Otis presents medium-term outlook driven by Service momentum at 2024 Investor Day; Expects to deliver >10% annualized EPS growth

Rhea-AI Summary

Otis Worldwide Corporation (OTIS) highlights accelerating portfolio growth with Service sales growing mid-single digits or higher while gaining share in New Equipment. The company outlines a medium-term outlook with low to mid-single digit organic sales growth and over 10% annualized adjusted EPS growth. Plans include returning over $8 billion in capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases through 2028.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The announcement from Otis Worldwide Corporation regarding its medium-term outlook presents a robust financial trajectory, particularly emphasizing the growth in its Service sales and the commitment to shareholder returns. The projected organic sales growth in the low to mid-single digits suggests a stable demand for Otis's products and services. The differentiation between New Equipment and Service sales growth rates indicates a strategic focus on the more stable recurring revenue from services, which is typically less cyclical and more resilient during economic downturns.

Furthermore, the commitment to return over $8 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases is a strong signal of management's confidence in the company's cash-generating abilities. This level of capital return could support the stock's attractiveness to income-focused investors and potentially provide a floor for the stock price. The adjusted EPS CAGR of over 10% is particularly noteworthy, as it suggests earnings growth is expected to outpace sales growth, likely reflecting margin improvements and operational efficiency gains.

Market Research Analyst

From a market perspective, Otis's announcement can be seen as a positive indicator for the industrials sector, particularly within the building equipment industry. The company's gain of 3.5 points of New Equipment share from 2019 to 2023 demonstrates a competitive edge and an ability to capture market share, which is critical in an industry that is often influenced by large-scale infrastructure projects and urban development trends. The Service portfolio growth of 4.2% also highlights the potential for recurring revenue streams, which are highly valued by the market for their predictability.

Moreover, Otis's focus on operational excellence and environmental impact reduction aligns with the broader industry trend towards sustainability and efficiency. These efforts can not only reduce costs but also appeal to the growing segment of environmentally conscious stakeholders, potentially leading to enhanced brand reputation and customer loyalty.

Environmental Sustainability Analyst

Addressing the environmental aspect, Otis's commitment to reducing its environmental impact is a significant part of its long-term strategy. This commitment resonates with the increasing emphasis on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria among investors. Companies that actively work to minimize their environmental footprint are often viewed more favorably by investors who are concerned about sustainability issues. Otis's approach could lead to operational cost savings through energy efficiency and waste reduction, as well as potentially opening doors to new markets where green credentials are becoming a prerequisite.

However, the details of the environmental initiatives and their expected outcomes are not specified, which makes it challenging to quantify the impact on financial performance. As the market continues to integrate ESG factors into investment decisions, clear and measurable sustainability goals could become increasingly important for investor confidence and company valuation.

• Highlights accelerating portfolio growth with Service sales growing mid-single digits or higher, while gaining share in New Equipment
• Outlines medium-term outlook* with low to mid-single digit organic sales growth and over 10% annualized adjusted EPS growth
• Plans to return over $8 billion in capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases through 2028

FARMINGTON, Conn., Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Otis Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: OTIS) is hosting its 2024 Investor Day at the New York Stock Exchange today, beginning at 9 a.m. ET. During the event, Otis leadership will provide updates on the industry and the company's medium-term outlook, including its long-term growth strategy, operating profit drivers and capital allocation plans. Otis' Investor Day webcast, along with the corresponding presentation, can be accessed at www.otisinvestors.com.

"We have executed our strategy while creating long-term value. Between 2019 and 2023, we gained 3.5 points of New Equipment share, accelerated our Service portfolio growth to 4.2%, expanded adjusted operating profit margins by 170 basis points and drove 13% adjusted EPS CAGR. We leveraged our strong adjusted free cash flow to return approximately $4 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, and completed over $200 million in bolt-on M&A, while demonstrating our commitment to reduce our environmental impact," said Chair, CEO & President Judy Marks. "On the back of our Service business and with our focus on operational excellence we are confident in our ability to continue to deliver value to our customers, passengers and shareholders as we capitalize on opportunities to drive strong financial performance and return capital to our shareholders."

Medium-term outlook*

Otis is announcing its medium-term outlook:

• Organic sales up low to mid-single digits
  • Organic New Equipment sales flat to up low-single digits
  • Organic Service sales up mid-single digits+
• Average adjusted operating profit growth of mid-to-high single digits
• Adjusted EPS CAGR of 10%+
• Adjusted free cash flow CAGR up high single digits

Otis reiterates 2024 outlook* with organic sales up 3 to 5% and adjusted earnings per share up 7 to 10% with adjusted free cash flow of ~$1.6 billion.

