RBC Bearings Incorporated Announces Fiscal 2019 Fourth Quarter Results

RBC Bearings Incorporated (Nasdaq: ROLL), a leading international manufacturer of highly engineered precision bearings and components for the industrial, defense and aerospace industries, today reported results for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019.

Key Highlights

  • Net sales of $182.2 million up 1.3% for the quarter and 4.0% on an organic basis
  • Fourth quarter gross margin percentage of 40.1% up from 38.8% last year
  • Adjusted operating income as a percentage of sales of 22.6% up from 21.4% in the fourth quarter last year
  • Adjusted fully diluted EPS of $1.33 up from $1.08 in the fourth quarter last year

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights

($ in millions)     Fiscal 2019   Fiscal 2018   Change
GAAP   Adjusted (1) GAAP   Adjusted (1) GAAP   Adjusted (1)
Net sales $182.2   $179.9   1.3%  
Gross margin $73.0 $69.8 4.5%
Gross margin % 40.1% 38.8%
Operating income $40.3 $41.2 $38.1 $38.5 5.8% 7.1%
Operating income % 22.1% 22.6% 21.2% 21.4%
Net income $31.4 $32.9 $26.7 $26.4 17.8% 24.6%
Diluted EPS $1.27 $1.33 $1.09 $1.08 16.5% 23.1%
(1) Results exclude items in reconciliation below.
 

Twelve Month Highlights

($ in millions)     Fiscal 2019   Fiscal 2018   Change
GAAP   Adjusted (1) GAAP   Adjusted (1) GAAP   Adjusted (1)
Net sales $702.5   $674.9   4.1%  
Gross margin $276.7 $258.5 7.0%
Gross margin % 39.4% 38.3%
Operating income $132.0 $149.8 $128.8 $136.8 2.5% 9.5%
Operating income % 18.8% 21.3% 19.1% 20.3%
Net income $105.2 $119.7 $87.1 $94.3 20.7% 26.9%
Diluted EPS $4.26 $4.84 $3.58 $3.87 19.0% 25.1%
(1) Results exclude items in reconciliation below.
 

“Our business performed well in fiscal year 2019, delivering strong year-over-year performance in each of our key performance metrics,” said Dr. Michael J. Hartnett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our aerospace commercial and defense markets delivered solid sales growth during the fourth quarter. Looking ahead to fiscal 2020, we are well-positioned with a healthy backlog and ability to capture further growth in many of our end markets.”

Fourth Quarter Results

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 were $182.2 million, an increase of 1.3% from $179.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and organic net sales increased 4.0% year-over-year. Net sales for the aerospace markets increased 5.7% in total and 10.2% on an organic basis. Industrial market sales declined 5.4% in total and 5.0% on an organic basis. Gross margin for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 was $73.0 million compared to $69.8 million for the same period last year. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 40.1% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to 38.8% for the same period last year.

SG&A for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 was $29.5 million, a decrease of $0.1 million from $29.6 million for the same period last year. The decrease was primarily due to lower personnel-related and other expenses of $1.0 million, offset by $0.9 million of additional share-based compensation. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A was 16.2% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to 16.4% for the same period last year.

Other operating expenses for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 totaled $3.2 million compared to $2.1 million for the same period last year. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, other operating expenses consisted primarily of $2.3 million in amortization of intangible assets and $0.9 million of restructuring expense. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, other operating expenses were comprised mainly of $2.3 million of amortization of intangible assets, partially offset by $0.2 million of other income.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 was $40.3 million compared to operating income of $38.1 million for the same period last year. Excluding costs associated with restructuring, adjusted operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 was $41.2 million. Excluding costs associated with restructuring in fiscal 2018, adjusted operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was $38.5 million. Adjusted operating income as a percentage of net sales was 22.6% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to an adjusted 21.4% for the same period last year.

Interest expense, net was $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to $1.8 million for the same period last year.

Income tax expense for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 was $8.3 million compared to $9.1 million for the same period last year. The effective income tax rate for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 was 20.8% compared to 25.5% for the same period last year. The current year effective income tax rate primarily reflects the net benefits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and $0.6 million of benefit associated with share-based compensation offset by $0.8 million of discrete and other tax reserves. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the effective income tax rate was impacted by $1.0 million of benefit associated with share-based compensation and $0.3 million of benefit associated with discrete and other tax reserves.

Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 was $31.4 million compared to $26.7 million for the same period last year. On an adjusted basis, net income was $32.9 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, compared to $26.4 million for the same period last year.

Diluted EPS for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 was $1.27 per share compared to $1.09 per share for the same period last year. On an adjusted basis, diluted EPS for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 was $1.33 per share compared to an adjusted diluted EPS of $1.08 per share for the same period last year, an increase of 23.1%.

