OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION REPORTS SECOND QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 2025 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Rhea-AI Summary

Optical Cable Corporation (OCC) reported Q2 FY2025 financial results showing improved performance. Net sales increased 8.9% to $17.5M compared to Q2 FY2024, with international sales up 27.1% and domestic sales up 4.6%. Gross profit rose 32.1% to $5.3M, with gross margin improving to 30.4% from 25.1% year-over-year. The company's order backlog grew to $7.2M. Despite these improvements, OCC recorded a net loss of $698,000 ($0.09 per share), better than the $1.6M loss in Q2 FY2024. For the first half of FY2025, net sales were up 7.5% to $33.3M, though the company posted a net loss of $1.8M ($0.23 per share). The company cited strong execution, operating leverage, and positive industry trends, particularly in military markets, as key drivers of improvement.

Positive

• Net sales increased 8.9% YoY to $17.5M in Q2 FY2025
• Gross profit rose significantly by 32.1% to $5.3M
• Gross profit margin improved to 30.4% from 25.1% YoY
• International sales showed strong growth of 27.1%
• Order backlog increased to $7.2M from $5.7M in Q4 2024
• Net loss narrowed to $698,000 from $1.6M in Q2 FY2024

Negative

• Company still reported a net loss of $698,000 in Q2 FY2025
• SG&A expenses increased to $5.7M from $5.3M YoY
• First half FY2025 showed continued net losses of $1.8M
• Interest expenses remain significant at $249,000 for the quarter

Insights

Financial Analyst

OCC shows improved sales and margins but remains unprofitable; sequential improvement signals potential turnaround underway.

OCC's Q2 fiscal 2025 results show meaningful operational improvement despite ongoing profitability challenges. Net sales increased 8.9% year-over-year to $17.5 million, driven primarily by a 27.1% jump in international sales and strengthening military market demand. The growing sales order backlog of $7.2 million (up from $5.7 million in October 2024) suggests continued momentum.

The most impressive metric is the gross profit margin expansion to 30.4% from 25.1% in the prior year quarter - a 530 basis point improvement that demonstrates significant operating leverage kicking in at higher production volumes. This operating leverage is critical for OCC's path to profitability.

While the company still posted a net loss of $698,000 ($0.09 per share), this represents a 56.4% reduction from the $1.6 million loss in Q2 2024. Sequential improvement is equally noteworthy, with sales up 11.5% and gross profit increasing 15.3% compared to Q1 2025.

The balance sheet shows some concerning elements - cash remains tight at just $894,000, although this represents an improvement from $244,000 at fiscal year-end 2024. The company maintains substantial inventory of $19.1 million, which could provide flexibility but also ties up capital.

SG&A expenses increased to $5.7 million, primarily due to higher employee costs and shipping expenses. This 8.0% year-over-year increase in SG&A nearly matches the 8.9% sales growth, indicating the company hasn't yet achieved meaningful operational scale to leverage its fixed cost structure beyond manufacturing.

The continued strength in military markets and international sales growth suggest OCC is finding traction in specialty markets where its products can command premium positioning. If the company can maintain this sales trajectory while controlling SG&A costs, the significant gross margin improvements should eventually translate to profitability.

Net Sales and Gross Profit Increased in Both the Second Quarter and First Half of Fiscal 2025 Compared to Same Periods in Prior Year

ROANOKE, Va., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Optical Cable Corporation (Nasdaq GM: OCC) ("OCC^®" or the "Company") today announced financial results for its second quarter of fiscal year 2025 ended April 30, 2025.

Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Consolidated net sales for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 increased 8.9% to $17.5 million, compared to $16.1 million for the same period in the prior year. OCC experienced an increase in net sales in its specialty markets during the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, while its enterprise markets were relatively stable. The Company continues to see general market improvement, including strengthening in OCC's military markets.

Net sales to customers outside of the United States increased 27.1% and net sales to customers in the United States increased 4.6% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, compared to the same period last year. At the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Company's sales order backlog/forward load increased to $7.2 million compared to $6.6 million as of January 31, 2025, and $5.7 million as of October 31, 2024.

