Sterling Reports Record Second Quarter 2022 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Sterling Infrastructure reported strong second quarter 2022 results, with total revenue of $510.6 million, a 27% increase year-over-year. Net income rose to $26.0 million or $0.86 per diluted share, reflecting a 29% growth. The company’s EBITDA increased by 33% to $54.3 million. Sterling's backlog grew to $1.54 billion, up 3% from December 2021. Despite challenges posed by inflation and supply chain issues, the company announced an increase in its full-year guidance, projecting revenue between $1.865 billion and $1.885 billion.

Positive

• Total revenue increased by 27% to $510.6 million.
• Net income grew 29% to $26.0 million.
• EBITDA rose by 33% to $54.3 million.
• Backlog increased to $1.54 billion, up 3% since December 2021.
• Increased full year guidance: revenue of $1.865 billion to $1.885 billion.

Negative

• Gross margin decreased by 60 basis points to 13.4% due to inflation and material availability.

Earnings Continue to Outpace Expectations

Increases 2022 Full Year Guidance

THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (NasdaqGS: STRL) (“Sterling” or the “Company”) today announced financial results for the second quarter 2022.

Second Quarter 2022 Results

• Total Revenue of $510.6 million, an increase of 27% compared to the second quarter of 2021

• Net Income was $26.0 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, an increase of 29% and 25%, respectively, compared to the second quarter of 2021

• EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $54.3 million, an increase of 33% compared to the second quarter of 2021

• Cash and Cash Equivalents totaled $72.9 million at June 30, 2022

• Backlog at June 30, 2022 was $1.54 billion, an increase of 3% over December 31, 2021

• Combined backlog⁽²⁾ at June 30, 2022 was $1.73 billion, an increase of 14% over December 31, 2021

⁽¹⁾ The Company defines EBITDA as GAAP net income attributable to Sterling’s common stockholders, adjusted for depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, taxes and net gain or loss on extinguishment of debt.
⁽²⁾ Combined Backlog includes Unsigned Low-bid Awards of $184.0 million and $22.5 million at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, the Company reported net income of $26.0 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, versus $20.1 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, in the second quarter 2021. Revenue increased by 27% over the prior year quarter, with 8% from organic growth and 19% growth generated from the acquired Petillo business. EBITDA increased 33% to $54.3 million in the second quarter of 2022, versus $41.0 million in the prior-year period. Second quarter EBITDA benefited from solid operating income growth from each segment, partially offset by ongoing supply chain and inflation challenges.

CEO Remarks and Outlook

“We are pleased with our strong second quarter performance and continue to feel positive about our position in all of our markets. Our teams have done an amazing job across the organization and continue executing remarkably well in this challenging economic environment,” stated Joe Cutillo, Sterling’s Chief Executive Officer.

“The growth in our E-Infrastructure Solutions once again made it our largest segment, and E-Infrastructure and Building Solutions continue representing 89% of our total segment operating income. Our disciplined approach coupled with our continued focus on execution of our strategic objectives resulted in an increase in gross profit of $12.1 million; however, we experienced a decrease in gross margin of sixty basis points to 13.4% from the prior year period driven predominately by inflation and material availability,” continued Mr. Cutillo.

“With the continued demand for complex site development, we broadened our customer base with industrial and manufacturing opportunities in E-Infrastructure Solutions, we continued experiencing growth in the Phoenix and Houston markets for Building Solutions and we began seeing an increase in infrastructure bill activity in Transportation Solutions.

Material availability and inflation remain a concern in all of our markets; however, we are closely monitoring these developments and we will continue to work with customers to recover the additional material and labor cost. In light of our performance to date, our increased backlog levels and our disciplined culture, we are adjusting our full year 2022 guidance. The mid-point of our guidance would improve our net income by 48%, our revenue by 19% and our EPS by 42% over 2021,” Mr. Cutillo concluded.

Full Year 2022 Guidance:

• Revenue of $1.865 billion to $1.885 billion

• Net Income of $90 million to $96 million

• EPS of $2.95 to $3.15

• EBITDA of $192 million to $202 million

Conference Call

Sterling’s management will hold a conference call to discuss these results and recent corporate developments on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. ET/8:00 a.m. CT. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing (201) 493-6744 or (877) 445-9755. Please call in ten minutes before the conference call is scheduled to begin and ask for the Sterling Infrastructure call. To coincide with the conference call, Sterling will post a slide presentation at www.strlco.com on the Events & Presentations section of the Investor Relations tab. Following management’s opening remarks, there will be a question and answer session.

To listen to a simultaneous webcast of the call, please go to the Company’s website at www.strlco.com at least fifteen minutes early to download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to listen live, the conference call webcast will be archived on the Company’s website for thirty days.

