Willdan Group Reports First Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Willdan Group, Inc. reported strong financial results for the first quarter of 2024, with increased revenue, profitability, earnings, and cash flow. The company saw growth in government and utility customers, as well as software sales. Highlights include a 19.4% increase in consolidated contract revenue, a 11.7% increase in net revenue, and a significant improvement in net income and adjusted EBITDA. Willdan reaffirmed its 2024 financial targets, including net revenue between $270 million and $280 million, adjusted EPS between $1.80 and $1.87, and adjusted EBITDA between $48 million and $50 million.

Positive

• Increased consolidated contract revenue by 19.4%

• Net revenue up by 11.7%

• Net income increased significantly

• Adjusted EBITDA improved

• Strong growth in government and utility customers, and software sales

• Reaffirmed 2024 financial targets

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Willdan Group's reported increase in consolidated contract revenue by 19.4% to $122.5 million showcases a significant uplift in operational performance. The net income growth from $0.9 million to $2.9 million indicates substantial profit improvement, likely attributed to operational efficiencies and an amplified focus on high-margin segments such as software sales. Moreover, the positive movement in GAAP Diluted EPS from $0.07 to $0.21 and Adjusted Diluted EPS from $0.32 to $0.40 aligns with healthy corporate earnings growth, which is a vital indicator of a company's profitability that can influence investor sentiment.

Willdan's reaffirmation of its fiscal year 2024 financial targets also offers investors a stable outlook for the company's performance. This includes a projected net revenue of between $270 million and $280 million, adjusted EBITDA of $48 million to $50 million and adjusted diluted EPS between $1.80 and $1.87. Retaining these forecasts post-Q1 results could signal management's confidence in the company's strategic direction and operational execution.

Energy Sector Analyst

The indication of 'rapid growth in electricity demand from artificial intelligence and data centers' as a new catalyst presents a promising avenue for Willdan. There is significant growth in the energy sector, especially around sustainable and efficient energy solutions. With government and utility customers showcasing strength, this could denote robust sector-specific demand that may continue to bolster Willdan's market position. The convergence of technology and energy through software sales also suggests that Willdan is effectively capitalizing on digital transformation trends within the industry.

Investors should note the implications that an increased demand in AI and data centers has on energy companies, potentially leading to diversified revenue streams and innovation in energy management solutions. This can be a key differentiator in the energy sector, which is historically known for being capital intensive with longer return periods. Willdan's performance in this area could potentially be a bellwether for future growth prospects and resilience in an industry facing transformative changes.

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Willdan Group, Inc. (“Willdan”) (Nasdaq: WLDN) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 29, 2024.

“We had an excellent first quarter,” said Mike Bieber, Willdan’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Revenue, profitability, earnings, and cash flow were above expectations. We saw strength in both government and utility customers, plus strong software sales. The rapid growth in electricity demand from artificial intelligence and data centers is becoming a new catalyst in our market.”

First Quarter 2024 Highlights*

• Consolidated contract revenue of $122.5 million, up 19.4%.
• Net revenue** of $68.9 million, up 11.7%.
• Net income of $2.9 million, up from net income of $0.9 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA** of $11.0 million, up 11.7%.
• GAAP Diluted EPS of $0.21, up from $0.07.
• Adjusted Diluted EPS** of $0.40, up from $0.32.

Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Targets

We are reaffirming our 2024 financial targets:

• Net revenue** between $270 million and $280 million.
• Adjusted Diluted EPS** between $1.80 per share and $1.87 per share.
• Adjusted EBITDA** between $48 million and $50 million.

Assumes 14.2 million diluted shares, 25% effective tax rate, and no future acquisitions.

*As compared to the same period of fiscal 2023.

**See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

First Quarter 2024 Conference Call

Willdan will be hosting a conference call to discuss its first quarter financial results today, at 5:30 p.m. Eastern/2:30 p.m. Pacific. To access the call, listeners should dial 877-407-2988 (or 201-389-0923) approximately five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously on Willdan’s website at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/gf7u4cva.

A replay of the conference call will be available through Willdan’s website at https://ir.willdangroup.com/events-presentations.

An Investor Report containing supplemental financial information can also be accessed through Willdan’s website at https://ir.willdangroup.com and selecting “Stock Information”.

About Willdan Group, Inc.

