Exponent Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Exponent, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPO) reported its Q2 2024 financial results, showing flat total revenues at $140.5 million and a 2% increase in revenues before reimbursements to $132.4 million. Net income grew 14% to $29.2 million, or $0.57 per diluted share. EBITDA increased to $39.9 million, representing 30.2% of revenues before reimbursements. The company's engineering and scientific segment, accounting for 84% of revenues, grew 4% in Q2. Despite challenges in consumer electronics and chemicals sectors, Exponent saw growth in transportation, utilities, and medical device sectors. The company raised its full-year 2024 guidance, expecting low to mid-single digit growth in revenues before reimbursements and EBITDA to be 27.5% to 28.0% of revenues before reimbursements.

Positive

• Net income increased by 14% to $29.2 million in Q2 2024
• EBITDA margin expanded to 30.2% of revenues before reimbursements in Q2 2024
• Engineering and scientific segment grew 4% in Q2 2024
• Company raised full-year 2024 guidance
• Quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share announced

Negative

• Total revenues were flat year-over-year in Q2 2024
• Environmental and health segment revenues decreased 4% in Q2 2024
• Ongoing headwinds in consumer electronics and chemicals sectors

Insights

Financial Analyst

Exponent's Q2 2024 results reveal a company navigating challenges while maintaining profitability. The 14% increase in net income to $29.2 million and expanded EBITDA margin to 30.2% of revenues before reimbursements are particularly noteworthy. These improvements, despite flat total revenues, indicate effective cost management and operational efficiency.

The company's ability to grow its reactive business in the mid-single digits, driven by demand in transportation, utilities and medical device sectors, demonstrates resilience in the face of headwinds in consumer electronics and chemicals. This diversification strategy appears to be paying off.

Exponent's strong cash position of $203.3 million and continued dividend payments ($0.28 per share) suggest financial stability and shareholder commitment. The raised full-year guidance, expecting low to mid-single-digit growth in revenues before reimbursements and EBITDA margin of 27.5% to 28.0%, indicates management's confidence in the company's trajectory.

However, investors should note the potential impact of ongoing sector-specific challenges and the high bar set by the previous year's performance. The company's ability to capitalize on emerging opportunities in life sciences, renewables and transportation will be important for sustaining growth in the long term.

Market Research Analyst

Exponent's Q2 results offer intriguing insights into broader market trends. The company's performance across various sectors provides a snapshot of the current industrial landscape:

• The mid-single-digit growth in reactive business, particularly in transportation, utilities and medical devices, suggests ongoing innovation and regulatory scrutiny in these areas.
• Headwinds in consumer electronics may indicate a slowdown in this sector, possibly due to market saturation or economic uncertainties.
• The challenges in the chemicals sector could reflect broader industry trends, potentially related to environmental regulations or supply chain issues.

Exponent's focus on areas like renewables, infrastructure resilience and electrification aligns with major global trends. This positioning could be advantageous as industries undergo transformations driven by technological advancements and sustainability concerns.

The company's ability to maintain a high utilization rate of 75% in the first half of 2024 indicates strong demand for its services and effective resource management. This efficiency, combined with the company's expertise in complex, safety-critical applications, positions Exponent well in an environment of increasing technological complexity and regulatory scrutiny.

For investors, Exponent's performance and outlook provide valuable indicators of broader market dynamics and potential growth areas in the engineering and scientific consulting space.

MENLO PARK, Calif., July 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exponent, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPO) today reported financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 ended June 28, 2024.

“We are pleased with the outcomes of efforts to align our operating model with market demand, evidenced by net income growth of 14% and expanded EBITDA¹ margin on a year-over-year basis. As expected, revenue growth moderated during the quarter due to ongoing headwinds in the consumer electronics and chemicals sectors, and an unusually high hurdle for year-over-year comparisons resulting from approximately 20% growth in our prior-year reactive business. Despite these challenges, our reactive business grew in the mid-single digits fueled by demand across the transportation, utilities and medical device sectors,” stated Dr. Catherine Corrigan, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“We are encouraged by the market opportunities in this era of accelerating transformation across industries, from groundbreaking technology and data applications in life sciences, to renewables and infrastructure resilience in the energy sector, and electrification and automation of transportation. Exponent remains well positioned to support our clients with vital insights for current challenges, while preparing the path for future innovations,” Dr. Corrigan continued.

Second Quarter Financial Results

Total revenues and revenues before reimbursements for the second quarter of 2024 were approximately flat at $140.5 million and increased 2% to $132.4 million, respectively, as compared to $140.2 million and $129.7 million in the second quarter of 2023.

Net income increased to $29.2 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2024, as compared to $25.7 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, in the same period of 2023. The tax benefit for the classification of tax adjustments associated with share-based awards was $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2024 and was immaterial in the second quarter of 2023. Exponent’s consolidated tax rate was 26.3% in the second quarter of 2024, as compared to 29.0% for the same period in 2023.

EBITDA¹ increased to $39.9 million, or 30.2% of revenues before reimbursements, in the second quarter of 2024, as compared to $36.8 million, or 28.4% of revenues before reimbursements in the second quarter of 2023.