About Sterling

Sterling operates through a variety of subsidiaries within three segments specializing in E-Infrastructure, Transportation and Building Solutions in the United States (the “U.S.”), primarily across the Southern, Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic and the Rocky Mountain States, California and Hawaii, as well as other areas with strategic construction opportunities. E-Infrastructure Solutions projects develop advanced, large-scale site development systems and services for data centers, e-commerce distribution centers, warehousing, transportation, energy and more. Transportation Solutions includes infrastructure and rehabilitation projects for highways, roads, bridges, airports, ports, light rail, water, wastewater and storm drainage systems. Building Solutions projects include residential and commercial concrete foundations for single-family and multi-family homes, parking structures, elevated slabs and other concrete work. From strategy to operations, we are committed to sustainability by operating responsibly to safeguard and improve society’s quality of life. Caring for our people and our communities, our customers and our investors – that is The Sterling Way.

Joe Cutillo, CEO, “We build and service the infrastructure that enables our economy to run, our people to move and our country to grow.”

Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

Non-GAAP Measures

This press release may contain “Non-GAAP” financial measures as defined under Regulation G of the amended U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company reports financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), but the Company believes that certain Non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the Company’s ongoing operations and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of those operations.

Non-GAAP measures may include adjusted net income, adjusted EPS, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, in each case excluding the impacts of certain identified items. The excluded items represent items that the Company does not consider to be representative of its normal operations. The Company believes that these measures are useful for investors to review, because they provide a consistent measure of the underlying financial results of the Company’s ongoing business and, in the Company’s view, allow for a supplemental comparison against historical results and expectations for future performance. Furthermore, the Company uses each of these to measure the performance of the Company’s operations for budgeting and forecasting, as well as employee incentive compensation. However, Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as substitutes for net income, EPS, or other data prepared and reported in accordance with GAAP and should be viewed in addition to the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are provided in the tables included within this press release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which may include statements about: our business strategy; our financial strategy; our industry outlook; and our plans, objectives, expectations, forecasts, outlook and intentions. All of these types of statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursue,” “target,” “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. In addition, management’s assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. Management cautions all readers that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure any reader that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements due to factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and elsewhere in those filings. Additional factors or risks that we currently deem immaterial, that are not presently known to us or that arise in the future could also cause our actual results to differ materially from our expected results. Given these uncertainties, investors are cautioned that many of the assumptions upon which our forward-looking statements are based are likely to change after the date the forward-looking statements are made. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments, changed circumstances, or otherwise, notwithstanding any changes in our assumptions, changes in business plans, actual experience or other changes. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.

STERLING INFRASTRUCTURE, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
Revenues	$	510,568			$	401,666			$	920,888			$	716,982
Cost of revenues		(442,184	)			(345,419	)			(796,365	)			(615,703	)
Gross profit		68,384				56,247				124,523				101,279
General and administrative expense		(23,424	)			(15,829	)			(46,496	)			(32,928	)
Intangible asset amortization		(3,514	)			(2,866	)			(7,082	)			(5,732	)
Acquisition related costs		(230	)			—				(485	)			—
Other operating expense, net		(126	)			(4,832	)			(1,101	)			(7,144	)
Operating income		41,090				32,720				69,359				55,475
Interest income		30				12				40				26
Interest expense		(4,480	)			(5,737	)			(9,067	)			(11,741	)
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net		—				1,401				2,428				1,064
Income before income taxes		36,640				28,396				62,760				44,824
Income tax expense		(10,268	)			(8,179	)			(16,865	)			(12,939	)
Net income		26,372				20,217				45,895				31,885
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(411	)			(161	)			(682	)			(1,274	)
Net income attributable to Sterling common stockholders	$	25,961			$	20,056			$	45,213			$	30,611
Net income per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders:
Basic	$	0.86			$	0.70			$	1.50			$	1.08
Diluted	$	0.86			$	0.69			$	1.50			$	1.06
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		30,225				28,582				30,094				28,433
Diluted		30,362				29,054				30,229				28,878

STERLING INFRASTRUCTURE, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES SEGMENT INFORMATION (In thousands) (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended June 30,														Six Months Ended June 30,
Revenues		2022			% of Revenue				2021			% of Revenue				2022			% of Revenue				2021			% of Revenue
E-Infrastructure Solutions	$	233,548			46	%		$	123,743			31	%		$	402,475			44	%		$	220,315			31	%
Transportation Solutions		191,381			37	%			203,153			50	%			351,880			38	%			350,207			49	%
Building Solutions		85,639			17	%			74,770			19	%			166,533			18	%			146,460			20	%
Total Revenues	$	510,568						$	401,666						$	920,888						$	716,982
Operating Income
E-Infrastructure Solutions	$	32,824			14.1	%		$	24,714			20.0	%		$	54,109			13.4	%		$	42,526			19.3	%
Transportation Solutions		5,107			2.7	%			4,796			2.4	%			8,793			2.5	%			7,462			2.1	%
Building Solutions		9,751			11.4	%			6,790			9.1	%			19,109			11.5	%			14,151			9.7	%
Segment Operating Income		47,682			9.3	%			36,300			9.0	%			82,011			8.9	%			64,139			8.9	%
Corporate		(6,362	)						(3,580	)						(12,167	)						(8,664	)
Acquisition Related Costs		(230	)						—							(485	)						—
Total Operating Income	$	41,090			8.0	%		$	32,720			8.1	%		$	69,359			7.5	%		$	55,475			7.7	%

