Print   

Wednesday 09 September, 2009

Ocean Power Tech

1st Quarter Results

RNS Number : 7386Y
Ocean Power Technologies Inc
09 September 2009
 



OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR THE FIRST 

QUARTER ENDED JULY 31, 2009



Pennington, NJ - September 9, 2009 -- Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTT and London Stock Exchange AIM: OPT) ('OPT' or 'the Company') announces its financial results for the first quarter ended July 31, 2009 of its fiscal year ending on April 30, 2010.


First Quarter Highlights 


  • Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $79.7 million at July 31, 2009 (April 30, 2009: $81.7 million) 

  • Contract order backlog of $6.million at July 31, 2009, compared to $3.7 million at July 31, 2008 and $7.5 million at April 30, 2009

  • Signed commitment agreement to advance the development of Wave Hub - a 20MW wave energy project in CornwallEngland sponsored by a regional development agency that received £42 million in UK government funding to establish the area as a leading global centre for marine energy 

  • Achieved two major manufacturing milestones in the development of the Company's PB150 PowerBuoy®

  • Strengthened management team with appointment of Angus Norman as Chief Executive of Ocean Power Technologies Limited, the Company's UK-based wholly-owned subsidiary

  • Received industry honour with Dr. George W. Taylor being awarded the 2009 Renewable Energy Navigator Award from the Foundation for Ocean Renewables



Mark R. Draper, Chief Executive Officer of OPT, said: 'We made a strong start to our fiscal year with significant progress on our flagship projects, and achieving gross profits on our contracts. The development of our first PB150 PowerBuoy remains on track. We also signed a commitment agreement with the South West Regional Development Agency to make Wave Hub, one of the world's largest proposed renewable marine energy projects, a commercial reality. As a result, we continue to look to the future with confidence.' 



Operational Review


OPT started fiscal 2010 with strong operational and financial performance in the first quarter. The Company achieved a contract order backlog of $6.4 million, compared to $3.7 million at July 31, 2008 and $7.5 million at April 30, 2009. The majority of the current backlog is expected to be recognized as revenue over the remainder of the fiscal year.


The Company's technology is supported by a strong patent portfolio. As of July 31, 2009, OPT owned a total of 40 issued US patents, with 16 US patent applications pending.


OPT also increased its technical capability by hiring qualified personnel in the manufacturing, product development and engineering functions. As of July 31, 2009, OPT had 59 employees, which is expected to increase, primarily in engineering, manufacturing and marine operations functions, in order to meet the Company's current manufacturing and deployment targets.


The first quarter saw a further strengthening of the management team with the appointment of Angus Norman as Chief Executive of Ocean Power Technologies Limited. Mr. Norman joined OPT from EDF Energy, one of the UK's largest energy companies, where he held the position of Managing Director of Sustainable Solutions.


The strength of OPT's personnel - as well as the Company's contribution to the wave power industry - was recognized by the Foundation for Ocean Renewables in awarding Dr. George W. Taylor the 2009 Renewable Energy Navigator Award. This award was given in recognition of Dr. Taylor's service over the past 25 years in promoting the responsible commercialization of marine renewable energy as one of the world's pioneers and leaders in the development and establishment of wave energy technology.


OPT believes it is well-placed to benefit from the improving environment for renewable energyprospects for which the Company believes remain bright amid increasing commitment by governments worldwide. For example, the UK government revealed its blueprint for a low carbon economy and the provision of funding to assist renewable energy development, including for Wave Hub in CornwallEngland and EMEC in Scotland - both of which are important OPT projects. In the US, the Department of Energy announced a program for companies that build and place into service renewable energy facilities to receive direct payments in lieu of tax credits.


During the first quarter ended July 31, 2009, the Company achieved key milestones in a number of ongoing projectswhich include:

US NAVY DEEP OCEAN APPLICATION Progress continued on OPT's ongoing project to provide the Company's autonomous PowerBuoy technology for the US Navy's Deep Water Active Detection System ('DWADS') for ocean data gathering. During the quarter, work continued on an advanced version of the PowerBuoy under a $3.0 million contract, which was awarded in November 2008 following the completion of the initial test phase.

