Q1 2024 Motorola Solutions Inc Earnings Call
Unknown Executive: And with that, I'll turn it over to Greg. Thanks, Tim.
With that I'll turn it over to Greg.
Gregory Q. Brown: Good afternoon, and thanks for joining us today. I'm going to share a few thoughts about the overall business before Jason takes us through our results and outlook. First Q1 was an outstanding start to the year. We achieved revenue growth of 10%, earnings per share growth of 27%, expanded operating margins by 220 basis points, and generated record Q1 operating cash flow of $382 million. We also finished the quarter with $14.4 billion of backlog, up $300 million versus last year.
Greg: Thanks, Tim Good afternoon, and thanks for joining us today I'm.
Speaker Change: I'm going to share a few thoughts about the overall business before Jason takes us through our results and outlook.
Gregory Q. Brown: Q1 was an outstanding start to the year, we achieved revenue growth of 10% earnings per share growth of 27% expanded operating margins by 220 basis points.
Gregory Q. Brown: And generated record Q1 operating cash flow of $382 million.
Gregory Q. Brown: We also finished the quarter with $14 $14 4 billion of backlog up $300 million versus last year.
Gregory Q. Brown: Second, our outstanding Q1 performance was broad-based. In our Products in the SI segment, revenue was up 14%, and operating margins increased 590 basis points as we continue to see strong demand for our feature-rich LMR products, including Apex Next, and our refreshed PCR portfolio. And software and services revenue was up 4% inclusive of the airwave charge control and our exit from the ESN contract, excluding UK home office revenues. Software and services revenues increased double digits driven by continued strong demand for our LMR service offerings and our software applications in video security and command center. And finally, based on our strong start to the year and continued robust demand, we're raising both our revenue and earnings guidance for the full year. I'll now turn the call over to Jason.
Gregory Q. Brown: Second our outstanding Q1 performance was broad based and our products and Si segment revenue was up 14% and operating margins increased 590 basis points as we continue to see strong demand for our feature rich LMR products, including apex next and a refreshed Pcr poor.
Jason: At folio.
Jason: In software and services revenue was up 4% inclusive of the Airwave charge control and our exit from the ESN contract, excluding U K home office revenues software and services revenues increased double digits driven by continued strong demand for our LMR service offerings and <unk>.
Jason: Our software applications and video security and command Center.
Gregory Q. Brown: And finally based on our strong start to the year and continued robust demand, we're raising both our revenue and earnings guidance for the full year I'll now turn the call over to Jason.
Jason J. Winkler: Thank you, Greg. Revenue for the quarter grew 10% and was above our guidance, with strong growth in all three technologies. Gap operating earnings were $519 million, or 21.7% of sales, up from 18.4% in the year-ago quarter. Non-GAAP operating earnings were $638 million, up 20% from the year-ago quarter, and the non-GAAP operating margin was 26.7%, up 220 basis points. The strong year-over-year increase in both GAAP and non-GAAP operating earnings was driven by higher sales, a favorable mix shift as our customers invest in more feature-rich LMR products, and improved operating leverage offset by the UK CMA charge control related to airways.
Jason: Thank you Greg revenue for the quarter grew 10% and was above our guidance with strong growth in all three technologies GAAP operating earnings were $519 million or 21, 7% of sales up from 18, 4% in the year ago quarter.
Jason J. Winkler: non-GAAP operating earnings were $638 million up 20% from the year ago quarter, and non-GAAP operating margin was 26, 7% up 220 basis points. The strong year over year increase in both GAAP and non-GAAP operating earnings was driven by higher sales a favorable mix shift as our customers invest in more feet.
Jason J. Winkler: <unk> rich LMR products and improved operating leverage offset by the U K CMA charge control related to Airwave.
Jason J. Winkler: Gap earnings per share was a loss of $0.23 and included a $585 million charge, resulting in a $3.42 per share pre-taxed non-operating loss due to the accounting treatment for the settlement of the Silver Lake convertible notes. We settled these notes entirely in cash for approximately $1.59 billion, inclusive of the conversion premium, which eliminated potential dilution to our share count and reflected a favorable negotiated settlement price compared to As a result, we recognized a non-operating loss for the settlement during the quarter, according to the current accounting rules for convertible notes, which were updated in 2022.
Jason J. Winkler: GAAP earnings per share was a loss of 23 and included a $585 million charge, resulting in a $3 42 per share pretax non operating loss due to the accounting treatment for the settlement of the Silverlake convertible notes.
Jason J. Winkler: We settled these notes entirely in cash for approximately $1 $5 9 billion inclusive of the conversion premium which eliminated potential dilution to our share count and reflected a favorable negotiated settlement price compared to the indenture terms.
Jason J. Winkler: As a result, we recognized a non operating loss for the settlement during the quarter. According to the current accounting rules for convertible notes, which were updated in 2022.
Jason J. Winkler: Non-GAAP EPS was $2.81, up 27% from $2.22 last year. This strong growth in EPS was driven by higher sales and margins, lower interest costs, and a lower diluted share count. OPEX in Q1 was $568 million, up $38 million versus last year, primarily due to higher employee incentives and acquisitions. Turning to cash flow, operating cash flow was a Q1 record of $382 million, up $390 million versus last year. And free cash flow was $336 million, up $398 million.
