Microvision

Tuesday, October 25th 2011

Highlights include $3.5 million engine order, double-digit revenue growth and third consecutive quarter of lower cash used in operations

MicroVision, Inc. (NASDAQ:MVIS), the leader in innovative ultra-miniature projection display technology, today announced its operating and financial results for the third quarter of 2011.

MicroVision reported that it is on track to meet its three primary objectives for 2011. The company has been advancing the development of its next-generation high-definition (HD) PicoP display engine, and is on target to moderately increase revenue and reduce cash used in operations by approximately 40% from last year.

"We believe the successful execution of our business strategy to date has increased our opportunities for 2012, and we are excited about what the future holds,” stated Alexander Tokman, president and CEO of MicroVision.

Highlights included:

Next-Generation HD PicoP Engine Development

* The third quarter was characterized by continued progress in the development of the next-generation HD PicoP display engine, including activities with Pioneer Corporation on the new light source module based on direct green, blue and red laser diodes as well as other key engine subsystems. The new HD PicoP display engine platform is expected to have high performance, even smaller size, lower power and an attractive price to accommodate high volume consumer and automotive product requirements. The HD PicoP engine is planned for release in the first half of 2012 to OEMs for integration into their products.
* Early samples of the new HD PicoP engine have been built using direct green laser samples from three different manufacturers. One such sample was demonstrated earlier this month in a prototype of Pioneer’s aftermarket automotive head-up display (HUD) at CEATEC Japan 2011. Pioneer has announced plans to introduce its PicoP-based HUD product in the first half of 2012.

Product revenue

* Grew revenue by 41 percent compared to the same quarter a year ago. The company fulfilled several customer orders, including initial orders of PicoP display engines to ESPlus Company Ltd., a Korean consumer electronics manufacturer. ESPlus integrated these engines into its PicoP-enabled media player released at the Korea Electronics Show earlier this month.
* Received a $3.5 million follow-on order from ESPlus for current PicoP engines, targeted for delivery during the fourth quarter of 2011.
* Added Intel as a new partner to distribute MicroVision’s products to Intel’s broad base of premier channel partners, focusing on the unique benefits of the SHOWWX+ laser pico projectors for small to mid-size business and education applications.

Operating Cash Reduction

* Reduced cash used in operations to $6.3 million in the third quarter of 2011, a 51 percent reduction from the same quarter a year ago and a 15 percent reduction from the second quarter of 2011. The company reduced cash requirements each quarter this year, and is on target to reduce cash used in operations for the year by approximately 40 percent compared to 2010.

Other Notable Advancements

* Demonstrated a 3D PicoP prototype projector that uses a mixed-polarization approach to create a focus-free immersive 3D experience using less expensive passive 3D glasses. Because of the simplicity of the PicoP design, adding 3D does not increase size or require more power and adds only minimal cost to the overall solution. 3D capability is expected to be added as another feature to future OEM products utilizing MicroVision’s HD PicoP display engine.
* MicroVision was again recognized for a Top 50 IP portfolio by the Patent Board, in association with The Wall Street Journal, ranking in the top 50 for the third consecutive year among all global electronics companies. The Patent Board has developed more than 50 indicators that track global patent activity relating to companies’ innovation, technology and science strengths.

Financial Results

The following financial results are for three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same periods one year earlier.

* Revenue grew by 41 percent to $1.8 million for the third quarter of 2011, compared to $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2010, and was $4.1 million for the first nine months of 2011, which was approximately equal to the first nine months of 2010. Backlog was $5.1 million as of September 30, 2011, including the $3.5 million ESPlus follow-on order. MicroVision continues to expect a moderate increase in revenue for 2011, compared to 2010.
* Operating loss decreased to $7.8 million for the third quarter of 2011, compared to $12.3 million for the same quarter a year ago, and $26.1 million for the first nine months of 2011, compared to $32.9 million for the first nine months of 2010.
* Net loss was $7.8 million, or $0.07 per share for the third quarter of 2011, compared to $11.9 million, or $0.13 per share for the same quarter a year ago. Net loss was $26.0 million, or $0.25 per share for the first nine months of 2011, compared to $32.0 million, or $0.36 per share for the first nine months of 2010.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, cash used in operations declined to $21.8 million compared to $35.0 million for the same period in 2010, reflecting a 38 percent decrease from the first nine months of 2010.

As of September 30, 2011, cash and cash equivalents were $9.4 million, which included $6.3 million raised during the third quarter of 2011 through the company’s equity financing facilities.

Conference Call

The company will host a conference call today to discuss its third quarter 2011 results and current business operations at 8:30 a.m. ET / 5:30 a.m. PT. Participants may join the conference call by dialing 866-804-6924 (for U.S. participants) or 857-350-1670 (for international participants) ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call pass code number is 82664705. A live webcast can be accessed from the company's web site at www.microvision.com/investors. The webcast and information needed to access the telephone replay will be available through the same link approximately one hour after the conference call concludes.

http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2011/10/25/microvision-announces-third-quarter-2011-results