Rakon Limited/Announcement
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Amended FY24 Results Announcement form

Earnings Results23 November 2023RAKInformation Technology

Results announcement



Results for announcement to the market

Name of issuer Rakon Limited

Reporting Period 6 months to 30 September 2023

Previous Reporting Period 6 months to 30 September 2022

Currency New Zealand Dollar


Amount (000s) Percentage change

Revenue from continuing

operations

$61,254 -30%

Total Revenue $61,254 -30%

Net profit/(loss) from

continuing operations

$499 -97%

Total net profit/(loss) $499 -97%

Interim/Final Dividend

Amount per Quoted Equity

Security

No dividend proposed to be paid

Imputed amount per Quoted

Equity Security

Not Applicable

Record Date Not applicable

Dividend Payment Date Not applicable

Current period Prior comparable period

Net tangible assets per

Quoted Equity Security

$0.64


$0.58

A brief explanation of any of

the figures above necessary

to enable the figures to be

understood

Please refer to the Commentary and the unaudited interim

financial statements released in conjunction with this

announcement.

Authority for this announcement

Name of person


authorised

to make this announcement

Maureen Shaddick

Contact person for this

announcement

Nick Laurent, Investor and Media Relations

Contact phone number +64 21 240 7541

Contact email address nick.laurent@rakon.com

Date of release through MAP


23/11/2023

Unaudited financial statements accompany this announcement. Dividend Policy on www.rakon.com

---

Rakon Limited
T +64 9 573 5554

8 Sylvia Park Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland 1060, New Zealand

Private Bag 99943, Newmarket, Auckland 1149, New Zealand

Page 1 of 5 www.rakon.com

© 2023 Rakon Limited. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorised use or publication is expressly prohibited.



Market Release

23 November 2023

Rakon continues to focus on efficiency initiatives and investment for future growth

Global high technology company Rakon (NZX: RAK) has today released its financial results for the six

months ended 30 September 2023.

All numbers are stated in New Zealand dollars (NZ$) and relate to the six months ended 30

September 2023 (HY24), with comparisons to the six months ended 30 September 2022 (HY23) unless

stated otherwise.

Financial Highlights

 Revenue of $61.3 million (HY23: $87.2 million) reflects industry-wide challenges and the

completion of one-off chip shortage contracts

 Telecommunications revenue down $13.4 million to $34.2 million and Positioning revenue down

$9.2 million to $7.2 million, reflecting anticipated normalisation of customer inventory levels.

Space and Defence recorded its highest revenue to date of $15.3 million, up 24% from HY23

 Gross margin of 42.7% (HY23: 49.9%) reflects non-recurring costs associated with workforce

restructuring and lower production due to the move to the new India facility

 Operating expenses were relatively flat at $28.8 million (HY23: $28.4 million) reflecting both

increased investment for future growth and inflationary pressures, and the offsetting effect of

Rakon’s focus on efficiency initiatives to improve long-term competitiveness

 Underlying EBITDA

1

of $5.3 million (HY23: $28.1 million) reflects the fall in revenue, non-recurring

costs and sustained investment for growth

 Reflecting the deferment of 5G infrastructure deployment by mobile network operators as they

adjust to current macroeconomic pressures, and longer than anticipated inventory normalisation

by Rakon’s Telecommunications and Positioning customers, Rakon now expects FY24 Underlying

EBITDA

1

of between $13-$19 million.

Strategic Highlights

 Continued market share gains and an all-time high design win rate, which has increased 33% YoY

with a conversion rate of over 90%

 Planned production of select New Zealand and France product lines at the new India facility is

progressing on an accelerated schedule – delivering margin improvement from FY25

 Now established in the fast-growing NewSpace and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite ecosystem;

highest order book for Space over 12-month period and expecting this growth to continue

 Launched the latest Rakon semiconductor chip, the first of its AI computing hardware portfolio,

and working with leading players in AI computing hardware on next generation platforms

 Continued delivery of three-year growth strategy and on track to deliver all FY24 milestones.

Chief Executive Officer, Sinan Altug says “There is no doubt that we continue to deal with a tough short-

term macroeconomic environment. Our customers continue to work through their inventory levels, after

stockpiling through the global supply chain disruptions, and mobile network operators are deferring

some planned 5G capex. As evidenced by recent announcements, we are now seeing these conditions

lasting for longer than previously anticipated. However, we share the confidence of our tier 1 customers,





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who are seeing these adjustments as temporary pauses on the path to growth, and unequivocally

expecting the deployment of this deferred investment to return.”

