Quarta-Rad, Inc.
A niche developer of radiation detection technology facing severe revenue decline and negative profitability in the national security sector.
A niche developer of radiation detection technology facing severe revenue decline and negative profitability in the national security sector.
Investors might view QURT as a distressed opportunity with low float and potential for a turnaround if new government contracts are secured. The company holds substantial long-term assets and significant non-cash adjustments that could be utilized to stabilize operations or refinance debt. If the national security budget expands, Quarta-Rad's specialized technology could see rapid demand recovery, offering high asymmetric upside.
The stock carries extreme downside risk given the consistent revenue collapse and a net profit deficit exceeding two hundred thousand dollars in the latest year. Liquidity is threatened by current liabilities of nearly $401k against only $63k in cash, suggesting a precarious solvency position without new financing. The lack of positive operating cash flow and a growing retained earnings deficit signals that management cannot sustain current operations independently.
Quarta-Rad, Inc. (QURT) develops and markets specialized radiation detection systems primarily serving national security, homeland defense, and commercial nuclear sectors. The company focuses on high-value niche applications requiring advanced technological expertise in radiation monitoring and protection. Recent financials reflect a significant contraction in revenue and substantial operating losses driven by declining demand or strategic restructuring.
The company experienced a dramatic decline in revenue from $1.1 million in 2022 to just $106,797 in the latest period, coinciding with a net profit deficit of -$216,755. Operating expenses surged to $246,549 while operating cash flow turned negative at -$75,124, indicating that core business operations are burning cash. Despite significant investing cash inflows from asset sales or securities proceeds, the firm's fundamental profitability remains deeply compromised by a widening gap between revenue and costs.
The radiation detection industry serves critical national security and commercial needs where regulatory compliance and technological precision are paramount. Market dynamics are heavily influenced by government spending cycles in defense and homeland security, leading to high volatility but potentially large contract values. Competition is low among qualified vendors due to stringent certification requirements, yet the addressable market can fluctuate significantly with policy changes.
| Metric | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $1.1M | $508.3K | $106.8K |
| Cost of Revenue | $703.8K | $325.0K | $67.1K |
| Gross Profit | $396.6K | $183.4K | $39.7K |
| Operating Expenses | $259.2K | $196.1K | $246.5K |
| Operating Income | $137.4K | $-12.8K | $-206.9K |
| G&A | $47.7K | $31.5K | $141.5K |
| Depreciation | $800 | $800 | $800 |
| Other OpEx | $211.5K | $164.6K | $105.0K |
| Non-Operating Income | $-119.0K | $69.1K | $25.1K |
| Pre-Tax Income | $18.5K | $56.3K | $-181.8K |
| Income Tax | $3.9K | $11.8K | $35.0K |
| Continuing Ops | $14.6K | $44.5K | $-216.8K |
| Discontinued Ops | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net Income | $14.6K | $44.5K | $-216.8K |
| Minority Interest | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net to Common | $14.6K | $44.5K | $-216.8K |
| Metric | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Assets | $715.5K | $243.3K | $140.1K |
| Cash & Equivalents | $293.9K | $72.6K | $63.0K |
| Marketable Securities | $173.9K | $52.1K | $5 |
| Accounts Receivable | $61.7K | — | $6.2K |
| Inventory | $186.1K | $30.4K | $3.1K |
| Other Current Assets | $0 | $88.1K | $67.8K |
| Long-Term Assets | $38.3K | $440.0K | $437.7K |
| PP&E (Net) | $2.4K | $1.6K | $770 |
| Other LT Assets | $35.9K | $438.5K | $437.0K |
| Total Assets | $753.8K | $683.3K | $577.8K |
| Current Liabilities | $404.7K | $289.7K | $401.0K |
| Long-Term Liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Liabilities | $404.7K | $289.7K | $401.0K |
| Shareholders' Equity | $349.1K | $393.6K | $176.8K |
| Retained Earnings | $807 | $45.3K | $-171.5K |
| Total L&E | $753.8K | $683.3K | $577.8K |
| Metric | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Income (CFO) | $14.6K | $44.5K | $-216.8K |
| Non-Cash Adjustments | $-67.8K | $250.0K | $20.7K |
| Working Capital Changes | $253.2K | $-244.7K | $120.9K |
| Cash from Operations | $200.0K | $49.8K | $-75.1K |
| Cash from Investing | $-166.3K | $-271.0K | $65.5K |
| Cash from Financing | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FX Effect | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net Change in Cash | $33.7K | $-221.3K | $-9.6K |
| Beginning Cash | $260.2K | $293.9K | $72.6K |
| Ending Cash | $293.9K | $72.6K | $63.0K |
Revenue is derived from specialized radiation detection systems for government defense contracts, homeland security applications, and commercial nuclear safety markets. Operations likely include product sales, system integration services, and potentially R&D grants or subsidies given the non-controlling interest absence and heavy reliance on specific long-term assets. The company may also generate income from proprietary software solutions associated with its hardware platforms.
Severe revenue contraction over the last three years indicates potential loss of major government contracts or a structural decline in market demand. Persistent negative net income and operating cash flow suggest an inability to achieve profitability without external capital injections or asset sales. High current liabilities relative to current assets create liquidity pressure, exacerbated by a growing retained earnings deficit. Dependence on a limited number of large defense contractors exposes the company to significant single-client concentration risk.
Possesses deep domain expertise and regulatory certifications required for high-security radiation detection markets which act as a significant barrier to entry. Holds specialized intellectual property in detector technology that differentiates its products from generic security equipment manufacturers. Established relationships with federal agencies provide stable, albeit volatile, revenue streams insulated from typical consumer market cycles.
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