Q1 2024 Universal Display Corp Earnings Call

Sherri: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Universal Display Corporation's first quarter 2024 earnings conference call. My name is Sherri, and I will be your conference moderator for today's call. If anybody needs operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded for replay purposes. I would now like to turn the conference over to Darice Liu, Senior Director of Investor Relations. Please proceed.

Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Union first shelf display Corporation's first quarter 'twenty 'twenty four earnings Conference call. My name is Sherry and I will be your conference moderator for today's call.

Darice Liu: If anybody needs the operator assistance during the conference. Please press Star Zero on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded for replay purposes I would now like to turn the conference over to dairy slew senior director of Investor Relations. Please proceed. Thank.

Darice Liu: Thank you, and good afternoon everyone. Welcome to Universal Display's First Quarter Earnings Conference. Joining me on the call today are Steve Abramson, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Brian Millard, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Before Steve begins, let me remind you that today's call is a Universal Display property. Any redistribution, retransmission, or rebroadcast of any portion of this call in any form without the expressed written consent of Universal Display is strictly prohibited.

Darice Liu: Thank you and good afternoon, everyone welcome to Universal displays first quarter earnings Conference call. Joining me on the call today are Steve Abramson, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Brian Millard, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer before Steve begins let me remind you today's call a copy of universal display any redistribution retransmission.

Darice Liu: Or were you broadcast that any portion of this call in any form without the express written consent of Universal display is strictly prohibited.

Darice Liu: Furthermore, this call is being webcast live and will be made available for a period of time on Universal Display's website. This call contains time-sensitive information that is accurate only as of the date of the live webcast of this call, May 2, 2024. During this call, we may make forward-looking statements based on current expectations. These statements are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties, and our actual results may differ materially.

Darice Liu: Further this call is being webcast live and will be made available for a period of time on universal displays website. This call contains time sensitive information that is accurate only as of the date of the live webcast of this call may 2nd 2024.

Darice Liu: During this call we may make forward looking statements based on current expectations. These statements are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties and our actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in the company's periodic reports filed with the SEC and should be referenced by anyone considering making any investments in the company.

Darice Liu: These risks and uncertainties are discussed in the company's periodic reports filed with the SEC and should be referenced by anyone considering making any investments in the company's securities. Universal Display disclaims any obligation to update any of these statements. Now, I would like to turn the call over to Steve Abramson.

Darice Liu: Universal display disclaims any obligation to update any of these statements now I'd like to turn the call over to Steve Abramson, Thanks, Darius and welcome to everyone on today's call.

Steven V. Abramson: Thanks, Darice, and welcome to everyone on today's call. We are pleased to report strong results for our first quarter of 2020. Revenue was $165 million. Operating profit was $63 million, and net income was $57 million, or $1.19 per diluted share.

Steven V. Abramson: We are pleased to report strong results for our first quarter of 2024 revenue was $165 million operating profit was $63 million and net income was $57 million were $1 19 per diluted share.

Steven V. Abramson: With a strong start to the year and Olin momentum continuing to build, we are raising the low end of our annual guidance. We now believe that our 2024 revenues will be in the range of $635 million to $675 million. As we look to the industry, OLEDs continue to play a more significant role in shaping the future of displays. One nascent segment that is poised for significant growth is the OLED IT market.

Steven V. Abramson: With a strong start to the year and OLED momentum continuing to build we are raising the low end of our annual guidance range. We now believe that our 2024 revenues will be in the range of 635 million to $675 million as we look to the industry Oh, let's continue to play a more significant role in shaping the few.

Steven V. Abramson: Each of displays.

Steven V. Abramson: One nation segment is poised for significant growth as the OLED market since the beginning of the year several device makers announced new OLED products, including Aces H P. Acer del Razor blade MSI and there are a number of expected new product introductions on the herd.

Steven V. Abramson: Since the beginning of the year, several device makers have announced new OLED IT products, including Asus, HP, Acer, Dell, Razer Blade, and MSI, and there are a number of expected new product introductions on the horizon. According to Omdia Market Research, OLED tablets are expected to increase by more than threefold year over year, growing from 3.7 million units in 2023 to 12.1 million units in 2014. The market researcher also forecasts that Olin Notebook units will grow 50% year-over-year from 3.4 million units in 2023 to 5.1 million units in 2045.

