NI
NuZee, Inc. (NUZE)·Q3 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2024 revenue increased 37% year over year to $366,888, but sequentially declined versus Q2; gross margin fell to -40% due to higher costs and inventory reserves .
- Net loss from continuing operations improved to $1,192,434 from $1,886,290 in Q3 2023; diluted loss per share was $(0.92) versus $(2.63) last year .
- Strategic pivot underway: management changes and a shift toward digital marketing/distribution, including exclusive rights to sell maca-infused products in Asia; execution risk remains and is early stage .
- Liquidity bolstered post-quarter via equity and convertible note transactions ($3.0M and ~$0.3M), enabling NASDAQ compliance; dilution and going-concern risks remain noted in filings .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Revenue growth: Q3 revenue rose 37% year over year to $366,888, reflecting increased U.S. single-serve volumes with major customers .
- Operating discipline: Operating expenses decreased 29% year over year to $1,335,371, helping narrow net losses .
- Management reorientation: “NUZEE plans to transform to a leading digital marketing, sales and distribution company for consumer products,” said Co-CEO Jianshuang Wang .
What Went Wrong
- Profitability pressure: Gross margin deteriorated to -40% (from 2% last year), driven by higher overall costs and inventory reserves; gross profit was negative $(146,213) .
- Sequential slowdown: Q3 revenue of $366,888 was below Q2's $605,761 amid declines in bagged coffee shipments called out in MD&A .
- Customer concentration and litigation costs: 70% of nine-month revenue tied to a single customer; a $500,000 Steeped litigation settlement was accrued, weighing on liquidity .
Financial Results
KPIs and other disclosures:
- Major customer concentration: Customer CL accounted for 70% of nine-month revenue ($1,142,865) .
- Cash and working capital: Cash $374,458; working capital $(801,812) as of June 30, 2024 .
- Discontinued operations (Korea/Japan) Q3 2024: revenue $157,440; loss from discontinued operations $(98,086) .
- Post-sale geography: Following the June 7, 2024 subsidiary sale, all revenues and property/equipment are in North America .
Guidance Changes
No quantitative guidance was issued in the Q3 press release or 10‑Q .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
No Q3 2024 earnings call transcript was available in the document catalog.
Management Commentary
- “NUZEE is in the early stages of transforming itself into a leading digital marketing, sales and distribution company for consumer products.” — Co‑CEO Jianshuang Wang, Q3 press release .
- “NUZEE plans to transform to a leading digital marketing, sales and distribution company for consumer products. We have a professional team to help our business partners achieve greater value.” — Co‑CEO Jianshuang Wang, August 7 press release .
Q&A Highlights
No earnings call transcript was available; therefore, Q&A highlights and guidance clarifications were not accessible in the source documents.
Estimates Context
- S&P Global Wall Street consensus for Q3 2024 EPS and revenue was unavailable due to missing Capital IQ mapping for NUZE. As a result, estimate comparison could not be performed [SpgiEstimatesError].
Where estimates may need to adjust: None assessed given the absence of consensus data.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Revenue mix and volume: Year-over-year growth was solid, but sequential revenue fell; management flagged weaker bagged coffee revenues in the quarter, suggesting near-term variability in volumes .
- Profitability challenge: Gross margin at -40% and recurring net losses highlight the need for cost controls and pricing/mix improvements; watch for margin stabilization in subsequent quarters .
- Strategic pivot risk/reward: The move into AI-enabled digital distribution and maca products offers optionality but is unproven; monitor tangible revenue contributions from new channels/products .
- Balance sheet/life-line: Post-quarter financings ($3.0M common stock sale; ~$0.3M converts) eased compliance pressure but increase dilution; going-concern language persists—track cash burn and further raises .
- Customer concentration: 70% nine-month revenue from a single customer is a key risk; diversification progress should be a focal KPI .
- Corporate actions: Subsequent compliance with NASDAQ and broader corporate changes (including leadership updates) may be catalysts; monitor execution milestones and any further corporate identity changes .