STOCK TITAN

Kewaunee Scientific Reports Results for Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2024

Rhea-AI Impact
(Neutral)
Rhea-AI Sentiment
(Neutral)
Tags
Rhea-AI Summary
Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (NASDAQ: KEQU) reported its fiscal year 2024 third-quarter results, showing a decrease in sales but an increase in pre-tax earnings. The company's order backlog remained stable, and it saw improvements in domestic segment profitability. International sales declined due to non-recurring projects, but the company's overall performance was strong. Cash on hand and working capital increased, while debt levels decreased. The CEO expressed satisfaction with the financial performance and strategic execution.
Positive
  • Sales decreased by 23.1% to $46,778,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024.
  • Pre-tax earnings increased by 70.6% to $3,515,000 compared to the prior year's third quarter.
  • Net earnings rose to $2,521,000 from $723,000 in the prior year quarter.
  • EBITDA for the quarter was $4,414,000, up from $2,683,000 in the prior year quarter.
  • Order backlog was $152.3 million on January 31, 2024, remaining stable.
  • Domestic segment net income improved to $2,633,000 from $417,000 in the prior year quarter.
  • International segment net income declined to $923,000 from $1,561,000 in the prior year quarter.
  • Corporate segment pre-tax net loss decreased to $1,069,000 from $1,144,000 in the prior year quarter.
  • Total cash on hand increased to $27,112,000 from $13,815,000 on April 30, 2023.
  • Debt levels decreased, with short-term debt at $3,184,000 and long-term debt at $28,655,000 on January 31, 2024.
  • Debt-to-equity ratio improved to 0.87-to-1 on January 31, 2024, from 1.08-to-1 on April 30, 2023.
Negative
  • None.

Insights

The reported financial results for Kewaunee Scientific Corporation show a mixed picture, with a significant decline in sales by 23.1%, yet an increase in pre-tax earnings by 70.6%. A deeper analysis reveals that the decrease in sales might be due to strategic changes, such as the decision to stop selling directly to end users, impacting the Domestic Segment. However, this was offset by an increase in net earnings and EBITDA, indicating improved operational efficiency and cost containment measures.

The order backlog remains relatively stable, with a minor decrease from the previous year, suggesting a consistent demand for the company's products. The increase in cash on hand and the reduction in both short-term and long-term debt, especially when considering the net debt after accounting for the sale-leaseback transaction, reflect a stronger balance sheet. The improved debt-to-equity ratios further indicate a solid financial position, which could be a positive signal for investors concerned with financial stability and risk management.

From a market perspective, Kewaunee's performance in the International Segment is noteworthy, despite the reported decline in international sales. The decrease is attributed to the completion of two large, non-recurring projects in the previous year, which skews year-over-year comparisons. Absent these projects, the company notes that international demand remains robust, which could suggest potential for growth in these markets. This insight is critical for investors who are looking for international expansion and diversification in the company's revenue streams.

Additionally, the company's emphasis on its dealer and distribution network as a key factor in maintaining sales activity during typically slower quarters speaks to the strength of its go-to-market strategy. This could be a differentiator in the industry, providing resilience against seasonal fluctuations and ensuring consistent performance.

An economist might highlight the broader economic implications of Kewaunee's financial results. The company's ability to increase pre-tax earnings amidst a sales decline could reflect a strategic pivot that prioritizes profitability over volume, which can be a prudent approach in uncertain economic conditions. The improved cash position and working capital management are indicative of a robust operational strategy that enables the company to navigate market volatility effectively.

Moreover, the company's debt management strategy, illustrated by the reduction in the debt-to-equity ratio, is particularly relevant in an environment where interest rates may fluctuate. A lower leverage ratio can provide the company with more flexibility and reduce the cost of capital, which is advantageous for long-term growth and investment.

STATESVILLE, N.C., March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (NASDAQ: KEQU) today announced results for its third quarter ended January 31, 2024.

Fiscal Year 2024 Third Quarter Results:

Sales during the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 were $46,778,000, a decrease of 23.1% compared to sales of $60,821,000 from the prior year's third quarter. Pre-tax earnings for the quarter were $3,515,000 compared to $2,060,000 for the prior year quarter, an increase of 70.6%. Net earnings were $2,521,000 compared to net earnings of $723,000 for the prior year quarter. EBITDA1 for the quarter was $4,414,000 compared to $2,683,000 for the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share was $0.85 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.25 in the prior year quarter.