Year-to-Date Financial Results

Total revenues and revenues before reimbursements for the first half of 2024 increased 2% to $285.5 million and 4% to $269.6 million, respectively, as compared to $280.5 million and $258.4 million in the same period of 2023.

Net income was $59.4 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, in the first half of 2024, as compared to $54.9 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, in the same period of 2023. The tax benefit for the classification of tax adjustments associated with share-based awards realized in the first half of 2024 was $1.7 million, as compared to $3.6 million in the first half of 2023. Inclusive of the tax benefit, Exponent’s consolidated tax rate was 25.9% in the first half of 2024, as compared to 23.6% for the same period last year.

EBITDA¹ increased to $80.1 million, or 29.7% of revenues before reimbursements, in the first half of 2024, as compared to $72.6 million, or 28.1% of revenues before reimbursements, in the first half of 2023.

In a separate press release today, Exponent announced its quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 to be paid on September 20, 2024, and reiterated its intent to continue to pay quarterly dividends. For the first half of 2024, Exponent paid $29.8 million in dividends and closed the period with $203.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. 

Business Overview

Exponent’s engineering and other scientific segment represented 84% of the Company’s revenues before reimbursements in the second quarter and first half of 2024. Revenues before reimbursements in this segment increased 4% in the second quarter and 6% in the first half, as compared to the prior year period. Growth during the quarter was driven by strong demand for Exponent's services across the transportation and energy sectors.

Exponent’s environmental and health segment represented 16% of the Company’s revenues before reimbursements in the second quarter and first half of 2023. Revenues before reimbursements in this segment decreased 4% in the second quarter and 2% in the first half, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The decline was related to ongoing headwinds in the chemicals sector.

Business Outlook

“Our ability to strategically manage resources with market demand drove 75% utilization in the first half of 2024 and significantly expanded net income and EBITDA¹ margin. Considering our encouraging performance in the first half of 2024 and our outlook for the remainder of the year, we are raising full year guidance. Both our previous and updated outlook include the impact of an additional week in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024,” stated Richard Schlenker, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

For the third quarter of 2024, as compared to the same period one year prior, Exponent anticipates:

• Revenues before reimbursements to be approximately flat; and,
• EBITDA¹ to be 26.75% to 27.5% of revenues before reimbursements.

For the fiscal year 2024 we are raising our revenue and margin guidance. Exponent anticipates:

• Revenues before reimbursements to grow in the low to mid-single digits; and,
• EBITDA¹ to be 27.5% to 28.0% of revenues before reimbursements.

“Exponent thrives in the complexity that abounds in products, technologies and regulations. In this environment of relentless innovation in safety-critical applications, we are focused on fueling the growth engines of the future through expanded capabilities, recruitment of top talent, and development of our exceptional team,” Dr. Corrigan concluded.

Today's Conference Call Information

Exponent will discuss its financial results in more detail on a conference call today, Thursday, July 25, 2024, starting at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time / 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. The audio of the conference call is available by dialing (844) 481-2781 or (412) 317-0672. A live webcast of the call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.exponent.com/investors. For those unable to listen to the live webcast, a replay of the call will also be available on the Exponent website, or by dialing (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088 and entering passcode 2296670#.

Use of non-GAAP Financial Measures ¹

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income before income taxes, interest income, depreciation, and amortization. EBITDAS is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as EBITDA before stock-based compensation. The Company regards EBITDA and EBITDAS as useful measures of operating performance and cash flow to complement operating income, net income, and other GAAP financial performance measures. Additionally, management believes that EBITDA and EBITDAS provide meaningful comparisons of past, present, and future operating results. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute or superior to, operating income, cash flows, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Exponent has provided its outlook regarding EBITDA as a percentage of revenues before reimbursements. The Company has not reconciled this non-GAAP financial measure to the corresponding GAAP financial measure because guidance for the various reconciling items is not provided and the Company is unable to estimate with reasonable certainty the effect of these items without unreasonable effort. For example, the Company is unable to estimate with reasonable certainty the impact of equity awards on Exponent’s taxes without unreasonable effort. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and may have a material effect on Exponent’s results computed in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation between the historical GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release is provided in the financial tables at the end of this release.

About Exponent

Exponent brings together 90+ technical disciplines and 950+ consultants to help our clients navigate the increasing complexity of more than a dozen industries, connecting decades of pioneering work in failure analysis to develop solutions for a safer, healthier, more sustainable world.

Exponent's consultants deliver the highest value by leveraging multidisciplinary expertise and resources from across Exponent's offices in North America, Asia, and Europe. Exponent's consultants, laboratories, databases, and computing resources work seamlessly together around the globe, enabling us to produce the breakthrough insights needed to help multinational companies, startups, law firms, insurance companies, governments, and society respond to incidents and push their products and processes forward.

Exponent may be reached at (888) 656­-EXPO, info@exponent.com, or www.exponent.com. 

