DLH Reports Fiscal 2023 First Quarter Results

ATLANTA, Feb. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DLH Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: DLHC) (“DLH” or the“Company”), a leading provider of research and development, systems engineering and integration, and digital transformation solutions to federal agencies, today announced financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Highlights

• First quarter revenue was $72.7 million in fiscal 2023 versus $152.8 million in fiscal 2022. The prior year period included $91.1 million from the short-term FEMA contract in Alaska.
• First quarter revenue included $6.9 million from the acquisition of Grove Resource Solutions ('GRSi'). Adjusted revenue1 for the quarter was $65.9 million, indicating healthy growth from adjusted revenue of $61.7 million in the prior-year period.
• On a GAAP basis, earnings were $1.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the fiscal 2023 first quarter versus $7.8 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 . Adjusted net income1 was $3.6 million for the fiscal 2023 first quarter versus $3.1 million for the prior-year period.
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share1 were $0.25 for the fiscal 2023 first quarter versus $0.22 for the prior-year period.
• Total debt at closing of the GRSi acquisition was $207.6 million, which was reduced to $203.4 million at December 31, 2022, reflecting strong cash flow to close the fiscal quarter.
• Contract backlog was $942.7 million as of December 31, 2022, including approximately $492.9 million from GRSi, versus $482.5 million at the beginning of the fiscal year.
• To assist in year-over-year comparisons of results, the Company is providing additional non-GAAP measures at the end of this earnings release.
  

Management Discussion
'I'm pleased to say that we're off to a great start for what promises to be a transformational year at DLH, having completed a game-changing acquisition that we are confident sets the stage for continued growth and solid results going forward,' said Zach Parker, DLH President and Chief Executive Officer. 'The GRSi transaction has greatly enhanced our technology capabilities, added hundreds of highly credentialed staff to the Company, and expanded our business in cloud-based enterprise modernization and cyber security solutions to civilian and military agencies. GRSi expanded its market presence in 2022, ultimately producing approximately $120 million of revenue for the year. While taking on debt for this key acquisition, we will – as always – utilize the company's cash flow generation to de-lever the balance sheet as expeditiously as possible. With backlog now approximately $1 billion, and a foundation for strong performance, we view fiscal 2023 as pivotal to our future success.'

Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $72.7 million versus $152.8 million in fiscal 2022, with the prior-year period reflecting the $91.1 million contribution from the short-term FEMA contracts in Alaska. GRSi contributed approximately $6.9 million in the quarter following the closing of the acquisition on December 8, 2022. While total revenues for the first quarter were down $80.1 million compared to the prior-year period due to the short-term contribution of the FEMA contracts, excluding revenue from both the FEMA contracts and GRSi transaction, annual adjusted revenue growth was approximately $4.2 million.

Income from operations was $3.9 million for the quarter versus $11.2 million in the prior-year period and, as a percentage of revenue, the Company reported an operating margin of 5.4% in the fiscal 2023 first quarter versus 7.3% in fiscal 2022. Adjusted operating income1 for the current quarter was $5.3 million, versus $4.9 million in the prior-year period.

Interest expense was $1.8 million in the fiscal first quarter of 2023 versus $0.7 million in the prior-year period, reflecting higher debt outstanding due to the acquisition of GRSi and increased interest rates. Following the close of the quarter, the Company implemented an additional floating-to-fixed interest rate swap. The notional amount of the interest rate swaps increased to $112.2 million, or approximately 60% of the term debt outstanding, with the remaining balance of debt subject to floating interest rates. The fixed rate is 4.10% plus applicable credit spread, and the swap matures in January 2026. The Company believes the swap will substantially mitigate interest rate risk. Income before income taxes was $2.1 million this year versus $10.5 million in fiscal 2022, representing 2.9% and 6.9% of revenue, respectively, for each period.

