Wesco Announces 3Q 2023 Financial Results

PITTSBURGH — Wesco International announces its results for the third quarter of 2023.

Engel continued, “Our industry-leading customer value proposition, strong cross-sell execution and continued share gains drove record third quarter sales. Overall results were in line with our expectations with sequential sales improvement in our EES business coupled with continued share capture and higher operating margins in our CSS and UBS businesses. The multi-speed economy has increased the importance of our internal initiatives and continued operational excellence as we drive outperformance versus our end markets. We again exceeded our expectations for cross selling and are raising our sales synergy target from $2.0 billion to $2.2 billion. Our long-term secular growth drivers remain intact and our portfolio mix-shift into higher-growth end markets has driven more consistent financial performance.”

Engel concluded, “The power of Wesco’s scale, industry-leading positions, and expanded portfolio of products, services and solutions positions us to capture the benefits of enduring secular growth trends as well as anticipated increased infrastructure investments in North America. We remain focused on what we can control as we continue to invest in our digital transformation plan and work to deliver game-changing digital capabilities that benefit our customers and supplier partners. We are confident in delivering our full year outlook of record sales, record EBITDA and record free cash flow. And we remain committed to deliver the financial value-creation objectives presented at our Investor Day including our long-term margin expansion, profit growth and cash generation targets.”

2023 Outlook Update:

Wesco is now expecting reported net sales growth of approximately 5%, near the low-end of the prior range of 5%-7% driven by moderating end market conditions. EBITDA margins are still forecast to be 7.8%-8.0% and adjusted EBITDA at the mid-point of the guidance range remains approximately $1.8 billion. Earnings per share is now forecast to be $15.60-$16.10 versus $15.00-$16.00 previously, primarily due to a lower full-year tax rate. The company’s free cash flow outlook is unchanged at $500-$700 million.

The following are results for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022:

• Net sales were $5.6 billion for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $5.4 billion for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 3.6%. Organic sales for the third quarter of 2023 grew by 2.8% as the acquisition of Rahi Systems, which closed in November of 2022, positively impacted reported net sales by 2.4%, while the number of workdays negatively impacted reported net sales by 1.6%. Backlog at the end of the third quarter of 2023 declined by 6% compared to the end of the third quarter of 2022. Sequentially, backlog declined by approximately 7%.
• Cost of goods sold for the third quarter of 2023 was $4.4 billion compared to $4.2 billion for the third quarter of 2022, and gross profit was $1.2 billion for both periods. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit was 21.6% and 22.1% for the third quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decline in gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the third quarter of 2023 primarily reflects a shift in sales mix and lower supplier volume rebates, partially offset by our continued focus on a strategy of pricing products and services to realize the value that we provide to our customers as a result of our broad portfolio of product and service offerings, global footprint and capabilities (“value-driven pricing”). The impact of supplier volume rebates on gross profit reflects favorable adjustments in the prior year period; the third quarter of 2023 reflects a sequential decrease in supplier volume rebates as a percentage of net sales. Sequentially, gross margin as a percentage of net sales remained flat.
• Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $796.4 million, or 14.1% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $760.2 million, or 14.0% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2022. SG&A expenses for the third quarter of 2023 and 2022 include merger-related and integration costs of $15.0 million and $13.2 million, respectively. SG&A expenses for the third quarter of 2023 also include $5.6 million of restructuring costs. Adjusted for merger-related and integration costs and restructuring costs, SG&A expenses were $775.8 million, or 13.7% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2023 and $747.0 million, or 13.7% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted SG&A expenses for the third quarter of 2023 reflect higher salaries and benefits due to wage inflation and increased headcount, including the impact of the Rahi Systems acquisition, partially offset by the impact of headcount reductions taken at the end of the second quarter of 2023. Increased costs to operate our facilities also contributed to higher SG&A expenses. In addition, digital transformation initiatives contributed to higher expenses in the third quarter of 2023, including those related to professional services and consulting fees. These increases were partially offset by the realization of integration cost synergies and a reduction to incentive compensation expense. Sequentially, SG&A expenses, adjusted for merger-related and integration costs and restructuring costs, decreased $35.2 million and, as a percentage of net sales, decreased 40 basis points.
