InterDigital Announces Financial Results for First Quarter 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

InterDigital, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC) announced its first quarter 2024 financial results, showing a 30% increase in revenue year-over-year, reaching $264 million. The company reported record revenue from Consumer Electronics and IoT licensing, with a landmark agreement with Samsung totaling nearly $2.7 billion over three years. The company reaffirmed its full-year 2024 revenue guidance of $620-$670 million. Despite revenue growth, net income and EPS declined compared to Q1 2023.

Positive

• InterDigital saw a significant increase in revenue, driven by new license agreements and its Consumer Electronics and IoT licensing programs, reaching $264 million in Q1 2024.

• The company secured a landmark consumer electronics agreement with Samsung, contributing to agreements totaling almost $2.7 billion over the last three years, providing a strong foundation for future growth opportunities.

• InterDigital reaffirmed its full-year 2024 revenue guidance of $620-$670 million, indicating confidence in sustained growth and business performance.

Negative

• Despite the revenue growth, net income and EPS declined in Q1 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, showcasing potential challenges in profitability and earnings performance.

• The operating expenses increased significantly year-over-year, rising to $159.8 million in Q1 2024, posing a potential concern for cost management and efficiency.

Financial Analyst

Breaking down InterDigital's Q1 2024 financial results, the revenue spike of 30% year-over-year is notable, largely attributed to new licensing agreements. However, the devil is in the details. The surge in operating expenses by 92% is a red flag, potentially overshadowing the revenue growth. This has directly impacted net income, which saw a decrease of 22%. Recurring revenues dipped by 5%, suggesting some volatility in predictable cash flows. Conversely, 'catch-up revenues', which are payments made to reconcile previous underpayments, have inflated the revenue. This is not sustainable growth but a one-off boost. Furthermore, the pronounced decline in smartphone revenue by 57% counters the substantial gain in the CE, IoT/Auto segment. While diversification is key, reliance on sporadic revenue increases from catch-up payments may not be ideal for stability. The reaffirmed full-year guidance is a positive signal, but investors should be cautious of the significant operating expense and the reliance on inconsistent revenue streams.

Market Research Analyst

InterDigital's landmark deal with Samsung and impressive growth in the CE and IoT sectors indicates their strategic positioning within the broader tech ecosystem. The company seems to be shifting its dependence from smartphones towards consumer electronics and IoT, which could be a smart move considering the burgeoning IoT space. However, this transition also comes with risks, such as the potential for market saturation and technology obsolescence. The reliance on 'catch-up revenues' inflating this quarter's success story could lead to challenging comparisons in future quarters. As the tech market is rapidly evolving, investors should monitor whether InterDigital can maintain its momentum through continuous innovation and additional growth opportunities. Observing competitors' responses and market adoption of new technologies will be key in evaluating the company's long-term potential.

Investment Risk Analyst

From a risk assessment perspective, the volatility in InterDigital's revenue streams, particularly the shift from smartphone to CE and IoT revenues, suggests a strategic pivot that could have long-term implications. However, the short-term impact has resulted in a mixed financial performance. The significant rise in operating expenses is concerning and could be indicative of increased investment in R&D or possibly less favorable cost management. The latter could erode profit margins over time if not kept in check. The company's share repurchase and dividend declaration indicate a confidence in its cash flow, a positive for shareholder returns. Nevertheless, investors should weigh the potential risks associated with the substantial operational changes reflected in the financials and the possibility of over-reliance on non-recurring 'catch-up revenues'.

New license agreements drive 30% increase in YoY revenue and record quarter for Consumer Electronics

Company reaffirms full year 2024 guidance

WILMINGTON, Del., May 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  InterDigital, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC), a mobile, video, and AI technology research and development company, today announced results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

"InterDigital made significant progress in first quarter towards our 2024 revenue guidance of $620 million to $670 million,” commented Liren Chen, President and CEO, InterDigital. “Revenue was $264 million for the quarter, one of the highest quarters in our history, and included an all-time high for our CE and IoT licensing program. With our landmark consumer electronics agreement with Samsung, we signed agreements with a cumulative value of almost $2.7 billion over the last three years, giving us an incredibly strong base from which to drive additional growth opportunities.”

