Telos(TLS) - 2024 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company revenue grew 11% sequentially to $26.4 million in Q4 2024, near the top end of the guidance range [9] - Adjusted EBITDA improved sequentially from a$ 4.2 million loss in Q3 to a $200,000 loss in Q4 [13][34] - GAAP gross margin expanded nearly 600 basis points year-over-year to 40.3%, while cash gross margin expanded nearly 900 basis points year-over-year to 47% [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Security solutions revenue grew 20% sequentially to$ 21.9 million, representing 83% of total company revenue [9] - Revenue from TSA PreCheck enrollments grew over 30% sequentially [9] - Secure Networks delivered $4.5 million of revenue, representing 17% of total company revenue, but declined sequentially as expected [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The TSA PreCheck program became the single largest program by revenue during 2024, with significant growth expected in 2025 [18] - The company increased its enrollment centers from 26 to 218 locations across the U.S. in 2024 [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on optimizing performance for customers and prioritizing task orders from existing contract vehicles due to delays in single awards [40] - The company aims to achieve a pro rata share of the TSA PreCheck enrollment market, targeting 500 locations by the end of 2025 [32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the new administration being generally positive for the company, despite delays in single awards [40] - The company expects to generate positive cash flow in Q1 2025 and significant improvements in revenue, profit, and cash flow for the full year [36][61] Other Important Information - The company anticipates revenue for the full year 2025 to be driven by existing business, TSA PreCheck, and new programs with DMDC and DHS [29][30] - The company is experiencing delays in government awards due to changes in administration but is not seeing similar delays on task orders [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of the change in administration on single award programs - Management noted that while the new administration is generally positive, single awards are being held back for review, leading to a focus on task orders from existing contracts [40] Question: Details on revenue recognition for DMDC and DHS programs - Management clarified that the mix of third-party content is shifting towards software, affecting revenue recognition timing, with a partial year of revenue expected in the first year [44][45] Question: TSA PreCheck revenue projections based on current rollout - Management confirmed that the framework for TSA PreCheck revenue is correct, with expectations for revenue to ramp as more locations open [51] Question: Cash flow expectations for Q1 and the full year - Management indicated that Q1 cash flow will benefit from working capital liquidation and expects positive free cash flow for the year, with breakeven adjusted EBITDA around$ 155 million to $160 million in revenue [54][55]