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Franklin Electric Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Sales and Earnings

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Feb. 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ:FELE) reported fourth quarter 2017 GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.17, versus a GAAP fully diluted EPS in the fourth quarter 2016 of $0.37.  In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company’s EPS was $0.21 before restructuring compared to 2016 fourth quarter EPS of $0.37 before restructuring (see table below for a reconciliation of GAAP EPS to EPS before restructuring).  The Company incurred a tax expense of $0.21 per share related to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.  Before restructuring and the tax expense associated with the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the Company’s fourth quarter 2017 EPS was $0.42.

Fourth quarter 2017 sales were $288.2 million, compared to 2016 fourth quarter sales of $239.6 million.  The sales increase was primarily from acquisitions.  Organic sales increased about 2 percent when excluding the impact of foreign currency translation.

Gregg Sengstack, Franklin Electric’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“Our fourth quarter Water Systems operating income was below our expectations.  We saw a signficant downturn in our business in Brazil, in large part due to the overall economic environment in that region.  Our operating income before restructuring in Brazil was lower by over 60 percent versus the same quarter in 2016.  We had modest revenue growth in our Water Systems businesses in Europe, Africa and Asia during the quarter.  In North America, the recovery of oil and gas end markets nearly doubled our sales of dewatering pumps during the quarter while groundwater system sales declined about 9 percent, in line with our expectations, due to the intentional reduction of working capital in our distribution company, and a difficult comparison to a very strong fourth quarter in 2016. 

Our Fueling Systems segment had another record quarter for sales and earnings with fourth quarter sales up 10 percent and operating income before restructuring up 20 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2016.

Considering seasonality and the disruption in the supply base, the sales of our U.S. Distribution segment were in line with our expectations."

Key Performance Indicators:

Earnings Before and After Restructuring   For the Fourth Quarter   For the Full Year
and U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act                                
(in millions)     2017     2016   Change     2017     2016   Change
                 
Net Income attributable to FE Co., Inc. Reported   $   8.1   $   17.6   -54 %   $   78.2   $   78.7   -1 %
Allocated Undistributed Earnings   $   (0.1 ) $   (0.3 )     $   (0.6 ) $   (1.7 )  
Earnings for EPS Calculations   $   8.0   $   17.3   -54 %   $   77.6   $   77.0   1 %
                 
Restructuring (before tax):   $   2.7   $   0.3       $   4.3   $   (0.6 )  
                 
Restructuring, net of tax:   $   1.6   $   0.2       $   2.6   $   (0.4 )  
2017 Impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act   $ 10.2             $ 10.2          
                 
Earnings before Restructuring and U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act   $ 19.8   $ 17.5   13 %   $ 90.4   $ 76.6   18 %
                 
Earnings Per Share   For the Fourth Quarter   For the Full Year
Before and After Restructuring     2017     2016   Change     2017     2016   Change
(in millions except Earnings Per Share)                
                 
Average Fully Diluted Shares Outstanding       47.1       46.9   0 %       47.0       46.7   1 %
                 
Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share ("EPS") Reported   $   0.17   $   0.37   -54 %   $   1.65   $   1.65   0 %
                 
Restructuring Per Share, net of tax   $   0.04   $   -        $   0.06   $   (0.01 )  
2017 Impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act   $   0.21         $   0.21      
                         
Fully Diluted EPS before Restructuring and U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act   $   0.42   $   0.37   14 %   $   1.92   $   1.64   17 %
                 


  Net Sales For the Fourth Quarter
  United States Latin Europe,
Middle
Asia Total        
(in millions) & Canada America East & Africa Pacific Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims Consolidated
                   
Q4 2016 $82.0   $34.2   $41.3   $20.3   $177.8   $61.8   $0.0 $0.0   $239.6  
Q4 2017 $79.8   $33.5   $44.5   $23.7   $181.5   $67.9   $49.5 ($10.7)   $288.2  
Change ($2.2)   ($0.7)   $3.2   $3.4   $3.7   $6.1   $49.5 ($10.7)   $48.6  
% Change   -3%     -2%     8%     17%     2%     10%         20%  
                   
Foreign currency translation $0.8   $0.5   $1.1   $0.3   $2.7   $1.6        
% Change   1%     1%     3%     2%     1%     3%        
                   
Volume/Price ($3.0)   ($0.9)   $2.1   $3.1   $1.3   $4.5        
% Change   -4%     -3%     5%     15%     1%     7%        


  Net Sales For the Full Year
  United States Latin Europe,
Middle
Asia Total        
(in millions) & Canada America East & Africa Pacific Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims Consolidated
                   
