Harvard Bioscience Announces Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Harvard Bioscience, Inc. (HBIO) announced Q4 revenues of $28.2 million with a gross margin of 58.0% and operating income of $0.3 million. The company focused on debt reduction and net leverage improvement. Despite a slight revenue decline, the company saw gross margin expansion and introduced new products targeting high-growth markets.

Positive

• Q4 revenues of $28.2 million with a gross margin of 58.0%
• Operating income of $0.3 million, adjusted operating income of $3.3 million
• Debt reduction of $10.5 million and significant decrease in net leverage
• Introduction of new products for future growth in bioproduction and advanced applications
• Focus on expanding recurring revenue through new products and services

Negative

• None.

Financial Analyst

The reported Q4 revenues of Harvard Bioscience, Inc. at $28.2 million, which is a slight decrease from the previous year's $28.4 million, indicate a relatively stable revenue stream. However, this stability is nuanced by the fact that it includes a net reduction from discontinued products. The modest decline in revenue in a challenging APAC market can be seen as a positive sign of the company's resilience.

The significant improvement in gross margin to 58.0% from 55.7% year-over-year is a key highlight. This improvement suggests efficient cost management and an enhanced product mix. This is further supported by the reported operating income of $0.3 million, which is a turnaround from the previous year's operating loss. The adjusted operating income of $3.3 million, which is slightly down from $3.4 million, provides a more normalized view of the company's profitability by excluding certain non-recurring items.

The debt reduction of $10.5 million in 2023 is a strong indicator of the company's financial health and its ability to generate cash. This deleveraging effort has led to a significant decrease in the net leverage ratio from 4.0 to 2.3, which could potentially lower the cost of capital and improve financial flexibility. The robust operating cash flow of $14.0 million compared to $1.2 million in the prior year is particularly noteworthy, as it reflects the company's strong cash-generating ability.

For investors, the guidance for flat to modest revenue growth in 2024, with expected improvements in the second half of the year, may be seen as cautious yet realistic, given the current market conditions. The anticipated gross margin expansion to approximately 60% and improved adjusted EBITDA margin in the mid-teens could signal continued operational efficiency and potential for margin growth.

Market Research Analyst

Harvard Bioscience's focus on expanding its product portfolio, especially in high-growth areas such as bioproduction and advanced cell and organoid applications, is strategically significant. The company's expectation of adoption in research, pharma and biotech sectors, as well as in high volume industrial applications, suggests a clear direction towards markets with higher growth potential.

The company's performance in the APAC region is particularly worth noting. While the region presents challenges, it is also a significant market for biotechnology and life sciences companies. Harvard Bioscience's ability to maintain revenues despite headwinds in this market could be a testament to its strategic positioning and the strength of its product offerings.

From a market perspective, the company's anticipation of weakness in the first half of 2024, followed by a strong second half, may influence investor expectations. This projection could be indicative of the company's sales cycle and the timing of product launches, which investors should monitor closely.

Overall, the company's strategic initiatives to penetrate new growth areas and maintain a strong gross margin profile are likely to be well-received by the market, especially if these efforts translate into sustained revenue growth and margin expansion.

Economist

The financial results of Harvard Bioscience, Inc. indicate a company in the midst of managing its growth trajectory amid a challenging economic environment. The modest revenue decline and the significant gross margin expansion suggest that the company is successfully optimizing its cost structure. This is an important aspect in the current economic climate where efficiency and lean operations are crucial for maintaining profitability.

Debt reduction is a prudent strategy in times of economic uncertainty and Harvard Bioscience's ability to significantly reduce its debt and improve its net leverage ratio demonstrates a commitment to fiscal responsibility. This may also provide the company with a buffer against potential market volatility and economic downturns.

The guidance for 2024, with a focus on the second half of the year, reflects a cautious optimism. It implies that the company expects to navigate through macroeconomic challenges in the near term, with an anticipation of market recovery or strategic initiatives bearing fruit in the latter part of the year.

Investors would do well to consider the broader economic context in which these financial results are situated, including factors such as market demand fluctuations, supply chain stability and the cost of inputs, all of which can influence the company's performance moving forward.

• Q4 Revenues of $28.2 million
• Q4 Gross Margin of 58.0% (230 bps year-over-year improvement)
• Q4 operating income of $0.3 million, adjusted operating income of $3.3 million
• Strong operating cash flow enabled 2023 debt reduction of $10.5 million and a significant decrease in net leverage

HOLLISTON, Mass., March 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harvard Bioscience, Inc. (Nasdaq: HBIO) (the “Company”) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.

