8-K
WATSCO INC false 0000105016 0000105016 2024-07-30 2024-07-30 0000105016 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2024-07-30 2024-07-30 0000105016 us-gaap:CommonClassBMember 2024-07-30 2024-07-30

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 30, 2024

 

 

 

LOGO

WATSCO, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Florida   1-5581   59-0778222
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901
Miami, Florida
  33133
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (305) 714-4100

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d- 2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbols

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common stock, $0.50 par value   WSO   New York Stock Exchange
Class B common stock, $0.50 par value   WSOB   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On July 30, 2024, Watsco, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), issued a press release reporting its financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2024. A copy of the Company’s press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is hereby incorporated by reference in this Item 2.02.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure

The information set forth in Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference in this Item 7.01.

The information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, shall be deemed “furnished” and not deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

99.1    Press release dated July 30, 2024 issued by Watsco, Inc.
104    Cover Page Interactive Date File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  WATSCO, INC.
Dated: July 30, 2024   By:  

/s/ Ana M. Menendez

  Ana M. Menendez,
  Chief Financial Officer
EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Watsco Reports Record Sales, Enhanced Operating Efficiency and

Strong Cash Flow During Second Quarter

 

 

Continued Customer Adoption of Industry-Leading Technologies Helps Drive Share Gains;

Debt-Free Balance Sheet Supports Long-Term Investment and Growth

MIAMI, FLORIDA – (GLOBENEWSWIRE), July 30, 2024 – Watsco, Inc. (NYSE: WSO) announced its operating results for the second quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2024. Commentary was also provided on business trends, growth opportunities, technology innovation and its financial position.

Watsco is the largest distributor in the highly fragmented $64 billion North American HVAC/R marketplace, with more than $7 billion in annual sales and nearly 700 locations in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. Watsco estimates that over 375,000 owner-operators, technicians and installers visit, call or digitally engage with one of its locations each year to get information, obtain technical support and buy products.

Since entering distribution in 1989, Watsco’s operating profits have grown at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% and dividends have grown at a 21% CAGR. These long-term growth rates are indicative of strong and consistent performance across most macroeconomic and industry cycles.

A cornerstone of Watsco’s growth strategy is the acquisition of long-standing, family-owned businesses. Watsco has completed 69 acquisitions, achieving industry-leading scale and preserving many wonderful business legacies into future generations. Over the last five years, Watsco has acquired eight businesses that today generate approximately $1 billion in annual sales. We believe our proven entrepreneurial culture, track record, strategic relationships and strong financial position provide an attractive home for great businesses, and we are actively seeking additional opportunities to expand our network.

Watsco has also developed industry-leading technologies to enhance the customer experience, gain operating efficiencies and drive growth. Today, approximately 60,000 contractors and technicians engage with Watsco digitally, which is complimented by modern, state-of-the-art technologies in each of our locations to better serve customers. We have achieved stronger sales growth rates among our digitally engaged customers, increased penetration with new customers and lowered overall customer attrition. Follow-on investments are being made to enhance current technologies and to grow customer adoption. The Company believes these technologies will continue to be an important catalyst for long-term growth and performance.

Second Quarter Results

 

   

Revenue increased 7% to a record $2.1 billion (4% increase on a same-store basis)

 

   

Gross profit increased 3% to $580 million (27.1% gross margin)

 

   

SG&A increased 5% (2% increase on a same-store basis) and improved 30 basis-points as a percentage of sales

 

   

Operating income of $269 million (operating margin of 12.6%)

 

   

Earnings per share of $4.49 versus $4.42 last year

 

   

Operating cash flow improved by $100 million compared to last year ($58 million of cash flow in 2024 versus a $42 million cash use in 2023)

Sales trends (excluding acquisitions)

 

   

8% increase in HVAC equipment (71% of sales)

 

   

1% decline in other HVAC products (25% of sales)

 

   

1% increase in commercial refrigeration products (4% of sales)

 

1


Albert H. Nahmad, Watsco’s Chairman and CEO noted: “We are pleased with our second quarter results, which reflect record sales, strong cash flow and a strengthened balance sheet, which is particularly gratifying during our peak selling season. In addition, we made strides toward producing greater operating efficiencies across our network, as evidenced by our SG&A performance. We now look ahead to the next important regulatory transition and the introduction of new products by our OEM partners later this year.”

