PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2023 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Rhea-AI Summary

Preformed Line Products Company (PLPC) reported record annual net sales for the fifth consecutive year in 2023, with a 5% increase from 2022. The company achieved a net income of $63.3 million and a diluted EPS of $12.68, marking a 17% increase from the previous year. However, net sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by 14% compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to reduced communication product sales. Despite challenges in the market, the company remains optimistic about its international operations.

Positive

• PLPC reported record annual net sales for the fifth consecutive year in 2023.
• Net income for 2023 was $63.3 million, with a diluted EPS of $12.68, a 17% increase from 2022.
• Fourth-quarter net sales decreased by 14% from 2022, mainly due to lower communication product sales.
• The company remains positive about its international operations to offset challenges in the communication product market.

Negative

• Net sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by 14% compared to the same period in 2022.
• Quarterly net income was impacted by decreased gross profit, foreign currency transaction losses, and customer-specific charges.
• The company faced challenges due to reduced communication product sales and customer destocking efforts.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reported financial results for Preformed Line Products Company indicate a mixed performance. While annual net sales grew by 5%, there was a noticeable 14% decrease in Q4 net sales year-over-year. Investors should note the company's resilience in maintaining growth in annual net sales for five consecutive years, which reflects a strong market position and effective sales strategies. However, the Q4 decline, driven by reduced communication product sales, suggests potential market saturation or competitive pressures in that segment.

From a valuation perspective, the increase in diluted EPS by 17% is a positive sign, indicating improved profitability and earnings quality. The net income growth to $63.3 million, despite the Q4 downturn, shows the company's ability to manage costs and optimize operations over the full year. However, investors should be cautious about the impact of foreign currency translation, which has both positively and negatively affected the company's financials. The outsized foreign currency transaction losses, especially from the devaluation of the Argentine Peso, may be a red flag for potential volatility in future earnings.

Market Analyst

The dynamics within the communication products market are a crucial factor for stakeholders. The soft market conditions and customer destocking indicate a potential slowdown in the industry, which could have a ripple effect on Preformed Line Products Company's future performance. The company's gross profit margin of 33.0% in Q4 compared to 35.1% for the full year suggests that while they have managed to maintain profitability, there is pressure on margins.

Investors should consider the company's strategic response to these challenges. The emphasis on the diversity of international operations as a buffer against the downturn in the U.S. market is significant. It underscores the importance of geographic diversification in mitigating risks associated with regional market fluctuations. The company's ability to navigate these headwinds and maintain a growth trajectory will be critical to its valuation and investor confidence.

Economist

The reported financials reflect broader economic trends, including inflationary pressures and currency volatility. The company's ability to offset inflationary increases in raw material and freight costs through price increases is commendable and indicates strong pricing power. However, this may not be sustainable if inflation continues to rise or if there is resistance from customers against further price hikes.

Additionally, the impact of foreign currency translation on the company's financials highlights the interconnectedness of global markets and the importance of currency risk management. The significant devaluation of the Argentine Peso and its impact on the company's net income underscores the need for robust hedging strategies to protect against such unforeseen events. In the long term, the company's financial health will depend on its ability to adapt to these economic challenges and maintain its competitive edge.

CLEVELAND, March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

Full Year 2023 Highlights:

• Fifth consecutive year of record annual net sales; increased 5% from 2022
• Record net income of $63.3 million
• Diluted EPS of $12.68, an increase of 17% from 2022, a new annual record
• Net cash provided by operating activities of $107.7 million

Net sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 were $145.6 million compared to $169.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, a 14% decrease due primarily to a reduction in communication product sales as the market remains soft and customers destock inventory positions. Foreign currency translation increased fourth quarter 2023 net sales by $2.9 million.

Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was $6.3 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, compared to $16.5 million, or $3.28 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2022. The fourth quarter of 2023 net income was impacted by decreased gross profit from lower net sales, partially offset by selling price increases and a lower effective tax rate for the period.  Other discrete factors contributing to the decline in quarterly net income included $2.3 million of outsized foreign currency transaction losses, primarily due to the significant devaluation of the Argentine Peso and customer-specific charges of $3.5 million to increase the allowance for doubtful accounts and the excess and obsolete inventory reserve mainly caused by the downturn in communications end market sales. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 33.0% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Net sales for the full year 2023 were $669.7 million, compared to $637.0 million in 2022. This is the fifth consecutive year of record net sales and represents a 5% increase versus prior year. Foreign currency translation increased full year 2023 net sales by $0.4 million.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $63.3 million, or $12.68 per diluted share, compared to $54.4 million, or $10.88 per diluted share in 2022. Net income for the full year 2023 was favorably impacted by the increase in margin on incremental sales as well as the full year benefit of price increases which helped offset inflationary increases of raw material and freight costs.  Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 35.1% for 2023.

