Trex Company Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Trex Company (NYSE:TREX) reported a strong third quarter for 2020, with consolidated net sales of $232 million, marking a 19% increase year-over-year. Net income rose to $43 million or $0.37 per diluted share, up 2% from the previous year. Despite a warranty charge of $6.5 million, adjusted gross margin was 39.5%. For the nine months, net sales totaled $653 million, up 12%. The company anticipates continued growth, projecting Q4 sales of $210-$220 million and strong double-digit growth for 2021.

Positive

• Consolidated net sales increased 19% to $232 million in Q3 2020.
• Net income rose 2% to $43 million or $0.37 per diluted share.
• Net sales for the first nine months reached $653 million, a 12% increase.
• Projected Q4 sales of $210-$220 million indicate potential 30% growth.
• Share buyback program reinstated, reflecting improved financial visibility.

Negative

• Gross margin decreased to 36.7% from 42.4% year-over-year.
• A warranty charge of $6.5 million negatively impacted financial results.

WINCHESTER , Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Trex Company, Inc. (NYSE:TREX), the world’s number-one brand of composite decking and railing and leader in high-performance, low-maintenance outdoor living products, and a leading national provider of custom-engineered railing and staging systems, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Third Quarter 2020 Results

Consolidated net sales for the 2020 third quarter were $232 million, 19% ahead of the 2019 third quarter. Trex Residential Products net sales increased 20% to $218 million with Trex Commercial Products contributing $13 million to net sales. Consolidated gross margin was 36.7%, compared to 42.4% in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin for Trex Residential Products and Trex Commercial Products was 37.4% and 24.4%, respectively. SG&A was $28 million, or 12.1% of net sales, compared to $27.4 million, or 14.1% of net sales, in the prior period. Net income for the 2020 third quarter was $43 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, representing increases of 2% and 3%, respectively, from net income of $42 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, in the 2019 third quarter. EBITDA increased 5% to $61.5 million and EBITDA margin was 26.6%.

During the 2020 third quarter, the Company recognized a charge of $6.5 million to the Trex Residential warranty reserve related to the legacy surface flaking issue that affected a portion of the products manufactured at the Nevada plant prior to 2007. Excluding the warranty charge, consolidated gross margin was 39.5%. Net income was $48 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, up 13% and 14%, respectively, and EBITDA increased 16% to $68 million and EBITDA margin was 29.4%.

“Trex brand leadership continues to position us at the forefront of strong secular trends for the composite decking and railing industry. Demand for Trex products continues to outpace supply reflecting consumer preferences for the superior aesthetics and high performance of our products and continued strength in the repair and remodel sector. Together with the compelling value proposition of our Enhance product line, these attributes are enabling Trex to accelerate conversion from the dominant wood decking market.

“Third quarter profitability, exclusive of the warranty charge, demonstrated the successful execution of our low-cost, highly-efficient operating model, which more than offset the anticipated increased labor and depreciation costs related to capacity expansion and COVID-19 management.” noted Bryan H. Fairbanks, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Nine Month 2020 Results

Net sales for the nine months of 2020 were $653 million, 12% above the $581 million reported for the comparable period in 2019. Trex Residential Products net sales were up 13% to $614 million, with Trex Commercial Products contributing an additional $38 million to net sales. Gross margin increased 40 basis points to 40.9%. SG&A was $92 million, or 14% of net sales, compared to $93 million, or 16.1% of net sales, in the prior period. Net income for the nine months of 2020 totaled $132 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, up 21.1% and 22.6%, respectively, compared to net income of $109 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, for the nine months of 2019. EBITDA increased 23% to $188 million with EBITDA margin gaining 260 basis points to 28.8%.

Exclusive of the warranty charge, gross margin increased 140 basis points to 41.9%. Net income was $137 million, or $1.18 per adjusted diluted share, up 26% and 27%, respectively, and EBITDA increased 28% to $194 million and EBITDA margin increased 360 basis points to 29.8%.

Recent Recognitions

• Fortune’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies of 2020
• 2020 Sustainability Leadership Award by the Business Intelligence Group
• Builder Magazine’s 2020 Brand Use Study – #1 in Brand Familiarity, #1 Brand Most Used, #1 Brand Used Most in the Past Two Years, #1 in Overall Quality
• Green Builder Media’s best Brand Index score for the decking category
• Green Builder Media’s Readers’ Choice Award – “Greenest decking”, for an unprecedented 10-year streak

Summary and Outlook

“Year-to-date results demonstrate sustained demand for Trex composite decking and railings, which appeal to today’s consumer on several levels— aesthetics, performance, value and sustainability. Increasingly, the 95% recycled content in Trex Residential decking products plays an appealing and valuable role in consumer buying decisions. Feedback from our channel partners coupled with record web traffic to our “Trex.com” and “Decks.com” websites support expectations of strong future demand for our products.