Steven V. Abramson: Isaac.

Steven V. Abramson: According to Onvia market research OLED tablets are expected to increase by more than threefold year over year growing from $3 7 million units in 2023 to $12 1 million units in 'twenty four.

Steven V. Abramson: The market research are also forecast that OLED notebook units will grow 50% year over year from $3 4 million units in 'twenty three to $5 1 million units in 'twenty four.

Steven V. Abramson: This translates into total mobile OLED PC units growing from 7.1 million units in 2023 to 17.2 million units in 2024 and is expected to reach 72.3 million units by 2028, which represents just 14% of the total mobile PC display market. Supporting this strong growth is new OLEC capacity. In early March, Samsung Display held a ceremony for the commencement of the world's first Gen 8.6 OLED IT production line in ASUS.

Steven V. Abramson: This translates into total mobile OLED PC units growing from $7 1 million units in 'twenty three to $17 2 million units in 2024 and is expected to reach 72.3 million units by 2020, which represent just 14% of the total mobile PC display.

Steven V. Abramson: Lai market supporting the strong growth as new OLED capacity in early March Samsung display held the ceremony for the commencement of construction of the world's first Gen 8.6, OLED production line in Asa. According to reports Samsung plans to begin equipment installation this year.

Steven V. Abramson: According to reports, Samsung plans to begin equipment installation this year and start mass production in 2026. The 15,000-plates-per-month OLIN IT line is estimated to be capable of producing the equivalent of 10 million laptop panels per year. Also held in March was BOE's groundbreaking ceremony for its Gen 8.6 OLIN IT fab in Chengdu.

Steven V. Abramson: Mass production in 2026.

Steven V. Abramson: 15000 plates per months OLED T line is estimated to be capable of producing an equivalent of $10 million laptop panels per year also held in March with Boe's groundbreaking ceremony for its gen. Eight six OLED fab in Chengdu.

Steven V. Abramson: This Greenfield Fab is designed for 32,000 plates per month and is expected to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2026, with reports that other panel makers are preparing for new investments as well. We believe that this is just the beginning of a multi-year OLED CapEx growth cycle. The many benefits of OLEDs continue to fuel their continued penetration in the smartphone. DSCC market research expects OLED smartphone units to increase by 11% year-over-year in 2024, with flexible OLEDs increasing 9% year-over-year and rigid OLEDs increasing 17% year-over-year. The innovative designs, coupled with the versatility and convenience of foldable smartphones and tablets, continue to garner significant interest from OEMs, panel makers, and consumers.

Steven V. Abramson: This greenfield fab is designed for 32000 plates per month and is expected to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Steven V. Abramson: With reports that other panel makers are preparing for new investments as well. We believe that this is just the beginning of a multiyear OLED capex growth cycle. The many benefits of OLED continue to fuel the continued penetration in the smartphone market D. S. C. C market research expects OLED smartphone units.

Steven V. Abramson: Two increased by 11% year over year, and 24 with flexible OLED, increasing 9% year over year, a rigid OLED, increasing 17% year over year.

Steven V. Abramson: The innovative designs, coupled with the versatility and convenience of Foldable smartphones and tablets continue to garner significant interest from Oems panel makers and consumers.

Steven V. Abramson: UBI research forecasts that foldable OLED shipments will grow 25% year-over-year to 27.4 million units in 2024 and will almost double by 2028, reaching 52.7 million units. The popularity of conformable, foldable, and rollable OLEDs was evident at Mobile World Congress. At the show, fans of foldable technology could see how OLEDs are enabling innovative devices, including displays that can be folded both in and out, rollable panels that can wrap around your wrist as well as roll out from a smartphone display into a tablet, and foldable and slideable IT products that extend the screen size.

Steven V. Abramson: UBI research forecasts, a foldable OLED shipments will grow 25% year over year to $27 4 million units in 2024.

Steven V. Abramson: Almost double by 2028, reaching 52.7 million units the popularity of conformable Foldable Enrobe OLED was evident at mobile World Congress at the show fans Opposable technology could see all OLED are enabling innovative devices, including <unk>.

Steven V. Abramson: Explain that could be folded both in and out ruble panels that can wrap around your risk as well as rollout from a smartphone display into a tablet and foldable and <unk> products that extend the screen size.

