BENCHMARK REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2024 RESULTS
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. reported strong financial results for the first quarter of 2024, with revenue of $676 million, positive free cash flow, and earnings per share of $0.38. The company's focus on operational efficiency and strategic investments led to year-over-year improvements in gross and operating margins. Despite revenue decreases in certain sectors, the company remains committed to delivering long-term value to customers and shareholders.
Revenue of $676 million for the first quarter of 2024.
Positive free cash flow of $43 million.
Year-over-year improvement in both GAAP and non-GAAP gross and operating margins.
Reductions in inventory resulting in positive cash flow from operations and free cash flow for the fourth consecutive quarter.
Commitment to driving long-term value to customers and shareholders.
Revenue decrease quarter over quarter and year over year, primarily due to decreases in Medical, Advanced Computing, and Next-Generation Communication sales.
Restructuring charges and other costs expected in the second quarter of 2024.
Stock-based compensation expense in the second quarter of 2024 expected to be $4.4 million.
Benchmark Electronics' recent earnings report provides a noteworthy snapshot of the company's fiscal health. A key takeaway is the year-over-year improvement in both GAAP and non-GAAP gross and operating margins, signaling effective cost management and operational efficiency. For investors, the positive free cash flow for the fourth consecutive quarter highlights the company's ability to convert earnings into cash, which is essential for funding operations and potential growth initiatives without requiring external financing.
The report's disclosure of quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year revenue decline calls for attention, particularly in the Medical, Advanced Computing and Next-Generation Communication sectors. Diversification in revenue streams, as indicated by the increased sales in Semi-Cap and A&D sectors, could cushion the company against sector-specific downturns. However, the forecasted lower revenue and earnings for Q2 2024 suggest cautious expectations, likely factoring in market challenges and segment volatility.
Examining the cash conversion cycle reveals a modest improvement, which could be attributed to enhanced inventory management and shortened receivables periods. Prudent investors would consider these indicators as they can affect liquidity. Moreover, the inclusion of stock-based compensation in non-GAAP measures starting Q1 2024 adds a layer of complexity to the evaluation and comparison of the company's performance over time.
Moving beyond the surface of the financials, the industry sector performance gives investors a window into the market demand dynamics. The increase in Complex Industrials and steady performance in the Semi-Cap sector aligns with broader industrial trends, such as the growing demand for semiconductors amidst a global chip shortage. This sector performance might be a positive indicator of Benchmark's alignment with market needs.
The decline in the Medical and Next-Generation Communications sectors could reflect market saturation or competitive pressures. It's important to understand these industry-specific challenges as they can affect the company's future revenue streams. For investors, this underscores the importance of monitoring sector trends and Benchmark's strategic responses to them.
First quarter 2024 results:
- Revenue of
$676 million - Generated net cash provided by operations of
$48 million $43 million - GAAP and non-GAAP(1) gross margin of
10.0% - GAAP and non-GAAP(1) operating margin of
3.8% and4.9% , respectively - GAAP and non-GAAP(1) earnings per share of
$0.38 $0.55
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||
(Amounts in millions, except per share data) | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | |||||||||
Sales | $ | 676 | $ | 691 | $ | 695 | ||||||
Net income | $ | 14 | $ | 18 | $ | 12 | ||||||
Income from operations | $ | 26 | $ | 32 | $ | 23 | ||||||
Net income – non-GAAP(1) | $ | 20 | $ | 23 | $ | 19 | ||||||
Income from operations – non-GAAP(1) | $ | 33 | $ | 38 | $ | 31 | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.49 | $ | 0.35 | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share – non-GAAP(1) | $ | 0.55 | $ | 0.65 | $ | 0.51 | ||||||
Operating margin | 3.8 | % | 4.6 | % | 3.3 | % | ||||||
Operating margin – non-GAAP(1) | 4.9 | % | 5.5 | % | 4.4 | % | ||||||
(1) | Beginning in the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company began to exclude stock-based compensation from non-GAAP results. 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. |
"We are pleased with our strong performance in the first quarter, which reflects our focus on driving operational efficiency while continuing our strategic investments in support of our future growth. We again delivered year-over-year improvement in both GAAP and non-GAAP gross and operating margins which, coupled with our reductions in inventory, resulted in our fourth consecutive quarter of positive cash flow from operations and free cash flow. These results underscore our commitment to drive long-term value to both our customers and shareholders," said Jeff Benck, Benchmark's President and CEO.
