Gross Profit Margin Increased over 400 Basis Points to 43.2% For the Third Quarter of 2024
Achieved Profitability for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Data Storage Corporation (Nasdaq: DTST) ("DSC" and the "Company"), a provider of diverse business continuity solutions for disaster-recovery, cloud infrastructure, cyber-security, and IT automation, today provided a business update and reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
"We have made important progress during recent months," commented Chuck Piluso, CEO of Data Storage Corporation. "Specifically, we achieved $19.0 million in sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and attained profitability for both the three and nine month periods. For the third quarter, we generated $5.8 million in sales. While this reflects a slight decline from the previous year, it does align with our strategic focus on building high margin recurring subscription revenue, that typically renew for many years, rather than relying on one-time sales. As a result of this strategy, we are pleased to report our gross profit increased by 8.7% and our gross margin increased by over 400 basis points for the third quarter of 2024. Our primary objective remains the same - securing high margin service agreements on our enterprise infrastructure platform, which create a more stable revenue foundation and support long-term growth and profitability."
"These results highlight the success of our growth strategy, including expanding partnerships with major industry players, launching a new data center in Chicago, and establishing a presence in the UK. First, we expanded our relationship with a billion-dollar insurance firm to enhance its cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity, reaffirming our role as a trusted provider for large, compliance-driven organizations. In healthcare, we secured a contract with a leading medical center for compliant cloud hosting, further strengthening our position in this highly regulated sector. Additionally, we secured a six-figure contract with a music publishing organization in education, demonstrating our adaptability to meet data-intensive needs across diverse industries. These agreements highlight our strategic focus on sectors requiring secure, scalable cloud based solutions. Furthermore, our strategically located new data center in Chicago strengthens our ability to support our growing U.S. customer base, ensuring we meet our clients' needs with reliability and capacity."
"In addition, our recent expansion into the UK market, along with the successful integration of Flagship Solutions, has further strengthened our global presence and operational efficiency, positioning us for accelerated growth and global reach. We also recently announced the appointment of Colin Freeman as Managing Director of UK Cloud Host Technologies Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CloudFirst Technologies, an important step in our strategy to expand across the European market and deliver our solutions to this key market. With Colin's extensive leadership experience, we are confident he will be instrumental in accelerating our growth in the region. In addition to his appointment, we are establishing strategic infrastructure deployment in data centers in the UK, positioning us to make a strong entry and enhance our footprint in this key market. These achievements are important to our organic growth strategy, allowing us to capture new opportunities and broaden our impact. We're proud of our progress in expanding contracts, extending our international reach, and increasing industry prominence."
Chris Panagiotakos, CFO of Data Storage Corporation, added, "We are in a strong financial position with approximately $11.9 million in cash and marketable securities and no long-term debt, providing us the flexibility to make strategic investments, keeping us well-prepared to pursue growth opportunities that deliver long-term value for our shareholders. We look forward to continuing to carefully manage expenses and execute on our growth strategy."
Conference Call
The Company plans to host a conference call at 11:00 am ET today, to discuss the Company's financial results for the third quarter of 2024 which ended September 30, 2024, as well as corporate progress and other developments.
The conference call will be available via telephone by dialing toll-free 877-451-6152 for U.S. callers or for international callers +1-201-389-0879. A webcast of the call may be accessed at https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1677740&tp_key=34d545e620 or on the Company's News & Events section of the website, www.dtst.com/news-events.
A webcast replay of the call will be available on the Company's website (www.dtst.com/news-events) through November 14, 2025. A telephone replay of the call will be available approximately three hours following the call, through November 21, 2024, and can be accessed by dialing 844-512-2921 for U.S. callers or + 1-412-317-6671 for international callers and entering conference ID: 13747396.
