Applied Industrial Technologies Reports Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Results and Announces Strategic Automation Acquisition

Rhea-AI Summary

Applied Industrial Technologies reported a 1.3% increase in net sales to $1.1 billion in fiscal 2024 third quarter, with net income of $97.2 million and EBITDA of $135.7 million. The company signed an agreement to acquire Grupo Kopar to expand its automation platform. The updated fiscal 2024 guidance projects adjusted EPS of $9.55 to $9.70, sales growth of 1.5% to 2.5%, and EBITDA margins of 12.0% to 12.1%.

Positive

• Net sales increased by 1.3% year-over-year to $1.1 billion.
• Net income was reported at $97.2 million, with EBITDA reaching $135.7 million.
• The company signed a definitive agreement to acquire Grupo Kopar, enhancing its automation platform.
• Updated fiscal 2024 guidance projects adjusted EPS of $9.55 to $9.70, sales growth of 1.5% to 2.5%, and EBITDA margins of 12.0% to 12.1%.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Examining the results, there's a modest growth in net sales attributed to strategic acquisitions and positive foreign currency translation. The organic growth rate represents resilience in the Service Center operations but raises a flag on the Engineered Solutions segment, suggesting a deeper dive into segment performance may be warranted. However, the net income and earnings per share do reflect a healthy bottom line. The inclusion of Last In, First Out (LIFO) expense indicates conservative inventory accounting, which in times of inflation can depress reported earnings, so the reduced LIFO expense year-over-year does have a positive impact on net income. The updated fiscal guidance shows cautious optimism, factoring in current economic uncertainties and potential easing of demand. It's worth considering how the projected EBITDA margins and adjusted EPS range align with industry standards.

M&A Expert

The strategic acquisition of Grupo Kopar is a notable move, poised to strengthen Applied Industrial Technologies' position in the automation space, particularly in Mexico. The integration of high-value robotics and IIoT capabilities from Kopar could offer long-term revenue streams and margin improvements. Investors should gauge the synergy potential against integration costs. It's critical to monitor how the acquisition will be financed, the impact on leverage ratios and whether the transaction will be accretive to earnings within the expected timeframe. Moreover, the company's guidance notably excludes contributions from Kopar, indicating conservatism in forecasts and possible upside if the acquisition performs well.

Market Analyst

The positive dividend announcement serves as a signal of confidence in the company's cash-generating ability, which is to be expected with the reported strong operating cash flow and healthy free cash flow figures. Yet, dividends also reflect the company's approach to capital allocation and it remains to be seen whether this is the most efficient use of capital given the current investment in growth via acquisitions. For stakeholders, balancing dividends with growth investments is a perennial question and the right balance could spell the difference in long-term value creation.

• Net Sales of $1.1 Billion Up 1.3% YoY; Up 0.7% on an Organic Daily Basis
• Net Income of $97.2 Million, or $2.48 Per Share; EBITDA of $135.7 Million
• Operating Cash Flow of $84.2 Million; Free Cash Flow of $76.7 Million
• Signed Definitive Agreement to Acquire Grupo Kopar, Expanding Automation Platform
• Updating Fiscal 2024 Guidance

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT), a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies, today reported results for its fiscal 2024 third quarter ended March 31, 2024.

Net sales for the quarter of $1.1 billion increased 1.3% over the prior year. The change includes a 1.2% increase from acquisitions and a 0.2% increase from foreign currency translation, partially offset by a negative 0.8% selling day impact. Excluding these factors, sales increased 0.7% on an organic daily basis reflecting a 2.6% increase in the Service Center segment and a 3.2% decrease in the Engineered Solutions segment. The Company reported net income of $­­­97.2 million, or $2.48 per share, and EBITDA of $135.7 million. On a pre-tax basis, results include $4.8 million ($0.10 after tax per share) of LIFO expense compared to $8.2 million ($0.16 after tax per share) of LIFO expense in the prior-year period.

Neil A. Schrimsher, Applied’s President & Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Third quarter sales exceeded our expectations with the year-over-year trend gradually improving as the quarter progressed. Growth was led by our core Service Center operations where our technical industry position and internal initiatives are augmenting steady break-fix demand. This encouraging trend is a favorable indicator for our broader business and growth potential moving forward. In addition, we remain positive on our Engineered Solutions segment ahead of fiscal 2025 considering a constructive outlook across technology, automation, and process markets. Lastly, EBITDA margins were impacted by unfavorable expense absorption and mix against modest sales growth during the quarter. We expect these headwinds to alleviate near-term, and we remain on track to achieve record cash generation for the year.”