FY 2016 $343.1   $127.5   $167.3   $85.3   $723.2   $226.7   $0.0 $0.0   $949.9  
FY 2017 $354.2   $130.8   $177.5   $86.1   $748.6   $245.9   $176.7 ($46.3)   $1,124.9  
Change $11.1   $3.3   $10.2   $0.8   $25.4   $19.2   $176.7 ($46.3)   $175.0  
% Change   3%     3%     6%     1%     4%     8%         18%  
                   
Foreign currency translation $0.3   $5.3   ($4.1)   $0.5   $2.0   $0.7        
% Change   0%     4%     -3%     1%     1%     0%        
                   
Volume/Price $10.8   ($1.7)   $14.3   $0.3   $23.7   $18.5        
% Change   3%     -1%     9%     0%     3%     8%        
                   


Operating Income and Margins            
(in millions)   For the Fourth Quarter 2017
    Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims Consolidated
Operating Income / (Loss)   $   19.5   $   17.0   $   (2.0 ) $   (12.1 ) $   22.4  
% Operating Income To Net Sales     10.7%     25.0%     -4.0%       7.8%  
             
Restructuring   $   1.1   $   1.6   $   -    $   -    $   2.7  
             
Operating Income/(Loss) before Restructuring   $   20.6   $   18.6   $   (2.0 ) $   (12.1 ) $   25.1  
% Operating Income to Net Sales Before Restructuring     11.3%     27.4%     -4.0%       8.7%  
             
             
Operating Income and Margins            
(in millions)   For the Fourth Quarter 2016
    Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims Consolidated
Operating Income / (Loss)   $   22.6   $   15.4   $   -    $   (12.8 ) $   25.2  
% Operating Income To Net Sales     12.7%     24.9%         10.5%  
             
Restructuring   $   0.2   $   0.1   $   -    $   -    $   0.3  
             
Operating Income/(Loss) before Restructuring   $   22.8   $   15.5   $   -    $   (12.8 ) $   25.5  
% Operating Income to Net Sales Before Restructuring     12.8%     25.1%         10.6%  


Operating Income and Margins              
(in millions)     For the Full Year of 2017
      Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims Consolidated
Operating Income / (Loss)     $   102.0   $   60.0   $   3.7   $   (58.7 ) $   107.0  
% Operating Income To Net Sales       13.6%     24.4%     2.1%       9.5%  
               
Restructuring     $   2.7   $   1.6   $   -    $   -    $   4.3  
               
Operating Income/(Loss) before Restructuring     $   104.7   $   61.6   $   3.7   $   (58.7 ) $   111.3  
% Operating Income to Net Sales Before Restructuring       14.0%     25.1%     2.1%       9.9%  
               
               
Operating Income and Margins              
(in millions)     For the Full year of 2016
      Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims Consolidated
Operating Income / (Loss)     $   108.2   $   56.3   $   -    $   (53.7 ) $   110.8  
% Operating Income To Net Sales       15.0%     24.8%         11.7%  
               
Restructuring     $   (1.2 ) $   0.6   $   -    $   -    $   (0.6 )
               
Operating Income/(Loss) before Restructuring     $   107.0   $   56.9   $   -    $   (53.7 ) $   110.2  
% Operating Income to Net Sales Before Restructuring       14.8%     25.1%         11.6%  

Water Systems

Water Systems sales were $181.5 million in the fourth quarter 2017, versus the fourth quarter 2016 sales of $177.8 million.  Water Systems sales increased about 1 percent in the quarter due to foreign currency translation.

Water Systems sales in the U.S. and Canada declined by about 3 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2016.   Sales of Pioneer branded dewatering equipment increased by about 80 percent in the fourth quarter when compared to the prior year resulting from the continued diversification of customers and strengthening in U.S. oil and gas end markets.  Sales of groundwater pumping equipment decreased by about 9 percent on weaker residential and agricultural system sales versus a difficult sales comparison in the fourth quarter 2016. Sales of other surface pumping equipment decreased by about 4 percent primarily in irrigation and agricultural related products.

Water Systems sales in markets outside the U.S. and Canada increased by about 6 percent overall. The impact of foreign currency translation increased sales by about 2 percent.  International Water Systems sales were led by improved sales in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, but were offset by lower sales in Latin America when compared to the fourth quarter 2016.  Sales in Brazil declined by about 8 percent in the quarter.

Water Systems operating income was $19.5 million in the fourth quarter 2017, down $3.1 million versus the fourth quarter 2016.  Water Systems operating income before restructuring was $20.6 million in the fourth quarter 2017, down $2.2 million versus the fourth quarter 2016.  The decline in operating income is primarily related to higher raw material and freight costs, product sales mix shifts and lower revenue in Brazil.