About Data Storage Corporation
Data Storage Corporation (Nasdaq: DTST) is a leading provider of fully managed cloud hosting, disaster recovery, cybersecurity, IT automation, and voice & data solutions. With strategic technical investments in multiple regions, DTST serves a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies, in sectors such as government, education, and healthcare. Focused on the fast-growing, multi-billion-dollar business continuity market, DTST is recognized as a stable and emerging growth leader in cloud infrastructure, support and the migration of data to the cloud. Our regional data centers across North America enable us to deliver sustainable services through recurring subscription agreements.
Additional information about the Company is available at: www.dtst.com and on X @DataStorageCorp.
Safe Harbor Provision
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "projects," "estimates," "plans" and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would," "may" and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing. The forward looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the Company's ability to build high margin recurring subscription revenue, secure high margin service agreements, meet data-intensive needs across diverse industries and ensure it meets its clients' needs with reliability and capacity; the Company's recent expansion into the UK market and the integration of Flagship Solutions further strengthening the Company's global presence and operational efficiency, positioning it for accelerated growth and global reach; the Company's ability to expand across the European market and deliver its solutions to this key market; the success of the Company's strategic infrastructure deployment in data centers in the UK positioning it to make a strong entry and enhance the Company's footprint in this key market; the Company's ability to capture new opportunities and broaden its impact; continuation of the Company's progress in expanding contracts, extending its international reach, and increasing industry prominence; and the Company's ability to pursue growth opportunities that will deliver long-term value for its shareholders. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include the Company's ability to build high margin recurring subscription revenue, secure high margin service agreements, meet data-intensive needs across diverse industries and ensure it meets its clients' needs with reliability and capacity; the Company's ability to expand across the European market and deliver its solutions to this key market; the success of the Company's strategic infrastructure deployment in data centers in the UK positioning it to make a strong entry and enhance the Company's footprint in this key market; the Company's ability to capture new opportunities and broaden its impact; and the Company's ability to make strategic investments in order to pursue growth opportunities that will deliver long-term value for its shareholders. These risks should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was initially made. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.
Contact:
Crescendo Communications, LLC
212-671-1020
DTST@crescendo-ir.com
[Tables to Follow]
| DATA STORAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||
| September 30, 2024 (Unaudited) | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 513,718 | $ | 1,428,730 | ||||
| Accounts receivable (less provision for credit losses of $31,456 and $7,915 in 2024 and 2023, respectively) | 1,973,153 | 1,259,972 | ||||||
| Marketable securities | 11,374,769 | 11,318,196 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 760,564 | 513,175 | ||||||
| Total Current Assets | 14,622,204 | 14,520,073 | ||||||
| Property and Equipment: | ||||||||
| Property and equipment | 8,925,184 | 7,838,225 | ||||||
| Less-Accumulated depreciation | (5,865,481 | ) | (5,105,451 | ) | ||||
| Net Property and Equipment | 3,059,703 | 2,732,774 | ||||||
| Other Assets: | ||||||||
| Goodwill | 4,238,671 | 4,238,671 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 599,625 | 62,981 | ||||||
| Other assets | 204,599 | 48,436 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 1,493,792 | 1,698,084 | ||||||
| Total Other Assets | 6,536,687 | 6,048,172 | ||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 24,218,594 | $ | 23,301,019 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 2,629,414 | $ | 2,608,938 | ||||
| Deferred revenue | 160,237 | 336,201 | ||||||
| Finance leases payable | 79,652 | 263,600 | ||||||
| Finance leases payable related party | 74,077 | 235,944 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities short term | 95,545 | 63,983 | ||||||
| Total Current Liabilities | 3,038,925 | 3,508,666 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 548,897 | - | ||||||
| Finance leases payable | - | 17,641 | ||||||
| Finance leases payable related party | - | 20,297 | ||||||