STERLING INFRASTRUCTURE, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
	June 30, 2022			December 31, 2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	72,905		$	81,840
Accounts receivable		302,844			232,153
Contract assets		121,667			83,310
Receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures		16,910			16,896
Other current assets		23,170			20,492
Total current assets		537,496			434,691
Property and equipment, net		214,976			204,316
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		46,628			24,520
Goodwill		252,887			259,791
Other intangibles, net		297,041			303,223
Other non-current assets, net		4,502			4,455
Total assets	$	1,353,530		$	1,230,996
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	164,506		$	144,982
Contract liabilities		161,961			127,932
Current maturities of long-term debt		26,273			28,230
Current portion of long-term lease obligations		12,582			8,841
Accrued compensation		33,044			22,803
Other current liabilities		9,023			18,972
Total current liabilities		407,389			351,760
Long-term debt		415,998			428,588
Long-term lease obligations		34,103			15,831
Members’ interest subject to mandatory redemption and undistributed earnings		54,214			55,115
Deferred tax liability, net		29,871			14,656
Other long-term liabilities		4,580			4,819
Total liabilities		946,155			870,769
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock		303			298
Additional paid in capital		279,120			280,274
Retained earnings		125,131			79,918
Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)		679			(1,723	)
Total Sterling stockholders’ equity		405,233			358,767
Noncontrolling interests		2,142			1,460
Total stockholders’ equity		407,375			360,227
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,353,530		$	1,230,996

STERLING INFRASTRUCTURE, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited)
	Six Months Ended June 30,
		2022				2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	45,895			$	31,885
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		25,412				16,707
Amortization of debt issuance costs and non-cash interest		1,102				1,264
Gain on disposal of property and equipment		(716	)			(437	)
Gain on debt extinguishment, net		(2,428	)			(1,064	)
Deferred taxes		14,505				11,294
Stock-based compensation		6,463				3,850
Change in fair value of interest rate swap		(173	)			(51	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities		(55,471	)			28,044
Net cash provided by operating activities		34,589				91,492
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(3,033	)			—
Capital expenditures		(28,945	)			(22,150	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		951				690
Net cash used in investing activities		(31,027	)			(21,460	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt		(11,770	)			(40,072	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners		—				(1,959	)
Other		—				(602	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(11,770	)			(42,633	)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		(8,208	)			27,399
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period		88,693				72,642
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period		80,485				100,041
Less: restricted cash (other current assets)		(7,580	)			(6,411	)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	72,905			$	93,630

STERLING INFRASTRUCTURE, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES EBITDA RECONCILIATION (In thousands) (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended June 30,							Six Months Ended June 30,
	2022			2021				2022				2021
Net income attributable to Sterling common stockholders	$	25,961		$	20,056			$	45,213			$	30,611
Depreciation and amortization		13,645			8,402				25,412				16,707
Interest expense, net of interest income		4,450			5,725				9,027				11,715
Income tax expense		10,268			8,179				16,865				12,939
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net		—			(1,401	)			(2,428	)			(1,064	)
EBITDA (1)	$	54,324		$	40,961			$	94,089			$	70,908

⁽¹⁾ The Company defines EBITDA as GAAP net income attributable to Sterling common stockholders, adjusted for depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, taxes, and net gain on extinguishment of debt.

STERLING INFRASTRUCTURE, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES EBITDA GUIDANCE RECONCILIATION (In millions) (Unaudited)
	Full Year 2022 Guidance
	Low				High
Net income attributable to Sterling common stockholders	$	90			$	96
Depreciation and amortization		50				51
Interest expense, net of interest income		19				20
Income tax expense		35				37
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net		(2	)			(2	)
EBITDA (1)	$	192			$	202

⁽¹⁾ The Company defines EBITDA as GAAP net income attributable to Sterling common stockholders, adjusted for depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, taxes, and net gain on extinguishment of debt.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005723/en/

Company Contact:

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.

Ron Ballschmiede, Chief Financial Officer

281-214-0777



Investor Relations Contact:

The Equity Group Inc.

Jeremy Hellman, CFA

212-836-9626

Source: Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.

FAQ

What were Sterling Infrastructure's second quarter 2022 financial results?

Sterling reported total revenue of $510.6 million, net income of $26.0 million, and EBITDA of $54.3 million.

How much did Sterling Infrastructure increase its full year 2022 guidance?

Sterling adjusted its full year guidance to projected revenue between $1.865 billion and $1.885 billion.

What challenges did Sterling Infrastructure face in the second quarter of 2022?

The company faced challenges from inflation and material availability, which impacted gross margin.

What was the gross margin reported by Sterling Infrastructure in Q2 2022?

The gross margin decreased to 13.4%, down 60 basis points from the previous year.

What is Sterling Infrastructure's stock symbol?

The stock symbol for Sterling Infrastructure is STRL.