Second quarter sales reflect healthier residential end-markets, reflecting 6% growth in ducted residential units and a 3% increase in average selling price. In addition, sales of commercial products grew 8% during the quarter on top of the 18% growth achieved during the comparable period last year.

First-Half Results

 

   

Revenue increased 4% to a record $3.7 billion (1% increase on a same-store basis)

 

   

Gross profit of $1.0 billion (27.3% gross margin)

 

   

SG&A increase of 6% (3% increase on a same-store basis)

 

   

Operating income of $395 million (operating margin of 10.7%)

 

   

Earnings per share of $6.69 versus $7.25 last year

 

   

Operating cash flow improved by $250 million compared to last year ($161 million of cash flow in 2024 versus an $89 million cash use in 2023)

Sales trends (excluding acquisitions)

 

   

4% increase in HVAC equipment (70% of sales)

 

   

3% decline in other HVAC products (26% of sales)

 

   

2% increase in commercial refrigeration products (4% of sales)

Mr. Nahmad further commented: “Given our strong balance sheet and solid cash flow, Watsco is well-positioned to invest in future growth opportunities to expand our business. We look forward to investing in market share opportunities as the upcoming regulatory change and product transitions unfold. We are also prepared to partner with other great family businesses in our industry. Our scale, technology and entrepreneurial culture gives us confidence in the growth outlook.”

Technology Transformation

Watsco has developed the industry’s leading digital ecosystem of technologies that transform the customer experience and reshape how our industry operates. Through platforms like HVAC Pro+ and OnCallAir®, Watsco has enabled above-market growth for its customers and, in turn, has made it easier for contractors to do business thereby improving their speed, efficiency and profitability. Updates to our various technology initiatives include:

 

   

Product Information Management (PIM), Watsco’s repository of rich product information, is delivered seamlessly through its mobile apps and e-commerce platform. Watsco’s PIM database contains more than 1.5 million SKUs accessible to more than 375,000 contractors and technicians annually.

 

   

HVAC Pro+ Mobile Apps provide contractors real-time access to critical information that improves speed to market and enhances efficiency for the customer. This includes real-time technical support, product specifications, inventory availability, warranty look-up and processing, system matchups, e-commerce, and much more. The community of authenticated users (those linked to an e-commerce account) over the 12-month period ended June 30, 2024 expanded 12% to approximately 60,000 users.

 

   

E-commerce sales continue to outpace overall sales growth rates, growing 13% during the quarter and accounting for 36% of total sales (inclusive of revenues from recently acquired businesses), and in some regions, exceed 60% of total sales.

 

   

OnCallAir®, Watsco’s digital sales platform, has increased penetration among HVAC contractors as digital engagement with homeowners expands. The annualized gross merchandise value (GMV) of products sold by customers through OnCallAir® was approximately $1.4 billion for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2024. During the first-half of 2024, OnCallAir® presented quotes to approximately 160,000 households, an 18% increase, and generated $743 million GMV, a 27% increase, versus the comparable period last year.

 

2


A.J. Nahmad, Watsco’s President, commented: “We continue to make good progress towards our goal of scaling Watsco’s customer-focused technologies to more and more contractors. Our e-commerce sales grew at nearly double the rate of overall sales, indicating more progress in scaling our industry-leading tools and platforms. We are also engaging with more contractors and technicians than ever before through our mobile platforms, which should generate more operating efficiencies over time. I am encouraged by our progress and we have produced great results, but I feel the bulk of the benefit from our technology investments remains ahead of us.”

Long-Term Growth Drivers

In addition to the Company’s unique technology investments that are expected to drive future growth, Watsco believes that various industry-driven catalysts will support continued growth and profitability in the years ahead. These industry catalysts – coupled with Watsco’s scale, technology platforms, OEM relationships and entrepreneurial culture – are competitive advantages that we believe position us favorably over the long-term.

Regulatory Changes. New energy efficiency standards and a new generation of refrigerants translate to more product innovation, improved homeowner energy efficiency, reduced carbon footprint of end-users, and increased average selling prices over time.