*Note: When we provide outlook for organic sales, adjusted operating profit, adjusted EPS, adjusted effective tax rate and adjusted free cash flow on a forward-looking basis, a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP expectations and the corresponding GAAP measures generally is not available without unreasonable effort. See "Use and Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for additional information.

About Otis

Otis is the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. We move 2.3 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.3 million customer units worldwide, the industry's largest maintenance portfolio. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 71,000 people strong, including 42,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo.

Use and Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Otis Worldwide Corporation ("Otis") reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined under GAAP with certain non-GAAP financial information. The non-GAAP information presented provides investors with additional useful information, but should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for the related GAAP measures. Moreover, other companies may define non-GAAP measures differently, which limits the usefulness of these measures for comparisons with such other companies. We encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures (referenced in this press release) to the corresponding amounts prepared in accordance with GAAP appears in the attached tables. These tables provide additional information as to the items and amounts that have been excluded from the adjusted measures.

Adjusted net sales, organic sales, adjusted selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expense, adjusted operating profit, adjusted net interest expense, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share ("EPS"), adjusted effective tax rate, constant currency, free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures.

Adjusted net sales represents net sales (a GAAP measure), excluding significant items of a non-recurring and/or nonoperational nature ("other significant items").

Organic sales represents consolidated net sales (a GAAP measure), excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures completed in the preceding twelve months and other significant items. Management believes organic sales is a useful measure in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of the Company's ongoing operational performance.

Adjusted SG&A expense represents SG&A expense (a GAAP measure), excluding restructuring costs and other significant items.

Adjusted general corporate expenses and other represents general corporate expenses and other (a GAAP measure), excluding restructuring costs and other significant items.

Adjusted operating profit represents income from continuing operations (a GAAP measure), excluding restructuring costs and other significant items.

Adjusted net interest expense represents net interest expense (a GAAP measure), adjusted for the impacts of non-recurring acquisition related financing costs and related net interest expense pending the completion of a transaction.

The adjusted effective tax rate represents the effective tax rate (a GAAP measure) adjusted for other significant items and the tax impact of restructuring costs and other significant items.

Adjusted net income represents net income attributable to Otis Worldwide Corporation (a GAAP measure), excluding restructuring costs and other significant items, including related tax effects. Adjusted EPS represents diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (a GAAP measure), adjusted for the per share impact of restructuring and other significant items, including related tax effects.

Management believes that adjusted net sales, organic sales, adjusted SG&A, adjusted general corporate expenses and other, adjusted operating profit, adjusted net interest expense, adjusted net income, adjusted EPS, the adjusted effective tax rate and adjusted RPO are useful measures in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of the Company's ongoing operational performance.

Additionally, GAAP financial results include the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates ("AFX"). We use the non-GAAP measure "at constant currency" or "CFX" to show changes in our financial results without giving effect to period-to-period currency fluctuations. Under U.S. GAAP, income statement results are translated in U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the period presented. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure is useful in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of the Company's ongoing operational performance.

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents cash flow from operations (a GAAP measure) less capital expenditures. Management believes free cash flow is a useful measure of liquidity and an additional basis for assessing Otis' ability to fund its activities, including the financing of acquisitions, debt service, repurchases of common stock and distribution of earnings to shareholders. Free cash flow should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net cash flows provided by operating activities, or any other measure of liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents cash flow from operations (a GAAP measure) less capital expenditures, adjusted to exclude certain items management believes affect the comparability of operating results. Management believes adjusted free cash flow is a useful measure of liquidity that provides investors additional information regarding the Company's ability to fund its activities, including the financing of acquisitions, debt service, repurchases of common stock and distribution of earnings to shareholders. Adjusted free cash flow should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net cash flows provided by operating activities, or any other measure of liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.

When we provide our expectations for adjusted net sales, organic sales, adjusted operating profit, adjusted net interest expense, adjusted net income, adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted EPS, free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow on a forward-looking basis, a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP expectations and the corresponding GAAP measures (expected diluted EPS from continuing operations, operating profit, the 8 effective tax rate, net sales and expected cash flow from operations) generally is not available without unreasonable effort due to potentially high variability, complexity and low visibility as to the items that would be excluded from the GAAP measure in the relevant future period, such as unusual gains and losses, the ultimate outcome of pending litigation, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, the impact and timing of potential acquisitions and divestitures, and other structural changes or their probable significance. The variability of the excluded items may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on our future GAAP results. 

