Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP) (TSX: BLDP) today announced consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021. All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted and have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
"2021 was an important year for Ballard as we made significant progress against our strategic plan and continued to position Ballard as a leading fuel cell player in the decarbonization of medium- and heavy-duty mobility. In 2021, we deepened our customer base in our target markets and made marked progress with existing and new partnerships. This progress is critical as we begin to transition various customer programs and pilots into long-term supply agreements, order book growth, and series production," said Mr. Randy MacEwen, President and CEO. "The increased global alignment around addressing climate change and energy security support the expected proliferation of hydrogen fuel cell technology and our long-term outlook for a significant revenue ramp."
Mr. MacEwen continued, "We are encouraged by the unprecedented capital inflows we are seeing drive the hydrogen economy forward. We have developed our business model to capitalize on the growing hydrogen economy by using the same core competencies and fuel cell technology across multiple applications and markets. We believe our strategy to invest ahead of the hydrogen growth curve in our capabilities, technologies and products, as well as targeted market expansion, position us competitively against our peers and allow us to provide the best zero emissions solution to our customers at scale."
Q4 2021 Financial Highlights
(all comparisons are to Q4 2020 unless otherwise noted)
Order Backlog ($M) | Order Backlog | Orders Received | Orders Delivered | Order Backlog |
Total Fuel Cell | $108.5 | $21.2 | $36.7 | $93.1 |
Full Year 2021 Financial Highlights
(all comparisons are to full year 2020 unless otherwise noted)
Post-Quarter Commercial Update
2022 Outlook
In 2022, Ballard plans to increase investments in the business ahead of the hydrogen growth curve, including expanding product offering and capabilities across the value chain. Ballard's 2022 outlook includes:
Total Operating Expenses4: | Ballard has initiated total operating expense guidance, with 2022 total operating expenses expected to be between $140 million and $160 million (compared to $102.1 million in 2021) as it continues to invest in research and product development ahead of the hydrogen growth curve by advancing new technology, product innovation, and development across bus, truck, rail, and marine markets, including next-generation MEAs, plates, stacks, and modules, and increasing sales and marketing expenditures. |
Capital Expenditures5: | Ballard has initiated full year capital expenditure guidance between $40 million and $60 million (compared to $14.7 million in 2021) as it continues to invest in testing, advanced manufacturing and production. Capital allocation includes increasing testing and prototyping capabilities, including new advanced test station equipment and refurbishments of existing testing equipment in Canada, advanced manufacturing equipment in Canada for next-generation bipolar plates, testing and assembly equipment at Ballard Motive Solutions in the UK to support powertrain and vehicle integration and assembly operations. |
Introduce plan to expand | Ballard is confident in the value of investing ahead of the hydrogen growth curve and positioning its manufacturing capabilities to support anticipated scale in key markets. The company also continues to look at opportunities to expand its presence in growing markets. |
Develop roadmap to | Ballard continues to focus on decarbonizing difficult to abate emissions across medium- and heavy-duty motive applications of bus, truck, rail, marine, and certain stationary and backup power applications. Ballard plans to complete its roadmap on achieving its corporate "Mission Carbon Zero" goal by 2030 in 2022. |
Q4 & Full Year 2021 Financial Summary
(Millions of U.S. dollars, | Three months ended December 31, | Twelve months ended December 31, | ||||
2021 | 2020 | % Change | 2021 | 2020 | % Change | |
REVENUE | ||||||
Fuel Cell Products & Services:1,2 | ||||||
Heavy Duty Motive | $22.5 | $11.9 | 89% | $51.7 | $47.7 | 8% |
Material Handling | $1.3 | $0.9 | 36% | $8.1 | $5.3 | 53% |
Backup Power | $2.7 | $2.1 | 30% | $8.2 | $5.6 | 47% |
Sub-Total | $26.6 | $15.0 | 77% | $68.0 | $58.6 | 16% |
Technology Solutions | $10.1 | $13.6 | (26)% | $36.5 | $45.3 | (19)% |
Total Fuel Cell Products & Services Revenue | $36.7 | $28.6 | 28% | $104.5 | $103.9 | 1% |
PROFITABILITY Gross Margin $ | $4.8 | $5.6 | (15)% | $14.0 | $21.0 | (33)% |
Gross Margin % | 13% | 20% | (7) pts | 13% | 20% | (7) pts |
Operating Expenses | $32.3 | $19.6 | 65% | $102.1 | $60.7 | 68% |
Cash Operating Costs3 | $26.6 | $16.4 | 62% | $83.8 | $50.0 | 67% |
Equity gain (loss) in JV & Associates | ($4.9) | ($4.3) | (14)% | ($16.1) | ($12.6) | (28)% |
Adjusted EBITDA3 | ($25.5) | ($14.5) | (76)% | ($82.2) | ($38.9) | (111)% |