Backlog as of March 30, 2019 was $445.1 million compared to $392.1 million as of March 31, 2018.

Outlook for the First Quarter Fiscal 2020

The Company expects net sales to be approximately $182.0 million to $184.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. This would result in a growth rate of 3.4% to 4.6% on a year-over-year basis and 6.1% to 7.3% excluding the sales associated with our Miami division, which was sold in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Live Webcast

RBC Bearings Incorporated will host a webcast at 11:00 a.m. ET today to discuss the quarterly results. To access the webcast, go to the investor relations portion of the Company’s website, www.rbcbearings.com, and click on the webcast icon. If you do not have access to the Internet and wish to listen to the call, dial 844-419-1755 (international callers dial 216-562-0468) and provide conference ID # 5446695. An audio replay of the call will be available from 1:30 p.m. ET May 23rd, 2019 until 12:30 p.m. ET May 30th, 2019. The replay can be accessed by dialing 855-859-2056 (international callers dial 404-537-3406) and providing conference call ID # 5446695. Investors are advised to dial into the call at least ten minutes prior to the call to register.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to disclosing results of operations that are determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release also discloses non-GAAP results of operations that exclude certain items. These non-GAAP measures adjust for items that Management believes are unusual. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides useful information to investors regarding the Company’s results of operations, as these non-GAAP measures allow investors to better evaluate ongoing business performance. Investors should consider non-GAAP measures in addition to, not as a substitute for, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures disclosed in this press release with the most comparable GAAP measures are included in the financial table attached to this press release.

About RBC Bearings

RBC Bearings Incorporated is an international manufacturer and marketer of highly engineered precision bearings and components. Founded in 1919, the Company is primarily focused on producing highly technical or regulated bearing products and components requiring sophisticated design, testing and manufacturing capabilities for the diversified industrial, aerospace and defense markets. The Company is headquartered in Oxford, Connecticut.

Safe Harbor for Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release contain “forward-looking statements.” All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including the following: the section of this press release entitled “Outlook”; any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items relating to the Company, any statement of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed future growth rates in the markets we serve; any statements of belief; any characterization of and the Company’s ability to control contingent liabilities; anticipated trends in the Company’s businesses; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “would,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” and other similar words. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the control of the Company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to general economic conditions, geopolitical factors, future levels of general industrial manufacturing activity, future financial performance, market acceptance of new or enhanced versions of the Company’s products, the pricing of raw materials, changes in the competitive environments in which the Company’s businesses operate, the outcome of pending or future litigation and governmental proceedings and approvals, estimated legal costs, increases in interest rates, tax legislation and changes, the Company’s ability to meet its debt obligations, the Company’s ability to acquire and integrate complementary businesses, and risks and uncertainties listed or disclosed in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, the risks identified under the heading “Risk Factors” set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report filed on Form 10-K. The Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements.

 
RBC Bearings Incorporated
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
       
 
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 30, March 31, March 30, March 31,
2019 2018 2019 2018
 
Net sales $ 182,162 $ 179,877 $ 702,516 $ 674,949
Cost of sales   109,194     110,046     425,863     416,412  
Gross margin 72,968 69,831 276,653 258,537
 
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative 29,461 29,589 117,504 113,124
Other, net   3,192     2,146     27,114     16,639  
Total operating expenses 32,653 31,735 144,618 129,763
 
Operating income 40,315 38,096 132,035 128,774
 
Interest expense, net 819 1,803 5,173 7,507
Other non-operating (income) expense   (212 )   477     772     1,416  
Income before income taxes 39,708 35,816 126,090 119,851
Provision for income taxes   8,271     9,139     20,897     32,710  
Net income $ 31,437   $ 26,677   $ 105,193   $ 87,141  
 
Net income per common share:
Basic $ 1.28 $ 1.11 $ 4.32 $ 3.64
Diluted $ 1.27 $ 1.09 $ 4.26 $ 3.58
 
Weighted average common shares:
Basic 24,506,648 24,056,839 24,357,684 23,948,565
Diluted 24,786,898 24,483,990 24,716,213 24,363,789
 
 
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
Reconciliation of Reported Operating Income to March 30, March 31, March 30, March 31,
Adjusted Operating Income: 2019 2018 2019 2018
 
Reported operating income $ 40,315 $ 38,096 $ 132,035 $ 128,774
Net loss (gain) on sale of Miami Division (258 ) - 16,544 -
Integration and restructuring   1,180     397     1,180     7,982  
Adjusted operating income $ 41,237   $ 38,493   $ 149,759   $ 136,756  
 