Cautionary Statement
This communication contains statements which, to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" under the securities laws. From time to time, oral or written forward looking statements may also be included in other information released to the public. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide management's current expectations or plans for Otis' future operating and financial performance, based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "expectations," "plans," "strategy," "prospects," "estimate," "project," "target," "anticipate," "will," "should," "see," "guidance," "outlook," "medium-term," "near-term," "confident," "goals" and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements relating to future sales, earnings, cash flow, results of operations, uses of cash, dividends, share repurchases, tax rates, research & development spend, restructuring actions (including UpLift), credit ratings, net indebtedness and other measures of financial performance or potential future plans, strategies or transactions, or statements that relate to climate change and our intent to achieve certain environmental, social and governance targets or goals, including operational impacts and costs associated therewith, and other statements that are not historical facts. All forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. For those statements, Otis claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation: (1) the effect of economic conditions in the industries and markets in which Otis and its businesses operate and any changes therein, including financial market conditions, fluctuations in commodity prices and other inflationary pressures, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, levels of end market demand in construction, pandemic health issues (including COVID-19 and variants thereof), natural disasters, whether as a result of climate change or otherwise, and the financial condition of Otis' customers and suppliers; (2) the effect of changes in political conditions in the U.S., including in connection with the results of the 2024 elections or otherwise, and other countries in which Otis and its businesses operate, including the effects of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the war between Israel and Hamas, and tensions between the U.S. and China, on general market conditions, commodity costs, global trade policies and related sanctions and export controls, and currency exchange rates in the near term and beyond; (3) challenges in the development, production, delivery, support, performance and realization of the anticipated benefits of advanced technologies and new products and services; (4) future levels of indebtedness, capital spending and research and development spending; (5) future availability of credit and factors that may affect such availability or costs thereof, including credit market conditions and Otis' capital structure; (6) the timing and scope of future dividends and repurchases of Otis' common stock, which may be suspended at any time due to various factors, including market conditions and the level of other investing activities and uses of cash; (7) fluctuations in prices and delays and disruption in delivery of materials and services from suppliers, whether as a result of changes in general economic conditions, geopolitical conflicts or otherwise; (8) cost reduction or containment actions, restructuring costs and related savings and other consequences thereof, including with respect to UpLift; (9) new business and investment opportunities; (10) the outcome of legal proceedings, investigations and other contingencies; (11) pension plan assumptions and future contributions; (12) the impact of the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and labor disputes and labor inflation in the markets in which Otis and its businesses operate globally; (13) the effect of changes in tax, environmental, regulatory (including among other things import/export) and other laws and regulations in the U.S. and other countries in which Otis and its businesses operate; (14) the ability of Otis to retain and hire key personnel; (15) the scope, nature, impact or timing of acquisition and divestiture activity, the integration of acquired businesses into existing businesses and realization of synergies and opportunities for growth and innovation and incurrence of related costs; (16) the determination by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities that the distribution or certain related transactions should be treated as taxable transactions in connection with the separation (the "Separation") of Otis and Carrier Global Corporation ("Carrier") from United Technologies Corporation (now known as RTX Corporation ("RTX"); and (17) our obligations and disputes that have or may hereafter arise under the agreements we entered into with RTX and Carrier in connection with the Separation. The above list of factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance. For additional information on identifying factors that may cause actual results to vary from those stated in forward-looking statements, see Otis' registration statement on Form 10 and the reports of Otis on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the SEC from time to time. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Otis assumes no obligation to update or revise such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Media Contact:

Ray Hernandez

+1-860-212-9167

Ray.Hernandez@otis.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Michael Rednor

+1-860-676-6011

investorrelations@otis.com

 

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SOURCE Otis Worldwide Corporation

FAQ

What is Otis Worldwide Corporation's (OTIS) medium-term outlook?

Otis is announcing its medium-term outlook with organic sales up low to mid-single digits, flat to up low-single digits for Organic New Equipment sales, and mid-single digits growth for Organic Service sales. The company projects average adjusted operating profit growth of mid-to-high single digits and an adjusted EPS CAGR of 10% or more.

What are Otis Worldwide Corporation's (OTIS) financial plans for shareholders?

Otis plans to return over $8 billion in capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases through 2028. Additionally, the company reiterates its 2024 outlook with organic sales expected to increase by 3 to 5% and adjusted earnings per share to rise by 7 to 10%.

Where can investors access Otis Worldwide Corporation's (OTIS) Investor Day webcast and presentation?

Investors can access Otis' Investor Day webcast and corresponding presentation at www.otisinvestors.com.