Steven Frankel

Steven Frankel inquired about whether the earlier-than-expected deal timing indicated a change in the macro environment or customer urgency, the specifics of the large $7 million true-up, the drivers behind strong mobile growth, the potential market share impact of the Sony TV venture spin-off, and the implications of Q1 cash flow generation compared to prior years.

Answer

Kevin Yeaman (CEO) clarified that the early deal timing de-risked the outlook but didn't signal a macro generalization. Robert Park (CFO) specified the $7 million true-up was primarily in gaming and broadcast. Robert Park also noted mobile revenue fluctuates quarterly, with full-year growth still expected to be slight. Kevin Yeaman declined to comment on Sony's transaction but emphasized strong relationships with TCL and Sony, and the opportunity for increased royalties and broader adoption with Dolby Vision 2 in mid-range TVs. Robert Park explained that operating cash flow fluctuates quarter-to-quarter, advising to look at trailing four quarters which closely track non-GAAP net income.

Steven Frankel (Rosenblatt Securities) inquired about the implications of deals closing earlier than expected, asking if it signals a change in the market environment or customer urgency, or if it's merely a timing fluctuation. He also sought clarification on the nature and location of a significant Q1 true-up, the drivers behind strong mobile growth, the potential market share opportunity arising from the Sony TV venture's partnership with TCL, and the factors influencing Q1 cash flow generation compared to previous years.

Answer

Kevin Yeaman (CEO, Dolby Laboratories) stated that the early deal closures de-risk the annual outlook but do not indicate a broader macro trend change. Robert Park (CFO, Dolby Laboratories) clarified that the $7 million true-up was primarily in gaming and broadcast, not mobile. Robert Park also noted that mobile revenue fluctuations are common quarter-to-quarter due to deal timing, with full-year mobile growth still expected to be slightly up. Kevin Yeaman expressed excitement about Dolby Vision 2's potential to increase attach rates and royalties across mid-range TVs, without commenting directly on Sony's transaction but highlighting strong relationships with both Sony and TCL. Robert Park explained that operating cash flow can fluctuate quarterly due to deal timing and patent pool collections, advising to look at trailing four quarters' non-GAAP net income as a proxy for full-year operating cash flow.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities questioned if returning to high single-digit or double-digit growth is still achievable, whether the product mix has evolved as predicted year-to-date, and which business segment was responsible for the negative true-up.

Answer

CEO Kevin Yeaman affirmed that double-digit growth is achievable, driven by the 15-25% target growth in Dolby Atmos and Vision, once the foundational business stabilizes. He also confirmed the product mix is playing out as expected. CFO Robert Park specified that the negative $4 million true-up was primarily related to the set-top box business within the broadcast segment.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities asked about potential adjustments to operating expenses in a deteriorating economic environment, the key catalysts for reaching a tipping point in automotive adoption, and the value of revenue true-ups for the quarter.

Answer

CEO Kevin Yeaman stated that while Dolby is focused on long-term plans, it remains ready to adjust spending based on market conditions and will continue seeking efficiencies. He identified expanding into high-volume mainstream car models as the next major milestone for automotive adoption, building on current momentum. CFO Robert Park reported that revenue true-ups in Q2 were approximately $1 million.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities inquired about Q1 trends for foundational revenue, the drivers behind the significant growth in the mobile segment, the potential timeline for Samsung's automotive OLED screens featuring Dolby Vision, and the specifics of the quarter's large revenue true-up.

Answer

CFO Robert Park confirmed that Q1 trends were consistent with the full-year flat outlook for foundational revenue and noted the revenue true-up was broad-based, particularly in TVs and auto, not from a single partner. CEO Kevin Yeaman attributed the mobile segment's growth to the timing of minimum volume commitments and the integration of GE licensing. Regarding automotive, Yeaman expressed excitement about the Samsung partnership, highlighting that it validates the opportunity and simplifies implementation, with more progress expected throughout the year.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities requested more detail on the imaging patent business, asking for the implied organic growth rate within the total 15% growth figure, considering the tough comparison and the contribution from the GE acquisition. He then asked for clarification on the magnitude of the organic decline.

Answer

Kevin Yeaman, CEO, clarified that the overall imaging patents category is projected to grow about 15% with the GE licensing deal. However, he explained that the organic imaging patents business will be down mid-to-high single digits. This decline is due to a difficult comparison against fiscal 2024, which benefited from a large transaction that recognized revenue earlier than anticipated.