 
Reconciliation of Reported Net Income and Net Income Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
Per Common Share to Adjusted Net Income and March 30, March 31, March 30, March 31,
Adjusted Net Income Per Common Share: 2019 2018 2019 2018
 
Reported net income $ 31,437 $ 26,677 $ 105,193 $ 87,141
Net loss (gain) on sale of Miami Division (1) (258 ) - 12,496 -
Integration and restructuring (1) 1,012 323 1,012 6,991
Foreign exchange translation loss (gain) (1) (63 ) 258 (111 ) 408
TCJA repatriation transition tax - (325 ) - 9,166
TCJA revaluation of deferred tax liabilities - (273 ) - (8,981 )
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt (1) - - 815 -
Withholding tax associated with repatriation of cash - - 943 -
Discrete and other tax reserve loss (benefit)   753     (269 )   (667 )   (406 )
Adjusted net income $ 32,881   $ 26,391   $ 119,681   $ 94,319  
(1) After tax impact.
 
Adjusted net income per common share:
Basic $ 1.34 $ 1.10 $ 4.91 $ 3.94
Diluted $ 1.33 $ 1.08 $ 4.84 $ 3.87
 
Weighted average common shares:
Basic 24,506,648 24,056,839 24,357,684 23,948,565
Diluted 24,786,898 24,483,990 24,716,213 24,363,789
 
 
 
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 30, March 31, March 30, March 31,
Segment Data, Net External Sales: 2019 2018 2019 2018
 
Plain bearings segment $ 87,940 $ 81,899 $ 323,251 $ 296,708
Roller bearings segment 36,121 35,806 143,832 132,021
Ball bearings segment 19,475 19,050 72,307 67,806
Engineered products segment   38,626     43,122     163,126     178,414  
$ 182,162   $ 179,877   $ 702,516   $ 674,949  
 
 
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 30, March 31, March 30, March 31,
Selected Financial Data: 2019 2018 2019 2018
 
Depreciation and amortization $ 7,396 $ 7,164 $ 29,658 $ 28,360
 
Share-based stock compensation expense $ 4,378 $ 3,506 $ 16,087 $ 13,403
 
Adjusted operating income plus depreciation/amortization        
plus share-based stock compensation expense $ 53,011 $ 49,163 $ 195,504 $ 178,519
 
 
Cash provided by operating activities $ 29,534 $ 37,793 $ 108,547 $ 130,289
 
Capital expenditures $ 12,141 $ 7,434 $ 41,346 $ 27,976
 
Total debt $ 43,646 $ 173,355
 
Cash and short-term investments $ 29,884 $ 54,163
 
Total debt minus cash and short-term investments $ 13,762 $ 119,192
 
Repurchase of common stock $ 5,232 $ 4,992
 
Backlog $ 445,099 $ 392,085
 
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 30, March 31, March 30, March 31,
Reconciliation of Total Net Sales to Organic Sales: 2019 2018 2019 2018
 
Net Sales $ 182,162 $ 179,877 $ 702,516 $ 674,949
RBC Canada - Closing - (568 ) - (10,933 )
Miami Division - Divestiture   -     (4,230 )   -     (5,957 )
Organic Net Sales $ 182,162   $ 175,079   $ 702,516   $ 658,059  
 
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 30, March 31, March 30, March 31,
Reconciliation of Aerospace Net Sales to Organic Sales: 2019 2018 2019 2018
 
Net Sales $ 114,453 $ 108,313 $ 431,133 $ 418,711
RBC Canada - Closing - (270 ) - (9,918 )
Miami Division - Divestiture   -     (4,230 )   -     (5,957 )
Organic Net Sales $ 114,453   $ 103,813   $ 431,133   $ 402,836  
 
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 30, March 31, March 30, March 31,
Reconciliation of Industrial Net Sales to Organic Sales: 2019 2018 2019 2018
 
Net Sales $ 67,709 $ 71,565 $ 271,383 $ 256,238
RBC Canada - Closing - (298 ) - (1,015 )
Miami Division - Divestiture   -     -     -     -  
Organic Net Sales $ 67,709   $ 71,267   $ 271,383   $ 255,223  
 

*The Company retrospectively adopted ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost” on April 1, 2018. The adoption of this ASU resulted in the reclassification of $156 of net periodic benefit cost from compensation costs ($105 included within cost of sales and $51 within other, net) to other non-operating expense on the consolidated statement of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 and $633 of net periodic benefit cost from compensation costs ($426 included within cost of sales and $207 within other, net) to other non-operating expense on the consolidated statement of operations for the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2018.