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Friedman Industries, Incorporated Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Results

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Friedman Industries reported its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. The company achieved net earnings of $5.0 million for the quarter on sales of $132.2 million, reflecting a 13% increase in sales volume over the prior quarter. Fiscal year net earnings were $17.3 million with sales of $516.3 million, marking the second most profitable year in the company's history. Notably, sales volume increased by 19% due in part to output from the new Sinton, TX facility. Despite steel price volatility, the company maintained profitability each quarter. The flat-roll segment reported a sales volume increase to 159,000 tons, while the tubular segment saw a decline in operating profits. Looking forward, the company expects lower margins in Q1 FY 2025 due to declining HRC prices but anticipates hedging gains offsetting this impact.

Positive
  • Net earnings of $5.0 million for Q4 and $17.3 million for FY 2024.
  • Sales of $132.2 million for Q4, reflecting a 13% increase in sales volume from the prior quarter.
  • Sales volume increased by 19% for FY 2024 due to the Sinton, TX facility.
  • Fiscal year 2024 was the second most profitable in the company's history.
  • Flat-roll segment Q4 sales totaled $120.6 million, up from $112.8 million in the previous year.
  • Hedging gains of approximately $1.1 million for Q4 and $1.4 million for FY 2024.
  • Company ended FY 2024 with working capital of $116.0 million.
Negative
  • Net earnings for FY 2024 were $4.0 million lower than FY 2023.
  • Total sales for FY 2024 decreased to $516.3 million from $547.5 million in FY 2023.
  • The tubular segment's operating profits for Q4 decreased to $0.8 million from $2.5 million in the previous year.
  • Declining HRC prices expected to impact margins in Q1 FY 2025.

Insights

Friedman Industries' fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2024 results reveal several key points worth examining for investors. Firstly, the company achieved net earnings of $5.0 million for the fourth quarter and $17.3 million for the fiscal year, which stands as their second highest in history. This is notable given the inherent volatility in steel prices, highlighting the company's adeptness at managing costs and maintaining profitability.

When comparing year-over-year, there is a slight decline in overall net earnings ($17.3 million in 2024 vs. $21.3 million in 2023). However, the increase in sales volume by 19% is a positive indicator, largely driven by the new Sinton facility's output. This facility's ramp-up appears to be a catalyst for future growth, with management optimistic about nearing full production capacity in fiscal 2025.

The company's strong working capital balance of $116.0 million at year-end and a total liabilities-to-equity ratio of 0.8 indicate solid financial health and liquidity, providing a cushion for potential market fluctuations and enabling further investments in infrastructure.

However, declining margins forecasted for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 due to falling hot-rolled coil prices could affect short-term earnings. Nonetheless, expected hedging gains of $5.3 million might mitigate these declines, showcasing the effectiveness of their risk management strategies.

The robust growth in Friedman's flat-roll segment, with sales volume increasing from 146,000 tons to 159,000 tons in Q4, stands out. The higher average per ton selling price of $993 compared to $915 in the prior year indicates strong demand and pricing power in this segment. This is important as it not only drives revenue but also impacts profitability positively.

Conversely, the tubular segment saw a price drop from $1,404 per ton to $1,216 per ton, potentially signaling market saturation or increased competition. Yet, the increase in tons sold suggests a strategic focus on volume to offset price declines. While this could strain margins, it helps in maintaining market share and production efficiency.

The company's strategy to hedge against price risk using hot-rolled coil futures is a prudent move. It provides a buffer against price volatility and helps stabilize financial performance. Given the inherent cyclicality of the steel market, these hedging activities demonstrate proactive risk management.

LONGVIEW, Texas, June 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Friedman Industries, Incorporated (NYSE American: FRD) announced today its results of operations for the quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

March 31, 2024 Quarter Highlights:

  • Net earnings of $5.0 million
  • Sales of $132.2 million
  • 13% increase in sales volume over the preceding third quarter
  • 9% increase in sales volume over the prior year fourth quarter

Fiscal Year March 31, 2024 Highlights:

  • Net earnings of $17.3 million - second most profitable fiscal year in Company history
  • Sales of $516.3 million
  • 19% increase in sales volume over prior fiscal year
  • Working capital balance at year-end of $116.0 million

“We ended fiscal 2024 with a strong fourth quarter that made it our second most profitable fiscal year in Friedman’s history,” said Michael J. Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This result is evidence of the quality of our assets and our strategy, as well as the hard work and dedication of our team members, who make and deliver our products to customers every day.”

Taylor continued, “Our sales volume increased approximately 19% in fiscal 2024 compared to our previous fiscal year with the growth driven by output from our new Sinton, TX facility. We expect further growth from our Sinton facility in fiscal 2025 as we approach full production capacity. At the end of fiscal 2024, we neared completion of an upgrade to our Decatur, AL processing line that will allow us to increase the sales volume from that facility in fiscal 2025. The Company’s market share continues to expand with our products being a vital part of the defined supply chain for more of the country’s top steel consumers. Fiscal 2024 was another year of considerable steel price volatility but we maintained profitability in each quarter of fiscal 2024, demonstrating our ability to analyze and respond appropriately to changing market conditions.”