Jason J. Winkler: non-GAAP EPS was $2 81 up 27% from $2 22 last year. This strong growth in EPS was driven by higher sales and margins lower interest costs and a lower diluted share count.
Jason J. Winkler: Opex in Q1 was $568 million up $38 million versus last year, primarily due to higher employee incentives.
Jason J. Winkler: And acquisitions.
Jason J. Winkler: The strong increase in cash flow was driven by improved working capital and higher earnings, net of non-cash charges. Capital allocation for Q1 included $163 million in cash dividends, $46 million of CapEx, and $39 million of share repurchases. We also used $593 million of cash to settle the Silver Lake conversion premium, and we closed the acquisition of Silent Sentinel, a provider of specialized long-range cameras, for $37 million net of cash required.
Jason J. Winkler: Turning to cash flow operating cash flow was a Q1 record of $382 million up $390 million versus last year and free cash flow was $336 million up $398 million.
Jason J. Winkler: The strong increase in cash flow was driven by improved working capital and higher earnings net of noncash charges.
Jason J. Winkler: Capital allocation for Q1 included $163 million in cash dividends $46 million of Capex and $39 million of share repurchases.
Jason J. Winkler: We also used $593 million of cash to settle the silverlake conversion premium and we closed the acquisition of silence Sentinel and provider of specialized long room long range cameras for $37 million net of cash required.
Jason J. Winkler: Moving to segment results in SI, sales were up 14% versus last year, driven by continued strong demand combined with improved supply availability and a favorable mix shift in LMR products. Operating earnings were $370 million, or 24.8% of sales, up from 18.9% in the prior year, driven by higher sales, favorable mix, and improved operating leverage. Some notable Q1 wins and achievements in this segment include a $22 million P25 device order for a large U.S. customer, a $16 million LMR order for an international customer, a $13 million order for the state of Tennessee, and a $13 million mobile video order for North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Jason J. Winkler: Moving to segment results and products and Si sales were up 14% versus last year, driven by continued strong demand combined with improved supply availability and a favorable mix shift in LMR products.
Jason J. Winkler: Operating earnings were $370 million or 24, 8% of sales up from 18, 9% in the prior year driven by higher sales favorable mix and improved operating leverage. Some notable Q1 wins and achievements. In this segment include a $22 million P. 25 device order for a large U S customer a $16 million LMR.
Jason J. Winkler: Order for an international customer of $13 million order for the state of Tennessee, and a $13 million mobile video order for North Carolina State Highway patrol and software and services revenue was up 4% compared to last year.
Jason J. Winkler: In software and services, revenue was up 4% compared to last year. SNS revenues, excluding the UK Home Office, were up 12%, driven by strong growth in all three technologies. Operating earnings in the segment were $268 million, or 29.8% of sales, down from 32.9% of sales last year due to the impact of the airwave charge control. Excluding the impact of the UK airwave charge control, software and services margins increased year over year, driven primarily by higher sales and improved operating leverage.
Jason J. Winkler: SMS revenues, excluding the UK home office were up 12% driven by strong growth in all three technologies operating earnings in this segment were $268 million or 29, 8% of sales down from the 32, 9% of sales last year due to the impact of the Airwave charge control exclude.
Jason J. Winkler: The impact of the UK Airwave charge controls software and services margins increased year over year, driven primarily by higher sales and improved operating leverage. Some notable Q1 highlights in this segment included $25 million LMR services order for Douglas County, Colorado, a $25 million LMR services order for U K Department of health.
Jason J. Winkler: The notable Q1 highlights in this segment include a $25 million LMR services order for Douglas County, Colorado; a $25 million LMR services order for the UK Department of Health; an $18 million command center order for the city of San Francisco; a $14 million LMR services order for Lithuania; and an $11 million services order for Sao Paulo State Police in Brazil.
Jason J. Winkler: And $18 million Command Center order for the city of San Francisco, a $14 million LMR services order for Lithuania, and an $11 million services order for solid Paolo State police in Brazil.
Jason J. Winkler: Moving next to our regional results, North America Q1 revenue was $1.7 billion, up 13% on strong double-digit growth in both segments. International Q1 revenue was $696 million, up 3% versus last year, with growth in video and LMR offset by lower UK Home Office revenues related to the UK Home Office Airwave Charge Control and our exit of ESN. International revenue, excluding the UK home office impact, increased double digits year over year in both segments.
Jason J. Winkler: Moving next to our regional results North America Q1 revenue was $1 7 billion up 13% on strong double digit growth in both segments International Q1 revenue was $696 million up 3% versus last year with growth in video and LMR offset by lower U K home office revenues related to the U K home office.
Jason J. Winkler: Airwave charge control and our exit of ESN inter.
Jason J. Winkler: International revenue, excluding the UK home office impact increased double digits year over year in both segments.
Jason J. Winkler: Moving to backlog, ending backlog was a record $14.4 billion, up $331 million versus last year, driven primarily by strong demand for multi-year software and services contracts in both regions. The year-over-year increase is inclusive of the reduction of $777 million booked in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to Airwave charge control and revenue recognition for Airwave and ESN over the last year. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2024, we recorded $748 million in backlog related to the receipt of a three-year extension notice from the UK Home Office for years 2027 through 2029.
