Manufacturers

Encore Wire Beats Estimates With 3Q Results

MCKINNEY, Texas—Encore Wire Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: WIRE) has announced improved results for the third quarter of 2017 and the nine months ending September 30, 2017.

Net sales for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017 were $292.0 million compared to $237.2 million during the third quarter of 2016. Copper unit volume, measured in pounds of copper contained in the wire sold, increased 0.7% in the third quarter of 2017 versus the third quarter of 2016. The average selling price of wire per copper pound sold increased 25.7% in the third quarter of 2017 versus the third quarter of 2016, driving the 23.1% increase in net sales dollars. Copper wire sales prices increased primarily due to the higher price of copper purchased, which increased 30.1% versus the third quarter of 2016. Net income for the third quarter of 2017 increased 132.8% to $14.0 million versus $6.0 million in the third quarter of 2016. Fully diluted net earnings per common share were $0.67 in the third quarter of 2017 versus $0.29 in the third quarter of 2016.

Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $863.0 million compared to $701.5 million during the same period in 2016. Copper unit volume, measured in pounds of copper contained in the wire sold, increased 5.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The average selling price of wire per copper pound sold increased 18.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2016, driving the 23.0% increase in net sales dollars. Copper wire sales prices increased primarily due to the higher price of copper purchased, which increased 23.8% versus the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 increased 71.7% to $38.5 million versus $22.4 million in the same period in 2016. Fully diluted net earnings per common share were $1.85 in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 versus $1.08 in the same period in 2016.

On a sequential quarter comparison, net sales for the third quarter of 2017 were $292.0 million versus $291.5 million during the second quarter of 2017. Sales dollars remained flat due to a 9.0% unit volume decrease of copper building wire sold, offset by a 10.9% increase in the average selling price per pound of copper wire sold on a sequential quarter comparison. Copper wire sales prices increased primarily due to an increase of 9.9% in the price of copper purchased. Net income for the third quarter of 2017 was $14.0 million versus $10.9 million in the second quarter of 2017. Fully diluted net income per common share was $0.67 in the third quarter of 2017 versus $0.52 in the second quarter of 2017.

Commenting on the results, Daniel L. Jones, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Encore Wire Corporation, said, “We are very pleased with our improved results in the third quarter and on a year to date comparison. There are some key items to note. Net sales dollars increased significantly, in both the quarterly and nine month comparisons of 2017 to 2016. The increased top line was driven primarily by both higher copper raw material prices as well as increased unit sales volumes. Unit volumes in the first nine months of 2017 were up 5.6% in copper pounds shipped versus the first nine months of last year. Margins increased strongly in both the quarterly and nine month comparisons of 2017 versus 2016. One of the key metrics to our earnings is the “spread” between the price of copper wire sold and the cost of raw copper purchased in any given period. The copper spread increased 17.8% in the third quarter of 2017 versus the third quarter of 2016, and increased 9.8% on the nine month comparison while increasing 13.0% on a sequential quarter comparison. The copper spread expanded 17.8% as the average price of copper purchased increased 30.1% in the third quarter of 2017 versus the third quarter of 2016, while the average selling price of wire sold increased 25.7%. The percentage change on sales is on a higher nominal dollar amount than on purchases and, therefore, spreads change on a nominal dollar basis.

“The margin changes were due primarily to the competitive pricing environment in the industry, along with the impact from the hurricanes that hit portions of the U.S. in the quarter. We took prices up somewhat above our competitors in mid-August, 2017, in an attempt to lead an industry margin increase. Our volumes decreased slightly as a result, but we held our ground until, coincidentally, Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast. With the concentration of petrochemical plants in that area, including many plastic plants on which our industry relies, we held prices up to protect the supply of wire for customers who need and appreciate timely delivery. We chose this course in the face of the uncertainty of plastic supplies in September. While this course of action impacted our unit volumes, it culminated in very strong earnings, once again highlighting the fact that our earnings are driven by spreads.

