Comfort Systems USA Reports Third Quarter 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Comfort Systems USA reported solid growth for Q3 2021, with net income of $46.3 million or $1.27 per diluted share, down from $50.1 million or $1.36 per share in Q3 2020. Revenue rose to $833.9 million, a 16.7% increase from $714.1 million in 2020. Operating cash flow was $42.6 million, down from $52.6 million last year. The backlog surged to $1.94 billion, up from $1.84 billion in Q2 2021 and $1.43 billion a year ago. For the nine months ending September 30, 2021, net income was $105.8 million, and revenue reached $2.22 billion.

Positive

• Revenue for Q3 2021 increased by 16.7% year-over-year to $833.9 million.
• Backlog reached $1.94 billion, indicating strong future demand.
• Successful acquisition strategy has expanded market expertise and service revenue.

Negative

• Net income decreased from $50.1 million in Q3 2020 to $46.3 million in Q3 2021.
• Operating cash flow declined from $52.6 million in 2020 to $42.6 million in 2021.

- Reports Strong Growth, Earnings, Backlog and Cash Flow -

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE: FIX) today reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2021, net income was $46.3 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, as compared to $50.1 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. Earnings per diluted share for the third quarter of 2020 included a $0.17 benefit from a discrete tax item. Revenue for the third quarter of 2021 was $833.9 million compared to $714.1 million in 2020. The Company reported operating cash flow of $42.6 million in the current quarter compared to $52.6 million in 2020.

Backlog as of September 30, 2021 was $1.94 billion as compared to $1.84 billion as of June 30, 2021 and $1.43 billion as of September 30, 2020. On a same-store basis, backlog increased from $1.43 billion as of September 30, 2020 to $1.70 billion as of September 30, 2021.

Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our strong third quarter results demonstrate the formidable commitment and resilience of our excellent workforce as they face continuing challenges. Earnings, cash flow and growth all exceeded our high expectations. Backlog showed strong increases since last year, and even increased sequentially, which is an especially positive sign in the third quarter when we traditionally burn backlog.”

The Company reported net income of $105.8 million, or $2.90 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $107.3 million, or $2.92 per diluted share, in 2020. The Company also reported revenue of $2.22 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $2.16 billion in 2020. Operating cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $152.7 million, as compared to $216.4 million in 2020.

Mr. Lane concluded, “We are increasingly benefiting from substantial ongoing investments in training, productivity, and technology, and in adding extraordinary new partner companies. In recent years we completed a series of transformative acquisitions that have built upon our unbroken history of profitability and cash flow. These acquisitions have increased our scale, expanded our recurring service revenue, and vastly increased our expertise in complex markets including industrial, technology and life sciences. Each investment strengthens and expands our invaluable and unmatched nationwide community of skilled workers. We are deeply grateful to our employees across the United States, and we are committed to continue providing our workers, and thus our customers, with unmatched resources, opportunities and support.”

The Company will host a webcast and conference call to discuss its financial results and position on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Central Time. The call-in number for this conference call is 1-877-319-0032, and the passcode is 2065468. The call and the slide presentation to accompany the remarks can be accessed on the Company’s website at www.comfortsystemsusa.com under the Investor tab. A replay of the entire call will be available on the Company’s website on the next business day following the call.

Comfort Systems USA® is a leading provider of commercial, industrial and institutional heating, ventilation, air conditioning and electrical contracting services, with 152 locations in 120 cities around the nation. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.comfortsystemsusa.com.

