AZZ Inc. Reports Fiscal Year 2024 Third Quarter Results
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Insights
The reported increase in sales, profits and cash flow for AZZ Inc. indicates a positive performance trajectory in the industrial coatings sector. A detailed examination of the financial metrics reveals a substantial 55.9% rise in diluted EPS and a 78.3% surge in adjusted net income, which are significant when compared to the industry average growth rates. The company's ability to reduce debt by $25 million in the quarter, thereby achieving a net leverage of 3.1x, showcases a strategic focus on deleveraging and enhancing equity value.
Moreover, the improvement in Adjusted EBITDA margin to 22.6% from 18.5% reflects not only an increase in operational efficiency but also a favorable product mix. This margin expansion surpasses typical industry benchmarks, indicating that AZZ's operational improvements have outpaced those of competitors. The segment-specific EBITDA margins, with Metal Coatings at 30.0% and Precoat Metals at 18.4%, highlight the differential success of these divisions, possibly due to varying market conditions and operational focus.
The growth in sales for AZZ's Metal Coatings and Precoat Metals segments suggests a resilient demand in the respective markets, particularly in transmission, distribution, bridge and highway markets. The reported segment performance indicates a strategic alignment with infrastructure spending trends, which is a key driver for these product lines. The company's ability to achieve strong conversion-selling and value pricing to counterbalance inflationary pressures indicates a robust pricing strategy that could serve as a model for other firms facing similar cost headwinds.
The mention of end-market softness in construction, HVAC and transportation markets provides a nuanced view of the broader economic landscape, where certain sectors may be experiencing slower growth. This could signal a potential shift in the company's strategic focus or an area where investors might anticipate future challenges or opportunities for AZZ.
The financial results of AZZ Inc. offer insights into the broader economic environment, particularly in the industrial sector. The company's performance, especially in the context of organic sales growth and operational efficiency improvements, indicates a favorable economic condition for the industrial coatings industry. However, the reference to certain end-market softness could be indicative of early signs of sector-specific slowdowns, which may have broader economic implications.
The capital expenditure of $119 million, with a focus on greenfield plant construction, suggests confidence in future demand and a commitment to long-term growth. This level of investment contributes to the economic cycle by potentially creating jobs and stimulating further industrial activity. The effective management of working capital and reduction in debt levels also reflect a prudent fiscal approach that could stabilize the company in the event of an economic downturn.
AZZ Delivers Growth in Sales, Profits, and Cash Flow Supporting Debt Pay Down
Narrowing Annual Guidance
Third Quarter Overview (results from continuing operations as compared to prior year(1)):
- Total Sales
, up$381.6 million 2.2% - Metal Coatings sales of
, up$163.2 million 3.1% - Precoat Metals sales of
, up$218.4 million 1.6%
- Metal Coatings sales of
- Diluted EPS of
, up$0.92 55.9% versus prior year, Adjusted EPS of , up$1.19 52.6% - Net Income of
, up$26.9 million 45.8% - Adjusted net income of
, up$34.8 million 78.3% - Adjusted EBITDA
or$86.4 million 22.6% of sales, versus prior year of or$68.9 million 18.5% of sales - Segment EBITDA margin of
30.0% for Metal Coatings and18.4% for Precoat Metals - Reduced debt by
in the quarter, resulting in net leverage of 3.1x$25.0 million
(1) Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures as defined and reconciled in the tables below. |
Tom
"With our strong cash flow generation and effective management of working capital, we have reduced our debt by
"While the fourth quarter typically represents a seasonally slower period for AZZ, we anticipate meaningfully improved profitability over prior year same quarter. Secular tailwinds exist for non-building construction on infrastructure and renewables projects, reshoring of manufacturing, and continued migration to more environmentally friendly pre-painted steel and aluminum. I want to thank our AZZ team for their dedicated performance in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024,"
Fiscal Year 2024 Third Quarter Segment Performance
AZZ Metal Coatings
Sales increased year-over-year by
AZZ Precoat Metals
Sales of
Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Capital Allocation
The Company generated significant operating cash of
Financial Outlook - Fiscal Year 2024 Guidance
Narrowing and revising upward fiscal year 2024 guidance to reflect AZZ's nine-month actual results and fourth quarter projections. Guidance includes estimated interest expense benefits from the repricing of our Term Loan B and the December repricing of our Senior Secured Revolver, and the reduction of another
Previous FY24 Guidance | Revised FY24 Guidance | ||
Sales | |||
Adjusted EBITDA | |||
Adjusted Diluted EPS |
Conference Call Details
AZZ Inc. will conduct a live conference call with Tom Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, Philip Schlom, Chief Financial Officer, and David Nark, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Investor Relations to discuss financial results for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024, Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. ET. Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (844) 855-9499 or (412) 317-5497 (international). A webcast of the call will be available on the Company's Investor Relations page at http://www.azz.com/investor-relations.
