Grainger Reports Results For The 2018 Third Quarter
CHICAGO, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Grainger (NYSE: GWW) today reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018. Sales of $2.8 billion increased 7.4 percent versus $2.6 billion in the third quarter of 2017. Normalizing for foreign exchange and the impact of hurricanes, sales increased 8.2 percent versus the third quarter of 2017.
Reported earnings contained $139 million in non-cash impairment charges relating to the Cromwell business in the U.K., reflecting a slower growth trajectory and structural issues. These issues include prolonged Brexit uncertainty that impacted the market outlook and higher discount rates, which together account for a majority of the reduction in valuation.
Operating earnings for the quarter of $189 million were down 32 percent versus $278 million in the 2017 third quarter. On an adjusted basis, operating earnings for the quarter of $332 million were up 15 percent versus $287 million in the 2017 third quarter. Earnings per share of $1.82 were down 35 percent versus $2.79 in the 2017 third quarter. Adjusted earnings per share of $4.19 increased 44 percent versus $2.90 in the 2017 third quarter. The improvement in adjusted earnings per share was due primarily to higher sales, operating expense leverage and a lower tax rate.
Quarterly Financial Summary
---
($ in
millions) Q3 2018 Q3 2017 Change
---
Reported Adjusted (1) Reported Adjusted (1) Reported Adjusted (1)
---
Net sales $2,831 $2,831 $2,636 $2,636 7% 7%
---
Gross
profit $1,079 $1,079 $1,017 $1,018 6% 6%
---
Operating
earnings $189 $332 $278 $287 -32% 15%
---
Net
earnings $104 $240 $162 $169 -36% 43%
---
Diluted
earnings
per share $1.82 $4.19 $2.79 $2.90 -35% 44%
---
Gross
profit
margin 38.1% 38.1% 38.6% 38.6%
(50) bps
(50) bps
---
Gross
profit
margin
(rev.
rec.) (2) 38.6% 38.6% 38.6% 38.6%
0 bps
0 bps
---
Operating
margin 6.7% 11.7% 10.5% 10.9%
(380) bps
80 bps
---
Tax rate 32.7% 20.0% 31.7% 31.7%
100 bps
(1170) bps
---
(1) Results exclude restructuring and
impairment of intangible assets as
shown on pages 8-9 of this release.
Reconciliations of the adjusted
measures reflected in this table to
the most directly comparable GAAP
measures are provided on pages 8-9
of this release.
(2) Gross margin normalized for the new
revenue recognition standard.
"The third quarter represented another solid quarter of profitable growth across the business," said DG Macpherson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Even though we lapped the 2017 U.S. pricing changes during the quarter, we saw continued strong momentum and share gains from large and medium customers. Adjusted for the new revenue recognition standard, gross profit margin in the United States was up modestly over last year. The balance of the portfolio is performing as expected, particularly in Canada and with the single channel online businesses. We are confident in our ability to lead the industry with the best service and solutions for our customers."
Company
Sales increased 7.4 percent in the 2018 third quarter versus the 2017 third quarter, driven by a 7 percentage point increase from volume and 1 percentage point increase in price, partially offset by a 1 percentage point decline from foreign exchange and the impact of hurricanes.
Gross profit margin for the quarter was 38.1 percent versus 38.6 percent in the 2017 third quarter. The lower gross profit margin reflects a 50 basis point decline from implementation of a new revenue recognition standard. When normalized for the new standard, gross profit margin for the 2018 third quarter was 38.6 percent, flat to the 2017 third quarter.
For the third quarter, the company's reported tax rate was 32.7 percent versus 31.7 percent in the 2017 third quarter. The increase was primarily due to the Cromwell impairment charges that lowered reported earnings and were not tax deductible, net of the benefit from U.S. tax reform. The adjusted tax rate was 20.0 percent in the 2018 third quarter versus 31.7 percent in the 2017 third quarter. The lower tax rate reflects the impact of U.S. tax reform and the tax benefit from stock-based compensation. For the fourth quarter, the company projects a reported and adjusted tax rate of 23 to 26 percent, which does not include any future tax benefit from stock-based compensation.