Fueling Systems

Fueling Systems sales were $67.9 million in the fourth quarter 2017, versus the fourth quarter 2016 sales of $61.8 million.  Fueling System sales increased by about 3 percent due to foreign currency translation.    

Fueling Systems sales in the U.S. and Canada declined by about 2 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2016.  The decrease was in piping and dispensing products.  Outside the U.S. and Canada, Fueling Systems revenues grew by about 26 percent, led by stronger sales in China, Southeast Asia and Europe.

Fueling Systems operating income was $17.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $15.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.  Fueling Systems operating income before restructuring was $18.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $15.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. 

Distribution

Distribution sales were $49.5 million in the fourth quarter 2017.  Management estimates fourth quarter Distribution sales declined by about 11 percent from the fourth quarter of 2016 primarily driven by supply chain disruptions and weak end market conditions in the West and Southeast regions of the United States.  The Distribution segment recorded an operating loss of $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Overall

The Company’s consolidated gross profit was $94.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase from the fourth quarter of 2016 gross profit of $81.0 million. The gross profit as a percent of net sales was 32.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017 versus 33.8 percent during the fourth quarter 2016.  The gross profit increase was primarily due to higher sales.  The decline in gross profit margin percentage is primarily due to product and geographic sales mix shifts and higher raw material costs.

Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $69.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $55.5 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year.  The increase in SG&A expenses from acquired businesses was $16.3 million.  Excluding the acquired entities, the Company’s SG&A expenses in the fourth quarter of 2017 were $53.1 million. 

Restructuring expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $2.7 million and reduced fully diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.04.  The Company began the process of closing a Fueling Systems joint venture in India during the quarter and recorded $1.6 million of restructuring expenses.  The Company estimates there will be $1.5 million of additional expenses in 2018 related to the closure of this joint venture. The charge is primarily related to the write down and liquidation of the joint venture’s assets.  The balance of the fourth quarter 2017 restructuring expenses were primarily related to continuing realignment efforts in Brazil.  Restructuring expenses in the fourth quarter 2016 were $0.2 million.

In the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a net tax expense of $10.2 million, or $0.21 EPS relating to the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This expense was primarily derived from the recognition of a U.S. tax liability for the deemed repatriation of foreign earnings partially offset by the revaluation of other deferred tax liabilities.  In 2018, the Company estimates its effective tax rate will be 13 to 17 percent, or about 10 percentage points lower than the effective tax rate of 25 percent in 2017. The lower tax rate is primarily the result of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

The Company ended 2017 with a cash balance of about $67 million versus about $104 million at the end of 2016, down primarily due to acquisitions and increased working capital.  Inventory levels at the end of 2017 were $312 million versus year end 2016 of $203 million.  About $65 million of the inventory increase is due to the Distribution segment acquisitions.

Commenting on the outlook, Mr. Sengstack said:

“To set a baseline for 2018, here is a summary of the various components impacting our 2017 Earnings Per Share before restructuring and the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

     
Full Year 2017 - Earnings Per Share Summary    
     
2017 Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) Reported   $   1.65
     
2017 Restructuring Charges, per share, net of tax   $   0.06
2017 Impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act   $   0.21
     
2017 Full Year Earnings Per Share Before Restructuring and U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Changes   $   1.92
       

Looking forward, we are optimistic about our opportunities for growth.  We expect our Water Systems and Distribution segments to grow about 4 to 5 percent organically, in part due to our view that many of the International Water Systems markets in which we compete have generally seen their bottom and will begin to rebound in 2018.  Our businesses globally are facing raw material and freight costs inflation, which we have or intend to offset with price increases. We also note that the Distribution segment will have greater seasonality in reported revenue and earnings than our Water Systems businesses.

In the Fueling Systems segment, we continue to make inroads with U.S. retailers and are pursuing multiple international sales opportunities, particularly in China, for our market leading product portfolio.  We expect Fueling Systems organic growth to be between 5 and 7 percent in 2018. Overall, this translates to the following Earnings Per Share guidance:”

    Guidance Range
    Low   High
2017 Earnings Per share before Restructuring and U.S. Tax  Cuts and Jobs Act Changes   $   1.92   $   1.92
         
Net Change in Tax, Rate less Discrete Items   $   0.07 to $   0.09
All Other EPS Growth   $   0.17 to $   0.27
         
2018 Earnings Per Share Guidance   $   2.16 to $   2.28
         

A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am EST.  The fourth quarter and fiscal year 2017 earnings call will be available via a live webcast.  The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:

https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/javgra8s

If you intend to ask questions during the call, please dial in using 877.643.7158 for domestic calls and 914.495.8565 for international calls.  The conference ID is: 6570309.