| Total Long-Term Liabilities | 548,897 | 37,938 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities | 3,587,822 | 3,546,604 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 7) | ||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, Series A par value $0.001; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | - | - | ||||||
| Common stock, par value $0.001; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 7,014,373 and 6,880,460 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively | 7,014 | 6,881 | ||||||
| Additional paid in capital | 40,143,684 | 39,490,285 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (19,270,544 | ) | (19,505,803 | ) | ||||
| Total Data Storage Corporation Stockholders' Equity | 20,880,154 | 19,991,363 | ||||||
| Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary | (249,382 | ) | (236,948 | ) | ||||
| Total Stockholder's Equity | 20,630,772 | 19,754,415 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ | 24,218,594 | $ | 23,301,019 | ||||
| DATA STORAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 5,808,835 | $ | 5,986,625 | $ | 18,955,074 | $ | 18,770,739 | ||||||||
| Cost of sales | 3,297,164 | 3,656,271 | 11,069,038 | 11,771,886 | ||||||||||||
| Gross Profit | 2,511,671 | 2,330,354 | 7,886,036 | 6,998,853 | ||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,537,501 | 2,316,213 | 8,086,857 | 6,918,982 | ||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) from Operations | (25,830 | ) | 14,141 | (200,821 | ) | 79,871 | ||||||||||
| Other Income (Expense) | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 160,770 | 152,471 | 456,580 | 375,953 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (9,815 | ) | (8,874 | ) | (31,335 | ) | (56,985 | ) | ||||||||
| Loss on disposal of equipment | (1,599 | ) | - | (1,599 | ) | - | ||||||||||
| Total Other Income (Expense) | 149,356 | 143,597 | 423,646 | 318,968 | ||||||||||||
| Income before provision for income taxes | 123,526 | 157,738 | 222,825 | 398,839 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Net Income | 123,526 | 157,738 | 222,825 | 398,839 | ||||||||||||
| (Income) Loss in Non-controlling interest of consolidated subsidiary | (1,129 | ) | 21,273 | 12,434 | 57,661 | |||||||||||
| Net Income attributable to Common Stockholders | $ | 122,397 | $ | 179,011 | $ | 235,259 | $ | 456,500 | ||||||||
| Net Income per Share - Basic | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.06 | ||||||||
| Net Income per Share - Diluted | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.06 | ||||||||
| Weighted Average Number of Shares - Basic | 6,999,447 | 6,847,264 | 6,918,253 | 6,834,811 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Number of Shares - Diluted | 7,340,545 | 7,246,250 | 7,269,644 | 7,212,048 | ||||||||||||
| DATA STORAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 222,825 | $ | 398,839 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 991,773 | 928,180 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 564,800 | 338,145 | ||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 25,541 | - | ||||||
| Loss on disposal of equipment | 1,599 | - | ||||||
| Changes in Assets and Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | (738,725 | ) | 1,158,493 | |||||
| Other assets | (156,163 | ) | - | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (247,389 | ) | (287,368 | ) | ||||
| Right of use asset | 111,314 | 136,954 | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 20,478 | (348,851 | ) | |||||
| Deferred revenue | (175,964 | ) | (21,518 | ) | ||||
| Operating lease liability | (67,499 | ) | (141,450 | ) | ||||
| Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities | 552,590 | 2,161,424 | ||||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||
| Capital expenditures | (1,116,008 | ) | (1,246,996 | ) | ||||
| Purchase of marketable securities | (456,573 | ) | (1,520,953 | ) | ||||
| Sale of marketable securities | 400,000 | - | ||||||
| Net Cash Used in Investing Activities | (1,172,581 | ) | (2,767,949 | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||||
| Repayments of finance lease obligations related party | (182,163 | ) | (392,287 | ) | ||||
| Repayments of finance lease obligations | (201,590 | ) | (294,522 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 88,732 | - | ||||||
| Net Cash Used in Financing Activities | (295,021 | ) | (686,809 | ) | ||||
| Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents | (915,012 | ) | (1,293,334 | ) | ||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period | 1,428,730 | 2,286,722 | ||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period | $ | 513,718 | $ | 993,388 | ||||
| Supplemental Disclosures: | ||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | 18,034 | $ | 48,471 | ||||
| Cash paid for income taxes | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
| Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
| Assets acquired by operating lease | $ | 647,958 | $ | - | ||||
