Gross Margin Expansion and Positive Adjusted EBITDA Highlight Q3 Progress
Quarterhill Demonstrates Strong Improvement in Profitability and Operational Execution
TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2025 /CNW/ - Quarterhill Inc. ("Quarterhill" or the "Company") (TSX: QTRH) (OTCQX: QTRHF), a leading provider of tolling and enforcement solutions in the Intelligent Transportation System ("ITS") industry, announces its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025. All financial information in this press release is reported in United States ("US") dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Quarterhill delivered another quarter of significant progress in its turnaround strategy, achieving substantial gross margin expansion, positive Adjusted EBITDA and positive operating cash flow. The Company also continued to strengthen its balance sheet while advancing its multi-year plan to drive sustained profitability and margin growth across its business units.
Q3 2025 Highlights
-- Revenue for Q3 2025 was $39.7 million, up from $38.0 million in Q3 2024.
-- Gross margin1 percentage for Q3 2025 improved to 26%, compared to 13% in
Q3 2024.
-- Cash generated from operations for Q3 2025 was $6.4 million, up
significantly compared to cash used in operations of $1.7 million in Q3
2024.
-- Cash and cash equivalents were $24.1 million at September 30, 2025.
-- Adjusted EBITDA2 for Q3 2025 was $1.4 million, an improvement compared to
($2.8) million in Q3 2024, marking the Company's first positive Adjusted
EBITDA quarter since Q4 2024.
-- Revenue backlog3 was $427 million at September 30, 2025.
-- Restructuring announced in July expected to yield annualized savings of
approximately $12 million.
"Q3 marks an important inflection point for Quarterhill," said Chuck Myers, CEO at Quarterhill. "We're beginning to see the results of our turnaround take hold, reflected in significant margin expansion, positive Adjusted EBITDA and strong cash generation. Gross margin improved to 26%, our highest level in more than two years, as we delivered better project execution, disciplined cost management and a more profitable revenue mix."
"Our Safety & Enforcement unit continues to perform exceptionally well, delivering gross margins above 40%, while our Tolling business is benefiting from restructuring actions and improved contract terms. With a robust $427 million revenue backlog(3) , a roughly $2 billion pipeline, and a strengthened balance sheet, we're now focused on accelerating growth and expanding profitability as we position Quarterhill as a leading, technology-driven ITS platform company."
Q3 2025 and Year-to-Date Financial Review
Quarterhill's Management's Discussion and Analysis and Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 are available at the Company's website and at its profile at SEDAR+.
Revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, were $39.7 million and $116.7 million compared to $38.0 million and $114.4 million in the same periods last year. The increase in revenue for Q3 was due to growth in both the Company's tolling and safety and enforcement business units, while the increase for the year-to-date period was due to growth in the safety and enforcement unit.
Gross profit(1) as a value and as a percentage of revenues may be subject to significant variance in each reporting period due to the nature and type of contract and service work performed and currency volatility. Gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $10.5 million and $20.7 million, or 26% and 18%, as compared to $5.1 million and $20.0 million, or 13% and 17%, in the same periods last year. The increase for Q3 and the year-to-date period was primarily due to the restructuring, improved margins on certain tolling contracts and continued strong margin performance from the safety and enforcement unit.
Total operating expenses are comprised of selling, general and administrative costs ("SG&A"), research and development ("R&D") costs, depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and other charges. Total operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, were $13.7 million and $37.8 million compared to $11.3 million and $32.5 million in the same periods last year. The increase for Q3 is primarily due to higher costs related to stock-based compensation, recruitment, technical consulting, facilities, R&D and other charges. The increase for the year-to-date period is due to similar factors, offset, in part, by a decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses and certain other charges.
Adjusted EBITDA(2) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $1.4 million and ($4.7) million compared to ($2.8) million and ($0.9) million in the same periods last year. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA(1) for Q3 was primarily due to the factors impacting revenue, gross margin and expenses, as previously described.
Net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, was ($4.7) million and ($19.9) million, or ($0.04) and ($0.17) per diluted share, compared to net losses of ($4.1) million and ($11.3) million, or ($0.04) and ($0.10) per diluted share, in the same periods last year.
Cash generated from (used in) operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $6.4 million and ($1.7) million compared to cash used in operations of ($1.7) million and ($11.0) million in the same periods last year. Cash and cash equivalents were $24.1 million at September 30, 2025, compared to $22.7 million at June 30, 2025, and $31.9 million at December 31, 2024. The Company made long-term debt repayments of $3.1 million in Q3.