Steven V. Abramson: OLED TVs are also expected to grow this year. According to Omdia, OLED TV shipments will increase by more than 30% year over year from 5.3 million units in 2023 to 7.2 million units this year. Another segment of the oil market that is beginning to take off is aviation. Last month, Panasonic Avionics announced that it shipped the first batch of its Astrova 4K OLED in-flight entertainment monitors. These monitors will be installed on one of Icelandair's forthcoming Airbus aircraft beginning in the fourth quarter of this year.

Steven V. Abramson: OLED Tvs are also expected to grow this year. According to Onvia OLED TV shipments will increase by more than 30% year over year from $5 3 million units in 2023 to 7.2 million units. This year. Another segment of the OLED market is beginning to take off as aviation law.

Steven V. Abramson: Last month, Panasonic avionics announcing the chip the first batch of its Astro the four K OLED Inflight entertainment monitors. These monitors will be installed in one of icelandair is forthcoming Airbus aircraft beginning in the fourth quarter of this year Qantas Air.

Steven V. Abramson: Qantas, United Airlines, EgyptAir, Saudi Arabia Airlines, and Qatar Airways are also planning to adopt Panasonic's new 4K OLED screens. According to Panasonic Avionics, the image quality of the 4K OLED is sharper, clearer, and with an infinite contrast ratio, it delivers a cinema-quality image and perfect black.

Steven V. Abramson: All lines, Egypt, there, Saudi Arabia Airlines and Qatar Airways are also planning to adopt a sox new four K OLED screens. According to Panasonic avionics the image quality of the food K OLED is sharper clear and with infant contrast ratio it delivers a cinema quality image.

Steven V. Abramson: Perfect Black Panther also known that it provides a better viewing experience that has ever been available before or the commercial aircrafts.

Steven V. Abramson: Panasonic also noted that it provides a better viewing experience than has ever been available before on a commercial aircraft. We are excited for the extraordinary opportunities in enabling the OLED products of today and the future. As we look to our company, innovation has been the cornerstone of our ethos. It is the engine that reinforces our leadership position, expands our reach, and propels us forward.

Steven V. Abramson: We are excited for the extraordinary opportunities is enabling the OLED products of today and the future as we look to our company innovation has been the cornerstone of our ethos.

Steven V. Abramson: Is the engine that reinforces our leadership position expands our reach and propels us forward.

Steven V. Abramson: Our commitment to innovation is steadfast. Our R&D teams are continuously inventing, designing, developing, and commercializing next-generation reds, greens, yellows, and hosts to meet the ever-changing and ever-evolving customer specifications. Regarding blue, we continue to make excellent progress in our ongoing development work for a commercial phosphorescent blue emissive system. We continue to believe that we are on track to introduce a phosphorescent blue that meets commercial specifications into the market in 2024. We believe that the expansion of our phosphorescent portfolio, which includes red, green, and blue phosphorescent emissive materials, will unlock a vast array of opportunities for higher energy efficiency and higher performance across a broad range of OLED applications.

Steven V. Abramson: Commitment to innovation is steadfast our R&D teams are continuously inventing designing developing and commercializing next generation Reds Greens yellows and hosts to meet the ever changing and ever evolving customer specifications.

Steven V. Abramson: Regarding blue we continue to make excellent progress in our ongoing development work for a commercial phosphorescent Blue Emissive system.

Steven V. Abramson: We continue to believe that we are on track to introduce a phosphorescent blue that meets commercial specifications into the market in 2024.

Steven V. Abramson: We believe that the expansion of our phosphorescent portfolio that includes Red Green and Blue Phosphorescent emissive materials will unlock a vast array of opportunities for higher energy efficiency and higher performance across a broad range of OLED applications regarding Uzi J P. We continue to.

Steven V. Abramson: Regarding OVJP, we continue to make advancements with our organic vapor jet printing manufacturing technology for direct printing OLED TVs without the need for masks or solvents. The OVJP team continues to focus on scaling our novel technology platform. This year's SID Display Week is less than two weeks away. To learn more about UDC, please visit our booth in San Jose. On that note, I will turn the call over to Brian. Thank you

Brian: Make advancements with our organic vapor jet printing manufacturing technology for direct printing OLED Tvs without the need for masks or solvents.

