A. O. Smith Reports Strong First Quarter Performance

Rhea-AI Summary

A. O. Smith reported a strong first quarter performance with sales of $979 million, an EPS of $1.00 (up by 19% YoY), and a reaffirmed outlook for 2024. The company showed growth in North America and Rest of World segments, with a focus on high-efficiency water heaters and new product launches. Cash flow remained strong, with a commitment to shareholder returns through buybacks and dividends.

Positive

• Sales increased by 1% to $979 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the prior year.
• Earnings per share (EPS) saw a significant YoY increase of 19% to $1.00.
• Operating cash flow was strong at $107 million, with free cash flow at $85 million.
• The company reaffirmed its 2024 outlook with a sales increase of 3% to 5% and an EPS guidance range of $3.90 to $4.15.
• North America segment sales improved by 2% driven by higher volumes of commercial water heaters and a shift towards high efficiency products.
• Rest of World segment saw a 4% sales increase, driven by new product launches in China and strong demand in India.
• Cash and marketable securities totaled $303.1 million with a leverage ratio of 6.0%.
• The company repurchased 906,000 shares worth $74.5 million in the first quarter and plans to repurchase $300 million worth of shares in 2024.
• A dividend of $0.32 per share was approved for shareholders, payable on May 15, 2024.
• The company expects continued growth in the Rest of World segment, particularly in China and India, reaffirming its sales projection and EPS guidance for 2024.

Negative

• Free cash flow decreased YoY due to higher incentive payments and inventory levels.
• Rest of World segment earnings and margin were impacted by promotions and product mix.
• Cash flow was affected by higher inventory levels offsetting higher earnings and lower accounts payable balances.
• Potential impacts from future acquisitions are excluded from the company's guidance.

Insights

Financial Analyst

A. O. Smith Corporation has reported a modest 1% increase in net sales, which might seem negligible at first glance. However, digging deeper reveals a substantial 19% growth in earnings per share (EPS), indicating enhanced profitability. The ability to bolster earnings amidst single-digit sales growth implies a potentially leaner operation or improved operational efficiency. Such performance could be due to cost management or better product mix, as hinted by the positive mix towards high-efficiency products.

Furthermore, the company's commitment to returning capital to shareholders is evident through a significant share repurchase program, with $74.5 million spent in the first quarter alone and plans to spend $300 million in 2024. A consistently executed buyback program can underpin the EPS growth, as it reduces the number of shares outstanding, thereby distributing profits over fewer shares.

Despite the positive EPS growth, investors should consider the company's sales outlook, projecting a 3% to 5% increase and weigh it against the broader market trends and potential headwinds such as raw material costs and demand fluctuations. The projected EPS growth at mid-point is a robust 6% year-over-year, suggesting confidence in the company's ability to grow earnings even if sales growth remains modest.

Market Research Analyst

The company's performance in the Rest of World segment, particularly in China and India, showcases a strategic pivot towards emerging markets that could drive future growth. The 6% sales growth in China, despite economic challenges, underscores the success of new product launches and adaptability in a complex market. The 16% growth in India speaks to a strong market presence and could be indicative of the company's potential to leverage growth in regions with burgeoning middle-class populations.

However, the Rest of World segment's reduced margin compared to the adjusted prior year signals increased promotional activities and could reflect a necessity to invest in market penetration efforts. This underlines the competitive nature of these markets and the costs associated with maintaining and expanding market share.

First Quarter 2024 Highlights
(Comparisons are year-over-year ("YoY"), unless otherwise noted)

• Sales of $979 million, an increase of 1%
• Earnings per share (EPS) of $1.00, a YoY increase of 19% and an increase of 6% compared to prior year adjusted EPS
• Strong operating cash flow of $107 million and free cash flow of $85 million
• Reaffirm 2024 Outlook:
  • Sales outlook of an increase of 3% to 5%
  • EPS guidance with a range of between $3.90 and $4.15

MILWAUKEE, April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global water technology company A. O. Smith Corporation ("the Company") (NYSE: AOS) today announced its first quarter 2024 results.