Cash Conversion Cycle
March 31, | December 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2023 | ||||||||||
Accounts receivable days | 56 | 59 | 60 | |||||||||
Contract asset days | 24 | 23 | 25 | |||||||||
Inventory days | 94 | 99 | 111 | |||||||||
Accounts payable days | (52) | (53) | (60) | |||||||||
Advance payments from customers days | (28) | (30) | (27) | |||||||||
Cash conversion cycle days | 94 | 98 | 109 | |||||||||
First Quarter 2024 Industry Sector Update
Revenue and percentage of sales by industry sector were as follows.
March 31, | December 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Semi-Cap | $ | 166 | 25 | % | $ | 168 | 24 | % | $ | 149 | 21 | % | ||||||||||||
Complex Industrials | 141 | 21 | % | 132 | 19 | % | 144 | 21 | % | |||||||||||||||
Medical | 115 | 17 | % | 126 | 18 | % | 137 | 20 | % | |||||||||||||||
A&D | 106 | 16 | % | 102 | 15 | % | 79 | 11 | % | |||||||||||||||
Advanced Computing | 90 | 13 | % | 95 | 14 | % | 96 | 14 | % | |||||||||||||||
Next-Generation | 58 | 8 | % | 68 | 10 | % | 90 | 13 | % | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 676 | 100 | % | $ | 691 | 100 | % | $ | 695 | 100 | % | ||||||||||||
Revenue decreased quarter over quarter and year over year primarily due to decreases in Medical, Advanced Computing and Next-Generation Communication sales, which were partially offset by an increase in Complex Industrials sales quarter-over-quarter and increases in Semi-Cap and A&D sales year-over-year.
Second Quarter 2024 Guidance
- Revenue between
$615 million $655 million - Diluted GAAP earnings per share between
$0.32 $0.38 - Diluted non-GAAP earnings per share between
$0.48 $0.54 - Non-GAAP earnings per share guidance excludes restructuring charges and other costs, amortization of intangible assets and, beginning in the quarter ended March 31, 2024, stock-based compensation expense.
In the second quarter of 2024, restructuring charges are expected to be approximately
First Quarter 2024 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: semiconductor capital equipment, complex industrials, medical, commercial aerospace, defense, advanced computing, and next generation telecommunications. 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 second 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, stock-based compensation expense 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, 2023, 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 certain non‐GAAP information to provide investors with additional information to analyze the Company's performance and underlying trends. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude restructuring charges, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, acquired in business combinations, certain legal and other settlement losses (gains), customer insolvency losses (recoveries), asset impairments, other significant non-recurring costs and the related tax impacts of all of the above. 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.
On January 1, 2024, the Company updated its definition of certain non-GAAP financial measures to exclude stock-based compensation expense. The Company recast its fiscal 2023 non-GAAP financial measures to present this information on a consistent basis. See the reconciliation table below.
