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Akoustis Technologies, Inc. (AKTS)·Q1 2022 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q1 FY2022 revenue was $1.9M, roughly in line with prior ~$2.0M guidance; GAAP net loss per share was $0.25 and non-GAAP net loss per share was $0.21 .
  • Management guided the December quarter (Q2 FY2022) to $3.5–$4.0M revenue, citing Wi‑Fi 6/6E and network infrastructure ramps plus RFMi contribution; this is a quantified upgrade from the prior “record revenue” outlook without a range .
  • Operational focus included bringing wafer-level packaging (WLP) in-house to mitigate supply chain constraints and improve cost/quality, with design lock expected by end-November and qualification in early calendar 2022 .
  • Strategic expansion via majority ownership in RFMi adds accretive SAW/crystal product lines, new channels/customers, and cross-selling opportunities; RFMi is expected to contribute $1.5–$2.0M to December quarter revenue .
  • Near-term stock catalysts: execution on December-quarter ramps, validation of Wi‑Fi 6E leadership and diplexer progress, and visible de-risking of WLP/packaging supply chain .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • Wi‑Fi 6/6E momentum: 2 new Wi‑Fi 6E design wins (MU‑MIMO gateway, Tier‑1 enterprise) and ramp plans to have >5 Wi‑Fi customers in production by year-end. Quote: “We expect the number of WiFi customers… in production will increase to more than 5 by the end of the current calendar year.” .
  • New product progress: first Wi‑Fi 6E diplexer prototypes tested with “better than expected” initial performance; samples shipped to Tier‑1 PC chipset OEM; production targeted for 2H CY2022 .
  • 5G mobile traction: new development agreement with a leading 4G/5G RF customer; favorably received samples and foundry agreement in place with another customer; WLP integration advancing to support mobile .

What Went Wrong

  • Sequential revenue decline: Q1 FY2022 revenue fell to $1.9M from $2.2M in Q4 FY2021 amid ongoing semiconductor supply constraints (customers needing full “kits” to ship) .
  • Losses widened and cash burn increased: GAAP operating loss of $12.9M (vs $11.8M in Q4), cash used in operations rose to $12.7M (vs $7.4M), and CapEx surged to $5.7M (vs $2.6M) due to capacity and WLP investments .
  • Dilution risk: $5.4M cash raised via ATM at ~$10/share in Q1; while prudent for liquidity, it introduces incremental share issuance concerns .

Financial Results

MetricQ4 FY2021Q1 FY2022
Revenue ($USD Millions)$2.2 $1.9
GAAP Net Loss Per Share ($)$0.20 loss $0.25 loss
Non-GAAP Net Loss Per Share ($)$0.19 loss $0.21 loss
Operating Loss ($USD Millions)$11.8 $12.9
Cash and Equivalents ($USD Millions)$88.3 $75.7
Cash Used in Operating Activities ($USD Millions)$7.4 $12.7
Capital Expenditure ($USD Millions)$2.6 $5.7

Guidance vs Actual (Q1 FY2022):

MetricPeriodCompany GuidanceActualSurprise
Revenue ($USD Millions)Q1 FY2022~$2.0 $1.9 −$0.1M (in-line)

KPIs and Operating Milestones:

KPIQ4 FY2021Q1 FY2022
Wi‑Fi customers in production (by end of calendar year)Expect >5 by December “>5” customers expected by end of current quarter
Wi‑Fi design wins (announced)3 in Wi‑Fi 6, 2 in Wi‑Fi 6E Affirmed 3 in Wi‑Fi 6, 2 in Wi‑Fi 6E
Wi‑Fi product catalog>12 filters (4 Wi‑Fi 6, >8 Wi‑Fi 6E) 15 catalog filters; adding Wi‑Fi 6E modules to reach 17
5G network infrastructure filters (completed)5 total (4 small cell, 1 CBRS) 5 total; expanding CBRS orders and sampling C‑band
Capacity target500M filters/year by end CY2021 (on track) 500M filters/year expected by end CY2021

Segment Breakdown:

SegmentCommentary
Wi‑FiShipping Wi‑Fi 6 tandem filters; >5 customers in production expected; leadership in tri‑band coexistence across UNII bands
5G MobileMultiple customer‑funded filters; foundry agreement signed; WLP enabling mobile module integration
Network InfrastructureCBRS design wins (3); C‑band filter development progressing; sampling to Tier‑1s expected
Other/DefenseDARPA DP2 PDK work; proposal to extend XBAW to 18 GHz; UHF resonators in timing products

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
RevenueQ2 FY2022 (Dec quarter)“Record revenue” (no numeric range) $3.5–$4.0M Raised/quantified; includes RFMi
RFMi revenue contributionQ2 FY2022Not previously quantified$1.5–$2.0M New disclosure (additive)
G&A expenseQ2 FY2022~$4.0–$4.5M run-rate $4.5–$5.0M Up slightly
R&D expense mixQ2 FY2022R&D elevated due to fab commercialization R&D line to decline as costs shift to COGS Mix shift, margin optics to improve
Packaging/WLPCY2021–CY2022External vendors; qualification by YE CY2021 In-house; design lock late Nov; qualification early CY2022 Accelerated insourcing