Key Financial Metrics

First Quarter

(in millions, except per share amounts)

	Q1 2024		Q1 2023		% Change YoY
Net sales	$	978.8	$	966.4	1 %
Net earnings	$	147.6	$	126.9	16 %
Adjusted earnings	$	147.6	$	142.5¹	4 %
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.00	$	0.84	19 %
Adjusted earnings per share	$	1.00	$	0.94¹	6 %

¹	Excludes impairment expenses related to the company's sale of its business in Turkey in 2023. See accompanying GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations

A. O. Smith delivered a strong performance in the first quarter

"A. O. Smith delivered a strong performance in the first quarter primarily driven by higher sales of our commercial high efficiency water heaters and lower steel costs in North America as we saw continued healthy water heater demand. We achieved sales growth of 6% in China, despite the ongoing macroeconomic challenges in that country, as our recently released kitchen products continue to be well received in the market," noted Kevin J. Wheeler, chairman and chief executive officer. "I am pleased with our global team's efforts in servicing our customers during the quarter."

First Quarter 2024 Segment-level Performance

North America

2024 sales of $766.3 million improved 2% over 2023, primarily driven by higher volumes of commercial water heaters and a positive mix shift toward high efficiency water heaters including heat pumps.

Segment earnings were $198.7 million and segment margin was 25.9% in 2024 compared to segment earnings of $188.6 million and segment margin of 25.1% in 2023. The year-over-year increases in segment earnings and segment margin were primarily due to the benefits of positive mix toward high efficiency products, higher commercial water heater volumes and lower steel costs that were partially offset by higher selling and advertising expenses to support sales growth.

Rest of World

Sales of $226.9 million increased 4% year-over-year, including inter-segment sales of approximately $8 million related to our recently launched tankless water heaters that are manufactured in China for the North America market, as well as an unfavorable currency translation impact of $9 million primarily related to sales in China. The increase in local currency third party sales of 6% in 2024 was primarily driven by higher volumes of kitchen products in China. Sales in India increased 16% in local currency in 2024 as demand remained strong across all product categories.

Segment earnings were $17.2 million and segment margin was 7.6% in 2024 compared to segment earnings of $5.3 million and segment margin of 2.4% in the prior year. 2024 segment margin attributed to third party sales was 7.9%. 2023 adjusted segment earnings and adjusted segment margin, which exclude an impairment charge associated with the company's sale of its business in Turkey, were $17.8 million and 8.1%, respectively. The lower segment earnings and segment margin in 2024 compared to adjusted segment earnings and adjusted segment margin in 2023, were primarily driven by promotions to support the launch of new products in China and product mix.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Capital Allocation

As of March 31, 2024, cash and marketable securities balances totaled $303.1 million and debt totaled $119.7 million, resulting in a leverage ratio of 6.0% as measured by total debt-to-total capitalization.

Cash provided by operations was $106.6 million and free cash flow was $84.6 million in the first three months of 2024, which decreased year-over-year primarily as a result of higher incentive payments associated with record sales and profits earned in 2023 and higher inventory levels that more than offset higher earnings and lower accounts payable balances.

As part of its commitment to return capital to shareholders, the Company repurchased 906,000 shares at a cost of $74.5 million in the first three months of 2024. As of March 31, 2024, authority remained to repurchase approximately 4.6 million additional shares. The Company expects to spend $300 million repurchasing shares in 2024.

On April 9, 2024, the Company's board of directors approved a $0.32 per share dividend for shareholders of record on April 30, payable on May 15. For the full release, click here.

Outlook

2024 Outlook

(in millions except per share amounts)

	2023			2024 Outlook
	Actual			Low End		High End
Net sales	$	3,853		$	3,970	$	4,050
Diluted earnings per share	$	3.69‌‍‎		$	3.90	$	4.15
Adjusted earnings per share	$	3.81²		$	3.90	$	4.15

² Excludes restructuring and impairment expenses. See accompanying GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations

"The water heater industry shipment levels in early 2024 were as we expected and included some pull forward of demand ahead of the March 1 price increases. We expect to continue to benefit from resilient replacement demand as well as an improved outlook for residential new home construction. We are pleased with the growth we achieved in the Rest of World segment in the quarter, particularly in China, where economic challenges persist. We expect the mid-teens growth in India to continue. Given these factors, we reaffirm our 2024 sales projection of an increase between 3% and 5% year-over-year and our full-year EPS guidance of a range of between $3.90 and $4.15, a 6% year-over-year increase at the mid-point," stated Wheeler.

The Company's guidance excludes the potential impacts from future acquisitions.

A. O. Smith will host a webcasted conference call at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) today. The call can be heard live on the Company's website click here. An audio replay of the call will be available on the Company's website after the live event. To access the archived audio replay, go to the "Investors" page and select the First Quarter 2024 Earnings Call link.

