Visteon Announces 2023 Financial Results and 2024 Outlook

Rhea-AI Summary

Visteon Corporation (NASDAQ: VC) reported strong fourth quarter and full-year 2023 financial results with $990 million net sales in Q4 and $3,954 million for the full year. Key highlights include $366 million net income in Q4, $486 million for the full year, and adjusted EBITDA of $117 million in Q4 and $434 million for the year. Visteon launched 129 new products and secured $7.2 billion of new business in 2023.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reported financial results from Visteon Corporation indicate a robust financial performance for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2023. The net income surge, including a significant non-cash U.S. tax benefit, is a standout, contributing positively to the earnings per share. This substantial increase in net income, largely due to a non-recurring tax benefit, may not be indicative of the company's operational performance and could lead to a one-time boost in the stock price.

However, the company's adjusted EBITDA growth and margin expansion confirm strong underlying operational efficiency. Investors should note the improved adjusted EBITDA margin, which outpaces the industry norm of single-digit percentages for many automotive suppliers. This indicates effective cost management and the ability to leverage sales growth into greater profitability. The share repurchase program also signals management's confidence in the company's valuation and future prospects.

The guidance for 2024 suggests continued growth, albeit at a slower rate than the base sales growth in 2023. Stakeholders should be attentive to the company's ability to meet these projections, especially considering the potential for macroeconomic shifts and supply chain challenges that could impact the automotive industry.

Market Research Analyst

Visteon's strategic positioning in the market, with a focus on digitalization and electrification, is particularly noteworthy. Their substantial $7.2 billion in new business wins underscores their competitive edge in these areas, which are critical growth drivers in the automotive industry. The emphasis on EV power electronics aligns with the global shift toward electric vehicles and could secure Visteon's long-term market share in this segment.

The successful launch of 129 new products in 2023 demonstrates Visteon's strong R&D capabilities and its commitment to innovation. This could enhance the company's reputation and attract more business from OEMs looking for advanced technological solutions. The product launches should also be considered a potential catalyst for future revenue streams, contributing to the company's resilience against market volatility.

Economist

From an economic perspective, Visteon's performance must be contextualized within the broader automotive industry and economic environment. The recovery from semiconductor supply constraints has been a positive development, yet the company reported lower recoveries as a result. This paradoxical situation suggests that while the industry may be stabilizing, Visteon's reliance on these recoveries could be a vulnerability.

The company's ability to grow its base sales despite production disruptions and a UAW strike indicates resilience in its business model. However, investors should remain cautious about the potential for future labor disputes and supply chain issues that could disrupt operations. Additionally, the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on the company's international operations could be a concern, especially in light of global economic uncertainties.

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich., Feb. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Visteon Corporation (NASDAQ: VC) today reported fourth quarter and full-year 2023 financial results. Highlights include:

• $990 million net sales in Q4 and $3,954 million for the full year
• Net income of $366 million including a $313 million non-cash U.S. tax benefit in Q4, and net income of $486 million for the full year
• Adjusted EBITDA of $117 million in Q4 and $434 million or 11.0% of sales for the full year
• Operating cash flow of $267 million and adjusted free cash flow of $150 million for the full year
• Repurchased $106 million of shares in 2023
• Launched 129 new products and won $7.2 billion of new business in 2023  

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

Visteon reported net sales of $990 million compared to $1,064 million in the fourth quarter of last year. The decline in net sales was primarily due to lower recoveries resulting from improved semiconductor supply in 2023. When excluding the impact of these recoveries, Visteon's base sales grew 1% from the prior year. Base sales performance was driven by the ongoing ramp up of our recent product launches, partially offset by production disruptions at our OEM customers, including the UAW strike.

Gross margin in the fourth quarter was $130 million, and net income attributable to Visteon was $366 million, or $12.98 per diluted share. Net income included a non-cash tax benefit of $313 million related to a reduction in the valuation allowance against U.S. deferred tax assets that contributed $11.10 to diluted earnings per share. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure as defined below, was $117 million, an increase of $14 million compared to the prior year. The increase in adjusted EBITDA primarily reflects strong operating performance, the ongoing benefits of cost and commercial discipline, and lower net engineering cost due in part to the timing of project spending. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 11.8% of sales, an increase of 210 basis points compared to the prior year.