Net Income (Loss) from continuing operations | ($43.8) | ($14.4) | (204)% | ($114.4) | ($49.5) | (131)% |
Earnings Per Share | ($0.15) | ($0.05) | (200)% | ($0.39) | ($0.20) | (95)% |
CASH | ||||||
Cash provided by (used in) Operating Activities: | ||||||
Cash Operating Income (Loss) | ($23.5) | ($6.7) | (252)% | ($68.9) | ($25.8) | (167)% |
Working Capital Changes | ($7.1) | $0.0 | n.a. | ($11.6) | ($17.1) | 32% |
Cash provided by (used in) Operating Activities | ($30.7) | ($6.7) | (360)% | ($80.5) | ($42.9) | (87)% |
Cash Reserves | $1,123.9 | $763.4 | 47% |
For a more detailed discussion of Ballard Power Systems' fourth quarter 2021 results, please see the company's financial statements and management's discussion & analysis, which are available at www.ballard.com/investors, www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
Conference Call
Ballard will hold a conference call on Monday, March 14, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (11:00 a.m. Eastern Time) to review fourth quarter 2021 operating results. The live call can be accessed by dialing +1.604.638.5340. Alternatively, a live audio and webcast can be accessed through a link on Ballard's homepage (www.ballard.com). Following the call, the audio webcast and presentation materials will be archived in the 'Earnings, Interviews & Presentations' area of the 'Investors' section of Ballard's website (www.ballard.com/investors).
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems' (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) vision is to deliver fuel cell power for a sustainable planet. Ballard zero-emission PEM fuel cells are enabling electrification of mobility, including buses, commercial trucks, trains, marine vessels, passenger cars and forklift trucks. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.
Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning the hydrogen economy and markets for our products and the effects of governmental regulations on such markets, expected revenues, operating expenses, capital expenditures, corporate development activities, impacts of investments in manufacturing and R&D capabilities and market growth, and our carbon emissions goals. These forward-looking statements reflect Ballard's current expectations as contemplated under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any such statements are based on Ballard's assumptions relating to its financial forecasts and expectations regarding its product development efforts, manufacturing capacity, and market demand. For a detailed discussion of the factors and assumptions that these statements are based upon, and factors that could cause our actual results or outcomes to differ materially, please refer to Ballard's most recent management discussion & analysis. Other risks and uncertainties that may cause Ballard's actual results to be materially different include general economic and regulatory changes, detrimental reliance on third parties, successfully achieving our business plans and achieving and sustaining profitability. For a detailed discussion of these and other risk factors that could affect Ballard's future performance, please refer to Ballard's most recent Annual Information Form. These forward-looking statements are provided to enable external stakeholders to understand Ballard's expectations as at the date of this release and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Readers should not place undue reliance on these statements and Ballard assumes no obligation to update or release any revisions to them, other than as required under applicable legislation.
Endnotes
1 We report our results in the single operating segment of Fuel Cell Products and Services. Our Fuel Cell Products and Services segment consists of the sale and service of PEM fuel cell products for our power product markets of Heavy Duty Motive (consisting of bus, truck, rail and marine applications), Material Handling and Backup Power, as well as the delivery of Technology Solutions, including engineering services, technology transfer and the license and sale of our extensive intellectual property portfolio and fundamental knowledge for a variety of fuel cell applications. |
2 The UAV market has been classified as a discontinued operation in our third quarter of 2020 consolidated condensed financial statements. As such, the assets of the UAV market have been classified as assets held for sale as of September 30, 2020. Furthermore, the historic operating results of the UAV market for 2020 have been removed from continuing operating results and are instead presented separately in the statement of comprehensive income as income from discontinued operations. |
3 Note that Cash Operating Costs, EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Ballard believes that Cash Operating Costs, EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA assist investors in assessing Ballard's operating performance. These measures should be used in addition to, and not as a substitute for, net income (loss), cash flows and other measures of financial performance and liquidity reported in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of Cash Operating Costs, EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA to the Consolidated Financial Statements, please refer to the tables below. |
