CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Arrow Electronics, Inc. today reported first-quarter 2021 sales of $8.39 billion, an increase of 31 percent from sales of $6.38 billion in the first quarter of 2020. First-quarter net income was $206 million, or $2.72 per share on a diluted basis, compared with a net income of $50 million, or $0.61 per share on a diluted basis, in the first quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP net income1 was $216 million, or $2.84 per share on a diluted basis, in the first quarter of 2021, compared with non-GAAP net income of $79 million, or $0.97 per share on a diluted basis, in the first quarter of 2020.
“Arrow’s commitment to guiding innovation forward on behalf of our customers and suppliers enabled us to deliver record results in the quarter. I am incredibly impressed with our team’s execution as we continued to help customers across key industries thrive and benefit by delivering the products, services and solutions they need,” said Michael J. Long, chairman, president, and chief executive officer. “Our continually evolving business model has adapted well to significant swings in demand and shifts in business priorities over the last year, and we look forward to further building on this strong momentum in the months ahead.”
Global components first-quarter sales of $6.44 billion reflected an increase of 42 percent year over year. Asia-Pacific components sales increased 88 percent year over year. Americas components first-quarter sales increased 10 percent year over year. Europe components first-quarter sales increased 20 percent year over year and non-GAAP sales in the region increased 10 percent year over year. Global components first-quarter operating income was $289 million and first-quarter non-GAAP operating income was $296 million.
“Strength and stability are the hallmarks of our global components business. Sales were above the high-end of our expectations for the fourth consecutive quarter, and, importantly, we are realizing robust operating leverage on our sales growth,” said Mr. Long. “We see current supply challenges as transitory and expect more balance with demand in the coming quarters.”
Global enterprise computing solutions first-quarter sales of $1.94 billion reflected an increase of 6 percent year over year and non-GAAP sales increased 2 percent year over year. Europe enterprise computing solutions first-quarter sales increased 13 percent year over year and non-GAAP sales in the region increased 4 percent year over year. Americas enterprise computing solutions first-quarter sales increased 2 percent year over year. Global enterprise computing solutions first-quarter operating income was $77 million and first-quarter non-GAAP operating income was $80 million.
Long said, “First-quarter global enterprise computing solutions sales were in-line with our prior outlook. We are seeing early indications that spending priorities are shifting to more complex projects with transformational business outcomes that are well-suited for our enterprise capabilities.”
“Our financial returns continue to improve meaningfully,” said Chris Stansbury, senior vice president and chief financial officer. “Through our disciplined working capital management, we are well-positioned to continue realizing operational leverage and converting growing profits to free cash flow in future quarters. As always, we remain committed to improving value to shareholders. During the first quarter, we repurchased approximately $150 million of shares through our stock repurchase program, ending the quarter with approximately $313 million of remaining authorization. Our balance sheet and liquidity position remain strong, and we are pleased to report return on invested capital increased year over year for the fourth straight quarter.”
SECOND-QUARTER 2021 OUTLOOK
- Consolidated sales of $8.1 billion to $8.7 billion, with global components sales of $6.3 billion to $6.6 billion, and global enterprise computing solutions sales of $1.8 billion to $2.1 billion
- Net income per share on a diluted basis of $2.67 to $2.83, and non-GAAP net income per share on a diluted basis1 of $2.82 to $2.98
- Average tax rate of approximately 23 percent compared to the long-term range of 23 to 25 percent
- Average diluted shares outstanding of 75 million
- Interest expense of approximately $33 million
- Expecting average USD-to-Euro exchange rate of $1.18 to €1; changes in foreign currencies to increase sales by approximately $150 million, and earnings per share on a diluted basis by $.08 compared to the second quarter of 2020