ViaSat(VSAT) - 2026 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q2 FY2026, the company reported a net loss of $61 million, an improvement from a net loss of $138 million in Q2 FY2025, primarily due to a favorable service revenue mix, lower depreciation and amortization, and reduced SG&A expenses [5][17] - Revenue grew by 2% year-over-year to $1.1 billion, with adjusted EBITDA increasing by 3% to $385 million, resulting in a 34% adjusted EBITDA margin [15][17] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $69 million, contributing to a trailing 12-month total of $147 million, marking three consecutive quarters of positive free cash flow [13][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the communication services segment, awards increased by 35% to $1.03 billion, while revenue was $837 million, up 1% year-over-year [18][20] - The defense and advanced technologies (DAT) segment saw awards decline by 9% to $467 million, but revenue grew by 3% to $304 million, driven by growth in InfoSec and cyber [21][22] - The aviation revenue grew by 15%, supported by an increase in commercial aircraft in service and higher average revenue per aircraft [18][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The backlog increased to $3.9 billion, up approximately $140 million year-over-year, despite the sale of the energy system integration business [17][18] - The company noted a significant uptick in interest for commercial mobile space networks, indicating a growing market for direct-to-consumer device non-terrestrial network connectivity [9][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on launching Viasat 3 Flight 2 and Flight 3, which are expected to significantly enhance bandwidth capacity and drive growth in communication services [7][8] - The strategic review committee is evaluating capital allocation priorities, including the potential separation of government and commercial businesses to enhance competitive positioning [10][29] - The company aims to optimize its capital structure and reduce leverage, targeting a leverage ratio of three times net debt adjusted EBITDA or lower [14][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term growth trajectory supported by increased reliance on space-based assets for national security and growing demand for resilient communications [8][24] - The company anticipates fiscal 2026 revenue growth in low single digits year-over-year, with flattish adjusted EBITDA and variability quarter to quarter [23][24] - Management is closely monitoring the potential impacts of the U.S. government shutdown, estimating delays in DAT awards and adjusted EBITDA [25][26] Other Important Information - The company expects capital expenditures for the year to be about $1.2 billion, with significant investments related to the completion of Viasat 3 [26][27] - The company has moved $175 million in cash from Inmarsat to Viasat, with plans to transfer a total of $400-$500 million over time [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on evaluating the possibility of a split and vertical integration opportunities - Management is continuously evaluating options for vertical integration and dual-use systems, with no set end date for this process [33][34] Question: Details on international spectrum ownership and monetization - The company holds a substantial amount of global spectrum and is exploring ways to maximize its value through operational investments and potential partnerships [36][39] Question: Insights on the Equitus project and ideal customers - Equitus aims to modernize infrastructure for spectrum allocations, with discussions ongoing with regional operators and the European Space Agency [40][43] Question: Clarification on backlog growth and recognition cadence - Management indicated that backlog growth is strong, with a focus on converting efforts into future growth, particularly with the upcoming capacity from Flight 2 [51][53] Question: Demand signals for defense bookings beyond the U.S. - Management noted healthy performance in the U.S. and increasing demand signals in Europe, particularly related to national security [89]