EXFO reported sales of US$64.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, up 7.8% year-over-year. Sales were up 5.2% to US$128.1 million at the halfway mark of the company’s fiscal year.
In January 2018, EXFO assumed full control of Astellia, a global leader in the performance analysis of mobile networks and subscriber experience.
Sales, excluding the one-month contribution of Astellia, attained US$62.9 million in the second quarter of 2018 compared to US$60.0 million in the second quarter of 2017. Astellia contributed US$1.8 million in sales in the second quarter and first half of 2018. Astellia’s sales were reduced by US$0.3 million to account for acquisition-related fair value adjustment of deferred revenue.
IFRS net loss attributable to the parent interest totaled US$4.7 million, or US$0.08 per share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and US$2.0 million, or US$0.04 per share, at the halfway mark of the fiscal year. In comparison, net earnings attributable to the parent interest totaled US$1.0 million, or US$0.02 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2017 and US$4.3 million, or US$0.08 per diluted share, in the first half of 2017.
Adjusted EBITDA totaled US$2.5 million, or 3.9% of sales, in the second quarter of 2018 and US$8.6 million, or 6.7% of sales, in the first half of the fiscal year.
“I am thrilled with the closing of the Astellia acquisition as it positions EXFO among the top five providers worldwide of service assurance solutions,” said Philippe Morin, EXFO’s Chief Executive Officer. “Together, we have created a strong critical mass with solutions deployed at more than 250 network operators, while our global sales organizations have been merged to maximize cross-selling opportunities. Similarly, our unique portfolio of complementary technologies will be combined to deliver unmatched capabilities in high-growth markets like NFV/SDN, IoT and 5G. Although this transformative acquisition involves a short-term financial impact, we expect the additional sales volume, cross-selling opportunities, efficiencies as well as complementary technology and service offerings will contribute to earnings growth in fiscal 2019.”
“In addition, I am pleased with the strong performance from our Physical-layer product line in the second quarter of 2018,” Mr. Morin added.
EXFO to acquire Astellia for mobile subscriber awareness
EXFO has launched an all-cash voluntary tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Astellia, a provider of network and subscriber intelligence solutions for mobile operators. EXFO already holds 33.1% of Astellia’s equity.
The offer is proposed at a price of EUR 10 per Astellia share, valuing the entirety of Astellia’s equity (on a fully diluted basis) at approximately €25.9 million.
Astellia’s real-time monitoring and troubleshooting solution optimizes networks end-to-end, from radio to core. The company is based in France with significant operations in Spain and a strong presence in Canada, Lebanon, Morocco and South Africa.
“We aim to combine the two companies and create a global leader in the service assurance and analytics industry”, said Germain Lamonde, EXFO’s founder and Executive Chairman of the Board. “Combining our complementary base of customers, technologies and competencies, as well as our similar corporate cultures, will enable the development of game-changing solutions and services within a large market in rapid transition—all this in the best interests of our customers, employees and shareholders.”