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data) (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Sales | $ | 675,575 | $ | 694,695 | ||||
Cost of sales | 608,167 | 630,737 | ||||||
Gross profit | 67,408 | 63,958 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 37,332 | 38,198 | ||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 1,204 | 1,592 | ||||||
Restructuring charges and other costs | 3,343 | 1,426 | ||||||
Income from operations | 25,529 | 22,742 | ||||||
Interest expense | (7,245) | (6,450) | ||||||
Interest income | 1,992 | 1,258 | ||||||
Other (expense) income, net | (1,177) | (2,165) | ||||||
Income before income taxes | 19,099 | 15,385 | ||||||
Income tax expense | 5,097 | 3,025 | ||||||
Net income | $ | 14,002 | $ | 12,360 | ||||
Earnings per share: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.39 | $ | 0.35 | ||||
Diluted | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.35 | ||||
Weighted-average number of shares used in | ||||||||
Basic | 35,810 | 35,336 | ||||||
Diluted | 36,401 | 35,592 | ||||||
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In Thousands) (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 296,055 | $ | 277,391 | ||||
Restricted cash | — | 5,822 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net | 417,396 | 449,404 | ||||||
Contract assets | 180,814 | 174,979 | ||||||
Inventories | 637,675 | 683,801 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 46,673 | 44,350 | ||||||
Total current assets | 1,578,613 | 1,635,747 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 223,992 | 227,698 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 128,395 | 130,830 | ||||||
Goodwill and other long-term assets | 281,810 | 280,480 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 2,212,810 | $ | 2,274,755 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Current installments of long-term debt | $ | 5,105 | $ | 4,283 | ||||
Accounts payable | 348,374 | 367,480 | ||||||
Advance payments from customers | 189,153 | 204,883 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities | 125,187 | 136,901 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 667,819 | 713,547 | ||||||
Long-term debt, net of current installments | 310,117 | 326,674 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities | 119,958 | 123,385 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities | 29,749 | 32,064 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 1,127,643 | 1,195,670 | ||||||
Shareholders' equity | 1,085,167 | 1,079,085 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 2,212,810 | $ | 2,274,755 | ||||
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In Thousands) (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 14,002 | $ | 12,360 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 11,594 | 11,100 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 2,176 | 4,790 | ||||||
Accounts receivable | 30,960 | 30,398 | ||||||
Contract assets | (5,835) | (10,521) | ||||||
Inventories | 45,222 | 2,780 | ||||||
Accounts payable | (20,259) | 15,375 | ||||||
Advance payments from customers | (15,731) | (12,129) | ||||||
Other changes in working capital and other, net | (13,672) | (79,059) | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 48,457 | (24,906) | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Additions to property, plant and equipment and software | (5,903) | (38,731) | ||||||
Other investing activities, net | (251) | 19 | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (6,154) | (38,712) | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Net debt activity | (15,865) | 78,316 | ||||||
Other financing activities, net | (11,276) | (11,292) | ||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (27,141) | 67,024 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes | (2,320) | 854 | ||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | 12,842 | 4,260 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year | 283,213 | 207,430 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 296,055 | $ | 211,690 | ||||
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Results (Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data) (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2023 | ||||||||||
Income from operations (GAAP) | $ | 25,529 | $ | 32,100 | $ | 22,742 | ||||||
Restructuring charges and other costs | 3,343 | 2,054 | 1,426 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 2,176 | 2,955 | 4,790 | |||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 1,204 | 1,204 | 1,592 | |||||||||
Legal and other settlement loss (gain) | 855 | — | — | |||||||||
Non-GAAP income from operations | $ | 33,107 | $ | 38,313 | $ | 30,550 | ||||||
GAAP operating margin | 3.8 | % | 4.6 | % | 3.3 | % | ||||||
Non-GAAP operating margin | 4.9 | % | 5.5 | % | 4.4 | % | ||||||
Gross profit (GAAP) | $ | 67,408 | $ | 71,004 | $ | 63,958 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 426 | 416 | 396 | |||||||||
Non-GAAP gross profit | $ | 67,834 | $ | 71,420 | $ | 64,354 | ||||||
