Portfolio Update: The View on Vuzix
Santa was generous to the kids in our family this year. Surrounding me on the living room floor as I type this portfolio update are various virtual reality (VR) games. They’ve become staples of holiday giving.
But the VR revolution isn’t just about trendy games. It’s not just for entertainment.
When you think of VR glasses you might form a picture of video game players. But in the real world, the biggest demand for this technology is in everyday business. That’s where augmented reality (AR) smart glasses come in.
In creating enterprise applications for AR, one company stands out: BTP holding Vuzix (NSDQ: VUZI).
Imagine attending a virtual business meeting with the ability to project data onto your smart glass lens. Or using your glasses to count inventory. Or diagnosing a patient who lives miles away. Uses are only limited by your imagination.
Juniper Research reports that by 2021, one out of every 10 wearable devices will be smart glasses. Revenues from these products are forecast to increase from $327 million this year to $9 billion in 2021.
The number of workers in the U.S. who use smart glasses is expected to grow, from 400,000 in 2017 to more than 14 million by 2025. Companies are forecast to spend more than $30 billion on smart glass hardware during the same time frame.
Vuzix released the first commercial model, the M100, in 2014. Since then, the company has grown exponentially. Vuzix also offers the M300. This updated version is an Android-based wearable computer.
On December 20, Vuzix completed a $12.5 million round of equity financing with institutional investors. This capital strengthened the company’s balance sheet. The company enters 2018 in strong financial shape.
Vuzix this year deployed its M300 smart glasses into the operations of Deere & Company (NYSE: DE). Other manufacturers are using M300, too.
A milestone occurred this month. Vuzix announced a supply agreement with Toshiba (OTC: TOSBF). Vuzix will sell to Toshiba the company’s smart glasses. Vuzix agreed to sell customized smart glasses to Toshiba for up to 12 months.
Toshiba’s minimum order is $5 million. I expect revenues from this deal to blow past this amount.
Vuzix has forged other OEM agreements. The company’s revenue over the first nine months of 2017 has exceeded 2016 results, with $3.9 million compared to $2.1 million.
Explosive revenue growth. That’s what I look for. In the first three quarters of 2017, Vuzix reported 233%, 136% and 141% respective revenue increases over the comparable periods in 2016.
Earnings have flagged. They’ll gain traction in 2018.
I’m excited by the company’s R&D. Vuzix in 2017 boosted its patent portfolio by 53% compared to 2016. The number of patents and patents pending increased to 101 from 66. On December 27, the company said it was expanding M300 sales into biotech.
Vuzix hasn’t turned its back on consumers. At the Consumer Technology Association’s CES show in January 2018, Vuzix will introduce a new smart glass model. It’s called the Vuzix Blade. The Blade features a see-through viewing experience. That’s a game changer. The company has won many CES awards.
Vuzix remains a buy up to $12.00.
In my next update, I’ll review the latest operating results of Vuzix and our entire portfolio. Happy New Year!
John Persinos is chief investment strategist of Breakthrough Tech Profits.
Stock Talk
Nephthys
Dear John,
how do you mean “since 2014 company has grown exponentialy”?
Revenue 2014, 15, 16 was decreasing : 3, 2.8, 2.1M, Gross profit 0.9, 0.6, -1.2M.
It is just the last 12 months when revenue increased substantialy each quarter. But the same is true with expenses, resulting operating income last 12 months reaching almost -20M. Free cashflow also decreases, reaching -19M (TTM). Will the raised capital 12,5M cover needs in 2018, or another round of share issue is expected?
Thanks, Michal
John Persinos
Dear Michal: The company has also grown in terms of partnerships, customer base, product offerings, and regional footprints. The raised capital should be sufficient for 2018, especially if its deal with Toshiba pans out more than the minimum, which I think it will. I’ll provide the latest details on Vuzix’s operating results and 2018 guidance in my next update.
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