A replay of the call will be available at (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088 (international), replay access code: 8388037, through January 17, 2024, or by visiting http://www.azz.com/investor-relations for the next 12 months.
About AZZ Inc.
AZZ Inc. is the leading independent provider of hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions to a broad range of end-markets. Collectively, our business segments provide sustainable, unmatched metal coating solutions that enhance the longevity and appearance of buildings, products and infrastructure that are essential to everyday life.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements herein about our expectations of future events or results constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "could," "should," "expects," "plans," "will," "might," "would," "projects," "currently," "intends," "outlook," "forecasts," "targets," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and management's views and assumptions regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and investors must recognize that actual results may differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are subject to risks that could cause them to differ materially from actual results. Certain factors could affect the outcome of the matters described herein. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, changes in customer demand for our products and services, including demand by the construction markets, the industrial markets, and the metal coatings markets. We could also experience additional increases in labor costs, components and raw materials including zinc and natural gas, which are used in our hot-dip galvanizing process; supply-chain vendor delays; customer requested delays of our products or services; delays in additional acquisition opportunities; an increase in our debt leverage and/or interest rates on our debt, of which a significant portion is tied to variable interest rates; availability of experienced management and employees to implement AZZ's growth strategy; a downturn in market conditions in any industry relating to the products we inventory or sell or the services that we provide; economic volatility, including a prolonged economic downturn or macroeconomic conditions such as inflation or changes in the political stability in
Company Contact:
David Nark, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Investor Relations
AZZ Inc.
(817) 810-0095
www.azz.com
Investor Contact:
Sandy Martin / Phillip Kupper
Three Part Advisors
(214) 616-2207
www.threepa.com
AZZ Inc. | ||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income | ||||||||
(dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
Sales | $ 381,605 | $ 373,301 | $ 1,171,020 | $ 987,145 | ||||
Cost of sales | 293,456 | 300,219 | 888,606 | 752,455 | ||||
Gross margin | 88,149 | 73,082 | 282,414 | 234,690 | ||||
Selling, general and administrative | 35,325 | 27,689 | 103,087 | 97,247 | ||||
Operating income | 52,824 | 45,393 | 179,327 | 137,443 | ||||
Interest expense | 25,855 | 26,123 | 82,331 | 61,739 | ||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries | (8,742) | (1,006) | (11,136) | (1,006) | ||||
Other (income) expense, net | 41 | (610) | (9) | (582) | ||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | 35,670 | 20,886 | 108,141 | 77,292 | ||||
Income tax expense | 8,780 | 2,447 | 24,397 | 18,380 | ||||
Net income from continuing operations | 26,890 | 18,439 | 83,744 | 58,912 | ||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax | — | 1,665 | — | 17,126 | ||||
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax | — | (40,646) | — | (130,073) | ||||
Net loss from discontinued operations | — | (38,981) | — | (112,947) | ||||
Net income (loss) | 26,890 | (20,542) | 83,744 | (54,035) | ||||
Dividends on preferred stock | (3,600) | (3,600) | (10,800) | (4,640) | ||||
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders | $ 23,290 | $ (24,142) | $ 72,944 | $ (58,675) | ||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share | ||||||||
Earnings per common share from continuing operations | $ 0.93 | $ 0.60 | $ 2.91 | $ 2.19 | ||||
Loss per common share from discontinued operations | $ — | $ (1.57) | $ — | $ (4.55) | ||||
Earnings (loss) per common share | $ 0.93 | $ (0.97) | $ 2.91 | $ (2.37) | ||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | ||||||||
Earnings per common share from continuing operations | $ 0.92 | $ 0.59 | $ 2.86 | $ 2.17 | ||||
Loss per common share from discontinued operations | $ — | $ (1.56) | $ — | $ (4.52) | ||||
Earnings (loss) per common share | $ 0.92 | $ (0.97) | $ 2.86 | $ (2.35) | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic | 25,077 | 24,867 | 25,024 | 24,804 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted | 29,330 | 24,995 | 29,278 | 24,984 |
AZZ Inc. | |||||||
Segment Reporting | |||||||
(dollars in thousands) | |||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Sales: | |||||||
Metal Coatings | $ 163,186 | $ 158,274 | $ 501,816 | $ 487,567 | |||
Precoat Metals | 218,419 | 215,027 | 669,204 | 499,578 | |||
Total sales | $ 381,605 | $ 373,301 | $ 1,171,020 | $ 987,145 | |||
EBITDA(1) | |||||||
Metal Coatings(2) | $ 48,991 | $ 41,895 | $ 152,500 | $ 148,591 | |||
Precoat Metals | 40,253 | 34,434 | 129,856 | 93,846 | |||
Infrastructure Solutions(3) | 8,452 | 1,006 | 10,642 | 1,006 | |||
Total Segment EBITDA(4) | $ 97,696 | $ 77,335 | $ 292,998 | $ 243,443 |
