Continued strong profitability and reiterates guidance;
Declares an $8 million dividend for the third quarter of 2024
AZOUR, Israel, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (NASDAQ:ITRN) today announced its consolidated financial results for the third quarter 2024.
Highlights of the third quarter of 2024
- Number of subscribers reached 2,369,000, adding a net 40,000 in the third quarter.
- Revenue of $83.5 million, an increase of 3% year-over-year.
- Net income increased to $13.7 million, up by 9% year-over-year.
- EBITDA grew to $23.3 million, a 4% increase year-over-year.
- Operating cash flow of $17.2 million.
- The Board declared a dividend of $8 million or $0.39 per share, in line with the Company's dividend policy.
Guidance for 2024
Management reiterates its expectations for continued revenue and profit growth, and expects to continue to add approximately 35,000 to 40,000, net new subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2024.
From a financial perspective, full-year 2024 EBITDA expectations continue to be between $90-95 million and 2025 EBITDA is targeted to surpass $100 million.
The guidance assumes that the exchange rates in the geographies in which Ituran operate do not worsen against the US dollar, and the current global macro-economic situation and the political situation in Israel do not materially deteriorate.
Management Comment
Eyal Sheratzky, Co-CEO of Ituran said, "In the third quarter, we presented another solid quarter of results and financial performance and showed growth in the subscriber base at the top end of our expected range. Ituran's business remains fundamentally strong across all regions with growth in the financial metrics especially when measured in local currency terms, though the strengthening dollar against local currencies in the quarter prevented these growth rates from being reflected fully in our financial results. We continue to see strong demand for our broad location-based products and telematic services and traction from our new initiatives."
Third quarter 2024 Results
Revenues for the third quarter of 2024 were $83.5 million, a 3% increase compared with revenues of $81.1 million in the third quarter of 2023.
It is noted that the strengthening of the US dollar in the third quarter versus the various local currencies in which Ituran operates, impacted the revenues when translated into US dollars. In local currencies, revenues grew by 7% year-over-year.
71% of revenues were from location-based service subscription fees and 29% were from product revenues.
Revenues from subscription fees were $59.6 million, a decrease of 1% over the third quarter 2023 revenues. In local currencies, subscription revenues grew by 4% year-over-year.
The subscriber base expanded to 2,369,000 by the end of September 2024, marking an increase of 40,000 from the previous quarter.
Product revenues were $23.9 million, an increase of 14% year-over-year. In local currencies, product revenue grew by 15% year-over-year.
Gross profit for the quarter was $40.2 million (48.1% of revenues), a 2% increase compared with gross profit of $39.4 million (48.6% of revenues) in the third quarter of last year. In local currencies, gross profit grew by 5% year-over-year.
The gross margin in the quarter on subscription revenues improved to 58.8%, compared to 58.5% in the third quarter of last year. The gross margin on products was 21.5% in the quarter, an improvement compared with 20.3% in the third quarter of last year. The variance in the gross margin on products between quarters was due to the change in product mix sold between the quarters.
Operating income for the quarter was $18.4 million (22.0% of revenues), representing a 9% increase compared to $16.9 million (20.8% of revenues) in the third quarter of last year. In local currencies, operating income grew 14% year-over-year.
EBITDA for the quarter was $23.3 million (27.9% of revenues), an increase of 4% compared with EBITDA of $22.5 million (27.8% of revenues) in the third quarter of last year. In local currencies, EBITDA grew 9% year-over-year.
Net income for the third quarter of 2024 was $13.7 million (16.4% of revenues) or diluted earnings per share of $0.69, an increase of 9% compared to $12.5 million (15.4% of revenues) or diluted earnings per share of $0.63 in the third quarter of last year. In local currencies, net income grew 14% year-over-year.
Cash flow from operations for the third quarter of 2024 was $17.2 million.
On the balance sheet, as of September 30, 2024, the Company had cash, including marketable securities, of $67.5 million and debt of $0.2 million, amounting to a net cash position of $67.3 million. This is compared with cash, including marketable securities, of $53.6 million and debt of $0.6 million, amounting to a net cash position of $53.0 million, as of year-end 2023.
Dividend
The Board of Directors declared a dividend for the quarter of $8 million, in line with the Company's dividend policy. This dividend is the same as that of the prior quarter and 60% increased over that of the year-ago quarter.
The current dividend takes into account the Company's continuing strong profitability, ongoing positive cash flow and strong balance sheet.
Conference Call Information
The Company will also be hosting a conference call later today, Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 10am Eastern Time.
On the call, management will review and discuss the results, and will be available to answer investor questions.
To participate, please call one of the following teleconferencing numbers. Please begin placing your calls a few minutes before the conference call commences. If you are unable to connect using the toll-free numbers, please try the international dial-in number.
US Dial-in Number: 1 866 860 9642
ISRAEL Dial-in Number: 03 918 0609
INTERNATIONAL Dial-in Number: +972 3 918 0609
at:
10:00am Eastern Time, 7:00am Pacific Time, 5:00pm Israel Time
For those unable to listen to the live call, a replay of the call will be available from the day after the call in the investor relations section of Ituran's website.
Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this report that are not historical facts as well as statements identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "seeks", "estimates" or words of similar meaning. These statements are based on our current beliefs or expectations and are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and changes in circumstances, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory factors, as well as factors related to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
About Ituran
Ituran is a leader in the emerging mobility technology field, providing value-added location-based services, including a full suite of services for the connected-car. Ituran offers Stolen Vehicle Recovery, fleet management as well as mobile asset location, management & control services for vehicles, cargo and personal security for the retail, insurance, financing industries and car manufacturers. Ituran is the largest OEM telematics provider in Latin America. Its products and applications are used by customers in over 20 countries. Ituran is also the founder of the Tel-Aviv based DRIVE startup incubator to promote the development of smart mobility technology.
Ituran's subscriber base has been growing significantly since the Company's inception to over 2.3 million subscribers using its location-based services with a market leading position in Israel and Latin America. Established in 1995, Ituran has approximately 2,800 employees worldwide, with offices in Israel, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Columbia, India, Canada and the United States.
For more information, please visit Ituran's website, at: www.ituran.com
Company Contact Udi Mizrahi Deputy CEO & VP Finance, Ituran (Israel) +972 3 557 1348 | International Investor Relations Ehud Helft EK Global Investor Relations (US) +1 212 378 8040 |
ITURAN LOCATION AND CONTROL LTD. | ||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||
US dollars | ||
(In thousands) | September 30, | December 31, |
(unaudited) | ||
Current assets | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 67,465 | 53,434 |
Investments in marketable securities | 32 | 119 |
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts) | 47,876 | 45,390 |
Other current assets | 51,193 | 52,724 |
Inventories | 23,959 | 26,872 |
190,525 | 178,539 | |
Long-term investments and other assets | ||
Investments in affiliated companies | 739 | 714 |
Investments in other companies | 2,113 | 2,213 |
Other non-current assets | 3,430 | 3,989 |
Deferred income taxes | 13,785 | 14,452 |
Funds in respect of employee rights upon retirement | 20,440 | 18,525 |
40,507 | 39,893 | |
Property and equipment, net | 34,332 | 41,955 |
Operating lease right of use assets, net | 6,933 | 8,071 |
Intangible assets, net | 9,108 | 10,830 |
Goodwill | 39,265 | 39,400 |
Total assets | 320,670 | 318,688 |
ITURAN LOCATION AND CONTROL LTD. | ||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (cont.) | ||
US dollars | ||
September 30, | December 31, | |
(In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 |
(unaudited) | ||
Current liabilities | ||
Credit from banking institutions | 169 | 355 |
Accounts payable | 17,247 | 20,842 |
Deferred revenues | 24,114 | 27,117 |
Other current liabilities | 45,240 | 44,150 |
86,770 | 92,464 | |
Long-term liabilities | ||
Loan from bank institution | - | 237 |
Liability for employee rights upon retirement | 26,190 | 24,562 |
Deferred income taxes | 562 | 1,116 |
Deferred revenues | 12,594 | 13,259 |
Operating lease liabilities, non-current | 4,334 | 4,774 |
Others non-current liabilities | 2,145 | 2,027 |
45,825 | 45,975 | |
Stockholders' equity | 182,959 | 174,454 |
Non-controlling interests | 5,116 | 5,795 |
Total equity
| 188,075 | 180,249 |
Total liabilities and equity | 320,670 | 318,688 |
ITURAN LOCATION AND CONTROL LTD. | ||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | ||||
US dollars | US dollars | |||
Nine months period | Three months period | |||
(in thousands, except per share data) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 |
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | |||
Revenues: | ||||
Telematics services | 180,943 | 175,115 | 59,591 | 60,152 |
Telematics products | 72,431 | 67,055 | 23,888 | 20,901 |
253,374 | 242,170 | 83,479 | 81,053 | |
Cost of revenues: | ||||
Telematics services | 75,320 | 73,627 | 24,574 | 24,985 |
Telematics products | 58,550 | 53,782 | 18,748 | 16,658 |
133,870 | 127,409 | 43,322 | 41,643 | |
Gross profit | 119,504 | 114,761 | 40,157 | 39,410 |
Research and development expenses | 13,607 | 12,746 | 4,490 | 4,392 |
Selling and marketing expenses | 11,291 | 10,108 | 4,019 | 3,502 |
General and administrative expenses | 41,571 | 42,330 | 13,264 | 14,614 |
Other expenses (income), net | (99) | 127 | 24 | 9 |
Operating income | 53,134 | 49,450 | 18,360 | 16,893 |
Other expenses, net | - | (3) | - | - |
Financing income (expenses), net | 165 | 101 | 34 | (53) |
Income before income tax | 53,299 | 49,548 | 18,394 | 16,840 |
Income tax expenses | (11,234) | (10,821) | (4,029) | (3,601) |
Share in losses of affiliated companies, net | (301) | (822) | (179) | (195) |
Net income for the period | 41,764 | 37,905 | 14,186 | 13,044 |
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | (1,948) | (1,787) | (533) | (530) |
Net income attributable to the Company | 39,816 | 36,118 | 13,653 | 12,514 |
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Company's | 2.00 | 1.80 | 0.69 | 0.63 |
Basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding | 19,894 | 20,096 | 19,894 | 19,912 |
ITURAN LOCATION AND CONTROL LTD. | ||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||||
US dollars | US dollars | |||
Nine months period | Three months period | |||
(in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 |
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | |||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||
Net income for the period | 41,764 | 37,905 | 14,186 | 13,044 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 15,586 | 15,661 | 4,935 | 5,610 |
Loss in respect of marketable securities and other investments | 85 | 57 | 50 | 110 |
Increase in liability for employee rights upon retirement | 2,245 | 2,281 | 565 | 691 |
Share in losses of affiliated companies, net | 301 | 822 | 179 | 195 |
Deferred income taxes | (1,340) | (1,695) | (104) | (301) |
Capital loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment, net | 14 | 35 | 109 | (11) |
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable | (4,792) | (1,795) | 1,752 | 1,157 |
Decrease (increase) in other current and non-current assets | (5,328) | (4,109) | (957) | 2,866 |
Decrease in inventories | 2,591 | 901 | 1,062 | 1,510 |
Decrease in accounts payable | (2,382) | (2,953) | (4,198) | (3,892) |
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues | 186 | 4,768 | (186) | (459) |
Increase (decrease) in other current and non-current liabilities | 2,645 | 3,561 | (158) | 17 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 51,575 | 55,439 | 17,235 | 20,537 |
Cash flows from investment activities | ||||
Increase in funds in respect of employee rights upon | ||||
retirement, net of withdrawals | (2,337) | (1,933) | (822) | (773) |
Capital expenditures | (9,144) | (10,193) | (2,835) | (3,911) |
Return from (investment in) affiliated and other companies, net | (2) | (556) | (59) | 51 |
Investment in long-term deposit | (81) | (140) | (104) | (95) |
Sale of marketable securities | - | 99 | - | - |
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 389 | 144 | 96 | 86 |
Net cash used in investment activities | (11,175) | (12,579) | (3,724) | (4,642) |
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||
Repayment of long-term loan | - | (11,488) | - | (3,581) |
Short term credit from banking institutions, net | (384) | 1,486 | (53) | 1,301 |
Dividend paid | (20,291) | (8,618) | (7,758) | (3,001) |
Dividend paid to non-controlling interests | (3,261) | (3,327) | (1,631) | (1,640) |
Acquisition of company shares | - | (6,613) | - | (1,896) |
Net cash used in financing activities | (23,936) | (28,560) | (9,442) | (8,817) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (2,433) | (2,271) | 186 | (1,404) |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 14,031 | 12,029 | 4,255 | 5,674 |
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period | 53,434 | 27,850 | 63,210 | 34,205 |
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at end of the period | 67,465 | 39,879 | 67,465 | 39,879 |
Supplementary information on financing activities not involving cash flows: | ||||
In August 2024, the Company declared a dividend in an amount of US$ 8 million. The dividend was paid in | ||||
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SOURCE Ituran Location and Control Ltd.