Vertiv to Acquire the E&I Engineering Group
Vertiv has announced a definitive agreement to acquire E&I Engineering Ireland Limited and its affiliate, Powerbar Gulf LLC, for approximately $1.8 billion, with a potential additional $200 million based on 2022 profit milestones. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance Vertiv's data center offerings, expanding its addressable market by $7 billion. Despite robust order growth and a record backlog, supply chain disruptions have led to revised financial guidance. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2021 and is anticipated to be accretive to Vertiv's growth and profitability.
- Acquisition expected to enhance Vertiv's data center capabilities.
- Expands addressable market by $7 billion, targeting a growing sector.
- Projected cost synergies of $18 million within three years.
- Expected to boost adjusted EPS and organic growth in 2022.
- Supply chain disruptions impacting production and delivery.
- Revised guidance shows a decrease in expected net sales and operating profit.
- Adjusted EPS guidance lowered from $0.26 - $0.30 to $0.17 - $0.20.
Strategic Transaction Significantly Expands Vertiv’s Offering; Vertiv Also Updates Business Conditions
- Meaningfully completes Vertiv’s data center offering by adding a leading independent provider of switchgear, busway and modular power solutions;
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Expands Vertiv’s addressable market by
, entering an attractive global market growing at mid-single digits;$7 billion - Expected to be accretive to Vertiv’s organic growth, adjusted operating margins, cash flow and adjusted EPS; and
- Core Vertiv business continues to see robust order and backlog growth but supply chain disruptions have accelerated; updating guidance to reflect latest market conditions.
Founded in 1986 by Philip O’Doherty, E&I is a leading independent provider of electrical switchgear and power distribution systems, pioneering unique in-house integrated power solution designs and technology tailored to individual client project needs. With annual sales of approximately
“The acquisition of E&I represents a key milestone in Vertiv’s strategy, completing our portfolio of in-building power train offerings for data centers and vital commercial and industrial markets,” said
“While this deal marks the first acquisition by Vertiv since becoming a public company, our team has thoughtfully followed acquisition best practices during the process of identification, valuation, due diligence and integration planning. E&I represents a unique opportunity for Vertiv and it fits well in the Vertiv portfolio. I am excited about the potential of these two great businesses coming together as one,” said
“This transaction brings together two highly complementary businesses and represents a great outcome for E&I’s employees and customers,” said Philip O’Doherty, founder and Chief Executive Officer of E&I. “We are excited to join the Vertiv team and to continue to grow our business through Vertiv’s global reach, strong channel presence and great customer positioning in critical digital infrastructures.”
Compelling Strategic and Financial Benefits
-
Highly Complementary Product Portfolio with Differentiated Technology. E&I’s products in critical power switchgear,
UPS input and output switch gear and busway fill the remaining gaps in the Vertiv critical power infrastructure offering. - Broad Global Customer Base. Together, Vertiv and E&I will serve some of the world’s leading hyperscale cloud and colocation companies that are increasingly looking to suppliers to have a full “powertrain” capability and flexible power deployment options to support increasingly demanding power requirements.
-
Significant Geographic Expansion Potential. E&I today competes in
North America ,Europe and theMiddle East . This transaction provides the opportunity to leverage Vertiv’s footprint outside ofthe United States , particularly inEurope andAsia to rapidly expand penetration with new customers. -
Attractive Cost and Revenue Synergies. The combination is expected to yield excellent sales synergies; however no sales synergies are contemplated in the base financial model so they represent incremental upside. Vertiv expects to realize approximately
in pre-tax run rate cost synergies within three years of close. Cost synergies will come from a combination of procurement, general, administrative and product costs. Revenue synergy opportunities are driven by highly complementary customers and products to support cross-selling and integrated solutions for each company’s customers.$18 million - Accretive to Vertiv’s Financial Profile. The transaction is expected to be accretive to Vertiv’s organic growth, adjusted operating margins, cash flow and EPS in 2022.