A replay of the conference call will be available Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 12:00 noon EST through noon EST on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, by dialing 855.859.2056 for domestic calls and 404.537.3406 for international calls.  The replay passcode is: 6570309.

Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and fuel. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications.

  FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
  (Unaudited)
                 
  (In thousands, except per share amounts)              
                 
    Fourth Quarter Ended   Fiscal Year End
    December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
      2017       2016       2017       2016  
                 
  Net sales  $   288,195     $   239,590     $   1,124,909     $   949,856  
                 
  Cost of sales      193,624         158,567         747,927         618,450  
                 
  Gross profit      94,571         81,023         376,982         331,406  
                 
  Selling, general, and administrative expenses     69,411         55,537         265,686         221,209  
                 
  Restructuring (income)/expense     2,732         252         4,307         (598 )
                 
  Operating income      22,428         25,234         106,989         110,795  
       
  Interest expense      (2,267 )       (2,101 )       (10,322 )       (8,732 )
  Other income/(expense), net     81         (1,794 )       6,895         993  
  Foreign exchange income     729         420         1,025         1,057  
                 
  Income before income taxes      20,971         21,759         104,587         104,113  
                 
  Income tax expense     13,104         3,958         25,994         24,798  
                 
  Net income  $   7,867     $   17,801     $   78,593     $   79,315  
                 
  Less:  Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests     204         (159 )       (413 )       (570 )
                 
  Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc. $   8,071     $   17,642     $   78,180     $   78,745  
                 
  Income per share:              
  Basic $   0.17     $   0.37     $   1.67     $   1.67  
  Diluted $   0.17     $   0.37     $   1.65     $   1.65  
                 


FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
       
(In thousands)      
       
  December 31,   December 31,
   2017    2016
ASSETS      
       
Cash and equivalents $   67,233   $   104,331
Receivables     171,007       145,999
Inventories     312,325       203,471
Other current assets     38,566       30,018
Total current assets     589,131       483,819
       
Property, plant, and equipment, net     215,694       196,137
Goodwill and other assets     380,528       359,949
Total assets $   1,185,353   $   1,039,905
       
       
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
       
Accounts payable $   79,348   $   63,927
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     66,100       60,119
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings     100,453       33,715
Total current liabilities     245,901       157,761
       
Long-term debt     125,596       156,544
Income taxes payable non-current     17,391       - 
Deferred income taxes     30,913       40,460
Employee benefit plans     42,178       45,307
Other long-term liabilities     19,251       17,093
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interest     1,502       7,652
       
Total equity     702,621       615,088
Total liabilities and equity $   1,185,353   $   1,039,905
       


  FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES  
  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
  (Unaudited)  
  (In thousands)        
      2017       2016    
  Cash flows from operating activities:        
  Net income $   78,593     $   79,315    
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net        
  cash flows from operating activities:        
  Depreciation and amortization     38,506         35,534    
  Share-based compensation     7,109         6,889    
  Income taxes-U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act     10,198        
  Gain on equity investment     (5,165 )      
  Other     (5,764 )       2,672    
  Changes in assets and liabilities:        
  Receivables     9,948         (21,334 )  
  Inventory     (46,372 )       (7,636 )  
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses     (11,071 )       11,782    
  Other     (9,228 )       8,152    
           
  Net cash flows from operating activities   66,754       115,374    
           
  Cash flows from investing activities:        
  Additions to property, plant, and equipment     (33,484 )       (39,136 )  
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment     211         6,028    
  Acquisitions and investments     (51,783 )       (1,007 )  
  Other investing activities     355         346    
           
  Net cash flows from investing activities     (84,701 )       (33,769 )  
           
  Cash flows from financing activities:        
  Change in debt     1,882         (30,385 )  
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock     4,497         5,243    
  Excess tax from share-based payment arrangements     -         -    
  Purchases of common stock     (3,621 )       (7,422 )  
  Dividends paid     (20,289 )       (19,137 )  
  Purchase of redeemable non-controlling shares     (5,047 )       -    
  Share purchase liability payment     -         -    
  Net cash flows from financing activities     (22,578 )       (51,701 )  
           
  Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     3,427         (7,134 )  
  Net change in cash and equivalents   (37,098 )     22,770    
  Cash and equivalents at beginning of period     104,331         81,561    
  Cash and equivalents at end of period $   67,233     $   104,331    
           

"Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases,  raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Contact:
                    John J. Haines
                    Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
                    260-824-2900

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