Ultralife Corporation Reports First Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Ultralife Corporation (NASDAQ: ULBI) reported Q1 2025 results with revenue of $50.7 million, up 21% year-over-year. The Battery & Energy Products segment saw a 32.4% increase, while Communications Systems sales declined 36.2%. Gross profit reached $12.7 million (25.1% margin), and operating income was $3.4 million. The company reported GAAP EPS of $0.11, down from $0.18 in Q1 2024. Backlog stands at $95.0 million. The acquisition of Electrochem contributed to growth, while the company implements tariff mitigation strategies and focuses on improving gross margins. Management expressed confidence in delivering sustained profitable growth and reducing acquisition-related debt.

Positive

• Revenue increased 21% YoY to $50.7 million
• Battery & Energy Products sales grew 32.4% with 53.6% increase in government/defense sales
• Gross profit improved to $12.7 million from $11.5 million YoY
• Strong backlog of $95.0 million indicating healthy demand
• Adjusted EBITDA increased to $5.4 million from $5.2 million YoY

Negative

• Communications Systems sales decreased 36.2% YoY
• GAAP EPS declined to $0.11 from $0.18 YoY
• Operating margin decreased to 6.7% from 9.7% YoY
• Medical battery sales decreased 12.3%
• Operating expenses increased to 18.4% of revenue from 17.7% YoY

Insights

Financial Analyst

Ultralife shows mixed Q1 results with 21% revenue growth but margin compression and lower EPS amid challenging Communications Systems segment performance.

Ultralife Corporation's Q1 2025 results present a mixed financial picture. The headline $50.7 million revenue represents impressive 21% year-over-year growth, primarily driven by the Battery & Energy Products segment which grew 32.4%. This growth stems from both the Electrochem acquisition and solid 10.6% organic growth, particularly in government/defense sales which surged 53.6%.

However, this topline strength is offset by concerning trends in profitability metrics. Gross margin contracted to 25.1% from 27.4% in Q1 2024, while operating margin declined to 6.7% from 9.7%. The Communications Systems segment shows particular weakness with a 36.2% revenue decline and margin compression to 29.5% from 35.8%, suggesting significant operational challenges in this division.

GAAP EPS fell to $0.11 from $0.18, a 38.9% decrease despite revenue growth. While Adjusted EBITDA slightly improved to $5.4 million from $5.2 million, it represents a smaller percentage of sales at 10.7% versus 12.5% last year.

The company's backlog of $95.0 million, though down from $102.2 million at the end of Q4 2024, still represents approximately 47% of trailing twelve-month revenue, providing reasonable visibility. Management's focus on tariff mitigation strategies indicates proactive response to supply chain challenges, while inventory reduction of 7% suggests improving operational efficiency.

The integration of Electrochem appears to be proceeding well, with management highlighting potential manufacturing efficiencies through vertical integration. However, investors should monitor whether these synergies materialize in improved margins in coming quarters given the current margin compression despite increased scale.

NEWARK, N.Y., May 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultralife Corporation (NASDAQ: ULBI) reported operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 with the following highlights:

• Sales of $50.7 million compared to $41.9 million for the 2024 first quarter, including a 32.4% increase for Batteries & Energy Products and a 36.2% decrease in Communications Systems sales
• Gross profit of $12.7 million, or 25.1% of revenue, compared to $11.5 million, or 27.4% of revenue, for the 2024 first quarter
• Operating income of $3.4 million, including one-time non-recurring costs and purchase accounting adjustments of $0.4 million, compared to $4.1 million for the 2024 first quarter
• GAAP EPS of $0.11 compared to $0.18 for the 2024 first quarter
• Adjusted EBITDA of $5.4 million compared to $5.2 million for the 2024 first quarter
• Backlog with high confidence orders of $95.0 million compared to $102.2 million exiting the fourth quarter of 2024

“We delivered a strong first quarter with a 21% revenue increase year over year. Robust organic growth in our Battery & Energy Products government/defense sales, coupled with the contribution of Electrochem, compensated for continued delays in the timing of expected larger orders for our Communications Systems segment. We remained focused on improving gross margin, achieving a 90-basis point sequential increase and a 7% inventory reduction, which freed up cash for strategic capital investments. Integration of our Electrochem acquisition continues to progress well, positioning us to capture manufacturing cost efficiencies and savings through U.S.-based vertical integration,” said Mike Manna, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are actively implementing our tariff mitigation plan to manage the operational impact of tariffs across our supply chains. Our plan includes tariff surcharges, adjusting inventory movements, and reviewing sourcing and manufacturing locations.”

Mr. Manna concluded, “We are confident in our ability to deliver and sustain profitable growth, generating incremental cash flow to reduce acquisition-related debt, and continuing to invest in strategic product development. Our strong backlog replenishment this quarter, combined with a growing pipeline of innovative products targeting high-growth markets, positions us to scale efficiently and capitalize on market demand. With enhanced sales and marketing leadership in place, we’re accelerating organic growth and maximizing the value of our global brand and resources.”

