MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Aug 9, 2017) - WSP Global Inc. (TSX:WSP) ("WSP" or the "Corporation") today announced its
financial and operating results for the second quarter of fiscal 2017, which ended on July 1, 2017.
SECOND QUARTER AND FIRST HALF OF 2017 HIGHLIGHTS
Q2 2017
Solid financial performance for the quarter. Consolidated organic growth in net revenues of 2.2% and adjusted EBITDA margin of
10.7%, in line with Management's expectations. Backlog remained stable and DSO is in line with seasonality cycle.
- Revenues and net revenues of $1,717.2 million and $1,315.9 million, up 11.1% and 8.3%, respectively, compared to Q2
2016.
- Adjusted EBITDA of $140.3 million, up $15.3 million or 12.2%, compared to Q2 2016.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin at 10.7%, compared to 10.3% in Q2 2016.
- Adjusted net earnings of $65.5 million, or $0.64 per share, up 17.0% and 14.3%, respectively, compared to Q2 2016.
- Adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions of $76.2 million, or $0.75 per
share, up 13.4% and 11.9%, respectively, compared to Q2 2016.
- Net earnings attributable to shareholders of $62.8 million, or $0.61 per share, up 20.3% and 17.3%, respectively, compared
to Q2 2016.
- Backlog at $5,864.6 million, representing 10.3 months of revenues, comparable to Q1 2017 and up $197.2 million, or 3.5%
compared to Q2 2016.
- DSO stood at 82 days, stable when compared to Q2 2016.
- Quarterly dividend declared of $0.375 per share, with a 53.0% Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP") participation.
- Incorporating full 12-month adjusted EBITDA for all acquisitions, net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio stood at 1.7x, in line
with our target range.
- Full-year 2017 financial outlook reiterated.
H1 2017
- Consolidated organic growth in net revenues of 6.0% and positive across all reportable operating segments. H2 organic
growth in net revenues is anticipated to be lower due to billable days differential between H1 and H2 2017, specifically Q4.
Organic growth in net revenues for 2017 is still anticipated to be in the 1% to 4% range, as per our reiterated full-year 2017
financial outlook.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin at 9.8%, compared to 9.1% in 2016; the increase was due, in large part, to the anticipated
improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin from our Canadian operations.
"We are pleased with our second quarter results which, in addition to organic growth, showed adjusted EBITDA and adjusted
EBITDA margin improvements. This growth reflects our effective strategy execution, and our focus on delivering on our 2017
financial outlook," said Alexandre L'Heureux, President and CEO of WSP. "As well, subsequent to the end of the quarter, we
increased our footprint in Latin America with the acquisition of POCH, a 730-employee pure-play engineering services firm based
in Chile. This acquisition is in alignment with our 2015-2018 strategic plan and represents a significant milestone in our
ambition to become a top-tier player in Latin America".
DIVIDEND
The Board of WSP declared a dividend of $0.375 per share. This dividend will be payable on or about October 15, 2017, to
shareholders of record at the close of business on September 30, 2017.
FINANCIAL REPORT
This release includes, by reference, the 2017 second quarter financial reports, including the unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements and the Management's Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A") of the Corporation.
For a copy of our full financial results for the second quarter of 2017, including the MD&A and the unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements, please visit our website at www.wsp.com.
CONFERENCE CALL
WSP will hold a conference call at 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) on August 9, 2017, to discuss these results. To participate in the
conference call, dial 1-647-788-4922 or 1-877-223-4471 (toll-free). A presentation of the 2017 second quarter highlights and
results will be available on the same day at www.wsp.com in the Investors
section.
A replay of the call will be available until September 9, 2017. The telephone numbers to access the replay of the call are
1-416-621-4642 or 1-800-585-8367 (toll-free), access code 51755983. The replay of the conference call will also be available in
the Investors section of the WSP website under Presentations & Events, in the days following the event.
