ATOM.NASDAQAtomera INC

10-Q: Atomera Reports Wider Q3 Loss Amid Revenue Decline, Raises Capital via ATM

Sentiment:

Quarterly Report


Atomera Incorporated reported a significant increase in net loss for the third quarter and first nine months of 2025, driven by declining revenue and higher operating expenses, while continuing to raise capital through an at-the-market offering.

Capital raiseEntered into a new Equity Distribution Agreement (2025 ATM) on May 27, 2025, with Craig-Hallum as agent, to offer and sell up to $50.0 million of common stock.Sold approximately 393,000 shares in Q3 2025 via the 2025 ATM, generating $2.0 million in net proceeds.Sold approximately 742,000 shares in 9M 2025 via 2022 and 2025 ATMs, generating $5.2 million in net proceeds.Subsequent to September 30, 2025, issued approximately 171,000 additional shares through the ATM offering, resulting in $836,000 in net proceeds.The company explicitly states that if it cannot generate sufficient revenue, it will need to raise more capital through various financing sources, including the ATM, follow-on equity offerings, debt financing, and joint ventures.
Worse than expectedRevenue for Q3 2025 decreased by 50% compared to Q3 2024 ($11,000 vs. $22,000).Revenue for 9M 2025 decreased by 86.6% compared to 9M 2024 ($15,000 vs. $112,000).Net loss for Q3 2025 increased by 21.3% compared to Q3 2024 ($5.573 million vs. $4.595 million).Net loss for 9M 2025 increased by 14.3% compared to 9M 2024 ($15.749 million vs. $13.778 million).Gross margin turned negative in both Q3 and 9M 2025, from positive in the prior year periods.Cash used in operating activities increased by 14.1% for 9M 2025 compared to 9M 2024 ($11.649 million vs. $10.208 million).

Summary

  • Net loss for Q3 2025 increased to $5.573 million from $4.595 million in Q3 2024.
  • Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, rose to $15.749 million from $13.778 million in the same period of 2024.
  • Revenue for Q3 2025 was $11,000, a decrease from $22,000 in Q3 2024.
  • Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $15,000, significantly down from $112,000 in the prior year period.
  • Cash and cash equivalents stood at $20.3 million as of September 30, 2025, down from $25.8 million at December 31, 2024.
  • Working capital was $18.1 million as of September 30, 2025.
  • Operating expenses increased to $5.676 million in Q3 2025 from $4.819 million in Q3 2024, and to $16.336 million for 9M 2025 from $14.466 million for 9M 2024.
  • The company utilized $11.6 million in cash from operating activities during the first nine months of 2025.
  • Atomera raised approximately $2.0 million in net proceeds during Q3 2025 and $5.2 million during 9M 2025 through at-the-market (ATM) stock sales.
  • Subsequent to September 30, 2025, an additional $836,000 in net proceeds was raised through ATM sales.
  • Management concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2025, due to a material weakness in internal controls over journal entry review and approval, though remediation efforts are underway.

Sentiment

Score: 3

Explanation: The company reported significantly declining revenue and widening net losses, indicating ongoing challenges in commercializing its technology. While it successfully raised capital through ATM offerings to maintain liquidity for the next 12 months, the fundamental business performance is deteriorating. The disclosure of ineffective disclosure controls due to a material weakness adds a governance concern, even with remediation efforts underway.

Positives

  • Successfully raised additional capital through at-the-market (ATM) offerings, securing $2.0 million net in Q3 2025, $5.2 million net in 9M 2025, and an additional $836,000 net post-quarter.
  • Maintained sufficient capital to fund current business plans and obligations for at least 12 months from the financial statement issuance date, with $20.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and $18.1 million in working capital.
  • Management believes the material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting has been remediated, with testing in progress to confirm effectiveness.
  • Interest income increased to $232,000 in Q3 2025 from $176,000 in Q3 2024, and to $736,000 in 9M 2025 from $566,000 in 9M 2024.
  • Selling and marketing expenses decreased by 17% in Q3 2025 and 41% in 9M 2025, primarily due to headcount reduction.

Negatives

  • Revenue significantly declined to $11,000 in Q3 2025 from $22,000 in Q3 2024, and to $15,000 in 9M 2025 from $112,000 in 9M 2024.
  • Net loss widened to $5.573 million in Q3 2025 from $4.595 million in Q3 2024, and to $15.749 million in 9M 2025 from $13.778 million in 9M 2024.
  • Gross margin turned into a loss of $117,000 in Q3 2025 and $175,000 in 9M 2025, compared to positive margins in the prior year periods.
  • Operating expenses increased by 20% in Q3 2025 and 17% in 9M 2025, primarily due to higher research and development and general and administrative costs.
  • Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $5.456 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025.
  • The company continues to incur recurring operating losses and has generated only limited revenues since inception.
  • Disclosure controls and procedures were deemed not effective as of September 30, 2025, due to an ongoing material weakness in internal controls, despite remediation efforts.

Risks

  • Inherent risks of an early-stage company with limited revenue-generating activities, including initial organization, financing, expenditures, and scaling of a new business not generating positive cash flow.
  • Future capital requirements depend on the ability to successfully commercialize MST technology, competing technological and market developments, and the need for collaborations or technology acquisitions.
  • Inability to generate sufficient revenue from license fees and royalties in a timely manner will necessitate raising more capital.
  • Risk of being unable to secure additional capital, which could lead to curtailment of research and development initiatives and additional cost reduction measures.
  • Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in condition, significance, value, and effect, which could cause actual results to differ materially.
  • The material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting, specifically regarding the review and approval of journal entries, could adversely affect the ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information accurately.