GAAP gross margin | 10.0 | % | 10.3 | % | 9.2 | % | ||||||
Non-GAAP gross margin | 10.0 | % | 10.3 | % | 9.3 | % | ||||||
Selling, general and | $ | 37,332 | $ | 35,646 | $ | 38,198 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | (1,750) | (2,539) | (4,394) | |||||||||
Legal and other settlement (loss) gain | (855) | — | — | |||||||||
Non-GAAP selling, general and | $ | 34,727 | $ | 33,107 | $ | 33,804 | ||||||
Net income (GAAP) | $ | 14,002 | $ | 17,552 | $ | 12,360 | ||||||
Restructuring charges and other costs | 3,343 | 2,899 | 1,426 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 2,176 | 2,955 | 4,790 | |||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 1,204 | 1,204 | 1,592 | |||||||||
Legal and other settlement loss (gain) | 855 | (37) | — | |||||||||
Income tax adjustments(1) | (1,393) | (1,280) | (1,523) | |||||||||
Non-GAAP net income | $ | 20,187 | $ | 23,293 | $ | 18,645 | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share: | ||||||||||||
Diluted (GAAP) | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.49 | $ | 0.35 | ||||||
Diluted (Non-GAAP) | $ | 0.55 | $ | 0.65 | $ | 0.51 | ||||||
Weighted-average number of shares used in | ||||||||||||
Diluted (GAAP) | 36,401 | 35,956 | 35,592 | |||||||||
Diluted (Non-GAAP) | 36,401 | 35,956 | 35,592 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operations | $ | 48,457 | $ | 137,080 | $ | (24,906) | ||||||
Additions to property, plant and | (5,903) | (11,026) | (38,731) | |||||||||
Free cash flow (used) | $ | 42,554 | $ | 126,054 | $ | (63,637) | ||||||
(1) | This amount represents the tax impact of the non-GAAP adjustments using the applicable effective tax rates. |
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Results Excluding Stock-Based Compensation Expense to Previously Reported Amounts (Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data) (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mar 31, | Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Jun 30, | Mar 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2024(1) | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP income from operations, | $ | 30,931 | $ | 35,358 | $ | 33,568 | $ | 29,359 | $ | 25,760 | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 2,176 | 2,955 | 3,674 | 3,867 | 4,790 | |||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP income from operations | $ | 33,107 | $ | 38,313 | $ | 37,242 | $ | 33,226 | $ | 30,550 | ||||||||||
Non-GAAP operating margin, as previously reported | 4.6 | % | 5.1 | % | 4.7 | % | 4.0 | % | 3.7 | % | ||||||||||
Non-GAAP operating margin | 4.9 | % | 5.5 | % | 5.2 | % | 4.5 | % | 4.4 | % | ||||||||||
Non-GAAP gross profit, as previously reported | $ | 67,408 | $ | 71,004 | $ | 69,077 | $ | 67,031 | $ | 63,958 | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 426 | 416 | 420 | 423 | 396 | |||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP gross profit | $ | 67,834 | $ | 71,420 | $ | 69,497 | $ | 67,454 | $ | 64,354 | ||||||||||
Non-GAAP gross margin, as previously reported | 10.0 | % | 10.3 | % | 9.6 | % | 9.1 | % | 9.2 | % | ||||||||||
Non-GAAP gross margin | 10.0 | % | 10.3 | % | 9.7 | % | 9.2 | % | 9.3 | % | ||||||||||
Non-GAAP selling, general and | $ | 36,477 | $ | 35,646 | $ | 35,509 | $ | 37,672 | $ | 38,198 | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | (1,750) | (2,539) | (3,254) | (3,444) | (4,394) | |||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP selling, general and | $ | 34,727 | $ | 33,107 | $ | 32,255 | $ | 34,228 | $ | 33,804 | ||||||||||
Non-GAAP net income, as previously reported | $ | 18,475 | $ | 20,961 | $ | 20,509 | $ | 17,044 | $ | 14,862 | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 2,176 | 2,955 | 3,674 | 3,867 | 4,790 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax adjustments(2) | (464) | (623) | (774) | (814) | (1,007) | |||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP net income | $ | 20,187 | $ | 23,293 | $ | 23,409 | $ | 20,097 | $ | 18,645 | ||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted (Non-GAAP), as previously reported | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.58 | $ | 0.57 | $ | 0.48 | $ | 0.42 | ||||||||||
Diluted (Non-GAAP) | $ | 0.55 | $ | 0.65 | $ | 0.65 | $ | 0.56 | $ | 0.51 | ||||||||||
Weighted-average number of shares used in | ||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted (Non-GAAP) | 36,401 | 35,956 | 35,876 | 35,676 | 35,592 | |||||||||||||||
(1) | Fiscal 2024 periods have been included in the presentation above to show the effect of excluding stock-based compensation expense from the non-GAAP financial measures for comparability purposes. These non-GAAP financial results are not previously reported. |
(2) | This amount represents the tax impact of the non-GAAP adjustments using the applicable effective tax rates. |
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SOURCE BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS
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