Select First Quarter 2025 Highlights
Revenue rose 29% to $6.4 million
Gross margin expanded to 46.4%
Operating loss narrowed to $1.0 million
Backlog rose 66% to $10.3 million
Cash, cash equivalents and investments of $31.2 million, no long-term debt
WARRENVILLE, Ill., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fuel Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ: FTEK), a technology company using advanced engineering processes to provide emissions control systems and water treatment technologies in utility and industrial applications, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (“Q1 2025”).
“We are very pleased with our first quarter performance, reinforcing our belief that 2025 will be a year of growth for our Company,” Vincent J. Arnone, President and CEO. “Consolidated revenues and gross margin each increased compared to last year’s first quarter, driven by a 92% rise in FUEL CHEM® revenue. Our business development activities for our Air Pollution Control (“APC”) business segment generated $5.6 million of orders from new and existing U.S. and international customers during the first quarter of 2025, and we grew our backlog by 66% to $10.3 million, the highest quarterly backlog since 2022. At March 31, 2025, our balance sheet remained strong, with $31.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments and no long-term debt.
“We expect continued strong performance from our FUEL CHEM segment throughout 2025, driven by the return to full operation of our base accounts and the incremental contribution from the new commercial account that we added in the fourth quarter of 2024. We continue to pursue additional FUEL CHEM opportunities domestically and internationally, and we expect that a new demonstration of our TIFI® Targeted In-Furnace Injection™ technology is likely to commence late in the third quarter of this year at a coal-fired unit in the Midwest.”
Mr. Arnone continued, “While APC revenues decreased compared to last year’s first quarter, we have been encouraged by the cadence of new contract awards and business development opportunities, which will ultimately benefit segment performance as we execute these contracts. We are continuing to pursue additional new awards driven by industrial expansion globally and by state-specific regulatory requirements in the U.S., and hope to have those in hand late in the current second quarter. We are also participating in larger domestic contract opportunities to support emissions control requirements for the development of data centers, utilizing our SCR and ULTRA® technologies.”
Mr. Arnone concluded, “We expect to commence an extended demonstration of our Dissolved Gas Infusion (DGI®) technology at a fish hatchery in the Western U.S late in the second quarter of 2025. We continue to receive inquiries regarding DGI from potential customers in multiple end markets and we are hopeful that we can generate our first commercial revenues in 2025.”
Q1 2025 Consolidated Results Overview
Consolidated revenues for Q1 2025 rose 29% to $6.4 million from $5.0 million in Q1 2024, driven by a 92% increase in FUEL CHEM revenue. This increase was offset by a 44% revenue decline in APC segment revenues.
Consolidated gross margin for Q1 2025 increased to 46.4% of revenues from 40.9% of revenues in Q1 2024, reflecting an increase in FUEL CHEM gross margin and the relative contribution of FUEL CHEM versus APC revenue, partially offset by a decrease in APC gross margin.
SG&A expenses were flat at $3.3 million for Q1 2025 and Q1 2024. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A expenses declined to 52.4% in Q1 2025 from 67.5% in Q1 2024, reflecting higher revenues.
Interest income was stable at $0.3 million and related primarily to interest received on the held-to-maturity debt securities and money market funds.
Net loss in Q1 2025 was $(739,000), or $(0.02) per share, compared to net income of $281,000, or $0.01 per share, in Q1 2024. Net income in Q1 2024 included a one-time other income amount of $1.7 million related to the employee retention credit. Excluding this one-time other income amount, net loss for Q1 2024 was $(1.4) million, or $(0.05) per share.
Consolidated APC segment backlog at March 31, 2025 rose 66% to $10.3 million from $6.2 million at December 31, 2024.
APC segment revenue decreased to $1.3 million from $2.3 million in Q1 2024, primarily related to timing of project execution on existing contracts. Segment gross margin declined to 32.6% from 38.4%, reflecting lower segment revenues.
FUEL CHEM segment revenue rose 92% to $5.1 million from $2.6 million in Q1 2024, primarily due to outage completions and increased dispatch, as well as sustained business from a new customer account added midyear in 2024. Segment gross margin expanded to 49.9% from 43.2% in Q1 2024, reflecting higher segment revenues.
Adjusted EBITDA loss was $(0.7) million in Q1 2025 compared to Adjusted EBITDA loss of $(1.5) million in Q1 2024.
Financial Condition
At March 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $11.8 million, short-term investments were $10.0 million, and long-term investments totaled $9.4 million. Stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2025 was $41.4 million, or $1.35 per share, and the Company had no debt.
Conference Call
Management will host a conference call on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 10:00 am ET / 9:00 am CT to discuss the results and business activities. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing:
(877) 423-9820 (Domestic) or
(201) 493-6749 (International)
The conference call will also be accessible via the Upcoming Events section of the Company’s web site at www.ftek.com. Following management’s opening remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. Questions may be asked during the live call, or alternatively, you may e-mail questions in advance to dsullivan@equityny.com. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, an online replay will be available at www.ftek.com.
