Universal Stainless Reports Record Sales and Profitability in Second Quarter of 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products (USAP) reported record-breaking results for Q2 2024, with net sales reaching $82.8 million, up 7% from Q1 2024 and 20% from Q2 2023. The company's gross margin hit a new high of 25.4%, while net income more than doubled to $8.9 million ($0.90 per diluted share). Adjusted EBITDA increased to a record $18.5 million, or 22% of sales.

Aerospace sales, the company's largest market for premium alloy products, reached a record $68.6 million, representing 82.9% of total sales. Premium alloy sales rose 61% year-over-year to $20.7 million. The company's strategic focus on aerospace and defense products, along with cost management initiatives, contributed to margin expansion.

USAP reduced its total debt by $3.0 million in Q2 and expects full-year 2024 capital expenditures to be around $18 million. The company remains optimistic about its growth momentum and strategy for 2025 and beyond.

Positive

• Record net sales of $82.8 million in Q2 2024, up 20% year-over-year
• Gross margin reached a new record high of 25.4% of sales
• Net income more than doubled to $8.9 million, or $0.90 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA increased to record $18.5 million, or 22% of sales
• Aerospace sales hit a record $68.6 million, up 34% year-over-year
• Premium alloy sales rose 61% year-over-year to $20.7 million
• Operating income increased 77% to $12.8 million, or 15.5% of sales
• Total debt reduced by $3.0 million in Q2 2024

Negative

• Backlog decreased to $296.5 million from $325.1 million in Q1 2024

Insights

Financial Analyst

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products (USAP) has delivered an impressive Q2 2024 performance, marking several records across key financial metrics. The company's net sales hit a record $82.8 million, up 7% quarter-over-quarter and 20% year-over-year. This growth is primarily driven by robust demand in the aerospace sector, which accounted for 82.9% of total sales.

The company's focus on premium alloy products is paying off, with premium alloy sales reaching $20.7 million, representing 25% of total sales. This strategic shift has significantly boosted profitability, with gross margin reaching a record 25.4% of sales, up from 18.9% in Q1 2024 and 14.3% in Q2 2023.

USAP's bottom line has seen substantial improvement, with net income more than doubling to $8.9 million ($0.90 per diluted share) from Q1 2024. Adjusted EBITDA also reached a record $18.5 million, or 22.3% of sales.

The company's financial position remains solid, with managed working capital at $157.1 million. USAP has been able to reduce its total debt by $3 million in Q2 and $15 million year-over-year, showcasing strong cash flow management. However, investors should note that the backlog has decreased to $296.5 million from $325.1 million in Q1 2024, which could potentially impact future revenue growth.

Overall, USAP's Q2 results demonstrate the success of its strategic focus on aerospace and premium alloy products, positioning the company well for continued growth in the coming quarters.

Aerospace Industry Analyst

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products' Q2 2024 results underscore the robust recovery and growth in the commercial aerospace sector. The company's record aerospace sales of $68.6 million, representing 82.9% of total sales, reflect the strong demand for specialty steels and alloys in aircraft manufacturing.

This surge in aerospace demand is likely driven by several factors:

• Increased production rates of commercial aircraft by major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus
• The ongoing fleet renewal cycle among airlines
• Growing demand for fuel-efficient aircraft requiring advanced materials

The 34% year-over-year increase in aerospace sales indicates that the aviation industry's recovery from the pandemic-induced slowdown is gaining momentum. This trend bodes well not only for USAP but for the entire aerospace supply chain.

The company's strategic focus on premium alloys, particularly for aerospace applications, is proving to be a winning strategy. With premium alloy sales now accounting for 25% of total sales, USAP is well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for high-performance materials in next-generation aircraft.

However, the slight decrease in backlog from $325.1 million to $296.5 million warrants attention. While this could be due to improved delivery times, it's essential to monitor whether it signals any potential softening in future demand. The 6% increase in average selling price per pound in the backlog suggests that USAP maintains strong pricing power, likely due to the high-value nature of its aerospace products.