Brian: P. J P team continues to focus on scaling our novel Technology platform. This year's S. I D display week is less than two weeks away to learn more about UGC. Please visit our booth at San Jose.

Steven V. Abramson: On that note, let me turn the call over to Brian.

Brian Millard: Thank you, Steve. And again, thank you, everyone, for joining our call today. Our first quarter results were strong across the board. Revenue was 165 million dollars, up 27% year over year from 130 million dollars in the first quarter of 2023. Our total material sales were $93 million in the first quarter, compared to material sales of $70 million in the first quarter of 2023. Green emitter sales, which include our yellow-green emitters, were $71 million. This compares to $54 million in the first quarter of 2023, while Red Emitter sales were $21 million.

Brian: Thank you, Steve and again, thank you everyone for joining our call today, our first quarter results were strong across the board revenue was $165 million up 27% year over year from $130 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Brian Millard: Our total material sales were $93 million in the first quarter compared to material sales of $70 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Brian Millard: Green emitter sales, which include our yellow Green emitters were $71 million. This compares to $54 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Brian Millard: This compares to $16 million in the prior year's quarter. As we've discussed in the past, material buying patterns can vary from quarter to quarter. First quarter royalty and license fees were $68 million compared to the prior year's period of $55 million. Adesis's first quarter revenue was $3.7 million, compared to $5.1 million in the first quarter of 2023. The first quarter cost of sales was $37 million, translating into total gross margins of 78 percent.

Brian Millard: Red emitter sales were $21 million. This compares to $16 million in the prior year's quarter.

Brian Millard: As we've discussed in the past material buying patterns can vary quarter to quarter.

Brian Millard: First quarter royalty and license fees were $68 million compared to the prior year's period, a $55 million.

Brian Millard: <unk> first quarter revenue was $3 7 million compared to $5 $1 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Brian Millard: First quarter cost of sales was $37 million translating into total gross margins of 78%.

Brian Millard: This compares to $33 million in total gross margins of 75% in the first quarter of 2023. As you may recall, last year's first quarter gross margins were negatively impacted by a $3.3 million inventory provision. We did not increase our inventory reserve this quarter.

Brian Millard: This compares to $33 million and total gross margins of 75% in the first quarter of 2023.

Brian Millard: As you May recall last year's first quarter gross margins were negatively impacted by a $3 3 million inventory provision.

Brian Millard: We did not increase our inventory reserve this quarter.

Brian Millard: First quarter operating expenses, excluding cost of sales, were $65 million. In the first quarter of 2023, it was $52 million. The year-over-year increase was due to increased employee expenses, higher amortization costs, and a one-time royalty and license fee.

Brian Millard: First quarter operating expenses, excluding cost of sales or $65 million in the first quarter of 2023. It was $52 million year over year increase was due to increased employee expenses higher amortization costs, and a onetime royalty and license expense.

Brian Millard: We continue to expect 2024 OPEX to increase 10-15% year-over-year as we continue to invest in our people, our global infrastructure, and our innovation edge. Operating income was $63 million in the first quarter, translating into an operating margin of 38 percent. This compares to the prior year period of $45 million and an operating margin of 35 percent. The income tax rate was 19% in the first quarter of 2024. We expect our effective tax rate for the year to be approximately 20 percent.

Brian Millard: We continue to expect 2024, opex increased 10% to 15% year over year as we continued to invest in our people our global infrastructure and our innovation engine.

Brian Millard: Operating income was $63 million in the first quarter translating into operating margin of 38%. This compares to the prior year period, a $45 million and operating margin of 35% the.

Brian Millard: The income tax rate was 19% in the first quarter of 2024 B.

Brian Millard: We expect our effective tax rate for the year to be approximately 20%.

Brian Millard: First quarter 2024 net income increased by more than 40 percent year over year to $57 million, or $1.19 per diluted share. This compares to $40 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, in the comparable period in 2023. We ended the quarter with approximately $838 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments. Regarding guidance, as Steve shared, we now believe our 2024 revenues will be in the range of $635 million to $675 million. And lastly, our Board of Directors approved a 40-cent quarterly dividend, which will be paid on June 28, 2024, to stockholders of record as the close of business on June 14, 2024. The dividend reflects our expected continued positive cash flow generation and commitment to return capital to our shareholders. With that, I'll turn the call back to Steve.