“We are focused on diversifying and growing in new markets. A great example of this is our Space and

Defence segment, which is going from strength to strength, delivering highest revenue to-date in HY24,

and has become another strong vertical alongside Telecommunications. We have also taken the first

steps towards AI computing hardware becoming a core market. The launch of our next generation

semiconductor chip, Niku, lays the foundation for our AI computing hardware portfolio and we will add

more next-generation products to this portfolio in the coming year.”

“We are also leaving no stone unturned as we focus on optimising and running our business as

efficiently as possible. The steps we have taken to date are already providing tangible benefits, but we

continue to look for more efficiencies across our global operations. This will put us in the best position

to navigate the current macroeconomic conditions, offset inflationary impacts and improve our

resilience and competitiveness into the future.

“The medium to longer-term growth fundamentals for Rakon’s core markets remain strong. We

continue to deliver and execute on our three-year growth plan, which will ensure we’re well positioned

to capture and maximise significant opportunities. The strategic and focused investments we are making

today will enable us to grow market share, revenue and margins“, says Mr Altug.

Financial Result

Total revenue was $61.3 million, compared with $87.2 million for HY23. This reflects a $10 million impact

from the completion of one-off chip shortage contracts as well as the normalisation of inventory levels

– impacting both the Telecommunications and Positioning segments.

Telecommunications, Rakon’s largest market, fell to $34.2 million (HY23: $47.5 million) on the back of

anticipated industry-wide normalisation of inventory levels among customers. Positioning fell $9.2

million to $7.2 million (HY23: $16.4 million), reflecting the completion of one-off chip revenue of $4

million in HY23 and normalisation of customer inventory levels. Increased activity in Space and Defence

resulted in a 24% revenue increase to $15.3 million (HY23: $12.3 million). Rakon’s ‘Other’ segment

revenue fell from $11 million to $4.6 million, also reflecting the completion of one-off chip shortage

contracts.

Gross profit was lower at $26.1 million and margin percentage was 43% (HY23: 50%), impacted by one-

off costs associated with workforce restructuring, lower production due to the move to the new India

facility, and lower order volumes impacting economies of scale.

Operating expenses were relatively flat at $28.8 million (HY23: $28.3 million) even with continued

growth strategy investment (R&D up to $8.9 million) and incurred inflationary pressures. Rakon’s focus

remains on investing for growth while proactively carrying out efficiency and cost control measures.

Underlying EBITDA

1

of $5.3 million reflects the fall in revenue along with non-recurring expenses and

investment for future growth. Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) was $0.5 million, reflecting Underlying

EBITDA

1

, as well as a share of a loss made by an associate.

Net cash was $13.4 million, down from the prior year after investment of $6.1 million in capital

expenditure, including the completion of the India manufacturing facility, and payment of $2.9 million

dividend in August.





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Balance Sheet

Rakon’s balance sheet remains robust, with net assets of $154.22 million. The company had $13.4

million in net cash at balance date, $5 million lower than a year ago as it continues to self-fund key

growth-focused projects and paid its first dividend in August 2023.

Since 31 March 2023, inventory levels have reduced from $62.6 million to $60 million and are down

$12 million YoY as Rakon used up safety stocks that were accumulated to mitigate supply chain risks

and support the transfer of Rakon India’s manufacturing operation to the newly built facility. The

company will continue to focus on lean and agile inventory management going forward.

Rakon is committed to managing its balance sheet to support the company’s long-term sustainability

and growth strategy, including maintaining capacity to execute ongoing growth opportunities over

time.

Efficiency initiatives

As Rakon continues to invest for growth while navigating the challenging market environment, it is also

taking a multifaceted approach to driving efficiency across the business. By streamlining the business

without compromising core capabilities Rakon can ensure resilience and maintain market leadership

and competitiveness in the years ahead.

In HY24 Rakon reduced its global workforce by over 10% compared to its business plan, optimising

production efficiencies while ensuring retention of the right capabilities for continued execution of its

growth plan. General and Administrative costs were flat at $14.1 million (HY23: $14.2 million), a positive

reflection of the effectiveness of ongoing efficiency actions to offset inflationary pressures. Rakon

continues to proactively look at all expense categories, and associations with revenue and future growth

objectives.

