For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, Planet expects to continue to invest in scaling its sales organization and expanding its software engineering capabilities.
Planet currently expects revenue to be in the range of approximately $35 million to $37 million and Non-GAAP Gross Margin percentage to be approximately 37% to 39%. Adjusted EBITDA loss is expected to be between approximately ($17) million and ($15) million and capex spend is expected to be between approximately $5 million and $7 million. Additionally, following the business combination with dMY IV, Planet's pro forma shares outstanding as of October 31, 2021 are approximately 261.8 million on a basic and fully diluted basis.
Certain non-GAAP measures included in our financial outlook were not reconciled to the comparable GAAP financial measures because the GAAP measures are not accessible on a forward-looking basis. We are unable to reconcile these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts because we are currently unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty the type and extent of certain items that would be expected to impact GAAP measures for these periods but would not impact the non-GAAP measures. Such items may include stock-based compensation charges, depreciation and amortization and other items. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on our GAAP financial results.
The foregoing forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as of today's date. Given the number of risk factors, uncertainties and assumptions discussed below, actual results may differ materially. We do not intend to update our financial outlook until our next quarterly results announcement.
Please see “Planet’s Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for a discussion on how we calculate the non-GAAP measures presented herein. In addition, please find below a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
Webcast and Conference Call Information
Planet will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT today, December 13, 2021. The webcast can be accessed at www.planet.com/investors/. A replay will be available approximately 2 hours following the event. If you would prefer to register for the conference call, please go to the following link: https://www.incommglobalevents.com/registration/q4inc/9524/planet-fiscal-q3-2022-earnings-call/. You will then receive your access details via email.
Additionally, a supplemental Fiscal 3Q’22 Update presentation has been made available on Planet’s investor relations page.
About Planet
Planet is a leading provider of global, daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions. Planet is driven by a mission to image the world every day, and make change visible, accessible and actionable. Founded in 2010 by three NASA scientists, Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest Earth observation fleet of imaging satellites, capturing and compiling data from over 3 million images per day. Planet provides mission-critical data, advanced insights, and software solutions to over 700 customers, comprising the world’s leading agriculture, forestry, intelligence, education and finance companies and government agencies, enabling users to simply and effectively derive unique value from satellite imagery. Planet is a public benefit corporation trading on the New York Stock Exchange as PL. To learn more visit www.planet.com and follow us on Twitter.
Planet’s Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes Non-GAAP Gross Margin percentage, which is derived from Non-GAAP Gross Profit (Loss), and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP performance measures that the Company uses to supplement its results presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes Non-GAAP Gross Margin percentage and Adjusted EBITDA are useful in evaluating its operating performance, as they are similar to measures reported by the Company’s public competitors and are regularly used by analysts, institutional investors, and other interested parties in analyzing operating performance and prospects. Further, the Company believes such non-GAAP measures are helpful in highlighting trends in the Company’s operating results because they exclude items that are not indicative of the Company’s core operating performance. In addition, the Company includes these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by management to evaluate the Company’s core operating performance and trends and to make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital and new investments.
As mentioned above, Non-GAAP Gross Margin percentage, Non-GAAP Gross Profit (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures, are additions, and not substitutes for or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to Gross Profit (Loss), net income, operating income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Further, Non-GAAP Gross Margin percentage, Non-GAAP Gross Profit (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA are not based on any standardized methodology prescribed by GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to similarly-titled measures presented by other companies.
Planet calculates these non-GAAP financial measures as follows:
Non-GAAP Gross Profit (Loss) and Non-GAAP Gross Margin percentage: the Company defines and calculates Non-GAAP Gross Profit (Loss) as Gross Profit (Loss) adjusted for stock-based compensation classified as cost of revenue, and Non-GAAP Gross Margin percentage as the percentage of Non-GAAP Gross Profit (Loss) to revenue. Non-GAAP Gross Profit (Loss) excludes stock-based compensation, which has recently been, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, a significant recurring expense for the Company’s business and an important part of its compensation strategy.
Adjusted EBITDA: The Company defines and calculates Adjusted EBITDA as net loss before the impact of interest income and expense, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization, and further adjusted for the following items: stock-based compensation, change in fair value of convertible notes and warrant liabilities, gain or loss on the extinguishment of debt and non-operating income and expenses such as foreign currency exchange gain or loss.
Key Terms
Percent of Recurring ACV
In connection with the calculation of several of the key operational and business metrics the Company utilizes, it calculates Annual Contract Value (“ACV”) for contracts of one year or greater as the total amount of value that a customer has contracted to pay for the most recent 12 month period for the contract. For short-term contracts (contracts less than 12 months), ACV is equal to total contract value. The Company defines Percent of Recurring ACV as the dollar value of all data subscription contracts and the committed portion of usage-based contracts divided by the total dollar value of all contracts in its ACV Book of Business at a specific point in time. The Company defines ACV Book of Business as the sum of the ACV of all contracts that are active on the last day of the period pursuant to the effective dates and end dates of such contracts. Planet believes Percent of Recurring ACV is a useful metric for investors and management to track as it helps to illustrate how much of its revenue comes from customers that have the potential to renew their contracts over multiple years rather than being one-time in nature. In calculating Percent of Recurring ACV, management applies judgment as to which customers have an active contract at a period end for the purpose of determining ACV Book of Business, which is used as part of the calculation of Percent of Recurring ACV.
EoP Customer Count
The Company defines EoP Customer Count as the total count of all existing customers at the end of the period. It defines existing customers as customers with an active contract with Planet at the end of the reported period. For the purpose of this metric, the Company defines a customer as a distinct entity that uses its data or services. Planet sells directly to customers, as well as indirectly through its partner network. If a partner does not provide the end customer’s name, then the partner is reported as the customer. Each customer, regardless of the number of active opportunities with Planet, is counted only once. For example, if a customer utilizes multiple products of Planet, Planet only counts that customer once for purposes of EoP Customer Count. A customer with multiple divisions, segments, or subsidiaries are also counted as a single unique customer based on the parent organization or parent account. The Company believes EoP Customer Count is a useful metric for investors and management to track as it is an important indicator of the broader adoption of its platform and is a measure of its success in growing its market presence and penetration. In calculating EoP Customer Count, management applies judgment as to which customers are deemed to have an active contract in a period, as well as whether a customer is a distinct entity that uses the Company’s data or services.
