Pricing. Throughout 2021, HVAC/R manufacturers have experienced significant inflationary pressures and have raised prices accordingly. In turn, we have raised our selling prices, resulting in higher year-to-date sales and enhanced profitability. The Company actively monitors market conditions through a variety of processes and technologies and communicates with suppliers to sustain competitiveness and profitability. During the first nine months of 2021, sales of residential HVAC equipment in U.S. markets (excluding acquisitions) increased 16%, including a 6% increase in average selling price.
Product Availability. All OEMs and manufacturers have experienced some level of supply chain disruptions caused by component availability, labor shortages, transportation delays and other supply chain challenges, all of which have impacted typical lead times and overall availability of HVAC products. While supply chain disruptions impacted third quarter residential sales, Watsco nonetheless experienced growth in residential units during the quarter. This is all the more positive considering the strong third quarter comparative performance experienced last year. More recently, product availability has improved and we are encouraged by current volume trends and the OEMs ability to meet strong end-market demand.
Operating Expenses. As a result of the supply chain disruptions, Watsco’s field leadership and front-line associates have done extraordinary things to service customers, which has resulted in higher personnel costs and other SG&A expense increases. For example, Watsco’s logistics costs increased 20% or $19 million (33 cents per share) during the nine-month period, reflecting higher-than-normal inventory movement across our network to meet customer demand. We expect this incremental cost to be temporary headwind and moderate in 2022 as the supply chain normalizes.
Technology Investments. Watsco continues to invest in its transformative technologies, especially as it relates to increasing customer adoption and gaining market share. Headcount dedicated to technology increased by 20% compared to a year ago and overall spending has increased $5 million in 2021 (10 cents per share). Technology spending was $41 million over the last 12 months ended September 30, 2021.
People Investments. In response to strong demand and consistent with our long-term focus, Watsco added over 450 employees since a year ago in support of defined growth initiatives, including staffing 20 new locations. In addition, Watsco’s culture to reward performance through a number of pay-for-performance programs has resulted in a $36 million increase in performance-based compensation (65 cent EPS impact for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021).
Mr. Nahmad added: “We believe we have delivered extraordinary performance under extraordinary circumstances thus far in 2021. Despite the unprecedented operating environment, our teams continue to focus on their first priority, serving customers, and we will continue to make investments to enable growth, competitiveness and to build the industry’s most innovative technologies.”
Cash Flow & Dividends
Watsco’s operating cash flow for the quarter increased 113% to a record $238 million. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, operating cash flow was $320 million versus $373 million last year, reflecting investments in working capital consistent with sales growth. The Company has targeted operating cash flow to exceed net income in 2021. Since 2016, operating cash flow was approximately $1.9 billion versus net income of $1.8 billion, surpassing the Company’s goal.
Watsco has paid cash dividends to shareholders for 47 consecutive years. 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 distribution network. Effective April 2021, Watsco increased its annual dividend rate by 10% to $7.80 per share.
Third Quarter Earnings Conference Call Information
Date: October 20, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. (EDT)
Webcast: http://investors.watsco.com
Dial-in number: United States (844) 883-3908 / International (412) 317-9254
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