Transaction Details
Under terms of the agreement, E&I will receive upfront consideration of approximately
Vertiv plans to finance the transaction with cash on hand and new debt financing, supported by committed financing. At the close of the transaction, Vertiv expects an adjusted net leverage ratio of about 3.4x net debt to adjusted EBITDA, which is expected to de-lever to approximately 2.3x by year end 2022. The company expects the transaction to close in the fourth quarter of 2021 subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Updated Business Conditions
Vertiv today also provided an update on current business conditions. Overall market demand remains robust and consistent with expectations. Orders in July and August were up approximately
Despite continued strong market demand, supply chain challenges described in our prior communications are trending worse than expected, with critical part shortages driving the need for additional spot buys. In some cases, the company cannot procure critical parts at any price, creating production and delivery challenges pressuring the top-line. Vertiv is taking actions to address these challenges, which are expected to continue through the first half of 2022.
Given these pressures, Vertiv is revising its guidance for the third quarter and full year 2021. The revised guidance reflects current market conditions and anticipates no improvements until next year, which Vertiv considers prudent but could prove conservative. A summary of the revised guidance compared with prior guidance is provided below:
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Prior Q3 2021 Guidance |
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Revised Q3 2021 Guidance |
Net sales |
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Organic net sales growth1 |
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Adjusted operating profit2 |
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Adjusted operating margin |
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Adjusted EPS |
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Prior FY 2021 Guidance |
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Revised FY 2021 Guidance |
Net sales |
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Organic net sales growth1 |
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Adjusted operating profit |
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Adjusted operating margin |
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Adjusted EPS |
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Free Cash Flow |
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1 This is a non-GAAP financial measure that cannot be reconciled for those reasons set forth under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this news release. |
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2 This release contains certain non-GAAP metrics. For reconciliations to the relevant GAAP measures and an explanation of the non-GAAP measures and reasons for their use, please refer to Exhibit 99.1. |
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The above revised third quarter and full year 2021 guidance excludes projected one-time M&A costs of approximately
Johnson concluded, “Today marks the start of an important chapter for Vertiv as we announce this significant and value-creating addition to our portfolio. Vertiv is laser-focused on executing well, ensuring we are well positioned to benefit when supply chain conditions improve. Together with E&I, the future of Vertiv has never been brighter and we are excited about the potential value creation opportunities for our shareholders in both the near- and long-term.”
Conference Call
Vertiv’s management team will discuss the transaction and financial outlook today during a conference call at
About
Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to ensure its customers’ vital applications run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs. Vertiv solves the most important challenges facing today’s data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extends from the cloud to the edge of the network. Headquartered in
About the
The
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Financial information included in the news release to which this Exhibit is attached have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Vertiv has included certain non-GAAP financial measures in the news release, as further described above, that may not be directly comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies and therefore may not be comparable among companies. These non-GAAP financial measures may include organic net sales growth, adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating profit margin, adjusted EPS, and free cash flow, which management believes provides investors with useful supplemental information to evaluate the company’s ongoing operations and to compare with past and future periods. Management also uses certain non-GAAP measures internally for forecasting, budgeting and measuring its operating performance. These measures should be viewed as supplementing, and not as an alternative or substitute for, the company's financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation G, Vertiv has provided reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
Information reconciling certain forward-looking GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures related to third quarter and full year 2021 guidance, including organic net sales growth, adjusted operating margin, and free cash flow, is not available without unreasonable effort due to high variability, complexity and uncertainty with respect to forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliations. For the same reasons, we are unable to compute the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could have a potentially unpredictable, and potentially significant, impact on our future GAAP financial results.
See “Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on this Exhibit 99.1 for Vertiv’s reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This news release, and other statements that Vertiv may make in connection therewith, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, capital structure, indebtedness, business strategy and plans and objectives of Vertiv management for future operations, as well as statements regarding growth, anticipated demand for our products and services and our business prospects during 2021, as well as expected cost savings associated with our restructuring program. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Vertiv cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Vertiv undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this presentation are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on Vertiv. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Vertiv will be those that Vertiv has anticipated. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Vertiv has previously disclosed risk factors in its
Category:
Reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement this news release, we have included certain non-GAAP financial measures that reflect the historical financial results presented in the format of the performance metrics we are beginning to report in 2021. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with additional meaningful financial information that should be considered when assessing our underlying business performance and trends. Further, management believes these non-GAAP financial measures also enhance investors' ability to compare period-to-period financial results. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures do not represent a comprehensive basis of accounting. Therefore, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Reconciliations of each of these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP information are also included. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating, compensation and planning decisions and in evaluating the company's performance. Disclosing these non-GAAP financial measures allows investors and management to view our operating results excluding the impact of items that are not reflective of the underlying operating performance.
