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Data Storage Corp (DTST)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q3 2025 marked a structural reset following the CloudFirst divestiture: continuing operations (Nexxis) delivered $0.42M revenue (+28.2% YoY) and 47.6% gross margin, while total EPS was driven by a $17.47M gain on the sale, resulting in $2.20 diluted EPS .
  • Against S&P Global consensus, DTST posted a significant EPS beat on continuing operations ($0.02 vs -$0.14*) and a modest revenue beat ($0.417M vs $0.400M*), with only one estimate covering the quarter.*
  • Liquidity strengthened materially: cash and marketable securities were $45.76M at 9/30/25; management reiterated plans for a tender offer and share buyback, and outlined an M&A pipeline targeting recurring-revenue assets (VoIP/data, GPU/AI infrastructure, cybersecurity) .
  • Near-term stock reaction catalysts include final tender offer details (size/price), clarity on post-tender cash balance ($5–$15M target range), and progress toward an acquisition by end of March; CFO indicated Q3 SG&A is a reasonable run-rate going forward .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • The CloudFirst sale was characterized as “transformative,” unlocking value and enabling a focused DSC 2.0 strategy; total net income was $16.78M, driven by the $17.47M gain on sale .
  • Continuing operations (Nexxis) showed healthy YoY growth: sales rose 28.2% to $417K on expansion in voice/data telecom solutions; gross margin improved to ~47.6% .
  • Balance sheet strength: cash and marketable securities totaled $45.76M at quarter-end; warrant repurchase simplified capital structure ahead of the tender process .

What Went Wrong

  • Operating loss in continuing ops widened YoY to -$1.10M, reflecting higher SG&A (+31.8% YoY) largely due to accelerated vesting from the divestiture and compensation increases .
  • Loss from discontinued operations in Q3 before the sale was -$0.82M, partially offset by the gain on sale; continuing operations remain sub-scale, necessitating inorganic expansion .
  • Limited estimate coverage (single-analyst), and lack of formal quantitative guidance leaves uncertainty on forward revenue/margins pending M&A execution and tender outcomes .

Financial Results

Continuing Operations Performance (Nexxis)

MetricQ3 2024Q3 2025YoY Change
Revenue ($USD)$325,299 $416,956 +28.2% (calc from )
Cost of Sales ($USD)$180,832 $218,457 +20.8% (calc from )
Gross Profit ($USD)$144,467 $198,499 +37.4% (calc from )
Gross Margin (%)44.4% (calc from )47.6% (calc from )+320 bps (calc from )
SG&A ($USD)$984,099 $1,296,974 +31.8% (calc from )
Operating Income (EBIT) ($USD)-$839,632 -$1,098,475 -$258,843 (calc from )
Interest Income ($USD)$160,770 $193,347 +$32,577 (calc from )
Continuing EPS (Basic) ($)-$0.10 $0.02 +$0.12 (calc from )
Continuing EPS (Diluted) ($)-$0.10 $0.02 +$0.12 (calc from )

Total Company EPS and Shares

MetricQ3 2024Q3 2025
EPS Attributable to Common – Basic ($)$0.02 $2.30
EPS Attributable to Common – Diluted ($)$0.02 $2.20
EPS from Discontinued Ops – Basic ($)$0.11 $2.28
EPS from Discontinued Ops – Diluted ($)$0.11 $2.19
Weighted Avg Shares – Basic6,999,447 7,293,644
Weighted Avg Shares – Diluted7,405,664 7,613,606

Liquidity and Capital

MetricFY 2024 (12/31)Q3 2025 (9/30)
Cash & Equivalents ($USD)$1,070,097 $284,714
Marketable Securities ($USD)$11,261,006 $45,471,979
Total Cash + Securities ($USD)$12,331,103 (calc from )$45,756,693 (calc from )
Warrant Liability ($USD)$1,224,838

Note: Q2 and Q1 included CloudFirst within consolidated results (e.g., Q2 revenue $5.15M; Q1 revenue $8.08M), while Q3 presents continuing operations (Nexxis) separately post-sale; comparisons are structurally impacted .

Segment Breakdown (Post-CloudFirst Sale)

SegmentQ3 2025 Revenue ($USD)
Nexxis (Continuing Operations)$416,956

KPIs (Continuing Ops)

KPIQ3 2024Q3 2025
Gross Margin (%)44.4% (calc from )47.6% (calc from )
Operating Loss ($USD)-$839,632 -$1,098,475
SG&A ($USD)$984,099 $1,296,974

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
SG&A Run-RateNear-term (Q4 2025+)N/A“Q3 number is a good number to use going forward” (~$1.3M) Established run-rate commentary
Tender Offer / Post-Tender CashPost-completionQ2 PR: Board authorized tender using 85% of cash on hand if transaction closed CEO frames post-tender cash range ~$5–$15M; aim to retain ~$10–$11M if possible Clarified expected range
M&A TimelineBy end of MarchN/ACEO pushing to close a recurring-revenue acquisition; moving upstream to $10–$20M deal sizes New timing focus
Strategy FocusOngoingMulti-cloud and CloudFirst growth Post-sale focus on GPU IaaS, AI software, cybersecurity, and voice/data telecom (Nexxis) Strategic pivot confirmed

No revenue, margin, tax rate, or EPS quantitative guidance ranges were issued for continuing operations; management emphasized disciplined capital allocation and M&A-driven scaling .