REEDSPORTOREGONUS - With support from Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative ('PNGC Power'), OPT continued to work extensively with interested stakeholder groups at local, county, state and federal agency levels to launch this projectProgress was made on the overall permitting and licensing process, and the Company is now seeking bids from prospective vendors for the fabrication of the metal structure for the PowerBuoy to be installed at the Reedsport site. 

SPAIN - Progress was made on the manufacturing of an underwater substation pod, under contract with Iberdrola S.A. The current phase of the contract includes building and testing the pod for use in a utility-grade OPT wave power station expected to be built at a site approximately three miles off the coast of Santoña, Spain. 

HAWAII, US - OPT continued work to upgrade its 40kW peak-rated PowerBuoy, under its ongoing program with the US Navy for the development and construction of wave power systems at the Marine Corps Base in Oahu, Hawaii. This device is expected to be redeployed later this year to continue operational testing, with the ultimate goal of connection to the grid via an existing underwater power transmission cable.

ORKNEY ISLANDS, UK - OPT made significant progress on the development of its first 150kW PowerBuoy, that is earmarked for deployment at EMEC, near the Orkney Islands, Scotland, under contract with the Scottish Government. During the quarter, two major manufacturing milestones were achieved in the development of the PB150 PowerBuoy: the award of the steel fabrication contract for the PowerBuoy structure to Isleburn Limitedand the completion of the mechanical elements of the power take-off system at the Company's manufacturing centre in WarwickEngland. Construction of the PB150 has now commenced and testing is underway on the power conversion and power take-off sub-assemblies. The PowerBuoy is expected to be deployed in the first half of calendar year 2010.

Advances made in the development of the 150kW PowerBuoy system will facilitate the future transition to the 500kW PowerBuoyAs a result, the current focus of OPT's engineering and development efforts is directed to increasing the power output and maintainability of the utility-scale PowerBuoy, and exploring design and construction techniques to enable larger systems to be built and deployed at a significantly reduced cost.

CORNWALL, UK - OPT signed an agreement with the South West Regional Development Agency ('SWRDA') to advance the development of Wave Hub, off the coast of Cornwall, England - one of the world's largest proposed renewable marine energy projects. OPT is one of the first companies to sign the agreement, which ratifies the Company's involvement over several years to make this project a commercial reality. Also during the quarter, the Wave Hub project received formal UK government go-ahead as part of a £100 million investment package - with £42 million earmarked for Wave Hub - aimed at establishing the South West of England region as the UK's first low carbon economic area. This area is expected to become a major global centre and showcase for the wave power industry and is being backed by the UK government as part of its Low Carbon Industrial Strategy. After the end of OPT's first fiscal quarter, SWRDA awarded a £1 million contract to Powermann Limited for the supply and installation of the onshore electrical equipment for the Wave HubThe final cabling and subsea infrastructure is expected by SWRDA to be installed by the engineering contractor by the end of calendar year 2010. 



Financial Review


For the three months ended July 31, 2009, the Company reported revenues of $1.3 million compared to $1.8 million in the three months ended July 31, 2008. The decrease in revenues for the three months ended July 31, 2009 primarily reflects a lower level of billable activity in connection with work on the Company's wave power project off the coast of Spain as the project nears completion. Also, lower revenues related to OPT's EMEC project near OrkneyScotland were offset by an increase in revenue related to the Company's utility PowerBuoy project in Hawaii and its autonomous PowerBuoy project, both for the US Navy. 


Cost of revenues decreased to $1.0 million in the three months ended July 31, 2009 from $1.9 million in the three months ended July 31, 2008. This decrease in cost of revenues reflects the lower level of activity on revenue bearing contracts, primarily the wave power station off the coast of Spain and the absence of any provision for contract losses as was accrued in the three months ended July 31, 2008.