(1) | See the Non-GAAP disclosure section below for a reconciliation between the various measures calculated in accordance with GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measures. | |||||||
(2) | Represents Adjusted EBITDA, which includes an accrual for a litigation matter related to the Metal Coatings segment. | |||||||
(3) | Represents Adjusted EBITDA, which includes a settlement for a litigation matter related to the AIS segment recognized during the second quarter of fiscal year 2024. Infrastructure Solutions segment includes the Company's equity in earnings from its investment in the AVAIL joint venture, as well as other expenses related to receivables that were retained by the Company following the sale of the AIS business. | |||||||
(4) | Total segment EBITDA excludes Corporate EBITDA. |
AZZ Inc. | ||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||
(unaudited) | ||||
As of | ||||
November 30, 2023 | February 28, 2023 | |||
Assets: | ||||
Current assets | $ 392,728 | $ 417,416 | ||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 525,338 | 498,503 | ||
Other assets, net | 1,290,690 | 1,305,560 | ||
Total assets | $ 2,208,756 | $ 2,221,479 | ||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: | ||||
Current liabilities | $ 200,000 | $ 187,240 | ||
Long-term debt, net | 980,004 | 1,058,120 | ||
Other liabilities | 107,602 | 122,659 | ||
Shareholders' Equity | 921,150 | 853,460 | ||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 2,208,756 | $ 2,221,479 |
AZZ Inc. | ||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||
(unaudited) | ||||
Nine Months Ended November 30, | ||||
2023 | 2022 | |||
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations | $ 180,928 | $ 68,622 | ||
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations | (66,853) | (1,207,653) | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of continuing operations | (109,444) | 1,005,456 | ||
Cash used in discontinued operations | — | 123,982 | ||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | 58 | (2,199) | ||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 4,689 | (11,792) | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 2,820 | 15,082 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations at end of period | $ 7,509 | $ 3,290 |
AZZ Inc.
Non-GAAP Disclosure
Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings Per Share and Adjusted EBITDA
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in
In calculating adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, management excludes intangible asset amortization, acquisition expenses, transaction related expenses and certain legal settlements and accruals. Management also provides EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures. Management defines EBITDA as earnings excluding depreciation, amortization, interest, and provision for income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings excluding depreciation, amortization, interest, provision for income taxes, acquisition expenses, transaction related expenses and certain legal settlements and accruals. Management believes EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are used by investors to analyze operating performance and evaluate the Company's ability to incur and service debt and its capacity for making capital expenditures in the future. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are also useful to investors to help assess the Company's estimated enterprise value. In addition, management believes that the adjustments shown below are useful to investors in order to allow them to compare the Company's financial results during the periods shown without the effect of each of these adjustments.
Management provides non-GAAP financial measures for informational purposes and to enhance understanding of the Company's GAAP consolidated financial statements. Readers should consider these measures in addition to, but not instead of or superior to, the Company's financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures may be determined or calculated differently by other companies, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes.
The following tables provides a reconciliation for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2023 and 2022 between the various measures calculated in accordance with GAAP to the Adjusted Earnings Measures (in thousands, except per share data):
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended November 30, | Nine Months Ended November 30, | ||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Amount | Per Diluted | Amount | Per Diluted | Amount | Per Diluted | Amount | Per Diluted | ||||||||
Net income from continuing operations | $ 26,890 | $ 18,439 | $ 83,744 | $ 58,912 | |||||||||||
Less: preferred stock dividends | (3,600) | (3,600) | (10,800) | (4,640) | |||||||||||
Net income from continuing operations available to common shareholders | 23,290 | 14,839 | 72,944 | 54,272 | |||||||||||
Impact of preferred stock dividends | 3,600 | — | 10,800 | — | |||||||||||
Net income and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations(2) | 26,890 | $ 0.92 | 14,839 | $ 0.59 | 83,744 | $ 2.86 | 54,272 | $ 2.17 | |||||||
Impact of preferred stock dividends | — | — | — | 4,640 | |||||||||||
Net income and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for Adjusted net income calculation(2) | 26,890 | 0.92 | 14,839 | 0.59 | 83,744 | 2.86 | 58,912 | 2.10 | |||||||
