COMTECH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP DE
For the period ended Jul 31, 2024. Filed Oct 30, 2024.
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FY2024 · Filed Oct 30, 2024
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our cash and cash equivalents were $32.4 million and $19.0 million at July 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For fiscal 2024, our cash flows reflect the following:
Net cash used in operating activities was $54.5 million and $4.4 million for fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities for fiscal 2024 and net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2023 would have been $38.5 million and $9.6 million, respectively, when excluding $16.0 million and $14.0 million, respectively, in aggregate cash payments for restructuring costs (including severance), CEO transition costs and strategic emerging technology costs for next-generation satellite technology. The period-over-period decrease in cash flows from operating activities reflects overall changes in net working capital requirements, principally the timing of: (i) payments to vendors; and (ii) progress toward completion on contracts accounted for over time, including related shipments, billings and collections. More specifically, in fiscal 2024, we experienced a significant increase in the overall level of contract assets (i.e., unbilled receivables) related to large, long-term contracts with certain U.S. government and international customers. While such contract assets are trending lower more recently due to shipments, billings and collections from our customers, such contract activity did result in a material increase in working capital during our fiscal 2024.
Net cash provided by investing activities in fiscal 2024 was $20.1 million compared to net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2023 of $18.3 million. Fiscal 2024 includes $33.2 million of net cash proceeds from the PST Divestiture, offset in part by capital expenditures to build-out cloud-based computer networks to support our previously announced NG-911 contract wins and capital investments and building improvements in connection with our manufacturing facilities.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $47.8 million and $20.1 million for fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. During fiscal 2024, we entered into a new Credit Facility and repaid in full the outstanding borrowings under our Prior Credit Facility. During fiscal 2024, with respect to term loans, we received net proceeds of $157.1 million and made $48.8 million in total repayments. During fiscal 2024, we had revolving loan net repayments of $85.3 million, as compared to revolving loan net borrowings of $36.9 million in fiscal 2023. During fiscal 2024, we paid financing costs of $10.3 million in connection with our credit facilities. During fiscal 2024, we received an aggregate of $43.2 million in net proceeds related to the issuance of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, and also paid $4.3 million in related issuance costs (consisting of third party financial advisor, legal and professional fees). During fiscal 2024 and 2023, we paid $0.3 million and $8.7 million, respectively, in cash dividends to our common stockholders. We also made $3.8 million and $2.9 million of payments to remit employees' statutory tax withholding requirements related to the net settlement of stock-based awards during fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Credit Facility
See "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note (8) - Credit Facility" included in "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," included in this Form 10-K (which discussion is incorporated herein by reference), for detailed information related to our Credit Facility entered into on June 17, 2024, which replaced the Prior Credit Facility previously entered into on November 7, 2023. As of July 31, 2024, the amount outstanding under our Credit Facility was $194.2 million, comprised of $32.5 million under the Revolving Loan and $161.7 million under the Term Loan. During fiscal 2024, we had outstanding balances under our credit facilities ranging from $156.2 million to $202.0 million. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth for such terms in the Credit Facility, which have been documented and filed with the SEC.
Convertible Preferred Stock
See "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note (16) - Convertible Preferred Stock" included in "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," included in this Form 10-K (which discussion is incorporated herein by reference), for additional information.
Subordinated Credit Agreement
See "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note (19) - Subsequent Event" included in "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," included in this Form 10-K (which discussion is incorporated herein by reference), for additional information on our Subordinated Credit Agreement, which we entered into on October 17, 2024.
Liquidity and Going Concern
Pursuant to the requirements of ASC Topic 205-40, "Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern," we are required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. This evaluation does not take into consideration the potential mitigating effect of our plans that have not been fully implemented or are not within our control as of the date the audited Consolidated Financial Statements are issued. When substantial doubt exists, we are required to evaluate whether the mitigating effect of our plans sufficiently alleviates substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The mitigating effect of our plans, however, is only considered if both (i) it is probable that the plans will be effectively implemented within one year after the date that the Consolidated Financial Statements are issued, and (ii) it is probable that the plans, when implemented, will mitigate the relevant conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the Consolidated Financial Statements are issued.