Rob Ruhlman, Executive Chairman, said, "Thanks to a strong first half of 2023, we experienced a fifth consecutive year of record annual net sales and fourth consecutive year of earnings per share growth. The second half of the year was impacted by the pullback in spending among communication network operators as well as customer destocking efforts to reduce elevated inventory levels. We expect the significance and diversity of our international operations to help offset some of the pullback in communication product sales largely impacting our USA results. We remain excited about the future prospects for both our communications and energy product end markets and remain well positioned to achieve growth thanks to operational improvements, new product introductions, and production capacity added over the last three years as well as the significant government stimulus programs that are expected to benefit our core markets. Our continued commitment to manufacturing in the USA positions us well for the Build America, Buy America Act ("BABAA") requirements of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment ("BEAD") Program, which we expect to drive increased demand for communications products in late 2024/early 2025. We continue to invest capital in our global facilities as necessary and we continue to seek the right opportunities for inorganic growth.  We are fully committed to providing our customers with the high-quality products and service they have come to expect from our dedicated workforce."

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
		December 31,
		2023		2022
(Thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)
ASSETS
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		$                       53,607		$                        37,239
Accounts receivable, net		106,892		125,261
Inventories, net		148,814		147,458
Prepaid expenses		8,246		13,283
Other current assets		7,256		4,929
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		324,815		328,170
Property, plant and equipment, net		207,892		175,011
Goodwill		29,497		28,004
Other intangible assets, net		12,981		14,082
Deferred income taxes		7,109		5,320
Other assets		20,857		17,892
TOTAL ASSETS		$                     603,151		$                      568,479
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Trade accounts payable		$                       37,788		$                        46,839
Notes payable to banks		6,968		18,098
Current portion of long-term debt		6,486		3,018
Accrued compensation and other benefits		28,018		24,356
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		32,057		23,024
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		111,317		115,335
Long-term debt, less current portion		48,796		68,420
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred income taxes		26,882		26,100
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common shares – $2 par value per share, 15,000,000 shares authorized, 4,908,413 and 4,917,020 issued and outstanding, at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively		13,607		13,351
Common shares issued to rabbi trust, 243,118 and 245,386 shares at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively		(10,183)		(10,261)
Deferred compensation liability		10,183		10,261
Paid-in capital		60,958		53,646
Retained earnings		520,154		460,930
Treasury shares, at cost, 1,894,419 and 1,758,901 shares at December 31, 2023 and December  31, 2022, respectively		(118,249)		(99,303)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(60,306)		(69,987)
TOTAL PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		416,164		358,637
Noncontrolling interest		(8)		(13)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		416,156		358,624
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		$                     603,151		$                      568,479
See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
		Three Months Ended December 31				Twelve Months Ended December 31
		2023		2022		2023		2022
		(In thousands, except per share data)
Net sales		$                 145,603		$                 169,924		$                 669,679		$                 637,021
Cost of products sold		97,503		107,694		434,831		421,841
GROSS PROFIT		48,100		62,230		234,848		215,180
Costs and expenses
Selling		12,945		12,139		51,078		45,712
General and administrative		20,019		19,593		74,643		70,317
Research and engineering		5,688		4,783		22,481		19,661
Goodwill impairment		—		—		—		6,529
Other operating expense, net		2,502		1,128		2,492		3,600
		41,154		37,643		150,694		145,819
OPERATING INCOME		6,946		24,587		84,154		69,361
Other income (expense)
Interest income		610		272		1,811		631
Interest expense		(707)		(1,085)		(3,905)		(3,214)
Other income, net		119		429		284		6,926
		22		(384)		(1,810)		4,343
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		6,968		24,204		82,344		73,704
Income tax expense		659		7,715		19,007		19,305
NET INCOME		$                     6,309		$                   16,488		$                   63,337		$                   54,399
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests		23		23		(5)		(4)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS		$                     6,332		$                   16,511		$                   63,332		$                   54,395
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING:
Basic		4,864		4,927		4,920		4,931
Diluted		4,902		5,032		4,997		4,999
EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK ATTRIBUTABLE TO PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS:
Basic		$                       1.30		$                       3.35		$                     12.87		$                     11.03
Diluted		$                       1.29		$                       3.28		$                     12.68		$                     10.88
Cash dividends declared per share		$                       0.20		$                       0.20		$                       0.80		$                       0.80

 

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SOURCE Preformed Line Products

FAQ

What was Preformed Line Products Company's (PLPC) net income for the full year 2023?

Preformed Line Products Company reported a net income of $63.3 million for the full year 2023.

How did PLPC's diluted EPS change in 2023 compared to 2022?

PLPC's diluted EPS in 2023 was $12.68, which represented a 17% increase from 2022.

Why did PLPC experience a decrease in net sales in the fourth quarter of 2023?

PLPC faced a 14% decrease in net sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 mainly due to a reduction in communication product sales.

What factors impacted PLPC's quarterly net income for the fourth quarter of 2023?

PLPC's quarterly net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was impacted by decreased gross profit, foreign currency transaction losses, and customer-specific charges.

How did PLPC address challenges in the market in 2023?

Despite challenges in the market, PLPC remains optimistic about its international operations to offset the impact of reduced communication product sales.