Brian Millard: First quarter 2024, net income increased by more than 40% year over year to $57 million or $1 19 per diluted share.

Brian Millard: This compares to $40 million or <unk> 83 per diluted share in the comparable period in 2023, we ended the quarter with approximately $838 million in cash cash equivalents and investments.

Brian Millard: Regarding guidance as Steve shared we now believe our 'twenty 'twenty four revenues will be in the range of 635 million to $675 million.

Steve: And lastly, our board of directors approved a 40 cent quarterly dividend, which will be paid on June 28, 2024 to stockholders of record as the close of business on June 14th 2024.

Brian Millard: The dividend reflects our expected continued positive cash flow generation and commitment to return capital to our shareholders with that I'll turn the call back to Steve Thanks, Brian.

Steven V. Abramson: As we approach UDC's 30th anniversary next month, I am filled with immense pride in what we have achieved together. Our incredible journey has been marked by relentless innovation, exponential growth, and the materialization of products that were once distant dreams. We have developed and fostered a culture where creativity thrives, and where every challenge is seen as an opportunity.

Steve: As we approach Ugc's 30th anniversary next month, I am filled with immense pride in what we've achieved together.

Steven V. Abramson: Our incredible journey is the marked by relentless innovation exponential growth in the material is a set of products that were once distant dreams, we have developed and foster a culture, where creativity thrives and where every challenge is seen as an opportunity from the invention of phosphorescent OLED technology to the continuous disk.

Steven V. Abramson: From the invention of phosphorescent OLED technology to the continuous discovery, development, and delivery of next-generation OLED materials and technologies, we remain at the forefront of driving efficiency, enhancing performance, and enabling the OLED industry. As we cast our gaze forward to the exciting horizon of possibilities that await us in the growing OLED market, we will continue to be trailblazers, collaborative partners, and committed to excellence. In closing, I would like to thank each of our employees for their drive, desire, dedication, and heart in elevating and shaping Universal Display's accomplishments and events.

Steven V. Abramson: <unk> development and delivery of next generation OLED materials and technologies, we remains the forefront of driving efficiency enhancing performance and enabling the OLED industry.

Steven V. Abramson: As we cast our engaged forward to the exciting horizon of possibilities that await us in the growing OLED market. We will continue to be trailblazers collaborative partners and committed to excellence.

Steven V. Abramson: In closing I would like to thank each of our employees for their drive desire dedication and heart in elevating and shaping universal displays accomplishments and advancements we are committed to being a leader in the OLED ecosystem, achieving superior long term growth and delivering cutting edge technologies and materials for the industry.

Steven V. Abramson: We are committed to being a leader in the OLED ecosystem, achieving superior long-term growth and delivering cutting-edge technologies and materials for the industry, for our customers, and for our shareholders. And with that, Operator, let's start the Q&A.

Steven V. Abramson: For our customers and for our shareholders and with that operator, let's start the Q&A.

Operator: Thank you, Mr. Abramson. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star 2 if you would like to remove your question from the queue. And for participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star key as well. Our first question is from Krish Sankar with TD Cowan. Please proceed.

Unknown Attendee: Hey guys, this is Addy for Krish.

Unknown Attendee: Congratulations on your strong results. I'd like to ask a high-level question about Blue. I think in the past you mentioned that blue content inside an OLED phone can be as much as green content. So if I look at the revenues you made last year, like $245 million coming from green sales alone. So my first question is, can Blue be as big as green in terms of overall revenue opportunity? And if so, what should we expect the ramp from 2024 going forward to be like?

Unknown Attendee: Is it like a hockey stick kind of ramp where we may see Blue generating a few million a quarter and then it can go up, call it like $40 million, $50 million? Or would it be more gradual over the next two to three years? And I have a follow-up, please.

Brian Millard: Thanks, Eddie. This is Brian here.

Brian Millard: So, good questions. As you said, yes, we've previously said and it is still true that the quantity of green material in a display, a red, green, and blue side-by-side display, is similar to the quantity of blue. To answer your question in terms of revenue potential, there are a couple things to pull apart there. One is the green number that we disclosed, which includes our yellow-green emitters as well, as well as the fact that we don't currently have blue pricing set with any of our customers.