• Depreciation and amortization for the third quarter of 2023 was $45.1 million compared to $42.7 million for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of $2.4 million.
• Operating profit was $380.5 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $401.6 million for the third quarter of 2022, a decrease of $21.1 million, or 5.3%. Operating profit as a percentage of net sales was 6.7% for the current quarter compared to 7.4% for the third quarter of the prior year. Adjusted for the merger-related and integration costs, restructuring costs, and accelerated trademark amortization, operating profit was $401.5 million, or 7.1% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted for merger-related and integration costs and accelerated trademark amortization, operating profit was $415.2 million, or 7.6% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2022. Sequentially, operating profit, adjusted for merger-related and integration costs and accelerated trademark amortization, increased $16.2 million and, as a percentage of net sales, increased 40 basis points.
• Net interest expense for the third quarter of 2023 was $98.5 million compared to $75.1 million for the third quarter of 2022. The increase reflects higher borrowings and an increase in variable interest rates.
• Other non-operating expense for the third quarter of 2023 was $3.7 million compared to $0.7 million for the third quarter of 2022.
• The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2023 was 15.9% compared to 26.3% for the third quarter of 2022. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 was lower than the comparable period due to the favorable tax rate impact from the reversal of the valuation allowance against Brazilian deferred tax assets, larger tax benefits from the exercise and vesting of stock-based awards in the current year period versus prior year, and return to provision adjustments, primarily attributable to increased U.S. foreign tax credit utilization in the current year period.
• Net income attributable to common stockholders was $219.0 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $225.2 million for the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted for merger-related and integration costs, restructuring costs, accelerated trademark amortization expense, and the related income tax effects, net income attributable to common stockholders was $234.4 million for the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted for merger-related and integration costs, accelerated trademark amortization expense, and the related income tax effects, net income attributable to common stockholders was $235.1 million for the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders decreased 0.3% year-over-year.
• Earnings per diluted share for the third quarter of 2023 was $4.20, based on 52.2 million diluted shares, compared to $4.30 for the third quarter of 2022, based on 52.4 million diluted shares. Adjusted for merger-related and integration costs, restructuring costs, accelerated trademark amortization expense, and the related income tax effects, earnings per diluted share for the third quarter of 2023 was $4.49. Adjusted for merger-related and integration costs, accelerated trademark amortization expense, and the related income tax effects, earnings per diluted share for the third quarter of 2022 was $4.49.
• Operating cash flow for the third quarter of 2023 was an inflow of $361.7 million compared to an outflow of $106.1 million for the third quarter of 2022. Free cash flow for the third quarter of 2023 was $357.1 million, or 143% of adjusted net income. The net cash inflow in the third quarter of 2023 was primarily driven by net income of $234.0 million as well as changes in working capital, including a decrease in trade accounts receivable of $29.5 million, due to the timing of receipts from customers and the sequential decrease in net sales compared to the prior quarter, and a decrease in inventories of $11.2 million.
• Financial leverage ratio was 2.7 as of September 30, 2023, at the lowest level since the Anixter merger in June of 2020, now below the midpoint of the target range.

