SP
Sonoma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SNOA)·Q2 2019 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Record quarterly revenue of $4.9M (+14% YoY; +13% QoQ) with gross margin expanding to 49% (from 40% in Q1), driving a two-year low EBITDA loss of $1.95M; diluted EPS improved to $(0.44) from $(0.55) in Q1 and $(0.67) in the prior-year quarter .
- U.S. product revenue rose 7% YoY to $2.4M, while Latin America grew 32% YoY to $1.0M on Brazil launch shipments; dermatology prescriptions reached an all-time high (17,410), aided by mail-order channels now comprising ~42% of dermatology prescription shipments .
- Cash declined to $4.0M from $7.7M in Q1, driven by working capital increases (receivables +$0.8M, inventories +$0.4M; largely international/Brazil), though management expects collections in the December quarter; EBITDA remains the primary cash burn proxy .
- Stock reaction catalysts: continued margin expansion as mix shifts to higher-margin dermatology, adoption of mail-order channel (reduces rebates/substitution), and Brazil rollouts (acne/scar) alongside U.S. Epicyn cleanser launch plans .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- “Record high revenue” of $4.9M with higher gross profitability and lowest EBITDA loss in two years; company highlights strong demand and improved gross-to-net control via mail-order partners .
- U.S. mail-order penetration scaled to ~42% of dermatology prescriptions, reducing wholesaler inventory swing risk and rebate leakage; management cites positive physician/patient reception and better predictability of net revenue .
- International momentum: Brazil launch under NC Group/U.SK began (shipment of $248k in Q2) with additional product launches expected; management anticipates continued growth from Brazil and broader international network .
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What Went Wrong
- Cash balance fell to $4.0M (from $7.7M) on EBITDA loss and working capital build (receivables, inventory, prepaids), highlighting liquidity sensitivity; company expects conversion in December quarter .
- U.S. dermatology net revenue declined 8% YoY despite underlying prescription growth, reflecting channel mix and gross-to-net headwinds (rebates/wholesaler inventory), though QoQ trends improved (+23%) .
- Ongoing exposure to managed care dynamics and prior swings from wholesaler inventory reduce top-line visibility, necessitating continued channel rebalancing (mail-order vs retail) .
Financial Results
Segment/Geography Product Revenue
KPIs and Operating Metrics
Notes: EBITDA is defined as GAAP operating loss minus non-cash stock-based compensation and D&A; non-GAAP reconciliations provided in 8-K exhibits .
Guidance Changes
Management does not provide specific numerical guidance; commentary is qualitative.
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Total revenue was $4.9 million…a record high…we think we're just getting started” (Jim Schutz, CEO) .
- “This is our lowest EBITDA loss in the last two years…caused by higher revenue, higher gross profitability, and…lower operating expenses [QoQ]” (Bob Miller, CFO) .
- “Our mail-order program…represented 42% of our unit sales in the September quarter…we believe this diversification reduces the risk of inventory reductions” (Jim Schutz, CEO) .
- “Shipments to Brazil…were $248,000…they far exceeded what their contractual agreement was…we expect to see good, strong growth” (Bob Miller, CFO) .
- “All three [acne] studies confirmed statistically significant reductions…with p-values ranging from 0.1% to 0.02%” (Bob Miller, CFO) .
Q&A Highlights
- Mail-order penetration: rose to “a little over 40%” of units in the September quarter (from ~20% in prior comments) .
- Rebates: management said rebate costs have “stabilized” with mail-order and a cash-pay program that lowers co-pays and controls rebate spend .
- Brazil growth: $248k shipment in Q2 for acne; scar product launches next; partner “far exceeded” contractual commitments; expectation of continued strong growth .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for Q2 FY2019 revenue and EPS was unavailable via our data access at the time of analysis; therefore, no beat/miss assessment versus consensus is provided.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Mix and margin inflection: gross margin expanded to 49% as U.S. dermatology volume recovered and Brazil mix contributed; continued mix shift and mail-order adoption should support margin durability .
- Demand indicators strong: prescriptions reached an all-time high, with factory units rebounding QoQ; underlying demand appears healthy despite prior gross-to-net noise .
- Channel strategy is working: ~42% mail-order penetration reduces substitution and rebate drag, improving net revenue predictability and cash economics per script .
- International optionality: early Brazil contribution with seven products licensed provides a second growth engine; watch for sequential build from acne and scar launches .
- Liquidity watch: cash fell to $4.0M due to EBITDA loss and working capital build; collections expected in December quarter, but execution on working capital and OpEx control remains critical .
- Near-term catalysts: U.S. Epicyn cleanser launch, Brazil scale-up, and sustained mail-order expansion could drive revenue growth and further EBITDA loss reduction .
Supporting detail:
- Q2 FY2019 8-K press release and financials .
- Q2 FY2019 earnings call transcript (operational commentary, prescriptions, mail-order, Brazil) .
- Prior quarters for trend: Q1 FY2019 8-K/press release and call ; Q4 FY2018 8-K/press release .