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 by OEMs around the world. Sales of ductless HVAC systems during the first quarter continued to outpace growth rates of conventional ducted HVAC systems.
Buy and Build Acquisition Strategy. Partnering with market-leading independent distributors remains an important long-term driver to grow the Company’s scale in the marketplace. Over the last five years, Watsco has acquired nine distribution businesses, investing approximately $350 million in capital. Our “buy and build” strategy builds upon their long-standing legacies through investment in new locations, new products and by leveraging Watsco’s best-in-class technology platforms. We also invest in our key leaders through equity grants that attract and retain leadership over the long-term. 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 long-standing goal is to maintain a conservative balance sheet to support investments in new growth opportunities as they arise. Watsco’s strong financial position has been critical to its long-term performance as it enables meaningful investment during most any macroeconomic or industry backdrop.
During the first quarter, the Company generated record operating cash flow of $104 million and raised $282 million of new capital from the sale of 712,000 shares of Common stock under its ATM program. At March 31, 2024, Watsco had $479 million of cash and short-term investments, no outstanding debt and $2.9 billion of shareholders’ equity.
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.
First Quarter Earnings Conference Call Information
Date and time: April 24, 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
In this release, the Company discloses certain performance measures on a “same-store basis”, which are non-GAAP and exclude 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 that this information provides greater comparability regarding its ongoing operating performance. These measures should not be considered an alternative to measurements required by U.S. GAAP. Adjusted GAAP measures are useful to assist our investors in evaluating our ongoing operating performance for the current reporting period and, where provided, over different reporting periods.
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. Watsco estimates that over 375,000 owner-operators, technicians, and installers visit or call one of its 691 locations each year to get information, obtain technical support and buy products.
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.
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