Hollysys Automation Technologies Reports Unaudited Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023

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Aug 15, 2023

PR Newswire

Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Highlights

  • Total revenues were $777.4 million, an increase of 9.9% compared to the comparable prior year period. Unfavorable impact from depreciation of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar has adversely affected our revenues for fiscal year 2023.
  • Gross margin was 32.9%, compared to 33.8% for the comparable prior year period. Non-GAAP gross margin was 33.0%, compared to 34.0% for the comparable prior year period.
  • Net income attributable to Hollysys was $106.9 million, an increase of 28.6% compared to the comparable prior year period. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hollysys was $111.6 million, an increase of 18.4% compared to the comparable prior year period.
  • Diluted earnings per share was $1.72, an increase of 27.4% compared to the comparable prior year period. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $1.80, an increase of 17.6% compared to the comparable prior year period.
  • Net cash provided by operating activities was $23.2 million.
  • Days sales outstanding ("DSO") of 151 days, compared to 171 days for the comparable prior year period.
  • Inventory turnover days of 75 days, compared to 58 days for the comparable prior year period.

Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Highlights

  • Total revenues were $195.0 million, an increase of 7.1% compared to the comparable prior year period.
  • Gross margin was 31.2%, compared to 33.7% for the comparable prior year period. Non-GAAP gross margin was 31.4%, compared to 33.9% for the comparable prior year period.
  • Net income attributable to Hollysys was $25.7 million, an increase of 11.7% compared to the comparable prior year period. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hollysys was $26.5 million, an increase of 7.2% compared to the comparable prior year period.
  • Diluted earnings per share was $0.41, an increase of 10.8% compared to the comparable prior year period. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.43, a decrease of 7.5% compared to the comparable prior year period.
  • Net cash provided by operating activities was $20.0 million.
  • DSO of 149 days, compared to 174 days for the comparable prior year period.
  • Inventory turnover days of 81 days, compared to 73 days for the comparable prior year period.

See the section entitled "Non-GAAP Measures" for more information about non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP net income attributable to Hollysys and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share.

BEIJING, Aug. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: HOLI) ("Hollysys", the "Company" or "we"), a leading provider of automation and control technologies and applications in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fiscal year 2023 and the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2023.

The Industrial Automation segment continued its growth momentum. The variety of applications and use cases for our product continue to expand, and we have received awards for numerous projects and products.

In the chemical and petrochemical field, Hollysys continued to achieve breakthroughs on national key projects and maintained our cooperation with key customers. We won several mid- and high-profile contracts with competitive positioning in this fiscal year. For example, we signed a 100-billion-square-meter large gas field project and a whole-plant integrated simulation project of a synthetic ammonia and urea plant. We reinforced the Hia Advanced Process Control platform for one of our petrochemical customers, optimizing its isooctane unit and helping it become a benchmark in its industry while maintaining competitive vitality. Moreover, the Sinopec Group Million Ton Ethylene Project saw the first batch delivery in this fiscal year, representing a milestone breakthrough in Hollysys' petrochemical business. We also assisted a chemical enterprise in establishing a digital talent training base with our Operator Training Simulator in the fourth fiscal quarter. Additionally, Hollysys' strategic layout and developments in overseas business witnessed steady progress. We successfully signed the OBI nickel-iron project in Indonesia with a resource company in this fiscal year, with Hollysys providing relevant customized products with integrated and comprehensive intelligent solutions, marking a new milestone for our overseas market expansion.

The food and pharmaceutical sectors also demonstrated steady business growth. We signed a significant project with a leading enterprise of generic contrast media products on producing iodiproamine and regadesone in this fiscal year, with Hollysys acting as the overall instrument control contractor that provides Distributed Control System ("DCS"), instrument valves and installation. In the fourth fiscal quarter, we also provided an integrated solution for a pharmaceutical company and received high user recognition.

In the smart factory field, we kept developing customized smart factory solutions that meet customers' requirements. We made several vital cooperations with various customers in this fiscal year. We signed the project of automatic control system and factory intelligent management system of a northwest listed coal company and the Sinopec power center simulation project which covers the whole range of high-precision excitation virtual imitation machine systems. Meanwhile, we completed the delivery of a 230,000 tons phenolic resin project, providing fully autonomous and controllable HiaBatch control system. In the fourth fiscal quarter, we won the bids for two smart factory projects that are expected to aid in their intelligent transformation and help reduce their production and operation costs.

