Acquisitions
On February 1, 2024, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries acquired CSI, a distributor of HVAC products with annual sales of approximately $13.0 million, operating from two locations in Kentucky and Ohio. Consideration for the purchase consisted of $6.0 million in cash, 1,904 shares of Common stock having a fair value of $0.8 million, and $0.6 million for repayment of indebtedness, net of cash acquired of $1.4 million.
On September 1, 2023, we acquired substantially all the assets and assumed certain of the liabilities of GWS, a plumbing and HVAC distributor with annual sales of approximately $180.0 million, operating from 16 locations in South Carolina and North Carolina. Consideration for the net purchase price consisted of $4.0 million in cash, net of cash acquired of $3.1 million, and 280,215 shares of Common stock having a fair value of $101.6 million, net of a discount for lack of marketability.
On March 3, 2023, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries acquired Capitol, a distributor of plumbing and air conditioning and heating products with annual sales of approximately $13.0 million, operating from three locations in New York. Consideration for the purchase consisted of $1.2 million in cash, net of cash acquired of $0.1 million, and $1.9 million for repayment of indebtedness.
We continually evaluate potential acquisitions and/or joint ventures and investments in unconsolidated entities. We routinely hold discussions with several acquisition candidates. Should suitable acquisition opportunities arise that would require additional financing, we believe our financial position and earnings history provide a sufficient basis for us to either obtain additional debt financing at competitive rates and on reasonable terms or raise capital through the issuance of equity securities.
Common Stock Dividends
We paid cash dividends of $2.45 per share on both Common and Class B common stock during both the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. On April 1, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $2.70 per share on both Common and Class B common stock that was paid on April 30, 2024 to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2024. Future dividends and/or changes in dividend rates are at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and depend upon factors including, but not limited to, cash flow generated by operations, profitability, financial condition, cash requirements, prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
On March 29, 2024, we implemented the Watsco, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), under which existing shareholders may, in accordance with the Plan, acquire shares of Common stock or Class B Common stock, as applicable (collectively “common stock”), by reinvesting all or a portion of the cash dividends paid on such shareholders’ shares of common stock. The Plan has been registered under the Securities Act pursuant to our automatically effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-260758). As of March 31, 2024, no shares of common stock had been issued under the Plan.
Company Share Repurchase Program
In September 1999, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase, at management’s discretion, of up to 7,500,000 shares of common stock in the open market or via private transactions. Shares repurchased under the program are accounted for using the cost method and result in a reduction of shareholders’ equity. We last repurchased shares under this plan in 2008. In aggregate, 6,370,913 shares of Common and Class B common stock have been repurchased at a cost of $114.4 million since the inception of the program. At March 31, 2024, there were 1,129,087 shares remaining authorized for repurchase under the program. In considering any further stock repurchases under our repurchase program, we intend to evaluate the impact of the 1% excise tax on stock repurchases that became effective on January 1, 2023.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes to the information regarding market risk provided in Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are, among other things, designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Executive Vice President (“EVP”), and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure and appropriate SEC filings.
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