Sequentially, the Company's net sales increased 11.5% during the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, compared to net sales of $15.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. OCC experienced sales increases in both its enterprise and specialty markets during the second quarter, compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Gross profit increased 32.1%, or $1.3 million, to $5.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, compared to $4.0 million for the same period in fiscal year 2024, a result of production efficiencies created by increased volumes and the related positive impact of OCC's operating leverage. This operating leverage positively impacted the Company's gross profit margin during both the second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2025, when compared to the same periods last year.

Sequentially, gross profit increased 15.3% during the second quarter of fiscal 2025, compared to $4.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

Gross profit margin, or gross profit as a percentage of net sales, increased to 30.4% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, compared to 25.1% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, and compared to 29.4% for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

SG&A expenses increased to $5.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, compared to $5.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, primarily due to increases in employee and contracted sales personnel-related costs and shipping costs.

For the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, OCC recorded a net loss of $698,000, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.6 million, or $0.21 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Fiscal Year-to-Date 2025 Financial Results

Consolidated net sales for the first half of fiscal year 2025 were $33.3 million, an increase of 7.5% compared to net sales of $31.0 million for the first half of fiscal year 2024, with sales increases experienced in both the Company's enterprise and specialty markets.

Net sales to customers outside of the United States increased 24.3% and net sales to customers in the United States increased 3.5% in the first half of fiscal year 2025, compared to the same period last year.

Net sales for the first half of fiscal year 2025 were positively impacted by general market improvements, including particular strength in OCC's military markets.

OCC reported gross profit of $10.0 million in the first half of fiscal year 2025, an increase of 28.5% compared to gross profit of $7.8 million in the first half of fiscal year 2024. Gross profit margin was 29.9% in the first half of fiscal year 2025 compared to 25.0% for the same period in fiscal year 2024.

SG&A expenses increased 7.6% to $11.2 million during the first half of fiscal year 2025, compared to $10.4 million for the first half of fiscal year 2024, primarily as a result of increases in employee and contracted sales personnel-related costs and shipping costs.

OCC recorded a net loss of $1.8 million, or $0.23 per basic and diluted share, for the first half of fiscal year 2025, compared to a net loss of $3.0 million, or $0.39 per basic and diluted share, for the first half of fiscal year 2024.

Management's Comments

Neil Wilkin, President and Chief Executive Officer of OCC, said, "During the second quarter, the OCC team delivered net sales growth and gross profit growth—on both a year-over-year and a sequential basis. Strong execution by the OCC team coupled with our significant operating leverage also enabled us to deliver improved gross profit margins as we realized improved manufacturing efficiencies over higher production volumes. More broadly, we continue to see positive industry trends from which we believe OCC will continue to benefit as the year progresses. As we look ahead to the second half of the year, we remain focused on disciplined execution and capitalizing on opportunities to drive shareholder value."

Conference Call Information

As previously announced, OCC will host a conference call today, June 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Individuals wishing to participate in the conference call should call (800) 267-6316 in the U.S. or (203) 518-9783 internationally, Conference ID: OCCQ225. For interested individuals unable to join the call, a replay will be available through Thursday, June 12, 2025, by dialing (800) 839-5324 or (402) 220-1521. The call will also be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed by visiting the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.occfiber.com. 

Company Information

Optical Cable Corporation ("OCC^®") is a leading manufacturer of a broad range of fiber optic and copper data communication cabling and connectivity solutions primarily for the enterprise market and various harsh environment and specialty markets (collectively, the non-carrier markets) and also the wireless carrier market, offering integrated suites of high-quality products which operate as a system solution or seamlessly integrate with other components.

OCC^® is internationally recognized for pioneering innovative fiber optic and copper communications technologies, including fiber optic cable designs for the most demanding environments and applications, copper connectivity designs to meet the highest data communication industry standards, as well as a broad product offering built on the evolution of these fundamental technologies.

OCC uses its expertise to deliver cabling and connectivity products and integrated solutions that are best suited to the performance requirements of each end-user's application. And OCC's solutions offerings cover a broad range of applications—from commercial, enterprise network, datacenter, residential and campus installations to customized products for specialty applications and harsh environments, including military, industrial, mining, petrochemical and broadcast applications, as well as for the wireless carrier market.

Founded in 1983, OCC is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia with offices, manufacturing and warehouse facilities located in Roanoke, Virginia, near Asheville, North Carolina and near Dallas, Texas. OCC's facilities are ISO 9001:2015 registered and its Dallas facility is MIL-STD-790G certified.