Willdan is a nationwide provider of professional, technical and consulting services to utilities, government agencies, and private industry. Willdan’s service offerings span a broad set of complementary disciplines that include electric grid solutions, energy efficiency and sustainability, engineering and planning, and municipal financial consulting. For additional information, visit Willdan's website at www.willdan.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

“Net Revenue,” defined as contract revenue as reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) minus subcontractor services and other direct costs, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Net Revenue is a supplemental measure that Willdan believes enhances investors’ ability to analyze Willdan’s business trends and performance because it substantially measures the work performed by Willdan’s employees. In the course of providing services, Willdan routinely subcontracts various services. Generally, these subcontractor services and other direct costs are passed through to Willdan’s clients and, in accordance with GAAP and industry practice, are included in Willdan’s revenue when it is Willdan’s contractual responsibility to procure or manage such subcontracted activities. Because subcontractor services and other direct costs can vary significantly from project to project and period to period, changes in revenue may not necessarily be indicative of Willdan’s business trends. Accordingly, Willdan segregates subcontractor services and other direct costs from revenue to promote a better understanding of Willdan’s business by evaluating revenue exclusive of subcontract services and other direct costs associated with external service providers. A reconciliation of Willdan’s contract revenue as reported in accordance with GAAP to Net Revenue is provided at the end of this press release. A reconciliation of targeted contract revenue for fiscal year 2024 as reported in accordance with GAAP to targeted Net Revenues for fiscal year 2024, which is a forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure, is not provided because Willdan is unable to provide such reconciliation without unreasonable effort. The inability to provide a reconciliation is due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty of predicting the subcontractor services and other director costs that are subtracted from contract revenues in order to derive Net Revenues. While subcontractor costs have increased recently, subcontractor costs can vary significantly from period to period. Subcontractor costs and other direct costs were 43.7% and 47.1% of contract revenue for the quarter ended March 29, 2024 and fiscal year 2023, respectively, and 39.9% and 47.2% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 and fiscal year 2022, respectively.

“Adjusted EBITDA,” defined as net income plus interest expense, income tax expense, stock-based compensation, interest accretion, depreciation and amortization, and gain on sale of equipment, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental measure used by Willdan’s management to measure Willdan’s operating performance. Willdan believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful because it allows Willdan’s management to evaluate its operating performance and compare the results of its operations from period to period and against its peers without regard to its financing methods, capital structure and non-operating expenses. Willdan uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate its performance for, among other things, budgeting, forecasting and incentive compensation purposes.

Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s costs of capital and stock-based compensation, as well as the historical costs of depreciable assets. A reconciliation of net income as reported in accordance with GAAP to Adjusted EBITDA is provided at the end of this press release. A reconciliation of targeted net income for fiscal year 2024 as reported in accordance with GAAP to Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2024, which is a forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure, is not provided because Willdan is unable to provide such reconciliation without unreasonable effort. The inability to provide a reconciliation is due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty of predicting the interest expense, income tax expense, stock-based compensation, interest accretion, depreciation and amortization, and gain on sale of equipment that are subtracted from net income in order to derive Adjusted EBITDA.

“Adjusted Net Income,” defined as net income plus stock-based compensation, intangible amortization, interest accretion, refinancing costs, and tax benefit distribution, each net of tax, is a non-GAAP financial measure.

“Adjusted Diluted EPS,” defined as net income plus stock-based compensation, intangible amortization, interest accretion, refinancing costs, and tax benefit distribution, each net of tax, all divided by the diluted weighted-average shares outstanding, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS are supplemental measures used by Willdan’s management to measure its operating performance. Willdan believes Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS are useful because they allow Willdan’s management to more closely evaluate and explain the operating results of Willdan’s business by removing certain non-operating expenses.

Reconciliations of net income as reported in accordance with GAAP to Adjusted Net Income and diluted EPS as reported in accordance with GAAP to Adjusted Diluted EPS are provided at the end of this press release. Reconciliations of targeted net income as reported in accordance with GAAP to targeted Adjusted Net Income for fiscal year 2024, which is a forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure, and targeted diluted EPS as reported in accordance with GAAP to targeted Adjusted Diluted EPS for fiscal year 2024, which is a forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure, are not provided because Willdan is unable to provide such reconciliations without unreasonable effort. The inability to provide such reconciliations is due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty of predicting the stock-based compensation, intangible amortization, and interest accretion, each net of tax, that are subtracted from net income and diluted EPS in order to derive Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS, respectively.