ANALYST AND INVESTOR DAY
The Corporation also announced that it will be holding an Analyst and Investor Day on September 27, 2017 at the St. Andrew's
Club & Conference Centre, in Toronto, Ontario (Canada). For additional information on the Analyst and Investor Day, please visit
the Investor section of our website at www.wsp.com.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
|
Q2 |
|
YTD |
|
|
2017 |
|
2016 |
|
2017 |
|
2016 |
|
(in millions of dollars, except number of shares and per share data) |
For the
period from April 2 to
July 1 |
|
For the
period from March 27
to June 25 |
|
For the
period from January 1
to July 1 |
|
For the
period from January 1
to June 25 |
|
Revenues |
$1,717.2 |
|
$1,545.7 |
|
$3,351.1 |
|
$3,028.7 |
|
Less: Subconsultants and direct costs |
$401.3 |
|
$330.2 |
|
$759.3 |
|
$651.1 |
|
Net revenues* |
$1,315.9 |
|
$1,215.5 |
|
$2,591.8 |
|
$2,377.6 |
|
Personnel costs |
$1,015.5 |
|
$922.7 |
|
$2,005.2 |
|
$1,832.5 |
|
Occupancy costs |
$52.4 |
|
$56.2 |
|
$110.0 |
|
$114.0 |
|
Other operational costs(1) |
$108.0 |
|
$112.4 |
|
$222.9 |
|
$216.5 |
|
Share of earnings of associates |
$(0.3 |
) |
$(0.8 |
) |
$(1.1 |
) |
$(1.9 |
) |
Adjusted EBITDA* |
$140.3 |
|
$125.0 |
|
$254.8 |
|
$216.5 |
|
Acquisition and integration costs* |
$3.7 |
|
$5.1 |
|
$6.7 |
|
$12.5 |
|
EBITDA* |
$136.6 |
|
$119.9 |
|
$248.1 |
|
$204.0 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets |
$20.6 |
|
$20.4 |
|
$40.7 |
|
$40.2 |
|
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
$19.2 |
|
$17.9 |
|
$37.9 |
|
$36.2 |
|
Financial expenses |
$8.5 |
|
$10.7 |
|
$16.6 |
|
$19.1 |
|
Share of depreciation of associates |
$0.3 |
|
$0.4 |
|
$0.7 |
|
$0.8 |
|
Earnings before income taxes |
$88.0 |
|
$70.5 |
|
$152.2 |
|
$107.7 |
|
Income-tax expense |
$25.2 |
|
$18.0 |
|
$41.7 |
|
$27.5 |
|
Share of tax of associates |
$- |
|
$0.2 |
|
$0.1 |
|
$0.4 |
|
Net earnings |
$62.8 |
|
$52.3 |
|
$110.4 |
|
$79.8 |
|
Attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Shareholders |
$62.8 |
|
$52.2 |
|
$110.4 |
|
$79.8 |
|
- Non-controlling interests |
$- |
|
$0.1 |
|
$- |
|
$- |
|
Basic net earnings per share |
$0.61 |
|
$0.52 |
|
$1.08 |
|
$0.80 |
|
Diluted net earnings per share |
$0.61 |
|
$0.52 |
|
$1.08 |
|
$0.80 |
|
Basic weighted average number of shares |
102,246,776 |
|
100,172,985 |
|
102,009,950 |
|
99,919,652 |
|
Diluted weighted average number of shares |
102,369,071 |
|
100,205,307 |
|
102,108,867 |
|
99,946,297 |
|
* |
Non-IFRS measures are described in the 'Glossary' section |
(1) |
Other operational costs include operational foreign exchange gains/losses and interest income |
NON-IFRS MEASURES
The Corporation reports its financial results in accordance with IFRS. However, the following non-IFRS measures are used by
the Corporation: net revenues; EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA margin; adjusted EBITDA before Global Corporate costs;
adjusted EBITDA margin before Global Corporate costs; adjusted net earnings (loss); adjusted net earnings (loss) per share;
adjusted net earnings (loss) excluding amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions; adjusted net earnings (loss)
excluding amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions per share; acquisition and integration costs; backlog; funds
from operations; funds from operations per share; free cash flow; free cash flow per share; days sales outstanding (or DSO) and
net debt to adjusted EBITDA. Additional details for these non-IFRS measures can be found in WSP's MD&A, which is posted on
WSP's website at www.wsp.com, and filed with SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Management believes that these non-IFRS measures provide useful information to investors regarding the Corporation's financial
condition and results of operations as they provide key metrics of its performance. These non-IFRS measures are not recognized
under IFRS, do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and may differ from similar computations as reported by
other issuers, and accordingly may not be comparable. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for the related
financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS.
ABOUT WSP
As one of the world's leading professional services firms, WSP provides technical expertise and strategic advice to clients in
the Property & Buildings, Transportation & Infrastructure, Environment, Industry, Resources (including Mining and Oil & Gas) and
Power & Energy sectors. We also offer highly specialized services in project delivery and strategic consulting. Our experts
include engineers, advisors, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors and environmental specialists, as well as
other design, program and construction management professionals. With approximately 37,000 talented people in 500 offices across
40 countries, we are uniquely positioned to deliver successful and sustainable projects, wherever our clients need us. www.wsp.com
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information regarding WSP contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not
statements of fact. Although WSP believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it
can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties and may be based on assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or
implied in the forward-looking statements. WSP's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this
cautionary statement. The complete version of the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements as well as a description
of the relevant assumptions and risk factors likely to affect WSP's actual or projected results are included in the Management's
Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date
hereof and WSP does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise unless expressly required by applicable securities laws.