HOUSTON, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Houston Wire & Cable Company (NASDAQ: HWCC) (the “Company”) announced operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.
Fourth Quarter 2018 Highlights
- Net income of $1.6 million, or $0.10 per diluted share
- Sales growth of 7.0% to $87.9 million
- Operating income of $3.2 million, increase of $0.2 million
Full Year 2018 Highlights
- Net income of $8.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted share
- Sales of $356.9 million, up 12.3%
- Gross margin of 23.9%, improvement of 100 basis points
- Operating expense to sales of 20.0%, improvement of 140 basis points
- Operating income of $13.9 million, increase of $9.3 million
- Cash from operating activities of $5.3 million
Fourth Quarter Summary
James Pokluda, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We are pleased that the upward momentum we experienced in the third quarter continued into the fourth quarter. This marks the eighth consecutive quarter with year-over-year growth since Q4 2016. We estimate that aggregate decreases in metals prices in 2018 reduced sales by approximately 1% during the quarter. We estimate sales for our project business, which targets end markets for Utility Power Generation, Environmental Compliance, Engineering & Construction, Industrials, and Mechanical Wire Rope, decreased 1%, while Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) sales increased 10%, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2017.”
Gross margin at 23.9% decreased 150 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2017, primarily due to adjustments to customer and supplier rebates in the prior year which to some degree was offset by incrementally higher product margins driven by pricing discipline and product mix. Sequentially, gross margin increased 10 basis points, indicating that the margin improvement plan is continuing to work. Operating expenses of $17.8 million were down half a percentage point from the fourth quarter of 2017 and down 3.0% sequentially. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales decreased 160 basis points to 20.2% from 21.8% in Q4 2017.
Quarterly interest expense of $0.8 million was up 29.3% from $0.6 million in the prior year period. Average debt levels for the quarter of $70.8 million decreased $4.4 million or 5.9% from $75.3 million in 2017, while the effective interest rate increased from 3.0% to 4.1% in 2018.
The effective tax rate for the quarter was 33.3% compared to the 2017 rate of 16.4%. The main differences resulted from a 2017 valuation allowance credit of 43.7% that was partially offset by an additional deferred tax expense of 13.7% from the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act.
The results of operations produced net income of $1.6 million, as compared to $2.0 million in 2017.
Twelve Month Summary
Sales for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $356.9 million, up 12.3% from $317.7 million in 2017. We estimate that higher metals prices in 2018 represented approximately 4% of the sales increase. We estimate sales for our project business increased 17%, while MRO sales increased 11%, as compared to 2017.
Gross margin at 23.9% was up 100 basis points from the 2017 period. “Improved pricing discipline and greater customer product demand contributed to the margin increase,” said Mr. Pokluda.
Operating expenses at $71.3 million increased 4.8% from the prior year amount of $68.1 million. The majority of the increase was due to increased variable compensation and operating expenses associated with increased activity and profitability. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales decreased 140 basis points from 21.4% in 2017 to 20.0% in 2018.
Interest expense of $2.9 million increased 40.2% from $2.1 million in 2017. The increase reflected a combination of higher average debt to fund additional working capital of $5.0 million and higher average interest rates, which rose from 2.8% in 2017 to 3.7% in 2018.
Income tax expense decreased 14.5% to $2.4 million from $2.8 million in 2017 as the effective income tax rate was 21.4% in 2018 compared to 108.8% in 2017. The 2018 tax rate included a benefit of 9.5% for the release of the valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets and an expense of 1.2% for share-based compensation. This compares to the 2017 tax rate which included a 41.0% charge for the establishment of a valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets, 15.2% for share-based compensation expense and a 12.9% charge for deferred tax expense resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act.
The results of operations generated net income of $8.6 million, compared to a net loss of $0.2 million in 2017. Mr. Pokluda commented, “2018 continued to be a year of recovery and overall I am pleased with these results when compared to 2017. The increase in net income of $8.9 million was realized through the very hard work of our valued team members, outstanding pricing discipline, and very high levels of profitability pull-through to the bottom line through superior execution of our strategic plan. I am also pleased that we have extended, at substantially the same terms, our credit facility with Bank of America until March 12, 2024.”
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter and full year results, Friday, March 15, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., C.D.T. Hosting the call will be James Pokluda, President and Chief Executive Officer and Christopher Micklas, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
A live audio web cast of the call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website www.houwire.com.
Live call dial-in numbers are as follow:
Toll-Free: (800) 936-7954
International: (720) 545-0048
Conference ID #9994212
Approximately two hours after the completion of the live call, a telephone replay will be available until March 22, 2019.
Replay, Toll-Free #: (855)859-2056
Replay, Toll #: (404) 537-3406
Conference ID # 9994212
About the Company
With 44 years of experience in the industry, Houston Wire & Cable Company, an industrial distributor, is a large provider of products in the U.S. market. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the Company has sales and distribution facilities strategically located throughout the United States.
Standard stock items available for immediate delivery include continuous and interlocked armor cable; instrumentation cable; medium voltage cable; high temperature wire; portable cord; power cable; primary and secondary aluminum distribution cable; private branded products, including LifeGuard™, a low-smoke, zero-halogen cable; mechanical wire and cable and related hardware, including wire rope, lifting products and synthetic rope and slings; corrosion resistant fasteners, hose clamps, and rivets.
