TAOP $5.20 up 100% keep in mind 20 million share offering no shelf price…will dump hard at some point and time Taoping Reports First Half 2023 Financial Results
Source: PR Newswire (US)
93% Increase in Revenue Compared to First Half of 2022
10% Improvement in Net Loss Compared to First Half of 2022
Company Expects Continued Growth in Second Half of 2023
SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Taoping Inc. (NASDAQ: TAOP, the "Company") today reported financial results for the first six months of its fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.
(PRNewsfoto/Taoping Inc.)
Mr. Lin Jianghuai, Chairman and CEO of the Company, said: "We started off 2023 at a record pace, with stability coming back following the numerous challenges, closures and tragedies of the COVID pandemic worldwide. Our Team remained focused and continued to execute on our two core business competencies, the Taoping national sales network, and its compatible, highly scalable Smart Cloud platform, which helped drive a Company record 93% increase in revenue for the first six months of 2023, compared to the same period of last year."
Mr. Lin Jianghuai, continued, "We are on track for further growth in the second half of 2023, led by the rebound in demand from our city partner ecosystem and comprehensive portfolio of core high-value, high-traffic area software development and advertising business solutions, which leverage the Company's powerful Cloud Nest AI system and intelligent Cloud platform. In addition to our intelligent software and Cloud platform, we have been investing in and expanding our AI-driven portfolio, including AI-related products and servers, to provide customers with fully integrated seamless solutions, as we target opportunities in this fast-growing segment. We are also benefitting from increased business momentum as we capture new business opportunities in the Smart City and new energy sectors. Our impressive progress in 2023 has already resulted in us entering into a series of long-term strategic cooperation agreements with various customers to provide Taoping's Cloud-based intelligent product solutions, including smart large screen, IoT Smart rest station and off-grid wastewater treatment solutions. We have built an advantageous competitive position and distinctive portfolio of products, which we expect will combine to help us generate significant revenue growth and operating cashflow for the Company and shareholders for year 2023 and beyond."
Financial Results for the First Six Months of Fiscal Year 2023
Revenue increased 93% to $14.1 million for the first six months of 2023, compared to $7.3 million for the same period of last year. The increase was primarily due to increased revenue from both products and software revenue, as the Company continues to execute on its two core business competencies, the Taoping national sales network, and its compatible, highly scalable cloud platform. The Company expects that revenue for the second half of 2023 will increase as a result of the growth of advertising businesses, as well as product sales of its cloud-based screens, terminals, and other new applications led by the advancement of its cutting-edge Smart City solutions, which seamlessly integrate with the Company's AI-driven intelligent Cloud platform.
Cost of revenue was $10.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $4.7 million for the same period of 2022. Gross margin was 27.5% for the first six months ended June 30, 2023 compared with 35.4% for the same period of 2022 reflecting higher costs as the Company focuses on growth and new revenue opportunities. The Company expects that the gross margin for the second half of 2023 will be consistent with the first half of the year.
Administrative expenses increased by $0.8 million, or 24.9%, to $3.8 million for the first six months of 2023, from $3.0 million for the same period of 2022, primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation expense, which was partially offset by a decrease in professional service fees. As a percentage of revenue, administrative expenses decreased to 26.6% for the first six months of 2023, from 41.1% for the same period of 2022. The Company expects that the administrative expenses for the second half of 2023 will decrease as a result of the decrease of share-based compensation.
Research and development ("R&D") expenses decreased by $0.5 million, or 22.7%, to $1.6 million for the first six months of 2023, from $2.1 million for the same period of 2022, primarily due to the decrease in depreciation expenses of purchased software, and the decrease in payroll and benefits to R&D staff. As a percentage of revenue, R&D expenses decreased to 11.3% for the first six months of 2023, from 28.1% for the same period of last year. R&D expenses for the second half of 2023 are expected to be consistent with revenue growth.
Selling expenses decreased by $0.1 million, or 37.3%, to $0.2 million for the first six months of 2023, from $0.3 million for the same period of 2022. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease of sales related costs. Selling expenses for the second half of 2023 are expected to be consistent with revenue growth.
The Company reduced its net loss by 10% to $1.8 million or $1.10 per basic and diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to a net loss of $2.0 million or $1.26 per basic and diluted share for the same period of 2022, reflecting the higher revenue level and cost containment efforts. On August 1, 2023, the Company implemented a one-for-ten reverse stock split of the Company's issued and outstanding ordinary shares. Except shares authorized, all references to number of shares, and to per share information in the consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted.