Jason J. Winkler: Moving to backlog ending backlog was a record $14 4 billion up 331 million versus last year, driven primarily by strong demand for multi year software and services contracts in both regions.
Jason J. Winkler: Year over year increase is inclusive of the reduction of 777 million booked in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to the Airwave charge control and revenue recognition for Airwave and ESN over the last year. Additionally.
Jason J. Winkler: Additionally, in the first quarter of 2024, we recorded a $748 million of backlog related to the receipt of a three year extension notice from the UK home office for years 2027 through 2029.
Jason J. Winkler: Our total backlog, excluding the UK Home Office, was up over $500 million compared to last year. Sequentially, backlog was up 138 million, driven by the extension notice related to airwave that I just mentioned, partially offset by our typical Q4 to Q1 order seasonality in North America, and some unfavorable effects. In the Products and SI segment, ending backlog was down $74 million, primarily due to unfavorable FX. However, sequentially, backlog was down $354 million due to the Q4 to Q1 North America order seasonality that I mentioned.
Jason J. Winkler: Our total backlog, excluding the UK home office was up over $500 million compared to last year.
Jason J. Winkler: Sequentially backlog was up $138 million driven by the extension notice related to Airwave that I just mentioned, partially offset by our typical Q4 to Q1 order seasonality in North America, and some favorable unfavorable FX.
Jason J. Winkler: In the products and Si segment, ending backlog was down $74 million, primarily due to unfavorable FX.
Jason J. Winkler: Sequentially backlog was down $354 million due to the Q4 to Q1, North America order seasonality that I mentioned.
Jason J. Winkler: And in software and services, backlog was up 404 million compared to last year, driven by strong demand for multi-year services and services contracts in both regions. Our SMS backlog, excluding the UK Home Office, was up almost 600 million compared to last year.
Jason J. Winkler: And then software and services backlog was up $4 4 million compared to last year, driven by strong demand for multi year services and services contracts in both regions.
Jason J. Winkler: Our Fms backlog, excluding the UK home office was up almost $600 million compared to last year.
Jason J. Winkler: Sequentially, backlog was up $492 million, driven primarily by the extension notice related to airway, partially offset by Q4 to Q1 order seasonality. Turning to our outlook, we expect Q2 sales to be up between 7% and 8% with non-GAAP earnings per share between $2.97 and $3.02. This assumes a weighted average diluted share count of approximately 170 million shares and an effective tax rate of approximately 24%. For the full year, we are increasing both our revenue and EPS guidance.
Jason J. Winkler: Sequentially backlog was up $492 million driven primarily by the extension notice related to airwave, partially offset by Q4 to Q1 order seasonality.
Jason J. Winkler: Turning to our outlook, we expect Q2 sales to be up between 7% to 8% with non-GAAP earnings per share between $2 97 and.
Jason J. Winkler: And $3 <unk> per share. This assumes a weighted average diluted share count of approximately 170 million shares and an effective tax rate of approximately 24%.
Jason J. Winkler: And for the full year, we are increasing both our revenue and EPS guidance.
Jason J. Winkler: We now expect revenue growth of approximately 7%, up from our prior guidance of approximately 6%. And with that, we expect non-GAAP earnings per share between $12.98 and $13.08 per share, up from our prior guidance of $12.62 to $12.72 per share. In addition, with the U.S. dollar strengthening since our last call, this full-year outlook now assumes an FX headwind of $30 million, primarily in the second half. It also includes a weighted average diluted share count between 170 and 171 million shares and an effective tax rate of 23 to 24 percent.
Jason J. Winkler: We now expect revenue growth of approximately 7% up from our prior guidance of approximately 6%.
Jason J. Winkler: And with that we expect non-GAAP earnings per share between $12 98, and $13 <unk> per share up from our prior guidance of $12 62 to $12 72 per share.
Jason J. Winkler: In addition, with the U S dollar strengthening since our last call. This full year outlook now assumes an FX headwind of $30 million, primarily in the second half.
Jason J. Winkler: It also includes a weighted average diluted share count between 170, and 171 million shares and an effective tax rate of 23% to 24%.
Jason J. Winkler: And finally, as a result of the debt issuance and Silver Lake settlement we completed in Q1, we now expect full-year interest expense to be approximately $240 million, up $25 million year-over-year. Before turning the call back to Greg, I want to highlight just a couple balance sheet-related items. During the quarter, we used $593 million to settle in cash the premium for the Silver Lake notes that I mentioned. We also repurchased $39 million of shares, resulting together in a combined total of $632 million, targeted at reducing our diluted share count.
Jason J. Winkler: And finally as a result of the debt issuance in silver Lake settlement. We completed in Q1, we now expect full year interest expense to be approximately $240 million up $25 million year over year.
Jason J. Winkler: Before turning the call back to Greg I want to highlight just a couple of balance sheet related items during the quarter, we used 593 million to settle in cash the premium for the Silverlake notes that I mentioned, we also repurchased $39 million of shares resulting together in a combined total of $632 million targeted at reducing our diluted share count.