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Revenue was $50.7 million, an increase of $8.8 million, or 21.0%, as compared to revenue of $41.9 million for the first quarter of 2024. Battery & Energy Products sales increased 32.4% to $46.3 million compared to $35.0 million last year reflecting the inclusion of Electrochem Solutions, Inc. (“Electrochem”) and organic growth of 10.6%. The organic growth was primarily driven by a 53.6% increase in government/defense sales, partially offset by a 12.3% decrease in medical battery sales. Communications Systems sales decreased by 36.2% to $4.4 million compared to $6.9 million for the same period last year, primarily attributable to shipments in the prior year of integrated systems of amplifiers and radio vehicle mounts to a major international defense contractor. Our total backlog and high-confidence orders exiting the first quarter was $95.0 million compared to $102.2 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2024, indicative of the strong replenishment rate.

Gross profit was $12.7 million, or 25.1% of revenue, compared to $11.5 million, or 27.4% of revenue, for the same quarter a year ago. Battery & Energy Products gross margin was 24.7%, compared to 25.7% last year, primarily due to product mix. Communications Systems gross margin was 29.5% compared to 35.8% last year, primarily due to lower factory volume and product mix.

Operating expenses were $9.3 million, compared to $7.4 million for the 2024 first quarter, reflecting the inclusion of Electrochem, a 24.0% increase in new product development costs related to continued investment in our product offering, and one-time, non-recurring expenses. Operating expenses were 18.4% of revenue compared to 17.7% of revenue for the year-earlier period.

Operating income was $3.4 million compared to $4.1 million last year. Driven by the 36.2% decline in Communications Systems sales and non-recurring costs, operating margin decreased to 6.7% compared to 9.7% last year.

Net income attributable to Ultralife Corporation was $1.9 million or $0.11 per diluted share on a GAAP basis, compared to $2.9 million or $0.18 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2024. Adjusted EPS was $0.13 on a diluted basis for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $0.21 for the 2024 period. Adjusted EPS excludes the provision for deferred taxes which primarily represents non-cash charges for U.S. taxes which we expect will be fully offset by net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits for the foreseeable future.

Adjusted EBITDA, defined as EBITDA including non-cash, stock-based compensation expense, was $5.4 million for the first quarter of 2025, or 10.7% of sales, compared to $5.2 million, or 12.5% of sales, for the year-earlier period. On a trailing twelve-month basis, adjusted EBITDA was $16.7 million or 9.6% of sales.

See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to Ultralife Corporation and adjusted EPS to EPS.

About Ultralife Corporation

Ultralife Corporation serves its markets with products and services ranging from power solutions to communications and electronics systems. Through its engineering and collaborative approach to problem solving, Ultralife serves government/defense and commercial customers across the globe.

Headquartered in Newark, New York, the Company's business segments include Battery & Energy Products and Communications Systems. Ultralife has operations in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.ultralifecorporation.com.

Conference Call Information

Ultralife will hold its first quarter earnings conference call today at 10:00 AM ET.

To ensure a fast and reliable connection to our investor conference call, we now require participants dialing in by phone to register using the following link prior to the call: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI00ee37974c5b4cbc86cd1d7ef099d998. This will eliminate the need to speak with an operator. Once registered, dial-in information will be provided along with a personal identification number. Should you register early and misplace your details, you can simply click back on this same link at any time to register and view this information again. A live webcast of the conference call will be available to investors in the Events & Presentations section of the Company's website at http://investor.ultralifecorporation.com. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at the same location.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include uncertain global economic conditions including the impact of tariffs and inflation, reductions in revenues from key customers, delays or reductions in U.S. and foreign military spending, acceptance of our new products on a global basis, and disruptions, delays or material price increases in our supply of raw materials and components due to business conditions, new or additional tariffs, global conflicts, weather or other factors not under our control. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's analysis only as of today's date. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Further information on these factors and other factors that could affect Ultralife’s financial results is included in Ultralife’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ULTRALIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
		March 31, 2025					December 31, 2024
Current Assets:
Cash		$8,719					$6,854
Trade Accounts Receivable, Net		36,061					29,370
Inventories, Net		47,853					51,363
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets		8,836					9,573
Total Current Assets		101,469					97,160
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net		40,277					40,485
Goodwill		45,141					45,006
Other Intangible Assets, Net		24,185					24,557
Deferred Income Taxes, Net		8,020					8,413
Other Non-Current Assets		4,661					4,830
Total Assets		$223,753					$220,451
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts Payable		$16,617					$14,160
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt		3,094					2,750
Accrued Compensation and Related Benefits		3,207					2,911
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities		8,578					9,470
Total Current Liabilities		31,496					29,291
Long-Term Debt, Net		50,510					51,502
Deferred Income Taxes, Net		1,413					1,443
Other Non-Current Liabilities		3,730					4,028
Total Liabilities		87,149					86,264
Shareholders' Equity:
Common Stock		2,107					2,107
Capital in Excess of Par Value		192,055					191,828
Accumulated Deficit		(32,577)					(34,442)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		(3,695)					(4,006)
Treasury Stock		(21,492)					(21,492)
Total Ultralife Equity		136,398					133,995
Non-Controlling Interest		206					192
Total Shareholders’ Equity		136,604					134,187
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity		$223,753					$220,451

ULTRALIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
	Three-Month Period Ended
	March 31,		March 31,
	2025		2024
Revenues:
Battery & Energy Products	$46,321		$34,989
Communications Systems	4,425		6,938
Total Revenues	50,746		41,927
Cost of Products Sold:
Battery & Energy Products	34,881		26,003
Communications Systems	3,120		4,454
Total Cost of Products Sold	38,001		30,457
Gross Profit	12,745		11,470
Operating Expenses:
Research and Development	2,404		1,756
Selling, General and Administrative	6,942		5,651
Total Operating Expenses	9,346		7,407
Operating Income	3,399		4,063
Other Expense	953		456
Income Before Income Tax Provision	2,446		3,607
Income Tax Provision	567		703
Net Income	1,879		2,904
Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest	(14)		(13)
Net Income Attributable to Ultralife Corporation	$1,865		$2,891
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Ultralife Common Shareholders – Basic	$0.11		$0.18
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Ultralife Common Shareholders – Diluted	$0.11		$0.18
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic	16,633		16,396
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Diluted	16,680		16,518

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA

In evaluating our business, we consider and use adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, as a supplemental measure of our operating performance in addition to GAAP financial measures. We define adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Ultralife Corporation before net interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation expense, plus/minus expense/income that we do not consider reflective of our ongoing continuing operations. We reconcile adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to Ultralife Corporation, the most comparable financial measure under GAAP. Neither current nor potential investors in our securities should rely on adjusted EBITDA as a substitute for any GAAP measures and we encourage investors to review the following reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to Ultralife Corporation.

ULTRALIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CALCULATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
	Three-Month Period Ended
	March 31, 2025		March 31, 2024
Net Income Attributable to Ultralife Corporation	$1,865		$2,891
Adjustments:
Interest Expense, Net	1,032		520
Income Tax Provision	567		703
Depreciation Expense	950		740
Amortization of Intangible Assets	405		228
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	227		161
Severance Costs for Plant Closure	150		-
Acquisition and Other Non-Recurring Costs	192		-
Non-Cash Purchase Accounting Adjustment	60		-
Adjusted EBITDA	$5,448		$5,243

Adjusted Earnings Per Share

In evaluating our business, we consider and use Adjusted EPS, a non-GAAP financial measure, as a supplemental measure of our business performance in addition to GAAP financial measures. We define Adjusted EPS as net income attributable to Ultralife Corporation excluding the provision for deferred taxes divided by our weighted average shares outstanding on both a basic and diluted basis. We believe that this information is useful in providing period-to-period comparisons of our results by reflecting the portion of our tax provision that we expect will be offset by our U.S. net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits for the foreseeable future. We reconcile Adjusted EPS to EPS, the most comparable financial measure under GAAP. Neither current nor potential investors in our securities should rely on Adjusted EPS as a substitute for any GAAP measures and we encourage investors to review the following reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to EPS and net income attributable to Ultralife Corporation.

ULTRALIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CALCULATION OF ADJUSTED EPS (In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)
	Three-Month Period Ended
	March 31, 2025						March 31, 2024
	Amount		Per Basic Share		Per Diluted Share		Amount		Per Basic Share		Per Diluted Share
Net Income Attributable to Ultralife Corporation	$1,865		$0.11		$0.11		$2,891		$0.18		$0.18
Deferred Tax Provision	344		.02		.02		650		0.04		0.03
Adjusted Net Income	$2,209		$.13		$.13		$3,541		$0.22		$0.21
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding			16,633		16,680				16,396		16,518

Company Contact:	Investor Relations Contact:
Ultralife Corporation	Alliance Advisors IR
Philip A. Fain	Jody Burfening/Alex Villalta
(315) 210-6110	(212) 838-3777
pfain@ulbi.com	avillalta@allianceadvisors.com

FAQ

What was Ultralife Corporation's (ULBI) revenue in Q1 2025?

Ultralife Corporation reported revenue of $50.7 million in Q1 2025, representing a 21% increase from $41.9 million in Q1 2024.

How did ULBI's Battery & Energy Products segment perform in Q1 2025?

The Battery & Energy Products segment sales increased 32.4% to $46.3 million, driven by the Electrochem acquisition and 53.6% growth in government/defense sales.

What was Ultralife's (ULBI) earnings per share in Q1 2025?

ULBI reported GAAP EPS of $0.11 per diluted share in Q1 2025, compared to $0.18 in Q1 2024.

What is Ultralife Corporation's current backlog as of Q1 2025?

Ultralife's backlog with high confidence orders was $95.0 million at the end of Q1 2025, compared to $102.2 million at the end of Q4 2024.

How did ULBI's Communications Systems segment perform in Q1 2025?

The Communications Systems segment sales decreased by 36.2% to $4.4 million, primarily due to lower shipments of integrated systems to a major international defense contractor.