Cash Flow
Operating cash flow for the quarter was $367 million versus $349 million in the 2017 third quarter, an increase of 5 percent compared to the same period last year, due to increased net earnings, partially offset by working capital investments to support growth. Free cash flow in the quarter was $334 million versus $329 million in the 2017 third quarter. The company used the cash generated during the quarter to invest in the business and return cash to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. During the quarter, capital expenditures were $66 million. In the quarter, Grainger returned $159 million to shareholders through $77 million in dividends and $82 million to buy back 243,000 shares.
Webcast
Grainger will conduct a live conference call and webcast at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October 16, 2018, to discuss the third quarter. The webcast will be hosted by DG Macpherson and Tom Okray, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and can be accessed at www.grainger.com/investor. For those unable to participate in the live event, a webcast replay will be available for 90 days at www.grainger.com/investor.
About Grainger
W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2017 sales of $10.4 billion, is North America's leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products (MRO), with operations also in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Visit www.grainger.com/investor to view information about the company, including a supplement regarding 2018 third quarter results. The Grainger Investor Relations website also includes company information in our Fact Book and Corporate Social Responsibility report.
Safe Harbor Statement
All statements in this communication, other than those relating to historical facts, are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future strategic plans and future financial and operating results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, among others: higher product costs or other expenses; a major loss of customers; loss or disruption of source of supply; increased competitive pricing pressures; failure to develop or implement new technologies; the implementation, timing and success of our strategic pricing initiatives; the outcome of pending and future litigation or governmental or regulatory proceedings, including with respect to wage and hour, anti-bribery and corruption, environmental, advertising, privacy and cybersecurity matters; investigations, inquiries, audits and changes in laws and regulations; disruption of information technology or data security systems; general industry or market conditions; general global economic conditions; currency exchange rate fluctuations; market volatility; commodity price volatility; labor shortages; facilities disruptions or shutdowns; higher fuel costs or disruptions in transportation services; natural and other catastrophes; unanticipated weather conditions; loss of key members of management; our ability to operate, integrate and leverage acquired businesses; changes in credit ratings; changes in effective tax rates and other factors which can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent periodic reports filed on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, which are available on our Investor Relations website. Forward-looking statements are given only as of the date of this communication and we disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars, except for per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2018 2017 2018 2017
---
Net sales $
2,831,429 $
2,635,999 $
8,458,042 $
7,792,397
Cost of goods sold 1,752,194 1,618,819 5,176,107 4,716,069
Gross profit 1,079,235 1,017,180 3,281,935 3,076,328
Selling, general and administrative expense 890,113 739,442 2,413,997 2,277,009
Operating earnings 189,122 277,738 867,938 799,319
Other income and (expense)
Interest income 2,003 707 3,645 1,365
Interest expense (22,353) (23,790) (69,942) (64,971)
Equity method investment (3,731) (10,635) (18,271) (25,130)
Other non-operating income 5,976 5,978 18,001 17,284
Total other expense, net (18,105) (27,740) (66,567) (71,452)
Earnings before income taxes 171,017 249,998 801,371 727,867
Income taxes 55,972 79,182 197,798 267,239
Net earnings 115,045 170,816 603,573 460,628
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest 10,668 8,810 30,680 25,957
Net earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc. $
104,377 $
162,006 $
572,893 $
434,671
Earnings per share $
1.84 $
2.80 $
10.12 $
7.43
-Basic
-Diluted $
1.82 $
2.79 $
10.04 $
7.39
Average number of shares outstanding 56,340 57,317 56,172 58,010
-Basic
-Diluted 56,804 57,521 56,589 58,330
Diluted Earnings Per Share
---
Net earnings as reported $
104,377 $
162,006 $
572,893 $
434,671
Earnings allocated to participating securities (882) (1,406) (4,682) (3,532)
Net earnings available to common shareholders $
103,495 $
160,600 $
568,211 $
431,139
Weighted average shares adjusted for dilutive securities 56,804 57,521 56,589 58,330
Diluted earnings per share $
1.82 $
2.79 $
10.04 $
7.39
NOTE: Results for 2017 have been restated due to adoption of
Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-07, Compensation
Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of
Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement
Benefit Cost. The ASU effectively increases Selling, general
and administrative expense, lowering Operating earnings, and
decreases total other expense, net, with no impact on Net
earnings or Earnings per share. Restated 2017 quarterly and
annual financials can be found at www.grainger.com/investor.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars)
Assets September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
--- ---
Cash and cash equivalents $
516,850 $
326,876
Accounts receivable - net 1,481,300 1,325,186
Inventories 1,473,117 1,429,199
Prepaid expenses and other
assets 93,586 86,667
Prepaid income taxes 18,491 38,061
Total current assets 3,583,344 3,205,989
Property, buildings and
equipment - net 1,348,914 1,391,967
Deferred income taxes 20,726 22,362
Goodwill (1) 429,818 543,903
Intangibles - net (1) 479,521 569,115
Other assets 69,860 70,918
Total assets $
5,932,183 $
5,804,254
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
---
Short-term debt $
49,429 $
55,603
Current maturities of long-term
debt 36,973 38,709
Trade accounts payable 730,215 731,582
Accrued compensation and
benefits 215,727 254,560
Accrued contributions to
employees' profit sharing plans 93,509 92,682
Accrued expenses 302,263 313,766
Income taxes payable 39,216 19,759
Total current liabilities 1,467,332 1,506,661
Long-term debt 2,148,399 2,248,036
Deferred income taxes and tax
uncertainties 115,644 111,710
Employment-related and other
non-current liabilities 100,754 110,114
Shareholders' equity (2) 2,100,054 1,827,733
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $
5,932,183 $
5,804,254
(1) Primarily related to a goodwill
impairment of $105 million and
an intangible impairment of $34
million relating to Cromwell.