“Our capacity expansion program is well underway. Three new production lines in Nevada are operational and the initial production lines at our new Virginia facility will begin start up in the first quarter of 2021, with additional production ramping through the second quarter.

“For the 2020 fourth quarter, we expect consolidated net sales of approximately $210 million to $220 million, representing 30% growth at the midpoint of the range. For full year 2020, we expect incremental gross margin to be at the low end of the 45% to 50% range, excluding the warranty charge, and reflecting COVID-19 related expenses, inflation and logistics costs associated with startup expenses as we approach our Virginia facility coming online. We expect SG&A as a percentage of net sales to improve by approximately 150 basis points for the full year compared to the prior year, driven by reduced brand spend and lower travel and entertainment costs.

“Based on current visibility, we expect 2021 to deliver another year of strong double-digit sales growth. Recently announced price increases on certain products that will go into effect at the beginning of the new year, combined with disciplined cost management and continuous improvement efforts, are expected to more than offset increased costs related to the new capacity ramp-up and expected inflation for raw materials. As a result of our improved visibility and a more stable economic backdrop, the Trex Board of Directors has reinstated our share buyback program,” Mr. Fairbanks concluded.

Third Quarter 2020 Conference Call and Webcast Information

Trex will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2020 results and other corporate matters on Monday, November 2, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. ET. To participate on the day of the call, dial 1-844-792-3734, or internationally 1-412-317-5126, approximately ten minutes before the call and tell the operator you wish to join the Trex Company Conference Call.

A live webcast of the conference call will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Trex Company website at 3Q20 Earnings Webcast. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, an audio replay of the conference call will be available on the Trex website for 30 days.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this press release regarding the Company's expected future performance and condition constitute "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. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual operating results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the extent of market acceptance of the Company’s current and newly developed products; the costs associated with the development and launch of new products and the market acceptance of such new products; the sensitivity of the Company’s business to general economic conditions; the impact of seasonal and weather-related demand fluctuations on inventory levels in the distribution channel and sales of the Company’s products; the availability and cost of third-party transportation services for the Company’s products; the Company’s ability to obtain raw materials at acceptable prices; the Company’s ability to maintain product quality and product performance at an acceptable cost; the level of expenses associated with product replacement and consumer relations expenses related to product quality; the highly competitive markets in which the Company operates; cyber-attacks, security breaches or other security vulnerabilities; the impact of upcoming data privacy laws and the General Data Protection Regulation and the related actual or potential costs and consequences; material adverse impacts from global public health pandemics, including the strain of coronavirus known as COVID-19; and material adverse impacts related to labor shortages or increases in labor costs. Documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company, including in particular its latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, discuss some of the important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we use the non-GAAP financial measure of earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) EBITDA as a percentage of net sales, EBITDA margin, to assess performance. We consider EBITDA to be an important supplemental indicator of our core operating performance because it eliminates many differences among companies in capitalization and tax structures, capital investment cycles and ages of related assets.

Gross margin, net income, diluted earnings per share, EBITDA and EBITDA margin were adjusted to exclude a provision of $6.5 million to the Trex Residential warranty reserve related to the legacy surface flaking issue that affected a portion of the products produced at the Nevada plant prior to 2007. Details of the adjustment are disclosed in Note 18 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020.

We believe that the use of non-GAAP measures helps investors to gain a better understanding of our core operating results and future prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts the Company’s performance, especially when comparing such results to previous periods or forecasts. The non-GAAP measures included in this release are not meant to be considered superior to or a substitute for our GAAP results.

