Avante Logixx Inc. (TSX.V: XX) (OTC: ALXXF) (“Avante” or the
“Company”) is pleased to announce its financial results for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 (all amounts in Canadian dollars
thousands, unless otherwise indicated).
SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR
ENDED MARCH 31, 2022:
|
|
|
|
$ thousands unless otherwise noted |
|
March 31, 2022 |
March 31, 2021 |
Revenues, continuing
operations(1) |
|
$18,156 |
$17,134 |
Gross profit, continuing
operations(1) (3) |
|
$7,848 |
$7,320 |
Gross profit margin, continuing
operations(1) (3) |
|
43.2% |
42.7% |
|
|
|
|
RMR in the period, continuing
operations(1) (3) |
|
$9,648 |
$8,543 |
|
|
|
|
EBITDA(2) (3) |
|
$187 |
$3,793 |
Adjusted EBITDA(3) |
|
$4,200 |
$6,666 |
Adjusted EBITDA, Avante Security
Segment(1) (3) |
|
$1,402 |
$1,750 |
|
|
|
|
Net Income (loss), continuing
operations(1) (2) |
|
$(5,937) |
$(3,990) |
Net Income (loss)(2) |
|
$(4,392) |
$(2,803) |
|
|
|
|
Total Funded Debt as reported per
IFRS(4) |
|
$8,865 |
$15,548 |
Total Funded Debt & Lease
Obligations per IFRS(1) (4) |
|
$9,706 |
$17,729 |
Total Common Shares outstanding
at period end |
|
26,489,438 |
21,192,004 |
Average Common Shares outstanding
during the period |
|
21,830,599 |
21,192,004 |
(1) |
The Company sold Logixx Security Inc. (“Logixx Security”) on June
1, 2022. Its financial results are treated as discontinued
operations for this reporting period. |
(2) |
Net income (loss) and EBITDA in each period also reflect
significant gain or loss amounts attributable to the derivative
component of convertible debentures that were converted into common
shares on February 16, 2022. The net loss during fiscal 2022
also reflects significant costs related to the Board’s strategic
review. |
(3) |
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Recurring Monthly Revenue (“RMR”) are
non-IFRS financial measures that have no standard meaning under
IFRS and as a result may not be comparable to the calculation of
similar measures by other companies. See Description of
Non-IFRS Financial Measures. Reconciliations of EBITDA,
Adjusted EBITDA and RMR to Net Income or Revenues, as applicable,
are provided in the Company’s Management Discussion & Analysis
(“MD&A”). |
(4) |
Funded Debt was fully repaid on June 1, 2022, upon receipt of
proceeds from the sale of Logixx Security. |
Under IFRS reporting standards, the Company is
required to remove the financial results of Logixx Security Inc.
(“Logixx Security”), that was sold on June 1,
2022, in respect of the reporting periods ended March 31, 2022 and
March 31, 2021. However, the expenses of the corporate head
office, that supported a larger enterprise prior to the sale of
Logixx Security, remain within the reported financial results for
such periods. Significant cost reduction measures were
implemented by the Company after March 31, 2022, and funded debt
was fully repaid on June 1, 2022. In addition, reported net
income (loss) during each fiscal period reflected significant gains
or losses attributable to the derivative component of the
convertible debentures that were converted into common shares on
February 16, 2022. Significant costs related to the former
Board’s strategic review initiated in August 2021, as well as
acquisition costs, are also reflected within the IFRS net loss
during fiscal 2022. Therefore, readers are cautioned that
IFRS reported consolidated financial results and balance sheet
amounts in respect of the fiscal years ending March 31, 2022 and
2021 may not be reliable predictors of financial results or
balances for the Company during subsequent fiscal periods.
“The business has been significantly transformed
since the Board and management changes implemented by the Company
on March 30, 2022.” said Manny Mounouchos, Founder, CEO & Board
Chair of Avante. “During March to June 2022, we closed the
corporate office, eliminated redundant vehicle leases, removed
several senior level positions and completed the sale Logixx
Security. Management is now focused on a new strategy to
leverage the Company’s valuable residential security business
within Avante Security currently serving the Toronto and Muskoka
regions of Ontario.”
Added Stephen Rotz, Chief Financial Officer of
the Company, “We anticipate releasing our financial results in
respect of the first fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2022 during late
August 2022 and expect to report June 30th cash balances of
approximately $11.9 million. Settlement of working capital with the
purchasers of Logixx Security is expected to yield an additional $1
million during September. While some integration costs remain
to be paid from the Company’s cash balance, the Company is well
positioned to capitalize on opportunities going forward given its
significant cash balances, its debt free balance sheet along with
access to an unused $2 million, senior secured revolving credit
facility with its bank and a $10 million unsecured, non-revolving
term loan facility provided by the Company’s largest
shareholder.”