As the commercial aerospace sector continues its upward trajectory, USAP's planned capacity expansions, including the addition of a second 18-ton furnace shell for the VIM at its North Jackson facility, appear well-timed to meet growing demand and potentially capture additional market share.

Manufacturing Industry Expert

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products' Q2 2024 results highlight the company's successful execution of its manufacturing strategy, particularly in high-value sectors like aerospace and defense. The record gross margin of 25.4% is a testament to USAP's operational efficiency and strategic product mix.

Several factors contribute to this impressive margin expansion:

• Focus on premium alloys, which now represent 25% of total sales
• Improved product mix with a higher proportion of aerospace and defense products
• Successful implementation of margin improvement projects
• Effective cost management strategies
• More stable commodity prices, reducing input cost volatility

The company's ability to increase its average selling price per pound in the backlog by 18% year-over-year demonstrates its strong market position and the value customers place on its specialty products. This pricing power is important in an industry often subject to commodity price fluctuations.

USAP's planned capital expenditures, including the addition of a new box furnace and a second 18-ton furnace shell, show a commitment to expanding premium alloy capacity and improving operational efficiency. These investments are likely to further enhance the company's competitive edge in high-margin product segments.

The reduction in total debt by $15 million year-over-year, coupled with positive cash flow generation, indicates prudent financial management. This strengthened balance sheet provides USAP with the flexibility to invest in growth opportunities and navigate potential market uncertainties.

However, the slight decrease in backlog from $325.1 million to $296.5 million should be monitored. While this could be due to improved production efficiency and faster order fulfillment, it's important to ensure it doesn't signal a potential slowdown in new orders.

Overall, USAP's manufacturing strategy appears well-aligned with market demands, particularly in the aerospace sector, positioning the company for continued growth and profitability in the coming quarters.

• Q2 2024 Net Sales are record $82.8 million
• Gross Margin hits new record high of 25.4% of sales in Q2 2024
• Q2 2024 Net Income more than doubles from Q1 2024 to record $8.9 million, or $0.90 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA in Q2 2024 increases to record $18.5 million, or 22% of sales

BRIDGEVILLE, Pa., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAP) today reported record net sales of $82.8 million for the second quarter of 2024, an increase of 7% from the first quarter of 2024, and up 20% from the second quarter of 2023. Year-to-date net sales of $160.4 million were up 19% from the same period in 2023.

Second quarter premium alloy sales totaled $20.7 million, or 25.0% of sales, up 61% from $12.9 million, or 18.6% of sales in the second quarter of 2023. Year-to-date premium alloy sales rose 34% to $40.8 million, or 25.4% of sales.

Aerospace is the Company's largest market for premium alloy products, and strong demand continues. Aerospace sales reached a record $68.6 million, or 82.9% of sales, in the second quarter of 2024, an increase of 14% from the first quarter of 2024, and up 34% from the second quarter of 2023. Year-to-date aerospace sales rose 29% compared to the same period in 2023 to $128.8 million, or 80.3% of sales.

Profitability continued to increase in the second quarter of 2024 with gross profit dollars rising to a record $21.0 million, or 25.4% of sales. That compares with 18.9% of sales in the 2024 first quarter and 14.3% of sales in the second quarter of 2023. Gross margin in the most recent quarter continued to benefit from a rich product mix, higher base selling prices, cost improvement efforts and more stable commodity prices.

Second quarter 2024 operating income increased 77% to $12.8 million, or 15.5% of sales, from 9.3% of sales in the first quarter of 2024, and 4.5% of sales in the second quarter of 2023. Year-to-date operating income was up more than four-fold to $20.1 million, or 12.5% of sales, compared with the same period a year ago.

Net income increased to $8.9 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, in the 2024 second quarter, from $4.1 million in the 2024 first quarter and $0.9 million in the 2023 second quarter. 