Steve Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities asked about the performance of Universal Electronics' North American business, customer concentration in the quarter, historical Q4 segment data to understand future declines, and the impact of tariffs given the planned closure of the Mexico facility.

Answer

COO & Interim CEO Rick Carnifax stated that North American trends remain stable but are being offset by weakness in Latin America and Europe. He also expressed confidence in managing tariff impacts through supply chain flexibility. CFO Bryan Hackworth identified Daikin (18.7%) and Comcast (12.2%) as the quarter's 10% customers. He explained that specific historical Q4 segment data was not yet available due to new reporting systems but noted that both Connected Home and Home Entertainment sales are expected to decline sequentially in Q4.

Steven Frankel inquired about customer concentration, the shipping status of previously announced HVAC wins, the geographic sales mix for the connected home segment, the potential impact of tariffs, and the progress of the CEO succession search.

Answer

Executive Bryan M. Hackworth identified Daikin (17.7%) and Comcast (11.2%) as the two 10% customers for the quarter. He stated that of the top eight HVAC OEMs won, at least five have begun shipping, with a focus on SKU expansion. Hackworth clarified that the majority of the connected home business, particularly HVAC, is outside the U.S. Regarding tariffs, he explained that at current rates, costs are passed to customers, impacting margin rates but not dollars, and the company is prepared to react to any changes. On the CEO search, Hackworth confirmed the Board has hired a search firm and is actively interviewing, expressing confidence in the interim leadership team.

Steven Frankel inquired about the specifics of a Q4 revenue recognition rule for products shipping in Q1, the drivers behind Q1 guidance for gross margin and OpEx, Q4 customer concentration, and updates on the Roku legal case. He later followed up on the adoption rate of smart thermostats by HVAC vendors and UEIC's penetration among the top global HVAC players.

Answer

CFO Bryan M. Hackworth explained that accounting rules required recognizing $4 million in revenue in Q4 for produced, committed climate control orders, which shifted sales from Q1 2025. He affirmed the full-year gross margin outlook of 30% (+/- 1%) and stated OpEx would remain stable. He also provided customer concentration figures (Daikin 13.4%, Comcast 10.7%) and clarified a minor legal footnote. CEO Paul D. Arling added that the Supreme Court denied Roku's appeal, allowing UEIC to proceed with its case in 2025. Arling also noted that while UEIC has won projects with a majority of the top 10 HVAC vendors, the key is helping them make their thermostats an integral, high-value part of their systems to compete with third-party options.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities inquired about the drivers behind the return to growth, the business split between home entertainment and smart devices, the outlook for gross margins, and customer concentration.

Answer

CEO Paul D. Arling and CFO Bryan M. Hackworth attributed the growth to a combination of new project launches and a stabilizing home entertainment business. Hackworth clarified that while specific revenue splits are not disclosed, the Connected Home segment is the primary growth driver. He also affirmed that the current gross margin of around 30% is sustainable, despite temporary Q4 freight cost pressures, and could improve with a better product mix. For customer concentration, Hackworth reported that Daikin represented 12.4% of sales and Sony 10.6%.

Steve Frankel from Rosenblatt Securities asked about Sonos's new product introduction cadence, the balance between hardware and software innovation, and whether the company's cost-cutting initiatives are nearing completion.

Answer

CEO Tom Conrad affirmed that a cadence of two new hardware products per year remains the goal, but noted a temporary 'lull' in hardware releases due to a focus on software. He stated that new hardware introductions would resume in fiscal 2026, with software enhancements driving near-term value. CFO Saori Casey added that the company's cost optimization efforts are an ongoing 'transformation' journey with more work to be done.

Steven Frankel asked about the channel's willingness to absorb inventory ahead of tariffs, the strategic reasoning behind winding down the IKEA partnership, the progress on repairing relationships with the installer channel, and for an update on IP litigation.

Answer

CFO Saori Casey stated that discussions with channel partners on inventory and pricing strategies to mitigate tariff impacts are a work-in-progress. Interim CEO Tom Conrad positioned the end of the IKEA partnership as part of a sharpened focus on core initiatives. He also detailed significant progress in repairing installer relationships through nine recent software updates that improved reliability and performance. On litigation, Conrad confirmed two cases against Google are proceeding, with no new developments since the last update.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities inquired about the unconventional timing of the earnings release, the top strategic changes under the new CEO, the current status and timeline for improving the Sonos app, current channel inventory levels, and the holiday season performance of the ACE headphones.

