BENCHMARK REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL YEAR 2023 RESULTS

Fourth quarter 2023 results:

    --  Revenue of $691 million
    --  Generated net cash provided by operations of $137 million and positive
        free cash flow((1)) of $126 million
    --  GAAP and non-GAAP((1)) gross margin of 10.3%
    --  GAAP operating margin of 4.6% and non-GAAP((1)) operating margin of 5.1%
    --  GAAP and non-GAAP((1)) earnings per share of $0.49 and $0.58,
        respectively

Full year 2023 results:

    --  Revenue of $2.8 billion
    --  Delivered net cash provided by operations of $174 million and positive
        free cash flow((1)) of $97 million
    --  GAAP and non-GAAP((1)) gross margin of 9.5%, up 70 basis points
        year-over-year
    --  GAAP operating margin of 3.9% and non-GAAP((1)) operating margin of 4.4%
    --  GAAP and non-GAAP((1)) earnings per share of $1.79 and $2.04,
        respectively

TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.


                                                                  
     Three Months Ended


                                                     December 31,              September 30,  December 31,



     (Amounts in millions, except per share data)         2023                     2023         2022



     Sales                                         $
            691              $
            720  $
            751



     Net income                                     $
            18               $
            20   $
            21



     Income from operations                         $
            32               $
            30   $
            27



     Net income - non-GAAP(1)                       $
            21               $
            21   $
            21



     Income from operations - non-GAAP(1)           $
            35               $
            34   $
            33



     Diluted earnings per share                   $
            0.49             $
            0.57 $
            0.60



     Diluted earnings per share - non-GAAP(1)     $
            0.58             $
            0.57 $
            0.60



     Operating margin                                        4.6                        4.2            3.6
                                                                %                         %             %



     Operating margin - non-GAAP(1)                          5.1                        4.7            4.3
                                                                %                         %             %


                                                                 Year Ended


                                                                December 31,



     (Amounts in millions, except per share data)       2023                      2022



     Sales                                        $
         2,839              $
           2,886



     Net income                                      $
         64                 $
           68



     Income from operations                         $
         110                 $
           90



     Net income - non-GAAP(1)                        $
         73                 $
           75



     Income from operations - non-GAAP(1)           $
         124                $
           104



     Diluted earnings per share                    $
         1.79               $
           1.91



     Diluted earnings per share - non-GAAP(1)      $
         2.04               $
           2.09



     Operating margin                                      3.9                         3.1

                                                              %                          %



     Operating margin - non-GAAP(1)                        4.4                         3.6

                                                              %                          %




     
     (1) A reconciliation of non-GAAP results to the most directly comparable GAAP measures and a discussion of why management believes these non-GAAP
              results are useful is included below.

"Benchmark delivered another solid year of performance in 2023 as we continued to execute to our strategic plan. I'm particularly pleased with our free cash flow performance which was aided by inventory reductions. At the same time, our operational discipline allowed us to expand both gross and operating margin despite the dynamic environment," said Jeff Benck, Benchmark's President and CEO.

Benck continued, "Looking forward, we expect the current demand softness across several of our end-markets will likely persist through the first half of 2024, driven by customers closely managing inventories. However, as demonstrated by our performance this past year, I am confident in our ability to deliver further margin expansion and positive free cash flow in 2024."

Cash Conversion Cycle


                                              December 31,          September 30,          December 31,


                                           2023            2023                 2022



     Accounts receivable days                 59                60                     59



     Contract asset days                      23                24                     22



     Inventory days                           99               100                     97



     Accounts payable days                  (53)             (53)                  (56)



     Advance payments from customers days   (30)             (26)                  (26)



     Cash conversion cycle days               98               105                     96

Fourth Quarter 2023 Industry Sector Update
Revenue and percentage of sales by industry sector were as follows.


                                 December 31,          September 30,               December 31,



     (In millions)                           2023                       2023                        2022



     Medical                 $
      126               18   $
              149        21              $
     144       19

                                                    %                         %                           %



     Semi-Cap                    168               24               165        23                 178       24



     A&D                         102               15               100        14                  90       12



     Industrials                 132               19               154        21                 143       19



     Advanced Computing           95               14                66         9                  92       12



     Next Gen Communications      68               10                86        12                 104       14



     Total                   $
      691              100   $
              720       100              $
     751      100

                                                    %                         %                           %

Revenue decreased year over year primarily due to a decrease in Next Gen Communications of 35% and a decrease in Medical of 13%, partially offset by an increase in A&D of 13%.

