McKINNEY, Texas – Encore Wire Corporation announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2022.
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $3.018 billion compared to $2.593 billion during the same period in 2021. Copper unit volume, measured in pounds of copper contained in the wire sold, increased 7.9% in the year ended December 31, 2022 versus the year ended December 31, 2021.
Gross profit percentage for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 36.9% compared to 33.5% during the same period in 2021. The average selling price of wire per copper pound sold decreased 0.5% in the year ended December 31, 2022 versus the year ended December 31, 2021, while the average cost of copper per pound purchased decreased 2.7%. The overall increase in total volumes shipped, along with an increase in aluminum spreads during 2022, resulted in the increased gross profit margin for the full year of 2022 when compared to 2021.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $717.8 million versus $541.4 million in the same period in 2021. Fully diluted net earnings per common share were $36.91 for the year ended December 31, 2022 versus $26.22 in the same period in 2021.
Net sales for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022 were $693.9 million compared to $687.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. Copper unit volume, measured in pounds of copper contained in the wire sold, increased 7.9% in the fourth quarter of 2022 versus the fourth quarter of 2021.
Gross profit percentage for the fourth quarter of 2022 was 35.8% compared to 34.2% in the fourth quarter of 2021. The average selling price of wire per copper pound sold decreased 14.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022 versus the fourth quarter of 2021, while the average cost of copper per pound purchased decreased 14.4%. The gradual abatement of copper spreads in the quarter was more than offset by increased aluminum spreads and an overall increase in total volumes shipped resulting in the increased gross profit margin in the fourth quarter of 2022 when compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
Net income for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $154.0 million versus $141.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Fully diluted net earnings per common share were $8.28 in the fourth quarter of 2022 versus $6.91 in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Aluminum wire represented 17.8% and 15.4%, respectively, of our net sales in the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022. Aluminum unit volumes increased on both a comparative quarter and annual basis over 2021 levels.
Commenting on the results, Daniel L. Jones, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Encore Wire Corporation, said, “Our results in 2022 mark another year of exceptional earnings, strong cash flow and consistent volume growth. Our single-site, vertically integrated business model affords us the flexibility and agility to quickly adapt to changing market conditions while continuing to serve our customers at a level consistent with our high standards. Continued tightness in the availability of key raw materials and the general inability of the sector to meet demand for the timely delivery of finished goods kept spreads strong in the fourth quarter of 2022. Our key suppliers continue to perform at a high level which positions us favorably in meeting customer demand in a timely manner. By continuing to execute on our core values of providing unbeatable customer service and high order fill rates, we were able to increase both copper and aluminum volumes shipped in the fourth quarter and year-to-date periods in 2022 over 2021 levels. I continue to believe that our operational agility, speed to market, and deep supplier relationships remain competitive advantages in serving our customers’ evolving needs. We remain committed to reinvesting in our business with current and planned projects focused on increasing capacity, efficiency and vertical integration across our campus.
Copper unit volumes increased 7.9% on both a comparative quarter basis and on a year-to-date basis. Comex copper prices increased gradually throughout the fourth quarter while other raw material costs and inputs decreased slightly. Copper spreads decreased 13.7% on a comparative quarter basis and increased 1.9% on a full year basis. Aluminum spreads and volumes increased for both the quarter and full year periods in 2022 compared to 2021.
We continue to believe Encore Wire remains well positioned to capture market share and incremental volume growth in the current economic environment. As we address the near-term challenges, we remain focused on the long-term opportunities for our business. We believe that our superior order fill rates and deep vertical integration continue to enhance our competitive position. As orders come in from electrical contractors, our distributors can continue to depend on us for quick deliveries coast to coast.
Our balance sheet remains very strong. We have no long-term debt, and our revolving line of credit remains untapped. We had $730.6 million in cash at the end of the year. During 2022 we repurchased 2,055,470 shares of our common stock at an average price of $120.47, including 161,701 shares repurchased at an average price of $138.53 in the fourth quarter. Since the first quarter of 2020, we have repurchased 2,972,277 shares of our common stock for a total cash outlay of $311.6 million. We also declared a $0.02 cash dividend during the fourth quarter.
The repurposing of our vacated distribution center into Plant 7 to expand manufacturing capacity and extend our market reach was substantially completed in the second half of 2022.
The incremental investments announced in July 2021 continue in earnest, focused on broadening our position as a low-cost manufacturer in the sector and increasing manufacturing capacity to drive growth. In 2022 we began construction on a new, state of the art, cross-link polyethylene (XLPE) compounding facility to deepen vertical integration related to wire and cable insulation. XLPE insulation today is used in many applications including Data Centers, Oil and Gas, Transit, Waste-Water Treatment facilities, Utilities and Wind and Solar applications. We anticipate the new facility will be substantially completed by the end of the third quarter of 2023. Capital spending in 2023 through 2025 will further expand vertical integration in our manufacturing processes to reduce costs as well as modernize select wire manufacturing facilities to increase capacity and efficiency and improve our position as a sustainable and environmentally responsible company. Total capital expenditures were $148.4 million in 2022. We expect total capital expenditures to range from $160 – $180 million in 2023, $150 – $170 million in 2024, and $80 – $100 million in 2025. We expect to continue to fund these investments with existing cash reserves and operating cash flows.
Our low-cost structure and strong balance sheet have allowed us the flexibility to adapt quickly to changing market conditions, 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 health and safety of our employees and their families remain our top priority, and we are following CDC guidelines to maintain safe working conditions. The Company is unable to predict the impact that COVID-19, or any of the ongoing variants, may have on our financial position and operating results in future periods. The duration or re-emergence of the outbreak and its long-term impact on our business remain uncertain.”
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Highlights
- Fourth Quarter Earnings per Diluted Share of $8.28; Full Year 2022 Earnings per Diluted Share of $36.91
- Fourth Quarter Net income of $154.0 million; Full Year 2022 Net income of $717.8 million
- Fourth Quarter Gross profit of 8%; Full Year 2022 Gross profit of 36.9%
- Copper volume sold increased 7.9% over fourth quarter of 2021; Increased 7.9% over 2021 full year levels
- Cash on hand of $730.6 million as of December 31, 2022; up from $439.0 million as of December 31, 2021
- Capital expenditures of $148.4 million in 2022
- Company repurchased 161,701 shares in the fourth quarter of 2022; repurchased 2,055,470 shares in full year 2022
- Total cash outlay for share repurchases of $22.4 million in the fourth quarter; $247.6 million in full year 2022