First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights, as compared to First Quarter 2023:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in millions, except per share data)	2024		2023		Change
GAAP Results:
Revenues	$263.5		$202.4		30%
Operating Expenses (a)	$159.8		$83.1		92%
Net income 1	$81.7		$105.3		(22)%
Net income 1 margin	31%		52%		(21) ppt
Diluted EPS 1	$2.88		$3.58		(20)%
Non-GAAP Results:
Adjusted EBITDA 2	$130.4		$154.8		(16)%
Adjusted EBITDA margin 2	49%		76%		(27) ppt
Non-GAAP Net income 3	$94.5		$123.6		(24)%
Non-GAAP EPS 3	$3.58		$4.21		(15)%
Additional Information:
Revenue by type:
Recurring revenues	$96.9		$101.6		(5)%
Catch-up revenues	$166.7		$100.8		65%
Revenue by program:
Smartphone	$80.3		$186.2		(57)%
CE, IoT/Auto	$182.5		$16.1		1,035%
Other	$0.7		$0.1		1,184%
(a) Includes revenue share costs of $69.0 million and $1.1 million in first quarter 2024 and 2023, respectively.

    

Return of Capital to Shareholders

(in millions, except per share data)

Share Repurchases

Dividends Declared

Total Return of Capital

Shares

Value

Per Share

Value

First quarter 2024

0.3

$29.0

$0.40

$10.2

$39.2

Near Term Outlook

The Company has reaffirmed its full year 2024 outlook and provided an initial outlook for second quarter 2024 in the table below. The outlook for second quarter 2024 is based on existing licenses only, and any new agreements that might be reached over the balance of the second quarter would be additive. The outlook for full year 2024 includes both existing licenses and the potential for new agreements over the balance of the year.

(in millions, except per share data)	Q2 2024		Full Year 2024
Revenue	$93 - $97		$620 - $670
Adjusted EBITDA 2(a)	$35.5 - $38.0		$310 - $345
Diluted EPS 1(a)	$0.20 - $0.30		$4.95 - $6.15
Non-GAAP EPS 3(a)	$0.70 - $0.80		$7.45 - $8.76
(a) Includes revenue share costs of $3 million for Q2 2024 and $80 million to $90 million for full year 2024.

Conference Call Information

InterDigital will host a conference call on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss its first quarter 2024 financial performance and other company matters.

For a live Internet webcast of the conference call, visit www.interdigital.com and click on the “Webcast” link on the Investors page. The company encourages participants to take advantage of the Internet option.

For telephone access to the conference call, visit www.interdigital.com and click on the “Dial In Registration” link on the Investors page. Registration is necessary to obtain a dial in phone number and PIN to join.

An Internet replay of the conference call will be available on InterDigital’s website under Events in the Investors section. The replay will be available for one year.

About InterDigital^®

InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence (“AI”), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital cellular systems to 5G and today’s most advanced Wi-Fi technologies. We are also a leader in video processing and video encoding/decoding technology, with a significant AI research effort that intersects with both wireless and video technologies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on Nasdaq.

InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc.

For more information, visit the InterDigital website: www.interdigital.com.

