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WiLAN Reports First Quarter 2014 Financial Results



04/30/2014





OTTAWA, CANADA--(Marketwired - April 30, 2014) - Wi-LAN Inc. ("WiLAN" or the "Company") (TSX:WIN) (NASDAQ:WILN) today announced financial results for the first quarter 2014 ended March 31, 2014. All financial information in this press release is reported in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

First Quarter 2014 Highlights
•Revenues of $26.0 million, exceeding guidance of $22.6 million.
•Adjusted earnings* of $16.8 million, or 14 cents per basic share, exceeding guidance of between $10.6 million and $12.6 million.
•GAAP earnings of $4.0 million or 3 cents per basic share.
•Signed agreements with Toshiba Corporation and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. to resolve litigations.
•Returned $4.5 million to shareholders in dividend payments.
•Subsequent to quarter end, signed license for network management technology with U.S. wireless carrier.
•Subsequent to quarter end, entered the automotive market with two licensing partnerships.

"Our ongoing effort to expand our business has made significant progress so far in 2014," said Jim Skippen, President & CEO. "The license agreement signed in our network management program and early activities that we have completed in our semiconductor program have moved these licensing programs forward. Partnerships signed early in the second quarter have driven WiLAN into the large automotive market. With multiple new programs and many other opportunities being evaluated by our team, we see significant growth potential in our business."

Added Skippen, "We have begun 2014 with a very strong first quarter. A further reduction in our litigation expenses, due in part to the new shared risk fee model that WiLAN is adopting with counsel, helped WiLAN generate strong adjusted and GAAP earnings in the quarter."

Eligible Dividend

The Board of Directors has declared an eligible dividend of CDN $0.04 per common share to be paid on July 3, 2014 to shareholders of record on June 13, 2014.

First Quarter 2014 Revenue Review

In the three month period ended March 31, 2014, WiLAN generated revenues of $26.0 million, as compared to $18.4 million in the three month period ended March 31, 2013. The increase in revenues is primarily attributable to the timing of fixed payment amounts as a result of the significant license agreements signed during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 for which certain agreements contained higher fixed-payments at the beginning of the license agreement.

First Quarter 2014 Operating Expense Review

Our definition of cost of revenue expenses has changed. We now include patent management expenses, which includes patent maintenance, prosecution and evaluation expense, in cost of revenue and have adjusted the comparison periods to reflect this reclassification. Previously, we had considered patent management expenses as a component of R&D expenses.

In the three month period ended March 31, 2014, cost of revenue totaled $14.6 million as compared to $21.3 million in the comparative period. The decrease in expenses is primarily attributable to a decrease in litigation expense partially offset by increased patent licensing expense as a result of an increase in staffing levels, an increased level of technical consulting services in support of patent acquisition evaluation, and an increase in amortization expense as a result of patent acquisitions completed during fiscal 2013.

Three months ended
March 31, 2014 March 31, 2013

Compensation and benefits $ 2,370 $ 1,635
External litigation costs 1,709 11,673
Patent maintenance, prosecution, and evaluation 1,330 1,141
Amortization of patents 8,391 6,505
Stock-based compensation 358 158
Other 472 161
$ 14,630 $ 21,273

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, litigation expenses amounted to $1.7 million compared to $11.7 million for the same period last year. The decrease in litigation expense in the first quarter is attributable to a decrease in the level of litigation activities in comparison to the same period last year and a reduction of fees due to the new shared risk fee model, which links the payment of a portion of fees to successful licensing outcomes, which WiLAN is adopting with counsel. Litigation expenses, which are expected to vary from period to period due to the variability of litigation activities, are expected to remain below 2013 levels throughout 2014.

In the first quarter ended March 31, 2014, MG&A expenses amounted to $2.9 million as compared to $2.8 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. The increase in spending in the first quarter is primarily attributable to an increase in the accrued costs related to deferred stock units granted to certain non-executive members of the Company's board of directors partially offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation and staffing costs as a result of changes in staffing levels.