In Rail Transportation Automation segment, we continued to maintain our market position. In the high-speed rail sector, we made new progress in this fiscal year. For instance, we participated in the Guizhou section of Guiyang-Nanning Railway project and Yiyang-Changsha section of Changde-Yiyang-Changsha High-Speed Railway project. In the subway sector, our Traffic Operation System Platform was successfully applied in the Phase I Project of Beijing Metro Line 19. In terms of the urban rail transit sector, the first phase of Lanzhou Rail Transit Line 2 started trial operation successfully with the support of our comprehensive monitoring system and other services in the fourth fiscal quarter. We also provided an integrated station control room for Lanzhou Rail Transit. Moreover, our ZPW-2000S communication coding track circuit product, which was certified by the Safety Integrity Level 4 and the China Railway Product Certification Center, won two bids on domestic lines in the fourth fiscal quarter. In addition to the domestic market, we have smoothly explored the overseas market. We signed the sales project of the main control system software and Programmable Logic Controller for Kuching urban transportation system in Sarawak, Malaysia in this fiscal year, of which the main control system adopted our independently developed MACS-SCADA software system platform. We believe that this project lays a solid foundation for future access to overseas markets and is expected to further enhance our international influence in the field of rail transit.

The Mechanical and Electrical Solution segment also manifested a stable performance with smooth executions on various projects.

With our continuous dedication to the industry and the support of experienced and passionate experts, we believe that we will continue to create more value for our clients and shareholders.

Fiscal Year and the Fourth Quarter Ended June 30, 2023 Unaudited Financial Results Summary

(In USD thousands, except for %, number of shares and per share data)

Three months ended

June 30,

Fiscal year ended

June 30,

2023

2022

%
Change

2023

2022

%
Change

Revenues

$

194,963

182,115

7.1 %

$

777,373

707,462

9.9 %

Integrated solutions contracts
revenue

$

160,896

149,292

7.8 %

$

632,100

573,567

10.2 %

Product sales

$

13,251

11,823

12.1 %

$

47,424

38,486

23.2 %

Revenue from services

$

20,816

21,000

(0.9) %

$

97,849

95,409

2.6 %

Cost of revenues

$

134,161

120,780

11.1 %

$

521,888

468,105

11.5 %

Gross profit

$

60,802

61,335

(0.9) %

$

255,485

239,357

6.7 %

Total operating expenses

$

43,204

42,215

2.3 %

$

162,472

164,813

(1.4) %

Selling

$

13,628

10,863

25.5 %

$

57,243

45,301

26.4 %

General and administrative

$

19,186

23,323

(17.7) %

$

63,580

80,241

(20.8) %

Research and development

$

16,749

16,629

0.7 %

$

70,200

69,580

0.9 %

VAT refunds and government
subsidies

$

(6,359)

(8,600)

(26.1) %

$

(28,551)

(30,309)

(5.8) %

Income from operations

$

17,598

19,120

(8.0) %

$

93,013

74,544

24.8 %

Other income, net

$

625

256

144.1 %

$

3,372

2,185

54.3 %

Foreign exchange gain

$

4,083

4,000

2.1 %

$

6,363

1,789

255.7 %

Gains on disposal of investments in an
equity investee

$

-

-

-

$

-

7,995

-

Impairment loss of investments in cost
investees

$

-

(773)

-

$

-

(773)

-

Share of net income of equity investees

$

762

1,280

(40.5) %

$

3,116

1,838

69.5 %

Gains on disposal of an investment in
securities

-

-

-

845

-

100.0 %

Losses on disposal of subsidiaries

$

-

-

-

$

-

(3)

(100.0) %

Dividend income from investments in
securities

$

237

-

100.0 %

$

237

85

178.8 %

Interest income

$

3,374

3,363

0.3 %

$

12,394

12,698

(2.4) %

Interest expenses

$

(257)

(141)

82.3 %

$

(878)

(731)

20.1 %

Income tax expenses

$

696

3,928

(82.3) %

$

11,390

16,634

(31.5) %

Net income (loss) attributable to non-
controlling interests

$

6

155

(96.1) %

$

141

(189)

(174.6) %

Net income attributable to Hollysys
Automation Technologies Ltd.

$

25,720

23,022

11.7 %

$

106,931

83,182

28.6 %

Basic earnings per share

$

0.42

0.38

10.5 %

$

1.74

1.36

27.9 %

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.41

0.37

10.8 %

$

1.72

1.35

27.4 %

Share-based compensation expenses

$

437

1,327

(67.1) %

$

3,286

9,709

(66.2) %

Amortization of acquired intangible
assets

$

325

353

(7.9) %

$

1,342

1,356

(1.0) %

Non-GAAP net income attributable to
Hollysys Automation Technologies
Ltd.(1)

$

26,482

24,702

7.2 %

$

111,559

94,247

18.4 %

Non-GAAP basic earnings per share(1)

$

0.43

0.40

7.5 %

$

1.81

1.54

17.5 %

Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share(1)

$

0.43

0.40

7.5 %

$

1.80

1.53

17.6 %

Basic weighted average number of
ordinary shares outstanding

61,731,177

61,195,317

0.9 %

61,521,412

61,007,806

0.8 %

Diluted weighted average number of
ordinary shares outstanding

62,134,923

61,788,905

0.6 %

62,034,400

61,568,476

0.8 %

(1) See the section entitled "Non-GAAP Measures" for more information about these non-GAAP measures.

Operational Results Analysis for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023

Total revenues for fiscal year 2023 were $777.4 million, as compared to $707.5 million for the prior fiscal year, representing an increase of 9.9%. In terms of revenues by type, integrated solutions contracts revenue increased by 10.2% to $632.1 million, products sales revenue increased by 23.2% to $47.4 million, and services revenue increased by 2.6% to $97.8 million.

The following table sets forth the Company's total revenues by segment for the periods indicated.

(In USD thousands, except for %)

Fiscal year ended June 30,

2023

2022

$

% to Total
Revenues

$

% to Total
Revenues

Industrial Automation

506,300

65.2

439,918

62.2

Rail Transportation Automation

189,167

24.3

183,785

26.0

Mechanical and Electrical Solution

81,906

10.5

83,759

11.8

Total

777,373

100.0

707,462

100.0

Gross margin was 32.9% for fiscal year 2023, as compared to 33.8% for the prior fiscal year. Gross margins for integrated solutions contracts, product sales, and services rendered were 25.0%, 72.0% and 64.7% for fiscal year 2023, as compared to 26.4%, 73.4% and 62.7% for the prior fiscal year, respectively. Non-GAAP gross margin was 33.0% for fiscal year 2023, as compared to 34.0% for the prior fiscal year. Non-GAAP gross margin of integrated solutions contracts was 25.2% for fiscal year 2023, as compared to 26.6% for the prior fiscal year. See the section entitled "Non-GAAP Measures" for more information about non-GAAP gross margin and non-GAAP gross margin of integrated solutions contracts.

Selling expenses were $57.2 million for fiscal year 2023, representing an increase of $11.9 million, or 26.4%, compared to $45.3 million for the prior fiscal year. The increase in selling expenses was mainly due to the increase in sales headcount to support the business growth, and the implementation of industry key customer strategy in industrial automation segment. Selling expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 7.4% and 6.4% for fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively.

General and administrative expenses were $63.6 million for fiscal year 2023, representing a decrease of $16.7 million, or 20.8%, compared to $80.2 million for the prior fiscal year, which was primarily due to an $8.6 million decrease in credit losses provision and a $6.4 million decrease in share-based compensation expenses. Share-based compensation expenses were $3.3 million and $9.7 million for fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 8.2% and 11.3% for fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Research and development expenses were $70.2 million for fiscal year 2023, representing an increase of $0.6 million, or 0.9%, compared to $69.6 million for the prior fiscal year. Research and development expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 9.0% and 9.8% for fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The VAT refunds and government subsidies were $28.6 million for fiscal year 2023, as compared to $30.3 million for the prior fiscal year, representing a $1.8 million, or 5.8%, decrease.

The income tax expenses and the effective tax rate were $11.4 million and 9.6% for fiscal year 2023, respectively, as compared to $16.6 million and 16.7% for the prior fiscal year, respectively. The effective tax rate fluctuates, as the Company's subsidiaries contributed different pre-tax income at different tax rates.

Net income attributable to Hollysys was $106.9 million for fiscal year 2023, representing an increase of 28.6% from $83.2 million reported in the prior fiscal year. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hollysys was $111.6 million or $1.80 per diluted share. See the section entitled "Non-GAAP Measures" for more information about non-GAAP net income attributable to Hollysys.