For additional financial measures, refer to our first quarter 2024 Form 10-Q and the financial metrics tracker, which are available on the Investor Relations section of our website.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include information regarding our current beliefs, plans and expectations. Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “forecast,” “goal,” “could,” "would," "should," "if," "may," "might," "future," "target," "trend," "seek to," "will continue," "predict," "likely," "in the event," and variations of any such words or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are made on the basis of management’s current views and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, and actual events that occur, to differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) unanticipated delays, difficulties or accelerations in the execution of patent license agreements; (ii) the resolution of current legal proceedings, including any awards or judgments relating to such proceedings, additional or related legal proceedings, including appeals, changes in the schedules or costs associated with such proceedings or adverse rulings; (iii) our ability to leverage our strategic relationships and secure new patent license agreements on acceptable terms; (iv) our ability to enter into sales and/or licensing partnering arrangements for certain of our patent assets; (v) our ability to expand our revenue opportunities by entering into licensing arrangements with video streaming and other cloud-based service providers; (vi) our ability to enter into partnerships with leading inventors and research organizations and identify and acquire technology and patent portfolios that align with our roadmap; (vii) our ability to commercialize our technologies and enter into customer agreements; (viii) the failure of the markets for our current or new technologies to materialize to the extent or at the rate that we expect; (ix) our continued ability to develop new technologies and secure new patents, including the risk of unexpected delays or difficulties related to the development of our technologies; (x) risks associated with our capital allocation strategies, including risks associated with our planned dividend payments and share repurchases; (xi) changes in our interpretations of, and assumptions and calculations with respect to the impact on us of, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as further guidance that may be issued regarding such act; (xii) risks related to the potential impact of new accounting standards on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows; (xiii) failure to accurately forecast the impact of our restructuring activities on our financial statements and our business; (xiv) the timing and impact of potential administrative and legislative matters; (xv) changes or inaccuracies in market projections; (xvi) our ability to obtain liquidity though debt and equity financings; (xvii) the potential effects that macroeconomic uncertainty could have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows; (xviii) impacts from acts of terrorism, war or political or civil unrest, or any responses thereto, in the United States or elsewhere; (xix) changes in our business strategy; (xx) changes or inaccuracies in our expectations with respect to royalty payments by our customers and (xxi) risks related to our assumptions and application of relevant accounting standards, including with respect to revenue recognition.

We undertake no duty to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as otherwise required by law.

Footnotes

1        Throughout this press release, net income and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) are attributable to InterDigital, Inc. (e.g., after adjustments for non-controlling interests), unless otherwise stated. Net income margin is net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc. over total revenues.

2        Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures that InterDigital believes provide investors with important insight into the Company's ongoing business performance. InterDigital defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to InterDigital Inc. plus net loss attributable to non-controlling interest, income tax (provision) benefit, other income (expense) & interest expense, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, and other items. Other items include restructuring costs, impairment charges and other non-recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA over total revenues. These non-GAAP financial measures used by the company may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies. The presentation of these financial measures, which are not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is provided below.

3        Non-GAAP net income, Non-GAAP EPS, and Non-GAAP weighted-average diluted shares are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures that InterDigital believes provides investors with important insight into the Company's ongoing business performance. InterDigital defines Non-GAAP net income as net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc. plus share-based compensation, acquisition related amortization, depreciation and amortization, restructuring costs, impairment charges and one-time adjustments, losses on extinguishments of long-term debt, the related income tax effect of the preceding items, and adjustments to income taxes. Non-GAAP EPS is defined as Non-GAAP net income divided by Non-GAAP weighted average diluted shares, which adjusts the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the dilutive effect of the Company's convertible notes, offset by our hedging arrangements. InterDigital’s computation of these non-GAAP financial measures might not be comparable to similarly named measures reported by other companies. The presentation of these financial measures, which are not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of each of these metrics to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is provided below.

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (in thousands except per share data) (unaudited)
	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
		2024				2023
Revenues	$	263,542			$	202,373
Operating expenses:
Research and portfolio development		49,375				49,429
Licensing		96,589				21,368
General and administrative		13,840				12,315
Total operating expenses		159,804				83,112
Income from operations		103,738				119,261
Interest expense		(11,922	)			(12,087	)
Other income, net		9,247				13,191
Income before income taxes		101,063				120,365
Income tax provision		(19,411	)			(16,845	)
Net income	$	81,652			$	103,520
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		—				(1,739	)
Net income attributable to InterDigital Inc.	$	81,652			$	105,259
Net income per common share — Basic	$	3.20			$	3.66
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — Basic		25,510				28,780
Net income per common share — Diluted	$	2.88			$	3.58
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — Diluted		28,341				29,372
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.40			$	0.35

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (in thousands) (unaudited)
	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
		2024				2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	81,652			$	103,520
Non-cash adjustments		8,459				(4,004	)
Working capital changes		(39,338	)			(127,368	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		50,773				(27,852	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments		24,616				(5,982	)
Capitalized patent costs and purchases of property and equipment		(9,417	)			(8,481	)
Long-term investments		1,576				—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		16,775				(14,463	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock		(28,868	)			(203,381	)
Dividends paid		(10,226	)			(10,384	)
Other		(10,225	)			(4,371	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(49,319	)			(218,136	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		18,229				(260,451	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period		442,961				703,161
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	461,190			$	442,710

