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Graco Reports Record Quarterly Operating Earnings

GGG

Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) today announced results for the third quarter ended September 29, 2023.

Summary

$ in millions except per share amounts

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Sep 29,
2023

Sep 30,
2022

%
Change

Sep 29,
2023

Sep 30,
2022

%
Change

Net Sales

$

539.7

$

545.6

(1

)%

$

1,629.0

$

1,588.5

3

%

Operating Earnings

163.2

143.1

14

%

476.9

420.2

13

%

Net Earnings

133.1

116.2

15

%

396.6

334.5

19

%

Diluted Net Earnings per Common Share

$

0.77

$

0.67

15

%

$

2.30

$

1.93

19

%

Adjusted (non-GAAP): (1)

Operating Earnings, adjusted

$

162.4

$

143.1

13

%

$

476.1

$

420.2

13

%

Net Earnings, adjusted

$

131.5

$

114.8

15

%

$

386.9

$

331.3

17

%

Diluted Net Earnings per Common Share, adjusted

$

0.76

$

0.66

15

%

$

2.24

$

1.91

17

%

(1)

Excludes impacts of contingent consideration fair value adjustments, impairment charges and excess tax benefits from stock option exercises. See Financial Results Adjusted for Comparability below for a reconciliation of adjusted non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP.

  • Net sales decreased 1 percent for the quarter. Sales growth in the Process segment was offset by a decline in the Contractor segment.
  • Gross profit margin rate for the quarter was 5 percentage points higher than the comparable period last year due to realized pricing and lower product costs.
  • Operating earnings expressed as a percentage of sales for the quarter increased 4 percentage points to 30 percent.

"Graco achieved record operating earnings for the third quarter," said Mark Sheahan, Graco's President and CEO. "We saw softer demand in some of our key end markets that were partially offset by broad-based sales growth in the Process segment. Global construction markets weakened and the Industrial segment project business in EMEA was a headwind. Strong price realization and lower input costs led to operating margins of 30% or greater in each of our segments."

Consolidated Results

Net sales for the quarter decreased 1 percent from the comparable period last year (2 percent at consistent translation rates). Sales were flat in the Americas and decreased 4 percent in EMEA (10 percent at consistent translation rates) and 1 percent in Asia Pacific (sales increased 2 percent at consistent translation rates). Year-to-date net sales increased 3 percent from the comparable period last year. Sales increased 5 percent in the Americas and 2 percent in EMEA (sales were flat at consistent translation rates), and decreased 4 percent in Asia Pacific (sales were flat at consistent translation rates). Changes in currency translation rates increased worldwide sales by $5 million for the quarter and decreased worldwide sales by $8 million for the year to date.

Gross profit margin rates for the quarter and year to date increased from the comparable periods last year mainly due to realized pricing. The impact of lower product costs further increased the gross profit margin rate in the quarter from the comparable period last year.

Operating expenses for the quarter and year to date included a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $8 million and a $9 million gain from the reduction in fair value of contingent consideration related to the reorganization of a business acquired in 2020. Excluding these items, total operating expenses increased $4 million (4 percent) for the quarter and $21 million (6 percent) for the year to date from the comparable periods last year due to volume and rate-related increases and incremental share-based compensation.

Interest expense was flat for the quarter and decreased $4 million for the year to date as private placement debt was repaid in the first quarter last year and in the third quarter of the current year. Other non-operating income increased $2 million for the quarter and $9 million for the year to date mostly due to increased interest income.

The effective income tax rate was up 1 percentage point to 19 percent for the quarter and down 1 percentage point to 18 percent for the year to date from the comparable periods last year due to variations in excess tax benefits from stock option exercises.

Segment Results

Management assesses performance of segments by reference to operating earnings excluding unallocated corporate expenses. For a reconciliation of segment operating earnings to consolidated operating earnings, refer to the segment information table included in the financial statement section of this release. Certain measurements of segment operations are summarized below:

Three Months

Nine Months

Contractor

Industrial

Process

Contractor

Industrial

Process

Net Sales (in millions)

$

245.3

$

157.1

$

137.3

$

746.9

$

470.8

$

411.3

Percentage change from last year

Sales

(7

)%

1

%

10

%

(2

)%

3

%

13

%

Operating earnings

13

%

1

%

40

%

12

%

1

%

43

%

Operating earnings as a percentage of sales

2023

30

%

35

%

31

%

29

%

35

%

31

%

2022

25

%

35

%

24

%

25

%

35

%

24

%

Components of net sales change by geographic region for the Contractor segment were as follows:

Three Months

Nine Months

Volume and Price

Acquisitions

Currency

Total

Volume and Price

Acquisitions

Currency

Total

Americas

(5

)%

0

%

(1

)%

(6

)%

(1

)%

0

%

(1

)%

(2

)%

EMEA

(17

)%

0

%

6

%

(11

)%

(2

)%

0

%

1

%

(1

)%

Asia Pacific

(9

)%

0

%

(3

)%

(12

)%

(8

)%

0

%

(4

)%

(12

)%

Consolidated

(8

)%

0

%

1

%

(7

)%

(2

)%

0

%

0

%

(2

)%

Contractor segment sales decreased for the quarter and year to date as favorable response to new product offerings and improved product availability were unable to offset reduced demand from slower economic activity in worldwide construction markets. Strong realized pricing and lower product costs drove the operating margin rate for this segment 5 percentage points higher for the quarter. Realized pricing offset higher product costs and drove an increase of 4 percentage points in the operating margin rate for the year to date.

Components of net sales change by geographic region for the Industrial segment were as follows:

Three Months

Nine Months

Volume
and Price

Acquisitions

Currency

Total

Volume
and Price

Acquisitions

Currency

Total

Americas

1

%

0

%

1

%

2

%

8

%

0

%

0

%

8

%

EMEA

(11

)%

0

%

7

%

(4

)%

0

%

0

%

1

%

1

%

Asia Pacific

6

%

0

%

(3

)%

3

%

1

%

0

%

(4

)%

(3

)%

Consolidated

(1

)%

0

%

2

%

1

%

3

%

0

%

0

%

3

%

Industrial segment sales increased 1 percent for the quarter as improved project activity in Asia Pacific was mostly offset by declines in finishing system sales in EMEA. Underlying end market strength in the Americas drove Industrial segment sales higher for the year to date. The operating margin rate for this segment was flat for the quarter and year to date.

Components of net sales change by geographic region for the Process segment were as follows:

Three Months

Nine Months

Volume
and Price

Acquisitions

Currency

Total

Volume
and Price

Acquisitions

Currency

Total

Americas

12

%

0

%

0

%

12

%

17

%

1

%

0

%

18

%

EMEA

14

%

0

%

4

%

18

%

9

%

0

%

1

%

10

%

Asia Pacific

2

%

0

%

(2

)%

0

%

4

%

0

%

(2

)%

2

%

Consolidated

9

%

0

%

1

%

10

%

13

%

1

%

(1

)%

13

%

Process segment sales increased double digits for the quarter and year to date, although the rate of growth slowed in the third quarter. The operating margin rate for this segment increased 7 percentage points for both the quarter and year to date from the comparable periods last year primarily due to price realization and expense leverage.

Outlook

"Our results reflect underlying business trends that were in line with our expectations for the year across our businesses," said Sheahan. "Despite lower Contractor segment volumes and uncertain macroeconomic conditions, we remain confident in our ability to deliver on our outlook for the full year of low single-digit growth on an organic, constant currency basis."

Financial Results Adjusted for Comparability

Excluding the impacts of contingent consideration fair value adjustments, impairment charges and excess tax benefits from stock option exercises presents a more consistent basis for comparison of financial results. A calculation of the non-GAAP measurements of adjusted operating earnings, adjusted earnings before income taxes, income taxes, effective income tax rates, net earnings and diluted earnings per share follows (in millions except per share amounts):

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Sep 29,
2023

Sep 30,
2022

Sep 29,
2023

Sep 30,
2022

Operating earnings, as reported

$

163.2

$

143.1

$

476.9

$

420.2

Contingent consideration

(8.6

)

(8.6

)

Impairment

7.8

7.8

Operating earnings, adjusted

$

162.4

$

143.1

$

476.1

$

420.2

Earnings before income taxes

$

164.3

$

142.4

$

481.3

$

411.7

Contingent consideration

(8.6

)

(8.6

)

Impairment

7.8

7.8

Earnings before income taxes, adjusted

$

163.5

$

142.4

$

480.5

$

411.7

Income taxes, as reported

$

31.2

$

26.2

$

84.7

$

77.3

Excess tax benefit from option exercises

0.8

1.4

8.9

3.2

Income taxes, adjusted

$

32.0

$

27.6

$

93.6

$

80.5

Effective income tax rate

As reported

19.0

%

18.4

%

17.6

%

18.8

%

Adjusted

19.6

%

19.4

%

19.5

%

19.6

%

Net Earnings, as reported

$

133.1

$

116.2

$

396.6

$

334.5

Contingent consideration

(8.6

)

(8.6

)

Impairment

7.8

7.8

Excess tax benefit from option exercises

(0.8

)

(1.4

)

(8.9

)

(3.2

)

Net Earnings, adjusted

$

131.5

$

114.8

$

386.9

$

331.3

Weighted Average Diluted Shares

172.8

172.8

172.3

173.4

Diluted Earnings per Share

As reported

$

0.77

$

0.67

$

2.30

$

1.93

Adjusted

$

0.76

$

0.66

$

2.24

$

1.91

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The Company desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions regarding forward-looking statements of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is filing this Cautionary Statement in order to do so. From time to time various forms filed by our Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks, and other disclosures, including our overview report, press releases, earnings releases, analyst briefings, conference calls and other written documents or oral statements released by our Company, may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally use words such as “expect,” “foresee,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “should,” “estimate,” “will,” and similar expressions, and reflect our Company’s expectations concerning the future. All forecasts and projections are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon currently available information, but various risks and uncertainties may cause our Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements in light of new information or future events.