First Quarter 2024 Guidance

    --  Revenue between $625 million - $665 million
    --  Diluted GAAP earnings per share between $0.32 - $0.38
    --  Diluted non-GAAP earnings per share between $0.42 - $0.48 (excluding
        restructuring charges and other costs and amortization of intangibles)

Restructuring charges are expected to range between $3.1 million and $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2024 and the amortization of intangibles is expected to be $1.2 million in the first quarter.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The live webcast of the call and accompanying reference materials will be accessible by logging on to the Company's website at www.bench.com. A replay of the broadcast will also be available on the Company's website.

About Benchmark Electronics, Inc.
Benchmark provides comprehensive solutions across the entire product life cycle by leading through its innovative technology and engineering design services, leveraging its optimized global supply chain and delivering world-class manufacturing services in the following industries: commercial aerospace, defense, advanced computing, next generation telecommunications, complex industrials, medical, and semiconductor capital equipment. Benchmark's global operations include facilities in seven countries and its common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BHE.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may include words such as "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan," "project," "forecast," "strategy," "position," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "may," "will," "could," "predict," and similar expressions of the negative or other variations thereof. In particular, statements, express or implied, concerning the Company's outlook and guidance for first quarter and fiscal year 2024 results, future operating results or margins, the ability to generate sales and income or cash flow, expected revenue mix, the Company's business strategy and strategic initiatives, the Company's repurchases of shares of its common stock, the Company's expectations regarding restructuring charges and amortization of intangibles, and the Company's intentions concerning the payment of dividends, among others, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes these statements are based on and derived from reasonable assumptions, they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, relating to operations, markets and the business environment generally, including those discussed under Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and in any of the Company's subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Events relating to the possibility of customer demand fluctuations, supply chain constraints, continuing inflationary pressures, the effects of foreign currency fluctuations and high interest rates, geopolitical uncertainties including continuing hostilities and tensions, trade restrictions and sanctions, or the ability to utilize the Company's manufacturing facilities at sufficient levels to cover its fixed operating costs, may have resulting impacts on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, and the Company's ability (or inability) to execute on its plans. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes, including the future results of the Company's operations, may vary materially from those indicated. Undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this document, and the Company assumes no obligation to update.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management discloses non?GAAP information to provide investors with additional information to analyze the Company's performance and underlying trends. A detailed reconciliation between GAAP results and results excluding certain items ("non-GAAP") is included in the following tables attached to this document. In situations where a non-GAAP reconciliation has not been provided, the Company was unable to provide such a reconciliation without unreasonable effort due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty predicting the occurrence, the financial impact and the periods in which the non-GAAP adjustments may be recognized. Management uses non?GAAP measures that exclude certain items in order to better assess operating performance and help investors compare results with our previous guidance. This document also references "free cash flow", a non-GAAP measure, which the Company defines as cash flow from operations less additions to property, plant and equipment and purchased software. The Company's non?GAAP information is not necessarily comparable to the non?GAAP information used by other companies. Non?GAAP information should not be viewed as a substitute for, or superior to, net income or other data prepared in accordance with GAAP as a measure of the Company's profitability or liquidity. Readers should consider the types of events and transactions for which adjustments have been made.


                                                           
        
            Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries




                                                              
        Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

                                                             
        (Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

                                                                        
              (UNAUDITED)




                                                                                                    Three Months Ended                  
             Year Ended


                                                                                            
              December 31,                   
             December 31,


                                                                                                 2023                        2022                 2023               2022



             Sales                                                                 $
              691,354                $
         750,644   $
             2,838,976 $
             2,886,331



             Cost of sales                                                                     620,350                       678,517              2,567,906            2,631,096



             Gross profit                                                                       71,004                        72,127                271,070              255,235



             Selling, general and administrative expenses                                       35,646                        39,540                147,025              150,215



             Amortization of intangible assets                                                   1,204                         1,592                  5,979                6,384



             Restructuring charges and other costs                                               2,054                         4,049                  8,402                8,567



