Lantronix(LTRX) - 2026 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $29.8 million for Q2 2026, with a Non-GAAP EPS of $0.04, both within guidance range [4][16] - Year-over-year growth was experienced when excluding the MER Smart Grid customer, Gridspertise, indicating strong underlying performance [4][16] - GAAP gross margin was 43.6%, slightly down from 44.8% in the previous quarter but up from 42.6% a year ago [16][17] - Non-GAAP gross margin was 44%, compared to 45.3% last quarter and 43.2% in the prior year quarter [17] - GAAP net loss improved to $1.3 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to a loss of $2.4 million, or $0.06 per share in the year-ago quarter [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The drone business saw significant growth, with revenue expectations raised to $8 million-$12 million for fiscal 2026, up from $5 million-$10 million [11][21] - The company is focusing on Group One and Two short-range reconnaissance drones, aligning with current unmanned funding [7][11] - The critical infrastructure monitoring segment is progressing, with revenue recognized from a tier one U.S. mobile network operator [12][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. defense budget for fiscal 2026 includes over $13 billion allocated for unmanned systems, indicating a favorable environment for the company's drone initiatives [5][6] - The company is positioned to capture a growing share of future defense modernization spending, particularly in unmanned and AI-enabled platforms [6][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is transitioning from a component supplier to a platform partner, focusing on reducing integration complexity and development risk for customers [8][10] - The Edge AI strategy is driving customer adoption across multiple end markets, with a focus on drones, critical infrastructure, and enterprise connectivity [15][21] - The company aims to create a unified platform for real-time video analytics and intelligent connectivity, expanding its addressable market [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the government shutdown caused a short-term slowdown in purchasing activity from federal agency customers, but solid execution led to strong results [5][19] - The company expects continued growth through the remainder of fiscal 2026 and into fiscal 2027, with drones projected to represent 15%-20% of total revenue in fiscal 2027 [21][28] - Management expressed confidence in the durability and scale of the drone opportunity, supported by a disciplined cost structure and expanding recurring revenue [21][28] Other Important Information - The company generated positive operating cash flow of nearly $2.2 million during the quarter and paid down approximately $1 million of outstanding debt [19] - The company is actively working to mitigate supply chain issues related to memory shortages, ensuring adequate product supply for new business areas [46][47] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide commentary on IoT systems and the December quarter's contribution? - Management acknowledged a sequential decline in IoT systems due to the government shutdown but noted strong execution in other areas [24][33] Question: What is the expected growth rate for the core business in fiscal 2027? - Management indicated that the overall business is expected to grow, with the drone business showing high double-digit growth rates [40] Question: What impact did the government shutdown have in the December quarter? - Management stated that the shutdown caused some friction but overall execution was strong, allowing the company to make up for lost time [45][46] Question: How should we think about the gross margin profile moving forward? - Management expects margins to remain near current levels in the near term but anticipates slight increases as software services grow [48][49]