As of the date these financial statements were issued (the "issuance date"), we evaluated whether the following adverse conditions, when considered in the aggregate, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern over the next twelve months beyond the issuance date.
Over the past three fiscal years, we incurred operating losses of $79.9 million, $14.7 million and $33.8 million in fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In addition, over the past three fiscal years, net cash used in operating activities was $54.5 million and $4.4 million in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively, and net cash provided by operating activities was $2.0 million in fiscal 2022. Our ability to meet future anticipated liquidity needs over the next year beyond the issuance date will largely depend on our ability to generate positive cash inflows from operations, maximize our borrowing capacity under our Credit Facility, as discussed further below, and or secure other sources of outside capital. While we believe we will be able to generate sufficient positive cash inflows, maximize our borrowing capacity and secure outside capital, there can be no assurance our plans will be successfully implemented and, as such, we may be unable to continue as a going concern over the next year beyond the issuance date.
As discussed further in "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note (8) - Credit Facility" included in "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," included in this Form 10-K (which discussion is incorporated herein by reference), on June 17, 2024, we entered into a $222.0 million credit facility with a new syndicate of lenders, which replaced our prior credit facility. As further discussed below, we subsequently amended the credit facility on October 17, 2024 (the "Credit Facility"). The Credit Facility consists of a committed $162.0 million term loan (“Term Loan”) and $60.0 million revolver loan (“Revolver Loan”). At July 31, 2024 and October 25, 2024 (the date closest to the issuance date), total outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility were $194.2 million and $199.1 million, respectively. At both July 31, 2024 and October 25, 2024, $32.5 million was drawn on the Revolver Loan. As of the issuance date, our available sources of liquidity approximate $28.7 million, consisting solely of qualified cash and cash equivalents. That is, our available sources of liquidity do not include the remaining portion of the committed Revolver Loan due to the lenders' consent right, discussed below, to any borrowings that exceed $32.5 million.
The Credit Facility, among other things, requires compliance with new restrictive and financial covenants, including: a maximum allowable Net Leverage Ratio of 3.25x for the fiscal quarter ending January 31, 2025; a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.20x for the fiscal quarter ending January 31, 2025; a minimum Average Liquidity requirement at each quarter end of $20.0 million; and a minimum EBITDA of $35.0 million for the fiscal quarter ending October 31, 2025. Such ratios adjust under the Credit Facility in future periods.
The Credit Facility was amended on October 17, 2024 to waive certain defaults or events of default, including in connection with our Net Leverage Ratio and Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio covenants as of July 31, 2024. The amendment also provides for, among other things: (i) increases the interest rate margins applicable to the loans; (ii) modifies certain financial and collateral reporting requirements; (iii) provides a lender consent right with respect to $27.5 million of Revolver Loan borrowings above $32.5 million; (iv) permits the incurrence of $25.0 million of senior unsecured subordinated debt (as described below); (v) amends the maturity date to the earlier of (x) July 31, 2028 or (y) 90 days prior to the earliest date that the debt under the Subordinated Credit Agreement (as defined below) becomes due and payable; and (vi) suspends financial covenant testing through the end of our fiscal quarter ending January 31, 2025.
In addition, we entered into a Subordinated Credit Agreement with the existing holders of our Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Subordinated Credit Agreement”) on October 17, 2024, which provides a subordinated unsecured term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $25.0 million (the “Subordinated Credit Facility”). The proceeds of the Subordinated Credit Facility: (i) cured our default on certain financial covenants under the Credit Facility, as discussed above; (ii) provides additional liquidity to us; and (iii) funds our general working capital needs, including support of our strategic transformation initiatives, as discussed below.