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicQ1 2025 (Older)Q2 2025 (Older)Q3 2025 (Current)Trend
AI/Technology InitiativesCloudFirst multi-cloud growth; UK expansion via Pulsant; IBM Power modernization Proposed CloudFirst sale; evaluating AI/cyber/vertical SaaS focus post-transaction DSC 2.0 focus: GPU IaaS, AI-driven apps, cybersecurity; forming advisory group Accelerating pivot to AI/infra
Capital ReturnsN/ABoard authorized tender offer framework if sale proceeds Special committee finalizing tender price; buyback imminent Moving to execution
Segment Performance (Nexxis)N/AContinued subscription growth; consolidated rev $5.1M Nexxis rev +28% YoY to $417K; stable recurring base Building recurring base
M&A StrategyN/APost-sale proceeds earmarked for acquisitions Targeting VoIP/data and GPU/AI/cyber; aiming to close by end of March Pipeline formation
OpEx DisciplineN/AOperating losses manageable; consolidated context SG&A run-rate affirmed; no non-recurring items in Q3 SG&A Cost visibility improved
Balance SheetCash/securities $11.1M; no LT debt Cash/securities $11.1M; no LT debt Cash+securities $45.76M post-sale; warrant repurchase completed Stronger liquidity

Management Commentary

  • “This quarter represents a defining period... we completed the sale of our CloudFirst subsidiary and repositioned the Company for its next phase of disciplined growth... unlock[ed] significant shareholder value... sharpen our focus... redeploy capital toward initiatives that offer higher returns” — Chuck Piluso, CEO .
  • “Sales from continuing operations... were $417,000... increase of 28.2%... driven by continued expansion of our voice and data telecommunication solutions” — Chris Panagiotakos, CFO .
  • “We are currently exploring strategic acquisitions... GPU-based computing, AI-enabled infrastructure, and cybersecurity... areas of active interest, not current commitments” — CEO .
  • “Q3 number is a good number to use going forward” (SG&A run-rate; no non-recurring charges in Q3) — CFO .

Q&A Highlights

  • Tender Offer Outcomes: CEO framed post-tender cash balance scenarios at ~$5–$15M, preferring ~$10–$15M to support acquisitions; an ATM of ~$10.8M is available for opportunistic funding .
  • SG&A Run-Rate: CFO confirmed no non-recurring Q3 SG&A items and suggested Q3 SG&A (~$1.3M) is a reasonable forward run-rate .
  • Acquisition Focus: Management emphasized tuck-ins to bolster Nexxis (VoIP/data access roll-ups) and moving upstream to $10–$20M deal sizes; GPU/AI opportunities remain actively monitored given sector volatility .
  • Process & Timing: CEO pushing to close an acquisition by end of March, acknowledging small targets may require audits before close .

Estimates Context

Metric (S&P Global Consensus)PeriodConsensusActual
Primary EPS (Continuing Ops) ($)Q3 2025-0.14*0.02
Revenue ($USD)Q3 2025400,000*416,956
Primary EPS – # of EstimatesQ3 20251*
Revenue – # of EstimatesQ3 20251*

Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Context: The EPS beat reflects continuing operations; total EPS includes the gain on sale of CloudFirst, which is outside the scope of continuing operations tracked by consensus .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Structural break: Post-CloudFirst, DTST is a smaller, recurring-revenue telecom platform (Nexxis) with strong liquidity and a mandate to redeploy capital; frame models on continuing operations, not pre-sale consolidated figures .
  • Near-term catalysts: Tender offer terms/pricing and post-tender cash clarity ($5–$15M range) are key; expect incremental updates as the special committee finalizes the process .
  • Execution path: Management aims to close a recurring-revenue acquisition by end of March; focus areas include VoIP/data (roll-up economics) and select GPU/AI/cyber targets with durable cash flows .
  • Cost visibility: SG&A run-rate implied at ~$1.3M per quarter; watch operating leverage as Nexxis scales via organic growth and tuck-ins .
  • Estimate revisions: Expect upward adjustments to continuing EPS given the beat and improved gross margin; coverage depth is limited (single estimate), so consensus may be slow to recalibrate.*
  • Capital structure: Warrant repurchase completed; balance sheet flexibility remains high, enabling capital returns and M&A without debt .
  • Risk factors: Integration risk on roll-ups, valuation volatility in GPU/AI assets, and limited formal guidance may create uncertainty; monitor disclosure cadence and deal quality .