Major increases in IP Optical Networks fundamentals - revenue increases 20% with strong bookings momentum and gross margin up 10 percentage points sequentially

PLANO, Texas, Oct. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ribbon Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: RBBN), a global provider of real time communications technology and IP optical networking solutions to many of the world's largest service providers, enterprises, and critical infrastructure operators to modernize and protect their networks, today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2022.

Revenue for the third quarter of 2022 was $207 million, compared to $210 million for the third quarter of 2021 and $206 million for the second quarter of 2022. Product and service bookings-to-revenue was 1.28x in the third quarter of 2022, with IP Optical Networks at 1.45x.

"I am excited to share the significant progress we have made this quarter towards improving the fundamentals of our IP Optical Networks business. In many ways this was a record quarter, with revenue plus bookings for the IP Optical Networks segment handily exceeding previous levels," noted Bruce McClelland, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ribbon Communications. "This resulted in a significant improvement in gross margin and a major step toward profitability for the segment. We also received a significant validation of our IP Routing strategy with a major new 5G Cell Site Router win in India this quarter."  

McClelland continued, "Overall results for the quarter were impacted by the timing of several U.S. Federal Cloud & Edge deals and delays of several shipments the last few days of the quarter. We continue to anticipate a sequentially stronger fourth quarter in both of our businesses supported by increased backlog entering the quarter, although we are taking a more cautious approach and have reduced our growth expectations given the macro-operating environment.

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $56 million on September 30, 2022. The GAAP net loss of $18 million in the third quarter of 2022 includes a $2 million non-cash loss associated with the quarterly mark-to-market of our investment in American Cloud Technologies, Inc. ("AVCT") from the sale of our Kandy Communications business (the "Kandy Sale").

"The successful equity raise during the quarter strengthens our balance sheet and supports our growth plans. We are very pleased to see the increased sales and customer demand for our IP Routing and Optical Transport products this quarter. Nevertheless, we plan to implement additional cost savings across the company to further improve financial performance in 2023," said Mick Lopez, Chief Financial Officer of Ribbon Communications.

Customer and Company Highlights

• Awarded 5G Cell Site Router deal with top tier mobile carrier in India
• Appointed Scott Mair, former President, AT&T Networks Engineering and Operations, to Ribbon Board of Directors
• Verizon and AT&T were greater than 10% customers in the third quarter
• Ribbon selected by Electricity Transmission Operator MEPSO for Network Modernization project
• Paritel selected Ribbon to comply with French government mandate to combat Robocall, Fraud and Call Spoofing
• Ribbon launched Microsoft Teams Enablement Bundle with Poly and TD SYNNEX
• Ribbon SBC received certification supporting Google Voice SIP interoperability
• Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions rolls out Ribbon Connect for Microsoft Operator Connect
• 2022 Broadband Technology 4 Diamond Award for 400G Optical Networking solution
• Ribbon completed $52 Million equity raise

Business Outlook1   The Company's outlook is based on current indications for its business, which are subject to change. For the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company projects revenue of $220 million to $240 million, non-GAAP gross margin of 53.5% to 54.5%, non-GAAP diluted earnings (loss) per share of ($0.01) to $0.01, and Adjusted EBITDA of $30 million to $36 million. 

Upcoming Investor Conference Schedule

• November 15, 2022 – Needham Virtual Security, Networking & Communications Conference (virtual presentation and one-on-one institutional investor meetings).

About RibbonRibbon Communications (Nasdaq: RBBN) delivers communications software, IP and optical networking solutions to service providers, enterprises and critical infrastructure sectors globally. We engage deeply with our customers, helping them modernize their networks for improved competitive positioning and business outcomes in today's smart, always-on and data-hungry world. Our innovative, end-to-end solutions portfolio delivers unparalleled scale, performance, and agility, including core to edge software-centric solutions, cloud-native offers, leading-edge security and analytics tools, along with IP and optical networking solutions for 5G. We maintain a keen focus on our commitments to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters, offering an annual Sustainability Report to our stakeholders. To learn more about Ribbon visit rbbn.com.