Jim Green, Chairman and CEO said, “Our fourth quarter revenue was down a modest 1% compared to the prior year quarter in a challenging APAC marketplace. Revenue included a net reduction of approximately $0.9 million of remaining discontinued products from prior year. We saw significant gross margin expansion and continued our relentless focus on enhancing the product portfolio. At the same time, we introduced exciting new products which we expect to lead to future growth.”

Green continued, “We remain focused on solidifying our base business and expanding recurring revenue by introducing new products, services, and consumables. Our latest product introductions are penetrating exciting high growth adjacencies in bioproduction and advanced cell and organoid applications where we expect to see adoption in research, pharma, and biotech, in addition to high volume industrial applications.”

Financial Results Summary	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
(unaudited, $ in millions except per share data)		2023				2022				2023				2022
Revenues	$	28.2			$	28.4			$	112.3			$	113.3
Gross margin		58.0	%			55.7	%			58.9	%			53.7	%
Operating income (loss) (GAAP)	$	0.3			$	(0.5	)		$	1.9			$	(6.9	)
Adjusted operating income	$	3.3			$	3.4			$	13.1			$	9.5
Net loss (GAAP)	$	(1.8	)		$	(1.7	)		$	(3.4	)		$	(9.5	)
Diluted loss per share (GAAP)	$	(0.04	)		$	(0.04	)		$	(0.08	)		$	(0.23	)
Diluted adjusted earnings per share	$	0.04			$	0.04			$	0.14			$	0.12
Adjusted EBITDA	$	3.6			$	3.7			$	14.6			$	10.8
Adjusted EBITDA margin		13.0	%			13.0	%			13.0	%			9.6	%
Cash flow provided by operations	$	4.3			$	2.7			$	14.0			$	1.2
Debt, including unamortized deferred financing costs									$	36.6			$	46.8
Net debt (non-GAAP)									$	32.8			$	43.2
Net leverage ratio (non-GAAP) (1)										2.3				4.0

(1) Net leverage ratio is defined as our net debt divided by our trailing twelve-month adjusted EBITDA as defined in our credit agreement. For more information, please refer to the reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures included in the appendix to this press release.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company reported revenues of $28.2 million compared to $28.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 and included a net reduction of $0.9 million from discontinued products from the fourth quarter of 2022. Gross margin for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was 58.0% compared with 55.7% in the comparable quarter of the prior year.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $(1.8) million and included an unfavorable impact of a $(0.3) million unrealized loss on marketable securities. This compares to net loss of $(1.7) million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $3.6 million, compared to $3.7 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year.

Cash provided by operations for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $4.3 million compared to $2.7 million in the same period last year. Debt was reduced by $2.3 million during the quarter.

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Highlights

For the year ended December 31, 2023, revenues were $112.3 million, compared to $113.3 million in the same period a year ago. Revenues for the year include a net reduction of $5.0 million from discontinued products compared to 2022. Gross margin was 58.9% compared to 53.7% in the prior year. Gross margins in the prior year included the impact of a $1.5 million inventory charge related to the discontinued products.

Full year net loss was $(3.4) million, including an unfavorable $(0.6) million unrealized loss on marketable securities, compared to a net loss of $(9.5) million in the prior year, which included the aforementioned inventory charges. Adjusted EBITDA was $14.6 million, compared to $10.8 million in 2022.

Cash provided by operations in the year was $14.0 million compared to $1.2 million in the prior year. Debt was reduced by $10.5 million during the year.

2024 Guidance

For the full year 2024 we expect flat to modest revenue growth. We expect weakness in the first half versus a strong prior year comparison. We also expect strong second half growth versus both first half of 2024 and second half of 2023, supported by new product commercializations and expected improvements in Chinese market conditions. In addition, we expect further gross margin expansion in the full year 2024 to approximately 60% compared to 59% in 2023 and adjusted EBITDA margin improving to the mid-teens compared to 13% in 2023.

This press release includes certain financial information presented on an adjusted, or non-GAAP, basis. For additional information on the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release, please see “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information” and “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

Webcast and Conference Call Details

In conjunction with this announcement, Harvard Bioscience will be hosting a conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A presentation that will be referenced during the webcast will be posted to our Investor Relations website shortly before the webcast begins.

Analysts who want to join the call and ask a question must register here. Once registered, you will receive the dial-in numbers and a unique PIN number.