Mr. Schrimsher added, “I’m also excited to announce a key strategic step in the expansion of our automation platform with an agreement to acquire Grupo Kopar (Kopar), a provider of emerging automation technologies and engineered solutions primarily across Mexico. In addition to expanding our automation footprint with a market leader in this key growth geography, Kopar has strong alignment with our strategy focused on high-value robotics, machine vision, and IIoT applications. The acquisition will add approximately 200 new associates to our growing automation team and is expected to close in the coming weeks. Overall, we see significant potential and synergies building across our automation platform that stand to enhance our growth and earnings potential into fiscal 2025 and beyond. We look forward to welcoming Kopar to Applied and leveraging their capabilities going forward.”

Updated Fiscal 2024 Guidance
For fiscal 2024, the Company now projects EPS of $9.55 to $9.70 on an adjusted basis (prior $9.35 to $9.70), sales growth of 1.5% to 2.5% (prior 1% to 3%) including 0.5% to 1.5% on an organic daily basis (prior 0% to 2%), and EBITDA margins of 12.0% to 12.1% (prior 12.1% to 12.3%). Updated adjusted EPS guidance excludes the $3.0 million tax benefit recorded in the fiscal 2024 second quarter related to a deferred tax valuation allowance adjustment. Guidance incorporates current economic uncertainty and assumptions of easing end-market demand near term, as well as ongoing inflationary headwinds. Guidance does not assume contribution from Kopar (pending the transaction close) or future acquisitions.

Dividend
Today the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.37 per common share, payable on May 31, 2024, to shareholders of record on May 15, 2024.

Conference Call Information
The Company will host a conference call at 10 a.m. ET today to discuss the quarter’s results and outlook. A live audio webcast and supplemental presentation can be accessed on our Investor Relations site at https://ir.applied.com. To join by telephone, dial 888-660-6573 (toll free) or 929-203-0881 using conference ID 6868675. Replays of the call will be available via webcast, as well as by telephone for one week by dialing 800-770-2030 (toll free) or 647-362-9199 using conference ID 6868675.

About Applied^®
Applied Industrial Technologies is a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies. Our leading brands, specialized services, and comprehensive knowledge serve MRO and OEM end users in virtually all industrial markets through our multi-channel capabilities that provide choice, convenience, and expertise. For more information, visit www.applied.com.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. Applied intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are often identified by qualifiers such as “expect,” “see,” “assume,” “will,” “guidance” and derivative or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors including trends and events in the industrial sector of the economy (such as the inflationary environment and supply chain strains), results of operations, and financial condition, and other risk factors identified in Applied's most recent periodic report and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, and the making of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by Applied or any other person that the results expressed therein will be achieved. Applied assumes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, or events, or otherwise.

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended March 31,							Nine Months Ended March 31,
		2024			2023				2024			2023
Net Sales	$	1,146,390		$	1,132,035			$	3,318,731		$	3,254,720
Cost of sales		808,144			798,917				2,338,313			2,306,314
Gross Profit		338,246			333,118				980,418			948,406
Selling, distribution and administrative expense,
including depreciation		217,040			206,207				623,938			602,070
Operating Income		121,206			126,911				356,480			346,336
Interest expense, net		265			4,773				3,502			17,438
Other (income) expense, net		(1,724	)		(142	)			(4,217	)		1,624
Income Before Income Taxes		122,665			122,280				357,195			327,274
Income tax expense		25,448			25,093				74,924			72,750
Net Income	$	97,217		$	97,187			$	282,271		$	254,524
Net Income Per Share - Basic	$	2.51		$	2.52			$	7.29		$	6.60
Net Income Per Share - Diluted	$	2.48		$	2.47			$	7.18		$	6.49
Average Shares Outstanding - Basic		38,675			38,617				38,707			38,574
Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted		39,252			39,268				39,291			39,203
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1) Applied uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuing U.S. inventory. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can only be made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management's estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory determination.

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
				March 31, 2024			June 30, 2023
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents				$	456,533		$	344,036
Accounts receivable, net					710,195			708,395
Inventories					503,910			501,184
Other current assets					97,044			93,192
Total current assets					1,767,682			1,646,807
Property, net					115,325			115,041
Operating lease assets, net					95,569			100,677
Intangibles, net					220,840			235,549
Goodwill					588,713			578,418
Other assets					66,814			66,840
Total Assets				$	2,854,943		$	2,743,332
Liabilities
Accounts payable				$	271,185		$	301,685
Current portion of long-term debt					25,107			25,170
Other accrued liabilities					172,114			213,489
Total current liabilities					468,406			540,344
Long-term debt					571,862			596,926
Other liabilities					145,651			147,625
Total Liabilities					1,185,919			1,284,895
Shareholders' Equity					1,669,024			1,458,437
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity				$	2,854,943		$	2,743,332