Technology Investments. Watsco is investing to enhance its technology advantage in the HVAC/R distribution industry. Customers who become active users of our technology platforms produce higher growth rates and exhibit approximately 50% less attrition. Consequently, the Company believes that increased technology adoption by more contractors will aid future growth and profitability and will lower the Company’s overall cost to serve its customers. Watsco has also invested in numerous internal technology platforms with the goal of further enhancing margins and improving operating efficiencies.

Electrification of Heating Systems. Regulatory catalysts and electrification trends are also influencing the adoption of heat pump HVAC systems in lieu of traditional gas furnaces and other forms of fossil-fuel heating. For the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2024, sales of heat pump HVAC systems exceeded $1.2 billion and continued to outpace growth rates for conventional straight-cool HVAC systems.

Growth of Ductless HVAC Systems. The growing acceptance of ductless HVAC systems in both residential and commercial applications is also a long-term growth driver. We are the leading distributor of ductless products in North America, representing approximately 20 brands manufactured around the world. Long-term growth in sales of ductless HVAC systems continue to outpace growth rates of conventional ducted HVAC systems.

Buy and Build Acquisition Strategy. Watsco has been the partner of choice for 69 market-leading independent distributors, and these acquisitions are an important long-term driver of the Company’s growth and scale. Our “buy and build” strategy builds upon their long-standing legacies through investment in new locations, new products and by leveraging Watsco’s technology platforms. The $64 billion HVAC/R distribution landscape in North America is still highly fragmented with an estimated 2,200 independent distributors.

Cash Flow, Financial Strength and Liquidity

Watsco’s strong balance sheet and liquidity are key components of the Company’s ability to drive growth across any industry or macroeconomic cycle. As of June 30, 2024, Watsco had $425 million of cash and short-term investments and no borrowings under its unsecured $600 million credit facility, providing significant access to capital to invest in new growth opportunities. In March 2024, the Company raised $282 million of new capital from the sale of 712,000 shares of Common stock under its ATM program. We have executed a supplemental ATM program in May 2024 providing equity sales capacity of $400 million.

Watsco has paid dividends for 50 consecutive years. The Company increased its annual dividend rate by 10%, effective in April 2024, to $10.80 per share. The Company’s philosophy is to share increasing amounts of cash flow through higher dividends while maintaining a conservative financial position with continued capacity to build its network. Future dividend increases will be considered in light of investment opportunities, general economic conditions and the Company’s overall financial position.

 

3


Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call Information

Date and time: July 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT)

Webcast: http://investors.watsco.com (a replay will be available on the Company’s website)

Dial-in number: United States (844) 883-3908 / International (412) 317-9254

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

This release discloses certain performance measures on a “same-store basis”, which are non-GAAP and excludes the effects of locations closed, acquired or locations opened, in each case during the immediately preceding 12 months, unless such locations are within close geographical proximity to existing locations. The Company believes this information provides greater comparability regarding its ongoing operating performance. These measures should not be considered an alternative to measurements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

About Watsco

Watsco operates the largest distribution network for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) products with locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, and on an export basis to Latin America and the Caribbean.

We focus on the replacement market, which has increased in size and importance as a result of the aging of installed systems, the introduction of higher energy efficient models and the necessity of HVAC products in homes and businesses. According to data published in March 2023 by the Energy Information Administration, there are approximately 102 million HVAC systems installed in the United States that have been in service for more than 10 years, most of which operate well below current minimum efficiency standards.

Accordingly, Watsco has the opportunity to be a significant and important contributor toward climate change as it plays an important role to lower CO2e emissions. According to the Department of Energy, HVAC systems account for roughly half of U.S. household energy consumption. As such, replacing older systems at higher efficiency levels is a critical means for homeowners to reduce electricity consumption and their carbon footprint.

Based on estimates validated by independent sources, Watsco averted an estimated 20.9 million metric tons of CO2e emissions from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024 through the sale of replacement HVAC systems at higher-efficiency standards, an equivalent of removing 5.0 million gas powered vehicles annually off the road. More information, including sources and assumptions used to support the Company’s estimates, can be found at www.watsco.com.