Optical Cable Corporation™, OCC^®, Procyon^®, Superior Modular Products™, SMP Data Communications™, Applied Optical Systems™, and associated logos are trademarks of Optical Cable Corporation.

Further information about OCC^® is available at www.occfiber.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release by Optical Cable Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company" or "OCC") may contain certain forward-looking information within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The forward-looking information may include, among other information, (i) statements concerning our outlook for the future, (ii) statements of belief, anticipation or expectation, (iii) future plans, strategies or anticipated events, and (iv) similar information and statements concerning matters that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown variables, uncertainties, contingencies and risks that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our expectations, and such known and unknown variables, uncertainties, contingencies and risks may also adversely affect Optical Cable Corporation and its subsidiaries, the Company's future results of operations and future financial condition, and/or the future equity value of the Company. A partial list of such variables, uncertainties, contingencies and risks that could cause or contribute to such differences from our expectations or that could otherwise adversely affect Optical Cable Corporation and its subsidiaries is set forth in Optical Cable Corporation's quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the heading "Forward-Looking Information." OCC's quarterly and annual reports are available to the public on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In providing forward-looking information, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update this information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by applicable laws and regulations.

AT THE COMPANY:
Neil Wilkin	Tracy Smith
Chairman, President & CEO	Senior Vice President & CFO
(540) 265-0690	(540) 265-0690
investorrelations@occfiber.com	investorrelations@occfiber.com
AT JOELE FRANK, WILKINSON BRIMMER KATCHER:
Aaron Palash	Spencer Hoffman
(212) 355-4449 ext. 8603	(212) 355-4449 ext. 8928
occ-jfwbk@joelefrank.com	occ-jfwbk@joelefrank.com

(Financial Tables Follow)

OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	April 30,				April 30,
	2025		2024		2025		2024
Net sales	$    17,550		$    16,112		$    33,292		$    30,967
Cost of goods sold	12,215		12,073		23,331		23,215
Gross profit	5,335		4,039		9,961		7,752
SG&A expenses	5,743		5,319		11,203		10,413
Royalty expense, net	7		7		13		13
Amortization of intangible assets	14		14		27		27
Income (loss) from operations	(429)		(1,301)		(1,282)		(2,701)
Interest expense, net	(249)		(281)		(513)		(579)
Gain on insurance proceeds, net	⸺		⸺		⸺		219
Other, net	(5)		(12)		16		49
Other income (expense), net	(254)		(293)		(497)		(311)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(683)		(1,594)		(1,779)		(3,012)
Income tax expense	15		7		26		15
Net income (loss)	$      (698)		$   (1,601)		$   (1,805)		$   (3,027)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic and diluted	$    (0.09)		$    (0.21)		$     (0.23)		$     (0.39)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	7,798		7,711		7,810		7,732

 

OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(thousands)
(unaudited)
	April 30,		October 31,
	2025		2024
Cash	$              894		$              244
Trade accounts receivable, net	9,113		10,946
Inventories	19,058		18,725
Other current assets	528		685
Total current assets	29,593		30,600
Non-current assets	9,480		9,758
Total assets	$         39,073		$         40,358
Current liabilities	$         15,675		$         15,144
Non-current liabilities	4,283		4,372
Total liabilities	19,958		19,516
Total shareholders' equity	19,115		20,842
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$         39,073		$         40,358

 

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SOURCE Optical Cable Corporation

FAQ

What were OCC's Q2 2025 earnings per share?

OCC reported a net loss of $0.09 per basic and diluted share for Q2 2025, compared to a loss of $0.21 per share in Q2 2024.

How much did Optical Cable Corporation's revenue grow in Q2 2025?

OCC's net sales increased 8.9% to $17.5 million in Q2 2025, compared to $16.1 million in the same period last year.

What was OCC's gross profit margin in Q2 2025?

OCC's gross profit margin increased to 30.4% in Q2 2025, up from 25.1% in Q2 2024.

How much is Optical Cable Corporation's current order backlog?

OCC's sales order backlog increased to $7.2 million at the end of Q2 2025, up from $6.6 million in January 2025.

What was OCC's international sales growth in Q2 2025?

OCC's net sales to customers outside of the United States increased 27.1% in Q2 2025 compared to the same period last year.