Important Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements  The information in this release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.  All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this release, including without limitation statements regarding the Company's projected financial results for the fourth quarter of 2022 and beyond; customer engagement and momentum; plans and objectives for future operations; and plans for future product development and manufacturing and the expected benefits therefrom, are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes", "estimates", "expects", "expectations", "intends", "may", "plans", "projects" and other similar language, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict.  Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements due to various risks, uncertainties and other important factors, including, among others, the effects of geopolitical instabilities and disputes, including between Russia and Ukraine and the impact of sanctions imposed as a result thereof; the potential impact of litigation; risks related to supply chain disruptions, including as a result of component availability; risks related to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, including delays in customer deployments as a result of rises in cases; risks that the Company will not realize the anticipated benefits from the acquisition of ECI Telecom Group Ltd. (the "ECI Acquisition"); risks that the Company will not realize the estimated cost savings and/or anticipated benefits from its strategic restructuring; the impact of restructuring and cost-containment activities; unpredictable fluctuations in quarterly revenue and operating results; risks related to the terms of the Company's credit agreement including compliance with the financial covenants; risks related to cybersecurity and data intrusion; failure to compete successfully against telecommunications equipment and networking companies; failure to grow the Company's customer base or generate recurring business from existing customers; credit risks; the timing of customer purchasing decisions and the Company's recognition of revenues; macroeconomic conditions, including inflation; market acceptance of the Company's products and services; rapid technological and market change; the ability to protect Company intellectual property rights and obtain necessary licenses; the ability to maintain partner, reseller, distribution and vendor support and supply relationships; the potential for defects in the Company's products; increases in tariffs, trade restrictions or taxes on the Company's products; and currency fluctuations.

These factors are not intended to be an all-encompassing list of risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's business and results from operations. Additional information regarding these and other factors can be found in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. In providing forward-looking statements, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update these statements publicly or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company's management uses several different financial measures, both GAAP and non-GAAP, in analyzing and assessing the overall performance of its business, making operating decisions, planning and forecasting future periods, and determining payments under compensation programs. The Company considers the use of non-GAAP financial measures helpful in assessing the core performance of its continuing operations and when planning and forecasting future periods. The Company's annual financial plan is prepared on a non-GAAP basis and is approved by its board of directors. In addition, budgeting and forecasting for revenue and expenses are conducted on a non-GAAP basis, and actual results on a non-GAAP basis are assessed against the annual financial plan. The Company defines continuing operations as the ongoing results of its business adjusted for certain expenses and credits, as described below. The Company believes that providing non-GAAP information to investors will allow investors to view the financial results in the way its management views them and helps investors to better understand the Company's core financial and operating performance and evaluate the efficacy of the methodology and information used by its management to evaluate and measure such performance.

While the Company's management uses non-GAAP financial measures as tools to enhance its understanding of certain aspects of the Company's financial performance, its management does not consider these measures to be a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP measures. In addition, the Company's presentations of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives for, or in isolation from, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Investors are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, many of the adjustments to the Company's financial measures reflect the exclusion of items that are recurring and will be reflected in its financial results for the foreseeable future.

Stock-Based CompensationThe expense related to stock-based awards is generally not controllable in the short-term and can vary significantly based on the timing, size and nature of awards granted. The Company believes that presenting non-GAAP operating results that exclude stock-based compensation provides investors with visibility and insight into its management's method of analysis and its core operating performance.

Amortization of Acquired Technology (including software licenses); Amortization of Acquired Intangible AssetsAmortization amounts are inconsistent in frequency and amount and are significantly impacted by the timing and size of acquisitions. Amortization of acquired technology is reported separately within Cost of revenue and Amortization of acquired intangible assets is reported separately within Operating expenses. These items are reported collectively as Amortization of acquired intangible assets in the accompanying reconciliations of non-GAAP and GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that excluding non-cash amortization of these intangible assets facilitates the comparison of its financial results to its historical operating results and to other companies in its industry as if the acquired intangible assets had been developed internally rather than acquired.

Impairment of GoodwillThe Company performs its annual testing for impairment of goodwill in the fourth quarter each year. For the purpose of testing goodwill for impairment, all goodwill has been assigned to one of the Company's two operating segments. The Company performs a fair value analysis using both an income and market approach, which encompasses a discounted cash flow analysis and a guideline public company analysis using selected multiples. Based on the results of the impairment test completed in the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company determined that the carrying value of its IP Optical Networks segment exceeded its fair value, and accordingly, recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $116 million. There was no impairment of the Company's Cloud and Edge segment. The Company believes that such non-cash costs are not part of its core business or ongoing operations. Accordingly, the Company believes that excluding the goodwill impairment charge facilitates the comparison of the Company's financial results to its historical operating results and to other companies in its industry.