For the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, DLH recorded a $0.5 million and $2.7 million provision for income taxes. The Company reported net income of approximately $1.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 versus $7.8 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2022. As a percentage of revenue, net income was 2.1% for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 versus 5.1% for the prior-year period. Adjusted net income for the fiscal 2023 quarter was $3.6 million, resulting in adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.25, compared to adjusted net income for the prior year period of $3.1 million, or adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.22.

On a non-GAAP basis, EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2022 was approximately $6.3 million versus $13.2 million in the prior-year period, or 8.7% and 8.6% of revenue, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA1 was $7.2 million versus $6.9 million for the prior-year period, or 10.9% and 11.1% of adjusted revenue, respectively.

Key Financial Indicators
For the 2023 first fiscal quarter, DLH produced $8.0 million in operating cash. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had cash of $1.4 million and debt outstanding under its credit facilities of $203.4 million, versus cash of $0.2 million and debt outstanding of $22.0 million as of September 30, 2022. The debt balance immediately following the acquisition of GRSi of $207.6 was reduced by $4.2 million by the close of the quarter.

At December 31, 2022, total backlog was approximately $942.7 million, including funded backlog of approximately $164.0 million and unfunded backlog of $778.7 million.

Conference Call and Webcast Details
DLH management will discuss first quarter results and provide a general business update, including current competitive conditions and strategies, during a conference call beginning at 10:00 AM Eastern Time tomorrow, February 9, 2023. Interested parties may listen to the conference call by dialing 888-347-5290 or 412-317-5256. Presentation materials will also be posted on the Investor Relations section of the DLH website prior to the commencement of the conference call.

A digital recording of the conference call will be available for replay two hours after the completion of the call and can be accessed on the DLH Investor Relations website or by dialing 877-344-7529 and entering the conference ID 8037941.

About DLH
DLH (NASDAQ:DLHC) enhances public health and national security readiness missions through science, technology, cyber, and engineering solutions and services. Our experts solve some of the most complex and critical missions faced by federal customers, leveraging digital transformation, artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, cloud-based applications, telehealth systems, and more. With over 3,200 employees dedicated to the idea that“Your Mission is Our Passion,” DLH brings a unique combination of government sector experience, proven methodology, and unwavering commitment to innovative solutions to improve the lives of millions. For more information, visit

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or DLH`s future financial performance. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances or that are not statements of historical fact (including without limitation statements to the effect that the Company or its management“believes”,“expects”,“anticipates”,“plans”,“intends” and similar expressions) should be considered forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or DLH's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among others, statements regarding estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings and cash flow. These statements reflect our belief and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Our actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements made in this release due to a variety of factors, including: the impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”), including the measures to reduce its spread, and its impact on the economy and demand for our services, are uncertain, cannot be predicted, and may precipitate or exacerbate other risks and uncertainties; the risk that we will not realize the anticipated benefits of our acquisition of GRSi or any other acquisitions (including anticipated future financial performance and results); the diversion of management's attention from normal daily operations of the business and the challenges of managing larger and more widespread operations resulting from our recent acquisition; the inability to retain employees and customers; contract awards in connection with re-competes for present business and/or competition for new business; our ability to manage our increased debt obligations; compliance with bank financial and other covenants; changes in client budgetary priorities; government contract procurement (such as bid and award protests, small business set asides, loss of work due to organizational conflicts of interest, etc.) and termination risks; the ability to successfully integrate the operations of GRSi or any future acquisitions; the impact of inflation and higher interest rates; and other risks described in our SEC filings. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see“Risk Factors” in the Company's periodic reports filed with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, as well as subsequent reports filed thereafter. The forward-looking statements contained herein are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry and business.

Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and may become outdated over time. The Company does not assume any responsibility for updating forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

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TABLES TO FOLLOW

DLH HOLDINGS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

DLH HOLDINGS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands except par value of shares)

DLH HOLDINGS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company uses EBITDA and EBITDA Margin on Revenue as supplemental non-GAAP measures of performance. We define EBITDA as net income excluding (i) interest expense, (ii) provision for or benefit from income taxes and (iii) depreciation and amortization. EBITDA Margin on Revenue is EBITDA for the measurement period divided by revenue for the same period.