About Fuel Tech
Fuel Tech develops and commercializes state-of-the-art proprietary technologies for air pollution control, process optimization, water treatment, and advanced engineering services. These technologies enable customers to operate in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner. Fuel Tech is a leader in nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction and particulate control technologies and its solutions have been installed on over 1,300 utility, industrial and municipal units worldwide. The Company’s FUEL CHEM® technology improves the efficiency, reliability, fuel flexibility, boiler heat rate, and environmental status of combustion units by controlling slagging, fouling, corrosion and opacity. Water treatment technologies include DGI® Dissolved Gas Infusion Systems which utilize a patented saturator and a patent-pending channel injector to deliver supersaturated oxygen solutions and other gas-water combinations to target process applications or environmental issues. This infusion process has a variety of applications in the water and wastewater industries, including remediation, aeration, biological treatment and wastewater odor management. Many of Fuel Tech’s products and services rely heavily on the Company’s exceptional Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling capabilities, which are enhanced by internally developed, high-end visualization software. For more information, visit Fuel Tech’s web site at www.ftek.com.
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and reflect Fuel Tech’s current expectations regarding future growth, results of operations, cash flows, performance and business prospects, and opportunities, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. Fuel Tech has tried to identify forward-looking statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “will,” and similar expressions, but these words are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements. These statements are based on information currently available to Fuel Tech and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including, but not limited to, contracts being awarded to competitors offering different or lower-priced technologies, projects being suspended, delayed or cancelled and other risks discussed in Fuel Tech’s Annual Report on Form 10-K in Item 1A under the caption “Risk Factors,” and subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which could cause Fuel Tech’s actual growth, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance and business prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. Fuel Tech undertakes no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events, developments, or changed circumstances or for any other reason. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in Fuel Tech’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
FUEL TECH, INC. | ||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2025 | 2024 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 11,821 | $ | 8,510 | ||||
Short-term investments | 9,968 | 10,184 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, less current expected credit loss of $106 and $106, respectively | 5,635 | 9,368 | ||||||
Inventories, net | 534 | 397 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,188 | 1,160 | ||||||
Total current assets | 29,146 | 29,619 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $18,947 and $18,958, respectively | 4,979 | 5,084 | ||||||
Goodwill | 2,116 | 2,116 | ||||||
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $534 and $525, respectively | 324 | 327 | ||||||
Right-of-use operating lease assets, net | 566 | 585 | ||||||
Long-term investments | 9,381 | 10,875 | ||||||
Other assets | 197 | 191 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 46,709 | $ | 48,797 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 1,587 | $ | 2,915 | ||||
Accrued liabilities: | ||||||||
Operating lease liabilities - current | 75 | 77 | ||||||
Employee compensation | 1,286 | 1,248 | ||||||
Other accrued liabilities | 1,339 | 1,615 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 4,287 | 5,855 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities - non-current | 532 | 548 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes, net | 176 | 176 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 276 | 263 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 5,271 | 6,842 | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 31,852,657 and 31,767,329 shares issued, and 30,769,258 and 30,708,273 shares outstanding, respectively | 318 | 317 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 165,405 | 165,295 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (120,211 | ) | (119,472 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,780 | ) | (1,915 | ) | ||||
Nil coupon perpetual loan notes | 76 | 76 | ||||||
Treasury stock, at cost | (2,370 | ) | (2,346 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 41,438 | 41,955 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 46,709 | $ | 48,797 | ||||
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FUEL TECH, INC. | ||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2025 | 2024 | |||||||
Revenues | $ | 6,382 | $ | 4,957 | ||||
Costs and expenses: | ||||||||
Cost of sales | 3,423 | 2,928 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 3,341 | 3,345 | ||||||
Research and development | 570 | 376 | ||||||
Operating loss | (952 | ) | (1,692 | ) | ||||
Interest expense | — | — | ||||||
Interest income | 279 | 311 | ||||||
Other (expense) income, net | (66 | ) | 1,673 | |||||
(Loss) income before income taxes | (739 | ) | 292 | |||||
Income tax expense | — | (11 | ) | |||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (739 | ) | $ | 281 | |||
Net (loss) income per common share: | ||||||||
Basic net (loss) income per common share | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.01 | |||
Diluted net (loss) income per common share | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.01 | |||
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: | ||||||||
