10-Q: Liquidmetal Technologies Reports Q3 2026 Results, Faces Increased Losses

Sentiment:

Quarterly Report


Liquidmetal Technologies' Q3 2026 Form 10-Q reveals a revenue increase but also higher operating expenses and a widening net loss, impacting its financial outlook.

Worse than expectedNet loss increased by 44.3% to $2,373,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared to $1,645,000 in the prior year.Selling, marketing, general, and administrative expenses increased by 21.0% to $3,463,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026.Cost of sales increased by 9.9% to $476,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, driven by higher tariffs.Cash used in operating activities increased significantly for the nine months ended September 30, 2026.

Summary

  • Liquidmetal Technologies reported increased total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, reaching $677,000 compared to $608,000 in the same period of 2025.
  • However, the company experienced a significant increase in its net loss, which grew to $2,373,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, from $1,645,000 in the prior year.
  • Operating expenses, particularly selling, marketing, general, and administrative costs, rose substantially by $601,000 to $3,463,000 for the nine-month period.
  • The company's cash position remains strong with $9,021,000 in cash and $9,386,000 in debt securities as of September 30, 2026, which management believes is sufficient for at least twelve months.
  • A loss on disposal of property and equipment of $220,000 was recorded in the nine-month period of 2026.
  • The company terminated a facility lease in Hangzhou, China, incurring a $149,000 early termination fee.

Sentiment

Score: 3

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this filing as having a negative sentiment due to continued operating losses, increasing operating expenses, and a significant decrease in cash provided by investing activities, despite a slight increase in revenue.

Positives

  • Total revenue increased by 11.3% to $677,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared to $608,000 in the same period of 2025.
  • Product revenue saw a 12.5% increase, reaching $674,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026.
  • Gross profit increased by 14.9% to $201,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, from $175,000 in the prior year.
  • The company reported $9,021,000 in cash and cash equivalents and $9,386,000 in investments in debt securities as of September 30, 2026, totaling $18,407,000 in readily available liquidity.
  • Management believes current capital resources are sufficient to fund operations for at least twelve months, indicating no substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern.

Negatives

  • Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, increased by 44.3% to $2,373,000 from $1,645,000 in the same period of 2025.
  • Selling, marketing, general, and administrative expenses increased by 21.0% to $3,463,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, from $2,862,000 in the prior year.
  • Cost of sales increased by 9.9% to $476,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, primarily due to higher tariffs.
  • Cash used in operating activities increased significantly to $652,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, from $1,439,000 in the prior year, indicating higher cash burn.
  • A loss on disposal of property and equipment of $220,000 was recognized in the nine-month period of 2026.
  • Licensing and royalties revenue decreased by 66.7% to $3,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026.
  • Interest income decreased by 17.5% to $419,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, due to withdrawals from debt securities.

Risks

  • History of operating losses and uncertainty in achieving or sustaining profitability.
  • Limited history of developing and selling products made from bulk amorphous alloys.
  • Challenges associated with third-party manufacturing of products made from their alloys.
  • Limited history of licensing technology to third parties.
  • Lengthy customer adoption cycles and unpredictable customer adoption practices.
  • Ability to identify, develop, and commercialize new product applications for their technology.
  • Competition from current suppliers of incumbent materials or producers of competing products.
  • Potential for manufacturing problems or delays.

Future Outlook

The company expects to continue to have operating losses for the foreseeable future until it can either increase revenues with shipments of routine, commercial products and parts through third-party contract manufacturers or obtain significant licensing revenues. Management believes current capital resources are sufficient to fund operations for at least twelve months.

Management Comments

  • Stock based compensation was $34 for the three months ended September 30, 2026 and $31 for the three months ended September 30, 2025.
  • We continue to invest in our technology infrastructure to expedite the adoption of our technology, but we have experienced long sales lead times for customer adoption of our technology.
  • Until that time when we can either (i) increase our revenues with shipments of routine, commercial products and parts through third party contract manufacturers or (ii) obtain significant licensing revenues, we expect to continue to have operating losses for the foreseeable future.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that Liquidmetal Technologies operates in the advanced materials sector, specifically focusing on amorphous alloys. This sector is characterized by long development cycles, significant R&D investment, and challenges in scaling manufacturing and market adoption. The company's reliance on third-party manufacturers and lengthy customer adoption cycles are common themes in this industry.

