InterDigital Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

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May 1, 2025

There are 8 speakers on the call.

Operator

Thank you.

Operator

I would now like to turn the call over to

Speaker 1

Rayford Head of Investor Relations. Please go ahead. Thank you, France, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to InterDigital's first quarter twenty twenty five earnings conference call. I'm Raeford

Speaker 1

Garabrandt, Head of Investor Relations for InterDigital. With me on today's call are Liran Chen, our President and CEO and Rich Breske, our CFO. Consistent with prior calls, we will offer some highlights about the quarter and the company and then open the call up for questions.

Speaker 1

For additional details, you can access our earnings release and slide presentation that accompany this call on our Investor Relations website. Before we begin our remarks, I need to remind you that in this call, we will make forward looking statements regarding our current beliefs, plans and expectations, which are not guarantees of future performance and are made only as of the date hereof. Forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from results and events contemplated by such forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those described in the Risk Factors sections of our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10 ks and in our other SEC filings. In addition, today's presentation may contain references to non GAAP financial measures.

Speaker 1

Reconciliations of these non GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the supplemental materials posted to the Investor Relations section of our website. With that taken care of, I will turn the call over to Larry.

Speaker 2

Thanks, Rupert. Good morning, everyone. Thanks for joining us today. On our last call, we provided annual guidance for 2025 with revenue of between $660,000,000 and $760,000,000 This guidance highlights the increasing momentum of our business and the multiple growth opportunity that we have identified and expect to achieve through the rest of this year. Today, I'm pleased to share that we have made significant headway in achieving our goal and reconfirm our 2025 annual guidance.

Speaker 2

During this quarter, we licensed Weibo Mobile, a major smartphone manufacturer to drive revenue above the top in our guidance and increase our annual recurring revenue to all time record level. We were also once again recognized as one of the world's leading innovators, demonstrate our cutting edge technology at Mobile Congress Tradeshow and shortly after quarter closed, we signed another major license agreement with HP in our consumer electronics and IoT program. Our revenue adjusted EBITDA and non GAAP EPS for Q1 were all above the top end of our guidance. The revenue from our smartphone program more than doubled year over year. Our annualized recurring revenue is up 30% year over year at an all time record of more than $05,000,000,000 Rich will go over all the numbers in detail in his section.

Speaker 2

The program we have made give us a very strong base from which to execute our strategy and drive long term growth for the company. The long term stable nature of our licensing agreement with over 90% of our revenue coming from long term fixed fee agreements, give us an incredible strong platform from which to invest in our research, share our innovations through license and deliver shareholder value. As some of you may be aware, Weibo is a top 10 global smartphone manufacturer with significant market share, which ships over 100,000,000 devices per year. Our new agreement with Vivo, follow our new agreement with OPU during the Q4 last year. We now have seven of the top 10 largest manufacturer smartphone vendors and almost 80% of the entire global smartphone market under license.

Speaker 2

The Weibo agreement also represents another significant step towards our goal of achieving $500,000,000 in annual recurring revenue in our smartphone program by 2027. Adding to our recent momentum, at the start of second quarter, we also announced a new multi year licensing agreement with HP, which license HP personal computers to our WiFi and video decoding technologies. HP is one of the world's largest PC manufacturer. With this agreement, we have licensed more than 50% of the PC market. This is also another security milestone as we keep on driving growth in our consumer electronics and IoT licensing program.

Speaker 2

I'm also pleased that both HP and Vivo license like the vast majority of our license agreement was signed through amicable negotiation. With additional Weibo and HP contract, the cumulative total contract value that we have signed since 2021 is now more than $3,600,000,000 As I mentioned in the prior earning call, we are in a binding arbitration to settle the final terms of our license with Samsung for mobile devices. The party finished all the hearing last October and we expect to have a final decision soon. As a reminder, Senthal already agreed to take license to our portfolio starting from 01/01/2023. And these binding arbitration will determine the final term of the license.

Speaker 2

In the first quarter, we built our strong track record of returning capital to shareholders by increasing our dividend from $0.45 to $0.60 per share. In fact, since Q3 of last year, we have increased our dividend by 50%. Our success in our licensing program is only possible because of the quality of research and the leadership of engineer across wireless, video and AI. InterDigital is one of the few companies that leads in the development of foundational technology in all these three areas. In the first quarter, for the fourth year in a row, we were recognized by the AxisNexis as one of top 100 innovators in analysis, which look at both the impact of our innovation today and its likely impact in the future.

Speaker 2

Our engineers are already closely involved in the early stage of six gs, which is beginning to take shape and which we believe will help to drive our growth across multiple verticals well into 2030s. Also in the first quarter at Mobile Congress in Barcelona, we showcased the way in which we drive evolution of wireless video and AI. At this year's event, senior engineers from each of our three labs demonstrate how our research is changing connectivity in areas like immersive video, sensing in wireless network and the optimization of AI applications. In the first quarter, we also announced our two Inventor of the Year with one from our wireless lab and the other from our video lab. We are a company of inventors and as I tell our teams internally, our eInventor Year of the World is the most important accolades that we announce each year.

Speaker 2

Both of these years we are engineers who have dedicated their career to make wireless network smarter and more efficient, to improve connectivity in areas like IoT and XR, and to develop next generation video through more advanced compression and wider deployment of AI. This dedication to research and our laser focus in technology that are foundational to how we connect combined with our execution across our licensing programs what continue to differentiate InterDigital and give us such a powerful platform for growth. And with that, I'll let Rich talk you through our first quarter numbers in more detail.

Speaker 3

Thanks, Liren. I'm pleased to report that 2025 is off to a great start. With Q1 revenue, adjusted EBITDA and non GAAP EPS all exceeding the high end of our guidance range. This performance was powered by our new license agreement with Vivo, a top smartphone manufacturer based in China. The new agreement with Vivo, together with higher than expected variable royalties, drove total revenue of $211,000,000 This exceeds both our initial top end guidance for Q1 total revenue of $116,000,000 and our updated increased top end guidance of $2.00 $6,000,000 that we announced at the time we signed Vivo.

Speaker 3

This compares to our strong first quarter revenue of $264,000,000 last year, when the signing of our Samsung TV license drove $160,000,000 of catch up revenue, albeit with related revenue share, which I'll cover in a moment. Our annualized recurring revenue or ARR for the first quarter twenty twenty five increased 30% year over year to $5.00 $3,000,000 which is a record level. The previously mentioned license with Vivo under our smartphone program led the way. In the past several years, we've rebuilt our revenue pipeline by renewing major licenses with Apple and Samsung. And we also added multiple leading smartphone vendors from China.

Speaker 3

We have grown our share of the smartphone market under license from about 50% to roughly 80%. As a result, we have made significant progress towards our goal of 500,000,000 in ARR from smartphone by 2027, having increased smartphone revenue by $120,000,000 Our subscription based IP as a service model offers a high level of visibility and provides a reliable source of cash flow even in the face of an uncertain economic environment. This enables us to continue to fuel our innovation engine and drive future revenue growth. Based on the strength of our intellectual property and the huge markets built upon it, we believe we are on track to grow ARR at a double digit CAGR towards our 2,030 target of $1,000,000,000 plus. Our adjusted EBITDA for first quarter of nearly $160,000,000 increased 22% year over year and equates to an adjusted EBITDA margin of 76%, an increase of 27 points compared to 49 a year ago.

Speaker 3

The increase in adjusted EBITDA margin was largely attributable to a decrease in operating expense. As most of the $69,000,000 in rev share we reported in Q1 twenty twenty four related to the catch up revenue under the Samsung TV agreement we signed last year. Non GAAP EPS rose 18% year over year to $4.21 and exceeded our increased guidance of $3.66 to $3.9 per share. Cash from operations and free cash flow were negative in Q1 with outflows of $20,000,000 and $47,000,000 respectively. As a reminder, this is not uncommon on a quarterly basis and is related to the timing of payments from our licensees.