The Company's order backlog was $152.3 million on January 31, 2024, as compared to $153.2 million on January 31, 2023, and $147.9 million on April 30, 2023.

Domestic Segment - Domestic sales for the quarter were $31,774,000, a decrease of 12.1% from sales of $36,134,000 in the prior year quarter. The decrease in Domestic sales was primarily due to the reduction in non-product revenue related to the Company's decision to stop selling directly to end users. This revenue typically includes freight, installation services and buyouts. Domestic segment net income was $2,633,000 compared to $417,000 in the prior year quarter. Domestic segment EBITDA was $3,832,000 compared to $1,012,000 for the prior year quarter. Domestic segment profitability improved versus the prior year quarter because of the strategic go-to-market decisions made in the previous year to stop selling direct, as well as improved manufacturing productivity and cost containment actions.

International Segment - International sales for the quarter were $15,004,000, a decrease of 39.2% from sales of $24,687,000 in the prior year quarter. International segment net income was $923,000 compared to $1,561,000 in the prior year quarter. International segment EBITDA was $1,676,000 compared to $2,385,000 for the prior year quarter. The year-over-year decline in sales is attributable to the delivery of two large projects during the prior year that were non-recurring, one in Africa and one in India. Absent this impact, International segment performance remains strong as demand in the international markets served by the Company remain robust.

Corporate Segment – Corporate segment pre-tax net loss was $1,069,000 for the quarter, as compared to a pre-tax net loss of $1,144,000 in the prior year quarter. Corporate segment EBITDA for the quarter was ($1,094,000) compared to corporate segment EBITDA of ($714,000) for the prior year quarter. The change in EBITDA was driven primarily by the net change in Corporate cost allocation methodology across our business segments.

Total cash on hand on January 31, 2024 was $27,112,000, as compared to $13,815,000 on April 30, 2023. The increase in cash was primarily from improved operating performance, as well as a large customer advance payment received during the quarter for a project in India. Working capital was $54,014,000, as compared to $47,348,000 at the end of the third quarter last year and $47,867,000 on April 30, 2023.

The Company had short-term debt of $3,184,000 as of January 31, 2024, as compared to $3,587,000 on April 30, 2023. Long-term debt was $28,655,000 on January 31, 2024, as compared to $29,007,000 on April 30, 2023. The building lease from the Company's December 2021 sale-leaseback transaction accounts for $28,298,000 of the long-term debt on January 31, 2024 and $28,774,000 of the long-term debt on April 30, 2023. Long-term debt, net of the sale-leaseback transaction, was $357,000 on January 31, 2024 as compared to $233,000 on April 30, 2023. The Company's debt-to-equity ratio on January 31, 2024 was 0.87-to-1, as compared to 1.08-to-1 on April 30, 2023. The Company's debt-to-equity ratio, net of the sale-leaseback transaction, on January 31, 2024 was 0.25-to-1, as compared to 0.34-to-1 on April 30, 2023.

"Our financial performance for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 was strong," said Thomas D. Hull III, Kewaunee's President and Chief Executive Officer. "As discussed in previous quarterly releases, we are realizing the benefits of executing on our strategic objectives."

"While the third quarter can often be our softest quarter due to the holiday schedule in the US as well as customers looking to wrap up construction projects before the calendar-end, we did not experience a significant slow-down in activity during the quarter. This is a testament to our world-class dealer and distribution network who continue to perform at a high level in response to customer demand."

"Looking ahead, we remain optimistic about the future, with a strong pipeline of projects, a sound strategy, and a commitment to sustained financial performance."

