WESCO International, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2019 Results

PITTSBURGH, May 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE: WCC), a leading provider of electrical, industrial, and communications maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) products, construction materials, and advanced supply chain management and logistics services, announces its results for the first quarter of 2019.

Mr. John J. Engel, WESCO's Chairman, President and CEO, commented, "We started out 2019 with sales and margin within our outlook range for the first quarter. Gross margin, which expanded both sequentially and year-over-year, reached its highest level since early 2017. Our sales growth rebounded nicely in March and has continued into April after a slow start in January and February. Backlog grew sequentially in the quarter, consistent with normal seasonality, and provides a positive set-up for the balance of the year. Operating margin was driven by our gross margin improvement initiatives coupled with our continued effective operating cost management and controls. We also completed the acquisition of SLS in March and look forward to accelerating our results in the lighting marketplace. Our end markets are expected to remain healthy this year and provide excellent profitable growth opportunities for WESCO."

The following are results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018:

    --  Net sales were $2.0 billion for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018.
        Organic sales for the first quarter of 2019 grew by 1.0% as the number
        of workdays and foreign exchange rates negatively impacted net sales by
        1.6% and 1.3%, respectively, while acquisitions positively impacted net
        sales by 0.3%.
    --  Cost of goods sold for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018 was $1.6
        billion, and gross profit was $382.5 million and $379.9 million,
        respectively. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit was 19.5% and
        19.1% for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively.
    --  Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were $296.6
        million, or 15.1% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2019 compared
        to $290.8 million, or 14.6% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2018.
    --  Operating profit was $70.7 million for the first quarter of 2019,
        compared to $73.2 million for the first quarter of 2018. Operating
        profit as a percentage of net sales was 3.6% for the current quarter,
        compared to 3.7% for the first quarter of the prior year.
    --  Net interest and other for the first quarter of 2019 was $17.1 million,
        compared to $19.8 million for the first quarter of 2018.
    --  The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2019 was 21.7%, compared
        to 19.6% for the first quarter of 2018. The higher effective tax rate in
        the current quarter is primarily due to the full application of the
        international provisions of U.S. tax reform.
    --  Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc. was $42.4 million
        and $44.4 million for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively.
    --  Earnings per diluted share for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018 was
        $0.93, based on 45.5 million and 47.6 million diluted shares,
        respectively.
    --  Operating cash flow for the first quarter of 2019 was $28.9 million,
        compared to $53.0 million for the first quarter of 2018. Free cash flow
        for the first quarter of 2019 was $18.1 million, or 43% of net income,
        compared to $45.3 million, or 105% of net income, for the first quarter
        of 2018.

Mr. Engel continued, "We maintain our full year 2019 outlook for sales growth of 3% to 6%, as the benefit of the SLS acquisition is offset by additional foreign currency headwinds. We reaffirm our full year outlook for operating margin of 4.3% to 4.7%, EPS of $5.10 to $5.70 per diluted share, and free cash flow generation of at least 90% of net income. Our focus is on executing our 2019 plan priorities of sales growth, margin improvement, investments in our people and processes, and maintaining our cost and cash management discipline. We also expect to complete additional share repurchases of at least $75 million during the second quarter. Customers continue to seek improvement in their operations and supply chains in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. Our talented team of associates and our robust portfolio of products and value-added services differentiate WESCO by providing our customers with complete solutions for their MRO, OEM and capital project needs."

Webcast and Teleconference Access

WESCO will conduct a webcast and teleconference to discuss the first quarter of 2019 earnings as described in this News Release on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. E.T. The call will be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed from the Investor Relations page of the Company's website at www.wesco.investorroom.com. The call will be archived on this internet site for seven days.

WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE: WCC), a publicly traded Fortune 500 holding company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading provider of electrical, industrial, and communications maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) products, construction materials, and advanced supply chain management and logistic services. 2018 annual sales were approximately $8.2 billion. The company employs approximately 9,300 people, maintains relationships with approximately 30,000 suppliers, and serves approximately 70,000 active customers worldwide. Customers include commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. WESCO operates 10 fully automated distribution centers and approximately 500 branches in North America and international markets, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and multi-national corporations.

The matters discussed herein may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. Certain of these risks are set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, as well as the Company's other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                  
            
              WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.




