JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Duos Technologies Group, Inc. ("Duos" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:DUOT), reported financial results for the second quarter ("Q2 2024") ended June 30, 2024. Second Quarter 2024 and Recent Operational Highlights Closed initial 5-Year support services and data sharing agreement with Class 1 railroad valued at $10.9 million. The agreement provides full data availability for 7 existing client portals. Additionally, we now have data available from an eighth portal from a Mexican railroad, which we plan to leverage all 8 portals for subscription marketing starting in Q3. Over 2.3 million comprehensive railcar scans were performed in the second quarter across 13 portals, with more than 383,000 unique railcars scanned. This metric encompasses all railcars scanned at locations across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, representing approximately 24% of the total freight car population in North America. Delivered and installed Edge Data Center for Amtrak at the Secaucus location. Initial construction work beginning at the site and negotiating contract modifications for additional products and services. Received 10th Patent for "Device to Capture High Resolution images of a Train as it passes through an Inspection Portal", covering all aspects of the automated visual inspection of railcars. The Company has a further 6 patents pending for visualization of moving objects and expects to announce major product and feature enhancements over the next 6 – 9 months. Announced formation of new subsidiary, "Duos Edge AI" aimed at expanding Duos business into the Edge Data Center ("EDC") market. First three EDCs now in production with expected delivery to field in Q3 and with initial customer indications of approximately $1 million in annual recurring revenue starting in Q4. Initial debt funding secured for EDC production. Formed new subsidiary, Duos Energy Corporation, aimed at additional market expansion into the increasing demand for power to support new data centers. Using our existing in-house expertise to support the massive demand for AI, Edge computing, and 5G rollout this new subsidiary is aligned with our strategy to be an important part of the overall AI value chain. As of the end of the second quarter, the Company now has $19.6 million of revenue in backlog including near-term extensions and renewals and expects $6.9 million to be recognized during the remainder of 2024. Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results It should be noted that the following Financial Results represent the consolidation of the Company with its subsidiaries Duos Technologies, Inc. and Duos Edge AI, Inc. Total revenues for Q2 2024 decreased 15% to $1.51 million compared to $1.77 million in the second quarter of 2023 ("Q2 2023"). Total revenue for Q2 2024 represents an aggregate of approximately $265,000 of technology systems revenue and approximately $1,245,000 in recurring services and consulting revenue. Although overall revenue decreased in the second quarter, compared to the same quarter last year, there was a 38% increase in recurring services and consulting revenue for the same comparison period as a result of new AI and subscription customers that were not present in the same quarter last year as well as increases in service contract revenue due to higher service contract prices. Cost of revenues for Q2 2024 increased 13% to $1.73 million compared to $1.53 million for Q2 2023. The increase in cost of revenues was driven by $473,069 in amortization expenses recorded in 2024 to offset site revenue related to a nonmonetary transaction for the new services and data agreement signed during the quarter. Gross margin for Q2 2024 decreased 189% to negative $215,000 compared to $241,000 for Q2 2023 reflecting the temporary decline in technology revenues which was not completely offset by related ongoing costs to support that revenue segment. This is expected to be mitigated in future quarters as currently delayed projects are re-started. Operating expenses for Q2 2024 decreased 11% to $3.00 million compared to $3.39 million for Q2 2023. The decrease in expenses is attributed to reductions in development and administrative costs due to the completion of certain activities and the impact of previously implemented cost reductions. Stable operating expenses are expected for the remainder of 2024 while we continue to focus on further efficiencies to support anticipated revenue growth. The decrease in operating expenses is slightly offset by additional investments in sales resources for expanding the commercial team that was made in the latter half of 2023. The Company implemented a 5% reduction in staff in early Q3. Net operating loss for Q2 2024 totaled $3.22 million compared to net operating loss of $3.15 million for Q2 2023. Operating losses were higher than the comparative quarter a year ago, but the increase was proportionally less than the relative decrease in revenues and gross margin should have produced. Net loss for Q2 2024 totaled $3.20 million compared to net loss of $2.99 million for Q2 2023. The 7% increase in net loss was mostly attributed to the decrease in revenues as described above from timing delays but was smaller than expected as we were successful in driving down operating costs, a trend which is expected to continue. Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2024 totaled $0.51 million compared to $2.44 million at December 31, 2023. In addition, the Company had over $1.27 million in receivables and contract assets for a total of approximately $1.77 million in cash and expected short-term liquidity. Six Month 2024 Financial Results Total revenue decreased 42% to $2.58 million from $4.41 million in the same period last year. Total revenue for the first six months of 2024 represents an aggregate of approximately $0.53 million of technology systems revenue and approximately $2.05 million in recurring services and consulting revenue. An increase in recurring revenues by 19% was offset by the decrease in technology systems revenue. Total revenue was impacted by delays in the delivery of two high-speed RIPs for a passenger transit client. Growth of the services portion of revenues was driven by the successful completion and implementation of artificial intelligence detections and represents services and support for those detections as well as increases in service contract revenue due to higher service contract prices. Cost of revenues decreased 26% to $2.70 million from $3.64 million in the same period last year. The decrease in cost of revenues was a result of timing of project work ongoing for the Company. Gross margin decreased 115% to negative $120,000 from $779,000 in the same period last year. The decrease in gross margin was driven by the timing of business activity in Q2 2024 related to the manufacturing of two high-speed, transit-focused RIPs for one customer. As previously mentioned, the temporary decline in technology revenues was not completely offset by related ongoing costs to support that revenue segment. Operating expenses decreased 4% to $5.86 million from $6.07 million in the same period last year. The Company experienced a slight decrease in overall operating expenses due to reductions in development costs and a decrease in administrative costs, primarily from a reduction in workforce. However, this was partially offset by an increase in sales and marketing expenses, driven by the continued expansion of our commercial team begun in the latter half of 2023 as we prepare to enter new markets. Net operating loss totaled $5.98 million compared to net operating loss of $5.30 million in the same period last year. The increase in loss from operations