Operating loss for the three months ended July 31, 2009 was $3.2 million compared to $4.4 million in the three months ended July 31, 2008. OPT reported a net loss of $2.1 million for the three months ended July 31, 2009 compared to a net loss of $3.9 million for the three months ended July 31, 2008. These decreases in operating loss and net loss reflect an increase in gross profit and a decrease in selling, general and administrative costs that are primarily attributable to reduced consulting expenses related to marketing efforts and a reduction in the Company's share-based compensation expense. In addition, foreign exchange gains increased relative to the change in the value of the British pound sterling, and other income increased from the settlement of a claim against a supplier of engineering services. These were offset by a decrease in interest income due primarily to lower interest rates, as well as lower cash balances.


On July 31, 2009, total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $79.7 million. The Company's balance sheet remains strong, and its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are highly liquid investments consisting primarily of term deposits with large commercial banks and US Treasury bills and notes.



**********


Additional information may be found in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The Form 10-Q may be accessed at www.sec.gov or at the Company's website in the Investor Relations tab.



**********


Webcast Details


OPT will host an audio webcast to review its results on WednesdaySeptember 9, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (3:00 p.m. BST). Mark R. Draper, Chief Executive Officer, and Charles F. Dunleavy, Chief Financial Officer, will host the webcast. Investors and other interested parties may access the webcast by visiting the Company's Web site at www.oceanpowertechnologies.com and clicking on the Investor Relations tab, then Webcasts and Presentations.  In addition, parties without web access may listen to the presentation by calling:  877-718-5106 (Toll free call in the US) or +1-719-325-4775 (Toll call).



Forward-Looking Statements


This release may contain 'forward-looking statements' that are within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations about its future plans and performance, including statements concerning the impact of marketing strategies, new product introductions and innovation, deliveries of product, sales, earnings and margins. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates which could be inaccurate and which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the Company. Please refer to the Company's most recent Form 10-K for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The Company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.


About Ocean Power Technologies


Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTT and London Stock Exchange AIM: OPT) is a pioneer in wave-energy technology that harnesses ocean wave resources to generate reliable, clean and environmentally-beneficial electricity. OPT has a strong track record in the advancement of wave energy and participates in a $150 billion annual power generation equipment market. The Company's proprietary PowerBuoy® system is based on modular, ocean-going buoys that capture and convert predictable wave energy into low-cost, clean electricity. The Company is widely recognized as a leading developer of on-grid and autonomous wave-energy generation systems, benefiting from over a decade of in-ocean experience. OPT's technology and systems are insured by Lloyds Underwriters of London. OPT is headquartered in PenningtonNew Jersey with offices in WarwickUK. More information can be found at www.oceanpowertechnologies.com.



**********


Contact information:

Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.

Mark R. Draper, Chief Executive Officer


Charles F. Dunleavy, Chief Financial Officer 


Telephone: +1 609 730 0400


Telephone: +1 609 730 0400

Nomura Code Securities Limited

Juliet Thompson, Richard Potts


Telephone: +44 20 7776 1200

Media Contact: 

Corfin Communications 

Neil Thapar, Martin Sutton, Claire Norbury




Telephone: +44 20 7977 0020




**********


Consolidated Balance Sheets as of 

July 31, 2009, April 30, 2009 and July 31, 2008 (Unaudited)            




July 31,


April 30,


July 31,




2009


2009


2008

ASSETS



$


$


$

CURRENT ASSETS:








Cash and cash equivalents



5,336,756


12,267,830


73,644,649

Marketable securities



44,940,113


40,849,736


22,814,188

Accounts receivable



939,294


985,149


495,597

Unbilled receivables



949,202


988,418


1,402,162

Other current assets



703,645


1,082,696


1,835,115









Total current assets



52,869,010


56,173,829


100,191,711









Marketable securities



29,409,756


28,619,528


-

Restricted cash



1,262,392


951,552


1,121,976

Property and equipment, net 



942,787


897,718


842,323

Patents, net of accumulated amortization of $254,372, 

$244,294 and $213,459, respectively

928,038


909,727


755,055

Other noncurrent assets



1,374,749


1,241,552


329,927









TOTAL ASSETS



86,786,732


88,793,906


103,240,992









LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
















CURRENT LIABILITIES:








Accounts payable



816,346


908,837


1,961,196

Accrued expenses



2,707,683


3,853,437


3,352,823

Unearned revenues



411,601


281,570


511,828









Total current liabilities



3,935,630


5,043,844


5,825,847









Other non-current liabilities



107,555


-


-









Long-term debt



345,386


345,386


126,491

Deferred rent



16,237


21,649


17,590

Deferred credits



600,000 


600,000


600,000









Total liabilities


   

5,004,808


6,010,879


6,569,928









OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:








Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 

5,000,000 shares; none issued or outstanding


-



-



-

Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 105,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 10,210,354 shares


10,210



10,210



10,210

Additional paid-in capital



154,917,130


154,568,931


153,517,711

Accumulated deficit



(73,341,268)


(71,242,791)


(56,820,805)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)


   

144,795


(553,323)


(36,052)









Total Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. stockholders' equity



81,730,867


82,783,027


96,671,064








Noncontrolling interest in Ocean Power Technologies (Australasia) Pty, Ltd


51,057


-


-








Total equity  


81,781,924


82,783,027


96,671,064








TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


86,786,732


88,793,906


103,240,992



Consolidated Statements of Operations            

For the quarter ended July 31, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)            




July 31,

2009

$


July 31,

2008

$






REVENUES


1,310,937


1,786,628

COST OF REVENUES


1,024,227


1,948,146

  Gross profit (loss)


286,710


(161,518)

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT COSTS


1,361,400


1,702,949

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS


2,166,271


2,551,816

  Operating expenses


3,527,671


4,254,765

  Operating loss    


(3,240,961)


(4,416,283)

INTEREST INCOME


285,220


547,592

OTHER INCOME


506,630


-

FOREIGN EXCHANGE GAIN (LOSS)


401,691


(24,473)

Net loss


(2,047,420)


(3,893,164)

Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in Ocean Power Technologies (Australasia) Pty, Ltd 


(51,057)


-

NET LOSS attributable to Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.


(2,098,477)


(3,893,164)

Basic and diluted net loss per share    


(0.21)


(0.38)

Weighted average shares used to compute 

  basic and diluted net loss per share



10,210,354



10,210,354

  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows            

For the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)

    

        


CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:


July 31,

2009

$


July 31,

2008

$






Net Loss    


(2,098,477)


(3,893,164)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:





Foreign exchange (gain) loss 


(401,691)


24,473

Depreciation and amortization


88,567


69,475

Treasury note premium/discount amortization, net


49,837


48,632

Compensation expense related to stock option grants and restricted stock


348,199


460,446

Deferred rent


(5,412)


1,353

Noncontrolling interest in Ocean Power Technologies (Australasia) Pty, Ltd


51,057


-

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:





Accounts receivable


89,052


1,228,508

Unbilled receivables


119,031


(822,876)

Other current assets


401,607


(459,808)

Other noncurrent assets


(34,953)


(22,398)

Accounts payable


(17,973)


483,097

Accrued expenses


(1,275,636)


(1,132,801)

Unearned revenues


130,031


(187,924)

Other noncurrent liabilities


104,831


-






Net cash used in operating activities


(2,451,930)


(4,202,987)






CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:





Purchases of marketable securities


(24,228,410)


(10,629,383)

Maturities of marketable securities


19,357,547


-

Restricted Cash


(250,000)


-

Purchases of equipment


(102,046)


(234,705)

Payments of Patent costs


(38,405)


(61,363)






Net cash used in investing activities


(5,261,314)


(10,925,451)






CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:





Repayment of long-term debt


(93,398)


(42,801)






Net cash used in financing activities


(93,398)


(42,801)






EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS



875,568



(20,416)






NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS


(6,931,074)


(15,191,655)






CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD


12,267,830


88,836,304






CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD


5,336,756


73,644,649



This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
QRFFVLLBKKBFBBB

Investegate takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information within the site.


The announcements are supplied by the denoted source. Queries about the content of an announcement should be directed to the source. Investegate reserves the right to publish a filtered set of announcements. NAV, EMM/EPT, Rule 8 and FRN Variable Rate Fix announcements are filitered from this site.



Investegate      © 2012 FE. All rights reserved.