Full-Year Financial Results

Visteon reported record net sales of $3,954 million, representing year-over-year growth of 5%. When excluding the impact of pricing from supply chain recoveries, Visteon's base sales grew 12% from the prior year. Base sales performance was driven by the ongoing ramp up of production of our recent product launches and higher customer vehicle production, partially offset by foreign exchange.

Gross margin was $487 million, and net income attributable to Visteon was $486 million or $17.05 per diluted share, including the non-cash tax benefit noted above. Adjusted EBITDA was a record $434 million, an increase of $86 million compared to the prior year. The increase in adjusted EBITDA primarily reflects the impact of higher sales while leveraging an efficient cost structure with modest increases in engineering and SG&A costs. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 11.0% of sales, an increase of 170 basis points compared to the prior year. 

Cash provided by operations was $267 million and capital expenditures were $125 million. Adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure as defined below, was $150 million, a $49 million improvement compared to the prior year. Adjusted free cash flow benefited from the strong year-over-year improvement in adjusted EBITDA and working capital, partially offset by higher capital expenditures to support our growth.

Visteon repurchased $106 million of shares during 2023 under the $300 million share repurchase authorization announced in March 2023.

New Business Wins and Product Launch Highlights
Visteon won $7.2 billion of new business in 2023, leveraging its strong, diversified product portfolio that addresses key industry trends of digitalization and electrification. Visteon won significant new business throughout the year in all core product lines including our first EV power electronics win with a European OEM luxury brand. Fourth quarter wins included an infotainment system and 10" display for an SUV platform with a Global OEM and an infotainment system and 10" display for multiple vehicles with an Indian OEM. Visteon also won a follow-on 12” digital cluster and 13” center display for an electric model on an SUV platform with a German luxury OEM.

Visteon launched 129 new products in 2023. These product launches continue to build the foundation for Visteon’s long-term market outperformance. Key fourth quarter product launches included a SmartCore™ cockpit domain controller and 12” display for the JMC-Ford Ranger in China, a SmartCore™ cockpit domain controller and 10” display for the Mahindra XUV, and a 12" digital cluster for the Nissan Rogue for the North American market.

Outlook for 2024

Visteon's full-year 2024 guidance anticipates sales in the range of $4.0 billion to $4.2 billion, adjusted EBITDA in the range of $470 million to $500 million, and adjusted free cash flow in the range of $155 million to $185 million.

"Visteon delivered another strong performance in 2023 with approximately $400 million of growth in our base sales. I am especially proud of our team’s continued focus on execution, cost control, and cash flow generation," said President and CEO Sachin Lawande. "Our impressive $7.2 billion of new business wins and high number of new product launches in 2023 lay the foundation for continued growth in 2024 and years to come."

About Visteon

Visteon is advancing mobility through innovative technology solutions that enable a software-defined and electric future. With next-generation digital cockpit and electrification products, Visteon leverages the strength and agility of its global network with a local footprint to deliver a cleaner, safer and more connected vehicle experience. Headquartered in Van Buren Township, Michigan, Visteon operates in 17 countries worldwide, recorded approximately $3.95 billion in annual sales and booked $7.2 billion of new business in 2023. Learn more at investors.visteon.com/.

Conference Call and Presentation
Today, Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 9 a.m. ET, Visteon will host a conference call for the investment community to discuss the quarter’s results and other related items. The conference call is available to the general public via a live audio webcast.

The dial-in numbers to participate in the call are:

• U.S./Canada Participants Toll-Free Dial-In Number: 1-888-330-2508
• International Participants Toll Dial-In Number: 1-240-789-2735
• Conference ID: 8897485

(Dial-in approximately 10 minutes before the start of the conference.)

__
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

Because not all companies use identical calculations, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted EPS, free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow used throughout this press release may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

In order to provide the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures for full-year 2024, the Company provides reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures on the subsequent slides. The provision of these comparable GAAP financial measures is not intended to indicate that the Company is explicitly or implicitly providing projections on those GAAP financial measures, and actual results for such measures are likely to vary from those presented. The reconciliations include all information reasonably available to the Company at the date of this press release and the adjustments that management can reasonably predict.