Conference Call and Webcast
Quarterhill will host a conference call to discuss its financial results on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 8:30 AM Eastern Time.
Webcast Information
-- Live audio webcast will be available at:
https://app.webinar.net/wKbvGMAGMOY
-- Webcast replay will be available at: https://app.webinar.net/wKbvGMAGMOY
Traditional Dial-in Information
-- To access the call from the U.S. and Canada, dial 1.888.699.1199 (Toll
Free)
-- To access the call from other locations, dial 1.416.945.7677
(International)
Rapidconnect
To instantly join the conference call by phone, please use the following URL to easily register and be connected into the conference call automatically: https://emportal.ink/3L4bqmo
Telephone Replay
Telephone replay will be available from November 6, 2025, until November 13, 2025, at: 1.888.660.6345 (Toll Free North America) or 1.289.819.1450.
Conference ID: 15004 and Replay Passcode: 15004 #
Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Non-IFRS Ratios
Quarterhill uses both IFRS and certain non-IFRS financial measures to assess performance. Non-IFRS financial measures are financial measures disclosed by a company that (a) depict historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of a company, (b) with respect to their composition, exclude amounts that are included in, or include amounts that are excluded from, the composition of the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in the primary financial statements of the company, (c) are not disclosed in the financial statements of the company, and (d) are not a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation. Non-IFRS ratios are financial measures disclosed by a company that are in the form of a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation that has a non-IFRS financial measure as one or more of its components, and that are not disclosed in the financial statements of the company.
These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios are not standardized financial measures under IFRS, and, therefore, are unlikely to be comparable to similar financial measures presented by other companies. Management believes these non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios provide transparent and useful supplemental information to help investors evaluate our financial performance, financial condition, and liquidity using the same measures as management. These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.
Adjusted EBITDA - Non-IFRS Financial Measures
We use the non-IFRS financial measure "Adjusted EBITDA" to mean net loss adjusted for (i) income taxes, (ii) finance expense or income; (iii) amortization and impairment of intangibles; (iv) other charges and other one-time items; (v) depreciation of right-of-use assets and property, plant and equipment; (vi) stock-based compensation; (vii) foreign exchange (gain) loss ; (viii) other (income) expense; and (ix) changes in fair value of derivative liability. Adjusted EBITDA is used by our management to assess our normalized cash generated on a consolidated basis. Adjusted EBITDA is also a performance measure that may be used by investors to analyze the cash generated by Quarterhill. Adjusted EBITDA should not be interpreted as an alternative to net income (loss) and cash flows from operations as determined in accordance with IFRS or as measure of liquidity. The most directly comparable IFRS financial measure is net income (loss). See Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA below.
Adjusted EBITDA per share -- Non-IFRS Ratio
Adjusted EBITDA per share is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by the basic weighted average of common shares. Adjusted EBITDA per share is used by our management and investors to analyze cash generated by Quarterhill on a per share basis. The most comparable IFRS measure is earnings per share. See Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA below.
Backlog - Non-IFRS Financial Measure
We use the non-IFRS measure "backlog" to mean the total value of work that has not yet been completed but that in management's experience of similar situations has: (a) a high certainty of being performed pursuant to existing contracts or work orders specifying job scope, value and timing; (b) an expectation of expansion of existing contracts due to expected extensions; and/or (c) been awarded to one or more of our ITS operating subsidiaries as evidenced by a binding contract or where the finalization of a binding contract is reasonably assured. Activities under such contracts may cover a period of up to 15 years. We do not include in "backlog" the value of any expected but unsigned change orders that management considers may apply to such contracts.
Supplementary Financial Measures
Supplementary financial measures are financial measures disclosed by a company that (a) are, or are intended to be, disclosed on a periodic basis to depict the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of a company, (b) are not disclosed in the financial statements of the company, (c) are not non-IFRS financial measures, and (d) are not non-IFRS ratios. Key supplementary measures disclosed are as follows:
Gross margin %
Calculated as gross profit as a percentage of revenue.