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
AND QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2022:
Within continuing operations, the Company
reported year-over-year revenue growth of 6.0% (or $1.0 million)
during fiscal 2022 increasing to $18.2 million from $17.1
million. Gross profit margins within continuing operations
improved to 43.2% of revenue, versus 42.7% during the prior year,
with total gross profit increasing by $0.5 million.
The Avante Security segment delivered growing
recurring monthly revenues (“RMR”) within the
Company’s continuing operations, totaling $2,488 of revenue during
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, from $2,314 during the prior
year’s fourth quarter, representing growth of 7.5%. During
the full year of fiscal 2022, RMR was $9,648 versus $8,543 during
fiscal 2021, representing an increase of 12.9%.
As summarized in the table below, the Company’s
RMR (from continuing operations) has been growing throughout the
last eight quarters, and total revenues grew sequentially over each
of the last three fiscal quarters. In addition, gross profit
margins over the last eight quarters have ranged between 40.1% and
46.7% with a tighter range during fiscal 2022:
Avante
Security |
|
Fiscal
2021(1) |
Fiscal
2022(1) |
$ thousands |
|
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
RMR in the period |
|
$2,033 |
$2,070 |
$2,126 |
$2,314 |
$2,372 |
$2,372 |
$2,416 |
$2,488 |
Other revenue |
|
1,674 |
2,376 |
2,202 |
2,339 |
1,657 |
2,066 |
2,335 |
2,450 |
Total revenue |
|
$3,707 |
$4,446 |
$4,328 |
$4,653 |
$4,029 |
$4,438 |
$4,751 |
$4,938 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Gross Profit |
|
$1,733 |
$1,874 |
$1,848 |
$1,865 |
$1,776 |
$1,842 |
$2,143 |
$2,087 |
Gross Profit % |
|
46.7% |
42.2% |
42.7% |
40.1% |
44.1% |
41.5% |
45.1% |
42.3% |
(1) |
The Company’s fiscal year end is on March 31 of each year. |
During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022, the
Company experienced strong sequential and year-over-year growth in
both Protective Service revenues and Monitoring & Managed
service revenues. However, this growth was partially offset
by sequential declines in Electronic Services implementation
revenues. Similar trends occurred on a year-over-year basis
in respect of the entire fiscal year ended March 31, 2022.
SEGMENT
RESULTS:
The Company’s total Adjusted EBITDA, including
discontinued operations, decreased $2.5 million from $6.7 million
during fiscal 2021 to $4.5 million during fiscal 2022. As
summarized in the tables at the end of this news release under
“Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA by Segment”, the
year-over-year decline in Adjusted EBITDA during fiscal 2022 was
due to reduced earnings within both the Avante Security and
Discontinued Operations segments, offset by a lower loss within
corporate costs of continuing operations.
The Avante Security segment reported reduced
Adjusted EBITDA of $1.4 million during fiscal 2022, versus $1.8
million during fiscal 2021. This decrease of $0.4 million was
largely due to higher operating expenses, as the prior year
benefited from temporary COVID-19 salary cuts and fiscal 2022
absorbed higher costs for salary increases, insurance premiums and
allocated overhead expenses for audit and incremental IT security
costs. The Company’s new management team, as of March 30,
2022, has addressed these cost pressures within Avante Security by
reducing headcount and overhead costs and by implementing pricing
and fuel levy charges to customers as of June 2022.
During fiscal 2022, Discontinued Operations
reflected the Logixx Security Segment for twelve months, while
during fiscal 2021, Discontinued Operations included the Logixx
Security Segment for twelve months as well as the City Wide Segment
for six months ending September 30, 2020. During Fiscal 2022,
Adjusted EBITDA of Discontinued Operations was $4.2 million,
compared to $7.4 million during fiscal 2021, a decrease of $3.1
million. Logixx Security’s prior year benefited more
significantly from strong margins on COVID-19 related service
revenues, while the current year’s gross profit was impacted
negatively by higher unbillable overtime costs due to labour
shortages from August 2021 to the end of fiscal 2022. In
addition, Discontinued Operations during the prior year benefited
from positive earnings of approximately $0.6 million generated from
the City Wide Segment.
The loss from central corporate costs, net of
eliminations, within continuing operations showed a positive
improvement of $1.0 million during fiscal 2022, as the prior year
reflected management bonuses that were not repeated in respect of
fiscal 2022.