Diluted earnings per share was $1.72 for fiscal year 2023, representing an increase of 27.4% from $1.35 in the prior fiscal year. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $1.80 for fiscal year 2023, representing an increase of 17.6% from $1.53 in the prior fiscal year. These were calculated based on 62.0 million and 61.6 million diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. See the section entitled "Non-GAAP Measures" for more information about non-GAAP diluted earnings per share.

Operational Results Analysis for the Fourth Quarter Ended June 30, 2023

Total revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2023 were $195.0 million, as compared to $182.1 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year, representing an increase of 7.1%. In terms of revenue by type, integrated solutions contracts revenue increased by 7.8% to $160.9 million, products sales revenue increased by 12.1% to $13.3 million, and services revenue decreased by 0.9% to $20.8 million.

The following table sets forth the Company's total revenues by segment for the periods indicated.

(In USD thousands, except for %)

Three months ended June 30,

2023

2022

$

% to Total
Revenues

$

% to Total
Revenues

Industrial Automation

141,117

72.4

121,771

66.9

Rail Transportation Automation

35,901

18.4

34,215

18.8

Mechanical and Electrical Solution

17,945

9.2

26,129

14.3

Total

194,963

100.0

182,115

100.0

Gross margin was 31.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to 33.7% for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Gross margin of integrated solutions contracts, product sales, and service rendered was 24.1%, 63.4% and 65.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to 27.1%, 75.4% and 57.1% for the same period of the prior fiscal year, respectively. Non-GAAP gross margin was 31.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to 33.9% for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Non-GAAP gross margin of integrated solutions contracts was 24.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to 27.3% for the same period of the prior fiscal year. See the section entitled "Non-GAAP Measures" for more information about non-GAAP gross margin and non-GAAP gross margin of integrated solutions contracts.

Selling expenses were $13.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, representing an increase of $2.8 million, or 25.5%, compared to $10.9 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year. The increase in selling expenses was mainly due to the increase in sales headcount to support the business growth and the implementation of industry key customer strategy in industrial automation segment. Selling expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 7.0% and 6.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

General and administrative expenses were $19.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, representing a decrease of $4.1 million, or 17.7%, compared to $23.3 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year, which was primarily due to a $2.7 million decrease in credit losses provision and $2.0 million decrease in third-party consulting fees. Share-based compensation expenses were $0.4 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 9.8% and 12.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Research and development expenses were $16.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, representing an increase of $0.1 million, or 0.7%, compared to $16.6 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Research and development expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 8.6% and 9.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The VAT refunds and government subsidies were $6.4 million for three months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $8.6 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year, representing a $2.2 million, or 26.1%, decrease. The decrease in VAT refunds and government subsidies was mainly due to a 2.1 million decrease in government subsidies.

The income tax expenses and the effective tax rate were $0.7 million and 2.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2023, respectively, as compared to $3.9 million and 14.5% for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year, respectively. The effective tax rate fluctuates, as the Company's subsidiaries contributed different pre-tax income at different tax rates.

Net income attributable to Hollysys was $25.7 million for three months ended June 30, 2023, representing an increase of 11.7% from $23.0 million reported in the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hollysys was $26.5 million or $0.43 per diluted share. See the section entitled "Non-GAAP Measures" for more information about non-GAAP net income attributable to Hollysys.

Diluted earnings per share was $0.41 for the three months ended June 30, 2023, representing an increase of 10.8% from $0.37 for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.43 for the three months ended June 30, 2023, representing an increase of 7.5% from $0.40 for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. These were calculated based on 62.1 million and 61.8 million diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. See the section entitled "Non-GAAP Measures" for more information about non-GAAP diluted earnings per share.

Contracts and Backlog Highlights

Hollysys achieved $881.6 million and $281.2 million in terms of the value of new contracts for the fiscal year and the three months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. The order backlog of contracts was $909.5 million as of June 30, 2023. The order backlog of contracts represents the amount of unrealized revenue to be earned from the contracts that Hollysys won. The detailed breakdown of new contracts and backlog by segment is shown in the table below:

(In USD thousands, except for %)

Value of new contracts
achieved for the fiscal
year

ended June 30, 2023

Value of new contracts
achieved for the three
months

ended June 30, 2023

Backlog as of June 30,
2023