Watsco EPS Jumps 64% to $3.71 Setting Records for Sales, Operating Profit, Operating Margin and Net Income

Rhea-AI Summary

Watsco (WSO) reported record second quarter and first-half results for 2021, with sales reaching $1.85 billion and $2.99 billion respectively. The company achieved a 64% increase in EPS to $3.71 and a 68% rise in operating income to $217 million. The firm's technology investments have enhanced customer engagement, with notable growth in mobile and e-commerce platforms. Recent acquisitions, Temperature Equipment Corporation and Acme Refrigeration, are expected to bolster future growth. Watsco maintains a low debt-to-capitalization ratio of 6%, reflecting a conservative financial strategy.

Positive

• 64% increase in EPS to $3.71.
• 68% increase in operating income to $217 million.
• Record sales of $1.85 billion, a 36% growth.
• Successful acquisitions of Temperature Equipment Corporation and Acme Refrigeration, adding approximately $350 million in sales.
• Low debt-to-total capitalization ratio at 6%.

Negative

• 37% increase in SG&A expenses, indicating rising operational costs.

Strong Sales Growth, Higher Margins, Operating Efficiencies and
Recent Acquisitions Drive Record Performance

Customer-Adoption of Technologies Grows as Business Evolution Continues

MIAMI, July 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Watsco, Inc. (NYSE: WSO) reported record second quarter and first-half operating results for the periods ended June 30, 2021, establishing new records for sales, operating income, operating margin, net income and earnings per share (EPS) for both periods.

Watsco’s entrepreneurial culture, which empowers leaders to think and act locally, continues to drive record performance with nearly all operating metrics reaching record levels. The Company’s industry-leading, customer-focused technologies have helped facilitate this record performance as contractors grow and expand their capacity to meet the needs of unprecedented demand for HVAC/R products. Notably, adoption of Watsco’s mobile apps, e-commerce platform, and other customer-facing platforms has grown meaningfully, enabling more customers to engage with us digitally. In addition, curbside/dockside technology, which allows for rapid and contactless order fulfillment, has broadened and continues to benefit our customers in terms of faster service. Taken as a whole, Watsco’s technology offering is unique to the industry, has solidified existing customer relationships and created new customer acquisition opportunities to generate long-term growth and market share gains.

Complementing its record organic growth, Watsco invested in future growth and expanded its network during the second quarter with the acquisition of two market-leading businesses, Temperature Equipment Corporation (TEC) and Acme Refrigeration of Baton Rouge (Acme). The acquired businesses had annualized sales of approximately $350 million in 2020 and currently serve more than 14,000 customers from 50 locations. Consistent with Watsco’s culture, these companies are being led by their legacy management teams and are expected to provide new sources of growth as more capital is deployed to support their growth plans. Despite these investments, the Company’s debt-to-total capitalization ratio remained low at 6% as of June 30, 2021, consistent with the Company’s core philosophy to maintain a conservative, risk-averse financial position while possessing a strong balance sheet that can invest in most any opportunity at a low cost of capital. Watsco has acquired 65 businesses since 1989 and remains active in pursuing additional opportunities to invest in what remains a fragmented $50 billion North American HVAC/R distribution industry.

Second Quarter Results

Key Performance Metrics

• 64% increase in EPS to a record $3.71
• 36% sales growth to a record $1.85 billion (29% growth on a same-store basis)
• 68% increase in operating income to a record $217 million (59% increase on a same-store basis)
• 220 basis-point operating margin expansion to a record 11.7% (same-store operating margin of 11.8%)
• 50% gross profit increase to a record $478 million (40% increase on a same-store basis)
• 220 basis-point gross margin increase to 25.8%
• 37% increase in SG&A expenses (28% increase on a same-store basis)
  

Sales trends (excluding acquisitions):

• 29% growth in HVAC equipment (71% of sales), including 28% growth in residential products and 32% growth in commercial products
• 25% increase in other HVAC products (26% of sales)
• 45% increase in commercial refrigeration products (3% of sales)
  

Albert H. Nahmad, Watsco’s Chairman & CEO stated: “Watsco delivered a blowout quarter with solid earnings growth and margin expansion from a combination of strong sales across all markets, a richer sales mix of high-efficiency systems, better selling margins, operating efficiencies and contributions from recently completed acquisitions. Our results also reflect continued investments in products, technology and people to drive sales and innovation throughout our business. Our teams remain focused on providing an exceptional customer experience as evidenced by the continued growth in customer adoption of our industry-leading technologies.”