Vertiv’s non-GAAP financial measures include:
- Adjusted operating profit (loss), which represents operating profit (loss), adjusted to exclude amortization of intangibles, M&A expenses and acquired sales, net;
- Adjusted operating profit (loss) margins, which represents adjusted operating profit (loss) divided by net sales; and
- Adjusted diluted EPS, which represents diluted earnings per share adjusted to exclude amortization of intangibles, change in warrant liability, and M&A expenses and acquired sales, net.
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Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Profit to Non-GAAP Adjusted Financial Performance |
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Third Quarter 2020 |
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Operating
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Interest
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Change in
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Income tax
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Net income
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Diluted EPS (1) |
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GAAP |
$ |
35.1 |
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$ |
26.4 |
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$ |
87.7 |
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$ |
24.5 |
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$ |
(103.5 |
) |
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$ |
(0.32 |
) |
Amortization of intangibles |
32.5 |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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32.5 |
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0.10 |
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Change in warrant liability |
— |
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— |
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(87.7 |
) |
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— |
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87.7 |
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0.27 |
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Pro forma share count1 |
— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Non-GAAP Adjusted |
$ |
67.6 |
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$ |
26.4 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
24.5 |
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$ |
16.7 |
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$ |
0.05 |
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Fourth Quarter 2020 |
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Operating
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Interest
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Change in
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Income tax
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Net income
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Diluted EPS (2) |
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GAAP |
$ |
120.1 |
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$ |
25.0 |
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$ |
34.4 |
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$ |
20.2 |
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$ |
40.5 |
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$ |
0.12 |
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Amortization of intangibles |
31.6 |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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31.6 |
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0.10 |
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Change in warrant liability |
— |
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— |
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(34.4 |
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— |
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34.4 |
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0.10 |
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Pro forma share count2 |
— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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(0.03 |
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Non-GAAP Adjusted |
$ |
151.7 |
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$ |
25.0 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
20.2 |
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$ |
106.5 |
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$ |
0.29 |
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Full Year 2020 |
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Operating
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Interest
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Loss on
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Change in
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Income tax
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Net income
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Diluted EPS (3) |
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GAAP |
$ |
213.5 |
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$ |
150.4 |
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$ |
174.0 |
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$ |
143.7 |
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$ |
72.7 |
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$ |
(327.3 |
) |
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$ |
(1.07 |
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Amortization of intangibles |
128.7 |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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128.7 |
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0.42 |
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Change in warrant liability |
— |
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— |
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— |
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(143.7 |
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— |
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143.7 |
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0.47 |
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Pro forma share count3 |
— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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0.03 |
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Non-GAAP Adjusted |
$ |
342.2 |
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$ |
150.4 |
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$ |
174.0 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
72.7 |
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$ |
(54.9 |
) |
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$ |
(0.15 |
) |
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(1) |
GAAP Diluted EPS based on 328.4 million shares. Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS based on pro forma share count of 362.0 million diluted shares (includes basic shares and potential dilutive warrants, stock options and restricted stock units). We believe that this presentation facilitates comparison to the current period due to the impact of the reverse merger. |
(2) |
GAAP Diluted EPS based on 333.3 million shares. Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS based on pro forma share count of 362.0 million diluted shares (includes basic shares and potential dilutive warrants, stock options and restricted stock units). We believe that this presentation facilitates comparison to the current period due to the impact of the reverse merger. |
(3) |
GAAP Diluted EPS based on 307.1 million shares. Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS based on pro forma share count of 362.0 million diluted shares (includes basic shares and potential dilutive warrants, stock options and restricted stock units). We believe that this presentation facilitates comparison to the current period due to the impact of the reverse merger. |
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2021 Adjusted Guidance |
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Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Profit to Non-GAAP Adjusted Financial Performance1, 2 |
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Third Quarter 2021 |
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Operating
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Interest
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Change in