             Income from operations                                                             32,100                        26,946                109,664               90,069



             Interest expense                                                                  (8,692)                      (5,466)              (31,875)            (12,894)



             Interest income                                                                     2,033                           887                  6,256                1,730



             Other (expense) income, net                                                       (3,105)                        3,860                (2,825)               5,437



             Income before income taxes                                                         22,336                        26,227                 81,220               84,342



             Income tax expense                                                                  4,784                         5,008                 16,905               16,113



             Net income                                                             $
              17,552                 $
         21,219      $
             64,315    $
             68,229



             Earnings per share:



             Basic                                                                    $
              0.49                   $
         0.60        $
             1.81      $
             1.94



             Diluted                                                                  $
              0.49                   $
         0.60        $
             1.79      $
             1.91



             Weighted-average number of shares used in
      calculating earnings per share:



             Basic                                                                              35,658                        35,166                 35,566               35,179



             Diluted                                                                            35,956                        35,630                 35,973               35,718


                                
              
            Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries




                                          
          Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                 
              (In Thousands)

                                                   
              (UNAUDITED)




                                                                                                 
              December 31,


                                                                                                      2023                       2022



     Assets



     Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                          $
              277,391               $
         207,430



     Restricted cash                                                                                  5,822



     Accounts receivable, net                                                                       449,404                      491,957



     Contract assets                                                                                174,979                      183,613



     Inventories                                                                                    683,801                      727,749



     Other current assets                                                                            44,350                       41,400



     Total current assets                                                                         1,635,747                    1,652,149



     Property, plant and equipment, net                                                             227,698                      211,478



     Operating lease right-of-use assets                                                            130,830                       93,081



     Goodwill and other, net                                                                        280,480                      270,623



     Total assets                                                                     $
              2,274,755             $
         2,227,331





     Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity



     Current liabilities:



     Current installments of long-term debt                                               $
              4,283                 $
         4,275



     Accounts payable                                                                               367,480                      424,272



     Advance payments from customers                                                                204,883                      197,937



     Accrued liabilities                                                                            136,901                      122,652



     Total current liabilities                                                                      713,547                      749,136



     Long-term debt, less current installments                                                      326,674                      320,675



     Operating lease liabilities                                                                    123,385                       86,687



     Other long-term liabilities                                                                     32,064                       44,417



     Shareholders' equity                                                                         1,079,085                    1,026,416



     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                       $
              2,274,755             $
         2,227,331


                                                             
              
                Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries




                                                                  
              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                                                  
              (In Thousands)

                                                                                    
              (UNAUDITED)




                                                                                                                                       
              Year Ended


                                                                                                                                      
              December 31,


                                                                                                                                           2023                    2022



     Cash flows from operating activities:



     Net income                                                                                                                   $
          64,315              $
        68,229



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                        45,410                    44,252



     Stock-based compensation expense                                                                                                     15,286                    18,485



     Accounts receivable                                                                                                                  42,050                 (136,455)



     Contract assets                                                                                                                       8,634                  (28,370)



     Inventories                                                                                                                          45,071                 (206,247)



     Accounts payable                                                                                                                   (35,320)                 (16,656)



     Advance payments from customers                                                                                                       6,946                    79,813



     Other changes in working capital and other, net                                                                                    (18,098)                    (518)



     Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                                                                 174,294                 (177,467)





     Cash flows from investing activities:



     Additions to property, plant and equipment and software                                                                            (77,739)                 (46,774)



     Other investing activities, net                                                                                                         601                     5,600



     Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                              (77,138)                 (41,174)





     Cash flows from financing activities:



     Share repurchases                                                                                                                                            (9,391)



     Net debt activity                                                                                                                     5,509                   194,261



     Other financing activities, net                                                                                                    (29,087)                 (25,641)



     Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                                                                (23,578)                  159,229





     Effect of exchange rate changes                                                                                                       2,205                   (4,907)



     Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash                                                             75,783                  (64,319)



     Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year                                                                  207,430                   271,749



     Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year                                                                $
          283,213             $
        207,430


                                                                                        
         
               Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                                          
         Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Results

                                                                                            
          (Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

                                                                                                         
              (UNAUDITED)




                                                                                                                                                               
     Three Months Ended                            
       Year Ended


                                                                                                                                                December 31,              September
                                                                                                                                                                                30,         December 31,         December 31,         December 31,