To provide improved transparency into the operating results of its business, the Company is providing non-GAAP measures. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operations less capital expenditures. Adjusted earnings, adjusted EPS, adjusted segment earnings and adjusted corporate expenses exclude the impact of impairment expenses. Reconciliations from GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures are provided in the financial information included in this news release.

Forward-looking Statements

This release contains statements that the Company believes are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "continue," "guidance," "outlook" or words of similar meaning. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things, the following: softening in U.S. residential water heater demand; negative impacts to the Company, particularly the demand for its products, resulting from global inflationary pressures or a potential recession in one or more of the markets in which the Company participates; the Company's ability to continue to obtain commodities, components, parts and accessories on a timely basis through its supply chain and at expected costs; negative impacts to demand for the Company's products, particularly commercial products, as a result of changes in commercial property usage that followed the COVID-19 pandemic; further weakening in U.S. residential or commercial construction or instability in the Company's replacement markets; inability of the Company to implement or maintain pricing actions; inconsistent recovery of the Chinese economy or a further decline in the growth rate of consumer spending or housing sales in China; negative impact to the Company's businesses from international tariffs, trade disputes and geopolitical differences, including the conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea; potential further weakening in the high-efficiency gas boiler segment in the U.S.; substantial defaults in payment by, material reduction in purchases by or the loss, bankruptcy or insolvency of a major customer; foreign currency fluctuations; the Company's inability to successfully integrate or achieve its strategic objectives resulting from acquisitions; competitive pressures on the Company's businesses, including new technologies and new competitors; the impact of potential information technology or data security breaches; changes in government regulations or regulatory requirements; the inability to respond to secular trends toward decarbonization and energy efficiency; and adverse developments in general economic, political and business conditions in key regions of the world. Forward-looking statements included in this news release are made only as of the date of this release, and the Company is under no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributed to the Company, or persons acting on its behalf, are qualified entirely by these cautionary statements. 

About A. O. Smith

Celebrating its 150^th year of business, A. O. Smith Corporation, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AOS), the Company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as water treatment products. For more information, visit www.aosmith.com.

SOURCE: A. O. Smith Corporation

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings
(dollars in millions, except share data)
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
Net sales	$	978.8		$	966.4
Cost of products sold		594.1			592.3
Gross profit		384.7			374.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses		192.2			187.2
Impairment expense		—			15.6
Interest expense		1.0			4.0
Other income, net		(1.2)			(4.0)
Earnings before provision for income taxes		192.7			171.3
Provision for income taxes		45.1			44.4
Net earnings	$	147.6		$	126.9
Diluted earnings per share of common stock	$	1.00		$	0.84
Average common shares outstanding (000's omitted)		148,297			151,900

 

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(dollars in millions)
	(Unaudited) March 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	251.6		$	339.9
Marketable securities		51.5			23.5
Receivables		584.6			596.0
Inventories		522.3			497.4
Other current assets		51.5			43.5
Total Current Assets		1,461.5			1,500.3
Net property, plant and equipment		599.0			597.5
Goodwill and other intangibles		985.0			970.1
Operating lease assets		35.7			37.3
Other assets		101.0			108.7
Total Assets	$	3,182.2		$	3,213.9
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Trade payables	$	557.7		$	600.4
Accrued payroll and benefits		54.3			92.2
Accrued liabilities		197.1			177.4
Product warranties		64.3			65.3
Debt due within one year		10.0			10.0
Total Current Liabilities		883.4			945.3
Long-term debt		109.7			117.3
Operating lease liabilities		26.4			27.9
Other liabilities		280.9			279.0
Stockholders' equity		1,881.8			1,844.4
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	3,182.2		$	3,213.9

 

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
Operating Activities
Net earnings	$	147.6		$	126.9
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation & amortization		19.6			19.2
Stock based compensation expense		8.3			7.0
Deferred income taxes		2.9			—
Non-cash impairment		—			15.6
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Current assets and liabilities		(73.7)			(50.6)
Noncurrent assets and liabilities		1.9			1.8
Cash Provided by Operating Activities		106.6			119.9
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures		(22.0)			(10.7)
Acquisitions		(21.1)			—
Investment in marketable securities		(48.1)			(14.7)
Net proceeds from sale of marketable securities		20.0			15.6
Cash Used in Investing Activities		(71.2)			(9.8)
Financing Activities
Long-term debt repaid		(6.8)			(3.7)
Common stock repurchases		(74.5)			(53.1)
Net proceeds from stock option activity		8.0			4.7
Dividends paid		(47.3)			(45.4)
Cash Used in Financing Activities		(120.6)			(97.5)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(3.1)			2.4
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(88.3)			15.0
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period		339.9			391.2
Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period	$	251.6		$	406.2