was primarily the result of lower revenues recorded in the first and second quarters as a consequence of the delays previously noted, offset by continued increases in services and consulting revenue. Net loss totaled $5.96 million compared to a net loss of $5.13 million in the same period last year. The increase in net loss was mostly attributable to the decrease in revenues as previously noted above, partially offset by the increase in services and consulting revenue and decrease in operating expenses. Financial Outlook At the end of the second quarter, the Company's contracts in backlog and near-term renewals and extensions is now more than $19.6 million in revenue, of which approximately $6.9 million is expected to be recognized during the remainder of 2024. The balance of contract backlog is comprised of multi-year service and software agreements as well as project revenues. It should be noted that $10.7 million of the revenue in backlog is for data access to support the new subscription business and is accounted for as a "non-monetary exchange" that resulted from an amendment to a Master Material and Service Purchase Agreement with a Class 1 railroad. Any new subscription business going forward will be offset by royalty payments by Duos. The agreement gives Duos the rights to use and resell all data acquired by seven portals owned by the Class I railroad. The initial decrease in cash receivables is expected to be offset from revenues for data subscriptions to owners and lessors of railcar assets for the provision of mechanical and safety data and longer-term provide an expected growing, high-margin, revenue stream from subscribers. Duos anticipates an improvement in operating results to be reflected over the next 12 months as a result of the new initiatives described in this release. Results are expected to improve in Q3 and the Company will provide further updates as they become available. Management Commentary "The Company continues to focus on establishing the foundation for long-term, sustainable growth particularly in the area of new business development and market expansion, patent awards and building our subscription data offering," said Chuck Ferry, Duos CEO. "The agreement executed with one of our major Class 1 customers represented the culmination of almost 12 months of negotiation and gives us a platform to supply safety data to all North American rail customers for both freight and transit. While I continue to be dissatisfied with our short-term financial performance, I am encouraged by the growth in our recurring revenues and the fast start of our EDC business." Conference Call The Company's management will host a conference call today, August 13, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time) to discuss these results, followed by a question-and-answer period. Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time) U.S. dial-in: 877-407-3088 International dial-in: 201-389-0927 Confirmation: 13747856 Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time of the conference call. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact The conference call will be broadcast live via telephone and available for online replay via the investor section of the Company's website here. About Duos Technologies Group, Inc. Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOT), based in Jacksonville, Florida, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Duos Technologies, Inc. and Duos Edge AI, Inc., designs, develops, deploys, and operates intelligent technology solutions for Machine Vision and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications including real-time analysis of fast-moving vehicles and Edge Data Centers. For more information, visit www.duostech.com and www.duosedge.ai. Forward- Looking StatementsThis news release includes forward-looking statements regarding the Company's financial results and estimates and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements relate to future events and typically address the Company's expected future business and financial performance. The forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, information regarding anticipated timing for the installation, development and delivery dates of our systems; anticipated entry into additional contracts; anticipated effects of macro-economic factors (including effects relating to supply chain disruptions and inflation); timing with respect to revenue recognition; trends in the rate at which our costs increase relative to increases in our revenue; anticipated reductions in costs due to changes in the Company's organizational structure; potential increases in revenue, including increases in recurring revenue; potential changes in gross margin (including the timing thereof); statements regarding our backlog and potential revenues deriving therefrom; and statements about future profitability and potential growth of the Company. Words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "plan," "aim," "will," "may," "should," "could," "intend," "estimate," "project," "forecast," "target," "potential" and other words and terms of similar meaning, typically identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, the Company's ability to generate sufficient cash to continue and expand operations, the competitive environment generally and in the Company's specific market areas, changes in technology, the availability of and the terms of financing, changes in costs and availability of goods and services, economic conditions in general and in the Company's specific market areas, changes in federal, state and/or local government laws and regulations potentially affecting the use of the Company's technology, changes in operating strategy or development plans and the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in the Company's most recently filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which are available at the SEC's website, http://www.sec.gov. The Company believes its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. No assurance, however, can be given that the Company will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Indeed, it is likely that some of the Company's assumptions may prove to be incorrect. The Company's actual results and financial position may vary from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements and the variances may be material. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the Company or other matters attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above.   DUOS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)                   For the Three Months Ended   For the Three Months Ended   For the Six Months Ended   For the Six Months Ended   June 30,   June 30,   June 30,   June 30,   2024   2023   2024   2023                 REVENUES:               Technology systems $ 264,999     $ 870,494     $ 534,854     $ 2,698,258   Services and consulting   1,245,497       899,565       2,046,322       1,716,089                   Total Revenues   1,510,496       1,770,059       2,581,176       4,414,347                   COST OF REVENUES:               Technology systems   780,912       1,072,106       1,364,349       2,839,315   Services and consulting   944,148       456,616       1,336,759       796,523                   Total Cost of Revenues   1,725,060       1,528,722       2,701,108       3,635,838                   GROSS MARGIN   (214,564 )     241,337       (119,932 )     778,509                   OPERATING EXPENSES:               Sales and marketing   712,456       301,077       1,265,942       608,654   Research and development   390,000       537,801       772,142       942,686   General and administration   1,899,396       2,550,709       3,819,446