OI
ORIGINCLEAR, INC. (OCLN)·Q3 2021 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2021 revenue grew 20% sequentially to $1.12M and 22% year-over-year; gross profit rose 87% q/q to $0.33M, while operating loss narrowed vs Q2 to $(1.32)M .
- Reported net income of $18.40M and diluted EPS of $0.02 were driven primarily by a large non-cash gain on net change in derivative liabilities ($19.80M), implying low-quality earnings; core operations remained loss-making .
- No formal quantitative guidance was issued; management highlighted momentum in Progressive Water Treatment (PWT) and Modular Water Systems (MWS) and introduced funding for the Water On Demand program post-quarter, a potential narrative catalyst .
- Commercial traction improved: PWT received a $1.8M purchase order under a ~$5M MSA with a large US power utility, and firm orders YTD increased sharply; these may support future revenue, though timing is uncertain .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- “We are very pleased with the progress of our Progressive Water Treatment and Modular Water Treatment divisions,” said CEO Riggs Eckelberry, underscoring execution breadth across business lines .
- COO Tom Marchesello: “With the launch of our Water On Demand pre-funded water equipment program, we believe that the year ahead is promising,” signaling emerging financing-led demand enablement .
- Sequential improvements: revenue +20% q/q ($1.12M vs $0.93M), gross profit +87% q/q ($0.33M vs $0.18M), and operating loss narrowed to $(1.32)M from $(1.93)M in Q2 .
What Went Wrong
- Operating expenses remained elevated ($1.65M in Q3 vs $1.17M in Q3’20) with higher selling/marketing and G&A, sustaining operating losses despite top-line gains .
- Reported profitability was dominated by non-cash derivative revaluation gains ($19.80M), masking underlying losses from operations; quality-of-earnings risk persists .
- An impairment of assets held for sale ($0.116M) and ongoing going concern language highlight balance sheet fragility and liquidity constraints .
Financial Results
Segment breakdown: OriginClear reports a single operating segment; no segment revenue disclosure available .
KPIs and balance updates:
Estimate comparison: Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for Q3 2021 EPS and revenue was unavailable; no estimate comparison could be made (see Estimates Context).
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
No Q3 2021 earnings call transcript was available; themes drawn from MD&A and press materials.
Management Commentary
- CEO: “We are very pleased with the progress of our Progressive Water Treatment and Modular Water Treatment divisions,” highlighting operational execution across manufacturing and modular systems .
- COO: “With the launch of our Water On Demand pre-funded water equipment program, we believe that the year ahead is promising,” indicating confidence in new financing-led go-to-market .
- MD&A emphasized WOD funding and pilot discussions beginning post-quarter, aligning the strategic narrative toward recurring, service-based cash flows .
Q&A Highlights
No Q3 2021 earnings call transcript was found; therefore, no Q&A highlights or guidance clarifications are available for this period [ListDocuments results showed 0 transcripts].
Estimates Context
- We attempted to retrieve S&P Global consensus for Q3 2021 (EPS and revenue), but were unable to access estimates due to request limits; thus, no comparison to Wall Street consensus is provided [GetEstimates error].
- Given microcap OTC coverage dynamics, consensus may be sparse; investors should anchor on disclosed operational results and pipeline metrics .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Sequential operational improvement: revenue +20% q/q and gross profit +87% q/q with narrower operating loss versus Q2; continued focus on scaling PWT/MWS could sustain momentum .
- Reported profitability quality is low: net income and EPS reflect non-cash derivative liability gains; core operations remain loss-making, requiring caution in interpreting the headline beat .
- Commercial pipeline strengthening: PWT MSA with a large utility ($1.8M PO; ~$5M total potential) and rising firm orders could underpin future revenue, albeit with lengthy delivery timelines typical in water projects .
- Strategic financing pivot: Water On Demand funding and pilot discussions began post-quarter, a potential catalyst to convert backlog into recurring cash flows; execution and O&M capability build-out are key .
- Liquidity and balance sheet risks: Going concern language, working capital deficit, preferred stock redemption defaults, and derivative liabilities warrant close monitoring; capital raises remain integral .
- No formal guidance: Absent quantitative guidance, investors should track order intake, contract receivables/liabilities, and milestone progress on WOD commercialization to gauge trajectory .
- Near-term trading implications: Headlines around WOD funding and utility MSA may support narrative; however, the reliance on derivative revaluation for net income could limit fundamental rerating until operating profitability improves .
Note: Consensus estimates via S&P Global were unavailable for Q3 2021 due to access limits; no estimate comparison is included.