___________________________

1 EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the table below for a reconciliation of EBITDA and segment EBITDA to net earnings (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

EBITDA and Segment EBITDA Reconciliation

Quarter Ended January 31, 2023


Domestic


International


Corporate


Consolidated

Net Earnings (Loss)


$                     417


$                  1,561


$                (1,255)


$                     723

Add/(Less):









Interest Expense



53


383


436

Interest Income



(147)



(147)

Income Taxes



852


110


962

Depreciation and Amortization


595


66


48


709

EBITDA


$                  1,012


$                  2,385


$                   (714)


$                  2,683










Quarter Ended January 31, 2024


Domestic


International


Corporate


Consolidated

Net Earnings (Loss)


$                  2,633


$                     923


$                (1,035)


$                  2,521

Add/(Less):









Interest Expense


321


72


18


411

Interest Income



(220)


(97)


(317)

Income Taxes


220


796


(34)


982

Depreciation and Amortization


658


105


54


817

EBITDA


$                  3,832


$                  1,676


$                (1,094)


$                  4,414










Year to Date January 31, 2023


Domestic


International


Corporate


Consolidated

Net Earnings (Loss)


$                  1,006


$                  3,405


$                (4,678)


$                   (267)

Add/(Less):









Interest Expense



113


1,077


1,190

Interest Income



(409)


(357)


(766)

Income Taxes



1,801


110


1,911

Depreciation and Amortization


1,805


194


143


2,142

EBITDA


$                  2,811


$                  5,104


$                (3,705)


$                  4,210










Year to Date January 31, 2024


Domestic


International


Corporate


Consolidated

Net Earnings (Loss)


$                  8,398


$                  1,917


$                (2,588)


$                  7,727

Add/(Less):









Interest Expense


1,024


143


46


1,213

Interest Income



(638)


(120)


(758)

Income Taxes


2,365


2,257


(728)


3,894

Depreciation and Amortization


1,853


302


150


2,305

EBITDA


$                13,640


$                  3,981


$                (3,240)


$                14,381

About Non-GAAP Measures 

EBITDA and Segment EBITDA are calculated as net earnings (loss), less interest expense and interest income, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. We believe EBITDA and Segment EBITDA allow management and investors to compare our performance to other companies on a consistent basis without regard to depreciation and amortization, which can vary significantly between companies depending upon many factors. EBITDA and Segment EBITDA are not calculations based upon generally accepted accounting principles, and the method for calculating EBITDA and Segment EBITDA can vary among companies. The amounts included in the EBITDA and Segment EBITDA calculations, however, are derived from amounts included in the historical consolidated statements of operations. EBITDA and Segment EBITDA should not be considered as alternatives to net earnings (loss) or operating earnings (loss) as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, or as an alternative to operating cash flows as a measure of liquidity.

About Kewaunee Scientific 

Founded in 1906, Kewaunee Scientific Corporation is a recognized global leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of laboratory, healthcare, and technical furniture products. The Company's products include steel and wood casework, fume hoods, adaptable modular systems, moveable workstations, stand-alone benches, biological safety cabinets, and epoxy resin work surfaces and sinks.

The Company's corporate headquarters are located in Statesville, North Carolina. Sales offices are located in the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. Three manufacturing facilities are located in Statesville serving the domestic and international markets, and one manufacturing facility is located in Bangalore, India serving the local, Asian, and African markets. Kewaunee Scientific's website is located at http://www.kewaunee.com

This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including statements regarding the Company's future financial condition, results of operations, business operations and business prospects, are forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "predict," "believe" and similar words, expressions and variations of these words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors that could significantly impact results or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to: competitive and general economic conditions, including disruptions from government mandates, both domestically and internationally, as well as supplier constraints and other supply disruptions; changes in customer demands; technological changes in our operations or in our industry; dependence on customers' required delivery schedules; risks related to fluctuations in the Company's operating results from quarter to quarter; risks related to international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; changes in the legal and regulatory environment; changes in raw materials and commodity costs; acts of terrorism, war, governmental action, and natural disasters and other Force Majeure events. The cautionary statements made pursuant to the Reform Act herein and elsewhere by us should not be construed as exhaustive. We cannot always predict what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Over time, our actual results, performance, or achievements will likely differ from the anticipated results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, and such difference might be significant and harmful to our stockholders' interest. Many important factors that could cause such a difference are described under the caption "Risk Factors," in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, which you should review carefully, and in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. These reports are available on our investor relations website at www.kewaunee.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. The Company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Kewaunee Scientific Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
($ and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)



Three Months Ended
January 31,


Nine Months Ended
January 31,


2024


2023


2024


2023

Net sales

$       46,778


$       60,821


$     147,053


$     165,508

Cost of products sold

34,749


50,491


109,642


140,281

Gross profit

12,029


10,330


37,411


25,227

Operating expenses

8,223


8,026


24,688


22,564

Operating profit

3,806


2,304


12,723


2,663

Pension expense

(41)