Also includes foreign currency
translation and amortization of
intangibles.
(2) Common stock outstanding as of
September 30, 2018 was
56,320,463 compared with
56,328,863 shares at December
31, 2017, primarily due to share
repurchases.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30,
September 30,
2018 2017 2018 2017
---
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $
115,045 $
170,816 $
603,573 $
460,628
Provision for losses on accounts
receivable 3,166 2,418 6,784 15,187
Deferred income taxes and tax
uncertainties 6,928 (7,922) 10,004 (15,261)
Depreciation and amortization 63,871 66,143 191,602 194,338
Net gains from sale of assets
and divestitures (4,813) (1,241) (22,270) (7,163)
Impairment of goodwill,
intangible and other assets 138,829 142,155 18,459
Stock-based compensation 8,408 7,122 36,241 27,152
Losses from equity method
investment 3,731 10,635 18,271 25,130
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (23,681) (8,787) (171,829) (145,631)
Inventories (8,930) 4,915 (53,270) 34,851
Prepaid expenses and other
assets 12,231 20,026 (12,920) (4,206)
Trade accounts payable (1,006) 19,900 4,419 56,717
Other current liabilities 42,638 48,632 (36,377) 29,643
Current income taxes payable,
net 10,122 11,655 38,666 18,015
Accrued employment-related
benefits cost (4,803) 651 (18,408) 4,306
Other - net 5,355 3,737 6,363 8,713
Net cash provided by operating
activities 367,091 348,700 743,004 720,878
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, buildings
and equipment and intangibles (65,813) (60,036) (168,896) (191,183)
Proceeds from sales of assets 32,278 40,663 75,558 110,421
Equity method investment 2,111 (9,130) (11,875) (22,430)
Other - net - 3,700 3,554
Net cash used in investing
activities (31,424) (24,803) (105,213) (99,638)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net (decrease) increase in
commercial paper - (99,907) 18 (369,748)
Borrowings under lines of credit 1,638 3,557 23,782 33,931
Payments against lines of credit (5,591) (21,669) (27,899) (39,705)
Net (decrease) increase of long-
term debt (53,160) 335 (89,223) 408,208
Proceeds from stock options
exercised 92,415 191 179,549 27,255
Payments for employee taxes
withheld from stock awards (1,281) (827) (11,381) (17,546)
Purchase of treasury stock (81,868) (122,421) (282,746) (435,983)
Cash dividends paid (77,157) (73,867) (232,289) (225,504)
Other - net 7 2,747
Net cash used in financing
activities (124,997) (314,608) (437,442) (619,092)
Exchange rate effect on cash and
cash equivalents (6,281) 221 (10,375) 8,281
Net change in cash and cash
equivalents 204,389 9,510 189,974 10,429
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 312,461 275,065 326,876 274,146
Cash and cash equivalents at end
of period $
516,850 $
284,575 $
516,850 $
284,575
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars, except for per share amounts)
The company supplemented the reporting of financial information determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) with certain non-GAAP financial measures, which the company refers to as "adjusted" measures, including adjusted net sales growth, adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross profit margin, adjusted operating earnings, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net earnings, adjusted diluted earnings per share and adjusted tax rate. Free cash flow is not defined under GAAP. The company defines free cash flow as net cash flow provided by operating activities less purchases of property, buildings and equipment plus proceeds from the sale of assets. The company believes free cash flow is meaningful to investors as a useful measure of performance and the company uses this measure as an indication of the strength of the company and its ability to generate cash. Adjusted measures exclude items that may not be indicative of core operating results. The company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful information to assist shareholders in understanding financial results and assessing prospects for future performance. Management believes adjusted net sales growth, adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross profit margin, adjusted operating earnings, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net earnings, adjusted diluted earnings per share and adjusted tax rate are important indicators of operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of our core operating results, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. These adjusted financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for reported results. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of operations that, when viewed with GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of the business. The company strongly encourages investors and shareholders to review company financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.
