EX-99.1 2 ea188247ex99-1_ispiretech.htm PRESS RELEASE OF ISPIRE TECHNOLOGY INC. ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Exhibit 99.1

 

Ispire Technology Inc. Reports Financial Results for the Fiscal First Quarter 2024

 

Overall Revenue Increased 59.1% to $42.9 Million; Gross Profit Increased 43.7% to $6.9 Million.

Revenue from cannabis vaping products up 116.8% to $17.3 Million

Revenue from tobacco vaping products up 34.8% to $25.5 Million.

 

Los Angeles, Calif. November 14, 2023 – Ispire Technology Inc. (“Ispire” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: ISPR), a leader in vapor technology, providing high-quality, innovative products, announced today reported financial results for the fiscal first quarter 2024, which ended on September 30, 2023, and filed its quarterly report on Form 10-Q on November 14, 2023.

 

Fiscal First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

 

Revenue increased 59.1% to $42.9 million as compared to $26.9 million in the same period of 2023. Tobacco vaping products contributed $25.5 million and cannabis vaping products contributed $17.3 million to revenue during the fiscal first quarter 2024;

 

Gross profit increased 43.7% to $6.9 million as compared to $4.8 million in the same period of 2023;

 

Gross margin decreased to 16.1% as compared to 17.8% in the same period of 2023;
   
Total operating expenses increased 29.8% to $7.8 million as compared to $6.0 million in the same period of 2023; and

 

Net loss of $1.4 million as compared to net loss of $2.0 million in the same period of 2023.

 

Michael Wang, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Ispire commented, “For the fiscal first quarter of 2024, we continued to deliver strong financial results as our overall revenues increased 59.1% year-over-year with cannabis and tobacco vaping product revenues increasing 116.8% and 34.8% as compared to the same periods the previous year. This increase reflects our strategic U.S. market expansion and the market's warm reception to our best-in-class products. Our active presence at industry trade shows has been highlighted by the unveiling of our latest innovative product, the Ispire ONE™ which has transformed vaping experiences and set new standards in consumer safety and operational efficiency. Our business strategy has clearly manifested as we continue to redefine the vaping experience, consistently delivering high-quality and groundbreaking products that align with customer preferences.”

 

“We remain confident in our ability to maintain our position as the leading premier precision dosing technology company as we’ve not only secured our position in existing markets but have also made inroads into new geographies, adapting swiftly to increased market demands. The establishment of a new manufacturing facility in Malaysia marks a strategic step into the Southeast Asian market, signaling our readiness for scalable operations. As we progress through the fiscal year, we are on track to not only meet but also exceed our revenue projections for both cannabis and tobacco vaping products.” concluded Wang.

 

Daniel Machock, Chief Financial Officer of Ispire, added, “In the fiscal first quarter of 2024, Ispire's revenue trajectory continued to ascend, with cannabis vaping products generating $17.3 million, up from $8.0 million for the same period last year, and tobacco vaping products revenues climbing to $25.5 million from $18.9 million for the same period last year. The continued successful execution of our business strategy has yielded fruitful results both financially and operationally that reflect our brand's growing prominence as well as the strategic moves we've undertaken. As we continue to balance growth with operational efficiency, we remain committed to financial discipline while further driving shareholder value.”

 

 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of September 30, 2023, Ispire had cash and cash equivalents of $25.7 million and working capital of $27.6 million.

 

The Company believes that its current cash and cash flows provided by operating activities, and the net proceeds from the initial public offering will be sufficient to meet its working capital needs in the next 12 months.

 

Fiscal Year 2024 Outlook

 

Ispire is providing the following outlook for the cannabis and tobacco vaping products for fiscal year 2024, which ends on June 30, 2024.  Revenue for cannabis vaping products for fiscal year 2024 is projected at somewhere between $80 million and $90 million, representing growth between 100% and 125% from fiscal year 2023. Revenue for tobacco vaping products for fiscal year 2024 is projected at somewhere between $100 million and $110 million, representing growth between 33% and 47% from fiscal year 2023.

 

Conference Call

 

The Company will conduct a conference call at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, to discuss the results.

 

Ispire management will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer period.

 

Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Time: 8:00 a.m. Eastern time

Toll-free dial-in number:

 

United States: 1-888-346-8982

Mainland China: 4001-201203

Hong Kong: 800-905945

International: 1-412-902-4272

 

Webcast: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=pzOaTzRt

 

Please call the conference call dial-in 5-10 minutes prior to the start time, and ask for the "Ispire Technology Call." An operator will register your name and organization.

 

To be added to the Ispire Technology email distribution list, please email ispire@kcsa.com with ISPR in the subject line.

 

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About Ispire Technology Inc.

 

Ispire is engaged in the research and development, design, commercialization, sales, marketing, and distribution of branded e-cigarettes and cannabis vaping products. The Company’s operating subsidiaries own or license from a related party more than 200 patents received or filed globally. Ispire’s tobacco products are marketed under the Aspire brand name and are sold worldwide (except in the United States, People’s Republic of China, and Russia) primarily through its distribution network. Ispire’s cannabis products are marketed under the Ispire brand name primarily on an original design manufacturer (ODM) basis to other cannabis vapor companies. Ispire currently sells its cannabis vaping hardware only in the United States, and it recently commenced marketing activities in Canada and Europe, primarily in the European Union.