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q4 FY2021)Current Period (Q1 FY2022)Trend
Supply chain constraintsHeadwinds impacting Wi‑Fi and small cell ramps; equipment lead times rising Ongoing “match set” issues; responding by insourcing WLP; capacity milestones on track Improving control; external constraints persist
Wi‑Fi 6/6E leadershipPortfolio expanded; first Wi‑Fi 6E design win; ultra tri‑band enablement 2 new Wi‑Fi 6E wins; >5 customers to be in production; diplexer prototypes “better than expected” Accelerating adoption
5G mobile progressFoundry agreement; first samples shipped; WLP introduced New development agreement; favorable feedback; WLP in-house design lock/qual timeline Advancing toward 2H CY2022
RFMi acquisitionNot detailed in Q4 callMajority ownership with synergy, channels, accretive cash flow; option for remaining 49% in Feb–Jun CY2022 window Portfolio expansion; integration underway
Capacity scalingTargeting 500M filters/year by YE CY2021 Expected to reach ~500M/year capacity by YE CY2021 On track
CBRS/C‑bandShipping volume to two CBRS customers; 3.8 GHz filter development Production shipments to CBRS customers expected; C‑band sampling to Tier‑1s Ramps beginning

Management Commentary

  • “We delivered revenue of $1.9 million in the quarter, in line with our prior $2 million guidance and remain confident that we will deliver record revenue in the current December quarter… we now believe that we will achieve revenue in the range of $3.5 million to $4 million” (Jeff Shealy, CEO) .
  • “We have determined that we can make better products with superior cost characteristics in our New York fab facility… we expect to complete our design lock by the end of November 2021 with full WLP process qualification expected to follow in early calendar 2022” .
  • “RFMi… adds… a bolt‑on RF filter business, which is immediately accretive to Akoustis’ financials from a cash flow perspective” .
  • “CapEx spend for Q1 was $5.7 million… Cash used in operating activities… was $12.7 million… the company exited the September quarter with no debt and $75.7 million of cash and cash equivalents” (Ken Boller, Interim CFO) .

Q&A Highlights

  • Focus across multiple markets vs. execution risk: Management emphasized a single-technology XBAW focus across 3–7 GHz bands, with WLP investments for mobile also benefiting Wi‑Fi on size and cost, mitigating distraction concerns .
  • Geographic coverage and growth trajectory: Sales channels and direct coverage in Asia broadened; backlog supports double‑digit QoQ growth in FY2022 with Wi‑Fi customers in mass production increasing from one to five .
  • Supply chain and “match set” dynamics: End OEMs require complete component kits, creating bottlenecks; Akoustis moved to insource WLP, ordered equipment early, and is expanding fab capacity and shifts to meet milestones .
  • RFMi integration and 49% option timing: Phase 1 integration progressing; management expects to evaluate remaining 49% around FY year‑end based on traction and roadmap execution .
  • OpEx and cost mix: G&A run‑rate guided to $4.5–$5.0M; R&D line to decline as commercialization shifts costs to cost of sales; RFMi expected to contribute $1.5–$2.0M to December revenue .
  • Competitive posture vs. UltraBAW: Management asserts continued Wi‑Fi 6E leadership with new products enabling full channel usage across UNII bands and solving coexistence challenges .

Estimates Context

  • S&P Global Wall Street consensus for Q1 FY2022 EPS and revenue was unavailable due to a data mapping issue in the CIQ company map. As a result, comparison to consensus cannot be provided at this time [SpgiEstimatesError: Missing CIQ mapping for ticker 'AKTS'].
  • Implication: Street models will likely need to reflect management’s $3.5–$4.0M December-quarter revenue guide and RFMi’s $1.5–$2.0M contribution, with attention to OpEx mix shifts and WLP insourcing timelines .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • December quarter ramp is the key near-term catalyst: Revenue guided to $3.5–$4.0M as Wi‑Fi 6/6E and CBRS shipments ramp and RFMi contributes; execution here drives narrative and potential re‑rating .
  • Wi‑Fi 6E leadership looks durable: Multiple Tier‑1 wins and unique tri‑band coexistence solutions support share gains across routers, gateways, and emerging PC diplexer opportunities .
  • 5G mobile optionality building for 2H CY2022: Foundry agreement in place, favorable sample feedback, and WLP insourcing progress can open handset revenue streams over time .
  • Supply chain de‑risking underway: In‑house WLP and early equipment orders aim to improve cost, quality, and cycle time; watch for November design lock and early‑2022 qualification updates .
  • Cash burn and dilution risk bear monitoring: Elevated OpEx and CapEx drove higher operating cash outflow; ATM usage adds shares; liquidity remains strong with $75.7M cash and no debt .
  • Capacity expansion on track: ~500M filters/year by YE CY2021 provides headroom to support multi‑customer ramps; engineering cycle‑time improvements are as critical as tools/labor .
  • RFMi broadens product/market reach: Accretive bolt‑on adds SAW/crystal portfolio, auto‑grade packages, and cross‑sell channels; integration milestones through March quarter will be important .