Participants who want to join the audio-only webcast should go to our events and presentations on the investor website here.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

In this press release, we have included non-GAAP financial information, including one or more of adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, diluted adjusted earnings (loss) per share, net debt and net leverage ratio. We believe that this non- GAAP financial information provides investors with an enhanced understanding of the underlying operations of the business. For the periods presented, these non-GAAP financial measures have excluded certain expenses and income resulting from items that we do not believe are representative of the underlying operations of the business. Items excluded include stock-based compensation, amortization of intangibles related to acquisitions, litigation settlement, restructuring and other costs, unrealized gain/loss on equity securities, income taxes, and. the tax impact of the reconciling items. Management believes that this non-GAAP financial information is important in comparing current results with prior period results and is useful to investors and financial analysts in assessing the Company’s operating performance.

Non-GAAP historical financial statement information included herein is accompanied by a reconciliation to the nearest corresponding GAAP measure which is included as exhibits below in this press release.

With respect to non-GAAP forward-looking measures, we provide an outlook for adjusted EBITDA margin. Many of the items that we exclude from this forward-looking measure calculation are less capable of being controlled or reliably predicted by management. These items could cause the forward-looking measures presented in our outlook statements to vary materially from our GAAP results.

The non-GAAP financial information provided in this press release should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, the financial information provided and presented in accordance with GAAP and may be different than other companies’ non-GAAP financial information.

About Harvard Bioscience

Harvard Bioscience, Inc. is a leading developer, manufacturer and seller of technologies, products and services that enable fundamental advances in life science applications, including research, pharmaceutical and therapy discovery, bio-production and preclinical testing for pharmaceutical and therapy development. Our customers range from renowned academic institutions and government laboratories to the world’s leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology and contract research organizations. With operations in the United States, Europe, and China, we sell through a combination of direct and distribution channels to customers around the world.
For more information, please visit our website at www.harvardbioscience.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions or statements that do not relate to historical matters. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, information concerning expected future financial and operational performance including revenues, gross margins, earnings, cash and debt position, growth and the introduction of new products, and the strength of the Company’s market position and business model. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown uncertainties, risks, assumptions, and contingencies, many of which are outside the Company’s control. Risks and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those described its forward-looking statements include those described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this document. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

Investor Inquiries:

Harvard Bioscience, Inc.
Investor Relations
investors@harvardbioscience.com
(508) 893-3120

HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
	Revenues	$	28,153			$	28,427			$	112,250			$	113,335
	Cost of revenues		11,828				12,594				46,179				52,516
	Gross profit		16,325				15,833				66,071				60,819
	Operating expenses:
	Sales and marketing expenses		6,220				5,948				24,108				25,041
	General and administrative expenses		5,286				5,863				22,780				24,493
	Research and development expenses		3,150				2,849				11,764				12,329
	Amortization of intangible assets		1,387				1,630				5,525				6,122
	Litigation settlement		-				-				-				(233	)
	Total operating expenses		16,043				16,290				64,177				67,752
	Operating income (loss)		282				(457	)			1,894				(6,933	)
	Other (expense) income:
	Interest expense		(794	)			(900	)			(3,591	)			(2,548	)
	Unrealized loss on equity securities		(259	)			-				(632	)			-
	Other (expense) income, net		(332	)			465				(227	)			302
	Total other expense		(1,385	)			(435	)			(4,450	)			(2,246	)
	Loss before income taxes		(1,103	)			(892	)			(2,556	)			(9,179	)
	Income tax expense		715				774				859				337
	Net loss	$	(1,818	)		$	(1,666	)		$	(3,415	)		$	(9,516	)
	Loss per common share:
	Basic and diluted	$	(0.04	)		$	(0.04	)		$	(0.08	)		$	(0.23	)
	Weighted-average common shares:
	Basic and diluted		42,710				42,102				42,420				41,413

HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited, in thousands)
		December 31,
		2023				2022
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,283			$	4,508
	Accounts receivable, net		16,099				16,705
	Inventories		24,716				26,439
	Other current assets		3,940				3,472
	Total current assets		49,038				51,124
	Property, plant and equipment		3,981				3,366
	Goodwill and other intangibles		73,101				77,274
	Other long-term assets		11,246				13,596
	Total assets	$	137,366			$	145,360
	Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
	Current portion, long-term debt	$	5,859			$	3,811
	Other current liabilities		20,683				19,438
	Total current liabilities		26,542				23,249
	Long-term debt, net		30,704				43,013
	Other long-term liabilities		7,046				6,878
	Stockholders’ equity		73,074				72,220
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	137,366			$	145,360

HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited, in thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net loss	$	(1,818	)		$	(1,666	)		$	(3,415	)		$	(9,516	)
	Adjustments to operating cash flows		3,732				2,787				12,843				7,952
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities		2,389				1,558				4,600				2,716
	Net cash provided by operating activities		4,303				2,679				14,028				1,152
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Additions to property, plant and equipment		(830	)			(235	)			(1,788	)			(1,590	)
	Acquisition of intangible assets		(231	)			-				(523	)			-
	Proceeds from sale of product line		-				-				512				-
	Net cash used in investing activities		(1,061	)			(235	)			(1,799	)			(1,590	)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Borrowing from revolving line of credit		1,000				-				4,500				7,800
	Repayment of revolving line of credit		(2,500	)			(1,750	)			(10,950	)			(6,400	)
	Repayment of term debt		(750	)			(750	)			(4,091	)			(3,186	)
	Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options and purchases		206				231				930				577
	Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards		(2,072	)			(461	)			(2,523	)			(1,628	)
	Net cash used in financing activities		(4,116	)			(2,730	)			(12,134	)			(2,837	)
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(183	)			(350	)			(320	)			(38	)
	Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(1,057	)			(636	)			(225	)			(3,313	)
	Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period		5,340				5,144				4,508				7,821
	Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	$	4,283			$	4,508			$	4,283			$	4,508

	HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC.
	Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)
	(in thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
	GAAP operating income (loss)	$	282			$	(457	)		$	1,894			$	(6,933	)
	Stock-based compensation		1,382				1,010				5,000				4,411
	Acquired asset amortization		1,394				1,648				5,561				6,236
	Restructuring & other		207				1,168				656				6,016
	Litigation settlement		-				-				-				(233	)
	Adjusted operating income	$	3,265			$	3,369			$	13,111			$	9,497
	Operating margin		1.0	%			-1.6	%			1.7	%			-6.1	%
	Adjusted operating margin		11.6	%			11.9	%			11.7	%			8.4	%
	GAAP net loss	$	(1,818	)		$	(1,666	)		$	(3,415	)		$	(9,516	)
	Stock-based compensation		1,382				1,010				5,000				4,411
	Acquired asset amortization		1,394				1,648				5,561				6,236
	Restructuring & other		207				1,068				253				5,836
	Litigation settlement		-				-				-				(233	)
	Unrealized loss on equity securities		258				-				632				-
	Income taxes		315				(281	)			(1,604	)			(1,689	)
	Adjusted net income		1,738				1,779				6,427				5,045
	Depreciation		386				314				1,440				1,338
	Interest and other expense, net		1,126				536				4,221				2,426
	Adjusted income taxes (1)		400				1,054				2,463				2,026
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	3,650			$	3,683			$	14,551			$	10,835
	Adjusted EBITDA margin		13.0	%			13.0	%			13.0	%			9.6	%
	Diluted loss per share (GAAP)	$	(0.04	)		$	(0.04	)		$	(0.08	)		$	(0.23	)
	Diluted adjusted earnings per share	$	0.04			$	0.04			$	0.14			$	0.12
	Weighted-average common shares:
	Diluted GAAP		42,710				42,102				42,420				41,413
	Diluted Adjusted		44,819				42,740				44,361				42,682
										December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
	Debt, including unamortized deferred financing costs									$	36,563			$	46,824
	Unamortized deferred financing costs										560				840
	Cash and cash equivalents										(4,283	)			(4,508	)
	Net debt									$	32,840			$	43,156
	Net leverage ratio (2)										2.3				4.0
	(1) Adjusted income taxes includes the tax effect of adjusting for the reconciling items using the tax rates in the jurisdictions in which the reconciling items arise.
	(2) Net leverage ratio is defined herein as net debt divided by our trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA as defined in our credit agreement and as shown above.

FAQ

What were Harvard Bioscience's (HBIO) Q4 revenues and gross margin?

Harvard Bioscience reported Q4 revenues of $28.2 million with a gross margin of 58.0%.

What was Harvard Bioscience's (HBIO) operating income in Q4?

Harvard Bioscience had an operating income of $0.3 million in Q4.

What was the debt reduction amount announced by Harvard Bioscience (HBIO)?

Harvard Bioscience announced a debt reduction of $10.5 million.

What new markets did Harvard Bioscience (HBIO) target with its new products?

Harvard Bioscience introduced new products targeting high-growth adjacencies in bioproduction and advanced cell and organoid applications.

What is Harvard Bioscience's (HBIO) focus for expanding recurring revenue?

Harvard Bioscience is focused on expanding recurring revenue through new products, services, and consumables.