The following are results for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022:

• Net sales were $16.9 billion for the first nine months of 2023 compared to $15.9 billion for the first nine months of 2022, an increase of 6.6%, reflecting price inflation and volume growth (driven in part by secular demand trends, execution of our cross-sell program, and an improved supply chain). Organic sales for the first nine months of 2023 grew by 5.3% as the acquisition of Rahi Systems positively impacted reported net sales by 2.6%, while fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the number of workdays negatively impacted reported net sales by 0.8% and 0.5%, respectively.
• Cost of goods sold for the first nine months of 2023 was $13.2 billion compared to $12.4 billion for the first nine months of 2022, and gross profit was $3.7 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit was 21.7% for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022.
• SG&A expenses were $2,445.8 million, or 14.5% of net sales, for the first nine months of 2023, compared to $2,251.1 million, or 14.2% of net sales, for the first nine months of 2022. SG&A expenses for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022 include merger-related and integration costs of $45.4 million and $52.2 million, respectively. SG&A expenses for first nine months of 2023 also include $15.4 million of restructuring costs. Adjusted for merger-related and integration costs and restructuring costs, SG&A expenses were $2,385.0 million, or 14.1% of net sales, for the first nine months of 2023 and $2,198.9 million, or 13.9% of net sales for the first nine months of 2022. The increase in adjusted SG&A expenses for the first nine months of 2023 compared to the first nine months of 2022 reflects the same factors discussed above.
• Depreciation and amortization for the first nine months of 2023 was $136.4 million compared to $135.6 million for the first nine months of 2022, an increase of $0.8 million. In connection with an integration initiative to review the Company’s brand strategy, certain legacy trademarks are migrating to a master brand architecture, which resulted in $1.2 million and $9.4 million of accelerated amortization expense for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively.
• Operating profit was $1,090.7 million for the first nine months of 2023 compared to $1,056.3 million for the first nine months of 2022, an increase of $34.4 million, or 3.3%. Operating profit as a percentage of net sales was 6.4% for the current nine-month period compared to 6.7% for the first nine months of the prior year. Adjusted for the merger-related and integration costs, restructuring costs, and accelerated trademark amortization described above, operating profit was $1,152.7 million, or 6.8% of net sales, for the first nine months of 2023. Adjusted for merger-related and integration costs and accelerated trademark amortization, operating profit was $1,117.9 million, or 7.0% of net sales, for the first nine months of 2022.
• Net interest expense for the first nine months of 2023 was $292.3 million compared to $207.1 million for the first nine months of 2022. The increase reflects higher borrowings and an increase in variable interest rates.
• Other non-operating expense for the first nine months of 2023 was $14.6 million compared to $3.0 million for the first nine months of 2022. Net benefits of $0.9 million and $10.5 million associated with the non-service cost components of net periodic pension (benefit) cost were recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The year-over-year decrease in net periodic pension benefits was due to a decrease in expected return on plan assets and an increase in interest cost. Due to fluctuations in the U.S. dollar against certain foreign currencies, a net foreign currency exchange loss of $14.6 million was recognized for the first nine months of 2023 compared to a net loss of $11.5 million for the first nine months of 2022.
• The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2023 was 20.4% compared to 24.0% for the first nine months of 2022. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2023 was lower than the comparable period due to a larger favorable tax rate impact from the exercise and vesting of stock-based awards, the favorable tax rate impact from the reversal of the valuation allowance against Brazilian deferred tax assets, and return-to-provision adjustments, primarily attributable to increased U.S. foreign tax credit utilization.
• Net income attributable to common stockholders was $580.5 million for the first nine months of 2023 compared to $598.5 million for the first nine months of 2022. Adjusted for merger-related and integration costs, restructuring costs, accelerated trademark amortization expense, and the related income tax effects, net income attributable to common stockholders was $625.7 million for the first nine months of 2023. Adjusted for merger-related and integration costs, accelerated trademark amortization expense, and the related income tax effects, net income attributable to common stockholders for the first nine months of 2022 was $643.7 million. Adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders decreased 2.8% year-over-year.
• Earnings per diluted share for the first nine months of 2023 was $11.08, based on 52.4 million diluted shares, compared to $11.42 for the first nine months of 2022, based on 52.4 million diluted shares. Adjusted for merger-related and integration costs, restructuring costs, accelerated trademark amortization expense, and the related income tax effects, earnings per diluted share for the first nine months of 2023 was $11.94. Adjusted for merger-related and integration costs, accelerated trademark amortization expense, and the related income tax effects, earnings per diluted share for the first nine months of 2022 was $12.29. Adjusted earnings per diluted share decreased 2.8% year-over-year.
• Operating cash flow for the first nine months of 2023 was an inflow of $423.9 million compared to an outflow of $410.6 million for the first nine months of 2022. Free cash flow for the first nine months of 2023 was $384.4 million, or 57% of adjusted net income. The net cash inflow in the first nine months of 2023 was primarily driven by net income of $623.6 million and non-cash adjustments to net income totaling $190.1 million, which were primarily comprised of depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs, and deferred income taxes. Operating cash flow was negatively impacted by net changes in assets and liabilities of $389.8 million, which were primarily comprised of an increase in trade accounts receivable of $133.4 million and a decrease in accounts payable of $86.5 million due to the timing of receipts from customers and payments to suppliers, respectively. Net operating cash flow was also negatively impacted by $62.7 million from an increase in inventories. Additionally, the payment of management incentive compensation earned in 2022 resulted in a cash outflow in the first nine months of 2023, which was partially offset by the accrual of management incentive compensation earned in the current year.

Segment Results

The Company has operating segments comprising three strategic business units consisting of Electrical & Electronic Solutions (“EES”), Communications & Security Solutions (“CSS”) and Utility & Broadband Solutions (“UBS”).

The Company incurs corporate costs primarily related to treasury, tax, information technology, legal and other centralized functions. Segment results include depreciation expense or other allocations related to various corporate assets. Interest expense and other non-operating items are either not allocated to the segments or reviewed on a segment basis. Corporate expenses not directly identifiable with our reportable segments are reported in the tables below to reconcile the reportable segments to the consolidated financial statements.