                                          
           
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


                                          
           (dollar amounts in millions, except per share amounts)


                                                              
            (Unaudited)




                                            
            
              Three Months Ended


                                             March 31,                                                       March 31,
                                                  2019                                                 2018




     Net sales                                          $
            1,961.3                                                 $
        1,993.9


      Cost of goods sold                       1,578.8                             80.5                            1,614.0                   80.9
       (excluding                                                                    %                                                       %


          depreciation and amortization)


      Selling, general and
       administrative                                                                %                                                       %
       expenses                                  296.6                             15.1                              290.8                   14.6


      Depreciation and
       amortization                               15.2                                                   15.9



          Income from                             70.7                              3.6                               73.2                    3.7
           operations                                                                %                                                       %


      Net interest and
       other                                      17.1                                                   19.8



          Income before income                    53.6                              2.7                               53.4                    2.7
           taxes                                                                     %                                                       %


      Provision for income
       taxes                                      11.6                                                   10.5



          Net income                              42.0                              2.1                               42.9                    2.2
                                                                                     %                                                       %


      Net loss
       attributable to
       noncontrolling
       interests                                 (0.4)                                                 (1.5)



          Net income
           attributable to                                                                    %                                                   %
           WESCO
           International, Inc.                              $
            42.4                   2.2                                         $
     44.4   2.2





      Earnings per diluted
       common share                                         $
            0.93                                                    $
        0.93


      Weighted-average common shares
       outstanding and common


      share equivalents used in computing
       earnings per diluted


      common share (in
       millions)                                  45.5                                                   47.6


                                                                          
              
               WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.




                                                                    
              
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                                               
             (dollar amounts in millions)


                                                                                       
              (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                      March 31,                December 31,
                                                                                                                           2019                         2018



                                  
              
                Assets


            
      
                Current Assets


            
      Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                            $
       106.1                          $
        96.3


            
      Trade accounts receivable, net                                                                             1,268.6                            1,166.6


            
      Inventories                                                                                                1,001.4                              948.7


            
      Other current assets                                                                                         137.7                              174.0



            
          Total current assets                                                                                   2,513.8                            2,385.6




            
      Other assets (1)                                                                                           2,470.9                            2,219.4



            
          Total assets                                                                                                   $
       4,984.7                       $
        4,605.0







                   
              
                Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity


            
      
                Current Liabilities


            
      Accounts payable                                                                                                     $
       870.2                         $
        794.3


            
      Short-term borrowings and current debt                                                                        28.5                               56.2


            
      Other current liabilities (1)                                                                                252.0                              211.4



            
          Total current liabilities                                                                              1,150.7                            1,061.9




            
      Long-term debt, net                                                                                        1,214.3                            1,167.3


            
      Other noncurrent liabilities (1)                                                                             423.3                              246.1



            
          Total liabilities                                                                                      2,788.3                            2,475.3




            
      
                Stockholders' Equity


            
          Total stockholders' equity                                                                             2,196.4                            2,129.7



            
          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                     $
       4,984.7                       $
        4,605.0






     
     (1)   Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards
                Update 2016-02, Leases, and all the related amendments ("Topic 842")
                using the effective date method. The adoption of Topic 842 resulted in
                the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities in the
                balance sheet. As of March 31, 2019, other assets includes $233.0
                million of operating lease assets, and other current liabilities and
                other noncurrent liabilities include $59.2 million and $178.6 million,
                respectively, of operating lease liabilities.

( )


                                                                     
       
                WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.




                                                                   
     
         CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


                                                                       
          (dollar amounts in millions)


                                                                            
              (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                    Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                      March 31,                        March 31,
                                                                                                                           2019                              2018

                                                                                                                                                             ---


     
                Operating Activities:



     Net income                                                                                                                 $
        42.0                                $
      42.9



     Add back (deduct):



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                        15.2                                      15.9



       Deferred income taxes                                                                                               0.9                                       2.7



       Change in trade receivables, net                                                                                 (76.7)                                   (37.5)



       Change in inventories                                                                                            (40.8)                                      3.0



       Change in accounts payable                                                                                         68.1                                       8.1



       Other                                                                                                              20.2                                      17.9




     Net cash provided by operating activities                                                                            28.9                                      53.0





     
                Investing Activities:



     Capital expenditures                                                                                               (10.8)                                    (7.7)



         Other                                                                                                          (27.7)                                    (8.7)




     Net cash used in investing activities                                                                              (38.5)                                   (16.4)





     
                Financing Activities:



     Debt borrowings (repayments), net                                                                                    17.2                                    (16.6)



     Equity activity, net                                                                                                (2.6)                                    (1.7)



     Other                                                                                                                 4.6                                    (10.6)




     Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                                                  19.2                                    (28.9)





     Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                                                          0.2                                     (1.8)






     Net change in cash and cash equivalents                                                                               9.8                                       5.9



     Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period                                                             96.3                                     118.0




     Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period                                                                        $
        106.1                               $
      123.9

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This earnings release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. These financial measures include organic sales growth, gross profit, financial leverage, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), and free cash flow. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors as they provide a better understanding of sales performance, and 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.