“I am pleased that investors are starting to recognize the value of our Company. Our stock began fiscal 2024 trading in the $11 per share range and ended the fiscal year considerably higher. We have more value to unlock by delivering consistent profitability across price cycles and maximizing output from our current assets. In addition, our strategy remains focused on opportunities that will deliver long-term value to the Company and its shareholders. Our dividend increase in March reflects our favorable outlook; I see value in Friedman today along with significant opportunities for growth in the future,” Taylor concluded.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (the “2024 quarter”), the Company recorded net earnings of approximately $5.0 million ($0.71 diluted earnings per share) on sales of approximately $132.2 million compared to net earnings of approximately $6.3 million ($0.86 diluted earnings per share) on net sales of approximately $124.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 (the “2023 quarter”). Sales volume increased from approximately 146,000 tons for the 2023 quarter to approximately 159,000 tons for the 2024 quarter.

For the year ended March 31, 2024 (“fiscal 2024”), the Company recorded net earnings of approximately $17.3 million ($2.39 diluted earnings per share) on sales of approximately $516.3 million. For the year ended March 31, 2023 (“fiscal 2023”), the Company recorded net earnings of approximately $21.3 million ($2.91 diluted earnings per share) on sales of approximately $547.5 million.

The table below provides our statements of operations for the quarters and fiscal years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS       
(In thousands, except for per share data)       
        
 Three Months Ended March 31, Year Ended March 31,
  2024   2023   2024   2023 
        
Net Sales$132,232  $124,186  $516,251  $547,542 
        
Cost of materials sold (104,724)  (97,075)  (417,143)  (456,419)
Processing and warehousing expense (7,285)  (5,557)  (26,690)  (21,146)
Delivery expense (6,356)  (7,187)  (23,791)  (24,483)
Selling, general and administrative expenses (6,156)  (6,525)  (21,039)  (21,894)
Depreciation and amortization (778)  (588)  (3,070)  (2,526)
        
Earnings from operations 6,933   7,254   24,518   21,074 
        
Gain on economic hedges of risk 1,142   1,980   1,848   9,306 
Interest expense (937)  (720)  (3,072)  (2,218)
Other income 3   3   20   27 
        
Earnings before income taxes 7,141   8,517   23,314   28,189 
        
Income tax expense (2,183)  (2,206)  (5,969)  (6,845)
        
Net earnings$4,958  $6,311  $17,345  $21,344 
        
Net earnings per share:       
Basic$0.71  $0.86  $2.39  $2.91 
Diluted$0.71  $0.86  $2.39  $2.91 
                

The table below provides summarized balance sheets as of March 31, 2024 and 2023:

SUMMARIZED BALANCE SHEETS       
(In thousands)       
        
 March 31, 2024
 March 31, 2023
ASSETS:       
Current Assets 170,064   143,656 
Noncurrent Assets 59,955   55,656 
Total Assets 230,019   199,312 
        
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:       
Current Liabilities 54,107   45,088 
Noncurrent Liabilities 48,437   38,792 
Total Liabilities 102,544   83,880 
        
Total Stockholders' Equity 127,475   115,432 
        
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity 230,019   199,312 
        

FLAT-ROLL SEGMENT OPERATIONS

Flat-roll segment sales for the 2024 quarter totaled approximately $120.6 million compared to approximately $112.8 million for the 2023 quarter. The flat-roll segment had sales volume of approximately 120,000 tons from inventory and another 29,500 tons of toll processing for the 2024 quarter compared to approximately 124,000 tons from inventory and 14,000 tons of toll processing for the 2023 quarter. The average per ton selling price of flat-roll segment inventory increased from approximately $915 per ton in the 2023 quarter to approximately $993 per ton in the 2024 quarter. The flat-roll segment recorded operating profits of approximately $9.6 million and $7.7 million for the 2024 quarter and 2023 quarter, respectively.

TUBULAR SEGMENT OPERATIONS

Tubular segment sales for the 2024 quarter totaled approximately $11.6 million compared to approximately $11.4 million for the 2023 quarter. Tons sold increased from approximately 8,000 tons for the 2023 quarter to approximately 9,500 tons for the 2024 quarter. The average per ton selling price of tubular segment inventory decreased from approximately $1,404 per ton in the 2023 quarter to approximately $1,216 per ton in the 2024 quarter. The tubular segment recorded operating profits of approximately $0.8 million and $2.5 million for the 2024 quarter and 2023 quarter, respectively.

