Atkore Announces First Quarter 2023 Results

“Atkore is off to a solid start in 2023 as we leverage our diversified approach and broad portfolio of leading solutions to capture opportunities for growth,” said Bill Waltz, Atkore President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our team delivered solid volume growth across our business in the quarter as we remain focused on executing our Atkore Business System and differentiating ourselves with customers. Our recent acquisitions – including Elite Polymer Solutions which has bolstered our HDPE offering – also continued to perform well and drive additional growth. As planned, we are strategically deploying capital toward both organic and inorganic growth opportunities as well as returning capital to shareholders. During the first quarter, we repurchased $150 million of Atkore common stock, and we have already repurchased over $100 million dollars in common stock in the second quarter.”

Waltz continued, “Given our first quarter performance and current market dynamics, we are raising our fiscal 2023 outlook for Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS. We are excited about the opportunities ahead as we look to build on our momentum and create value for all of our stakeholders over the long-term.”

2023 First Quarter Results

Net sales decreased by $7.0 million, or 0.8%, to $833.8 million for the three months ended December 30, 2022, compared to $840.8 million for the three months ended December 24, 2021. The decrease in net sales is primarily attributed to decreased average selling prices across the Company’s products of $108.3 million and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates of $7.6 million. These decreases were partially offset by increased net sales of $61.3 million from companies acquired during fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023 and increased sales volume of $45.6 million. Average selling prices have declined as the Company continues to see normalization of pricing.

Gross profit decreased by $20.5 million, or 5.8%, to $334.4 million for the three months ended December 30, 2022, as compared to $354.8 million for the prior-year period. Gross margin decreased to 40.1% for the three months ended December 30, 2022, as compared to 42.2% for the prior-year period. Gross profit decreased primarily due to declines in average selling prices of $108.3 million partially offset by slower declines in the costs of steel, copper and PVC resin of $59.2 million, margin contribution on increased volume of $16.6 million, and companies acquired during fiscal 2022 and 2023 of $20.2 million.

Net income decreased by $31.4 million, or 15.3%, to $173.5 million for the three months ended December 30, 2022 compared to $204.8 million for the prior-year period primarily due to lower gross profit and higher selling, general and administrative costs, intangible amortization and interest expense.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $29.2 million, or 10.0%, to $263.8 million for the three months ended December 30, 2022 compared to $293.0 million for the three months ended December 24, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to lower gross profit.

Net income per diluted share prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) was $4.20 for the three months ended December 30, 2022, as compared to $4.32 in the prior-year period. Adjusted net income per diluted share increased by $0.03 to $4.61 for the three months ended December 30, 2022, as compared to $4.58 in the prior year period. The decrease in diluted earnings per share is primarily attributed to lower net income, while the increase in adjusted net income per share is primarily attributed to increased stock compensation and intangible asset amortization adjustments versus the comparable period.

Segment Results

Electrical

Net sales decreased by $3.0 million, or 0.5%, to $638.7 million for the three months ended December 30, 2022 compared to $641.7 million for the three months ended December 24, 2021. The decrease in net sales is primarily attributed to decreased average selling prices of $66.7 million and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates of $7.6 million. These decreases were partially offset by increased net sales of $55.2 million from companies acquired during fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023 and increased sales volume of $17.5 million, primarily in the metal electrical conduit and fittings and electrical cable and flexible conduit product lines.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 30, 2022 decreased by $35.7 million, or 12.8%, to $243.8 million from $279.5 million for the three months ended December 24, 2021. Adjusted EBITDA margins decreased to 38.2% for the three months ended December 30, 2022 compared to 43.6% for the three months ended December 24, 2021. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margins was largely due to lower average selling prices over input costs.

Safety & Infrastructure

Net sales decreased by $5.3 million, or 2.6%, for the three months ended December 30, 2022 to $195.3 million compared to $200.5 million for the three months ended December 24, 2021. The decrease is primarily attributed to decreased average selling prices of $41.6 million driven by lower input costs of steel partially offset by higher volumes of $28.1 million, primarily in the construction and metal framing product lines, and increased net sales of $6.1 million from companies acquired during fiscal 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $6.0 million, or 21.8%, to $33.4 million for the three months ended December 30, 2022 compared to $27.4 million for the three months ended December 24, 2021. Adjusted EBITDA margins increased to 17.1% for the three months ended December 30, 2022 compared to 13.7% for the three months ended December 24, 2021. The Adjusted EBITDA increase is primarily due to average selling prices declining slower than input costs.

Full-Year Outlook¹

The Company is increasing its estimate for fiscal year 2023 Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income per diluted share. The Company estimates Adjusted EBITDA to be approximately $950 million to $1,050 million. Additionally, the Company estimates fiscal year 2023 Adjusted net income per diluted share to be in the range of $15.85 – $17.75.

The Company notes that this perspective may vary due to changes in assumptions or market conditions and other factors described under “Forward-Looking Statements.”

¹ Reconciliations of the forward-looking full-year 2023 outlook for Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income per diluted share are not being provided as the Company does not currently have sufficient data to accurately estimate the variables and individual adjustments for such reconciliations. Accordingly, we are relying on the exception provided by Item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of Regulation S-K to exclude these reconciliations.