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PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS

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Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) reported a 22% decrease in net sales in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to a slowdown in spending in the communications end market. Net income also decreased, with gross profit at 31.3%. The company attributes the decline to market demand, higher borrowing rates, delayed BEAD stimulus funding, and elevated inventory levels.

Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) ha segnalato una diminuzione del 22% nelle vendite nette nel primo trimestre del 2024 rispetto allo stesso periodo del 2023, a causa principalmente di una riduzione della spesa nel mercato delle comunicazioni. Anche l'utile netto è diminuito, con un margine di profitto lordo del 31,3%. La società attribuisce il calo alla domanda di mercato, agli aumenti dei tassi di interesse, ai ritardi nei finanziamenti BEAD e ai livelli elevati di inventario.
Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) reportó una disminución del 22% en las ventas netas en el primer trimestre de 2024 en comparación con el mismo período de 2023, principalmente debido a una reducción en el gasto del mercado de comunicaciones. El ingreso neto también disminuyó, con una ganancia bruta del 31,3%. La compañía atribuye la caída a la demanda del mercado, a las tasas de interés más altas, a los retrasos en la financiación del estímulo BEAD y a los niveles elevados de inventario.
Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC)는 2024년 첫 번째 분기에 2023년 같은 기간에 비해 순 판매가 22% 감소했다고 보고했습니다. 이는 주로 통신 시장에서의 지출 감소 때문입니다. 순이익 또한 감소했으며, 총 이익률은 31.3%였습니다. 회사는 시장 수요 감소, 높은 대출 이자율, BEAD 자금 지원 지연 및 높은 재고 수준을 하락의 원인으로 꼽습니다.
La société Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) a rapporté une baisse de 22% de ses ventes nettes au premier trimestre de 2024 par rapport à la même période en 2023, principalement en raison d'un ralentissement des dépenses sur le marché des communications. Le bénéfice net a également diminué, avec un profit brut de 31,3%. L'entreprise attribue ce déclin à la demande du marché, aux taux d'emprunt plus élevés, aux retards dans le financement des incitations BEAD et aux niveaux élevés d'inventaire.
Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) verzeichnete im ersten Quartal 2024 im Vergleich zum selben Zeitraum 2023 einen Rückgang der Nettoumsätze um 22%, hauptsächlich bedingt durch geringere Ausgaben im Kommunikationsmarkt. Auch der Nettogewinn ging zurück, mit einer Bruttogewinnmarge von 31,3%. Das Unternehmen führt den Rückgang auf die Marktnachfrage, höhere Kreditzinsen, verzögerte BEAD-Stimulusfinanzierung und hohe Lagerbestände zurück.
Positive
  • None.
Negative
  • 22% decrease in net sales in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023

  • Decrease in net income for Q1 2024

  • Gross profit at 31.3%

  • Market demand decline affecting sales

  • Higher borrowing rates and delayed stimulus funding impacting sales

  • Elevated inventory levels due to overbuying in 2022 and early 2023

Insights

Examining Preformed Line Products' reported financials, a 22% decline in net sales compared to the previous year stands out. This can primarily be attributed to the softness in the communications end market, which the company correlates with factors such as high borrowing rates and delayed government funding. Despite a decrease in gross margins, the company managed to mitigate some of the negative impact through cost containment. An adept retail investor would note that the net income per diluted share almost halved, which may reflect a diminished earning power on a per-share basis. Reduced spending and ongoing investments suggest a strategic approach to navigate challenging market conditions, aiming to maintain a lean operation while preserving the capacity for future growth. The company's liquidity position remains strong, which may provide resilience and potential for capitalizing on opportunities once market conditions normalize.

A deeper dive into the market dynamics reveals the communication sector's downturn is not isolated to Preformed Line Products. An emerging trend has been the slowdown in IT and telecom spending, as evident in the company's performance. The mention of 'elevated inventory levels' hints at a possible industry-wide overestimation of demand, leading to an inventory glut. For investors, understanding how sector-wide trends affect a company's performance is pivotal. The mention of actions such as new product development, operational streamlining and customer service expansion indicates an attempt to fortify the company's competitive edge in anticipation of market recovery. This strategic balance between managing current downturns and investing in growth areas is essential for assessing long-term potential.

CLEVELAND, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) today reported financial results for its first quarter of 2024.

Net sales in the first quarter of 2024 were $140.9 million compared to $181.8 million in the first quarter of 2023, a 22% decrease due primarily to a slowdown in spending within the communications end market. Foreign currency translation increased first quarter 2024 net sales by $0.7 million.

Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $9.6 million, or $1.94 per diluted share, compared to $21.4 million, or $4.28 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2023. Net income for the quarter was lower as a result of decreased gross margins caused by the lower sales level, partially offset by a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses due to cost containment efforts. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 31.3% for the first quarter of 2024.

Rob Ruhlman, Executive Chairman, said, "The decrease in quarterly net sales is a continuation of the decline in market demand that we saw coming mid-2023.  Softness in communications end market demand continues to be caused by the higher borrowing rates, delayed BEAD stimulus funding, as well as elevated inventory levels, largely due to the overbuying that occurred in 2022 and early 2023.  Our spend thrift philosophy as well as cost reduction activities instituted in mid-2023 led to reduced spending in areas not impacting customer service experience.  Our excitement about the prospects of the markets that we serve allows us to continue our investment in new product development, streamlining our manufacturing operations and expanding our customer service portfolio.  These actions, along with our continued strong liquidity, will allow us to take advantage of favorable market conditions when they return.  Our current focus is unchanged:  provide our customers with the high-quality products and timely service they have come to expect from PLP."