Jason J. Winkler: Also during the quarter, both S&P and Fitch upgraded our credit ratings to triple B, highlighting the strength of our business and the balance sheet. Following the upgrades, we issued $1.3 billion of debt, $900 million of 10-year and $400 million of 5-year notes, further extending our average debt maturity, which is now over 8 years, all fixed at an average rate below 4.5%. We used part of the proceeds from the new debt issuance to pay off the $1 billion in convertible notes and plan to use the remainder to settle the approximately $300 million of debt maturity coming due later this year.
Jason J. Winkler: Also during the quarter, both S&P and Fitch upgraded our credit ratings to triple B underlying the strength of our business and the balance sheet. Following the upgrades, we issued $1 3 billion of that $900 million of 10 year and $400 million of five year notes further extending our average debt maturity, which is now over eight years all fixed at an average rate below four.
Jason J. Winkler: 5%.
Jason J. Winkler: We used a portion of the proceeds from the new debt issuance to pay off the $1 billion convertible notes and plan to use the remainder to settle the approximately $300 million of debt maturity coming due later this year.
Gregory Q. Brown: I'll now turn the call back to Greg. Thanks, Jason. And let me just close with a few thoughts. First, Q1 was outstanding across the board.
Jason J. Winkler: I'll now turn the call back to Greg.
Gregory Q. Brown: Silver Lake has been a great partner since their initial investment in 2015, and I'm very pleased that Greg Mondray is remaining on our board. And, finally, as I look ahead, I'm exceptionally pleased with how well we're positioned. The investments we've made in our LMR product portfolio are driving meaningful revenue growth and margin expansion. Our recurring revenues are increasing as a result of the continued strong demand for our services. We continue to see accelerated adoption of our cloud offerings, including Rave and Command Center, and Vigilante Alta and Video Security.
Gregory Q. Brown: Thanks, Jason. And let me just close with a few thoughts. First, Q1 was outstanding across the board. We achieved strong revenue growth in all three technologies. We significantly increased operating margins. We generated record Q1 operating backlog, excuse me, operating cash flow, and our strong ending backlog positions us well going forward. As a result, we're raising our expectations for both revenue and earnings for the full year. Second, during the quarter, we announced that we had mutually agreed with Silver Lake to settle the convertible notes.
Greg: Thanks, Jason and let me just close with a few thoughts.
Gregory Q. Brown: And our strong balance sheet positions us well to invest both organically and inorganically for continued growth. We ended with $1.5 billion in cash and still expect to generate $2.2 billion of operating cash flow for the year. We refinanced and extended a portion of our debt portfolio, and we received upgrades from two credit rating agencies during the quarter. All of this provides us with significant continued flexibility in how we deploy capital going forward. I'll now turn the call over to Tim and look forward to your questions. Thank you, Greg.
Gregory Q. Brown: First Q1 was an outstanding across the board, we achieved strong revenue growth in all three technologies, we significantly increased operating margins. We generated record Q1 operating backlog excuse me operating cash flow and our strong ending backlog positions us well going forward.
Tim: As a result, we are raising our expectations for both revenue and earnings for the full year.
Tim: During the quarter, we announced that we mutually agreed with silver Lake to settle the convertible notes Silverlake has been a great partner since their initial investment in 2015 and I'm very pleased that Greg Monterrey is remaining on our board.
Tim: And finally as I look forward I'm exceptionally pleased with how well we're positioned the investments we've made in our LMR product portfolio are driving meaningful revenue growth and margin expansion.
Tim: Recurring revenues are increasing as a result of the continued strong demand for our services. We continue to see accelerated adoption of our cloud offerings, including Raven Command Center, and vigilant vigilant Alta and video security and our strong balance sheet positions us well to invest both organically and Inorganically for continued.
Gregory Q. Brown: Growth.
Tim: We ended the one 5 billion in cash.
Tim: Still expect to generate $2 2 billion of operating cash flow for the year, we refinanced and extended a portion of our debt portfolio and we received upgrades from two credit rating agencies. During the quarter. All of this provides us with significant continued flexibility in how we deploy capital going forward.
Gregory Q. Brown: I'll now turn the call over to Tim and look forward to your questions.
Tim: Would you please remind our callers on the line how to ask a question.
Operator: The floor is now open for questions. If you have a question or comment, please press star 5 on your telephone keypad. If for any reason you would like to remove yourself from the queue, please press star five once again. We do ask that, while you pose your question, you pick up your handset to provide optimal sound quality. Thank you. The first question is from Tim Long with Barclays. Your line is now open.
Tim: The floor is now open for questions. If you have a question or comment. Please press star five on your telephone keypad.
Timothy Patrick Long: We do ask that while you pose your question. Please pickup your handset to provide optimal sound quality. Thank you.
Operator: The first question is from Tim long with Barclays. Your line is now open.
Timothy Patrick Long: Thank you. Maybe the first question would be on video, and then I will follow up on LMR. On the video side, decent growth in the quarter. Just hoping you could talk about a few things there. First, where are we with the impacts of movements to the cloud and what effect that had on the quarter? And the second piece, Jason, it looks like a very high percentage if you're looking at the software services percentage of the video business. It was over 40%.
Timothy Patrick Long: So just curious if we're starting to see an inflection there, or is it just an anomaly because maybe the hardware piece was a little bit lower this quarter? Then, after that, I'll follow up with the LMR follow-up.
