DLH Holdings Corp. quarterly report, Q3 FY2017

DLH Holdings Corp. — Form 10-Q Summary

Business context and period: This filing covers the fiscal third quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2017. DLH provides technology-enabled health, human-services, and readiness services to U.S. government agencies. All figures below are in millions of dollars unless otherwise noted.

Financial performance

MetricThree months ended June 30, 2017Prior-year quarterNine months ended June 30, 2017Prior-year period
Revenue$29.3$25.0$85.3$58.5
Gross profit / margin$6.4 / 21.8%$5.5 / 21.8%$18.5 / 21.7%$11.6 / 19.8%
Operating income / margin$1.8 / 6.0%$1.7 / 6.7%$4.5 / 5.3%$2.7 / 4.7%
Net income$0.9$0.8$2.2$1.0
Diluted EPS$0.08$0.07$0.18$0.09
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)$2.3$2.1$6.4$3.6

Cash flow and liquidity: Nine-month operating cash flow was $5.0 million, compared with $3.4 million in the prior-year period. Cash at June 30 was $4.6 million, up from $3.4 million at September 30, 2016. Investing used $1.0 million, including $0.8 million of equipment purchases; financing used $2.8 million, principally for debt repayments.

Debt and balance sheet: Gross bank debt was $20.6 million, with $3.6 million classified as current; net bank debt after issuance costs was $19.6 million. The $25 million term loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 3.0% and matures May 1, 2021. No revolving borrowings were outstanding; reported availability was $5.8 million, subject to eligible receivables, with a $0.9 million standby letter of credit. Total assets were $67.1 million and shareholders’ equity was $34.8 million. The company reported compliance with debt covenants.

Changes and management commentary

  • Revenue rose 17.1% for the quarter and 45.8% year to date. Management attributed growth primarily to the Danya acquisition and expansion on existing contract vehicles. Danya contributed $10.6 million of quarterly revenue versus $7.4 million in the prior-year quarter, and $31.0 million year to date versus $7.4 million.
  • Year-to-date gross margin improved by 1.9 percentage points, which management attributed to acquired business, more complex contracts, and staff deployment. Quarterly gross margin was unchanged; quarterly operating margin declined as G&A grew faster than revenue.
  • Year-to-date net income increased 125.5%. Adjusted EBITDA increased $2.8 million to $6.4 million; this is a non-GAAP measure defined by the company.
  • Management expects cash, available credit, and planned operating cash flow to support operations for twelve months from the financial-statement date. The filing provides no specific revenue or earnings guidance.

Risks, contingencies, and unusual items

  • All revenue is from federal agencies. The VA represented approximately 58% of nine-month revenue and HHS 32%; the VA share was 83% in the prior-year period. Loss or nonrenewal of major contracts, or changes in federal budgets and priorities, could materially affect results.
  • The company’s secured debt is subject to financial covenants and restrictions; excess cash flow may be required for debt prepayments. Floating-rate borrowing creates interest-rate exposure.
  • Goodwill and other intangible assets totaled $41.6 million. Management reported no impairment indicator during the period, but stated that contract nonrenewal or other adverse changes could affect future valuation.
  • Workers’ compensation claims liability was $1.25 million, up from $0.98 million at September 30, 2016. Management reported no litigation believed reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect.
  • The filing records a measurement-period adjustment to Danya acquisition allocations and a $49,000 year-to-date charge from revaluing warrants. It also reclassified $0.1 million from G&A to direct expenses for consistent presentation.

Important facts for investors to verify

  • Whether VA and HHS contract awards are renewed and whether customer concentration continues to decline.
  • How much reported growth and margin improvement is sustainable apart from Danya acquisition contributions.
  • Cash conversion, receivables collection, and compliance with debt covenants and required repayments.
  • Federal budget and procurement developments affecting the company’s major programs.
  • The assumptions supporting goodwill and intangible-asset valuations and the company’s non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation.