Clearfield Inc (CLFD) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Growth Amidst Challenges

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Fri, Feb 7, 2025, 12:27 AM 5 min read

Net Sales: $35.5 million in Q1 fiscal 2025, a 4% increase from $34.2 million in the prior-year first quarter.
Clearfield Segment Net Sales: $29.7 million, up 6% year over year.
Nestor Segment Net Sales: $5.8 million, down 6% year over year.
Net Loss Per Share: $0.13, smaller than the guidance range.
Projected Microduct Production: $7 million for the current fiscal year from the new facility in Estonia.
Fiscal 2025 Net Sales Outlook: $170 million to $185 million.
Clearfield Segment Annual Revenue Growth: Expected to be in line with or above industry forecast of 12.5% for fiscal 2025.
Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Net Sales Guidance: $37 million to $40 million.
Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Net Loss Per Share Guidance: $0.16 to $0.21.

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with CLFD.

Release Date: February 06, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Clearfield Inc (NASDAQ:CLFD) reported first-quarter fiscal 2025 net sales of $35.5 million, in line with guidance and reflecting a 4% year-over-year increase.
The Clearfield segment saw a 6% year-over-year increase in net sales, highlighting growth in the company's core business.
The company is adapting to industry trends with new products like the FiberFlex cabinet line and StreetSmart Ready Connect Terminal, addressing evolving broadband deployment needs.
Clearfield Inc (NASDAQ:CLFD) is strategically positioned to benefit from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, with expected revenue contributions starting in fiscal 2026.
The company has successfully opened a new facility in Estonia, accelerating microduct production and aligning with its strategy to enhance European operations with higher-margin solutions.

Negative Points

Clearfield Inc (NASDAQ:CLFD) reported a net loss per share of $0.13 for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, although it was smaller than the guidance range.
The Nestor segment experienced a 6% year-over-year decline in net sales, indicating challenges in that part of the business.
The company faces potential cost increases due to the introduction of tariffs on Mexican goods, which could impact manufacturing costs.
There are uncertainties related to the BEAD program due to changes in the US administration, which could affect future revenue projections.
Clearfield Inc (NASDAQ:CLFD) anticipates a net loss per share in the range of $0.16 to $0.21 for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, indicating ongoing financial challenges.

Q & A Highlights

Q: You saw strength in large regional this quarter. Could you please expand on how many customers were material in that segment and whether they're buying connected products, passing products, or a mix of both? A: Our large regionals consist of multiple providers, about a handful. It's more project-based and lumpy business. The product lines are predominantly still on passing homes, with room to grow in creating portfolio customers. Approximately three customers are over $1 million in sales.

Q: What kind of visibility do you have going into the rest of the fiscal year regarding customer forecasts, new designs, orders, and lead times? A: We are pleased with the level of quoting activity and customer engagement for the summer build season. Customers are discussing their needs for the year, and we are seeing positive indicators for multi-year projects, providing better visibility into this year and next.

Q: When you talk about growth for the Clearfield segment, are you separating out Nestor when discussing your overall guidance range? A: Yes, we are providing more visibility by separating the US market, which is in a better position, from the European market. We anticipate Clearfield segment growth to be in line with or above industry forecasts, while Nestor is expected to have flat annual revenue.

Q: Can you provide more color on operators initiating new multi-year projects? A: It's more community broadband, with smaller emerging regionals and new municipal or utility projects. We are seeing venture funding and VC capital in this space, with more providers today than a year ago, which is exciting for community broadband.

Q: Regarding the homes passed versus homes connected dynamic, where are we in the process, and what implications does it have for the business? A: We are at a 50-50 split between homes connected and passed. We aim for a 2:1 ratio as more customers use our product lines to connect. Connected home products have a high labor count, improving overhead absorption and utilization of our US and Mexican factories.

Q: Are you seeing community broadband start to build back up, driven by E-ACAM or BEAD customers? A: It's definitely pre-BEAD, with increased quoting activity for BABA compliance and non-government-funded initiatives. The natural supply and demand from privately backed initiatives is exciting and supports long-term business viability.

Q: What are you hearing about the BEAD process and potential changes? A: The program is expected to change, focusing more on direct builds and less on administrative costs. We hope the administration will prioritize long-term infrastructure over short-term solutions, ensuring cost-effective decisions.

Q: Could you give us an idea of what to expect from a gross margin standpoint, and clarify the BABA compliance of the Mexican facility? A: Margins will be volume-dependent, with some one-time benefits not recurring. We expect margins to align with first-quarter guidance. The Mexican facility under Maquiladora doesn't change BABA compliance, as it still requires meeting specific rules.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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