Speaker 3

We continue to expect to have double digit growth in free cash flow for 2025 over the strong levels we reported in 2024. The strong cash flow inherent in our business, combined with a cash balance of nearly $900,000,000 supports our capital allocation priorities. First, we aim to maintain a strong balance sheet as financial strength is a strategic asset. Second, we'll continue to make organic investments in the business. And in recent years, we've invested around 50% of recurring revenue in the research and portfolio development.

Speaker 3

Third, we will be opportunistic in exploring inorganic growth opportunities, though they are not required to achieve our 02/1930 financial targets. And fourth, we will continue returning excess cash to shareholders by way of share repurchases and dividends. In Q1, we returned $21,000,000 to shareholders through buybacks and dividends. After accounting for additional share repurchases in April, we currently have approximately $216,000,000 remaining on our buyback authorization. Looking forward to Q2, we already announced an important new agreement with HP that drives our expectations for another strong quarter.

Speaker 3

We expect Q2 revenues will be $165,000,000 to $175,000,000 from existing contracts, including catch up sales. Based only on existing contracts, we expect an adjusted EBITDA margin of about 65% and non GAAP diluted earnings per share of $2.67 to $2.9 Our second quarter guidance does not include the impact of any new agreements or arbitration results we may sign or receive over the balance of second quarter. Our strong first quarter results and our expectations for a strong Q2 have us well on track to meet our full year 2025 targets. And we are reaffirming our prior guidance of revenue in the range of $660,000,000 to $760,000,000 We continue to expect adjusted EBITDA in the range of 400,000,000 to $495,000,000 with non GAAP earnings per share of $9.69 to $12.92 With that, I'll turn it back to Raeford.

Speaker 1

Thanks Rich. Before we move to Q and A, I'd like to mention that we'll be attending a number of investor events in Q2, including the William Blair Growth Conference in Chicago, the Baird Consumer Tech and Services Conference in New York City, the Bank of America Tech Conference in San Francisco and the ROTH London Conference. Please reach out to your representatives at those firms if you'd like to schedule a meeting. In addition, we are hosting our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is virtual on June 11 at two p. M.

Speaker 1

At this Point, France, we are ready to take questions.

Operator

Thank you. And we will now begin the question and answer session. And at this time, if you would like again to ask a question, press star followed by the number one on your telephone keypad. And to withdraw it, you just need to press star and then followed by the number one again. If you have called upon to ask your question and are listening via loudspeaker on your device, please pick up your handset and ensure that your phone is not on mute while asking your question.

Operator

And just a reminder, we ask that you please limit your question to one with one follow-up only. Thank you. And as of now, the first question comes from the line of Scott Searle from ROTH Capital. Go ahead.

Speaker 4

Hey, good morning. Liran, Rich, Rayford, congrats on getting Vivo across the finish line.

Speaker 3

Thanks, Scott.

Speaker 4

Maybe just quickly too, I want to clarify on the 2Q guidance, these are all existing contracts that are in hand. The big one that's happened so far in the quarter to date is HP. So that $40,000,000 increase is HP and or maybe other smaller accounts. Nothing coming in from anticipated Samsung arbitration or other Chinese based OEMs. Is that correct?

Speaker 3

Yeah, that's right, Scott. So we're Q2 guidance is set off existing contracts in hand today and does not include anything we may sign over the balance of the year. And I noted also does not include any arbitration results we may receive.

Speaker 4

Got you. And then if I could, and then I'll get back in the queue. Liren, maybe from a macro level, kind of the geopolitical environment, how that is impacting or not impacting discussions in terms of your timelines and engagement with those customers. And Rich, on the convert, now it moves into current accounts. I think within the queue, you talk about it being at current price levels, maybe 3,000,000 shares.

Speaker 4

I'm wondering if you could take us through kind of what you anticipate to happen as it relates to the convert, if you expect it to be convert and how we should be treating that from an earnings basis going forward? Thanks.