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
		Nine Months Ended March 31,
			2024				2023
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income		$	282,271			$	254,524
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property			17,567				16,598
Amortization of intangibles			21,601				23,189
Provision for losses on accounts receivable			1,001				4,676
Amortization of stock appreciation rights and options			2,570				2,322
Other share-based compensation expense			7,508				7,419
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions			(77,403	)			(142,092	)
Other, net			(2,956	)			(2,609	)
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities			252,159				164,027
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired			(21,440	)			(35,667	)
Capital expenditures			(17,354	)			(20,809	)
Proceeds from property sales			514				226
Net Cash used in Investing Activities			(38,280	)			(56,250	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net repayments under revolving credit facility			-				(27,000	)
Long-term debt repayments			(25,188	)			(40,185	)
Interest rate swap settlement receipts			10,839				5,501
Purchases of treasury shares			(28,875	)			(716	)
Dividends paid			(41,524	)			(39,829	)
Acquisition holdback payments			(681	)			(1,510	)
Taxes paid for shares withheld for equity awards			(15,874	)			(7,914	)
Exercise of stock appreciation rights and options			127				127
Net Cash used in Financing Activities			(101,176	)			(111,526	)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash			(206	)			1,402
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			112,497				(2,347	)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period			344,036				184,474
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period		$	456,533			$	182,127

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

The Company supplemented the reporting of financial information determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) with reporting of non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful information to assist shareholders in understanding financial results, assessing prospects for future performance, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for reported results. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of operations that, when viewed with GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of the business. The Company strongly encourages investors and shareholders to review company financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

Reconciliation of Net income and Net income per share, GAAP financial measures, with Adjusted Net income and Adjusted Net income per share, non-GAAP financial measures:
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Pre-tax		Tax Effect			Net of Tax			Per Share Diluted Impact			Tax Rate
Net income and net income per share	$	122,280	$	25,093		$	97,187		$	2.47		20.5	%
Tax valuation allowance adjustment, net		-		3,657			(3,657	)		(0.09	)	3.0	%
Adjusted net income and net income per share	$	122,280	$	28,750		$	93,530		$	2.38		23.5	%
	Nine Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Pre-tax		Tax Effect			Net of Tax			Per Share Diluted Impact			Tax Rate
Net income and net income per share	$	357,195	$	74,924		$	282,271		$	7.18		21.0	%
Tax valuation allowance adjustment		-		3,046			(3,046	)		(0.08	)	0.8	%
Adjusted net income and net income per share	$	357,195	$	77,970		$	279,225		$	7.10		21.8	%
	Nine Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Pre-tax		Tax Effect			Net of Tax			Per Share Diluted Impact			Tax Rate
Net income and net income per share	$	327,274	$	72,750		$	254,524		$	6.49		22.2	%
Tax valuation allowance adjustment, net		-		3,657			(3,657	)		(0.09	)	1.1	%
Adjusted net income and net income per share	$	327,274	$	76,407		$	250,867		$	6.40		23.3	%

Reconciliation of Net Income, a GAAP financial measure, to EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure:
	Three Months Ended March 31,					Nine Months Ended March 31,
		2024		2023			2024		2023
Net Income	$	97,217	$	97,187		$	282,271	$	254,524
Interest expense, net		265		4,773			3,502		17,438
Income tax expense		25,448		25,093			74,924		72,750
Depreciation and amortization of property		5,802		5,565			17,567		16,598
Amortization of intangibles		6,951		7,670			21,601		23,189
EBITDA	$	135,683	$	140,288		$	399,865	$	384,499
The Company defines EBITDA as Earnings from operations before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization, a non-GAAP financial measure.  EBITDA excludes items that may not be indicative of core operating results, a non-GAAP financial measure.

Reconciliation of Net Cash provided by Operating activities, a GAAP financial measure, to Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP financial measure:
	Three Months Ended March 31,							Nine Months Ended March 31,
		2024			2023				2024			2023
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities	$	84,192		$	75,204			$	252,159		$	164,027
Capital expenditures		(7,491	)		(7,992	)			(17,354	)		(20,809	)
Free Cash Flow	$	76,701		$	67,212			$	234,805		$	143,218
Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, a non-GAAP financial measure.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240425684444/en/

Ryan D. Cieslak

Director – Investor Relations & Treasury

216-426-4887 / rcieslak@applied.com

Source: Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

FAQ

What was Applied Industrial Technologies' net sales in the fiscal 2024 third quarter?

Applied Industrial Technologies reported net sales of $1.1 billion in the fiscal 2024 third quarter.

How much was the net income reported by Applied Industrial Technologies?

Applied Industrial Technologies reported a net income of $97.2 million.

What was the EBITDA reported by Applied Industrial Technologies?

Applied Industrial Technologies reported an EBITDA of $135.7 million.

What strategic acquisition did Applied Industrial Technologies announce in the PR?

Applied Industrial Technologies announced the acquisition of Grupo Kopar to expand its automation platform.

What is the updated EPS guidance for Applied Industrial Technologies for fiscal 2024?

The updated EPS guidance for Applied Industrial Technologies for fiscal 2024 is $9.55 to $9.70 on an adjusted basis.