 

Please visit www.ispiretechnology.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, Pinterest, and YouTube. Any information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the Company’s website, any other website or any social media, is not a part of this press release.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This press release and the conference call described in this press release contains and will contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act") as well as Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company's future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "seek," "intend," "plan," "goal," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "strategy," "future," "likely" or other comparable terms, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding the Company's strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the Company's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties including those regarding: the Company’s ability to collect its accounts receivable in a timely manner, the Company's business strategies, the ability of the Company to market to the Ispire ONE™, Ispire ONE™'s success if meeting its goals, the ability of its customers to derive the anticipated benefits of the Ispire ONE™ and the success of their products on the markets; the Ispire ONE™ proving to be safe, and the risk and uncertainties described in "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements" and the additional risk described in Ispire's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 and any subsequent filings which Ispire makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The forward-looking statements made in the press release relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in the press release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by law. You should read this press release with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.

 

Investor Relations Contact:

Sherry Zheng

718.213.7386

ir@ispiretechnology.com

 

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ISPIRE TECHNOLOGY INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   June 30,   September 30, 
   2023   2023 
Assets        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents  $40,300,573   $25,686,052 
Accounts receivable, net   24,526,262    39,160,751 
Inventories, net   7,472,108    5,609,028 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   3,378,617    1,964,822 
Held-to-maturity investment   9,133,707    9,192,746 
Total current assets   84,811,267    81,613,399 
Other assets:          
Property, plant and equipment, net   1,088,131    1,592,092 
Intangible assets   -    255,650 
Rental deposit   732,334    660,282 
Right-of-use assets – operating leases   4,061,617    4,285,182 
Total other assets   5,882,082    6,793,206 
Total assets  $90,693,349   $88,406,605 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity          
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable  $1,274,391   $170,507 
Accounts payable – related party   51,698,588    50,504,883 
Contract liabilities   988,556    1,290,061 
Accrued liabilities and other payables   281,361    273,745 
Due to related parties   710,910    - 
Income tax payable - current   63,853    559,991 
Operating lease liabilities – current portion   944,525    1,207,234 
Total current liabilities   55,962,184    54,006,421 
           
Other liabilities:          
Operating lease liabilities – net of current portion   3,356,232    3,387,844 
Total liabilities  $59,318,416   $57,394,265 
Stockholders’ equity:          
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; 140,000,000 shares authorized; 54,222,420 and 54,268,992 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023   5,422    5,427 
Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023   -    - 
Equity reserve   -    641,943 
Additional paid-in capital   25,685,475    26,011,086 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (163,768)   (119,305)
Retained earnings   5,847,804    4,473,189 
Total stockholders’ equity   31,374,933    31,012,340 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $90,693,349   $88,406,605 

 

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ISPIRE TECHNOLOGY INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2022   2023 
Revenue  $26,943,050   $42,864,647 
Cost of revenue   22,150,947    35,976,355 
Gross profit   4,792,103    6,888,292 
Operating expenses:          
Sales and marketing expenses   1,501,156    1,068,663 
General and administrative expenses   4,505,815    6,730,902 
Total operating expenses   6,006,971    7,799,565 
Loss from operations   (1,214,868)   (911,273)
Other income (expense):          
Interest income   510    72,246 
Exchange gain (loss), net   (500,794)   3,661 
Other income (expenses), net   (19,201)   (43,204)
Total other income (expense), net   (519,485)   32,703 
Loss before income taxes   (1,734,353)   (878,570)
Income taxes - current   (267,401)   (496,045)
Net loss  $(2,001,754)  $(1,374,615)
Other comprehensive (loss) income          
Foreign currency translation adjustments   (6,876)   44,463 
Comprehensive loss   (2,008,630)   (1,330,152)
Net loss per share          
Basic and diluted  $(0.04)  $(0.03)
Weighted average shares outstanding:          
Basic and diluted   50,000,000    54,246,212 

 

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ISPIRE TECHNOLOGY INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   Three Months ended
September 30,
 
   2022   2023 
         
Net loss:  $(2,001,754)  $(1,374,615)
Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   6,553    29,161 
Depreciation of right-of-use assets   256,655    312,938 
Accounts receivable impairment   -    225,487 
Stock-based compensation expenses   -    967,559 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable, net   (5,917,620)   (14,710,476)
Inventories   (4,780,043)   1,863,080 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (24,810)   1,603,180 
Accounts payable   15,442,733    (2,449,276)
Contract liabilities   (997,912)   281,529 
Accrued liabilities and other payables   (13,887)   (124,950)
Income tax payable   265,925    496,138 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  $2,235,840   $(12,880,245)
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchase of property, plant and equipment   (324,747)   (533,122)
Acquisition of intangible assets   -    (255,650)
Net cash used in investing activities  $(324,747)  $(788,772)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Advances to related parties   (105,752)   (703,322)
Principal portion of lease payment   (185,600)   (242,182)
Net cash used in financing activities  $(291,352)  $(945,504)
           
Net increase(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   1,619,741    (14,614,521)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period   74,480,651    40,300,573 
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period  $76,100,392   $25,686,052 

 

 

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