Speaker 2

Yeah. Hey, good morning, Scott. I'll take the first question. Regarding the macro geopolitical environment as well as the current tariff situation. So far we don't see any impact to our business.

Speaker 2

And as you are aware our business surrounding duo out in foundational technology share them through open global standard process and then licensing people primarily through long term fixed fee agreement by its nature that does not really change quarter by quarter due to the fluctuation of shipment during the term of the contract. So obviously the situation is pretty dynamic and we are keeping really close monitor of the situation.

Speaker 3

And Scott, regarding the convert. So while I'm current, it actually doesn't mature until spring of twenty seven. That's a function of where the stock price is and certain features in that. Typically, where we've been in the money in the past and my understanding, Jim, more generally is typically those things don't convert early until they're even further in the money because the convert holders have optionality with the current instrument.

Speaker 4

But Rich, you don't have the ability to call it, is that correct?

Speaker 3

So, there are certain abilities over the term of that agreement. And there's always as we've done in the past, there's always an ability to enter into a transaction. So we always look in this is always the case. We're always looking at our capital structure and figuring out what's the best next step. So nothing to report there, but something that we actively monitor.

Speaker 4

Great. Thanks so much. I'll get back in the queue. Congrats on the quarter.

Speaker 3

Thank you, Scott.

Operator

And your next question comes from Anya Soderstrom from Sidoti. Please go ahead.

Speaker 5

Hi, and thanks for taking my questions, and congrats on the great progress you're making here. I have a follow-up question on the Samsung arbitration. Do you have any seems like that have been pushed out a bit. Do have any sort of update there or any time frame?

Speaker 2

Yeah. See, this is Lauren. So we currently do not have any new updates as you all were. The last hearing we done was late last year, October. Since then the arbitrator panel has been essentially consider all the evidence writing their decision.

Speaker 2

And we remain confident about the merge our case, but we don't have any new updates from them as of today.

Speaker 5

Okay, thank you. And then in terms of the Disney litigation, how what's going on there? Is anything happening or is it going to be dragged out you think?

Speaker 2

Yeah. So the Disney litigation as you all were, we filed the litigation early February. And since then we have some confirmation of the court dates which generally starts in Q4 this year and expands into early next year. So we are encouraged by all the data being said promptly in different jurisdiction. And we again look forward to demonstrate the Meritor case in those course proceedings.

Speaker 5

Okay, thank you. And you mentioned inorganic opportunities. How actively are looking at that and what are you how is the market for that right now you see?

Speaker 3

Yes, I didn't mean to signal anything there Anya. It's just really the natural order of our approach to capital allocation. It's the maintain a strong balance sheet, organic investment, look at inorganic opportunities and then return capital to shareholders. So, it's really just reciting the way that our long standing strategy towards capital allocation.

Speaker 5

Okay. Thank you. That was all for me.

Operator

And your next question comes from Blayne Curtis from Jefferies. Please go ahead.

Speaker 6

Thanks for taking my question and nice results, guys. I wanted to just drill in on the consumer IoT side. So you've made some good progress. I was wondering if you can just walk us through the rest of the year in terms of your best prospects as well as milestones to be aware of there.

Speaker 2

Yeah. Hey, Blin. Good morning, Wissilearn. So on the consumer IoT side, we continue to have the same multi pillar approach. The largest opportunity continues to be the smart TV, but you are aware we signed the largest opportunity in Samsung TV last year.

Speaker 2

We are actually working on multiple communities with LG, TCL and license three of them are the essentially job for the number two position. And we also announced with HP, we have more than 50% of PC market and our license. So that's a very significant achievement for us. And then there's other collection of IoT opportunity, etcetera space and non cellular that we are pushing them overall. And the final thing I'll say is and our IoT program, we also have the connected car program, which we are a founding member for Avanti platform for both four gs and five gs.

Speaker 2

And through that platform we have achieved quite a few new license agreement on top of the four gs progress, which we were already over 80% coverage. And then there's more than half a dozen new five gs car vendors signed up in the last quarter also. So we are making really good progress.