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding the Company, including those statements regarding the Company's and management's beliefs and expectations concerning the Company's future performance or anticipated financial results, among others. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in those statements. Among other things, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements include the uncertainty in global business conditions and the economy due to factors such as inflation, rising interest rates, labor disruptions, military conflict, international hostilities,  political instability, exchange rates and public health concerns, the strength of demand and availability of funding for the Company's products and the mix of products sold, the relative degree of competitive and customer price pressure on the Company's products, the impact of stimulus programs in driving demand, the cost, availability and quality of raw materials required for the manufacture of products, opportunities for business growth through acquisitions and the ability to successfully integrate, and implement appropriate internal controls in, any acquired businesses, changes in regulations and tax rates, security breaches, litigation and claims and the Company's ability to continue to develop proprietary technology and maintain high-quality products and customer service to meet or exceed new industry performance standards and individual customer expectations, and other factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024 and subsequent filings with the SEC. The Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's other filings with the SEC can be found on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.

ABOUT PLP

PLP protects the world's most critical connections by creating stronger and more reliable networks. The company's precision-engineered solutions are trusted by energy and communications providers worldwide to perform better and last longer. With locations in 20 countries, PLP works as a united global corporation, delivering high-quality products and unparalleled service to customers around the world.

 

PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY





CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS















March 31, 2024


December 31, 2023

(Thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)


(Unaudited)



ASSETS





Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash


$                       45,859


$                        53,607

Accounts receivable, net


111,527


106,892

Inventories, net


141,508


148,814

Prepaid expenses


8,314


8,246

Other current assets


7,053


7,256

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS


314,261


324,815

Property, plant and equipment, net


203,242


207,892

Goodwill


28,603


29,497

Other intangible assets, net


11,868


12,981

Deferred income taxes


7,379


7,109

Other assets


20,756


20,857

TOTAL ASSETS


$                     586,109


$                      603,151

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY





Trade accounts payable


$                       41,748


$                        37,788

Notes payable to banks


1,487


6,968

Current portion of long-term debt


7,078


6,486

Accrued compensation and other benefits


23,348


28,018

Accrued expenses and other liabilities


26,043


32,057

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES


99,704


111,317

Long-term debt, less current portion


47,928


48,796

Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred income taxes


25,109


26,882

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY





Common shares – $2 par value per share, 15,000,000 shares authorized, 4,918,036 and 4,908,413 issued and outstanding, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023


13,711


13,607

Common shares issued to rabbi trust, 238,641 and 243,118 shares at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively


(10,214)


(10,183)

Deferred compensation liability


10,214


10,183

Paid-in capital


61,408


60,958

Retained earnings


528,733


520,154

Treasury shares, at cost, 1,937,150 and 1,894,419 shares at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2024, respectively


(123,701)


(118,249)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss


(66,782)


(60,306)

TOTAL PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


413,369


416,164

Noncontrolling interest


(1)


(8)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


413,368


416,156

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


$                     586,109


$                      603,151






See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).





 

PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY




STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME





Three Months Ended March 31,


2024


2023

(Thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)




Net sales

$               140,904


$               181,824

Cost of products sold

96,773


115,541

GROSS PROFIT

44,131


66,283

Costs and expenses




Selling

11,900


12,388

General and administrative

16,608


18,609

Research and engineering

5,431


5,193

Other operating expense, net

(1,367)


1,112


32,572


37,302

OPERATING INCOME

11,559


28,981

Other (expense) income




Interest income

972


304

Interest expense

(708)


(1,066)

Other income, net

35


40


299


(722)

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

11,858


28,259

Income tax expense

2,255


6,840

NET INCOME

$                   9,603


$                 21,419

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(7)


(21)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS

$                   9,596


$                 21,398

AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING:




Basic

4,915


4,937

Diluted

4,944


4,997

EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK ATTRIBUTABLE TO PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS:




Basic

$                     1.95


$                     4.33

Diluted

$                     1.94


$                     4.28





Cash dividends declared per share

$                     0.20


$                     0.20

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/preformed-line-products-announces-first-quarter-2024-financial-results-302133230.html

SOURCE Preformed Line Products

FAQ

What was the net sales for Preformed Line Products Company in the first quarter of 2024?

Net sales in the first quarter of 2024 were $140.9 million.

What was the net income for Preformed Line Products Company in the first quarter of 2024?

Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $9.6 million.

What caused the decrease in net sales for Preformed Line Products Company in the first quarter of 2024?

The decrease in net sales was primarily due to a slowdown in spending within the communications end market.

What factors contributed to the decline in net income for Preformed Line Products Company in the first quarter of 2024?

Factors contributing to the decline in net income included decreased gross margins caused by lower sales levels, partially offset by a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses.

What is Preformed Line Products Company's current focus amidst the market challenges?

Preformed Line Products Company's current focus is unchanged: provide customers with high-quality products and timely service.

Preformed Line Products Co

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