Exhibit 99.1
Watsco Reports Record First Quarter Operating Results
Diluted EPS of 25 Cents vs. 15 Cents
on an 8% Sales Gain
MIAMI, FLORIDA, April 22, 2004 – Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) today announced record operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2004.
Diluted earnings per share grew 67% to 25 cents per share versus 15 cents in 2003, reflecting higher revenues, enhanced gross profit margins, effective leveraging of operating costs and lower borrowing costs.
Revenues during the first quarter were $279 million, an 8% increase over the same period last year, and reflect a 5% increase in same-store sales of residential and light-commercial HVAC products. Revenues also include a contribution of $12.7 million from locations acquired in 2003. Gross profit increased 12% to $71.4 million, with gross profit margins improving 80 basis-points to 25.6% from 24.8% a year ago. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 6% to $59.7 million (2% on a same-store basis) and, as a percentage of revenues, improved 40 basis-points to 21.4%.
Operating income grew 56% to $11.8 million for the quarter, with operating margins expanding 130 basis-points to 4.2%. Net interest expense decreased 24%, or $.4 million, from a 26% reduction in borrowings. Net income increased 74% to $6.6 million from $3.8 million in 2003.
Watsco’s financial position also continues to strengthen with the Company’s debt-to-total capitalization ratio improving to 14% at March 31, 2004 from 20% a year ago following a $20.1 million, or 25%, year-over-year reduction in borrowings to $60.3 million.
Albert H. Nahmad, President & Chief Executive Officer commented, “Watsco continues to operate at record levels of performance and we are off to a good start in the first quarter which is traditionally our low point in revenues for the year. Given our excellent start, our expectations are that Watsco will achieve another year of record operating results.”
Watsco will be holding its investor conference call today, April 22, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Shareholders interested in participating may call (877) 391-0532. Internet users can listen to a live webcast of the conference call on the Investor Relations section of Watsco’s website athttp://www.watsco.com.
Watsco is the nation’s largest independent distributor of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment and related products in the distribution segment of the HVAC/R industry, currently operating 317 locations serving customers in 31 states. Additional information about Watsco may be found on the Internet athttp://www.watsco.com.
This document includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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, regulatory and other factors, including, without limitation, the effects of supplier concentration, competitive conditions within Watsco’s industry, seasonal nature of sales of Watsco’s products and insurance coverage risks. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was
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. Detailed information about these factors and additional important factors can be found in the documents that Watsco files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.
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WATSCO, INC.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Quarters Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
2004 | 2003 | |||||
Revenue | $ | 278,715 | $ | 257,398 | ||
Cost of sales | 207,268 | 193,612 | ||||
Gross profit | 71,447 | 63,786 | ||||
SG&A expenses | 59,658 | 56,232 | ||||
Operating income | 11,789 | 7,554 | ||||
Interest expense, net | 1,155 | 1,512 | ||||
Income before income taxes | 10,634 | 6,042 | ||||
Income tax expense | 4,005 | 2,236 | ||||
Net income | $ | 6,629 | $ | 3,806 | ||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.15 | ||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.15 | ||
Weighted average shares and equivalent shares used to calculate: | ||||||
Basic earnings per share | 25,313 | 25,122 | ||||
Diluted earnings per share | 26,729 | 25,778 |
Segment Information:
Quarter Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2004 | 2003 | |||||||
Revenue: | ||||||||
Distribution | $ | 273,940 | $ | 250,732 | ||||
Staffing | 4,775 | 6,666 | ||||||
Total | $ | 278,715 | $ | 257,398 | ||||
Operating Income (Loss): | ||||||||
Distribution | $ | 15,641 | $ | 11,236 | ||||
Staffing | (32 | ) | (409 | ) | ||||
Corporate | (3,820 | ) | (3,273 | ) | ||||
Total | $ | 11,789 | $ | 7,554 | ||||
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WATSCO, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003
(In thousands)
March 31, 2004 | December 31, 2003 | |||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 10,369 | $ | 36,339 | ||
Accounts receivable, net | 141,721 | 137,678 | ||||
Inventories | 212,810 | 194,267 | ||||
Other | 11,186 | 9,244 | ||||
Total current assets | 376,086 | 377,528 | ||||
Property and equipment, net | 21,194 | 22,066 | ||||
Other | 135,480 | 135,501 | ||||
Total assets | $ | 532,760 | $ | 535,095 | ||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 97,809 | $ | 107,831 | ||
Current portion of long-term obligations | 187 | 172 | ||||
Total current liabilities | 97,996 | 108,003 | ||||
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement | 30,000 | 30,000 | ||||
Long-term notes | 30,000 | 30,000 | ||||
Other long-term obligations | 6,353 | 6,223 | ||||
Total liabilities | 164,349 | 174,226 | ||||
Shareholders’ equity | 368,411 | 360,869 | ||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 532,760 | $ | 535,095 | ||
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