Basic | 30,718,000 | 30,385,000 | ||||||
Diluted | 30,718,000 | 30,756,000 | ||||||
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FUEL TECH, INC. | ||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2025 | 2024 | |||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (739 | ) | $ | 281 | |||
Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 135 | (143 | ) | |||||
Comprehensive (loss) income | $ | (604 | ) | $ | 138 | |||
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FUEL TECH, INC. | ||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2025 | 2024 | |||||||
Operating Activities | ||||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (739 | ) | $ | 281 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation | 164 | 80 | ||||||
Amortization | 9 | 16 | ||||||
Non-cash interest income on held-to-maturity securities | (50 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||
Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures | 110 | 104 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 3,768 | 1,250 | ||||||
Employee retention credit receivable | — | (1,677 | ) | |||||
Inventory | (137 | ) | (99 | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other non-current assets | (28 | ) | 151 | |||||
Accounts payable | (1,340 | ) | (563 | ) | ||||
Accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities | (249 | ) | (609 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 1,508 | (1,075 | ) | |||||
Investing Activities | ||||||||
Purchases of equipment and patents | (65 | ) | (114 | ) | ||||
Purchases of debt securities | (993 | ) | (7,641 | ) | ||||
Maturities of debt securities | 2,750 | 2,750 | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 1,692 | (5,005 | ) | |||||
Financing Activities | ||||||||
Taxes paid on behalf of equity award participants | (24 | ) | — | |||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (24 | ) | — | |||||
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash | 135 | (116 | ) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 3,311 | (6,196 | ) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 8,510 | 17,578 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 11,821 | $ | 11,382 | ||||
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FUEL TECH, INC. | ||||||||||||||||
Information about reporting segment net sales and gross margin from operations is provided below: | ||||||||||||||||
Air Pollution | FUEL CHEM | |||||||||||||||
Three months ended March 31, 2025 | Control Segment | Segment | Other | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenues from external customers | $ | 1,303 | $ | 5,079 | $ | — | $ | 6,382 | ||||||||
Cost of sales | (878 | ) | (2,545 | ) | — | (3,423 | ) | |||||||||
Gross margin | 425 | 2,534 | — | 2,959 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | — | — | (3,341 | ) | (3,341 | ) | ||||||||||
Research and development | — | — | (570 | ) | (570 | ) | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) from operations | $ | 425 | $ | 2,534 | $ | (3,911 | ) | $ | (952 | ) | ||||||
Air Pollution | FUEL CHEM | |||||||||||||||
Three months ended March 31, 2024 | Control Segment | Segment | Other | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenues from external customers | $ | 2,318 | $ | 2,639 | $ | — | $ | 4,957 | ||||||||
Cost of sales | (1,428 | ) | (1,500 | ) | — | (2,928 | ) | |||||||||
Gross margin | 890 | 1,139 | — | 2,029 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | — | — | (3,345 | ) | (3,345 | ) | ||||||||||
Research and development | — | — | (376 | ) | (376 | ) | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) from operations | $ | 890 | $ | 1,139 | $ | (3,721 | ) | $ | (1,692 | ) | ||||||
FUEL TECH, INC. | ||||||||
Information concerning our operations by geographic area is provided below. Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the end-user. Assets are those directly associated with operations of the geographic area. | ||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2025 | 2024 | |||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||
United States | $ | 5,359 | $ | 3,595 | ||||
Foreign | 1,023 | 1,362 | ||||||
$ | 6,382 | $ | 4,957 | |||||
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2025 | 2024 | |||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
United States | $ | 42,788 | $ | 44,430 | ||||
Foreign | 3,921 | 4,367 | ||||||
$ | 46,709 | $ | 48,797 | |||||
FUEL TECH, INC. | ||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
2025 | 2024 | |||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (739 | ) | $ | 281 | |||
Interest income, net | (279 | ) | (311 | ) | ||||
Income tax expense | - | 11 | ||||||
Depreciation expense | 164 | 80 | ||||||
Amortization expense | 9 | 16 | ||||||
EBITDA | (845 | ) | 77 | |||||
Stock compensation expense | 110 | 104 | ||||||
Gain on employee retention credit | - | (1,677 | ) | |||||
ADJUSTED EBITDA | $ | (735 | ) | $ | (1,496 | ) | ||
Adjusted EBITDA
To supplement the Company's consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), the Company has provided an Adjusted EBITDA disclosure as a measure of financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation expense, amortization expense, stock compensation expense, and intangible assets abandonment and building impairment. The Company's reference to these non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP standards, but are not a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.
Adjusted EBITDA is provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and ability to generate cash flow, which we believe is a meaningful measure for our investor and analyst communities. In many cases non-GAAP financial measures are utilized by these individuals to evaluate Company performance and ultimately determine a reasonable valuation for our common stock. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the nearest GAAP measure of net loss has been included in the above financial table.
CONTACT: | Vince Arnone | Devin Sullivan |
President and CEO | Managing Director | |
(630) 845-4500 | The Equity Group Inc. | |