our energy offering remains in a competitive position as it enables companies to unlock operational efficiencies while protecting critical assets.

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

The EMEA market was the strongest-performing region with this vertical in 2024, while North America showed encouraging trends as well. We're optimistic about the trend in the energy industry and remain focused on capturing opportunities that will have a positive contribution in the quarters ahead. In terms of product updates, I'm pleased to share that Multi-Sensor is experiencing positive initial indicators with continued sales in Q4 2024. This has become the cornerstone of our perimeter technology solution, and initial customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly for those in critical infrastructure and high-security sectors. As demand grows for comprehensive real-time situational awareness, Multi-Sensor positions us well for continued growth in both domestic and international markets. Our strategy remains focused on business development to expand global market share across key verticals.

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

We're pleased to report a growing share of our sales is being driven by new customers, reflecting successful outreach and acquisition efforts. We recently hired a new business development team that is already well-established on three major continents to sustain this progression. The business development team has a proven track record, and their incentives are in full alignment with the company to improve the revenue ratio of new customer sales. We aim to bring on new end users in existing markets while also acquiring customers in new regions. Likewise, our investments in key territories are coming to fruition, as evidenced by the double-digit growth in the U.S.A. and EMEA markets. In conclusion, we're encouraged by our performance in 2024, marked by strong revenue growth, material improvement in profitability, and market share gains across our key verticals.

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

The Senstar team remains dedicated to successfully executing our growth strategy, capturing market share, and delivering value to our customers. We're committed to expanding upon these wins as we continue delivering value for our shareholders and generating sustainable long-term growth. Now I will pass the call to our CFO, Alicia Kelly. Alicia, please go ahead and review the financial results.

[Alicia Kelly, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

Thank you, Fabien. I'll begin with the results for the quarter. Our revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $10.2 million, an increase of 14.5% compared with $8.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. We saw robust sales growth in the U.S. of 43%. Growth was experienced in all four of our key verticals, but the most significant growth was reported from utility sales driven by a large breakthrough in data centers across all regions. EMEA also reported an increase in sales of 44% in Q4 versus the same period last year. Incremental sales were reported in the correction, renewable energy, and the transportation segment. The geographical breakdown as a percentage of revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter is as follows: North America, 42% versus 36%. EMEA, 46% versus 36%. APAC, 11% versus 14%.

[Alicia Kelly, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

Latin America, 2% versus 11%, and all other regions were immaterial for Q4 2024 and less than 3% in Q4 2023. Fourth quarter gross margin was 64.5%, up compared to 56.6% in a year-ago quarter. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to product mix and price increases. Our operating expenses were $5.1 million, up 7% compared to $4.8 million in the prior year fourth quarter. The increase was driven by headcount investments in G&A, marketing, as well as sales. Strong revenue and a sizable increase in gross margin drove an increase in our operating income for the fourth quarter to $1.5 million, a significant increase compared to $262,000 in a year-ago period. Financial income was $463,000 in the fourth quarter of the year compared to $34,000 in the fourth quarter of last year.

[Alicia Kelly, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

This is mainly a non-cash accounting effect we regularly report due to the adjustments to the valuation of our monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our operating entities in the group, in accordance with GAAP. Net income attributable to Senstar Technologies shareholders in the fourth quarter was $1.6 million, or $0.07 per share, compared to $433,000 or $0.02 per share in the fourth quarter of last year. The company's EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $1.6 million, compared to $450,000 in the fourth quarter of last year. Added to Senstar's operational contribution are the public platform expenses and amortization of intangible assets from historical acquisitions. The corporate expenses for the fourth quarter were approximately $700,000.

[Alicia Kelly, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

Turning now to the results for the full year, revenue for the full year 2024 was $35.8 million, an increase of 9% compared with $32.8 million in 2023. Sales grew 15% in the U.S. compared to 2023, and EMEA also reported an increase in sales of 11% in 2024 compared to last year. The geographical breakdown of the percentage of revenue for 2024 compared to 2023 is as follows: North America, 45% in each period; EMEA, 36% versus 35%; APAC, 15% versus 12%; Latin America, 3% versus 7%; and all other regions, less than 1% in both periods. 2024 gross margin was 64.1%, up compared with 57.5% in 2023. An improvement in gross margin was largely attributed to balanced product mix, the positive impact of organizational streamlining initiatives, and carefully implemented pricing adjustments. Our operating expenses were $19 million, down 5% compared to 2023.