Adjusted EBITDA increased 46% to $18.5 million, or 22.3% of sales, in the 2024 second quarter, from $12.6 million, or 16.3% of sales, in the 2024 first quarter, and was more than double the $7.9 million, or 11.5% of sales, reported in the second quarter of 2023. 

Net cash generated by operating activities totaled $7.3 million in the second quarter, which the Company used to fund capital expenditures and reduce its net debt.

Christopher M. Zimmer, President and CEO, commented: “Our record sales were driven by the continued robust commercial aerospace and defense markets, with our record aerospace sales representing 82.9% of sales in the quarter. Aerospace demand also drives our premium alloy sales, which now represent one-quarter of our total sales.

“Our margin expansion is the result of our strategic focus on aerospace and defense products, including premium alloys, which has delivered a broader base of customer approvals and increased our mix of higher-priced products. Margins are also benefiting from targeted and sustainable margin improvement projects and our continuous cost management.

“We continue to invest capital in our premium alloy capacity and efficiency and will add a second 18-ton furnace shell for the VIM at our North Jackson facility in mid-2025, and a new box furnace to support the forge the third quarter this year.

“We also remain focused on managing working capital and generating positive cash flow to fund our strategic capital expenditures and pay down debt, which was reduced by another $3 million in the second quarter.

“As we look to the balance of the year, we continue to see opportunities to increase sales and to further expand gross margins. We remain optimistic about our growth momentum and strategy for 2025 and beyond.”

Financial Position

Managed working capital, defined as accounts receivable, plus inventory, minus accounts payable, was $157.1 million at June 30, 2024, compared with $152.3 million at March 31, 2024, and $148.4 million at June 30, 2023. Inventory at the end of the second quarter of 2024 was $149.1 million compared with $142.4 million at the end of the 2024 first quarter, and $151.6 million at the end of second quarter of 2023.

Backlog (before surcharges) at June 30, 2024 totaled $296.5 million compared with $325.1 million at the end of March and $355.0 million at the end of the 2023 second quarter. The average selling price per pound in the backlog has increased 6% from the end of the 2024 first quarter and was up 18% from the second quarter of 2023. 

Total debt was reduced by $3.0 million in the second quarter to $78.3 million from the first quarter of 2024 and by $15.0 million from the end of the 2023 second quarter. Second quarter 2024 interest expense of $1.9 million was down 7% both sequentially and compared to the second quarter a year ago.

Second quarter capital expenditures of $5.5 million were level with the 2024 first quarter. Full year 2024 capital expenditures are expected to approximate $18 million.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company has scheduled a conference call for today July 31st, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) to discuss second quarter 2024 results. If you wish to listen to the live conference call via telephone, please Click Here to register for the call and obtain your dial-in number and personal PIN number. A simultaneous webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.univstainless.com, and thereafter archived on the website through the end of the third quarter of 2024.

About Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc., established in 1994 and headquartered in Bridgeville, PA, manufactures and markets semi-finished and finished specialty steels, including stainless steel, nickel alloys, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. The Company's products are used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, energy, and heavy equipment manufacturing. More information is available at www.univstainless.com.