Certain statements and information in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations, which are subject to applicable securities laws and regulations. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee,” “should,” “would,” “could,” or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historic in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and beliefs of Comfort Systems USA, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) concerning future developments and their effect on the Company. While the Company’s management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those that it anticipates, and the Company’s actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which the Company operates, may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments may not be indicative of our results or developments in subsequent periods. All comments concerning the Company’s expectations for future revenue and operating results are based on the Company’s forecasts for its existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. The Company’s forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) and assumptions that could cause actual future results to differ materially from the Company’s historical experience and its present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the use of incorrect estimates for bidding a fixed-price contract; undertaking contractual commitments that exceed the Company’s labor resources; failing to perform contractual obligations efficiently enough to maintain profitability; national or regional weakness in construction activity and economic conditions; the Company’s business being negatively affected by health crises or outbreaks of disease, such as epidemics or pandemics; financial difficulties affecting projects, vendors, customers, or subcontractors; the Company’s backlog failing to translate into actual revenue or profits; failure of third party subcontractors and suppliers to complete work as anticipated; difficulty in obtaining or increased costs associated with bonding and insurance; impairment to goodwill; errors in the Company’s percentage-of-completion method of accounting; the result of competition in the Company’s markets; the Company’s decentralized management structure; material failure to comply with varying state and local laws, regulations or requirements; debarment from bidding on or performing government contracts; shortages of labor and specialty building materials or material increases to the cost thereof; retention of key management; seasonal fluctuations in the demand for mechanical and electrical systems; the imposition of past and future liability from environmental, safety, and health regulations including the inherent risk associated with self-insurance; adverse litigation results; an increase in our effective tax rate; a material information technology failure or a material cyber security breach; risks associated with acquisitions; our ability to manage growth and geographically-dispersed operations; our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms; and other risks detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause the Company’s results to differ from its projected results, please see its filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

— Financial tables follow —

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In Thousands, Except per Share Amounts)
		Three Months Ended														Nine Months Ended
		September 30,														September 30,
		(Unaudited)														(Unaudited)
		2021				%			2020				%			2021				%			2020				%
Revenue		$	833,896			100.0	%		$	714,099			100.0	%		$	2,217,552			100.0	%		$	2,157,698			100.0	%
Cost of services			674,684			80.9	%			566,903			79.4	%			1,808,416			81.6	%			1,747,714			81.0	%
Gross profit			159,212			19.1	%			147,196			20.6	%			409,136			18.4	%			409,984			19.0	%
SG&A			95,287			11.4	%			90,888			12.7	%			271,050			12.2	%			268,857			12.5	%
Gain on sale of assets			(180	)		—				(377	)		(0.1	)%			(1,021	)		—				(1,243	)		(0.1	)%
Operating income			64,105			7.7	%			56,685			7.9	%			139,107			6.3	%			142,370			6.6	%
Interest expense, net			(1,585	)		(0.2	)%			(1,726	)		(0.2	)%			(4,436	)		(0.2	)%			(6,805	)		(0.3	)%
Changes in the fair value of contingent earn-out obligations			(1,244	)		(0.1	)%			3,423			0.5	%			4,523			0.2	%			1,824			0.1	%
Other income (expense)			20			—				(15	)		—				112			—				10			—
Income before income taxes			61,296			7.4	%			58,367			8.2	%			139,306			6.3	%			137,399			6.4	%
Provision for income taxes			14,999							8,279							33,553							30,100
Net income		$	46,297			5.6	%		$	50,088			7.0	%		$	105,753			4.8	%		$	107,299			5.0	%
Income per share
Basic		$	1.28						$	1.37						$	2.91						$	2.93
Diluted		$	1.27						$	1.36						$	2.90						$	2.92
Shares used in computing income per share:
Basic			36,296							36,557							36,328							36,604
Diluted			36,434							36,750							36,500							36,797
Dividends per share		$	0.120						$	0.105						$	0.350						$	0.315

Supplemental Non-GAAP Information — Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) — (Unaudited) (In Thousands)