Speaker 6

Thanks for that. And just a modeling question, and I may be doing something wrong, but just trying to bridge EBITDA to EPS. Can you just comment on the tax rate in June and you've been kind of below I've been penciling in 17%, you've been below that. So maybe just tax rate for the year and any other moving pieces on interest and shares with the convert?

Speaker 3

Yes, sure. So yes, the tax rate was low in the first quarter and projects a little bit lower for the year. Part of what's driving that is when we book our stock based comp, had a increase in the share price driven by the company's performance over the last year. When that vests that results in a larger tax deduction and push down our rate a little bit for the quarter. So that's projecting for a little bit lower overall for the year as a result.

Speaker 3

And that's probably the primary thing that you're looking at. On the I think you asked about the dilution, so I'll just mention that on GAAP EPS, it's in my view almost double counting your dilution on the convert and then all the dilution on the warrant without the benefit of the hedge that we have against the convert. So, we make a denominator adjustment for that in our non GAAP EPS and you can see all the details of that. There's a sensitivity table in the footnotes that describe that. Thank you.

Operator

And your next question comes from Arjun Bhatia from William Blair. Please go ahead.

Speaker 7

Thank you. And I'll add my congrats on getting the Vivo deal signed. Maybe one kind of broader question for you, Laren, on the video streaming opportunity. I think it was in March that there was a deal signed between Nokia and Amazon on video streaming. I'm curious, just as you look at your opportunity in this market, how that might impact either the Disney litigation or conversations that you're having with other streaming services.

Speaker 7

And if this can be a catalyst maybe to speed up some of those negotiations and get those deals signed.

Speaker 2

Hey Arjun, good morning. So yes, you are right. We have seen the public announcement of Nokia's deal with Amazon that covers their streaming services. From our perspective, we believe that's a good positive to admin for our whole industry. Obviously, Nokia and Amazon both very large and sophisticated vendors.

Speaker 2

And the fact that both party recognizing large streaming function requires to take a license of those relevant IPR is a good development. Having said that though, I always believe that interdigital licensing program rise on the merits of our own patent portfolio. So we intend to demonstrate the value of our portfolio through our negotiation as well as enforcement process particularly with Disney.

Speaker 7

Okay, understood. Thank you. And maybe

Speaker 3

again,

Speaker 7

a little bit of a broader question, but as we're thinking of your long term smartphone goal of 500,000,000 in recurring revenue, How do you think about how that might break down between what is dependent on your existing contracts, kind of getting an uplift, at renewal versus just capturing the top 10 because you're as you mentioned, you have seven of the top 10 smartphone OEMs already. And so is the incremental growth just signing the remaining three or is it getting uplifts as you renew Xiaomi for example or some other OEMs that might come up for renewal the next few years here?

Speaker 2

Yes. Hey, Arjun. So our goal to reach $500,000,000 by 2027 for recurring is primarily based on our need to add the customer that's using our technology and sometimes for a very long period of time as a licensee. And that's our primary goal to get to that target. And regarding renewals, we take every renewal very seriously obsolete, but we also look at their how much they have benefited more over time.

Speaker 2

That's dependent on their market share changes, their product mix changes and sometime it also depends on our negotiation with them for different customer category regarding product or what they have expanded to. So it's a multi parameter negotiation and we always try to negotiate a deal that's fair to both parties that reflects the value of our IP. But back to your question, our smartphone licensing program is based primarily based on our need to add those new customers.

Speaker 3

All right. Perfect. Thank you, Lauren. There

Operator

are no further questions at this moment. And now I would like to turn the call back over to Liren Chen, Chief Executive Officer for the closing remarks. Please go ahead.

Speaker 2

Thank you, operator. Before we close, I'd like to thank all our employees for their dedication and contribution to InterDigital, as well as our many partners and licensee for a strong quarter. Thank you to everyone who joined today's call and we look forward to updating you on our progress next quarter.

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