This document includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, our expected financial and operational results and the related assumptions underlying our expected results. These forward-looking statements are distinguished by use of words such as “will,” “would,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “designed,” “plan,” or “intend,” the negative of these terms, and similar references to future periods. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in economic, business, competitive market, new housing starts and completions, capital spending in commercial construction, consumer spending and debt levels, regulatory and other factors, including, without limitation, the effects of supplier concentration, competitive conditions within Watsco’s industry, the seasonal nature of sales of Watsco’s products, the ability of the Company to expand its business, insurance coverage risks and final GAAP adjustments.

Detailed information about these factors and additional important factors can be found in the documents that Watsco files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. Watsco assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

 

4


WATSCO, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Results of Operations

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2024     2023     2024     2023  

Revenues

   $ 2,139,328     $ 2,003,084     $ 3,704,319     $ 3,553,725  

Cost of sales

     1,559,568       1,440,462       2,693,934       2,542,946  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     579,760       562,622       1,010,385       1,010,779  

Gross profit margin

     27.1     28.1     27.3     28.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SG&A expenses

     319,029       304,155       628,577       591,212  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income

     8,072       7,238       13,532       10,878  

Operating income

     268,803       265,705       395,340       430,445  

Operating margin

     12.6     13.3     10.7     12.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest (income) expense, net

     (4,913     3,415       (7,383     4,030  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     273,716       262,290       402,723       426,415  

Income taxes

     59,065       56,887       83,810       90,641  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     214,651       205,403       318,913       335,774  

Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interest

     33,241       32,639       50,499       52,937  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Watsco

   $ 181,410     $ 172,764     $ 268,414     $ 282,837  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

        

Net income attributable to Watsco shareholders

   $ 181,410     $ 172,764     $ 268,414     $ 282,837  

Less: distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common stock

     12,608       11,916       18,788       19,322  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings allocated to Watsco shareholders

   $ 168,802     $ 160,848     $ 249,626     $ 263,515  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average Common and Class B common shares and equivalent shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share

     37,627,637       36,429,937       37,313,593       36,366,237  

Diluted earnings per share for Common and Class B common stock

   $ 4.49     $ 4.42     $ 6.69     $ 7.25  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

5


WATSCO, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

     June 30,      December 31,  
     2024      2023  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 224,854      $ 210,112  

Short-term cash investments

     200,000        —   

Accounts receivable, net

     1,001,329        797,832  

Inventories, net

     1,573,496        1,347,289  

Other

     34,718        36,698  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     3,034,397        2,391,931  

Property and equipment, net

     138,301        136,230  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     384,816        368,748  

Goodwill, intangibles, net and other

     837,810        832,273  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 4,395,324      $ 3,729,182  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 840,758      $ 611,747  

Current portion of lease liabilities

     104,409        100,265  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     945,167        712,012  

Borrowings under revolving credit agreement

     —         15,400  

Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion

     307,118        289,127  

Deferred income taxes and other liabilities

     98,849        96,453  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,351,134        1,112,992  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Watsco’s shareholders’ equity

     2,610,837        2,229,839  

Non-controlling interest

     433,353        386,351  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

     3,044,190        2,616,190  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 4,395,324      $ 3,729,182  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

6


WATSCO, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2024     2023  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 318,913     $ 335,774  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     19,893       16,615  

Share-based compensation

     16,517       13,529  

Non-cash contribution to 401(k) plan

     8,735       8,862  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     1,569       1,405  

Other income from investment in unconsolidated entity

     (13,532     (10,878

Other, net

     3,862       2,961  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions

    

Accounts receivable, net

     (203,962     (243,440

Inventories, net

     (225,984     (313,634

Accounts payable and other liabilities

     233,517       103,442  

Other, net

     1,913       (3,815
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     161,441       (89,179
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of short-term cash investments

     (200,000     —   

Capital expenditures, net

     (12,142     (14,599

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (5,173     (2,989
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (217,315     (17,588
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Net proceeds from the sale of Common stock

     281,784       15,179  

Net (repayments) proceeds under revolving credit agreement

     (15,400     286,500  

Dividends on Common and Class B Common stock

     (205,568     (190,409

Other, net

     12,994       9,198  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     73,810       120,468  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (3,194     1,320  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     14,742       15,021  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     210,112       147,505  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 224,854     $ 162,526  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

7