Jason J. Winkler: Yeah, Tim, on video. Pleased with the results in Q1. As you know, we remain committed around 10% for the full year. We did talk about last quarter that we are seeing an increased adoption of Avigilon, Alta, and cloud adoption. We talked about it last quarter, and it remains unchanged. That's probably about a $40 million estimated headwind in terms of the top line growth number that informs the 10%. But I feel very good about were strong, both in fixed and mobile.
Jason J. Winkler: And Tim, on the second part of your question, you're right, software within video is growing faster than the product side. That's a trend we've been seeing.
Jason J. Winkler: And keep in mind, it's not just Alta, it's all of the exciting developments that we have around analytics. Both of our VMSs are software products and are recorded there. Mobile video is also there, all complemented by cloud subscription. So that's a very important and fast-growing part of our business.
Unknown Executive: Okay, great. And then maybe second.
Gregory Q. Brown: Yeah, just on LMR, Greg, you talked about a lot of the investments there. And obviously, it's bearing fruit and other, you know, growth rates above expectations. Can you just talk about kind of where we are in the cycle there? That'd be great.
Gregory Q. Brown: Yeah, I think I look I can't be more pleased with the performance of LMR products and services. And, you know, Jack talked about the continued strong demand last quarter. It's the same as this quarter in terms of Apex Next. As an example, a lot of customers are indexing, and in Q1, they indexed to more feature-rich devices, which helped drive revenue, and quite frankly, Tim, margin expansion. But I actually, I think the way to think about LMR growth is Apex, writ large, the entire segment for Apex radio.
Gregory Q. Brown: They're newer, they've been upgraded. We talk about Apex Next, which is the very high end, but the whole portfolio, which we also talk about, Apex Original, is performing exceptionally well, and then when you go over to Tetra and PCR, where we've refreshed devices there as well, that's gone very well. In fact, PCR, we now expect to grow slightly off of record levels last year, so I'd say we're still in the middle of the game on device refresh with a lot more to run.
Gregory Q. Brown: Really pleased on that front. The only thing, Tim, I'd add on top of that is, as Greg pointed out, the breadth of the portfolio is a strength, but what's particularly driving the Apex Next adoption are the applications. So, in the quarter, in Q1, we secured two large state patrols, as well as one Department of Transportation, and as you think about what drives those, it's location, it's the ability to extend the network vis-a-vis SmartConnect and smart programming with large fleets, their ability to reprogram and the like in a more expeditious fashion.
Unknown Executive: And Jack, you've seen customers embrace a blended fleet, too. That's exactly right. In fact, all three of them.
Unknown Executive: Exactly right. In fact, all three of those customers have APEX original, and about a third of those are APEX Next.
Timothy Patrick Long: Good point. Thank you, Tim. Thank you, guys. I appreciate it.
George Charles Notter: The next question is from the line of George Notter with Jeffreys. Your line is now open. Hi, guys. Thanks a lot.
Jason J. Winkler: And congrats on the strength here. I guess I'll go back to kind of the airwave situation. I saw the renewal and extension of the contract. Anything new there in terms of the CMA situation? Obviously, you guys adjusted your financials to reflect the negative outcome, but I know there's a court case, an appeal that's going on. I mean, any expectations or anything you can tell us about what's going on there would be great. Thanks.
Jason J. Winkler: Thanks, George. So we recorded the backlog for the extension of years 27, 28, and 29. Because in March, we received notice from the UK Home Office for the extension of AirWave. Aside from our disputes, let's put that off to the side for a minute, I think it confirms our belief all along in the durability, longevity, and, quite frankly, criticality of mission-critical LMR, particularly in this case AirWave. So it reaffirms the long-standing need for how critical that technology is, and that's one of the best performing emergency networks in the world.
Jason J. Winkler: To your point, we took the backlog and recorded it at a kind of worst-case scenario, i.e., it's logged, and the log backlog is at the charge control rates, which we are still contesting. As it relates to the Court of Appeal, the CMA issued its final decision, we appealed to the CAT, the Competition Appeals Tribunal, we lost that, and as a result, we appealed to the Court of Appeal, the UK Court of Appeal, to see if they'd hear that case.
Jason J. Winkler: We would expect to get clarity on that either in May or June, but having said that, we will continue to defend our position on the circumstances and conditions that extended AirWave, and we will defend ourselves accordingly.
Jason J. Winkler: Got it. And then, just as a quick follow-up, any evidence that there's any spread of other managed services customers looking at trying to restructure contracts with you guys anywhere else in the world? No, no.
Jason J. Winkler: No, I think the UK is very, very unique in many ways. But the answer is no.
Speaker Change: Alright, thank you.
Speaker Change: Thank you George.
Operator: Once again, if you have a question, you may press star five on your telephone keypad. The next question is from the line of Meta Marshall with Morgan Stanley. Your line is now open.
Jason J. Winkler: Once again, if you have a question you May press star five on your telephone keypad.
Operator: The next question is from the line of meta Marshall with Morgan Stanley.
Meta A. Marshall: Line is now open.
Meta A. Marshall: Hey everyone, you've got Jimmy Reynolds on for me. I appreciate you taking the question. I think last quarter you guys had highlighted a $100 million headwind from less business in Ukraine. I guess, has your thinking changed there as it relates to the recent aid package that got passed?
Meta A. Marshall: Hey, everyone, you've got Jimmy rentals on for.
