Ultralife Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Ultralife Corporation (NASDAQ: ULBI) reported mixed Q2 2025 results with revenue increasing 13.0% to $48.6 million, primarily driven by the Electrochem acquisition. However, organic performance showed challenges with Communications Systems sales declining 57.2%. The company reported operating income of $2.3 million and GAAP EPS of $0.05, down from $0.18 in Q2 2024.

Key metrics include gross profit of $11.6 million (23.9% margin), Adjusted EBITDA of $4.1 million (8.5% of sales), and a backlog of $89 million. The company faced headwinds from tariffs and unfavorable product mix but managed to prepay $2.7 million in acquisition debt. Management expects improved performance in H2 2025 and 2026, driven by Communications Systems rebound and new product initiatives.

Positive

• Revenue grew 13.0% to $48.6 million year-over-year
• Government/defense sales increased 61.1% in Battery & Energy Products segment
• Strong backlog of $89 million indicating future revenue potential
• Prepaid $2.7 million in acquisition debt, $2.0 million above required amount

Negative

• Communications Systems sales declined 57.2% to $2.7 million
• Gross margin decreased to 23.9% from 26.9% year-over-year
• Operating income declined to $2.3 million from $3.9 million last year
• GAAP EPS decreased to $0.05 from $0.18 in Q2 2024
• Commercial sales decreased 20.4% in medical and oil & gas segments

Insights

Financial Analyst

Ultralife's Q2 shows concerning declines in key metrics despite headline revenue growth from acquisition.

Ultralife Corporation's Q2 results reveal a concerning performance despite the 13% headline revenue growth to $48.6 million. Looking deeper, this growth came entirely from the Electrochem acquisition, while organic sales actually declined by 8.7%. Most alarming is the 57.2% collapse in Communications Systems sales to just $2.7 million, attributed to delayed purchase orders and tough year-ago comparisons.

Profitability metrics show deterioration across the board. Gross margin contracted 3.0% to 23.9%, operating income dropped 41% to $2.3 million, and EPS plummeted from $0.18 to just $0.05. The margin compression stems from multiple factors: unfavorable product mix, higher tariff and freight costs, and lower factory utilization. Operating expenses increased due to Electrochem's inclusion and a 25.3% rise in product development costs.

Cash flow utilization appears positive, with the company using Employee Retention Credit proceeds to prepay $2.7 million in acquisition debt, $2.0 million above their required quarterly amortization. However, the declining backlog, which fell from $95 million to $89 million quarter-over-quarter, raises questions about near-term demand stability.

Management's outlook includes expected improvement in the second half and into 2026, citing potential Communications Systems recovery, early orders from new product programs, and rebounding demand from medical and oil & gas customers. However, given the magnitude of current underperformance, investors should carefully monitor whether these positive catalysts materialize with sufficient strength to reverse the negative trends.

NEWARK, N.Y., Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultralife Corporation (NASDAQ: ULBI) reported operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 with the following results:

• Sales of $48.6 million increased 13.0% from $43.0 million for the second quarter of 2024; excluding Electrochem, sales of $39.3 million declined 8.7% due to a 57.2% decrease in Communications Systems sales
• Gross profit of $11.6 million, or 23.9% of revenue, compared to $11.6 million, or 26.9% of revenue, for the second quarter of 2024
• Operating income of $2.3 million, including one-time non-recurring costs and purchase accounting adjustments of $0.3 million, compared to $3.9 million for the second quarter of 2024
• GAAP EPS of $0.05 compared to $0.18 for the second quarter of 2024
• Adjusted EBITDA of $4.1 million compared to $5.4 million for the second quarter of 2024
• Backlog with high confidence orders of $89 million compared to $95 million exiting the first quarter of 2025

“The second quarter was a challenging period for Ultralife. While the addition of Electrochem lifted revenue, Battery & Energy Products organic sales were essentially flat and Communications Systems sales declined due to delayed purchase orders. We also faced headwinds from tariffs, unfavorable product mix shifts across our business and order timing, which collectively impacted gross profit. Nevertheless, we continued to invest in new product development, with several offerings advancing into validation and production. We also applied the proceeds from our Employee Retention Credit collected during the quarter to prepay some of our acquisition debt, paying down a total of $2.7 million, $2.0 million more than our quarterly debt amortization requirement,” said Mike Manna, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Notwithstanding the challenges experienced in the second quarter, we expect improved results in the second half of the year and into 2026. We expect our Communications Systems business to rebound from a tough first half, and we are also beginning to see early purchase orders from long-term new product programs for our battery business, a rebound in demand from our medical and oil & gas customers, sustained growth in global defense spending, and an expanding opportunity pipeline across both businesses,” added Manna. “Our priorities remain converting long-term new product development efforts into revenue, advancing vertical integration in the oil & gas segment, and maintaining a strong focus on operational efficiency initiatives to deliver sustainable profitable growth and maximizing the value of our global brand.”

Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Revenue was $48.6 million, an increase of $5.6 million, or 13.0%, as compared to revenue of $43.0 million for the second quarter of 2024. Battery & Energy Products sales increased 25.0% to $45.9 million compared to $36.7 million last year reflecting the inclusion of Electrochem Solutions, Inc. (“Electrochem”). Excluding Electrochem, Battery & Energy Products sales were essentially flat year-over-year with government/defense sales increasing 61.1%, reflecting strong demand from a U.S.-based global prime, offset by a 20.4% decrease in commercial sales, primarily reflecting declines in medical and oil & gas sales. Communications Systems sales decreased by 57.2% to $2.7 million compared to $6.3 million for the same period last year, primarily attributable to shipments in the prior year of integrated systems to a major international defense contractor, magnified by delays in the timing of purchase orders during the current period. Our total backlog and high-confidence orders exiting the second quarter was $89 million compared to $95 million reported for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting the timing of order placement.

Gross profit was $11.6 million, or 23.9% of revenue, compared to $11.6 million, or 26.9% of revenue, for the same quarter a year ago. Battery & Energy Products gross margin was 23.6%, compared to 27.1% last year, primarily due to product mix, higher tariff and freight costs and lower factory throughput at some of our locations. Communications Systems gross margin was 28.4% compared to 25.6% last year, primarily due to product mix somewhat muted by lower volume.

Operating expenses were $9.3 million, compared to $7.6 million for the second quarter of 2024, reflecting the inclusion of Electrochem, a 25.3% increase in new product development costs related to continued investment in our product offering, and one-time, non-recurring expenses. Operating expenses were 19.2% of revenue compared to 17.8% of revenue for the year-earlier period.

Operating income was $2.3 million compared to $3.9 million last year. Driven by the 57.2% decline in Communications Systems sales, the decline in Battery & Energy Products gross margin and non-recurring costs, operating margin decreased to 4.6% compared to 9.1% last year.

Other expense, reported below operating income was $1.1 million, comprised of interest expense from the financing of the Electrochem acquisition and foreign currency loss from the weakening of the U.S. dollar, compared to $.1 million for the same period last year. The 2024 amount included a $0.2 million payment from our insurance carrier pertaining to the cyberattack which occurred in the first quarter of 2023.   

Net income attributable to Ultralife Corporation was $.9 million or $0.05 per diluted share on a GAAP basis, compared to $3.0 million or $0.18 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted EPS was $0.07 on a diluted basis for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $0.22 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 $4.1 million for the second quarter of 2025, or 8.5% of sales, compared to $5.4 million, or 12.6% of sales, for the year-earlier period. On a trailing twelve-month basis, adjusted EBITDA was $15.4 million or 8.6% of sales.

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

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 second quarter earnings conference call today at Noon 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/BIbda86e3ea7b342b6944287e49c2d3e9c. 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
	June 30, 2025		December 31, 2024
Current Assets:
Cash	$10,941		$6,854
Trade Accounts Receivable, Net	32,322		29,370
Inventories, Net	50,575		51,363
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	5,165		9,573
Total Current Assets	99,003		97,160
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	40,614		40,485
Goodwill	45,406		45,006
Other Intangible Assets, Net	23,839		24,557
Deferred Income Taxes, Net	7,688		8,413
Other Non-Current Assets	4,411		4,830
Total Assets	$220,961		$220,451
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts Payable	$15,029		$14,160
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt	3,438		2,750
Accrued Compensation and Related Benefits	2,674		2,911
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	8,757		9,470
Total Current Liabilities	29,898		29,291
Long-Term Debt, Net	47,510		51,502
Deferred Income Taxes	1,400		1,443
Other Non-Current Liabilities	3,508		4,028
Total Liabilities	82,316		86,264
Shareholders' Equity:
Common Stock	2,108		2,107
Capital in Excess of Par Value	192,350		191,828
Accumulated Deficit	(31,698)		(34,442)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	(2,820)		(4,006)
Treasury Stock	(21,492)		(21,492)
Total Ultralife Equity	138,448		133,995
Non-Controlling Interest	197		192
Total Shareholders’ Equity	138,645		134,187
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$220,961		$220,451

ULTRALIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
	Three-Month Period Ended				Six-Month Period Ended
	June 30,		June 30,		June 30,		June 30,
	2025		2024		2025		2024
Revenues:
Battery & Energy Products	$45,867		$36,683		$92,188		$71,672
Communications Systems	2,694		6,300		7,119		13,238
Total Revenues	48,561		42,983		99,307		84,910
Cost of Products Sold:
Battery & Energy Products	35,032		26,730		69,913		52,733
Communications Systems	1,928		4,690		5,048		9,144
Total Cost of Products Sold	36,960		31,420		74,961		61,877
Gross Profit	11,601		11,563		24,346		23,033
Operating Expenses:
Research and Development	2,318		1,997		4,722		3,753
Selling, General and Administrative	7,027		5,649		13,969		11,300
Total Operating Expenses	9,345		7,646		18,691		15,053
Operating Income	2,256		3,917		5,655		7,980
Other Expense	1,143		71		2,096		527
Income Before Income Taxes	1,113		3,846		3,559		7,453
Income Tax Provision	243		853		810		1,556
Net Income	870		2,993		2,749		5,897
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest	(9)		24		5		37
Net Income Attributable to Ultralife Corporation	$879		$2,969		$2,744		$5,860
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Ultralife Common Shareholders – Basic	$.05		$.18		$.17		$.36
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Ultralife Common Shareholders – Diluted	$.05		$.18		$.17		$.35
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic	16,635		16,658		16,634		16,482
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Diluted	16,656		16,825		16,671		16,661

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				Six-Month Period Ended
	June 30, 2025		June 30, 2024		June 30, 2025		June 30, 2024
Net Income Attributable to Ultralife Corporation	$879		$2,969		$2,744		$5,860
Adjustments:
Interest Expense, Net	992		418		2,024		938
Income Tax Provision	243		853		810		1,556
Depreciation Expense	1,008		789		1,958		1,529
Amortization Expense	410		227		815		455
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	235		159		462		320
Severance Cost for Plant Closure	-		-		150		-
Acquisition and Other Non-Recurring Costs	326		-		518		-
Non-Cash Purchase Accounting Adjustment	20		-		80		-
Adjusted EBITDA	$4,113		$5,415		$9,561		$10,658

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. We define adjusted EPS as net income attributable to Ultralife Corporation excluding the provision (benefit) for deferred income 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 will be predominantly 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
	June 30, 2025						June 30, 2024
	Amount		Per Basic Share		Per Diluted Share		Amount		Per Basic Share		Per Diluted Share
Net Income Attributable to Ultralife Corporation	$879		$.05		$.05		$2,969		$.18		$.18
Deferred Tax Provision	265		.02		.02		744		.04		.04
Adjusted Net Income	$1,144		$.07		$.07		$3,713		$.22		$.22
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding			16,635		16,656				16,568		16,825

	Six-Month Period Ended
	June 30, 2025						June 30, 2024
	Amount		Per Basic Share		Per Diluted Share		Amount		Per Basic Share		Per Diluted Share
Net Income Attributable to Ultralife Corporation	$2,744		$.17		$.16		$5,860		$.36		$.35
Deferred Tax Provision	609		.03		.04		1,394		.08		.09
Adjusted Net Income	$3,353		$.20		$.20		$7,254		$.44		$.44
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding			16,634		16,671				16,482		16,661

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

FAQ

What were Ultralife Corporation's (ULBI) Q2 2025 earnings results?

Ultralife reported Q2 2025 revenue of $48.6 million (up 13.0%), operating income of $2.3 million, and GAAP EPS of $0.05 compared to $0.18 in Q2 2024.

How did ULBI's Communications Systems segment perform in Q2 2025?

The Communications Systems segment saw a significant 57.2% decline in sales to $2.7 million, primarily due to delayed purchase orders and comparison to major international defense contractor shipments in the prior year.

What is Ultralife's current backlog value as of Q2 2025?

Ultralife's backlog with high confidence orders stood at $89 million at the end of Q2 2025, compared to $95 million at the end of Q1 2025.

How did the Electrochem acquisition impact ULBI's Q2 2025 results?

The Electrochem acquisition contributed to the 25.0% increase in Battery & Energy Products sales to $45.9 million, though organic sales (excluding Electrochem) remained essentially flat year-over-year.

What is ULBI's outlook for the second half of 2025?

Management expects improved results in H2 2025, citing anticipated Communications Systems rebound, early purchase orders for new battery products, recovering medical and oil & gas demand, and growing global defense spending.