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) (unaudited)
	MARCH 31, 2024			DECEMBER 31, 2023
Assets
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	$	984,635		$	1,006,356
Accounts receivable		145,629			117,292
Prepaid and other current assets		85,172			43,976
Property & equipment and patents, net		318,216			324,567
Other long-term assets, net		273,369			278,623
Total assets	$	1,807,021		$	1,770,814
Liabilities and Shareholders' equity
Current portion of long-term debt	$	579,369		$	578,752
Current deferred revenue		155,966			153,597
Other current liabilities		168,484			148,779
Long-term deferred revenue		193,955			223,866
Long-term debt & other long-term liabilities		84,956			84,271
Total liabilities		1,182,730			1,189,265
Total shareholders' equity		624,291			581,549
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,807,021		$	1,770,814

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
The table below presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc., the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:
	For the Three Months Ended March 31,							Outlook
	(in thousands)							(in millions)
		2024			2023			Q2 2024		Full Year 2024
Net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc.	$	81,652		$	105,259			$5.5 - $8.0		$140 - $175
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		—			(1,739	)		—		—
Income tax provision		19,411			16,845			1.5		40 - 50
Other income (expense) & interest expense		2,675			(1,104	)		0.5		5 - 15
Depreciation and amortization		17,240			19,526			18.0		73
Share-based compensation		9,386			7,790			10.0		42
Other items (a)		—			8,237			—		—
Adjusted EBITDA 2	$	130,364		$	154,814			$35.5 - $38.0		$310 - $345
(a)    Other items in the above table includes a $5.7 million one-time charge for a net litigation fee reimbursement and a $2.5 million one-time impairment on our patents held for sale during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

The table below presents a reconciliation of Non-GAAP net income to net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc., the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,								Outlook
	(in thousands, except for per share data)								(in millions, except for per share data)
		2024				2023			Q2 2024		Full Year 2024
Net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc.	$	81,652			$	105,259			$5.5 - $8.0		$140 - $175
Share-based compensation		9,386				7,790			10.0		42
Acquisition related amortization		8,421				10,268			8.0		33
Other operating items (a)		—				8,237			—		—
Other non-operating items (b)		674				(158	)		(1.0)		—
Related income tax and noncontrolling interest effect of above items		(3,881	)			(6,739	)		(4.0)		(16)
Adjustments to income taxes		(1,708	)			(1,042	)		—		—
Non-GAAP net income 3	$	94,544			$	123,615			$18.5 - $21.0		$199 - $234
Weighted average dilutive shares - GAAP		28,341				29,372			27.8		28.3
Less: Dilutive impact of the Convertible Notes		1,942				—			1.5		1.6
Weighted average dilutive shares - Non-GAAP 3		26,399				29,372			26.3		26.7
Non-GAAP EPS 3	$	3.58			$	4.21			$0.70 - $0.80		$7.45 - $8.76
(a)    Other items in the above table includes a $5.7 million one-time charge for a net litigation fee reimbursement and a $2.5 million one-time impairment on our patents held for sale during the three months ended March 31, 2023. (b)    Other non-operating items includes net (gains) or losses from observable price changes of our long-term strategic investments.

CONTACT:	InterDigital, Inc.
	Email: investor.relations@interdigital.com
	+1 (302) 300-1857

        

 

FAQ

<p>What were InterDigital's revenues for the first quarter of 2024?</p>

InterDigital reported revenues of $263.5 million for the first quarter of 2024.

<p>What was the change in net income for InterDigital between Q1 2023 and Q1 2024?</p>

InterDigital's net income declined by 22% from $105.3 million in Q1 2023 to $81.7 million in Q1 2024.

<p>What is InterDigital's full-year 2024 revenue guidance?</p>

InterDigital reaffirmed its full-year 2024 revenue guidance of $620-$670 million.