Our ability to meet our current obligations as they become due may be impacted by our ability to remain compliant with the financial covenants required by the Credit Facility, or to obtain future waivers or amendments from the lenders in the event compliance is not maintained. While we believe we will be able to secure such waivers or amendments, as needed, there can be no assurance such waivers or amendments will be secured or on terms that are acceptable to us. If we are unable to secure waivers or amendments, the lenders may declare an event of default, which would cause an immediate acceleration and repayment of all outstanding principal, interest and fees due under our Credit Facility. Absent our ability to repay the forgoing amounts upon the declaration of an event of default, the lenders may exercise their rights and remedies under the Credit Facility, which may include, among others, a seizure of substantially all of our assets and/or the liquidation of our operations. If an event of default occurs that allows the lenders to exercise these rights and remedies over the next year beyond the issuance date, we will be unable to continue as a going concern.
executing a strategy to transform Comtech into a pure-play satellite and space communications company (ongoing and future actions supporting our transformation strategy include: an exploration of strategic alternatives for our Terrestrial and Wireless Networks segment, which is well underway; the pursuit of further portfolio-shaping opportunities to enhance profitability, efficiency and focus; and the implementation of additional operational initiatives to both achieve profitable results from operations as well as to align our go-forward cost structure with a pure-play focus on satellite and space communications), as discussed further in Note (18) – “Cost Reduction Activities;”
reevaluating our business plans to identify opportunities (e.g., within our Satellite and Space Communications segment) to focus future investment on our most strategic, high-margin revenue opportunities;
seeking opportunities to improve liquidity through any combination of debt and/or equity financing (including possibly restructuring our Credit Facility, Convertible Preferred Stock and/or Subordinated Credit Agreement); and
While we believe the implementation of some or all of the elements of our plans over the next year beyond the issuance date will be successful, these plans are not all solely within management’s control and, as such, we can provide no assurance our plans are probable of being effectively implemented as of the issuance date. Therefore, the adverse conditions and events described above are uncertainties that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that we will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates we will be able to realize assets and settle liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
Our material cash requirements are for working capital, debt service (including interest), capital expenditures, income tax payments, facilities lease payments and dividends related to our Convertible Preferred Stock, which are payable in kind or in cash under certain circumstances.
Our material cash requirements could increase beyond our current expectations due to factors such as: (i) an inability to meet our current obligations under our Credit Facility as they become, or to obtain future waivers or amendments from the lenders in the event compliance is not maintained; (ii) general economic conditions; (iii) a change in government spending priorities and or contracting decisions; (iv) larger than usual customer orders; (v) a future redemption by the holders of our Convertible Preferred Stock; or (vi) actions we may take related to our strategic transformation.
Also, in light of our recently announced strategic transformation initiatives, we continue to review and evaluate our capital allocation plans. Furthermore, we may choose to raise additional funds through equity and debt financing transactions to provide additional flexibility or to pursue acquisitions. Although it is difficult in the current economic and credit environment to predict the terms and conditions of financing that may be available in the future, we believe that we would have sufficient access to credit from financial institutions and/or financing from public and private debt and equity markets.
In addition to making capital investments for our high-volume manufacturing centers, we have been making significant capital expenditures and building out cloud-based computer networks to support our previously announced NG-911 contract wins. We expect capital investments for these and other initiatives to continue in fiscal 2025.
Our investment policy relating to our cash and cash equivalents is intended to minimize principal loss while at the same time maximize the income we receive without significantly increasing risk. To minimize risk, we generally invest excess cash and cash equivalents in money market mutual funds (both government and commercial), certificates of deposit, bank deposits, and U.S. Treasury securities. Money market mutual funds we invest in are direct obligations of the U.S. government, bank securities guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, certificates of deposit and commercial paper and other securities issued by other companies. While we cannot predict future market conditions or market liquidity, we believe our investment policies are appropriate in the current environment. Ultimately, the availability of our cash and cash equivalents is dependent on a well-functioning liquid market.
On July 13, 2022, we filed a $200.0 million shelf registration statement with the SEC for the sale of various types of securities, including debt. This new shelf registration statement was declared effective by the SEC as of July 25, 2022 and expires on July 25, 2025.
On September 29, 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a $100.0 million stock repurchase program, which replaced our prior program. The $100.0 million stock repurchase program has no time restrictions and repurchases may be made from time to time in open-market or privately negotiated transactions, or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws. There were no repurchases of our common stock during fiscal 2024 and 2023.