HEDGING ACTIVITIES

We utilize hot-rolled coil (“HRC”) futures to manage price risk on unsold inventory and longer-term fixed price sales agreements. We typically account for our hedging activities under mark-to-market (“MTM”) accounting treatment and all hedging decisions are intended to protect the value of our inventory and produce more consistent financial results over price cycles. With MTM accounting treatment it is possible that hedging related gains or losses might be recognized in a different fiscal year or fiscal quarter than the corresponding improvement or contraction in our physical margins. For the 2024 quarter, we recognized a gain on hedging activities of approximately $1.1 million. For fiscal 2024, we recognized a total hedging gain of approximately $1.4 million.

OUTLOOK

“Friedman had a strong fiscal 2024 and we believe we can deliver continued success in fiscal 2025,” Taylor said. “We have one of the best teams in the industry and a solid company with the foundation to grow long-term shareholder value.”

The Company expects sales volume for its first quarter of fiscal 2025 to be similar to the sales volume for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 despite the first quarter having half a month of planned downtime for new equipment installation at our Decatur facility and our Sinton facility having a week of planned maintenance downtime. The Company expects first quarter margins to be lower than fourth quarter margins due to declining HRC prices during the first quarter but anticipates the lower margin to be offset by hedging gains. As of the date of this release, hedging gains for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 totaled approximately $5.3 million.

ABOUT FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES

Friedman Industries, Incorporated (“Company”), headquartered in Longview, Texas, is a manufacturer and processor of steel products with operating plants in Hickman, Arkansas; Decatur, Alabama; East Chicago, Indiana; Granite City, Illinois; Sinton, Texas and Lone Star, Texas. The Company has two reportable segments: flat-roll products and tubular products. The flat-roll product segment consists of the operations in Hickman, Decatur, East Chicago, Granite City and Sinton where the Company processes hot-rolled steel coils. The Hickman, East Chicago and Granite City facilities operate temper mills and corrective leveling cut-to-length lines. The Sinton and Decatur facilities operate stretcher leveler cut-to-length lines. The Sinton facility is a newly constructed facility with operations commencing in October 2022. The East Chicago and Granite City facilities were acquired from Plateplus, Inc. on April 30, 2022. The tubular product segment consists of the operations in Lone Star where the Company manufactures electric resistance welded pipe and distributes pipe through its Texas Tubular Products division.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and such statements involve risk and uncertainty. Forward-looking statements include those preceded by, followed by or including the words “will,” “expect,” “intended,” “anticipated,” “believe,” “project,” “forecast,” “propose,” “plan,” “estimate,” “enable,” and similar expressions, including, for example, statements about our business strategy, our industry, our future profitability, growth in the industry sectors we serve, our expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, objectives, prospects and assumptions, future production capacity, product quality and estimates and projections of future activity and trends in the oil and natural gas industry.  These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, everything under the header “Outlook” above, including sales volumes, margins, hedging results, and potential price increases, expectations as to financial results during the Company’s upcoming fiscal quarters, future changes in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, future production capacity, product quality and proposed expansion plans. Forward-looking statements may be made by management orally or in writing including, but not limited to, this news release.  

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These statements are based on management’s expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements reflect our current beliefs, reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Actual results and trends in the future may differ materially depending on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, changes in the demand for and prices of the Company’s products, changes in government policy regarding steel, changes in the demand for steel and steel products in general and the Company’s success in executing its internal operating plans, changes in and availability of raw materials, our ability to satisfy our take or pay obligations under certain supply agreements, unplanned shutdowns of our production facilities due to equipment failures or other issues, increased competition from alternative materials and risks concerning innovation, new technologies, products and increasing customer requirements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainty are also addressed in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except to the extent law requires.

For further information, please refer to the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on June 11, 2024 or contact Alex LaRue, Chief Financial Officer – Secretary and Treasurer, at (903)758-3431.


FAQ

What were Friedman Industries' net earnings for Q4 2024?

Friedman Industries reported net earnings of $5.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.

How much were Friedman Industries' sales for FY 2024?

Sales for Friedman Industries in fiscal year 2024 were $516.3 million.

What was the sales volume increase for Friedman Industries in FY 2024?

Friedman Industries experienced a 19% increase in sales volume for fiscal year 2024.

What were the earnings per share (EPS) for Friedman Industries in FY 2024?

The earnings per share (EPS) for Friedman Industries in fiscal year 2024 were $2.39.

How did the flat-roll segment perform in Q4 2024?

The flat-roll segment recorded sales of $120.6 million and an increase in sales volume to 159,000 tons in Q4 2024.

What was the impact of hedging activities on Friedman Industries' Q4 2024 results?

Friedman Industries recognized a gain on hedging activities of approximately $1.1 million for Q4 2024.

What are Friedman Industries' expectations for Q1 FY 2025?

Friedman Industries expects lower margins in Q1 FY 2025 due to declining HRC prices but anticipates offsetting this with hedging gains.

Friedman Industries, Inc

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Steel
Steel Works, Blast Furnaces & Rolling & Finishing Mills
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