                                                                                                                         
              
                WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.




                                                                                                               
              
                RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES


                                                                                                                 
              (dollar amounts in millions, except organic sales data)


                                                                                                                                       
              (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Three Months Ended



     
                Organic Sales Growth:                                                                                                                                                                                                                  March 31,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2019






         Change in net sales                                                                                                                                                                                                                           (1.6)
            %



         Impact from acquisitions                                                                                                                                                                                                                        0.3
            %



         Impact from foreign exchange rates                                                                                                                                                                                                            (1.3)
            %



         Impact from number of workdays                                                                                                                                                                                                                (1.6)
            %

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ---


             Organic sales growth                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1.0
            %

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ===




     Note: Organic sales growth is a measure of sales performance. Organic sales growth is calculated by deducting 
              the percentage impact from acquisitions


     in the first year of ownership, foreign exchange rates and number of 
              workdays from the overall percentage change in consolidated net sales.




                                                                                                                                                                                     
              
              Three Months Ended




     
                Gross Profit:                                                                                                                                                        March 31,                                   March 31,
                                                                                                                                                                                             2019                                    2018

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ---




     Net sales                                                                                                                                                                                   $
              1,961.3                                      $
              1,993.9



     Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)                                                                                                                        1,578.8                                   1,614.0




     Gross profit                                                                                                                                                                                  $
              382.5                                        $
              379.9




     Gross margin                                                                                                                                                                 19.5
            %                             19.1
          %




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Three Months Ended



     
                Gross Profit:                                                                                                                                                                                                                 December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2018






     Net sales                                                                                                                                                                                   $
              2,011.4



     Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)                                                                                                                                            1,621.1




     Gross profit                                                                                                                                                                                  $
              390.3




     Gross margin                                                                                                                                                                                     19.4
            %





     Note: Gross profit is a financial measure commonly used within the distribution industry. Gross profit is calculated 
              by deducting cost of goods sold,


     excluding depreciation and amortization, from net sales. Gross margin is 
              calculated by dividing gross profit by net sales.


                                                                                                                                     
              
                WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.




                                                                                                                           
              
                RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES


                                                                                                                                          
              (dollar amounts in millions)


                                                                                                                                                   
              (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                                                                                   
              
           Twelve Months Ended


                          
              
                Financial Leverage:                                                                                                                               March 31,                               December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                                                         2019                                       2018





                          
              Income from operations                                                                                                                                                       $
           349.9                                         $
        352.5


                          
              Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                                         62.4                                                   63.0



                          
              EBITDA                                                                                                                                                                       $
           412.3                                         $
        415.5





                                                                                                                                                                                                  March 31,                               December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                                                         2019                                       2018


                          
              Short-term borrowings and current debt                                                                                                                                        $
           28.5                                          $
        56.2


                          
              Long-term debt                                                                                                                                                     1,214.3                                                1,167.3


                          
              Debt discount and debt issuance costs (1)                                                                                                                              8.5                                                    9.6



                          
              Total debt                                                                                                                                                         1,251.3                                                1,233.1



                          
              Less: cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                      106.1                                                   96.3


                          
              Total debt, net of cash                                                                                                                                                    $
           1,145.2                                       $
        1,136.8





                          
              Financial leverage ratio                                                                                                                                               3.0                                                    3.0


                          
              Financial leverage ratio, net of cash                                                                                                                                  2.8                                                    2.7





     
                (1)              Long-term debt is presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets net of debt discount and debt issuance costs.





     Note: Financial leverage measures the use of debt. Financial leverage ratio is calculated by dividing total debt, 
              including debt discount and debt issuance costs,


     by EBITDA. Financial leverage ratio, net of cash is calculated by 
              dividing total debt, including debt discount and debt issuance costs, net of cash, by EBITDA.


     EBITDA is defined as 
              the trailing twelve months earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.




                                                                                                                                                                                                   
              
           Three Months Ended


                          
              
                Free Cash Flow:                                                                                                                                March 31, 2019                            March 31, 2018





                          
              Cash flow provided by operations                                                                                                                                              $
           28.9                                          $
        53.0


                          
              Less: Capital expenditures                                                                                                                                          (10.8)                                                 (7.7)



                          
              Free cash flow                                                                                                                                                                $
           18.1                                          $
        45.3



                          
              Percentage of net income                                                                                                                                      43
            %                                           105
          %







     Note: Free cash flow is a measure of liquidity. Capital expenditures are deducted from operating cash flow to 
              determine free cash flow. Free cash flow is available


     to fund investing and financing activities.

( )

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SOURCE WESCO International, Inc.