Forward-looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "will," "may," "designed to," "outlook," "believes," "should," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates," "forecasts" and similar expressions identify certain of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:

• continued and future impacts related to the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine including supply chain disruptions, reduction in customer demand, and the imposition of sanctions on Russia;
• significant or prolonged shortage of critical components from our suppliers, including but not limited to semiconductors, and particularly those who are our sole or primary sources;
• failure of the Company’s joint venture partners to comply with contractual obligations or to exert undue influence in China;
• conditions within the automotive industry, including (i) the automotive vehicle production volumes and schedules of our customers, (ii) the financial condition of our customers and the effects of any restructuring or reorganization plans that may be undertaken by our customers, including work stoppages at our customers, and (iii) possible disruptions in the supply of commodities to us or our customers due to financial distress, work stoppages, natural disasters or civil unrest;
• our ability to avoid or continue to operate during a strike, or partial work stoppage or slow down at any of our principal customers;
• our ability to satisfy future capital and liquidity requirements; including our ability to access the credit and capital markets at the times and in the amounts needed and on terms acceptable to us; our ability to comply with financial and other covenants in our credit agreements; and the continuation of acceptable supplier payment terms; our ability to access funds generated by foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures on a timely and cost-effective basis;
• general economic conditions, including changes in interest rates and fuel prices; the timing and expenses related to internal restructurings, employee reductions, acquisitions or dispositions and the effect of pension and other post-employment benefit obligations;
• disruptions in information technology systems including, but not limited to, system failure, cyber-attack, malicious computer software (malware including ransomware), unauthorized physical or electronic access, or other natural or man-made incidents or disasters;
• increases in raw material and energy costs and our ability to offset or recover these costs; increases in our warranty, product liability and recall costs or the outcome of legal or regulatory proceedings to which we are or may become a party;
• changes in laws, regulations, policies or other activities of governments, agencies and similar organizations, domestic and foreign, that may tax or otherwise increase the cost of, or otherwise affect, the manufacture, licensing, distribution, sale, ownership or use of our products or assets; and
• those factors identified in our filings with the SEC (including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission).

Caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which represent our view only as of the date of this release, and which we assume no obligation to update. The financial results presented herein are preliminary and unaudited; final financial results will be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023. New business wins and re-wins do not represent firm orders or firm commitments from customers, but are based on various assumptions, including the timing and duration of product launches, vehicle production levels, customer price reductions and currency exchange rates.

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VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (In millions except per share amounts)
	(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,								December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Net sales	$	990			$	1,064			$	3,954			$	3,756
Cost of sales		(860	)			(950	)			(3,467	)			(3,388	)
Gross margin		130				114				487				368
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(51	)			(54	)			(207	)			(188	)
Restructuring and impairment		(3	)			(2	)			(5	)			(14	)
Interest expense		(4	)			(4	)			(17	)			(14	)
Interest income		4				1				10				4
Equity in net (loss) income of non-consolidated affiliates		(2	)			(4	)			(10	)			(1	)
Other income (expense), net		3				5				(1	)			20
Income (loss) before income taxes		77				56				257				175
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		296				(21	)			248				(45	)
Net income (loss)		373				35				505				130
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(7	)			(1	)			(19	)			(6	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Visteon Corporation	$	366			$	34			$	486			$	124
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	347			$	120			$	461			$	141
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests		10				5				16				1
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Visteon Corporation		337				115				445				140
Earnings per share data:
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Visteon Corporation	$	13.17			$	1.21			$	17.30			$	4.41
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Visteon Corporation	$	12.98			$	1.18			$	17.05			$	4.35
Average shares outstanding (in millions)
Basic		27.8				28.2				28.1				28.1
Diluted		28.2				28.7				28.5				28.5

2023 includes a non-cash tax benefit of $313 million, or $11.10 per diluted share in the fourth quarter, and $10.98 per diluted share for the full year, related to a reduction in the valuation allowance against the U.S. deferred tax assets.

VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In millions)
	December 31,				December 31,
		2023				2022
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	$	515			$	520
Restricted cash		3				3
Accounts receivable, net		666				672
Inventories, net		298				348
Other current assets		134				167
Total current assets		1,616				1,710
Property and equipment, net		418				364
Intangible assets, net		90				99
Right-of-use assets		109				124
Investments in non-consolidated affiliates		35				49
Deferred tax assets		384				42
Other non-current assets		75				62
Total assets	$	2,727			$	2,450
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Short-term debt	$	18			$	13
Accounts payable		551				657
Accrued employee liabilities		99				90
Current lease liability		30				29
Other current liabilities		233				246
Total current liabilities		931				1,035
Long-term debt, net		318				336
Employee benefits		160				115
Non-current lease liability		79				99
Deferred tax liabilities		31				27
Other non-current liabilities		85				64
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock		1				1
Additional paid-in capital		1,356				1,352
Retained earnings		2,274				1,788
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(254	)			(213	)
Treasury stock		(2,339	)			(2,253	)
Total Visteon Corporation stockholders’ equity		1,038				675
Non-controlling interests		85				99
Total equity		1,123				774
Total liabilities and equity	$	2,727			$	2,450

VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  (In millions)
	(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,								December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
OPERATING
Net income (loss)	$	373			$	35			$	505			$	130
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		25				29				104				108
Non-cash stock-based compensation		8				7				34				26
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates, net of dividends remitted		7				4				15				4
Impairments		—				1				—				5
U.S. tax valuation allowance benefit		(313	)			—				(313	)			—
Other non-cash items		(3	)			1				(6	)			(1	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		32				88				13				(156	)
Inventories		29				7				52				(105	)
Accounts payable		(76	)			(27	)			(130	)			146
Other assets and other liabilities		16				20				(7	)			10
Net cash provided from operating activities		98				165				267				167
INVESTING
Capital expenditures, including intangibles		(43	)			(27	)			(125	)			(81	)
Contributions to equity method investments		—				(2	)			(1	)			(3	)
Net investment hedge transactions		—				3				—				12
Other, net		—				2				3				4
Net cash used by investing activities		(43	)			(24	)			(123	)			(68	)
FINANCING
Borrowings on term debt facility		—				—				—				350
Payments on term debt facility		—				—				—				(350	)
Short-term debt, net		—				—				—				(4	)
Principal repayment of term debt facility		(5	)			—				(13	)			—
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests		(2	)			(2	)			(29	)			(2	)
Repurchase of common stock		(30	)			—				(106	)			—
Stock based compensation tax withholding payments		—				—				(16	)			—
Proceeds from the exercise of options		—				—				8				—
Other		—				—				—				(3	)
Net cash used by financing activities		(37	)			(2	)			(156	)			(9	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		15				19				7				(22	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, equivalents, and restricted cash		33				158				(5	)			68
Cash, equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the period		485				365				523				455
Cash, equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period	$	518			$	523			$	518			$	523

               
VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a supplemental measure of the Company's performance that management believes is useful to investors because the excluded items may vary significantly in timing or amounts and/or may obscure trends useful in evaluating and comparing the Company's operating activities across reporting periods. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to the Company adjusted to eliminate the impact of depreciation and amortization, provision for (benefit from) income taxes, non-cash stock-based compensation expense, restructuring and impairment expense, net interest expense, net income attributable to non-controlling interests, equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates, gain on non-consolidated affiliate transactions, and other gains and losses not reflective of the Company's ongoing operations. Because not all companies use identical calculations, this presentation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

	Three Months Ended							Twelve Months Ended							Estimated
	December 31,							December 31,							Full Year
Visteon:		2023				2022			2023				2022			2024
Net income (loss) attributable to Visteon Corporation	$	366			$	34		$	486			$	124		$	220
Depreciation and amortization		25				29			104				108			105
Restructuring and impairment expense		3				2			5				14			5
(Benefit from) provision for income tax		(296	)			21			(248	)			45			80
Non-cash, stock-based compensation expense		8				7			34				26			35
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		7				1			19				6			20
Interest expense, net		—				3			7				10			5
Equity in net loss (income) of non-consolidated affiliates		2				4			10				1			10
Other non-operating costs, net		2				2			17				14			5
Adjusted EBITDA	$	117			$	103		$	434			$	348		$	4851

2023 includes a non-cash tax benefit of $313 million related to a reduction in the valuation allowance against the U.S. deferred tax assets.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized term under U.S. GAAP and does not purport to be a substitute for net income as an indicator of operating performance or cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and is not intended to be a measure of cash flow available for management's discretionary use, as it does not consider certain cash requirements such as interest payments, tax payments and debt service requirements. In addition, the Company uses adjusted EBITDA (i) as a factor in incentive compensation decisions, (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company's business strategies, and (iii) because the Company's credit agreements use similar measures for compliance with certain covenants.

Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow: Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are presented as supplemental measures of the Company's liquidity that management believes are useful to investors in analyzing the Company's ability to service and repay its debt. The Company defines free cash flow as cash flow provided from operating activities less capital expenditures, including intangibles. The Company defines adjusted free cash flow as cash flow provided from operating activities less capital expenditures, including intangibles as further adjusted for restructuring related payments. Because not all companies use identical calculations, this presentation of free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended								Estimated
	December 31,								December 31,								Full Year
Total Visteon:		2023				2022				2023				2022				2024
Cash provided from operating activities	$	98			$	165			$	267			$	167			$	305
Capital expenditures, including intangibles		(43	)			(27	)			(125	)			(81	)			(145	)
Free cash flow	$	55			$	138			$	142			$	86			$	160
Restructuring related payments		2				3				8				15				10
Adjusted free cash flow	$	57			$	141			$	150			$	101			$	1702

Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are not recognized terms under U.S. GAAP and do not purport to be a substitute for cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow have limitations as analytical tools as they do not reflect cash used to service debt and do not reflect funds available for investment or other discretionary uses. In addition, the Company uses free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow (i) as factors in incentive compensation decisions and (ii) for planning and forecasting future periods.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Earnings Per Share: Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are presented as supplemental measures that management believes are useful to investors in analyzing the Company's profitability, providing comparability between periods by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of recurring business operating results. The Company believes management and investors benefit from referring to these supplemental measures in assessing company performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. The Company defines adjusted net income as net income attributable to Visteon adjusted to eliminate the impact of restructuring and impairment expense, loss on divestiture, gain on non-consolidated affiliate transactions, other gains and losses not reflective of the Company's ongoing operations and related tax effects. The Company defines adjusted earnings per share as adjusted net income divided by diluted shares. Because not all companies use identical calculations, this presentation of adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

	Three Months Ended							Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,							December 31,
		2023				2022			2023				2022
Net income (loss) attributable to Visteon	$	366			$	34		$	486			$	124
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Visteon	$	366			$	34		$	486			$	124
Average shares outstanding, diluted		28.2				28.7			28.5				28.5
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	12.98			$	1.18		$	17.05			$	4.35
Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted earnings (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Visteon	$	366			$	34		$	486			$	124
Restructuring and impairment expense		3				2			5				14
Other		2				2			17				14
Tax impacts of adjustments		(4	)			—			(4	)			—
Adjusted net income (loss)	$	367			$	38		$	504			$	152
Average shares outstanding, diluted		28.2				28.7			28.5				28.5
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share	$	13.01			$	1.32		$	17.68			$	5.33

2023 includes a non-cash tax benefit of $313 million, or $11.10 per diluted share in the fourth quarter, and $10.98 per diluted share for the full year, related to a reduction in the valuation allowance against the U.S. deferred tax assets.

¹ Based on mid-point of the range of the Company's financial guidance.

² Based on mid-point of the range of the Company's financial guidance.

FAQ

What were Visteon Corporation's (VC) net sales in Q4 and for the full year 2023?

Visteon Corporation reported $990 million net sales in Q4 and $3,954 million for the full year 2023.

What was Visteon Corporation's (VC) net income in Q4 and for the full year 2023?

Visteon Corporation reported net income of $366 million in Q4 and $486 million for the full year 2023.

What was Visteon Corporation's (VC) adjusted EBITDA in Q4 and for the full year 2023?

Visteon Corporation reported adjusted EBITDA of $117 million in Q4 and $434 million for the full year 2023.

How many new products did Visteon Corporation (VC) launch in 2023?

Visteon Corporation launched 129 new products in 2023.

How much new business did Visteon Corporation (VC) win in 2023?

Visteon Corporation won $7.2 billion of new business in 2023.