BlackBerry Limited (BB) CEO John Giamatteo Hosts RBC Capital Markets Global Technology, Internet, Media and Telecommunications Conference (Transcript)

Summary of BlackBerry Limited Conference Call Company Overview - Company: BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB) - Market Cap: $1.5 billion - **Key Segments**: Cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT) [3][4] Core Insights and Arguments Leadership Changes and Strategy - New leadership team, including CEO John Giamatteo and CFO Tim Foote, has focused on evaluating company operations and restructuring for profitability [4][5] - BlackBerry has established two autonomous business units: IoT and cybersecurity, with a leaner corporate structure [5][6] - Cost reductions of$150 million have been achieved, with expectations of reaching profitability and free cash flow in Q3 and Q4 [6][47] Cybersecurity Segment - The cybersecurity business, particularly the Cylance component, has faced challenges due to market shifts towards Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) [9][11] - Cylance has been a financial drag, requiring significant investment to catch up with competitors [12][13] - The rest of the cybersecurity business, excluding Cylance, is stable and profitable, generating approximately 20% EBITDA margins [14][34] IoT Segment - The IoT business, particularly the QNX platform, is viewed as a strong growth area with a growing backlog of approximately 815 million [16][17] - Design wins have been accumulating, but delays in production cycles have impacted short-term growth expectations [18][19] - Long-term opportunities exist as OEMs seek expertise in software integration, potentially increasing QNX's role in vehicle software development [20][21] Financial Performance and Future Outlook - The IoT segment is profitable, with a focus on maintaining a balance of growth and profitability [29] - Investments in R&D are around 30% of revenue, with new product launches aimed at enhancing performance and safety [30][32] - The company aims to stabilize and improve the fundamentals of the cybersecurity business while exploring options for the Cylance unit [15][33] Cash Flow and Cost Management - BlackBerry is transitioning to positive cash flow, with potential uses for cash including share buybacks and investments in adjacent markets [40][41] - Unallocated corporate costs are expected to decrease from 48 million to $40 million, with ongoing efforts to streamline operations [42][44] Additional Important Points - The company is optimistic about future growth, with expectations of improved financial performance and a potential increase in stock value [48][49] - The focus will be on leveraging the business model for profitability while addressing the challenges posed by the Cylance unit [47][48] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the BlackBerry Limited conference call, highlighting the company's strategic direction, financial performance, and future outlook.