The Company believes that the products it sells, most notably new HVAC equipment to replace older residential systems that inherently operate at lower efficiencies, can play a key role in advancing CO2 reduction. Watsco can therefore be an important contributor to address climate change. Based on estimates and models validated by two independent sources, there was an estimated CO2 reduction of 1.8 billion pounds resulting from Watsco’s sale of residential HVAC replacement systems over the 12 month period ended June 30, 2021.

Mr. Nahmad added: “We believe that Watsco can play a key role in addressing climate change at a large scale given that most of the estimated 110 million HVAC systems installed in the U.S. operate under old efficiency standards. We are investing capital and leveraging our technology to increase awareness among contractors and consumers and will collaborate with our OEM partners to impact change over the long-term.”

First-Half 2021 Results

Key Performance Metrics

• 70% increase in EPS to a record $5.13
• 26% sales growth to a record $2.99 billion (22% growth on a same-store basis)
• 71% increase in operating income to a record $299 million (64% increase on a same-store basis)
• 260 basis-point operating margin expansion to a record 10.0% (same-store operating margin of 10.0%)
• 36% gross profit increase to a record $773 million (31% growth on a same-store basis)
• 190 basis-point gross margin increase to a record 25.9%
• 22% increase in SG&A expenses (17% increase on a same-store basis)
• 60 basis-point improvement in SG&A as a percentage of sales

Sales trends (excluding acquisitions):

• 23% growth in HVAC equipment (69% of sales), including 24% growth in residential products and 16% growth in commercial products
• 19% increase in other HVAC products (27% of sales)
• 28% increase in commercial refrigeration products (4% of sales)
  

Technology Innovation

Watsco continues to aggressively invest in technologies to transform its customer experience. Specific technology-related trends for the second quarter of 2021 include:

• Product Information Management (PIM) is Watsco’s industry-leading repository of product information delivered seamlessly through Watsco’s mobile apps and e-commerce platform. Watsco’s PIM includes approximately 900,000 SKUs accessed by more than 350,000 contractors and technicians on an annual basis.
• Contractor Assist mobile apps provide customers real-time field access to critical information, including technical support, product detail and inventory information, warranty look-up, the ability to purchase product through links to e-commerce and more. The authenticated user community (users that are using the mobile app while linked to an e-commerce account) grew 12% compared to last year to more than 25,000 users.
• E-Commerce sales annual run-rate currently exceeds $1.7 billion and grew 28% during the second quarter over last year. The number of e-commerce transactions grew 22% to more than 400,000 during the quarter.
  

• OnCall Air®, Watsco’s digital sales platform used by HVAC/R contractors and CreditForComfort®, its companion consumer financing platform, both increased penetration as more customers digitally engaged with homeowners. During the second quarter of 2021, OnCall Air® presented quotes to approximately 58,000 households, an 84% increase over last year, and generated $208 million in gross merchandise value, a 97% increase over 2020. The number of customers using CreditForComfort® grew 17% and processed approximately 1,800 financing applications during the quarter with 13% growth in total loan-value versus the same period in 2020.
• Proprietary warehouse technology investments have enabled faster, better and more reliable customer service. Express Pick-up allows contractors to streamline the traditional fulfillment of orders providing quicker service, allowing contractors to complete their work more efficiently. Watsco also launched curbside pick-up and touchless payment capabilities last year to facilitate contactless order fulfillment. More tools have also been developed to optimize demand planning and inventory levels. Taken as a whole, these investments are designed to enhance the customer experience, streamline branch operations and benefit same-store productivity.