About Quarterhill
Quarterhill is a global leader in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) industry, advancing mobility through smart infrastructure solutions that reduce congestion, improve roadway safety, and create more sustainable travel. Each year, Quarterhill's platforms process billions of transactions, perform compliance and safety inspections on millions of commercial vehicles, and enable transportation agencies worldwide to optimize thousands of lanes of traffic to improve travel for everyone. Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, Quarterhill's platform delivers automation and predictive insight to help agencies manage transportation networks more efficiently. By working in close partnership with governments, communities, and industry leaders, Quarterhill is building today's connected roadways while shaping the next generation of intelligent, resilient mobility. Quarterhill is listed on the TSX under the symbol QTRH and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol QTRHF. For more information: www.quarterhill.com.
Forward-looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements") regarding Quarterhill, its operating subsidiaries and their respective businesses. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events, conditions or future financial performance of Quarterhill based on future economic conditions and courses of action. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of any words such as "seek", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "goal", and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to, but not limited to, the following: operational and financial expectations for the 2025 financial year, including revenue, gross margin and Adjusted EBITDA expectations; the Company's business plan and strategy, and outcomes thereof; the outcome of renegotiation efforts and mediation relating to our tolling contracts; the impact of contract renegotiation on our financial performance; the results of operational enhancements and technology investment by the Company; the anticipated cost savings from the restructuring; the Company's ability and path to achieve revenue growth, margin expansion and positive cash flow; and the impact of the Company's workforce reduction on the Company's operations, financial position and results.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon assumptions which management of the Company believes to be reasonable, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. With respect to forward- looking statements contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions regarding, but not limited to: the Company's ability to execute on its business plan; successful integration of acquisitions; general economic and industry trends; operating assumptions relating to the Company's operations; demand for the Company's products and services; cost estimates for fixed price contracts; successful renegotiation of our tolling contracts on terms acceptable and favourable to the Company; and the other assumptions set forth in the Company's most recent annual information form available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to: changes in demand for the Company's products and services; general economic, political, market and business conditions, including fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, stock market volatility; reliance on key management personnel; risks related to competition within the Company's industry and relating to technological advances; litigation risks; cyber-security risks; fixed price contracts may result in unexpected costs to the Company; risks of health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks; the tolling contracts not successfully being renegotiated on terms acceptable or favourable to the Company, or at all; and the other risks set forth in the Company's most recent annual information form and management's discussion and analysis for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom. Readers are therefore cautioned that the foregoing lists of important factors are not exhaustive, and they should not unduly rely on the forward-looking statements included in this news release. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Quarterhill has no intention, and undertakes no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
This news release contains "future-oriented financial information" and "financial outlooks" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, "FOFI"), including about the financial results, revenue, gross margin and Adjusted EBITDA of Quarterhill for the year ended December 31, 2025. FOFI, as with forward-looking statements generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions and qualifications, and are subject to the risks set out above in respect of forward-looking statements. Quarterhill's actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from management's current expectations and, as a result, the Company's financial results may differ materially from the FOFI provided in this news release. The Company and its management believe that the FOFI has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management's best estimates and judgments and the FOFI contained in this news release was approved by management as of the date hereof, for purposes of providing further information about the Company's future business operations and results. However, because this information is subjective and subject to numerous risks and assumptions, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such FOFI. Readers are cautioned that the FOFI contained in this news release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein, and such information is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be an indication of the Company's actual financial position or results of operations.
1, Please refer to Gross Margin % in the Supplementary
Financial Measures section for further information.
2. Please refer to the Adjusted EBITDA Non-IFRS Financial
Measures section for further information.
