Roth/MKM reiterates Buy rating on Sequans shares

Sequans Communications (NYSE: SQNS) has maintained its Buy rating and a $3.00 price target from Roth/MKM, following a significant deal with Qualcomm (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:QCOM).

The agreement involves Sequans selling its 4G technology to Qualcomm for $200 million, a strategic move that allows Sequans to continue selling 4G Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. This deal is seen as transformative for Sequans, as it not only fully funds the company to reach a break-even point but also serves as a validation of its technology portfolio.

According to the firm, the transaction bolsters Sequans' financial position, with the company expected to have over $1 in net cash per share after the deal's closure. The analyst emphasized that this financial security undervalues Sequans, especially considering its transition to a focused 4G/5G technology provider. The anticipation of Sequans introducing RedCap and eRedCap technology in 2025 further underscores the company's growth potential.

The sale to Qualcomm marks a pivotal moment for Sequans, as it secures substantial capital that underpins its operational sustainability. The agreement also signifies industry recognition of Sequans' technological capabilities, providing a solid foundation for future endeavors in the 4G and 5G space.

In other recent news, Sequans Communications reported its first quarter financial results for 2024, with revenues reaching $6.0 million, a 26.3% increase from the previous quarter, despite a 49.3% decrease year over year.

The company also reported an operating loss of $8.5 million for Q1, an improvement from the $12.8 million loss in the last quarter of 2023. Sequans has secured standstill agreements with debt holders Lynrock Lake, Nokomis, and Renesas until August 26, 2024, providing the company with more time to secure a strategic transaction.

In addition, the company announced a $15 million licensing agreement for the Monarch2 LTE platform with an undisclosed technology company, which is expected to boost revenues in the coming years. Sequans has also decided to suspend the development of its 5G Taurus product to focus on low-power 5G for massive IoT applications.

Despite these developments, Sequans continues to actively seek a long-term strategic transaction to bolster its balance sheet. The company's cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2024, totaled $0.5 million, excluding the $5 million from the issuance of an unsecured promissory note in April and the $15 million from the recent licensing agreement.

Roth/MKM has adjusted the price target for Sequans to $3.00, down from $3.03, but maintains its buy rating on the company's stock. The firm noted Sequans has strategic options that could potentially enhance shareholder value, including a full or partial sale of the company or the pursuit of a high-value licensing deal.

InvestingPro Insights

The recent deal between Sequans Communications and Qualcomm has certainly put the spotlight on Sequans, and real-time data from InvestingPro provides a deeper look into the company's financial and market position. As of the last twelve months leading into Q2 2024, Sequans has a market capitalization of approximately $71.23 million. Despite the company's significant deal with Qualcomm, its revenue has seen a decline of 47.17% during this period, highlighting challenges in generating sales growth. However, the company has managed to maintain a high gross profit margin of 68.1%, indicating strong profitability on the cost of goods sold.

InvestingPro Tips for Sequans suggest that the stock has experienced a significant return over the last week, with a 104.63% price total return, and a strong return over the last month, at 119.34%. These metrics demonstrate a recent bullish trend in the stock's performance. On the other hand, the stock is considered to be in overbought territory according to the RSI, and analysts do not anticipate the company to be profitable this year, which investors should take into account when evaluating the company's prospects.

For those seeking more insights, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available at https://www.investing.com/pro/SQNS, which can provide further guidance on Sequans' financial health and stock performance. These insights can help investors make more informed decisions as Sequans navigates its transition to a focused 4G/5G technology provider post-deal with Qualcomm.

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