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Income tax
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Net income
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Diluted EPS (3) |
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GAAP |
$ |
83.0 |
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$ |
20.0 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
43.0 |
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$ |
20.0 |
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$ |
0.05 |
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Amortization of intangibles |
32.0 |
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|
— |
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— |
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— |
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32.0 |
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0.09 |
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Change in warrant liability |
— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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M&A expenses and acquired sales, net |
15.0 |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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15.0 |
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0.04 |
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Non-GAAP Adjusted |
$ |
130.0 |
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$ |
20.0 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
43.0 |
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$ |
67.0 |
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$ |
0.18 |
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Fourth Quarter 2021 |
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Operating
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Interest
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Change in
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Income tax
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Net income
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Diluted EPS (4) |
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GAAP |
$ |
92.8 |
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$ |
21.9 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
39.7 |
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$ |
31.2 |
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$ |
0.08 |
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Amortization of intangibles |
31.3 |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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31.3 |
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0.08 |
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Change in warrant liability |
— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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M&A expenses and acquired sales, net |
40.0 |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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40.0 |
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0.11 |
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Non-GAAP Adjusted |
$ |
164.1 |
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$ |
21.9 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
39.7 |
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$ |
102.5 |
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$ |
0.28 |
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Full Year 2021 |
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Operating
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Interest
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Loss on
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Change in
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Income tax
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Net income
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Diluted EPS (5) |
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GAAP |
$ |
358.0 |
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$ |
86.0 |
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$ |
0.4 |
|
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$ |
84.8 |
|
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$ |
94.0 |
|
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$ |
92.8 |
|
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$ |
0.25 |
|
Amortization of intangibles |
127.0 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
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|
— |
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— |
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127.0 |
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|
0.35 |
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Change in warrant liability |
— |
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— |
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— |
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(84.8 |
) |
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— |
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84.8 |
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0.23 |
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M&A expenses and acquired sales, net |
55.0 |
|
|
— |
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|
— |
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— |
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— |
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55.0 |
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|
0.15 |
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Non-GAAP Adjusted |
$ |
540.0 |
|
|
$ |
86.0 |
|
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$ |
0.4 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
94.0 |
|
|
$ |
359.6 |
|
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$ |
0.99 |
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(1) |
Information reconciling certain forward-looking GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures related to Q3 2021 guidance, including organic net sales growth and free cash flow, is not available without unreasonable effort due to high variability, complexity and uncertainty with respect to forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliations. For the same reasons, we are unable to compute the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could have a potentially unpredictable, and potentially significant, impact on our future GAAP financial results. |
(2) |
Management believes adjusting operating profit to exclude M&A expenses provides investors with additional meaningful financial information that should be considered when assessing our underlying business performance and trends, and more easily compares such results with our peers in evaluating the company's performance. Disclosing this non-GAAP financial measure allows investors and management to view our operating results excluding the impact of items that are not reflective of the underlying operating performance. |
(3) |
GAAP Diluted EPS and non-GAAP adjusted EPS based on 363.8 million shares (includes ~352.2 million basic shares and ~11.6 million potential dilutive warrants, stock options and restricted stock units). |
(4) |
GAAP Diluted EPS and non-GAAP adjusted EPS based on 372.3 million shares (includes ~352.2 million basic shares before transaction, 7.7 million weighted average shares issued for the transaction and ~12.3 million potential dilutive warrants, stock options and restricted stock units). Assumes 23 million shares issued in conjunction with the transaction. |
(5) |
GAAP Diluted EPS and non-GAAP adjusted EPS based on 364.2 million shares (includes ~351.6 million basic shares before transaction, ~1.9 million weighted average shares issued for the transaction and ~10.7 million potential dilutive warrants, stock options and restricted stock units). Assumes 23 million shares issued in conjunction with the transaction. |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210908005563/en/
For investor inquiries, please contact:
Vice President, Global Treasury & Investor Relations
Vertiv
T +1 614-841-6776
E: lynne.maxeiner@vertiv.com
For media inquiries, please contact:
FleishmanHillard for Vertiv
T +1 336-908-7759
E: scott.deitz@fleishman.com
Source:
FAQ
What is the value of Vertiv's acquisition of E&I?
How will the acquisition of E&I impact Vertiv's market position?
What were the revised financial projections for Vertiv after the acquisition announcement?
When is the acquisition of E&I expected to close?