3. Please refer to the Backlog - Non-IFRS Financial
Measure section for further information.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands and in United States dollars, except share and per share amounts)
Three months ended Nine months ended September 30,
September 30,
2025 2024 2025 2024
Revenues $39,743 $38,019 $116,707 $114,429
Direct cost of
revenues 29,288 32,892 95,978 94,429
Gross profit 10,455 5,127 20,729 20,000
Operating expenses
Selling, general and
administrative
expenses 9,902 8,125 27,608 21,573
Research and
development expenses 510 275 1,291 1,071
Depreciation of
right-of-use assets 373 373 925 1,081
Depreciation of
property, plant and
equipment 369 384 1,103 1,144
Amortization of
intangible assets 2,069 1,789 6,089 6,166
Other charges 483 313 807 1,468
13,706 11,259 37,823 32,503
Results from
operations (3,251) (6,132) (17,094) (12,503)
Finance income (58) (43) (178) (408)
Finance expense 1,507 1,646 4,564 5,002
Foreign exchange
(gain) loss (824) 845 2,196 (652)
Other income (98) (3,874) (3,707) (4,008)
Change in fair value
of derivative
liability (29) (499) (519) (1,426)
Loss before taxes (3,749) (4,207) (19,450) (11,011)
Current income tax
expense 734 45 777 390
Deferred income tax
expense (recovery) 251 (143) (288) (107)
Income tax expense
(recovery) 985 (98) 489 283
Net loss (4,734) (4,109) (19,939) (11,294)
Other comprehensive
loss that may be
reclassified
subsequently to net
loss:
Foreign currency
translation
adjustment (650) 974 1,856 42
Comprehensive loss ($5,384) ($3,135) ($18,083) ($11,252)
Loss per share -
Basic ($0.04) ($0.04) ($0.17) ($0.10)
Loss per share -
Diluted ($0.04) ($0.04) ($0.17) ($0.10)
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(in thousands and in United States dollars)
As at September 30, 2025 December 31, 2024
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $24,085 $31,893
Accounts receivable, net 24,698 20,716
Unbilled revenue 32,939 34,461
Income taxes receivable 3 231.00
Inventories (net of obsolescence) 8,875 10,143
Prepaid expenses and deposits 4,293 4,588
94,893 102,032
Non-current assets
Accounts and other long-term
receivables 5,143 4,781
Right-of-use assets, net 4,902 5,035
Property, plant and equipment, net 3,241 3,961
Intangible assets, net 75,711 78,370
Investment in other entity 3,919 3,919
Deferred compensation asset 1,161 1,050
Goodwill 31,415 30,960
125,492 128,076
TOTAL ASSETS $220,385 $230,108
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities $30,226 $25,598
Income taxes payable 580 334
Current portion of lease liabilities 2,239 2,040
Current portion of deferred revenue 9,202 5,708
Current portion of long-term debt 13,860 2,125
Convertible debentures 39,352 36,825
Derivative liability 1 516
95,460 73,146
Non-current liabilities
Deferred revenue 1,296 1,574
Long-term lease liabilities 3,809 4,803
Long-term debt - 15,273
Deferred compensation liabilities 1,265 1,100
Deferred income tax liabilities 2,383 2,577
Other long-term liabilities 512 512
9,265 25,839
TOTAL LIABILITIES 104,725 98,985
Shareholders' equity
Capital stock 315,987 314,630
Contributed surplus 128,709 127,446
Accumulated other comprehensive income 14,004 12,148
Deficit (343,040) (323,101)
115,660 131,123
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY $220,385 $230,108
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands and in United States dollars)
Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
2025 2024 2025 2024
Operating activities:
Net loss ($4,734) ($4,109) ($19,939) ($11,294)
Add (deduct) non-cash items:
Stock-based compensation expense 1,343 724 3,440 1,936
Depreciation and amortization 2,811 2,546 8,117 8,391
Foreign exchange (gain) loss (824) 845 2,196 (652)
Other income (98) (3,874) (3,500) (4,008)
Deferred and non-cash income tax
expense (recovery) 251 (143) (288) (107)
Embedded derivatives 25 6 (20) 12
Change in fair value of
derivative liability (29) (499) (519) (1,426)
Non-cash interest expense 556 593 1,655 1,685
Net change in non-cash working
capital balances 7,140 2,259 7,112 (5,501)
Cash generated from (used in)
operating activities 6,441 (1,652) (1,746) (10,964)
Financing activities:
Payment of lease liabilities (551) (629) (1,862) (1,767)
Repayment of long-term debt (3,062) (531) (3,593) (1,594)
Cash used in financing
activities (3,613) (1,160) (5,455) (3,361)
Investing activities:
Net proceeds from disposition - - 319 -
of a joint venture
Acquisition of business, Red Fox - - - (7,181)
Cash acquired on acquisition of
business, Red Fox - - - 2,296
Proceeds from sale of property,
plant and equipment - 7 26 17
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment (161) (459) (530) (1,004)
Dividend received from
investment in other entity - 3,849 3,203 3,849
Capitalized software costs (862) (1,634) (3,009) (3,007)
Cash (used in) generated from
investing activities (1,023) 1,763 9 (5,030)
Foreign exchange on cash held in
foreign currencies (378) 141 (616) (245)
Net increase (decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents 1,427 (908) (7,808) (19,600)
Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period 22,658 24,041 31,893 42,733
Cash and cash equivalents, end
of period $24,085 $23,133 $24,085 $23,133
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
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