Growth strategy

Rakon’s three-year growth strategy, as outlined to shareholders at the 2022 and 2023 annual meetings,

sets a path for building long-term shareholder value by diversifying revenue with focused investment

to grow Rakon’s market share, revenue and margins over time. The growth strategy investments made

to-date have allowed Rakon to successfully diversify into higher margin products and are estimated to

have increased the serviceable addressable market by 10% in just one year to almost $3.7 billion.

Rakon is on-track to deliver all FY24 milestones for the growth strategy, including the planned

production of select product lines from France and New Zealand at the new India facility. This is

progressing well on an accelerated schedule and once completed will bring margin improvement from

the second half of FY24 and gain increasing efficiencies from FY25.

Rakon launched its latest semiconductor chip, Niku

TM

, the first of its AI computing hardware portfolio

and continues to work with leading players in AI computing hardware on next generation platforms –

projecting tangible substantial benefits within the next 12-18 months. The next product in Rakon’s AI

computing hardware portfolio, MercuryX™, is scheduled for launch before the end of 2023 and has been

released to selected customers for testing.

The Space and Defence segment continues to outperform for Rakon. The company has its highest order

book to-date over the 12-month period and is now established in the fast-growing NewSpace and Low





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Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite ecosystem. This growth is expected to continue as Rakon focuses on

expanding into new geographies and moving up the value chain for this market.

Rakon continues to evaluate and consider acquisition opportunities to expand into the US market. This

would provide access to top-tier US customers through local manufacturing, strengthen existing

customer relationships and significantly increase Rakon’s Total Addressable Market. Rakon is taking the

necessary time to ensure any acquisition can be funded, integrated and is value accretive. Rakon is also

working on organic expansion into the US, focusing on getting the appropriate market certifications

underway.

Outlook

Overall, HY24 Underlying EBITDA

1

performed in line with the July market update. However, market

dynamics continue to evolve and following further dialogue with customers, and a number of recent

peer and customer announcements, Rakon now believes the risk to FY24 guidance is higher than the

$10 million (implied FY24 Underlying EBITDA

1

of $16 million to $24 million) indicated to the market in

July. In the Telecommunications market, mobile network operators are continuing to defer some capex

investments for the roll-out of 5G infrastructure as they navigate current macroeconomic pressures.

Additionally, both the Telecommunications and the Positioning segments continue to be impacted by

inventory corrections. This is partly offset by the outlook for the Space and Defence segment, which

continues its strong performance and is set to benefit from seasonal delivery orders driving H2 revenue.

The fundamental growth drivers supporting Rakon's core markets remain resilient, reflecting robust

medium to long-term prospects. Tier 1 Telecommunications customers remain confident in the

deployment of delayed investment for the next stage of the 5G network build-out and forecasts show

5G accounting for half of all mobile subscriptions by 2030. Positioning is now showing early signs of

recovery and key customer inventory normalisation, and the order book for Space and Defence remains

strong, extending beyond FY25.

Opportunities are significant and growing with the ongoing evolution of 5G, Cloud and Edge

Computing, AI, autonomous machines and vehicles, aerospace and the entire NewSpace ecosystem.

Building on the strong foundations of its products, innovation and customer service, Rakon’s

programme of investment for growth and efficiency initiatives will ensure it is well placed to capture

and maximise future opportunities.

Ends

Authorised for release to the NZX by Rakon’s Board of Directors.

Conference call details

Sinan Altug (Chief Executive Officer) and Drew Davies (Chief Financial Officer) will present the HY24

Financial Results and Business Update at 11.00am NZDT. All shareholders are invited to listen and view

the presentation broadcast. To join the live broadcast online please pre-register using this link.

Contact:

Investor and media relations

Nick Laurent

investors@rakon.com





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+64 21 240 7541

www.rakon.com

About Rakon

Rakon is a global high technology company and a world leader in its field. The company designs and

manufactures advanced frequency control and timing solutions. Its three core markets are

Telecommunications, Positioning and Space and Defence. Rakon’s products are found at the forefront

of communications where speed and reliability are paramount. Its products create extremely accurate

electric signals which are used to generate radio waves and synchronise time in the most demanding

communication applications.

Rakon has three manufacturing plants, six research and development centres, and sixteen customer

support offices worldwide. Founded in Auckland in 1967, Rakon is proud of its New Zealand heritage.

It is a public company listed on the New Zealand stock exchange, NZX, ticker code RAK.

1

Non-GAAP disclosures

Refer to note 4 of the FY2023 consolidated financial statements for an explanation of how ‘Non-GAAP

Financial Information’ is used, including a definition of Underlying EBITDA and reconciliation to net

profit after tax (NPAT)

Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.

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