 

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
Business Segments
(dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
Net sales
North America	$	766.3		$	752.7
Rest of World		226.9			219.1
Inter-segment sales		(14.4)			(5.4)
	$	978.8		$	966.4
Earnings
North America	$	198.7		$	188.6
Rest of World(1)		17.2			5.3
Inter-segment earnings elimination		(0.3)			—
		215.6			193.9
Corporate expense(2)		(21.9)			(18.6)
Interest expense		(1.0)			(4.0)
Earnings before income taxes		192.7			171.3
Provision for incomes taxes		45.1			44.4
Net earnings	$	147.6		$	126.9
Additional Information
(1) Adjustments: Rest of World
includes impairment expense of:	$	—		$	12.5
(2) Adjustments: Corporate expense
includes impairment expense of:	$	—		$	3.1

 

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings Per Share
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)
The following is a reconciliation of net earnings and diluted earnings per share to adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP):
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
Net Earnings (GAAP)	$	147.6		$	126.9
Impairment expense, before tax		—			15.6
Tax effect on above items		—			—
Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP)	$	147.6		$	142.5
Diluted Earnings Per Share (GAAP)	$	1.00		$	0.84
Impairment expense per diluted share, before tax		—			0.10
Tax effect on above items per diluted share		—			—
Adjusted Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP)	$	1.00		$	0.94

 

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
Adjusted Segment Earnings
(dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
The following is a reconciliation of reported earnings before provision for income taxes to total segment earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted segment earnings (non-GAAP):
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
Earnings Before Provision for Income Taxes (GAAP)	$	192.7		$	171.3
Add: Corporate expense(1)		21.9			18.6
Add: Interest expense		1.0			4.0
Total Segment Earnings (non-GAAP)	$	215.6		$	193.9
North America	$	198.7		$	188.6
Rest of World(2)		17.2			5.3
Inter-segment earnings elimination		(0.3)			—
Total Segment Earnings (non-GAAP)	$	215.6		$	193.9
Additional Information
(1)Corporate expense	$	(21.9)		$	(18.6)
Impairment expense, before tax		—			3.1
Adjusted Corporate expense (non-GAAP)	$	(21.9)		$	(15.5)
(2)Rest of World	$	17.2		$	5.3
Impairment expense, before tax		—			12.5
Adjusted Rest of World (non-GAAP)	$	17.2		$	17.8

 

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
Free Cash Flow
(dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
The following is a reconciliation of reported cash flow from operating activities to free cash flow (non-GAAP):
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
Cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)	$	106.6		$	119.9
Less: Capital expenditures		(22.0)			(10.7)
Free cash flow (non-GAAP)	$	84.6		$	109.2

 

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
2024 Adjusted EPS Guidance and 2023 Adjusted EPS
(unaudited)
The following is a reconciliation of diluted EPS to adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) (all items are net of tax):
	2024 Guidance			2023
Diluted EPS (GAAP)	$	3.90 - 4.15		$	3.69
Restructuring and impairment expense		—			0.12	(1)
Adjusted EPS (non-GAAP)	$	3.90 - 4.15		$	3.81

(1)	Includes pre-tax restructuring and impairment expenses of $15.7 million and $3.1 million, within the Rest of World segment and Corporate expenses, respectively.

 

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SOURCE A. O. Smith Corporation

FAQ

What were A. O. Smith 's sales in the first quarter of 2024?

A. O. Smith reported sales of $979 million in the first quarter of 2024.

By how much did the EPS increase YoY in the first quarter of 2024?

The EPS increased by 19% YoY to $1.00 in the first quarter of 2024.

What is A. O. Smith 's 2024 sales outlook?

A. O. Smith reaffirmed its 2024 sales outlook with an increase of 3% to 5%.

How much did the North America segment's sales improve by in the first quarter of 2024?

The North America segment's sales improved by 2% in the first quarter of 2024.

What dividend per share was approved for A. O. Smith 's shareholders?

A dividend of $0.32 per share was approved for A. O. Smith 's shareholders.

What impacted the Rest of World segment's earnings and margin in 2024?

The Rest of World segment's earnings and margin were impacted by promotions and product mix in 2024.