Meta A. Marshall: For me I. Appreciate you taking the question I think last quarter, you guys had highlighted a $100 million headwind from less business in Ukraine, I guess has your thinking changed there as it relates to the recent aid package that got passed.
Jason J. Winkler: Our view on the full year and what's informing our raise does not change from what we updated you on the Ukraine situation last year. We did talk about $100 million, Jack referenced it, about a $100 million headwind. By the way, that headwind still exists, but it's primarily in the second half of this year, which informs kind of the seasonality that's implied in both Q2 and our full year guide. But our view in terms of the full-year guide is unchanged from what we said last time.
Meta A. Marshall: Our view on the full year and what's informing our raise.
Jason J. Winkler: It does not change from what we updated you on the Ukraine situation last year, we did talk about $100 million, Jack referenced that about $100 million headwind by the way that headwinds still exist. It's primarily in the second half of this year.
Jason J. Winkler: By the way we remain in Gateway I'm thrilled we're thrilled that the foreign aid Bill got got passed for 95 billion.
Jason J. Winkler: The <unk> team remains actively engaged on multiple fronts.
Jason J. Winkler: But our view in terms of the full year guide is unchanged from what we said last time.
Jason J. Winkler: Got it, thanks. And then, just as a quick follow-up, has the thinking changed around what you expect from the command center piece of the business to contribute to growth this year?
Speaker Change: Got it thanks, and then just as a quick follow up just thinking changed around what you expect from the command center piece of the business to contribute to growth this year.
Jason J. Winkler: Still very enthusiastic about Command Center overall as a category, and we still expect 10% growth for the full year. By the way, I might add that remember, ESN and the way we record revenue was in the Command Center technology bucket. So Q1 would have grown handsome double digits normalized for the UK Home Office. Quite frankly, when you look at the 10% guide implied for Command Center for the full year, it's a number higher than that when you normalize for ESN as well. You may want to mention just some of the other things going on.
Jason J. Winkler: We still expect 10% growth for the full year by the way I might add that.
Jason J. Winkler: Remember ESN.
Jason J. Winkler: And the way we record revenue was in the command center.
Jason J. Winkler: The technology bucket, so Q1 would have grown.
Jason J. Winkler: We have just finished our summit. This has been our largest summit, I think, ever, with over 1,300 customers attending. We launched our Vesta Next refreshed product, both for cloud and for on-prem, along with quite a few other new launches, such as our Responder, our mobile app. Traction has been amazing, and we see greater than 60% of our command center customers now adopting a cloud-connected product, and Rave and our other command center cloud products are doing exceptionally well, beyond expectations. Great! Thank you so much.
Meta A. Marshall: Great, thank you so much for your time.
Adam Tyler Tindle: The next question is from the line of Adam Tindle with Raymond James. Your line is now open.
Adam Tyler Tindle: Okay, thanks. Good afternoon.
Jason J. Winkler: I just want to start, maybe first for Jason, great performance on margins in the product segment. Just wondering how much of the pricing benefit and supply chain cost is reflected in this versus how much is left in future quarters. I know Q1 is typically the low point for margins in that segment, but I'm wondering if that's still going to hold for 2024 and improve from there. And Greg, just conceptually on the topic of margins, I know expanding margins is important to you.
Jason J. Winkler: The drivers are very clear to us in fiscal 24, price, cost, et cetera, but it's a little bit less obvious as we think about fiscal 25 and beyond. Just if you could help us maybe with conceptual levers to continue to drive margin expansion beyond this year, or do you think we're sort of at optimal margin and the focus might be more on growth, how to balance that equation? Thanks.
Jason J. Winkler: Sure. So I'll take the first one.
Jason J. Winkler: We remain seeing the 60 million of lower broker costs, we call the PPV, that we guided to 90 days ago; that's a full year number. Q1 included some of that benefit. There's more to go in getting to the total 60.
Jason J. Winkler: We're on the path for that. We are certainly seeing the need to use far less, and the supply improvements from our direct vendors are helping us get the parts we need at the price we need. That's in part what informed our Q1 as well as our expectations for the year, complemented by the continued strong demand. So on plan in terms of the margin improvements related to lower supply chain costs. I would also point to what we talked about on the call, the continued benefit of customers adopting more feature-rich parts of the portfolio. That comes with margin improvement for us as well.
Gregory Q. Brown: And in terms of margins, you know, we, by the way, this year, we do expect gross margins to be up slightly. And we also now expect operating margins to be up about 75 basis points. As we think about it holistically, and kind of on a pro forma basis, we think the levers are volume mix, which we're enjoying now.
Gregory Q. Brown: We by the way this year, we do expect gross margins to be up slightly and we also now expect operating margins to be up about 75 basis points.
Gregory Q. Brown: As we think about it holistically and kind of on a pro forma basis, we think the levers of volume.
Gregory Q. Brown: Some surgical price increases, primarily around services, where we have contracts that have appropriate cost of living mechanisms built into multi-year services contracts. And as they come due, we will be disciplined in making sure we're recovering appropriate cost increases that come and hit the firm. We look at the way we price new products as well, and we continue to refresh the device portfolio and also fixed and mobile video. And then OPEX, by the way, OPEX probably will be up about 100 million this year, year on year. Last quarter, we told you it was about 80. That $20 million increase, I actually think it's a good thing.