Adjustments: | |||||||||||||||
Acquisition and transaction-related expenditures(3) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15,320 | 0.55 | |||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 5,872 | 0.20 | 6,133 | 0.25 | 18,108 | 0.62 | 17,615 | 0.63 | |||||||
Legal settlement and accrual(4) | 4,500 | 0.15 | — | — | 10,250 | 0.35 | — | — | |||||||
Subtotal | 10,372 | 0.35 | 6,133 | 0.25 | 28,358 | 0.97 | 32,935 | 1.18 | |||||||
Tax impact(5) | (2,489) | (0.08) | (1,472) | (0.06) | (6,806) | (0.23) | (7,904) | (0.28) | |||||||
Total adjustments | 7,883 | 0.27 | 4,661 | 0.19 | 21,552 | 0.74 | 25,031 | 0.90 | |||||||
Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations | $ 34,773 | $ 1.19 | $ 19,500 | $ 0.78 | $ 105,296 | $ 3.60 | $ 83,943 | $ 3.00 | |||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted | 29,330 | 24,995 | 29,278 | 28,022 |
(1) | Earnings per share amounts included in the table above may not sum due to rounding differences. Year-to- date earnings per share does not always represent the sum of the quarters' earnings per share when the preferred shares for any quarter in the year-to-date period are anti-dilutive. | |||||||||||||||
(2) | For the nine months ended November 30, 2022, the calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on weighted average shares outstanding of 24,984, as the preferred shares are anti-dilutive for this calculation. The calculation of adjusted diluted earnings per share is based on weighted average shares outstanding of 28,022, as the preferred shares are dilutive for this calculation. Adjusted net income for adjusted earnings per share also includes the addback of preferred dividends. | |||||||||||||||
(3) | Includes Corporate expenses related to the Precoat Metals acquisition and the divestiture of AZZ Infrastructure Solutions business into the AVAIL JV. | |||||||||||||||
(4) | For the three months ended November 30, 2023, represents a legal accrual related to the Metal Coatings segment of | |||||||||||||||
(5) | The non-GAAP effective tax rate for each of the periods presented is estimated at |
Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations | |||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
Net income from continuing operations | $ 26,890 | $ 18,439 | $ 83,744 | $ 58,912 | |||||
Interest expense | 25,855 | 26,123 | 82,331 | 61,739 | |||||
Income tax expense | 8,780 | 2,447 | 24,397 | 18,380 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 20,357 | 21,938 | 59,034 | 55,813 | |||||
Acquisition and transaction-related expenditures | — | — | — | 15,320 | |||||
Legal settlement and accrual | 4,500 | — | 10,250 | — | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations | $ 86,382 | $ 68,947 | $ 259,756 | $ 210,164 |
Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations by Segment | |||||||||
Three Months Ended November 30, 2023 | |||||||||
Metal | Precoat | Infrastructure | Corporate | Total | |||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | $ 37,813 | $ 32,752 | $ 8,452 | $ (52,127) | $ 26,890 | ||||
Interest expense | — | — | — | 25,855 | 25,855 | ||||
Income tax expense | — | — | — | 8,780 | 8,780 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 6,678 | 7,501 | — | 6,178 | 20,357 | ||||
Adjustments: | |||||||||
Legal accrual | 4,500 | — | — | — | 4,500 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations | $ 48,991 | $ 40,253 | $ 8,452 | $ (11,314) | $ 86,382 | ||||
Three Months Ended November 30, 2022 | |||||||||
Metal | Precoat | Infrastructure | Corporate | Total | |||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | $ 33,670 | $ 21,053 | $ 1,006 | $ (37,290) | $ 18,439 | ||||
Interest expense | — | — | — | 26,123 | 26,123 | ||||
Income tax expense | — | — | — | 2,447 | 2,447 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 8,225 | 13,381 | — | 332 | 21,938 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations | $ 41,895 | $ 34,434 | $ 1,006 | $ (8,388) | $ 68,947 | ||||
Nine Months Ended November 30, 2023 | |||||||||
Metal | Precoat | Infrastructure | Corporate | Total | |||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | $ 128,353 | $ 109,449 | $ 4,892 | $ (158,950) | $ 83,744 | ||||
Interest expense | — | — | — | 82,331 | 82,331 | ||||
Income tax expense | — | — | — | 24,397 | 24,397 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 19,647 | 20,407 | — | 18,980 | 59,034 | ||||
Adjustments: | |||||||||
Legal settlement and accrual | 4,500 | — | 5,750 | — | 10,250 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations | $ 152,500 | $ 129,856 | $ 10,642 | $ (33,242) | $ 259,756 | ||||
Nine Months Ended November 30, 2022 | |||||||||
Metal | Precoat | Infrastructure | Corporate | Total | |||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | $ 123,806 | $ 63,955 | $ 1,006 | $ (129,855) | $ 58,912 | ||||
Interest expense | — | — | — | 61,739 | 61,739 | ||||
Income tax expense | — | — | — | 18,380 | 18,380 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 24,785 | 29,891 | — | 1,137 | 55,813 | ||||
Adjustments: | |||||||||
Acquisition and transaction-related expenditures | — | — | — | 15,320 | 15,320 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations | $ 148,591 | $ 93,846 | $ 1,006 | $ (33,279) | $ 210,164 |
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SOURCE AZZ, Inc.
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