Cash Flow & Dividends

Watsco’s operating cash flow for the first half of 2021 was $82 million versus $261 million for the same period in 2020, reflecting the growth in working capital driven by higher sales growth. The Company has targeted operating cash flow to exceed net income in 2021. Since 2000, operating cash flow was approximately $3.3 billion versus net income of $3.2 billion, surpassing the Company’s goal.

Watsco has paid cash dividends to shareholders for 47 consecutive years. The Company’s philosophy is to share increasing amounts of cash flow through higher dividends while maintaining a conservative financial position with continued capacity to build its distribution network. Effective April 2021, Watsco increased its annual dividend rate by 10% to $7.80 per share.

Acquisitions

On April 9, 2021, Watsco completed the acquisition of TEC. Founded in Chicago in 1935, TEC serves approximately 10,000 HVAC customers from 32 locations in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. TEC annual sales were $291 million in 2020. TEC constitutes a joint venture transaction with Carrier Global Corporation (Carrier). Watsco owns 80% of TEC and Carrier 20%.

On May 7, 2021, Watsco completed the acquisition of Acme. Founded in 1945, Acme serves approximately 4,000 HVAC customers from 18 locations in Louisiana and Mississippi. Acme generated $60 million in sales in 2020.

These acquisitions are the latest examples of Watsco’s strategy to invest in growth opportunities and expand its industry-leading position. Since entering HVAC/R distribution in 1989, Watsco’s revenues have increased from $64 million to an annual, pro-forma run-rate approaching $6 billion following its unique “buy and build” philosophy.

Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call Information

Date: July 22, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. (EDT)
Webcast: http://investors.watsco.com
Dial-in number: United States (844) 883-3908 / International (412) 317-9254

A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

In this release, the Company discloses non-GAAP measures on a “same-store basis”, which exclude the effects of locations closed, acquired, or locations opened, in each case during the immediately preceding 12 months, unless such locations are within close geographical proximity to existing locations. The Company believes that this information provides greater comparability regarding its ongoing operating performance. These measures should not be considered an alternative to measurements required by U.S. GAAP.

About Watsco

Watsco is the largest distribution network for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) products with locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, and on an export basis to Latin America and the Caribbean. Watsco estimates that over 350,000 contractors and technicians visit or call one of its 655 locations each year to get information, obtain technical support and buy products.

The Company believes there is long-term opportunity to be a significant participant and contributor in efforts to address climate change. HVAC/R products provide comfort to homes and businesses regardless of the outdoor climate. Older systems often operate below current government-mandated energy efficiency and environmental standards, resulting in higher energy use and costs to homeowners. Sales of higher-efficiency replacement systems have long been a fundamental opportunity in Watsco’s marketplace. Watsco plans to actively collaborate with its OEM partners and key stakeholders to lead these ongoing efforts in its marketplace. Additional information about Watsco may be found at www.watsco.com.

This document includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, our expected financial and operational results and the related assumptions underlying our expected results. These forward-looking statements are distinguished by use of words such as “will,” “would,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “designed,” “plan,” or “intend,” the negative of these terms, and similar references to future periods. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in economic, business, competitive market, new housing starts and completions, capital spending in commercial construction, consumer spending and debt levels, regulatory and other factors, including, without limitation, the effects of supplier concentration, competitive conditions within Watsco’s industry, the seasonality of product sales, the ability of the Company to expand its business, insurance coverage risks and final GAAP adjustments. Detailed information about these factors and additional important factors can be found in the documents that Watsco files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. Watsco assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

WATSCO, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Results of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