Answer

Interim CEO Tom Conrad explained the release timing was due to a major reorganization and layoff announcement. He outlined his focus on improving the core experience, optimizing the business, and driving financial performance. Conrad stated the app team is now focused on a "return to excellence" but gave no firm timeline. CFO Saori Casey confirmed channel inventory is at a "comfortable place" and noted that while the ACE headphones were incremental to revenue, their launch was hampered by the app issues.

Steven Frankel from Rosenblatt Securities inquired about the primary cause for slower new household growth, whether the new Ace headphones are attracting new or existing customers, and the specifics of the 'make good' program for professional installers.

Answer

CEO Patrick Spence attributed the slower household growth mainly to a cyclical downturn in the audio category, with some impact from the app issues, but noted that existing household repurchase rates remain strong. Regarding the Ace headphones, Spence described the buyer base as a mix of new and existing customers and highlighted a key promotional placement at Best Buy. He explained the installer program was designed to compensate them for extra installation time due to app challenges and stated the relationship with that channel is recovering.

Steven Frankel from Rosenblatt Securities sought to reconcile the strong order book with the cautious Q3 guidance, asking if customers were deploying from existing inventory. He also inquired about the new customer pipeline in the video segment and the timing of revenue contribution from the Akamai partnership.

Answer

CEO Nimrod Ben-Natan explained the lag between shipments and modem activation, noting a pickup in modem count as expected. He highlighted video growth through partners like ViewLift and Akamai, which onboard multiple end-customers. CFO Walter Jankovic clarified that the Akamai revenue ramp is expected to contribute more significantly to growth in the second half of the year, implying a larger impact in Q4.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities inquired about the progress of Unified DOCSIS amplifier availability, the strategy for using cash to pre-buy inventory to mitigate tariffs, and the timeline for the fiber business to become a material revenue contributor.

Answer

CEO Nimrod Ben-Natan stated that the amplifier situation is progressing according to their original plan. CFO Walter Jankovic confirmed that Harmonic is actively considering using its liquidity to procure inventory ahead of potential tariff changes. Both executives highlighted that the fiber business is already becoming sizable, with strong bookings and expansion projects with both cable and pure-play telco customers.

Steven Frankel asked about the availability of chips for Unified DOCSIS hardware and sought to reconcile bullish spending plans from Harmonic's top customers with the company's more cautious forecast.

Answer

CEO Nimrod Ben-Natan confirmed that silicon for Unified DOCSIS is fully available and the main challenge lies in system integration and operational deployment, not chip supply. He explained that Harmonic's products are only one portion of a major MSO's total network CapEx, which also includes significant labor and other components. CFO Walter Jankovic added that recent demand forecast reductions from customers, related to the Unified 4.0 transition, are factored into the prudent 2025 guidance.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities Inc. sought more detail on the 2025 growth caution, asking if the slowdown from the Unified DOCSIS 4.0 transition affects all customers or primarily the cohort of operators that were previously expected to ramp up. He also asked if this signals a broader market shift from DOCSIS 3.1 upgrades directly to 4.0.

Answer

President and CEO Nimrod Ben-Natan clarified that the caution is due to a combination of factors affecting multiple customer types. He explained that with Unified technology now available to all, many operators who were previously considering DOCSIS 3.1 or were on the sidelines are now re-evaluating their roadmaps to go directly to DOCSIS 4.0, which causes a near-term planning delay as they assess the technology and economics.

Steve Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities requested an update on the network of theaters wired for live events, asking about its current size and future growth plans.

Answer

CEO Richard Gelfond explained that the company has shifted its strategy from physically wiring theaters to using a more cost-effective streaming technology acquired via SimWave. This allows for rapid deployment of live events without significant capital outlay. He confirmed the network will expand using this efficient streaming method.

Steven Frankel asked how IMAX is managing its DMR (Digital Re-mastering) process to avoid gross margin pressure as the number of 'Filmed for IMAX' titles increases.