		Three Months Ended														Nine Months Ended
		September 30,														September 30,
		2021				%			2020				%			2021				%			2020				%
Net income		$	46,297						$	50,088						$	105,753						$	107,299
Provision for income taxes			14,999							8,279							33,553							30,100
Other expense (income), net			(20	)						15							(112	)						(10	)
Changes in the fair value of contingent earn-out obligations			1,244							(3,423	)						(4,523	)						(1,824	)
Interest expense, net			1,585							1,726							4,436							6,805
Gain on sale of assets			(180	)						(377	)						(1,021	)						(1,243	)
Depreciation and amortization			18,326							15,350							50,000							46,124
Adjusted EBITDA		$	82,251			9.9	%		$	71,658			10.0	%		$	188,086			8.5	%		$	187,251			8.7	%

Note: The Company defines adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) as net income, provision for income taxes, other expense (income), net, changes in the fair value of contingent earn-out obligations, interest expense, net, gain on sale of assets, goodwill impairment and depreciation and amortization. Other companies may define Adjusted EBITDA differently. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because it is a financial measure that is frequently requested by third parties. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not considered under generally accepted accounting principles as a primary measure of an entity’s financial results, and accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to operating income, net income, or cash flows as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and as reported by the Company.

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In Thousands)
		September 30,			December 31,
		2021			2020
		(Unaudited)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	67,721		$	54,896
Billed accounts receivable, net			700,629			619,544
Unbilled accounts receivable, net			59,473			45,596
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, net			14,972			18,622
Other current assets, net			61,916			73,194
Total current assets			904,711			811,852
Property and equipment, net			115,538			117,206
Goodwill			526,964			464,392
Identifiable intangible assets, net			268,099			231,807
Other noncurrent assets			136,022			132,098
Total assets		$	1,951,334		$	1,757,355
Current maturities of long-term debt		$	5,958		$	—
Accounts payable			236,387			204,145
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings			244,578			226,237
Other current liabilities			255,339			262,522
Total current liabilities			742,262			692,904
Long-term debt, net			266,772			235,733
Other long-term liabilities			170,511			132,289
Total liabilities			1,179,545			1,060,926
Total stockholders’ equity			771,789			696,429
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	1,951,334		$	1,757,355

Selected Cash Flow Data (Unaudited) (In Thousands)

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities		$	42,585			$	52,614			$	152,654			$	216,400
Investing activities		$	(98,631	)		$	(15,355	)		$	(119,605	)		$	(130,514	)
Financing activities		$	70,108			$	(19,972	)		$	(20,224	)		$	(66,134	)
Free cash flow:
Cash from operating activities		$	42,585			$	52,614			$	152,654			$	216,400
Purchases of property and equipment			(5,102	)			(4,920	)			(15,864	)			(19,459	)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment			272				512				1,802				1,890
Free cash flow		$	37,755			$	48,206			$	138,592			$	198,831

Note: Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities less customary capital expenditures, plus the proceeds from asset sales. Other companies may define free cash flow differently. Free cash flow is presented because it is a financial measure that is frequently requested by third parties. However, free cash flow is not considered under generally accepted accounting principles as a primary measure of an entity’s financial results, and accordingly, free cash flow should not be considered an alternative to operating income, net income, or cash flows as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and as reported by the Company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211027006101/en/

Julie Shaeff, Chief Accounting Officer

ir@comfortsystemsusa.com; 713-830-9687

Source: Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

FAQ

What was Comfort Systems USA's net income for Q3 2021?

Comfort Systems USA reported a net income of $46.3 million for Q3 2021.

How much did Comfort Systems USA's revenue increase in Q3 2021?

Revenue increased by 16.7% to $833.9 million in Q3 2021 compared to Q3 2020.

What is the backlog amount for Comfort Systems USA as of September 30, 2021?

The backlog amounted to $1.94 billion as of September 30, 2021.

How does Comfort Systems USA's operating cash flow compare from 2020 to 2021?

Operating cash flow decreased from $52.6 million in 2020 to $42.6 million in 2021.

What was the revenue for Comfort Systems USA for the nine months ended September 30, 2021?

Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, was $2.22 billion.