                                                                                                                                                        2023                     2023               2022                 2023                   2022



     Income from operations (GAAP)                                                                                                         $
              32,100         $
              30,341   $
              26,946    $
              109,664       $
              90,069



     Amortization of intangible assets                                                                                                                  1,204                      1,592                1,592                  5,979                    6,384



     Restructuring charges and other costs                                                                                                              2,054                      1,437                  799                  7,281                    5,710



     Gain on assets held for sale                                                                                                                                                                                                                   (393)



     Asset impairment                                                                                                                                                               198                                      1,121



     Settlement                                                                                                                                                                                       3,250                                          3,250



     Customer insolvency (recovery)                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (599)



     Non-GAAP income from operations                                                                                                       $
              35,358         $
              33,568   $
              32,587    $
              124,045      $
              104,421



     GAAP operating margin                                                                                                                                4.6                        4.2                  3.6                    3.9                      3.1
                                                                                                                                                             %                         %                   %                     %                       %



     Non-GAAP operating margin                                                                                                                            5.1                        4.7                  4.3                    4.4                      3.6
                                                                                                                                                             %                         %                   %                     %                       %





     Gross Profit (GAAP)                                                                                                                   $
              71,004         $
              69,077   $
              72,127    $
              271,070      $
              255,235



     Customer insolvency (recovery)                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (425)



     Non-GAAP gross profit                                                                                                                 $
              71,004         $
              69,077   $
              72,127    $
              271,070      $
              254,810



     GAAP gross margin                                                                                                                                   10.3                        9.6                  9.6                    9.5                      8.8
                                                                                                                                                             %                         %                   %                     %                       %



     Non-GAAP gross margin                                                                                                                               10.3                        9.6                  9.6                    9.5                      8.8
                                                                                                                                                             %                         %                   %                     %                       %





     Selling, general and administrative expenses                                                                                          $
              35,646         $
              35,509   $
              39,540    $
              147,025      $
              150,215



     Customer insolvency (recovery)                                                                                                                                                                                                                   174



     Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses                                                                                 $
              35,646         $
              35,509   $
              39,540    $
              147,025      $
              150,389





     Net income (GAAP)                                                                                                                     $
              17,552         $
              20,412   $
              21,219     $
              64,315       $
              68,229



     Amortization of intangible assets                                                                                                                  1,204                      1,592                1,592                  5,979                    6,384



     Restructuring charges and other costs                                                                                                              2,899                      1,437                  799                  8,126                    5,710



     Gain on assets held for sale                                                                                                                                                                                                                   (393)



     Asset impairment                                                                                                                                                               198                                      1,121



     Settlement                                                                                                                                          (37)                   (3,375)             (2,344)               (4,567)                 (2,955)



     Customer insolvency (recovery)                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (599)



     Income tax adjustments(1)                                                                                                                          (657)                       245                  (5)               (1,598)                 (1,644)



     Non-GAAP net income                                                                                                                   $
              20,961         $
              20,509   $
              21,261     $
              73,376       $
              74,732





     Diluted earnings per share:



     Diluted (GAAP)                                                                                                                          $
              0.49           $
              0.57     $
              0.60       $
              1.79         $
              1.91



     Diluted (Non-GAAP)                                                                                                                      $
              0.58           $
              0.57     $
              0.60       $
              2.04         $
              2.09





     Weighted-average number of shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share:



     Diluted (GAAP)                                                                                                                                    35,956                     35,876               35,630                 35,973                   35,718



     Diluted (Non-GAAP)                                                                                                                                35,956                     35,876               35,630                 35,973                   35,718





     Net cash provided by (used in) operations                                                                                            $
              137,080         $
              37,583 $
              (52,749)   $
              174,294    $
              (177,467)



     Additions to property, plant and equipment and software                                                                                         (11,026)                  (19,664)            (13,180)              (77,739)                (46,774)



     Free cash flow (used)                                                                                                                $
              126,054         $
              17,919 $
              (65,929)    $
              96,555    $
              (224,241)




     
     (1) This amount represents the tax impact of the non-GAAP adjustments using the
              applicable effective tax rates.

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SOURCE Benchmark Electronics, Inc.