Cash Operating Costs measures operating expenses excluding stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, impairment losses or recoveries on trade receivables, restructuring charges, acquisition related costs, the impact of unrealized gains or losses on foreign exchange contracts, and financing charges. EBITDA measures net loss from continuing operations excluding finance expense, income taxes, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, and amortization of intangible assets. Adjusted EBITDA adjusts EBITDA for stock-based compensation expense, transactional gains and losses, asset impairment charges, finance and other income, the impact of unrealized gains or losses on foreign exchange contracts, and acquisition related costs. |
4 Total Operating Expenses refer to the measure reported in accordance with IFRS. |
5 Capital Expenditure is defined as Additions to property, plant and equipment and Investment in other intangible assets as disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) | Three months ended December 31, | |||||||
Cash Operating Costs | 2021 | 2020 | $ Change | |||||
Total Operating Expenses | $ | 32,307 | $ | 19,559 | $ | 12,748 | ||
Stock-based compensation expense | (2,319) | (2,347) | 28 | |||||
Impairment recovery (losses) on trade | (11) | (60) | 49 | |||||
Acquisition related costs | (1,580) | - | (1,580) | |||||
Restructuring (charges) recovery | (9) | (26) | 17 | |||||
Impact of unrealized gains (losses) on foreign | 263 | 324 | (61) | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | (2,047) | (1,060) | (987) | |||||
Cash Operating Costs | $ | 26,604 | $ | 16,390 | $ | 10,214 | ||
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) | Year ended December 31, | |||||||
Cash Operating Costs | 2021 | 2020 | $ Change | |||||
Total Operating Expenses | $ | 102,116 | $ | 60,745 | $ | 41,371 | ||
Stock-based compensation expense | (9,669) | (6,228) | (3,441) | |||||
Impairment recovery (losses) on trade | (54) | (310) | 256 | |||||
Acquisition related costs | (2,115) | - | (2,115) | |||||
Restructuring (charges) recovery | (156) | (66) | (90) | |||||
Impact of unrealized gains (losses) on foreign | (519) | 259 | (778) | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | (5,821) | (4,371) | (1,450) | |||||
Cash Operating Costs | $ | 83,782 | $ | 50,029 | $ | 33,753 | ||
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) | Three months ended December 31 | |||||||
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA | 2021 | 2020 | $ Change | |||||
Net loss from continuing operations | $ | (43,836) | $ | (14,408) | $ | (29,428) | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 3,272 | 1,768 | 1,504 | |||||
Finance expense | 313 | 324 | (11) | |||||
Income taxes (recovery) | (233) | (39) | (194) | |||||
EBITDA | $ | (40,484) | $ | (12,355) | $ | (28,129) | ||
Stock-based compensation expense | 2,319 | 2,347 | (28) | |||||
Acquisition related costs | 1,580 | - | 1,580 | |||||
Finance and other (income) loss | 11,366 | (4,138) | 15,504 | |||||
Impairment loss on assets | - | - | - | |||||
Impact of unrealized (gains) losses on foreign | (263) | (324) | 61 | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (25,482) | $ | (14,470) | $ | (11,012) | ||
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) | Year ended December 31, | |||||||
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA | 2021 | 2020 | $ Change | |||||
Net loss from continuing operations | $ | (114,397) | $ | (49,469) | $ | (64,928) | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 9,752 | 7,405 | 2,347 | |||||
Finance expense | 1,294 | 1,303 | (9) | |||||
Income taxes (recovery) | (216) | 130 | (346) | |||||
EBITDA | $ | (103,567) | $ | (40,631) | $ | (62,936) | ||
Stock-based compensation expense | 9,669 | 6,228 | 3,441 | |||||
Acquisition related costs | 2,115 | - | 2,115 | |||||
Finance and other (income) loss | 8,813 | (4,282) | 13,095 | |||||
Impairment loss on assets | 263 | - | 263 | |||||
Impact of unrealized (gains) losses on foreign | 519 | (259) | 778 | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (82,188) | $ | (38,944) | $ | (43,244) | ||
Last Trade: | US$1.67 |
Daily Volume: | 2,289,939 |
Market Cap: | US$500.010M |
August 12, 2024 May 29, 2024 May 07, 2024 April 16, 2024 |
Else Nutrition is changing the face of early childhood nutrition with clean, sustainable, plant-based products. The company has developed the world’s first whole plant-based infant formula that is targeting the $100+ billion global...
CLICK TO LEARN MOREDevvStream provides upfront capital for sustainability projects in exchange for carbon credit rights. Through these rights, the company generates and manages carbon credits by utilizing the most technologically advanced...
CLICK TO LEARN MORECOPYRIGHT ©2022 GREEN STOCK NEWS