Reconciliation of net income (GAAP) to EBITDA (non-GAAP) is as follows:

	Three Months ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020			2019			2020			2019
Net income	$	42,710		$	41,976		$	132,331		$	109,241
Interest income, net		(208	)		(744	)		(801	)		(801	)
Income tax expense		14,435			13,790			43,938			33,520
Depreciation and amortization		4,535			3,587			12,450			10,380
EBITDA	$	61,472		$	58,609		$	187,918		$	152,340
Net income as a percentage of net sales		18.4	%		21.6	%		20.3	%		18.8	%
EBITDA as a percentage of net sales (EBITDA margin)		26.6	%		30.1	%		28.8	%		26.2	%

Reconciliation of net income (GAAP) to net income excluding the legacy warranty provision (non-GAAP) is as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2020		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
	(000s omitted)
Net income	$ 42,710		$ 132,331
Warranty provision	6,480		6,480
Income taxes on provision	1,639		1,614
Adjusted net income	$ 47,551		$ 137,197
Diluted EPS	$ 0.37		$ 1.14
Adjusted diluted EPS	$ 0.41		$ 1.18

About Trex Company

Trex Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of high-performance wood-alternative decking and railing with more than 25 years of product experience. Stocked in more than 6,700 retail locations worldwide, Trex outdoor living products offer a wide range of style options with fewer ongoing maintenance requirements than wood, as well as a truly environmentally responsible choice. Also, Trex is a leading national provider of custom-engineered railing and staging systems for the commercial and multi-family market, including performing arts venues and sports stadiums. For more information, visit trex.com.

TREX COMPANY, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
				Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
					2020				2019				2020				2019
				(Unaudited)								(Unaudited)
Net sales				$	231,502			$	194,551			$	652,545			$	580,575
Cost of sales					146,538				112,120				385,479				345,334
Gross profit					84,964				82,431				267,066				235,241
Selling, general and administrative expenses					28,027				27,409				91,598				93,281
Income from operations					56,937				55,022				175,468				141,960
Interest income, net					(208	)			(744	)			(801	)			(801	)
Income before income taxes					57,145				55,766				176,269				142,761
Provision for income taxes					14,435				13,790				43,938				33,520
Net income				$	42,710			$	41,976			$	132,331			$	109,241
Basic earnings per common share				$	0.37			$	0.36			$	1.14			$	0.94
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding					115,773,030				116,802,366				115,921,463				116,952,860
Diluted earnings per common share				$	0.37			$	0.36			$	1.14			$	0.93
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding					116,134,623				117,211,452				116,280,807				117,413,920
Comprehensive income				$	42,710			$	41,976			$	132,331			$	109,241

TREX COMPANY, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
			September 30,				December 31,
				2020				2019
ASSETS			(Unaudited)
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	20,081			$	148,833
	Accounts receivable, net			253,416				78,462
	Inventories			51,581				56,106
	Prepaid expenses and other assets			17,822				19,803
	Total current assets			342,900				303,204
Property, plant and equipment, net				260,519				171,300
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net				73,770				74,084
Operating lease assets				37,056				40,049
Other assets				3,990				3,602
	Total assets		$	718,235			$	592,239
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable		$	33,345			$	15,227
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities			71,164				58,265
	Accrued warranty			5,600				5,178
	Total current liabilities			110,109				78,670
	Operating lease liabilities			30,182				34,242
	Non-current accrued warranty			24,049				20,317
	Deferred income taxes			9,831				9,831
	Other long-term liabilities			-				4
	Total liabilities			174,171				143,064
	Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 3,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding			—				—
	Common stock, $0.01 par value, 180,000,000 shares authorized; 140,563,175 and 140,374,926 shares issued and 115,785,673 and 116,481,442 shares outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively			1,406				1,404
	Additional paid-in capital			124,923				123,294
	Retained earnings			694,010				561,680
	Treasury stock, at cost, 24,777,502 and 23,893,484 shares at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively			(276,275	)			(237,203	)
	Total stockholders’ equity			544,064				449,175
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	718,235			$	592,239

TREX COMPANY, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020				2019
	(unaudited)
Operating Activities
Net income	$	132,331			$	109,241
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		12,450				10,477
Stock-based compensation		5,919				5,844
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment		(138	)			90
Other non-cash adjustments		(28	)			(372	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(174,954	)			(26,225	)
Inventories		4,525				13,878
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(694	)			2,129
Accounts payable		14,447				(6,443	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		13,286				(10,262	)
Income taxes receivable/payable		5,370				629
Net cash provided by operating activities		12,514				98,986
Investing Activities
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment		(99,696	)			(36,926	)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment		2,150				21
Net cash used in investing activities		(97,546	)			(36,905	)
Financing Activities
Borrowings under line of credit		235,000				89,500
Principal payments under line of credit		(235,000	)			(89,500	)
Repurchases of common stock		(44,437	)			(35,216	)
Financing costs		(361	)			-
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and option plans		1,078				718
Net cash used in financing activities		(43,720	)			(34,498	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(128,752	)			27,583
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		148,833				105,699
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	20,081			$	133,282