Gregory Q. Brown: Mix, which we're enjoying now.
Gregory Q. Brown: Some surgical price increases primarily around services, where we have contracts that have appropriate cost of living mechanisms built into a multi year services contracts and as they come due.
Gregory Q. Brown: We will be disciplined in.
Gregory Q. Brown: Making sure we're recovering appropriate cost increases that come and hit the firm we look at the way, we price new product as well and we continue to refresh the device portfolio.
Gregory Q. Brown: Also fixed and mobile.
Gregory Q. Brown: Mobile video.
Gregory Q. Brown: And then opex by the way Opex, probably will be up about $100 million. This year year on year last quarter. We told you it was about 80.
Gregory Q. Brown: That $20 million increase I actually think it's a good thing we're investing more in the business.
Gregory Q. Brown: We're investing more in the business, indexing particularly around video. We're likely to have some higher incentives around sales commissions, reflective of the higher revenue guide we're giving you for the full year. And there are some ancillary legal costs, which I actually consider investments in the business as we defend our position both with the UK Home Office and continue to fight the good fight on High Terra.
Gregory Q. Brown: Indexing, particularly around video.
Gregory Q. Brown: <unk> to have some higher incentives around sales commissions reflective of the higher revenue guide, we're giving it for the full year and there are some ancillary legal costs, which I actually consider investments in the business.
Gregory Q. Brown: We defend our position both with the UK home office and continuing to fight the good fight on Hi, Tera.
Gregory Q. Brown: And we will report hopefully more news between now and the end of the year on that front and the other thing I would tell you on the Opex side as you know we acquired silent Sentinel given.
Gregory Q. Brown: And we'll hopefully report more news between now and the end of the year on that front. And the other thing I'd tell you on the OpEx side, as you know, we acquired Silent Sentinel. Given the balance sheet, the aperture is pretty wide, but disciplined on acquisitions we may pursue and close. And if we do that, we do that because it's financially accretive, it's strategically important, it's culturally compatible, and we can operate it or operationalize it and integrate it operationally, but also because we expect synergies on that front too.
Gregory Q. Brown: Given the balance sheet.
Gregory Q. Brown: The aperture is pretty wide, but but disciplined on acquisitions, we may pursue and close and if we do that we do that because it is financially accretive it's strategically important it's culturally compatible and we can operate at our operationalize it and integrate it operationally, but also because we <unk>.
Gregory Q. Brown: <unk> synergies on that front too.
Gregory Q. Brown: We are built.
Gregory Q. Brown: We are built, I think, as a team, an executive team, and as a company that growth is not good enough. You got to grow the top line, you got to grow margins, you got to grow operating cash flow, and you got to take share. That's when you know the firm is cooking on all cylinders, and we always look at operating margins. We're proud of them, but we know there's more work to be done.
Gregory Q. Brown: I think as a team and executive team and as a company.
Gregory Q. Brown: Growing is not good enough you got to grow top line you got to grow margins.
Gregory Q. Brown: Got to grow operating cash flow and you got to take share.
Gregory Q. Brown: That's when you know the firm is cooking on all cylinders.
Gregory Q. Brown: And we always look at operating margins and we're proud of them, but we know there's all there's more work to be done and by the way I didn't even mention AI I know a lot of companies tout it but we will be disciplined in our use of that internally. The Haitian Jack have built it into a lot of our products and the analytics that Jason mentioned.
Gregory Q. Brown: And by the way, I didn't even mention AI. I know a lot of companies tout it, but we'll be disciplined in our use of that internally. Mahesh and Jack have built it into a lot of our products, in the analytics that Jason mentioned. I love what we're doing with descriptive and generative AI as it relates to the ecosystem around public safety and physical security. But obviously, we'll also use it in customer service internally, in legal and contract management, and with co-pilot and engineering efficiencies.
Gregory Q. Brown: Love, what we're doing.
Gregory Q. Brown: Descriptive and generative AI as it relates to the ecosystem around public safety and physical security, but obviously, we will also use it in customer service internally and legal and contract management with co pilot and engineering efficiencies. So.
Adam Tyler Tindle: So that really isn't factored in at this point, and I'm not making any declarations or promises, but we'll always be able to, I think, aspirationally drive toward operating margin improvement, and I think we have the assets where we can continue to do that. Okay, and maybe just a quick follow-up. I know that was a two-parter, but I'll do a quick follow-up since I'm going to get asked about this tonight.
Adam Tyler Tindle: That really isn't factored in at this point and I'm, not making any declaration of promises, but we'll always be able to I think aspirational drive toward operating margin improvement and I think we have the assets, where we can continue to do that.
Speaker Change: Okay, and maybe just a quick follow up I know that was a two parter, but I'll I'll do a quick follow up since I'm going to get asked on this tonight backlog trends, obviously, we've got a record here, but correct me if I'm wrong I think that $14 4 billion includes $748 million of incremental backlog on airwave.