Brian Millard: So, we need to see how that evolves over time. And in terms of the adoption curve, we know there's significant interest in our Blue across the customer base and in the market more broadly. So, we think that there certainly will be adoption over time. It's really up to our customers, though, to determine exactly how that plays out and on what timeline.

Brian Millard: Thank you, that's helpful. And I guess in terms of pricing, the pricing will eventually be based on the value you guys add with the blue product. Can you talk about what the customer feedback so far has been in terms of like lowering power consumption or whether it's something else when using the blue you guys have been shipping so far?

Brian Millard: Yeah, so the benefits of phosphorescent technology over fluorescents are also applied to blue in addition to the red and green materials that we have. So it is more energy efficient.

Brian Millard: We've estimated that there is probably a roughly 25% increase in the energy efficiency of a display by adding blue material to it. And so we've, you know, been sampling material to customers. We had $1.9 million in development sales in Q1. And so that continues to, you know, move in a positive direction. And we expect 2024 blue development sales to be up compared to the development sales we had last year. So we continue to make the right progress that we need in development. And, as Steve said, continue to feel like we're on track for hitting commercial specs.

Unknown Attendee: Thanks a lot, guys. Congratulations again. Thank you.

Brian K. Lee: Our next question is from Brian Lee with Goldman Sachs. Please proceed.

Brian K. Lee: Hey guys, good afternoon. Thanks for taking the questions.

Brian K. Lee: I guess, starting off probably for Brian here. Can you, you know, give us a sense of seasonality this year? I know last quarter you sort of alluded to it when you gave the full year guide. Obviously, you're starting off Q1 on a very strong note. So, just trying to get a sense for what the Q1 result here implies for the rest of your seasonality, and then I had a follow-up or two

Brian Millard: Yeah, thanks, Brian. Um, typically, we've had, as you know, more of a second half orientation to revenues in prior years. And this year, based on what we know at this point, it seems like it's going to be pretty balanced between the first and second half of the year. So that's, that's based on our current forecasts and what we know at this time.

Brian Millard: Okay, typically, the second half has some meaningful growth versus the first half. This year, you're basing your case on more of a second half being equal to the first half.

Brian Millard: Is that the right conclusion from your comments? That's right. Yep. Okay, that's helpful.

Brian Millard: And then just a question on your biggest customer here. You know, they made a higher revenue contribution than we've seen them in any given quarter for over a year. And then this is also the most we've ever seen in a Q1 from them, you know, again, kind of in line with the abnormal seasonality here. How much of this, if you can give us a sense, is coming from them having any new capacity?

Brian Millard: You know, how much of this is being helped by maybe, you know, yield issues that are driving more material demand for you? And then can you remind us, is there a tandem structure effect here, Tailwind, for that customer in particular? Or is that only for your second Korean customer that that applies to? Thanks, guys.

Brian Millard: Yeah, so in terms of, obviously, we can't comment on any, you know, customer production, or in that sense, obviously, there were more material sales to that customer in q1. And that's what drove the increase and, therefore, the revenues, and some of the newer products that are coming to market, especially on the IT side, do have tandem in place. So that's about as much as it is common.

Brian K. Lee: Okay, fair enough. I'll pass it on. Thanks, guys.

Operator: As a reminder, it is star one on your telephone keypad if you would like to ask a question. Our next question is from Jim Ricchuti with Needham & Company. Please proceed.

James Andrew Ricchiuti: Hi, good afternoon. This is Chris Grenga.

Christopher Grenga: Thank you for taking the question. I noticed that our R&D expense stepped up a bit on a sequential basis and year-over-year. Just curious if you could provide any additional color on that. Sure. Hi Chris.

Brian Millard: In Q1, we did see an increase. We're continuing to, you know, invest in inventing new materials, so I think that that had an increase. There were also some higher employee costs for both R&D and SG&A compared to prior periods. So it's really a combination of employee-related expenses as well as some higher development expenses that we had with outside parties.

Brian Millard: Sure. Hi Chris.

Operator: We have reached the end of our question and answer session. I would like to turn the call back over to Brian Millard for any additional closing remarks.

Brian Millard: Thank you all for joining our call today. We appreciate your time and support.

Operator: This concludes our conference call today. You may now disconnect.