Acquisition-, Disposal- and Integration-Related The Company considers certain acquisition-, disposal- and integration-related costs to be unrelated to the organic continuing operations of its acquired businesses and the Company. Such costs are generally not relevant to assessing or estimating the long-term performance of the acquired assets. The Company excludes such acquisition-, disposal- and integration-related costs to allow more accurate comparisons of its financial results to its historical operations and the financial results of less acquisitive peer companies and allows management and investors to consider the ongoing operations of the business both with and without such expenses.

Restructuring and Related The Company has recorded restructuring and related expense to streamline operations and reduce operating costs by closing and consolidating certain facilities and reducing its worldwide workforce. The Company believes that excluding restructuring and related expense facilitates the comparison of its financial results to its historical operating results and to other companies in its industry, as there are no future revenue streams or other benefits associated with these costs.

Interest Income on DebenturesThe Company recorded paid-in-kind interest income on the AVCT Series A-1 convertible debentures (the "Debentures") it received as consideration in connection with the Kandy Sale through September 8, 2021, when the Debentures were converted to shares of AVCT common stock (the "Debenture Shares"), which increased their fair value. The Company excludes this interest income because it believes that such a gain is not part of its core business or ongoing operations.

Gain on Sale of BusinessOn May 12, 2021, the Company sold its QualiTech business, which it had acquired as part of the ECI Acquisition, to Hermon Laboratories, Ltd.  As consideration, the Company received $2.9 million of cash and recorded a gain on the sale of $2.8 million. The Company excludes this gain because it believes that such gain is not part of its core business or ongoing operations.

Decrease in Fair Value of InvestmentsThe Company calculated the fair values of the Debentures and the warrants to purchase shares of AVCT common stock it received as consideration in connection with the Kandy Sale (the "Warrants") (prior to September 8, 2021) and the Debenture Shares and Warrants (effective September 8, 2021) and at each quarter-end until their disposal on August 29, 2022 when they were used as partial consideration in connection with the Company's acquisition of perpetual software licenses from AVCT. The Company recorded any adjustments to their fair values in Other (expense) income, net. The Company excluded these gains and losses from the change in fair value of this investment because it believes that such gains or losses were not part of its core business or ongoing operations.

Tax Effect of Non-GAAP AdjustmentsThe Non-GAAP income tax provision is presented based on an estimated tax rate applied against forecasted annual non-GAAP income. The Non-GAAP income tax provision assumes no available net operating losses or valuation allowances for the U.S. because of reporting significant cumulative non-GAAP income over the past several years. The Company is reporting its non-GAAP quarterly income taxes by computing an annual rate for the Company and applying that single rate (rather than multiple rates by jurisdiction) to its consolidated quarterly results. The Company expects that this methodology will provide a consistent rate throughout the year and allow investors to better understand the impact of income taxes on its results. Due to the methodology applied to its estimated annual tax rate, the Company's estimated tax rate on non-GAAP income will differ from its GAAP tax rate and from its actual tax liabilities.

Adjusted EBITDAThe Company uses Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to review and assess its performance. The Company calculates Adjusted EBITDA by excluding from (Income) loss from operations: depreciation; amortization of acquired intangible assets; stock-based compensation; impairment of goodwill; acquisition-, disposal- and integration-related; and restructuring and related. In general, the Company excludes the expenses that it considers to be non-cash and/or not part of its ongoing operations. The Company may exclude other items in the future that have those characteristics. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that is used by the investing community for comparative and valuation purposes. The Company discloses this metric to support and facilitate dialogue with research analysts and investors. Other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than the Company does, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Conference Call DetailsConference call to discuss the Company's financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022 on October 26, 2022, via the investor section of its website at investors.ribboncommunications.com, where a replay will also be available shortly following the conference call.

Conference Call Details:Date: October 26, 2022Time: 4:30 p.m. (ET)Dial-in number (USA): 877-407-2991Dial-in number (Intl): 201-389-0925Instant Telephone Access:  Call me™

Replay information:A telephone playback of the call will be available following the conference call until November 10, 2022 and can be accessed by calling 877-660-6853 or 201-612-7415 for international callers. The reservation number for the replay is 13733589.

Investor Relations+1 (978) 614-8050ir@rbbn.com 

Media ContactCatherine Berthier+1 (646) 741-1974cberthier@rbbn.com 

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SOURCE Ribbon Communications Inc.