Adam Tyler Tindle: Backlog trends, obviously, we've got a record here, but correct me if I'm wrong. I think that $14.4 billion includes $748 million of incremental backlog on Airwave. It may be unfair to strip that out, but if we do, it's down about $500 million sequentially. And I know there's some seasonality to that, but that's kind of two times normal seasonality. What would that concern, stripping that out and looking at kind of a worse than typical seasonal decline in backlog be missing, and how do you think about backlog trends from here? Thanks. So Adam, I mentioned it earlier, if I, if we exclude
Adam Tyler Tindle: It may be unfair to strip that out, but if we do it.
Adam Tyler Tindle: It's down about $500 million sequentially, and I know theres, some seasonality to that but that's kind of two time, it's normal seasonality.
Adam Tyler Tindle: What would that concern stripping that out and looking at kind of a worst than typical seasonal decline in backlog be missing and how do you think about backlog trends from here. Thanks.
Jason J. Winkler: So, Adam, I mentioned earlier that if we exclude the home office impact on a multi-quarter basis, total backlog is up over $500 million, and S&S backlog is up over $600 million. So, while we recorded $748 million in this Q1 related to the extension of years 27, 28, and 29, we also, in the quarter before that, reduced the backlog related to the pricing control implemented for years 24, 25, and 26. So, they're a bit of a cancellation, if you will, and then the core of the business, the ex-home office, is absolutely growing. Very helpful. Thank you.
Adam Tyler Tindle: So Adam I mentioned it earlier, if I, if we exclude the home office impact on a multi quarter basis total backlog is up over $500 million and SNS backlog is up over 600 million, so, but while we recorded the $748 million in this Q1 related.
Speaker Change: Very helpful. Thank you.
Speaker Change: Thank you.
Jason J. Winkler: Okay.
Jason J. Winkler: Okay.
Speaker Change: I will pause for a few seconds to see if we have any additional questions.
Operator: I will pause for a few seconds to see if we have any additional questions. This concludes our question and answer session. I will now turn the floor over to Mr. Greg Brown, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, for any additional comments or closing remarks.
Jason J. Winkler: This concludes our question and answer session I will now turn the floor over to Mr. Greg Brown, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for any additional comments or closing remarks.
Gregory Q. Brown: Yeah, thank you. First and foremost, I want to thank the Motorola Solution employees around the world and our channel partners. It's a great team, very proud of the performance in the quarter and very proud of what I think we can do between now and the end of the year. I do want to highlight that we had some great, significant events in Q1. Mahesh mentioned one of them, the Solutions Summit in Dallas. A week ago, we had 1300 customers.
Gregory Q. Brown: Yes, Thank you first and foremost I want to thank.
Gregory Q. Brown: Motorola solution employees around the world and our channel partners.
Gregory Q. Brown: It's a great team very proud of the performance in the quarter and very proud of what I think we can do between now and the end of the year I do want to highlight we had some great significant events in Q1.
Gregory Q. Brown: You mentioned one of them the solutions summit in Dallas, a week ago, we had 1300 customers. It's the largest ever event, we had at on that front, we demonstrated operational and working public safety and enterprise security ecosystem.
Gregory Q. Brown: It's the largest ever event we had on that front. We demonstrated an operationally working public safety and enterprise security ecosystem. It was significant, well attended, and received lots of good feedback. We had our first ever joint channel partner, executive partner forum in February in Orlando. The significance of that is it brought together LMR, land mobile radio channel partners, and video security and access control under one roof with a common vernacular, a common language, and relationships we're looking to develop. And Malloy has had this mantra, cross-sell, up-sell.
Gregory Q. Brown: It was significant well attended and lots of good feedback we had our first ever joint.
Gregory Q. Brown: <unk> channel partner Executive partner Forum.
Gregory Q. Brown: In February in Orlando, the significance of that is it brought together LMR land mobile radio channel partners and <unk>.
Gregory Q. Brown: Video security and access control under one roof with common vernacular common language relationships. We're looking to develop and Malloy has had this mantra cross sell up sell I thought that was an excellent event.
Gregory Q. Brown: I thought that was an excellent event, that was a catalyst for the kind of culture and focus items we need around upselling the writ large broader portfolio between now and the end of the year. And we had a great presence at ISC West, which highlighted, of course, the video security access control rolled out our enterprise body worn camera, which we're getting great traction on body worn on the enterprise. So there was a lot of good stuff in Q1.
Gregory Q. Brown: That was a catalyst.
Gregory Q. Brown: To kind of the kind of culture and focus items, we need around upselling.
Gregory Q. Brown: Large broader portfolio between now and the end of the year and we had a great presence at ISC West, which highlighted of course video security access control rolled out our enterprise body worn camera, which we're getting.
Gregory Q. Brown: Look, at the end of the day, the print is great in Q1. But I'm actually more excited about our momentum, raising the year, strong backlog, but also a strong funnel of opportunity, and a strong balance sheet. Couldn't be more proud. I want to thank everybody. Thanks for listening. And we'll talk to you in a quarter.
Gregory Q. Brown: Look at the end of the day.
Gregory Q. Brown: The print is great in Q1, but I'm actually more excited about our momentum.
Operator: This does conclude today's teleconference. A replay of this call will be available over the Internet within three hours; the website address is www.motorolasolutions.com forward slash investor. We thank you for your participation and ask that you please disconnect your lines at this time.
Speaker Change: This does conclude today's teleconference replay of this call will be available over the internet within three hours web.
Operator: The website address is www dot Motorola solutions dotcom forged slash investor.
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