PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Rhea-AI Summary

Preformed Line Products reported Q3 2024 financial results with net sales of $147.0 million, down 8% from $160.4 million in Q3 2023. Net income decreased to $7.7 million ($1.54 per diluted share) from $15.1 million ($3.03 per diluted share). For the first nine months of 2024, net sales declined 19% to $426.6 million, with net income of $26.6 million ($5.37 per diluted share) compared to $57.0 million ($11.39 per diluted share) in 2023. The decline is primarily attributed to slowdown in communications end market spending and inventory destocking. Gross profit margin remained stable at 31.2% in Q3 2024.

Positive

• Gross profit margin remained stable at 31.2% in Q3 2024
• Cost reduction activities implemented in 2023 showing positive effects
• Order backlog showing signs of increase
• Strong liquidity position maintained

Negative

• Q3 2024 net sales decreased 8% to $147.0 million
• Q3 2024 net income dropped 49% to $7.7 million
• YTD net sales declined 19% to $426.6 million
• YTD net income decreased 53% to $26.6 million
• Continued slowdown in communications end market spending

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 2024 results reveal significant challenges for PLPC, with net sales declining 8% to $147.0 million and net income dropping by nearly 49% to $7.7 million. The year-to-date performance shows even steeper declines, with sales down 19% and earnings per share falling from $11.39 to $5.37.

The primary concern lies in the communications end market weakness, driven by higher borrowing costs and inventory destocking. However, there are some positive indicators:

• Stable gross margin at 31.2%
• Effective cost containment measures
• Increasing order backlog suggesting potential recovery
• Strong liquidity position

The company's maintenance of gross margins despite lower volumes demonstrates effective operational management, though the significant revenue decline remains a key concern for investors.

CLEVELAND, Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) today reported financial results for its third quarter of 2024.

Net sales in the third quarter of 2024 were $147.0 million compared to $160.4 million in the third quarter of 2023, an 8% decrease. The decrease in sales is primarily related to a continuation of the slowdown in spending in the communications end market. Foreign currency translation reduced third quarter 2024 net sales by $0.8 million.

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, was $7.7 million, or $1.54 per diluted share, compared to $15.1 million, or $3.03 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2023. The third quarter of 2024 net income was impacted by decreased gross profit from lower sales levels, similar to our first half 2024 results, partially offset by lower period expenses from our cost containment initiatives, lower net interest expense and reduced income tax expense. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 31.2% for the third quarter of 2024, largely consistent with the second quarter of 2024.

Net sales decreased 19% to $426.6 million for the first nine months of 2024 compared to $524.1 million for the first nine months of 2023. The year-over-year decline in sales is due primarily to the slowdown in spending and inventory destocking within the communications end market. Currency translation rates reduced net sales by $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $26.6 million, or $5.37 per diluted share, compared to $57.0 million, or $11.39 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2023. YTD September 30, 2024 net income was impacted by decreased gross profit resulting from the decrease in sales which was partially offset by lower period expenses, lower net interest expense and reduced income tax expense.

Rob Ruhlman, Executive Chairman, said, "The decline in net sales continues, albeit at a slower pace, primarily related to the softness in the communications end market, caused primarily by a reduction in deployment due to higher borrowing costs and continued inventory destocking to re-align customer inventory levels with current manufacturing lead times.  The slower pace of the net sales decline and an increase in order backlog are indicators that we may be nearing the final stages of inventory destocking. Our gross margin percentage has been consistent throughout 2024 aided by our cost reduction activities implemented in 2023.  We remain optimistic about the prospects of the markets that we serve and will 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, political instability, exchange rates and lingering effects of COVID-19, 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 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 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 STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
(Thousands of dollars, except per share data)
Net sales	$              146,973		$              160,438		$              426,597		$              524,076
Cost of products sold	101,195		106,301		292,415		337,328
GROSS PROFIT	45,778		54,137		134,182		186,748
Costs and expenses
Selling	12,318		12,732		36,146		38,133
General and administrative	16,414		17,794		48,272		54,624
Research and engineering	5,545		5,840		16,334		16,793
Other operating expense, net	1,109		(2,307)		186		(10)
	35,386		34,059		100,938		109,540
OPERATING INCOME	10,392		20,078		33,244		77,208
Other (expense) income
Interest income	538		478		1,856		1,201
Interest expense	(564)		(998)		(1,840)		(3,198)
Other income, net	64		18		189		165
	38		(502)		205		(1,832)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	10,430		19,576		33,449		75,376
Income tax expense	2,734		4,431		6,783		18,348
NET INCOME	$                   7,696		$                15,145		$                26,666		$                57,028
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(16)		(15)		(24)		(28)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS	$                   7,680		$                15,130		$                26,642		$                57,000
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING:
Basic	4,904		4,906		4,911		4,929
Diluted	4,977		4,990		4,959		5,006
EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK ATTRIBUTABLE TO PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS:
Basic	$                     1.57		$                     3.08		$                     5.42		$                   11.56
Diluted	$                     1.54		$                     3.03		$                     5.37		$                   11.39
Cash dividends declared per share	$                     0.20		$                     0.20		$                     0.60		$                     0.60

 

PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
		September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
(Thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		$                       47,498		$                       53,607
Accounts receivable, net		110,888		106,892
Inventories, net		142,726		148,814
Prepaid expenses		13,053		8,246
Other current assets		6,479		7,256
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		320,644		324,815
Property, plant and equipment, net		201,194		207,892
Goodwill		28,672		29,497
Other intangible assets, net		10,983		12,981
Deferred income taxes		9,502		7,109
Other assets		20,958		20,857
TOTAL ASSETS		$                    591,953		$                     603,151
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Trade accounts payable		$                       42,426		$                       37,788
Notes payable to banks		8,006		6,968
Current portion of long-term debt		2,618		6,486
Accrued compensation and other benefits		29,499		28,018
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		31,450		32,057
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		113,999		111,317
Long-term debt, less current portion		24,582		48,796
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred income taxes		24,385		26,882
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common shares – $2 par value per share, 15,000,000 shares authorized, 4,897,450 and 4,908,413 issued and outstanding, at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023		13,715		13,607
Common shares issued to rabbi trust, 222,741 and 243,118 shares at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		(9,557)		(10,183)
Deferred compensation liability		9,557		10,183
Paid-in capital		63,108		60,958
Retained earnings		543,743		520,154
Treasury shares, at cost, 1,959,512 and 1,894,419 shares at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		(126,503)		(118,249)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(65,092)		(60,306)
TOTAL PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		428,971		416,164
Noncontrolling interest		16		(8)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		428,987		416,156
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		$                    591,953		$                     603,151
See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

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SOURCE Preformed Line Products

FAQ

What were PLPC's Q3 2024 earnings per share?

PLPC reported earnings of $1.54 per diluted share in Q3 2024, compared to $3.03 per diluted share in Q3 2023.

How much did PLPC's revenue decline in Q3 2024?

PLPC's revenue declined 8% to $147.0 million in Q3 2024 from $160.4 million in Q3 2023.

What was PLPC's gross profit margin in Q3 2024?

PLPC's gross profit margin was 31.2% in Q3 2024, remaining largely consistent with Q2 2024.

What is the main reason for PLPC's sales decline in 2024?

The main reason for the sales decline is the slowdown in spending and inventory destocking within the communications end market.