(18)


(122)


(53)

Other income, net

161


210


384


756

Interest expense

(411)


(436)


(1,213)


(1,190)

Profit before income taxes

3,515


2,060


11,772


2,176

Income tax expense

982


962


3,894


1,911

Net earnings

2,533


1,098


7,878


265

Less: Net earnings attributable to the non-controlling interest

12


375


151


532

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kewaunee Scientific Corporation

$          2,521


$             723


$          7,727


$           (267)









Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kewaunee Scientific
Corporation stockholders








Basic

$            0.87


$            0.26


$            2.68


$          (0.09)

Diluted

$            0.85


$            0.25


$            2.64


$          (0.09)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding








Basic

2,893


2,830


2,885


2,822

Diluted

2,965


2,911


2,927


2,822

 

Kewaunee Scientific Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
($ in thousands)



January 31,
2024


April 30, 2023


(Unaudited)



Assets




Cash and cash equivalents

$           21,312


$             8,078

Restricted cash

5,800


5,737

Receivables, less allowances

41,109


46,081

Inventories

21,845


21,889

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

6,090


6,135

Total Current Assets

96,156


87,920

Net Property, Plant and Equipment

17,492


16,402

Right of use assets

7,827


9,170

Other assets

4,830


5,406

Total Assets

$         126,305


$         118,898





Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity




Short-term borrowings

$             3,184


$             3,587

Current portion of lease obligations

2,166


2,052

Current portion of financing liability

695


642

Accounts payable

19,083


23,599

Other Current Liabilities

17,014


10,173

Total Current Liabilities

42,142


40,053

Long-term portion of lease obligations

5,988


7,284

Long-term portion of financing liability

27,603


28,132

Other non-current liabilities

5,230


4,944

Total Liabilities

80,963


80,413

Kewaunee Scientific Corporation Equity

44,083


37,409

Non-controlling interest

1,259


1,076

Total Stockholders' Equity

45,342


38,485

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$         126,305


$         118,898

 

Contact:

Donald T. Gardner III


704/871-3274

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kewaunee-scientific-reports-results-for-third-quarter-of-fiscal-year-2024-302082100.html

SOURCE Kewaunee Scientific Corporation

FAQ

What were Kewaunee Scientific Corporation's sales figures for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024?

Sales during the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 were $46,778,000, a decrease of 23.1% compared to the prior year.

How did Kewaunee Scientific Corporation's pre-tax earnings change in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024?

Pre-tax earnings for the quarter were $3,515,000 compared to $2,060,000 for the prior year quarter, an increase of 70.6%.

What was Kewaunee Scientific Corporation's net earnings for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024?

Net earnings were $2,521,000 compared to net earnings of $723,000 for the prior year quarter.

How did Kewaunee Scientific Corporation's order backlog change from January 31, 2023, to January 31, 2024?

The company's order backlog was $152.3 million on January 31, 2024, as compared to $153.2 million on January 31, 2023.

What was the domestic sales figure for Kewaunee Scientific Corporation in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024?

Domestic sales for the quarter were $31,774,000, a decrease of 12.1% from sales of $36,134,000 in the prior year quarter.

How did Kewaunee Scientific Corporation's international segment perform in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024?

International sales for the quarter were $15,004,000, a decrease of 39.2% from sales of $24,687,000 in the prior year quarter.

What was Kewaunee Scientific Corporation's total cash on hand on January 31, 2024?

Total cash on hand on January 31, 2024 was $27,112,000, as compared to $13,815,000 on April 30, 2023.

What were Kewaunee Scientific Corporation's short-term and long-term debt levels on January 31, 2024?

The company had short-term debt of $3,184,000 and long-term debt of $28,655,000 on January 31, 2024.

Who is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Kewaunee Scientific Corporation?

Thomas D. Hull III is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Kewaunee Scientific Corporation.

Kewaunee Scientific Corp

NASDAQ:KEQU

KEQU Rankings

KEQU Latest News

KEQU Stock Data

107.78M
2.87M
25.43%
35.42%
1.13%
Furnishings, Fixtures & Appliances
Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture
Link
United States of America
STATESVILLE