The reconciliations provided below reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures adjusted net sales growth, adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross profit margin, adjusted operating earnings, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net earnings, adjusted diluted earnings per share and adjusted tax rate with GAAP financial measures:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018 September 30, 2018
Net sales
growth % %
reported 7.4 8.5
Foreign
exchange 0.4 (0.7)
Hurricane 0.4 0.1
Net sales
growth % %
adjusted 8.2 7.9
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2018 Gross 2017 Gross 2018 Gross 2017 Gross
Profit % Profit % Profit % Profit %
Gross profit $
1,079,235 38.1 $
1,017,180 38.6 $
3,281,935 38.8 $
3,076,328 39.5
reported
% % % %
Restructuring, net
(1) (141) 481 820 3,055
Gross profit $
1,079,094 38.1 $
1,017,661 38.6 $
3,282,755 38.8 $
3,079,383 39.5
adjusted
% % % %
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars, except for per share amounts)
Three Months Ended September 30
,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2018 Operating 2017 Operating 2018 Operating 2017 Operating
Margin % Margin % Margin % Margin %
---
Operating earnings $
189,122 6.7 $
277,738 10.5 $
867,938 10.3 $
799,319 10.3
reported
% % % %
Restructuring,
impairment and other
charges, net (1) 142,484 5.0 9,648 0.4 165,818 1.9 66,511 0.8
Operating earnings $
331,606 11.7 $
287,386 10.9 $
1,033,756 12.2 $
865,830 11.1
adjusted
% % % %
===
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2018 2017 2018 2017
% %
---
Net earnings reported $
104,377 $
162,006 (36)% $
572,893 $
434,671 32
%
Restructuring,
impairment and other
charges, net (1) 136,029 6,519 154,066 66,576
Net earnings adjusted $
240,406 $
168,525 43 $
726,959 $
501,247 45
%
%
Diluted earnings per $
1.82 $
2.79 (35)% $
10.04 $
7.39 36
share reported
%
Pretax restructuring,
impairment and other
charges, net (1) 2.48 0.17 2.90 1.13
Tax effect (2) (0.11) (0.06) (0.20)
Total, net of tax 2.37 0.11 2.70 1.13
Diluted earnings per $
4.19 $
2.90 44 $
12.74 $
8.52 50
share adjusted %
%
Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017
Tax rate reported 32.7 31.7
% %
Stock-based
compensation (2.6) (0.2)
Restructuring,
impairment and other
charges, net (1) (10.1) 0.2
Tax rate adjusted 20.0 31.7
% %
(1) Third quarter 2018 charges
primarily related to the
impairment of intangible assets
in Cromwell. The charges also
included restructuring actions
in the United States and
Canada. Third quarter 2017
charges related to
restructuring actions and sales
of branches in the United
States and branch closures and
other restructuring in Canada.
(2) The tax impact of
adjustments is calculated based
on the income tax rate in each
applicable jurisdiction,
subject to deductibility
limitations and the company's
ability to realize the
associated tax benefits.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars, except for per share amounts)
Free Cash
Flow Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2018 2017 2018 2017
---
Net cash
provided by
operating
activities $
367,091 $
348,700 $
743,004 $
720,878
Less:
Additions to
property,
building
and
equipment 65,813 60,036 168,896 191,183
Add:
Proceeds
from the
sale of
assets 32,278 40,663 75,558 110,421
Free Cash
Flow $
333,556 $
329,327 $
649,666 $
640,116
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SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc.