The following are results by segment for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022:

• EES reported net sales of $2,190.7 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $2,234.8 million for the third quarter of 2022, a decrease of 2.0%. Organic sales for the third quarter of 2023 declined by 0.2% as fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the number of workdays negatively impacted reported net sales by 0.2% and 1.6%, respectively. The decrease in organic sales compared to the prior year quarter reflects downturns in the construction and manufactured structures businesses, offset by price inflation and continued positive momentum in our industrial business. In addition, a transfer of certain customer accounts to the CSS segment negatively impacted reported net sales for EES by approximately two percentage points. Adjusted EBITDA was $191.5 million for the third quarter of 2023, or 8.7% of net sales, compared to $225.8 million for the third quarter of 2022, or 10.1% of net sales. Adjusted EBITDA decreased $34.3 million, or 15.2% year-over-year, primarily due to the decline in sales, a shift in sales mix, and an increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales.
• CSS reported net sales of $1,778.0 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $1,602.4 million for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 11.0%. Organic sales for the third quarter of 2023 grew by 4.1% as the acquisition of Rahi Systems in the fourth quarter of 2022 and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates positively impacted reported net sales by 8.2% and 0.3%, respectively, while the number of workdays negatively impacted reported net sales by 1.6%. The increase in organic sales compared to the prior year quarter reflects price inflation and market growth. The transfer of certain customer accounts from the EES segment also positively impacted organic net sales for CSS by approximately 3%. Adjusted EBITDA was $175.5 million for the third quarter of 2023, or 9.9% of net sales, compared to $156.4 million for the third quarter of 2022, or 9.8% of net sales. Adjusted EBITDA increased $19.1 million, or 12.2% year-over-year. The increase is primarily driven by sales growth and lower SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales primarily due to cost reduction activities and a reduction to incentive compensation expense.
• UBS reported net sales of $1,675.7 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $1,608.7 million for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 4.2%. Organic sales for the third quarter of 2023 grew by 5.8% as the number of workdays negatively impacted reported net sales by 1.6%. The increase in organic sales compared to the prior year quarter reflects price inflation, market growth in the utility business, and expansion in our integrated supply business, partially offset by lower sales in our broadband business. Adjusted EBITDA was $196.4 million for the third quarter of 2023, or 11.7% of net sales, compared to $186.3 million for the third quarter of 2022, or 11.6% of net sales. Adjusted EBITDA increased $10.1 million, or 5.4% year-over-year. The increase is driven by sales growth, gross margin improvement, and lower SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales primarily due to cost reduction activities and a reduction to incentive compensation expense.

The following are results by segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022:

• EES reported net sales of $6,526.1 million for the first nine months of 2023 compared to $6,654.9 million for the first nine months of 2022, a decrease of 1.9%. Organic sales for the first nine months of 2023 declined by 0.5% as fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the number of workdays negatively impacted reported net sales by 0.9% and 0.5%, respectively. The decrease in organic sales reflects downturns in the construction and manufactured structures businesses, partially offset by continued positive momentum in our industrial business and price inflation. In addition, a transfer of certain customer accounts to the CSS segment negatively impacted organic net sales for EES by approximately two percentage points. Adjusted EBITDA was $563.5 million for the first nine months of 2023, or 8.6% of net sales, compared to $653.6 million for the first nine months of 2022, or 9.8% of net sales. Adjusted EBITDA decreased $90.1 million, or 13.8% year-over-year, primarily due to the decline in sales, a shift in sales mix, and an increase in SG&A expenses.
• CSS reported net sales of $5,360.9 million for the first nine months of 2023 compared to $4,638.6 million for the first nine months of 2022, an increase of 15.6%. Organic sales for the first nine months of 2023 grew by 7.9% as the acquisition of Rahi Systems positively impacted reported net sales by 9.0%, while fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the number of workdays negatively impacted reported net sales by 0.8% and 0.5%, respectively. The increase in organic sales reflects price inflation, strong growth in our network infrastructure and security solutions businesses, and the benefits of cross selling. The transfer of certain customer accounts from the EES segment also positively impacted organic net sales for CSS by approximately 3%. Adjusted EBITDA was $510.5 million for the first nine months of 2023, or 9.5% of net sales, compared to $429.5 million for the first nine months of 2022, or 9.3% of net sales. Adjusted EBITDA increased $81.0 million, or 18.9% year-over-year. The increase is primarily driven by sales growth and gross margin improvement.
• UBS reported net sales of $5,024.8 million for the first nine months of 2023 compared to $4,568.1 million for the first nine months of 2022, an increase of 10.0%. Organic sales for the first nine months of 2023 grew by 10.9% as fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the number of workdays negatively impacted reported net sales by 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively. The increase in organic sales reflects price inflation, market growth in the utility business, expansion in our integrated supply business, and the benefits of cross selling, partially offset by lower sales in our broadband business, particularly in Canada. Adjusted EBITDA was $572.7 million for the first nine months of 2023, or 11.4% of net sales, compared to $491.7 million for the first nine months of 2022, or 10.8% of net sales. Adjusted EBITDA increased $81.0 million, or 16.5% year-over-year. The increase is driven by sales growth and gross margin improvement.