Future Outlook

The company believes it has sufficient capital to fund its current business plans and obligations for at least 12 months. However, future capital requirements depend on its ability to successfully commercialize MST technology, competitive developments, and the need for collaborations or technology acquisitions. If sufficient revenue from license fees and royalties is not generated, additional capital will be required, potentially through ATM offerings, equity offerings, debt financing, or joint ventures. The company may also consider alternatives to its current business plan or curtail R&D initiatives to conserve cash if unable to secure additional capital.

Management Comments

  • "Based on the funds it has available as of the date of the filing of this report, the Company believes that it has sufficient capital to fund its current business plans and obligations over, at least, 12 months from the date that these financial statements have been issued."
  • "Management believes that the material weakness [in internal controls] has been remediated, but it is in the process of testing to confirm that its enhanced controls and procedures are operating effectively."

Industry Context

Atomera operates in the highly competitive and capital-intensive semiconductor industry, which is valued at over $550 billion. Its Mears Silicon Technology (MST) aims to address key engineering challenges like transistor scaling, speed, reliability, and power efficiency. The company's licensing model targets foundries, IDMs, and fabless manufacturers, positioning it as an intellectual property provider rather than a direct chip manufacturer. The significant decline in revenue, despite the large market, indicates challenges in commercializing its technology and securing widespread adoption, which is common for early-stage technology companies in this sector. The continued reliance on ATM offerings for liquidity highlights the long development cycles and high R&D costs inherent in semiconductor innovation.

Comparison to Industry Standards

  • NA

Corporate Governance

Change TypeDescriptionEffective DateImpact Assessment
Internal Control WeaknessMaterial weakness identified in internal controls over the review and approval of journal entries into the general ledger, leading to ineffective disclosure controls and procedures.2025-09-30Potentially affects the reliability of financial reporting, though remediation efforts are underway.

Legal Proceedings

  • Not party to any material litigation as of September 30, 2025.

Related Party Transactions

  • On April 28, 2024, CEO Scott Bibaud purchased 2,247 shares of common stock at $4.45 per share for a total of $10,000.

Stakeholder Impact

  • Shareholders: Dilution from ongoing at-the-market stock sales; increased net losses and declining revenue may negatively impact share value; potential for future capital raises could lead to further dilution.
  • Employees: Continued investment in R&D and stock-based compensation plans indicate ongoing commitment, but cost reduction measures are a possibility if capital is not secured.
  • Customers/Partners: Continued development and licensing of MST technology aims to provide value, but the company's early-stage nature and financial performance may raise concerns about long-term stability.
  • Creditors: Liquidity position with $20.3 million cash and 12-month funding outlook provides some comfort, but recurring losses and reliance on equity raises are risk factors.

Next Steps

  • Continue efforts to commercialize MST technology.
  • Generate sufficient revenue from license fees and royalties.
  • Potentially raise additional capital through ATM, follow-on equity offerings, debt financing, or joint ventures if revenue targets are not met.
  • Consider alternatives to the current business plan or curtail R&D to conserve cash if capital cannot be secured.
  • Complete testing to confirm the effectiveness of enhanced controls and procedures for journal entry review and approval.

Key Dates

DateDescription
2001-11-26Company organized as Nanovis LLC.
2007-03-13Company converted to a Delaware corporation under the name Mears Technologies, Inc.
2016-01-12Company changed its name to Atomera Incorporated.
2017-05-31Shareholders approved the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan.
2022-05-31Entered into the 2022 Equity Distribution Agreement (2022 ATM) for up to $50.0 million.
2023-05-31Shareholders approved the 2023 Stock Incentive Plan.
2023-08-01Lease payments for an epitaxial deposition tool adjusted to $137,650 per month.
2024-03-04Filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
2024-04-28CEO Scott Bibaud purchased 2,247 shares of common stock.
2024-08-01Lease payments for an epitaxial deposition tool adjusted to $124,071 per month.
2024-12-31Balance sheet date for prior fiscal year.
2025-01-01Company adopted ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.
2025-01-01Commencement of a 12-month lease agreement for an epitaxial deposition tool in Tempe, Arizona, at $95,000 per month.
2025-01-01Company began issuing restricted stock units (RSUs).
2025-03-18The 2022 ATM Facility expired.
2025-05-27Entered into the 2025 Equity Distribution Agreement (2025 ATM) for up to $50.0 million.
2025-05-31Shareholders approved an amendment to the 2023 Plan, adding 1,750,000 shares.
2025-08-01Lease payments for an epitaxial deposition tool adjusted to $133,125 per month.
2025-09-30End of the quarterly reporting period.
2025-10-23Number of outstanding shares of common stock was 31,681,033.
2025-10-29Date of filing of this Form 10-Q.
2026-12-15Effective date for annual reporting periods for ASU 2024-03 (Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures).
2027-12-15Effective date for annual reporting periods for ASU 2025-06 (IntangiblesGoodwill and Other Internal-Use Software).

Recommendation

sell

The company's financial performance shows significant deterioration with sharply declining revenue and widening net losses, indicating a challenging commercialization path for its core technology. While management has secured short-term liquidity through ATM offerings, this comes at the cost of shareholder dilution and highlights the ongoing cash burn from operations. The disclosed material weakness in internal controls, even with remediation efforts, adds a layer of governance risk. Given the lack of clear progress towards profitability, increasing operational losses, and continued reliance on equity financing, the stock presents a high-risk profile with limited near-term upside for investors.

Keywords

semiconductor technology, MST, Mears Silicon Technology, licensing, integrated circuits, foundries, IDMs, fabless manufacturers, epitaxial deposition, semiconductor manufacturing, financial reporting, 10-Q, Atomera

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