“The U.S. economy appears strong, as is construction activity. We believe that some of our financially stressed competitors have struggled and acted erratically in what we consider a strong business environment, when volumes are good and margins should also be strong. Based on discussions with our distributor customers and their contractor customers, we believe there is a good outlook for construction projects for the next year. We continue to strive to lead and support industry price increases in an effort to maintain and increase margins. We believe our superior order fill rates continue to enhance our competitive position. As orders come in from electrical contractors, the distributors can count on our order fill rates to ensure quick deliveries from coast to coast. Our balance sheet is very strong. We have no long-term debt, and our revolving line of credit is paid down to zero. In addition, we had $101.4 million in cash at the end of the quarter. We also declared another cash dividend during the quarter.

“Our low-cost structure and strong balance sheet have enabled us to withstand difficult periods in the past, and we believe they are continuing to prove valuable now. We thank our employees and associates for their outstanding effort and our shareholders for their continued support.”

 

The Company has reconciled EBITDA with net income for fiscal years 1996 to 2016 on previous reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EBITDA for each period pertinent to this press release is calculated and reconciled to net income as follows:

           
  Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
In Thousands 2017     2016 2017     2016
Net Income $ 13,964     $ 5,999 $ 38,529     $ 22,437
Income Tax Expense 6,129 3,107 18,621 11,431
Interest Expense 60 60 177 177
Depreciation and Amortization   3,965       4,078   11,613       13,008
EBITDA $ 24,118     $ 13,244 $ 68,940     $ 47,053
 
         
Encore Wire Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands)

 
September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash $ 101,367 $ 95,753
Receivables, net 222,951 184,876
Inventories 95,419 93,274
Prepaid Expenses and Other   2,906     2,479  
Total Current Assets 422,643 376,382
Property, Plant and Equipment, net 285,529 281,389
Other Assets   193     193  
Total Assets $ 708,365   $ 657,964  
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable $ 32,158 $ 18,577
Accrued Liabilities and Other   29,801     32,305  
Total Current Liabilities 61,959 50,882
Long-Term Liabilities
Non-Current Deferred Income Taxes   33,763     33,973  
Total Long-Term Liabilities   33,763     33,973  
Total Liabilities 95,722 84,855
Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock 268 268
Additional Paid-in Capital 57,563 55,311
Treasury Stock (91,056 ) (91,056 )
Retained Earnings   645,868     608,586  
Total Stockholders' Equity   612,643     573,109  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 708,365   $ 657,964  
 
         
Encore Wire Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 
Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2017     2016 2017     2016
               
Net Sales $ 292,030 100.0 % $ 237,168 100.0 % $ 862,956 100.0 % $ 701,543 100.0 %
Cost of Sales   252,943     86.6 %   209,350     88.3 %   748,792     86.8 %   614,951     87.7 %
Gross Profit 39,087 13.4 % 27,818 11.7 % 114,164 13.2 % 86,592 12.3 %
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses   19,142     6.6 %   18,721     7.9 %   57,198     6.6 %   52,756     7.5 %
Operating Income 19,945 6.8 % 9,097 3.8 % 56,966 6.6 % 33,836 4.8 %
 
Net Interest & Other Expense   148     0.1 %   9     %   184     %   32     %
Income before Income Taxes 20,093 6.9 % 9,106 3.8 % 57,150 6.6 % 33,868 4.8 %
 
Income Taxes   6,129     2.1 %   3,107     1.3 %   18,621     2.2 %   11,431     1.6 %
Net Income $ 13,964     4.8 % $ 5,999     2.5 % $ 38,529     4.5 % $ 22,437     3.2 %
 
Basic Earnings Per Share $ 0.67 $ 0.29 $ 1.86 $ 1.08
Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.67 $ 0.29 $ 1.85 $ 1.08
Weighted Average Number of Common and Common Equivalent Shares Outstanding:
Basic   20,758   20,704   20,749   20,696
Diluted   20,837   20,775   20,835   20,763
Dividend Declared per Share $ 0.02 $ 0.02 $ 0.06 $ 0.06

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