OTHER
HIGHLIGHTS:
Effective February 16, 2022, the holders of the
Company’s convertible debentures elected to convert all outstanding
debentures into common shares. This eliminated reported debt
in respect of these debentures under IFRS standards as of the third
quarter ended December 31, 2022 of $8.6 million (face value $8.3
million) and increased outstanding Common Shares by
5,297,434. On June 1, 2022, all remaining funded debt of the
Company was repaid from proceeds of the sale of Logixx Security and
the Company was in a significant cash position as of that date.
Manny Mounouchos concluded by saying that “over
the coming months, we will articulate additional plans for growing
the business. However, our shareholders should not forget
that we are building upon strong recurring revenues, insignificant
customer attrition, low customer net acquisition costs and a highly
regarded portfolio of customers. I fully expect future
financial reporting to better reflect recent transformation
activities, to create a more balanced cost structure, and benefits
from additional plans for this great business.”
Readers should refer to the Company’s financial
statements and MD&A in respect of the fiscal years ended March
31, 2022 and 2021 for additional risk factors, accounting policies,
detailed financial disclosures, reconciliation of non-IFRS
financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial
measures, related party transactions, contingencies and reporting
of subsequent events since the fiscal year ended March 31,
2022. Such financial statements and MD&A are incorporated
by reference into this news release and are filed electronically
through the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval
(“SEDAR”), which can be accessed at www.sedar.com.
This news release shall not constitute
an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall
there be any sale of the securities described herein in any
jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release
does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United
States. The securities described herein have not been, nor
will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold
within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and
state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S.
registration requirements.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
ABOUT AVANTE LOGIXX
INC.:
Avante Logixx Inc. (TSXV: XX), provides high-end
security services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Avante
Security Inc., serving residential customers located in Toronto and
Muskoka regions of Ontario, Canada. With an experienced team,
a focus on customer service excellence and development of
innovative solutions, we remain committed to providing our
shareholders with exceptional returns. Please visit our
website at www.avantelogixx.com.
Emmanuel Mounouchos Founder, CEO & Board
Chair, Avante Logixx Inc.416-923-6984manny@avantesecurity.com
Forward-Looking Information
This news release may contain forward-looking
statements (within the meaning of applicable securities laws)
relating to the business of the Company and the environment in
which it operates. Forward-looking statements are identified
by words such as “believe”, “anticipate”, “project”, “expect”,
“intend”, “plan”, “will”, “may” “estimate”, “pro-forma” and other
similar expressions. These statements are based on the
Company’s expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections.
The forward-looking statements in this news release are based
on certain assumptions. They are not guarantees of future
performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult
to control or predict. A number of factors could cause actual
results to differ materially from the results discussed in the
forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the
Company’s ability to achieve the benefits expected as a result of
the sale of Logixx Security Inc., anticipated growth from
acquisitions, new service offerings and from development and
deployment of new technologies and the list of risk factors
identified in the Company’s Management Discussion & Analysis
(MD&A), Annual Information Form (AIF) and other continuous
disclosure documents available at www.sedar.com. There can be
no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be
accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from
those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers,
therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such
forward-looking statements. Further, these forward-looking
statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except
as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no
obligation to publicly update any such statement, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
This press release includes certain measures
which have not been prepared in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) such as EBITDA, Adjusted
EBITDA and Recurring Monthly Revenue (“RMR”). These non-IFRS
measures are not recognized under IFRS and and do not have a
standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Accordingly, users
are cautioned that these measures should not be construed as
alternatives to net income determined in accordance with IFRS.
The non-IFRS measures presented are unlikely to be comparable
to similar measures presented by other issuers.
References to EBITDA are to net
income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
References to Adjusted EBITDA are to net
income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization of
intangibles & capitalized commissions, share-based payments,
acquisition, integration and / or reorganization costs, deferred
financing costs, loss (gain) in fair value of derivative liability
and expensing of fair value adjustments per IFRS.
Recurring Monthly Revenues, or
RMR, represent revenue during the fiscal period
that benefited from contractual periodic billing to customers,
typically monthly, quarterly or annually.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and
Recurring Monthly Revenues are appropriate additional measures for
evaluating Avante’s performance. Readers are cautioned that
neither EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA nor Recurring Monthly Revenues
should be construed as an alternative to net income or revenues (as
such financial measures are determined under IFRS), as an indicator
of financial performance or to cash flow from operating activities
(as determined under IFRS) or as a measure of liquidity and cash
flow. Avante’s method of calculating EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA
and Recurring Monthly Revenues may differ from methods used by
other issuers and, accordingly, Avante’s reported Non-IFRS measures
may not be comparable to similar measures used by other
issuers.
RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA & ADJUSTED
EBITDA BY SEGMENT:
Continuing
Operations:
|
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022 |
|
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2021 |
|
Avante Security |
Corporate & Eliminations |
Total |
|
Avante Security |
Corporate & Eliminations |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
18,161 |
(5) |
18,156 |
|
17,142 |
(8) |
17,134 |
Cost of sales |
(10,844) |
536 |
(10,308) |
|
(10,070) |
256 |
(9,814) |
Gross profit |
7,317 |
531 |
7,848 |
|
7,072 |
248 |
7,320 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct operating expenses |
5,931 |
2,241 |
8,172 |
|
5,326 |
2,844 |
8,170 |
Other operating expenses |
709 |
639 |
1,348 |
|
717 |
547 |
1,264 |
Total operating expenses |
6,640 |
2,880 |
9,520 |
|
6,043 |
3,391 |
9,434 |
Other (income) expenses |
79 |
(282) |
(203) |
|
104 |
2,235 |
2,339 |
Reorganization &
acquisition costs |
26 |
4,381 |
4,407 |
|
- |
196 |
196 |
Provision for income
taxes |
144 |
(83) |
61 |
|
277 |
(937) |
(660) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income (loss),
continuing |
428 |
(6,365) |
(5,937) |
|
648 |
(4,637) |
(3,989) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current income tax expense
(recovery) |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
Deferred income tax expense
(recovery) |
144 |
(83) |
61 |
|
277 |
(937) |
(660) |
Interest expense |
95 |
364 |
459 |
|
109 |
276 |
385 |
Depreciation and
amortization |
709 |
532 |
1,241 |
|
717 |
474 |
1,191 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA,
continuing |
1,376 |
(5,552) |
(4,176) |
|
1,751 |
(4,824) |
(3,073) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share based compensation |
- |
108 |
108 |
|
- |
73 |
73 |
Reorganization and acquisition
costs |
27 |
4,380 |
4,407 |
|
- |
196 |
196 |
Loss (gain), fair value of
derivative liability |
- |
(471) |
(471) |
|
- |
2,070 |
2,070 |
Deferred financing fees |
- |
125 |
125 |
|
- |
49 |
49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA,
Continuing |
1,403 |
(1,410) |
(7) |
|
1,751 |
(2,436) |
(685) |
Discontinued
Operations:
|
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022 |
|
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2021 |
|
Logixx Security |
Corporate & Eliminations |
Total |
|
Discontinued Operations |
Corporate & Eliminations |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
76,446 |
(536) |
75,910 |
|
74,952 |
(371) |
74,581 |
Cost of sales |
(64,277) |
2 |
(64,275) |
|
(61,187) |
120 |
(61,067) |
Gross profit |
12,169 |
(534) |
11,635 |
|
13,765 |
(251) |
13,514 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct operating expenses |
9,278 |
(2,150) |
7,128 |
|
9,810 |
(3,153) |
6,657 |
Other operating expenses |
1,504 |
- |
1,504 |
|
3,707 |
- |
3,707 |
Total operating expenses |
10,782 |
(2,150) |
8,632 |
|
13,517 |
(3,153) |
10,364 |
Other (income) expenses |
1,338 |
- |
1,338 |
|
820 |
- |
820 |
Reorganization &
acquisition costs |
217 |
- |
217 |
|
484 |
- |
484 |
Provision for income
taxes |
(97) |
- |
(97) |
|
566 |
- |
566 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income (loss),
discontinued |
(71) |
1,616 |
1,545 |
|
(1,622) |
2,902 |
1,280 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current income tax expense
(recovery) |
22 |
- |
22 |
|
52 |
- |
52 |
Deferred income tax expense
(recovery) |
(119) |
- |
(119) |
|
514 |
- |
514 |
Interest expense |
1,039 |
- |
1,039 |
|
1,155 |
- |
1,155 |
Depreciation and
amortization |
1,504 |
- |
1,504 |
|
3,868 |
- |
3,868 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA,
discontinued |
2,376 |
1,616 |
3,991 |
|
3,967 |
2,902 |
6,869 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share based compensation |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
Reorganization and acquisition
costs |
217 |
- |
217 |
|
484 |
- |
484 |
Loss (gain), fair value of
derivative liability |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
Deferred financing fees |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA,
Discontinued |
2,593 |
1,616 |
4,209 |
|
4,451 |
2,902 |
7,353 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: During fiscal 2021,
Discontinued Operations included the financial results of the City
Wide Segment for six months ending September 30, 2020 as well as
the financial results in respect of the Logixx Security Segment for
twelve months ending March 31, 2021.
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