Willdan’s definitions of Net Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS have limitations as analytical tools and may differ from other companies reporting similarly named measures or from similarly named measures Willdan has reported in prior periods. These measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP, such as contract revenue, net income and diluted EPS.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not purely historical, including statements regarding Willdan’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, estimates, assumptions, aims, plans or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including statements regarding financial targets for fiscal year 2024. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that Willdan’s actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from its expectations include, but are not limited to, Willdan’s ability to adequately complete projects in a timely manner, Willdan’s ability to compete successfully in the highly competitive energy services market, Willdan’s reliance on work from its top ten clients; changes in state, local and regional economies and government budgets; Willdan’s ability to win new contracts, to renew existing contracts and to compete effectively for contracts awarded through bidding processes; Willdan’s ability to make principal and interest payments on its outstanding debt as they come due and to comply with financial covenants contained in its debt agreements; Willdan’s ability to manage supply chain constraints, labor shortages, rising interest rates, and rising inflation; Willdan’s ability to obtain financing and to refinance its outstanding debt as it matures; Willdan’s ability to successfully integrate its acquisitions and execute on its growth strategy; and Willdan’s ability to attract and retain managerial, technical, and administrative talent.

All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Willdan, or persons acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements and risk factors disclosed from time to time in Willdan’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 29, 2023, as such disclosures may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports Willdan files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. Willdan cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Willdan disclaims any obligation to, and does not undertake to, update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release unless required by law.

WILLDAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value)
		March 29,				December 29,
		2024				2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	46,925			$	23,397
Restricted cash			—				—
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $690 and $866 at March 29, 2024 and December 29, 2023, respectively			50,792				69,677
Contract assets			82,409				93,885
Other receivables			552				1,169
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			5,863				3,888
Total current assets			186,541				192,016
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net			27,539				27,097
Goodwill			131,144				131,144
Right-of-use assets			12,803				12,465
Other intangible assets, net			30,085				31,956
Other assets			4,832				4,949
Deferred income taxes, net			14,956				15,961
Total assets		$	407,900			$	415,588
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	34,518			$	33,193
Accrued liabilities			38,411				54,129
Contract liabilities			16,427				13,183
Notes payable			8,924				8,452
Finance lease obligations			1,111				1,186
Lease liability			4,677				4,537
Total current liabilities			104,068				114,680
Notes payable, less current portion			86,571				88,979
Finance lease obligations, less current portion			1,112				1,184
Lease liability, less current portion			9,948				9,758
Other noncurrent liabilities			686				1,142
Total liabilities			202,385				215,743
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding			—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 40,000 shares authorized; 13,817 and 13,682 shares issued and outstanding at March 29, 2024 and December 29, 2023, respectively			138				137
Additional paid-in capital			188,088				185,795
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(230	)			(664	)
Retained earnings			17,519				14,577
Total stockholders’ equity			205,515				199,845
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	407,900			$	415,588

WILLDAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended
		March 29,				March 31,
		2024				2023
Contract revenue		$	122,489			$	102,603
Direct costs of contract revenue (inclusive of directly related depreciation and amortization):
Salaries and wages			21,512				20,410
Subcontractor services and other direct costs			53,559				40,912
Total direct costs of contract revenue			75,071				61,322
Gross profit			47,418				41,281
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and wages, payroll taxes and employee benefits			26,509				22,385
Facilities and facility related			2,445				2,278
Stock-based compensation			1,390				1,533
Depreciation and amortization			3,592				4,200
Other			8,121				6,871
Total general and administrative expenses			42,057				37,267
Income (Loss) from operations			5,361				4,014
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net			(2,137	)			(2,466	)
Other, net			704				140
Total other expense, net			(1,433	)			(2,326	)
Income (Loss) before income taxes			3,928				1,688
Income tax (benefit) expense			986				756
Net income (loss)			2,942				932
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net of tax			434				—
Comprehensive income (loss)		$	3,376			$	932
Earnings (Loss) per share:
Basic		$	0.22			$	0.07
Diluted		$	0.21			$	0.07
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic			13,605				13,266
Diluted			13,910				13,470

WILLDAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended
		March 29,				March 31,
		2024				2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)		$	2,942			$	932
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			3,592				4,200
Other non-cash items			92				85
Deferred income taxes, net			1,005				782
(Gain) loss on sale/disposal of equipment			(13	)			(10	)
Provision for doubtful accounts			(100	)			81
Stock-based compensation			1,390				1,533
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable			18,985				8,204
Contract assets			11,476				7,819
Other receivables			617				(9	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(1,975	)			1,023
Other assets			117				(3,532	)
Accounts payable			1,325				479
Accrued liabilities			(15,740	)			(7,883	)
Contract liabilities			3,244				2,941
Right-of-use assets			(8	)			647
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			26,949				17,292
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of equipment, software, and leasehold improvements			(1,971	)			(3,488	)
Proceeds from sale of equipment			19				13
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities			(1,952	)			(3,475	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment on restricted cash			—				(10,679	)
Payments on notes payable			(153	)			(485	)
Repayments under term loan facility and line of credit			(1,875	)			(5,250	)
Principal payments on finance leases			(345	)			(303	)
Proceeds from stock option exercise			281				—
Proceeds from sales of common stock under employee stock purchase plan			1,402				1,392
Cash used to pay taxes on stock grants			(779	)			(124	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities			(1,469	)			(15,449	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			23,528				(1,632	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			23,397				19,485
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		$	46,925			$	17,853
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest		$	2,081			$	2,424
Income taxes			2				(77	)
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities:
Equipment acquired under finance leases			198				48

Willdan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP Revenue to Net Revenue
(in thousands)
(Non-GAAP Measure)
		Three Months Ended
		March 29,				March 31,
		2024				2023
Consolidated
Contract revenue		$	122,489			$	102,603
Subcontractor services and other direct costs			53,559				40,912
Net Revenue		$	68,930			$	61,691
Energy segment
Contract revenue		$	100,746			$	83,285
Subcontractor services and other direct costs			52,654				40,078
Net Revenue		$	48,092			$	43,207
Engineering and Consulting segment
Contract revenue		$	21,743			$	19,318
Subcontractor services and other direct costs			905				834
Net Revenue		$	20,838			$	18,484

Willdan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
(Non-GAAP Measure)
		Three Months Ended
		March 29,				March 31,
		2024				2023
Net income (loss)		$	2,942			$	932
Interest expense			2,137				2,466
Income tax expense (benefit)			986				756
Stock-based compensation			1,390				1,533
Depreciation and amortization			3,592				4,200
(Gain) Loss on sale of equipment			(13	)			(10	)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	11,034			$	9,877

Willdan Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Non-GAAP Measure)
		Three Months Ended
		March 29,				March 31,
		2024				2023
Net income (loss)		$	2,942			$	932
Adjustment for stock-based compensation			1,390				1,533
Tax effect of stock-based compensation			(278	)			(310	)
Adjustment for intangible amortization			1,871				2,624
Tax effect of intangible amortization			(374	)			(531	)
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)		$	5,551			$	4,248
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding			13,910				13,470
Diluted earnings (loss) per share		$	0.21			$	0.07
Impact of adjustment:
Stock-based compensation per share			0.10				0.12
Tax effect of stock-based compensation per share			(0.02	)			(0.02	)
Intangible amortization per share			0.14				0.19
Tax effect of intangible amortization per share			(0.03	)			(0.04	)
Adjusted Diluted EPS		$	0.40			$	0.32

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240502270739/en/

Willdan Group, Inc.

Al Kaschalk

Vice President

Tel: 310-922-5643

akaschalk@willdan.com

Source: Willdan Group, Inc.

FAQ

What were Willdan Group's financial results for the first quarter of 2024?

Willdan Group reported consolidated contract revenue of $122.5 million, up 19.4%, net revenue of $68.9 million, up 11.7%, net income of $2.9 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $11.0 million.

What were Willdan Group's earnings per share for the first quarter of 2024?

Willdan Group's GAAP Diluted EPS was $0.21, up from $0.07, and Adjusted Diluted EPS was $0.40, up from $0.32.

What are Willdan Group's 2024 financial targets?

Willdan Group reaffirmed its 2024 financial targets, including net revenue between $270 million and $280 million, Adjusted Diluted EPS between $1.80 and $1.87, and Adjusted EBITDA between $48 million and $50 million.