In fiscal 2023, we adjusted the Company’s capital allocation plans and determined to forgo a common stock dividend. Future common stock dividends, if any, remain subject to compliance with financial covenants under our Credit Facility, as well as Board approval and certain voting rights of holders of our Convertible Preferred Stock.
At July 31, 2024, we had $247,000 of cash deposited as collateral in connection with outstanding standby letters of credit to guarantee future performance on certain customer contracts and no commercial letters of credit outstanding.
Commitments
In the normal course of business, other than as discussed below, we routinely enter into binding and non-binding purchase obligations primarily covering anticipated purchases of inventory and equipment. We do not expect that these commitments, as of July 31, 2024, will materially adversely affect our liquidity. At July 31, 2024, cash payments due under contractual obligations (including estimated interest expense on our Credit Facility), excluding purchase orders that we entered into in our normal course of business, are as follows:
| ($ in thousands) | Total | Due Within 1 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Facility - principal payments | $194,163 | 4,050 |
| Credit Facility - interest payments | 92,800 | 28,985 |
| Operating lease obligations | 43,690 | 8,263 |
| Contractual cash obligations | $330,653 | 41,298 |
The commitments under our Credit Facility are described in detail above. See "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note (1)(c) - Liquidity and Going Concern" included in "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," included in this Form 10-K (which discussion is incorporated herein by reference) for further important information.
See "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note (9) -"Leases" included in "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," (which discussion is incorporated herein by reference), included in this Form 10-K, for additional information on our lease commitments.
As discussed further in "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note (16) - Convertible Preferred Stock" included in "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," (which discussion is incorporated herein by reference), included in this Form 10-K, the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock have the option to redeem such shares for cash: (i) in the event of the occurrence of an asset sale trigger; (ii) in the event of a satisfaction of the existing Credit Facility; and (iii) in all other cases, October 31, 2028. As the Convertible Preferred Stock are not mandatorily redeemable for cash, the redemption value of such shares are not presented in the table above.
As discussed further in "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note (19) - Subsequent Events - Subordinated Credit Agreement" included in "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," (which discussion is incorporated herein by reference), included in this Form 10-K, there are defined make-whole amounts with respect to certain repayments or prepayment of such subordinated debt equal to: (i) from the October 17, 2024 through (but not including) July 17, 2025, $25.0 million multiplied by 33.0%; (ii) from July 17, 2025 through (but not including) October 17, 2026, $25.0 million multiplied by 50.0%; and (iii) from October 17, 2026 and thereafter, $25.0 million multiplied by 75.0% plus, in the case of clause (iii), interest accrued on $25.0 million at the make-whole interest rate (as defined below) starting on October 17, 2026 and calculated as of any such date of determination. The make-whole interest rate is a rate equal to 16.0% per annum, which is increased by 2.0% per annum upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an event of default under the Subordinated Credit Agreement.
In the ordinary course of business, we include indemnification provisions in certain of our customer contracts. Pursuant to these agreements, we have agreed to indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse the indemnified party for certain losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, including but not limited to losses related to third-party intellectual property claims. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount under these agreements due to a history of nominal claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement.
As discussed further in "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note (13) - Commitments and Contingencies," included in "Part II - Item 8.- Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," included in this Form 10-K (which discussion is incorporated herein by reference), we are subject to a number of indemnification demands and we are incurring ongoing legal expenses in connection with these matters. Our insurance policies may not cover the cost of defending indemnification claims or providing indemnification. As a result, pending or future claims asserted against us by a party that we have agreed to indemnify could result in legal costs and damages that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
We entered into employment and/or change of control agreements with certain of our executive officers and certain key employees. All of these agreements may require payments by us, in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, a change in control of the Company or termination of the employee.
As further discussed in "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note (10) - "Income Taxes" included in "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," included in this Form 10-K (which discussion is incorporated herein by reference), our Consolidated Balance Sheet at July 31, 2024 includes total liabilities of $8.6 million for uncertain tax positions, including interest, any or all of which may result in a cash payment. The future payments related to uncertain tax positions have not been presented in the table above due to the uncertainty of the amounts and timing of any potential cash settlement with the taxing authorities.
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