Avaya has unveiled worsening financial numbers as it continues to combat rising debt levels, with declining revenue rates expected for the second fiscal quarter ended 31 March, 2017.
The results follow the filing a chapter 11 plan of reorganisation, which outlines a path to “significantly reduce” Avaya’s pre-filing debt, in a move designed to strengthen the vendor’s balance sheet, improve financial flexibility and position it for long-term success.
Yet such attempt at progress comes at a time of worrying financial results, with the vendor facing declining revenue rates across the board.
Revealing during its preliminary unaudited financial results, second quarter revenue is expected to be in the range of US$800 to US$803 million, reflecting about nine per cent sequential decline from the first quarter of 2017 and eleven per cent decline from the second quarter of 2016.
The meagre financial results follow the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, announced on 19 January, 2017.
In addition to the financial revenue range, the vendor said its adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of US$195 million to US$200 million, or 24.4 per cent to 24.9 per cent of its revenue.
Meanwhile, its cash balance is expected to stand at around US$764 million, allegedly reflecting debtor-in-possession (DIP
According to Avaya, these financial results for the second fiscal quarter are preliminary and subject to the completion of financial closing procedures and review procedures performed by its independent auditors.
“There can be no assurance that the company’s final results will not differ from these preliminary estimates as a result of quarter-end closing, review procedures, or review adjustments, and any such changes could be material,” Avaya said in a statement.
As reported by ARN, under the proposed plan, which will continue to evolve as Avaya works toward creditor consensus and confirmation by the Court, strategies are in place to reduce the company’s pre-filing debt by more than US$4 billion.
"[The plan] is a crucial step forward in our effort to recapitalise Avaya's balance sheet and create a stronger and healthier company that can create even more value for our customers," Avaya CEO, Kevin Kennedy, said previously.
"In addition, the company's consolidated balance sheet now has more than $750 million in cash, reflecting DIP financing proceeds and positive cash flow from operations.
"We remain confident in our ability to maximise value for all of our stakeholders and to complete our balance sheet restructuring as soon as reasonably possible."
Avaya also recently entered into an asset purchase agreement with Extreme Networks to sell its networking business.
As part of the agreement, Extreme Networks will serve as the primary bidder in a section 363 sale under the US Bankruptcy Code to acquire Avaya’s networking business for a transaction value of about US$100 million, subject to adjustments.
“Several months ago, in the context of optimising our capital structure, we announced that we were conducting a comprehensive assessment of the various alternatives available to us, including expressions of interest in certain Avaya assets,” Kennedy said previously.
“After extensive evaluation, we believe that a sale of our networking business is the best path forward for all stakeholders.”
In Australia, while news about the future of Avaya triggered speculation on the direction of the company, its local channel partners said they remain confident in the brand, and that nothing will change in terms of partnerships, arrangements, or strategy.
Locally, the company also bulked up its local channel team, with the recent appointment of Steve Williams to lead its channel operations in A/NZ.
Avaya expects to report second fiscal quarter results in May, with the reporting date to be announced separately.