Answer

CEO Richard Gelfond explained that the DMR process has become highly automated and is not labor-intensive. He also noted that IMAX outsources some of this work to local partners for international films, a process facilitated by cloud-based technology, ensuring margins are not squeezed. CFO Natasha Fernandes added that the typical two-week run captures the peak box office, and successful films can always be brought back.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities questioned if the strong turnaround in China would lead to more screen installations or primarily higher per-screen averages (PSAs). He also asked how the robust upcoming film slate impacts the company's live event strategy.

Answer

CEO Richard Gelfond stated that the success in China, the "Ne Zha effect," will likely have ancillary benefits like new signings as exhibitors are more financially robust, though IMAX will maintain its strict underwriting standards. Regarding live events, Gelfond explained they fit perfectly with the film slate by utilizing off-peak capacity, attracting new audiences, and providing incremental revenue for both IMAX and its exhibitor partners.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities requested a breakdown of the weakness in healthcare student starts, asking to separate the impact of the Paramus campus suspension from the discontinuation of other programs. He also asked for a detailed explanation of the student start timing shift between Q2 and Q3.

Answer

CFO Brian Meyers explained that excluding the two specific issues, the underlying healthcare programs grew by approximately 6%. He stated the negative impact was split almost evenly between the Paramus nursing enrollment suspension and the teach-out of the massage and culinary programs. Both executives clarified that a large class start of ~2,300 students is moving from the last week of June in 2024 to July 1 in 2025, shifting the count from Q2 to Q3 but having a minimal impact on quarterly revenue.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities Inc. asked about the potential impact of the new presidential administration on the Department of Education, weighing regulatory easing against potential operational delays. He also questioned if there were any demand shifts among skilled trades programs like auto, diesel, and collision.

Answer

Executive Scott Shaw stated he anticipates a more "level playing field" and improved operational efficiency from the Department of Education under the new administration. Regarding program mix, he noted that demand for skilled trades is consistently strong, while demand for collision repair has softened, leading the company to reallocate facility space to higher-demand programs like welding and HVAC.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities questioned the reason for the flattish student population in the healthcare segment, despite the reported strong double-digit starts in that area.

Answer

Executive Scott Shaw explained the discrepancy was due to the timing of starts and a temporary halt in enrollments at the Paramus, New Jersey campus, which is currently below benchmark but expected to recover in 2025. Executive Brian Meyers added that the underperforming Euphoria campus, which is being divested, also negatively impacted the healthcare segment's population numbers.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities asked for an update on previously delayed TiVo OS TV launches and sought to identify the key performance indicators for 2025, questioning if TiVo One's monetization was the critical variable. He also inquired about the current monetization methods for the IPTV base and its revenue share economics compared to TV OEMs.

Answer

CEO Jon Kirchner confirmed that the company has made up ground on launch delays, with partners ramping up and Sharp TVs now available in the U.S. He affirmed that TiVo One's monetization is the critical variable for 2025, urging investors to watch active user growth and ARPU. Kirchner added that the IPTV base, previously monetized traditionally, is now being integrated into the TiVo One ad platform with economics that are not materially different from TV OEM partnerships. CFO Robert Andersen added that both active users and ARPU are expected to grow sequentially.

Steven Frankel of Rosenblatt Securities asked for clarification on TiVo OS delays, questioning if they affect the North American holiday launch and if European partners are also experiencing delays. He also probed whether the 7 million unit target for 2025 relies on securing new partners and sought details on the nature of market softness in the U.S.

Answer

CEO Jon Kirchner confirmed that a partner is expected to begin production for U.S.-bound TVs in late November, with a market presence around year-end. He clarified that European delays were related to the timing of shipment volumes from existing partners, not the launch of new ones. Kirchner asserted that the 7 million unit goal is achievable with the current seven partners. Regarding market softness, he attributed it to weaker end demand in specific areas like game consoles and general automotive volumes, rather than extended decision cycles or market share shifts.

Steven Frankel inquired about the M&A landscape, specifically seller price expectations, and the current level of competition among employers to hire UTI graduates.

Answer

CEO Jerome Grant stated that seller valuation expectations in the M&A market are becoming 'more reasonable' and emphasized that any target must have excellent student outcomes. Grant also explained that employer competition for students is strong, and UTI's strategy of bringing partners like Tesla into the educational process earlier is increasing this competition and helping drive wage growth.