The Company is presenting additional non-GAAP measures to describe the impact on its financial performance from the acquisition of GRSi for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and the two short-term FEMA task orders for the three months ended December 31, 2021. The measures presented are Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin on Adjusted Revenue. In calculating these measures, we have removed the contribution from GRSi, including the corporate and incremental borrowing costs associated with completing the acquisition, as well as the FEMA task orders. These resulting measures present the quarterly financial performance compared to results delivered in the prior year period. Definitions of these additional non-GAAP measures are set forth below.

We prepare these additional non-GAAP measures to eliminate the impact of items that we do not consider indicative of ongoing operating performance due to their inherent unusual or extraordinary nature. These non-GAAP measures of performance are used by management to conduct and evaluate its business during its review of operating results for the periods presented. Management and the Company's Board utilize these non-GAAP measures to make decisions about the use of the Company's resources, analyze performance between periods, develop internal projections and measure management performance. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors in evaluating the Company's ongoing operating and financial results and understanding how such results compare with the Company's historical performance.

These supplemental performance measurements may vary from and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures by other companies in our industry. Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA Margin on Revenue, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin on Adjusted Revenue are not recognized measurements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, and when analyzing our performance investors should (i) evaluate each adjustment in our reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measures and (ii) use the aforementioned non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not as an alternative to, revenue, operating income, net income or diluted EPS, as measures of operating results, each as defined under GAAP. We have defined these non-GAAP measures as follows:

“Adjusted Revenue” represents revenue less the contribution to revenue from the short-term FEMA task orders and the contribution to revenue from GRSi for the period following the closing of the acquisition.

“Adjusted Operating Income” represents operating income less the contribution from GRSi, including the corporate and incremental borrowing costs associated with completing the acquisition, as well as the FEMA task orders.

“Adjusted Net Income” represents net income less the contribution from GRSi, including the corporate and incremental borrowing costs associated with completing the acquisition, as well as the FEMA task orders.

“Adjusted Diluted EPS” represents diluted EPS calculated using Adjusted Net Income as opposed to net income.

“Adjusted EBITDA” represents net income before income taxes, interest, depreciation and amortization and the contribution from GRSi, including the corporate and incremental borrowing costs associated with completing the acquisition, as well as the FEMA task orders.“Adjusted EBITDA Margin on Adjusted Revenue” is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Adjusted Revenue.

Below is a reconciliation of Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted diluted earnings per share, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA Margin on Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA Margin on Adjusted Revenue reported for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 compared to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP (in thousands except for per share amounts):

(a): Represents the operating results for GRSi following the closing of the acquisition on December 8, 2022 to December 31, 2022 Operating income for GRSi is derived by subtracting from the revenue attributable to GRSi following the closing of the acquisition during the three months ended December 31, 2022 of $6.9 million the following amounts associated with GRSi: contract costs of $5.4 million, general & administrative costs of $0.6 million, amortization expense of $0.5 million.

(b): Represents the operating results for the FEMA task orders during the during three months ended December 31, 2021. Operating income for the FEMA task orders is derived by subtracting from the revenue attributable to such task orders during the three months ended December 31, 2021 of $91.1 million the following amounts associated with such task orders: contract costs of $84.2 million and general & administrative costs of $0.6 million.

(c): Represents corporate development costs we incurred to complete the GRSi transaction. These costs primarily include legal counsel, financial due diligence, customer market analysis and representation and warranty insurance premiums.

(d): Incremental interest expense incurred following the completion of the GRSi acquisition on December 8, 2022.

(e): Reflects the tax effect of adjustments at the effective tax rate of 26%, which approximates our blended federal and state tax rates.

(f): Reflects operating income of GRSi following the closing of the acquisition of $0.4 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $0.5 million.

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1 Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA Margin on Revenue, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin on Adjusted Revenue are non-GAAP financial measures. See“Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for additional detail.

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