WESCO Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

PITTSBURGH—WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE: WCC) announces its results for the second quarter of 2017.

Second quarter highlights:
– Consolidated net sales of $1.91 billion
– Operating profit of $83.1 million
– Earnings per diluted share of $1.02
– Repurchased $50 million of shares

John J. Engel, WESCO's Chairman, President and CEO, commented, “Our second quarter results were in line with the outlook we provided in April. Notably, we returned to organic sales growth in the quarter, after eight consecutive quarters of sales declines, driven by growth in our Industrial and CIG end markets as well as in our Canadian and International businesses. Our sales momentum accelerated as the quarter progressed, and this trend has continued into July, with all geographies growing to start the third quarter. Backlog grew sequentially in the quarter versus the typical seasonal decline, with June marking the highest monthly backlog since 2012. Operating margin was also in line with our expectations, as we continue to execute our cost management and supply chain initiatives to mitigate the effects of a still-challenging and demand-constrained pricing environment. Additionally, during the quarter, we repurchased $50 million of shares, while remaining within our targeted financial leverage band.

“The first half has developed as we expected, and we are encouraged with the improving momentum of our business. Our technical capabilities and service offerings promote loyal customer relationships and growth. In the second half, as our expected growth accelerates, we plan to invest to strengthen our differentiated business model and improve our competitive advantage in 2018 and beyond. Based upon our first half results and our plan for the second half, we have narrowed our full-year expectations for sales to be up 1% to 3%, operating margin to be 4.1% to 4.3%, and EPS to be $3.60 to $3.90 per diluted share with an effective tax rate of approximately 27%. We continue to expect free cash flow generation for the year to be at least 90% of net income.”

The following are results for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016:

• Net sales were $1.91 billion for the second quarter of 2017 and 2016. Organic sales for the second quarter of 2017 grew by 1.0% as foreign exchange rates negatively impacted net sales by 1.1%. Sequentially, net sales increased 7.7% and organic sales increased 8.0%.
• Cost of goods sold for the second quarter of 2017 was $1.54 billion and gross profit was $366.1 million, compared to cost of goods sold and gross profit of $1.53 billion and $379.5 million for the second quarter of 2016, respectively. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit was 19.2% and 19.9% for the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively.
• Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $267.3 million, or 14.0% of net sales, for the second quarter of 2017, compared to $274.5 million, or 14.4% of net sales, for the second quarter of 2016.
• Operating profit was $83.1 million for the current quarter, compared to $88.0 million for the second quarter of 2016. Operating profit as a percentage of net sales was 4.4% for the second quarter of 2017, compared to 4.6% for the second quarter of 2016.
• Interest expense for the second quarter of 2017 was $16.8 million, compared to $19.5 million for the second quarter of 2016. Non-cash interest expense for the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, which includes amortization of debt discounts and deferred financing fees, and interest related to uncertain tax positions, was $1.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively.
• The effective tax rate for the current quarter was 25.3%, compared to 27.3% for the prior year second quarter. The lower effective tax rate in the current quarter as compared to the prior year's comparable quarter is primarily the result of favorable discrete items and the mix of income earned in jurisdictions with lower tax rates.
• Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc. was $49.5 million and $49.8 million for the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively.
• Earnings per diluted share was $1.02 for the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, based on 48.8 million and 48.6 million diluted shares, respectively.
• Operating cash flow for the second quarter of 2017 was $19.1 million, compared to $60.0 million for the second quarter of 2016. Free cash flow for the second quarter of 2017 was $13.8 million, or 28% of net income, compared to $56.5 million, or 113% of net income, for the second quarter of 2016. Additionally, the Company completed $50 million of share repurchases in the second quarter.

The following are results for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016:

• Net sales were $3.68 billion for the first six months of 2017, compared to $3.69 billion for the first six months of 2016, a decrease of 0.1%. Acquisitions had a positive impact on net sales of 0.4% and were partially offset by a 0.2% negative impact from foreign exchange rates, resulting in a 0.3% decrease in organic sales for the first six months of 2017.
• Cost of goods sold for the first six months of 2017 was $2.97 billion and gross profit was $716.1 million, compared to cost of goods sold and gross profit of $2.95 billion and $734.6 million for the first six months of 2016, respectively. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit was 19.4% and 19.9% for the first six months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.
• Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $534.3 million, or 14.5% of net sales, for the first six months of 2017, compared to $543.8 million, or 14.7% of net sales, for the first six months of 2016.
• Operating profit was $150.2 million for the first six months of 2017, compared to $157.5 million for the first six months of 2016. Operating profit as a percentage of net sales was 4.1% for the first six months of 2017, compared to 4.3% for the first six months of 2016.
• Interest expense for the first six months of 2017 was $33.5 million, compared to $38.3 million for the first six months of 2016. Non-cash interest expense for the first six months of 2017 and 2016, which includes amortization of debt discounts and deferred financing fees, and interest related to uncertain tax positions, was $2.2 million and $4.2 million, respectively.
• The effective tax rate for the first six months of 2017 was 25.1%, compared to 29.2% for the first six months of 2016. The current year's effective tax rate is lower than the prior year primarily due to favorable discrete items, including a benefit from the exercise and vesting of stock-based awards, as well as the mix of income earned in jurisdictions with lower tax rates.
• Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc. was $87.3 million for the first six months of 2017, compared to $85.9 million for the first six months of 2016.
• Earnings per diluted share for the first six months of 2017 was $1.78, based on 49.1 million diluted shares, compared to $1.79 for the first six months of 2016, based on 47.8 million diluted shares.
• Operating cash flow for the first six months of 2017 was $66.8 million, compared to $138.6 million for the first six months of 2016. Free cash flow for the first six months of 2017 was $57.0 million, or 65% of net income, compared to $131.5 million, or 156% of net income, for the first six months of 2016.

Engel continued, “We remain focused on executing our strategies to deliver above-market sales growth, improve profitability, generate strong cash flow, and increase shareholder value. The free cash flow generation capability of our business supports continued investment in our differentiated, services-oriented business model and One WESCO growth initiatives, including acquisitions, while providing us with the ability to return capital to our shareholders. Our efforts remain centered on providing excellent customer service and delivering value to our customers' operations and supply chains by providing comprehensive product and service solutions that meet their capital project, MRO, and OEM needs.”

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This earnings release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. These financial measures include organic sales growth, gross profit, financial leverage and free cash flow. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors as these provide a better understanding of sales performance, the use of debt and liquidity on a comparable basis. Management does not use these non-GAAP financial measures for any purpose other than the reasons stated above.

SOURCE WESCO International, Inc.