Three months ended
March 31, 2014 March 31, 2013

Compensation and benefits $ 766 $ 925
Depreciation 164 124
Stock-based compensation 412 675
Public company costs 795 427
Facilities 183 134
Other 612 476
$ 2,932 $ 2,761

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, R&D expenses were $0.6 million as compared to $0.8 million in the same period last year. The decrease in spending in the first quarter is primarily attributable to a decrease in stock-based compensation expense, professional fees, and consultant costs partially offset by an increase in staffing costs as a result of an increase in staffing levels.

Three months ended
March 31, 2014 March 31, 2013

Compensation and benefits $ 545 $ 474
Depreciation 61 74
Stock-based compensation (23 ) 138
Other 25 121
$ 608 $ 807

First Quarter 2014 Earnings Review

In the first quarter ended March 31, 2014, WiLAN generated adjusted earnings of $16.8 million or 14 cents per basic share as compared to $1.3 million or 1 cent per basic share, in the comparative period. The increase in adjusted earnings for first quarter of 2014 is primarily attributable to increased revenues and reduced litigation expenses.

The Company's GAAP earnings amounted to earnings of $4.0 million, or 3 cents per share on a basic level, in the first quarter 2014, as compared to a GAAP loss of $6.4 million, or 5 cents per share on a basic level, in the same period last year.

First Quarter 2014 Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Review

At March 31, 2014, the Company's cash, comprised of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, totaled $142.4 million, representing an increase of $10.5 million from the cash position at December 31, 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to the generation of $21.4 million from operations offset by returning $4.5 million to shareholders in dividend payments and the acquisition of patents totaling $5.7 million. The Company's cash equivalents and short-term investments include T-bills, term deposits and GICs.

Second Quarter 2014 Financial Guidance

For the second quarter 2014 ending June 30, 2014, the Company expects revenue to be at least $19.4 million. This revenue guidance does not include the potential impact of any additional reports yet to be received, new agreements that may be signed during the balance of the second quarter of 2014 or the potential impact of any royalties identified in audits conducted by the Company. This guidance is provided prior to the completion of the first month of this fiscal quarter and as such, a number of reports that normally are submitted at or shortly after the month end have yet to be received by the Company.

Operating expenses for the second quarter are expected to be in the range of $9.0 million to $10.2 million of which $1.4 million to $2.5 million is expected to be litigation expense. For the second quarter of 2014, and assuming no additional agreements are signed, adjusted earnings are expected to be in the range of $9.4 million to $10.5 million.

The above statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. The "Forward- looking Information" section at the end of this press release provides information on various risks and uncertainties that the Company faces. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's business are discussed in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of WiLAN's annual information form for the 2013 fiscal year dated February 3, 2014 (copies of which may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). Financial guidance is provided to assist investors and other interested parties in understanding WiLAN's performance. The reader is cautioned that using this information for any other purpose may be inappropriate.

The Company's revenues result primarily from the licensing of intellectual property which, by its very nature, is directly affected by the timing of the closure of license agreements, the nature and extent of specific licenses including actual rates, product sales by licensees which can be subject to seasonality as well as overall market demands and the timeliness of the receipt of licensee royalty reports. In addition, certain revenues may be of a one-time nature.

The above targets for the three month period ending June 30, 2014 reflect our current business indicators and expectations and are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Due to their nature, certain income and expense items, such as significant license agreements with companies involved in current enforcement actions, brokerage opportunities, new significant litigation or defense actions that could arise during the quarter, losses on asset impairments or realized foreign exchange losses cannot be accurately forecast. Accordingly, we exclude forecasts of such items from our guidance. Actual revenues reported may exceed the revenue guidance provided due to the receipt of royalty reports, signing of new license agreements and completion of licensee audits, all after the guidance is provided.

WiLAN's imperative is to negotiate the best possible license as measured over the long-term and accordingly, the timing of actual license signings may vary from that forecasted. Actual results may vary materially from the guidance provided as a consequence of the above noted factors.

Conference Call Information - April 30, 2014 - 10:00 AM ET

WiLAN will conduct a conference call to discuss its financial results today at 10:00 AM Eastern Time (ET). WiLAN CEO, Jim Skippen and CFO, Shaun McEwan will be on the call.

Calling Information

A live audio webcast will be available at

http://www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=172648