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains, and incorporates by reference, certain “forward-looking” statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and the rules promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that are based on the beliefs of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company’s management. When used in this document and in the documents incorporated herein by reference, the words “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, identify such forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company or its management with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such material differences include the possibility that the demand for our services may decline as a result of changes in generally applicable and industry-specific economic conditions, the timing of engagements for our services, the effects of competitive services and pricing, the absence of backlog related to our business, our ability to attract and retain key employees, the effect of tort reform and government regulation on our business, and liabilities resulting from claims made against us. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the report. The inclusion of such forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements.

Source: Exponent, Inc.

EXPONENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the Three and Six Months Ended June 28, 2024 and June 30, 2023
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
			Quarter Ended						Six Months Ended
			June 28,			June 30,			June 28,			June 30,
			2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenues
	Revenues before reimbursements		$	132,434		$	129,653		$	269,641		$	258,358
	Reimbursements			8,102			10,568			15,828			22,172
		Revenues		140,536			140,221			285,469			280,530
Operating expenses
	Compensation and related expenses			79,466			82,836			169,793			167,017
	Other operating expenses			11,185			10,305			21,716			19,866
	Reimbursable expenses			8,102			10,568			15,828			22,172
	General and administrative expenses			6,039			6,637			11,675			12,480
				104,792			110,346			219,012			221,535
		Operating income		35,744			29,875			66,457			58,995
Other income
	Interest income, net			2,231			1,593			4,857			3,363
	Miscellaneous income (expense), net			1,707			4,785			8,791			9,433
				3,938			6,378			13,648			12,796
		Income before income taxes		39,682			36,253			80,105			71,791
Income taxes				10,455			10,505			20,736			16,919
		Net income	$	29,227		$	25,748		$	59,369		$	54,872
Net income per share:
	Basic		$	0.57		$	0.50		$	1.16		$	1.07
	Diluted		$	0.57		$	0.50		$	1.15		$	1.06
Shares used in per share computations:
	Basic			51,111			51,255			51,059			51,193
	Diluted			51,517			51,692			51,475			51,694

EXPONENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
June 28, 2024 and December 29, 2023
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
				June 28,				December 29,
					2024				2023
			Assets
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	203,262			$	187,150
	Accounts receivable, net				165,870				167,360
	Prepaid expenses and other assets				22,195				25,022
		Total current assets			391,327				379,532
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net					73,025				75,318
Operating lease right-of-use asset					71,556				24,600
Goodwill					8,607				8,607
Other assets					164,662				158,720
				$	709,177			$	646,777
			Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			$	22,418			$	22,125
	Accrued payroll and employee benefits				90,728				111,773
	Deferred revenues				13,775				21,709
	Operating lease liability				4,903				6,302
		Total current liabilities			131,824				161,909
Other liabilities					113,747				106,824
Operating lease liability					70,393				21,959
		Total liabilities			315,964				290,692
Stockholders' equity:
	Common stock				66				66
	Additional paid-in capital				338,734				321,448
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss				(3,173	)			(2,977	)
	Retained earnings				603,373				574,082
	Treasury stock, at cost				(545,787	)			(536,534	)
			Total stockholders' equity		393,213				356,085
				$	709,177			$	646,777

EXPONENT, INC.
EBITDA and EBITDAS (1)
For the Three and Six Months Ended June 28, 2024 and June 30, 2023
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
			Quarter Ended								Six Months Ended
			June 28,				June 30,				June 28,				June 30,
				2024				2023				2024				2023
Net Income			$	29,227			$	25,748			$	59,369			$	54,872
Add back (subtract):
	Income taxes			10,455				10,505				20,736				16,919
	Interest income, net			(2,231	)			(1,593	)			(4,857	)			(3,363	)
	Depreciation and amortization			2,486				2,186				4,810				4,174
		EBITDA (1)		39,937				36,846				80,058				72,602
	Stock-based compensation			5,577				5,223				12,917				12,286
		EBITDAS (1)	$	45,514			$	42,069			$	92,975			$	84,888
(1) EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income before income taxes, interest income, depreciation and amortization. EBITDAS is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as EBITDA before stock-based compensation. The Company regards EBITDA and EBITDAS as useful measures of operating performance and cash flow to complement operating income, net income and other GAAP financial performance measures. Additionally, management believes that EBITDA and EBITDAS provide meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute or superior to, operating income, cash flows, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

FAQ

What were Exponent's (EXPO) Q2 2024 earnings per share?

Exponent (EXPO) reported earnings of $0.57 per diluted share for Q2 2024, compared to $0.50 per diluted share in Q2 2023.

How much did Exponent's (EXPO) revenues grow in Q2 2024?

Exponent's (EXPO) total revenues were approximately flat at $140.5 million in Q2 2024, while revenues before reimbursements increased 2% to $132.4 million compared to Q2 2023.

What is Exponent's (EXPO) EBITDA margin for Q2 2024?

Exponent's (EXPO) EBITDA margin for Q2 2024 was 30.2% of revenues before reimbursements, an increase from 28.4% in Q2 2023.

What is Exponent's (EXPO) revenue guidance for fiscal year 2024?

Exponent (EXPO) anticipates revenues before reimbursements to grow in the low to mid-single digits for fiscal year 2024.