Forward-Looking Information Safe Harbor
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks include, among others, the Company’s ability to maintain its relationships with its significant customers and market channels; the Company’s response to competitive factors in its industry that may adversely affect the market for finished products manufactured by the Company or its customers; the Company’s ability to compete successfully with domestic and foreign producers of specialty steel products and products fashioned from alternative materials; changes in overall demand for the Company’s products and the prices at which the Company is able to sell its products in the aerospace industry, from which a substantial amount of its sales is derived; the Company’s ability to develop, commercialize, market and sell new applications and new products; the receipt, pricing and timing of future customer orders; the impact of changes in the Company’s product mix on the Company’s profitability; the Company’s ability to maintain the availability of raw materials and operating supplies with acceptable pricing; the availability and pricing of electricity, natural gas and other sources of energy that the Company needs for the manufacturing of its products; risks related to property, plant and equipment, including the Company’s reliance on the continuing operation of critical manufacturing equipment; the Company’s success in timely concluding collective bargaining agreements and avoiding strikes or work stoppages; the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel; the Company’s ongoing requirement for continued compliance with laws and regulations, including applicable safety and environmental regulations; the ultimate outcome of the Company’s current and future litigation matters; the Company’s ability to meet its debt service requirements and to comply with applicable financial covenants; risks associated with conducting business with suppliers and customers in foreign countries; public health issues, including COVID-19 and its impact on the Company and our customers and suppliers; risks related to acquisitions that the Company may make; the Company’s ability to protect its information technology infrastructure against service interruptions, data corruption, cyber-based attacks or network security breaches; the impact on the Company’s effective tax rates from changes in tax rules, regulations and interpretations in the United States and other countries where it does business; and the impact of various economic, credit and market risk uncertainties. Many of these factors are not within the Company’s control and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance suggested herein. Any unfavorable change in the foregoing or other factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, the Company operates in an industry sector where securities values may be volatile and may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond the Company’s control. Certain of these risks and other risks are described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, copies of which are available from the SEC or may be obtained upon request from the Company.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes discussions of financial measures that have not been determined in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). These measures include earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA. We include these measurements to enhance the understanding of our operating performance. We believe that EBITDA, considered along with net earnings (loss), is a relevant indicator of trends relating to cash generating activity of our operations. adjusted EBITDA excludes the effect of share-based compensation expense and noted special items such as impairments and costs or income related to special events such as periods of low activity or insurance claims. We believe that excluding these costs provides a consistent comparison of the cash generating activity of our operations. We believe that EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors as they facilitate a comparison of our operating performance to other companies who also use EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as supplemental operating measures. These non-GAAP financial measures supplement our GAAP disclosures and should not be considered an alternative to the GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may not be entirely comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies due to potential differences among calculation methodologies. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP is included in the tables that follow.

[TABLES FOLLOW]

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Information) (Unaudited)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net sales		$	82,759			$	69,015			$	160,396			$	134,880
Cost of products sold			61,746				59,167				124,716				117,308
Gross margin			21,013				9,848				35,680				17,572
Selling, general and administrative expenses			8,164				6,755				15,573				13,030
Operating income			12,849				3,093				20,107				4,542
Interest expense			1,902				2,045				3,951				4,077
Other expense (income), net			22				5				36				(37	)
Income before income taxes			10,925				1,043				16,120				502
Income taxes			2,060				148				3,118				119
Net income		$	8,865			$	895			$	13,002			$	383
Net income per common share - Basic		$	0.96			$	0.10			$	1.41			$	0.04
Net income per common share - Diluted		$	0.90			$	0.10			$	1.33			$	0.04

MARKET SEGMENT INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands; unaudited)		Three months ended								Six months ended
		June 30,								June 30,
Net Sales		2024				2023				2024				2023
Service centers		$	61,589			$	53,837			$	119,860			$	103,160
Original equipment manufacturers			6,778				3,868				13,632				8,076
Rerollers			2,866				3,682				6,243				10,327
Forgers			11,065				6,426				18,911				11,455
Conversion services and other			461				1,202				1,750				1,862
Total net sales		$	82,759			$	69,015			$	160,396			$	134,880

MELT TYPE INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands; unaudited)		Three months ended								Six months ended
		June 30,								June 30,
Net Sales		2024				2023				2024				2023
Specialty alloys		$	61,583			$	54,947			$	117,838			$	102,496
Premium alloys *			20,715				12,866				40,808				30,522
Conversion services and other sales			461				1,202				1,750				1,862
Total net sales		$	82,759			$	69,015			$	160,396			$	134,880

END MARKET INFORMATION **
(Dollars in thousands; unaudited)		Three months ended								Six months ended
		June 30,								June 30,
Net Sales		2024				2023				2024				2023
Aerospace		$	68,628			$	51,262			$	128,836			$	100,220
Energy			5,143				4,384				11,156				10,222
Heavy equipment			5,202				8,928				11,050				15,859
General industrial, conversion services and other			3,786				4,441				9,354				8,579
Total net sales		$	82,759			$	69,015			$	160,396			$	134,880