Comparison to Industry Standards

  • The company's gross margin percentage decreased from 54.1% in Q3 2025 to 15.6% in Q3 2026, primarily due to higher tariff costs. This fluctuation is not uncommon for companies in early-stage manufacturing, but sustained low margins would be a concern.
  • Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue remain high (436.0% in Q3 2026), which is typical for companies in the materials technology sector investing heavily in R&D and market development, but it contributes to ongoing losses.
  • The company's net loss for the nine months increased by 44.3%, which is a significant concern. While revenue growth is positive, it is not outpacing the increase in operating expenses and cost of sales, leading to a wider loss.
  • The company's cash position and investments provide a buffer, but the increasing cash burn from operations requires careful management and a clear path to profitability.

Legal Proceedings

  • None.

Related Party Transactions

  • The 2016 Purchase Agreement with Liquidmetal Technology Limited (controlled by Chairman Professor Li) for the purchase of common stock.
  • A cross-license agreement with DongGuan Eontec Co., Ltd. (an affiliate of Yihao, the contract manufacturer) where Professor Li is also Chairman.
  • Equipment and services procured from Yihao, with outstanding payables to Yihao as of September 30, 2026.

Stakeholder Impact

  • Shareholders: Continued operating losses and increasing net loss may negatively impact share value. However, the company's substantial cash reserves provide a degree of stability.
  • Employees: Increased operating expenses, particularly in payroll and factory build-out, suggest continued investment in personnel and infrastructure.
  • Suppliers: The company continues to engage with third-party manufacturers like Yihao, indicating ongoing supplier relationships.
  • Creditors: The company's financial health and ability to meet obligations are supported by its cash and investments, reducing immediate creditor risk.

Next Steps

  • Continue to develop and commercialize products made from proprietary amorphous alloys.
  • Work with third-party manufacturing and commercial partners.
  • Develop a manufacturing facility in Hangzhou, China through a joint venture.
  • Continue research and development efforts on new alloy compositions and processing technologies.
  • Expedite the adoption of their technology through infrastructure investment.

Key Dates

DateDescription
2016-03-10Initial closing of the 2016 Purchase Agreement with Liquidmetal Technology Limited.
2016-10-26Second closing of the 2016 Purchase Agreement.
2017-02-16Company purchased a facility in Lake Forest, CA.
2020-01-23Subsidiary entered into a lease agreement for a portion of the facility.
2022-01-12Manufacturing agreement entered into with Dongguan Yihao Metal Materials Technology Co. Ltd.
2022-01-13Liquidmetal Golf entered into a sublicense agreement with Amorphous Technologies Japan, Inc.
2025-03-26Company entered into a new facility lease agreement.
2025-07-04Liquidmetal Asia Holdings Limited entered into a stockholders agreement to form Hangzhou Feifeng Liquidmetal Co. Ltd. joint venture.
2026-07-03Company terminated facility lease in Hangzhou, China.
2026-09-30Quarterly period ended for the Form 10-Q filing.
2026-11-12Date of the Form 10-Q filing and certifications.

Recommendation

hold

The company shows revenue growth and maintains a strong cash position, which are positive indicators. However, the significant increase in net loss, rising operating expenses, and continued reliance on future revenue streams without a clear path to profitability warrant a cautious approach. The current situation suggests holding the stock to monitor progress on commercialization and cost management rather than initiating new buys or selling existing positions.

Keywords

amorphous alloys, materials technology, manufacturing, product development, licensing, joint venture, financial condition, results of operations

Disclaimer:The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement of any kind. It may contain errors or omissions. You should not rely on this information to make financial decisions. Always seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. Use of this information is at your own risk.