Future results could differ materially from those expressed due to the impact of changes in various factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business; Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the sanctions and actions taken against Russia and Belarus in response to the invasion; economic conditions in the United States and other major world economies; our Company’s growth strategies, which include making acquisitions, investing in new products, expanding geographically and targeting new industries; changes in currency translation rates; the ability to meet our customers’ needs and changes in product demand; supply interruptions or delays; security breaches; new entrants who copy our products or infringe on our intellectual property; risks incident to conducting business internationally; catastrophic events; changes in laws and regulations; compliance with anti-corruption and trade laws; changes in tax rates or the adoption of new tax legislation; the possibility of asset impairments if acquired businesses do not meet performance expectations; political instability; results of and costs associated with litigation, administrative proceedings and regulatory reviews incident to our business; our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified personnel; the possibility of decline in purchases from a few large customers of the Contractor segment; variations in activity in the construction, automotive, electronics, aerospace, semiconductor, and agriculture and construction equipment industries; and the impact of declines in interest rates, asset values and investment returns on pension costs and required pension contributions. Please refer to Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2022 (and most recent Form 10-Q) for a more comprehensive discussion of these and other risk factors. These reports are available on the Company’s website at www.graco.com and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Investors should realize that factors other than those identified above and in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2022 might prove important to the Company’s future results. It is not possible for management to identify each and every factor that may have an impact on the Company’s operations in the future as new factors can develop from time to time.

Conference Call

Graco management will hold a conference call, including slides via webcast, with analysts and institutional investors on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at 11 a.m. ET, 10 a.m. CT, to discuss Graco’s third quarter results.

A real-time listen-only webcast of the conference call will be broadcast by Nasdaq. Individuals can access the call and view the slides on the Company’s website at www.graco.com. Listeners should go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the live conference call to install any necessary audio software.

About Graco

Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids and coatings in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us at www.graco.com.

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited)

(In thousands except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Sep 29,
2023

Sep 30,
2022

Sep 29,
2023

Sep 30,
2022

Net Sales

$

539,672

$

545,644

$

1,628,962

$

1,588,476

Cost of products sold

255,148

284,556

767,883

803,853

Gross Profit

284,524

261,088

861,079

784,623

Product development

19,817

19,704

61,582

58,749

Selling, marketing and distribution

60,495

61,386

194,258

186,457

General and administrative

41,823

36,849

129,130

119,225

Contingent consideration

(8,600

)

(8,600

)

Impairment

7,800

7,800

Operating Earnings

163,189

143,149

476,909

420,192

Interest expense

1,391

1,542

4,536

8,555

Other (income) expense, net

(2,483

)

(866

)

(8,877

)

(106

)

Earnings Before Income Taxes

164,281

142,473

481,250

411,743

Income taxes

31,158

26,241

84,693

77,290

Net Earnings

$

133,123

$

116,232

$

396,557

$

334,453

Net Earnings per Common Share

Basic

$

0.79

$

0.69

$

2.35

$

1.97

Diluted

$

0.77

$

0.67

$

2.30

$

1.93

Weighted Average Number of Shares

Basic

169,005

169,166

168,569

169,368

Diluted

172,780

172,789

172,336

173,388

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Sep 29,
2023

Sep 30,
2022

Sep 29,
2023

Sep 30,
2022

Net Sales

Contractor

$

245,269

$

264,086

$

746,888

$

764,417

Industrial

157,084

156,182

470,797

459,176

Process

137,319

125,376

411,277

364,883

Total

$

539,672

$

545,644

$

1,628,962

$

1,588,476

Operating Earnings

Contractor

$

73,512

$

65,123

$

216,152

$

192,314

Industrial

54,298

53,964

162,955

161,795

Process

43,001

30,638

127,186

89,183

Unallocated corporate (expense)

(8,422

)

(6,576

)

(30,184

)

(23,100

)

Contingent consideration

8,600

8,600

Impairment

(7,800

)

(7,800

)

Total

$

163,189

$

143,149

$

476,909

$

420,192

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