*	Premium alloys represent all vacuum induction melted (VIM) products.
**	The majority of our products are sold to service centers rather than the ultimate end market customers. The end market information in this press release is our estimate based upon our knowledge of our customers and the grade of material sold to them, which they will in-turn sell to the ultimate end market customer.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands; unaudited)		June 30,				December 31,
		2024				2023
Assets
Cash		$	1			$	394
Accounts receivable, net			44,919				39,034
Inventory			149,093				144,700
Other current assets			13,316				11,693
Total current assets			207,329				195,821
Property, plant and equipment, net			158,882				159,636
Other long-term assets			1,825				1,233
Total assets		$	368,036			$	356,690
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable		$	36,916			$	34,855
Accrued employment costs			4,707				6,492
Current portion of long-term debt			3,810				3,733
Other current liabilities			2,096				829
Total current liabilities			47,529				45,909
Long-term debt, net			74,480				81,846
Deferred income taxes			2,675				2
Other long-term liabilities, net			2,867				2,891
Total liabilities			127,551				130,648
Stockholders’ equity			240,485				226,042
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	368,036			$	356,690

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(Dollars in thousands; unaudited)		Six months ended
		June 30,
		2024				2023
Operating activities:
Net income		$	13,002			$	383
Adjustments for non-cash items:
Depreciation and amortization			10,180				9,643
Deferred income tax			2,667				(19	)
Share-based compensation expense			974				672
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net			(5,885	)			(335	)
Inventory, net			(5,291	)			1,716
Accounts payable			3,692				(1,633	)
Accrued employment costs			(1,785	)			819
Other, net			(21	)			(69	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			17,533				11,177
Investing activity:
Payments for property, plant and equipment			(10,926	)			(6,932	)
Net cash used in investing activity			(10,926	)			(6,932	)
Financing activities:
Net repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility			(5,576	)			(4,542	)
Proceeds from stock issued under share-based plans			420				75
Repayments of term loan facility and finance leases			(1,844	)			(1,753	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(7,000	)			(6,220	)
Net decrease in cash			(393	)			(1,975	)
Cash at beginning of period			394				2,019
Cash at end of period		$	1			$	44

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Dollars in thousands; unaudited)		Three months ended								Six months ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net income		$	8,865			$	895			$	13,002			$	383
Interest expense			1,837				1,979				3,821				3,947
Income taxes			2,060				148				3,118				119
Depreciation and amortization			5,175				4,611				10,180				9,643
EBITDA			17,937				7,633				30,121				14,092
Share-based compensation expense			520				311				974				672
Adjusted EBITDA		$	18,457			$	7,944			$	31,095			$	14,764

CONTACTS:	Christopher M. Zimmer President and Chief Executive Officer (412) 257-7604	Steven V. DiTommaso Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (412) 257-7661	June Filingeri President Comm-Partners LLC (203) 972-0186

FAQ

What were Universal Stainless & Alloy Products' (USAP) Q2 2024 financial highlights?

USAP reported record net sales of $82.8 million, a gross margin of 25.4%, net income of $8.9 million ($0.90 per diluted share), and Adjusted EBITDA of $18.5 million (22% of sales) in Q2 2024.

How did USAP's aerospace sales perform in Q2 2024?

Aerospace sales reached a record $68.6 million in Q2 2024, representing 82.9% of total sales, up 34% from Q2 2023.

What was USAP's premium alloy sales performance in Q2 2024?

Premium alloy sales totaled $20.7 million in Q2 2024, up 61% from $12.9 million in Q2 2023, representing 25% of total sales.

How much did USAP reduce its total debt in Q2 2024?

USAP reduced its total debt by $3.0 million in Q2 2024 compared to Q1 2024.

What are USAP's capital expenditure expectations for 2024?

USAP expects full-year 2024 capital expenditures to approximate $18 million.