[Alicia Kelly, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

The decrease is the result of streamlining our corporate structure and realigning of resources that we implemented in 2023. The top-line growth, strong gross margin, and reduced operating expenses collectively drove an increase in our operating income for 2024 to $3.9 million, compared to an operating loss of $1.3 million in 2023. Financial income was $731,000 in 2024, compared to financial expense of $64,000 in 2023. Net income attributable to Senstar Technologies shareholders in 2024 was $2.6 million, or $0.11 per share, compared to a net loss attributable to Senstar Technologies shareholders of $1.3 million, or negative $0.06 per share in 2023. The company's EBITDA for 2024 was $4.6 million, compared to a negative $348,000 in 2023. Added to Senstar's operational contribution are the public platform expenses and amortization of intangible assets from historical acquisitions. The corporate expenses for 2024 were $2.2 million.

[Alicia Kelly, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits as of December 31st, 2024, were $20.6 million, or $0.88 per share. That concludes my prepared remarks. Operator, we'd 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 while we pull for questions. Once again, it is Star one on your telephone keypad if you would like to ask a question. There are no questions at this time. I would like to turn the call back over to Mr. Aubert. Oh, you do have a question. I'm sorry. From Ken Liddy with Oppenheimer & Company. Please proceed. Mr. Liddy, your line is live.

[Ken Liddy, Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Oppenheimer & Company]

Hi. Just wanted to know what growth drivers for 2024 look positive for 2025?

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Wait, sorry, I didn't hear.

[Alicia Kelly, CFO at Senstar Technologies]

What growth drivers look positive for 2025 from 2024?

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

Unfortunately, we're not providing forward-looking statements, but we only can report that we've been showing growth on three of the fourth quarter last years, we believe to be based on something structural and not basically accidental. Basically, the global trend in need for security and to secure critical infrastructure, the complexity of those operations and of the requirements and security make us believe that we're in a very positive trend, which is to be continuous. It's only an assumption, and we'd strive our utmost to keep on the same trend.

[Ken Liddy, Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Oppenheimer & Company]

Is there any reason that you're any more encouraged than not encouraged about the types of growth?

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

I only was going to say what we have experienced in 2024. We're very happy to have seen a growth in our three main regions, which are basically North America, EMEA, and APAC. We hope and strive that the growth will remain in those three main regions.

[Ken Liddy, Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Oppenheimer & Company]

Can you comment on anything in the future as far as optimism, anything to that effect?

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

I totally understand. Unfortunately, we're not providing forward-looking statements. We'll keep doing our very best to make sure we can keep on the same trend we're currently on, and we will work hard to even do better than that.

[Ken Liddy, Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Oppenheimer & Company]

I guess one last question. Is there any new opportunities in the United States that did not exist in 2024 that could possibly be a future pipeline?

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

I'm trying to understand the background of your question in the sense of immigration.

[Ken Liddy, Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Oppenheimer & Company]

With the political turmoil in the United States regarding immigration, does that present any opportunity for your company?

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

I understand the question. The raise of insecurity worldwide and in the United States as well is a strong driver to securing better. I'm not in a position to make any link between basically the unsecurity and immigration is not what we're aiming for. We know that the need for security has remained high, and we're putting all our effort to keep securing basically our targeted verticals against this feeling of insecurity.

[Ken Liddy, Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Oppenheimer & Company]

Understood. Thanks for taking my questions.

[Operator]

With no further questions, I would like to turn the conference back over to Mr. Aubert for closing remarks.

[Fabien Haubert, CEO at Senstar Technologies]

On behalf of management of Senstar, I would like to thank you for your continued interest and long-term support of our business. We look forward to sharing more updates with you in the coming quarters. Have a good day.

[Operator]

Thank you. This will conclude today's conference. You may disconnect your lines at this time, and thank you for your participation.

Participants

Executives

• Fabien Haubert, CEO
• Alicia Kelly, CFO

Analysts

• Kim Rogers, Managing Director at Hayden IR
• Ken Liddy, Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Oppenheimer & Company