Comprehensive value-added services include same-day shipping, knowledgeable sales staff, inventory management programs, just-in-time delivery, logistics support, customized online ordering capabilities and 24/7/365 service.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains comments concerning management’s view of the Company’s future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and projections about future events may, and often do, vary materially from actual results.
Other risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with the SEC. These documents are available under the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.houwire.com.
Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such statements.
Houston Wire & Cable Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
| (In thousands, except share data) | ||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | 1,393 | $ | — | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ||||||||
| Trade | 52,946 | 51,031 | ||||||
| Other | 6,847 | 6,365 | ||||||
| Inventories, net | 94,325 | 88,115 | ||||||
| Income tax receivable | 435 | 449 | ||||||
| Prepaids | 737 | 1,938 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 156,683 | 147,898 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 11,456 | 11,355 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 11,179 | 12,015 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 22,353 | 22,353 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 930 | — | ||||||
| Other assets | 456 | 418 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 203,057 | $ | 194,039 | ||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Book overdraft | $ | — | $ | 3,028 | ||||
| Trade accounts payable | 11,253 | 8,449 | ||||||
| Accrued and other current liabilities | 19,232 | 16,823 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 30,485 | 28,300 | ||||||
| Debt | 71,316 | 73,555 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | — | 414 | ||||||
| Other long-term obligations | 578 | 1,026 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 102,379 | 103,295 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding | — | — | ||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized: 20,988,952 shares issued: 16,611,651 and 16,491,181 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively | 21 | 21 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 53,514 | 54,006 | ||||||
| Retained earnings | 105,975 | 97,336 | ||||||
| Treasury stock | (58,832 | ) | (60,619 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 100,678 | 90,744 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 203,057 | $ | 194,039 | ||||
Houston Wire & Cable Company
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands except, share and per share data)
| Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 87,906 | $ | 82,146 | $ | 356,858 | $ | 317,697 | ||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 66,927 | 61,303 | 271,650 | 245,035 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 20,979 | 20,843 | 85,208 | 72,662 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and commissions | 9,232 | 9,923 | 38,110 | 36,570 | ||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 7,946 | 7,413 | 30,962 | 28,716 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 551 | 538 | 2,178 | 2,772 | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment charge | 60 | — | 60 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 17,789 | 17,874 | 71,310 | 68,058 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 3,190 | 2,969 | 13,898 | 4,604 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 751 | 581 | 2,907 | 2,073 | ||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 2,439 | 2,388 | 10,991 | 2,531 | ||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | 811 | 392 | 2,355 | 2,753 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,628 | $ | 1,996 | $ | 8,636 | $ | (222 | ) | |||||||||
| Earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.53 | $ | (0.01 | ) | |||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.52 | $ | (0.01 | ) | |||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 16,416,785 | 16,295,570 | 16,389,876 | 16,269,611 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 16,563,221 | 16,391,330 | 16,523,599 | 16,269,611 | ||||||||||||||
Houston Wire & Cable Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||
| Operating activities | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 8,636 | $ | (222 | ) | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||
| Impairment charge | 60 | — | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,178 | 2,772 | |||||||
| Amortization of unearned stock compensation | 1,298 | 1,176 | |||||||
| Provision for doubtful accounts | 73 | 68 | |||||||
| Provision for inventory obsolescence | 615 | 34 | |||||||
| Deferred income taxes | (1,344 | ) | 1,314 | ||||||
| Other non-cash items | 62 | 222 | |||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||
| Accounts receivable | (2,507 | ) | (12,719 | ) | |||||
| Inventories | (6,825 | ) | (7,942 | ) | |||||
| Income taxes | 14 | 1,499 | |||||||
| Prepaid expenses | 1,201 | (1,368 | ) | ||||||
| Book overdraft | (3,028 | ) | (153 | ) | |||||
| Trade accounts payable | 2,804 | 38 | |||||||
| Accrued and other current liabilities | 2,460 | 3,571 | |||||||
| Other operating activities | (359 | ) | 368 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 5,338 | (11,342 | ) | ||||||
| Investing activities | |||||||||
| Expenditures for property and equipment | (1503 | ) | (1,769 | ) | |||||
| Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment | 20 | 8 | |||||||
| Cash paid for acquisition | — | 193 | |||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,483 | ) | (1,568 | ) | |||||
| Financing activities | |||||||||
| Borrowings on revolver | 367,513 | 333,301 | |||||||
| Payments on revolver | (369,752 | ) | (320,133 | ) | |||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | — | — | |||||||
| Payment of dividends | (48 | ) | (81 | ) | |||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | (175 | ) | (177 | ) | |||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (2,462 | ) | 12,910 | ||||||
| Net change in cash | 1,393 | — | |||||||
| Cash at beginning of year | — | — | |||||||
| Cash at end of year | $ | 1,393 | $ | — | |||||
| Supplemental disclosures | |||||||||
| Cash paid during the year for interest | $ | 2,811 | $ | 1,961 | |||||
| Cash paid during the year for income taxes | $ | 3,696 | $ | 64 | |||||