	Quarter Ended June 30,									Six Months Ended June 30,
			2021				2020				2021				2020
Revenues		$	1,849,640			$	1,355,385			$	2,985,758			$	2,363,541
Cost of sales			1,371,699				1,036,186				2,212,996				1,796,727
Gross profit			477,941				319,199				772,762				566,814
Gross profit margin			25.8%				23.6%				25.9%				24.0%
SG&A expenses			266,697				194,053				484,309				397,439
Other income			5,539				4,103				10,210				5,117
Operating income			216,783				129,249				298,663				174,492
Operating margin			11.7%				9.5%				10.0%				7.4%
Interest expense, net			448				283				536				1,073
Income before income taxes			216,335				128,966				298,127				173,419
Income taxes			44,202				24,724				59,867				32,930
Net income			172,133				104,242				238,260				140,489
Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interest			28,031				17,664				39,066				23,409
Net income attributable to Watsco		$	144,102			$	86,578			$	199,194			$	117,080
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Watsco shareholders		$	144,102			$	86,578			$	199,194			$	117,080
Less: distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to non-vested restricted common stock			12,748				7,439				17,596				11,082
Earnings allocated to Watsco shareholders		$	131,354			$	79,139			$	181,598			$	105,998
Weighted-average Common and Class B common shares and equivalent shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share			35,427,718				35,064,711				35,379,046				35,044,350
Diluted earnings per share for Common and Class B common stock		$	3.71			$	2.26			$	5.13			$	3.02

WATSCO, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited, in thousands)

	June 30,				December 31,
		2021				2020
Cash and cash equivalents	$	96,787			$	146,067
Accounts receivable, net		857,864				535,288
Inventories, net		1,044,608				781,299
Other		22,803				21,791
Total current assets		2,022,062				1,484,445
Property and equipment, net		104,967				98,225
Operating lease right-of-use assets		263,682				209,169
Goodwill, intangibles, net and other		740,973				692,508
Total assets	$	3,131,684			$	2,484,347
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	733,958			$	415,341
Current portion of long-term obligations		81,306				71,804
Total current liabilities		815,264				487,145
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement		114,167				-
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion		184,925				139,527
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities		85,795				77,914
Total liabilities		1,200,151				704,586
Watsco's shareholders’ equity		1,575,703				1,486,678
Non-controlling interest		355,830				293,083
Shareholders’ equity		1,931,533				1,779,761
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	3,131,684			$	2,484,347

WATSCO, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, in thousands)

	Six Months Ended June 30,
		2021				2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	238,260			$	140,489
Non-cash items		24,283				26,072
Changes in working capital, net of acquisitions
Accounts receivable, net		(283,077	)			(146,512	)
Inventories, net		(173,539	)			63,432
Accounts payable and other liabilities		282,852				182,957
Other, net		(6,897	)			(5,183	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		81,882				261,255
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(126,549	)			-
Capital expenditures, net		(10,908	)			(7,982	)
Proceeds from sale of equity securities		5,993				-
Net cash used in investing activities		(131,464	)			(7,982	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends on Common and Class B common stock		(143,909	)			(129,315	)
Net proceeds (repayments) under revolving credit agreement		114,167				(122,343	)
Proceeds from NCI for investment in TEC Distribution LLC		21,040				-
Other		7,721				4,359
Net cash used in financing activities		(981	)			(247,299	)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		1,283				(855	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(49,280	)			5,119
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		146,067				74,454
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	96,787			$	79,573

Barry S. Logan
Executive Vice President
(305) 714-4102
e-mail: blogan@watsco.com

FAQ

What were Watsco's (WSO) earnings per share for Q2 2021?

Watsco reported a record EPS of $3.71 for Q2 2021.

How much did Watsco (WSO) increase its sales in Q2 2021?

Watsco achieved a 36% increase in sales, totaling $1.85 billion for Q2 2021.

What acquisitions did Watsco (WSO) make in 2021?

Watsco acquired Temperature Equipment Corporation and Acme Refrigeration in 2021.

What is Watsco's (WSO) debt-to-total capitalization ratio?

As of June 30, 2021, Watsco maintained a low debt-to-total capitalization ratio of 6%.

How much did Watsco's (WSO) operating income increase in Q2 2021?

Operating income for Q2 2021 increased by 68% to $217 million.