Combined Backlog Hits All-Time High of $1.2
billion at a Record 9.1% Gross Margin
Q2’19 Results and FY’19 Guidance Impacted by
Weather and Delayed Project Starts
Sterling Construction Company, Inc. (NasdaqGS: STRL) (“Sterling”
or “the Company”) today announced financial results for the second
quarter of 2019.
Consolidated Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results Compared
to Second Quarter 2018:
• Revenues were $264.1 million compared to $268.7 million;
• Gross margin was 9.7% of revenues compared to 11.6%;
• Net income attributable to Sterling common stockholders was
$7.8 million compared to $8.2 million; and,
• Net income per diluted share attributable to Sterling common
stockholders was $0.29 compared to $0.30.
Consolidated Financial Position, Liquidity and Cash Flows at
June 30, 2019:
• Cash and Cash Equivalents were $71.7 million;
• Debt totaled $78.6 million in the second quarter 2019;
and,
• To date under the stock repurchase plan, Sterling has
repurchased 717 thousand shares of common stock for $7.9
million.
Business Overview
During the second quarter, severe weather conditions, especially
in the Texas market, significantly hampered the execution of
existing projects, delayed the starts of new projects, and impeded
our residential business. As a result, second quarter 2019 revenues
decreased $4.6 million compared to the prior year quarter,
primarily driven by a $9.5 million decrease in residential
construction. Additionally, notice to proceed on several
significant new heavy civil projects has been delayed and the
projects are now expected to ramp-up in late 2019 or early
2020.
Gross profit was $25.5 million in the second quarter of 2019, a
decrease of $5.6 million from the prior year second quarter. Gross
margin declined 190 basis points to 9.7%, which was driven by lower
revenues from our higher margin residential construction segment
and a lower margin mix of heavy civil construction projects.
General and administrative expenses were $10.8 million in the
second quarter of 2019, or 4.1% of revenues compared to $13.2
million or 4.9% of revenues in the second quarter of 2018,
reflecting better leverage across the enterprise.
Heavy Civil Construction Backlog Highlights
• Combined backlog at June 30, 2019 was $1.2 billion, an
increase of 7.0% from $1.1 billion at December 31, 2018. Combined
backlog consists of $909.0 million of backlog and $314.9 million of
unsigned contracts as of June 30, 2019 compared to $850.7 million
and $292.7 million at December 31, 2018, respectively. No
residential construction contracts are included in backlog;
• Gross margin on projects in combined backlog as of June 30,
2019 averaged 9.1%, an increase from 8.6% at March 31, 2019 and
8.9% at December 31, 2018; and,
• Non-heavy highway revenues accounted for 43.0% of second
quarter of 2019 heavy civil construction revenues, consistent with
the second quarter of 2018.
CEO Remarks and Outlook
“Severe weather conditions caused our second quarter results to
come in below our expectations,” stated Joe Cutillo, Sterling’s
Chief Executive Officer. “While our Heavy Civil revenues increased
compared to the same period last year and our combined backlog is
at a record high, we have yet to realize the growth in both revenue
and margin that we expect to see out of this backlog. The growth in
the segment’s top and bottom line was impacted by the delayed start
of several large projects, on top of an already challenging
year-over-year comparison given that the second quarter of 2018
included substantial work on two sizable JV projects which were
completed in late 2018. Additionally, we expect these delayed
projects to commence before the end of the year or early 2020,
benefiting our outlook for 2020. Notably, our Combined Backlog and
the gross margin in backlog are both at an all-time high level,
providing us with several quarters of strong visibility for our
Heavy Highway business.”
Mr. Cutillo continued, “Our Residential segment lost 30 days due
to rain in the quarter. Although these delays in our Residential
segment caused us a large revenue decline versus our expectation,
our team was still able to maintain operating margins and claw back
enough production to get close to our prior year's operating income
with $9.5 million less revenue. On top of that, they hit an
all-time new record in July for slabs completed once the weather
returned to normal.”
Mr. Cutillo concluded, “Despite our record high backlog, our
record high margins in backlog, and our Residential segment's very
strong performance in July, the set back in the second quarter
coupled with the delayed starts of several Heavy Civil projects has
caused us to temper our full year expectations for 2019. We now
expect revenues of between $1.010 billion and $1.025 billion and
net income attributable to Sterling common stockholders of $27
million to $29 million. Even with this adjustment in our outlook,
the mid-point of our guidance still represents a double-digit
percentage increase in our net income as compared to 2018. With our
robust backlog, increasing margin profile and favorable end market
outlook, we anticipate a strong second half of 2019 and our outlook
for 2020 has become increasingly positive for both top and
bottom-line growth, which we expect to lead to greater value for
our shareholders.”
Conference Call
Sterling’s management will hold a conference call to discuss
these results and recent corporate developments on Tuesday, August
6, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. ET/8:00 a.m. CT. Interested parties may
participate in the call by dialing (201) 493-6744 or (877)
445-9755. Please call in ten minutes before the conference call is
scheduled to begin and ask for the Sterling Construction call.
Following management’s opening remarks, there will be a question
and answer session. Questions may be asked during the live call, or
alternatively, you may e-mail questions in advance to
Brigette.Wilcox@strlco.com.
To listen to a simultaneous webcast of the call, please go to
the Company’s website at www.strlco.com at least fifteen minutes
early to download and install any necessary audio software. If you
are unable to listen live, the conference call webcast will be
archived on the Company’s website for thirty days.
About Sterling
Sterling is a construction company that specializes in heavy
civil infrastructure construction and infrastructure rehabilitation
as well as residential construction projects. The Company operates
primarily in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Texas
and Utah, as well as other states in which there are feasible
construction opportunities. Heavy civil construction projects
include highways, roads, bridges, airfields, ports, light rail,
water, wastewater and storm drainage systems, foundations for
multi-family homes, commercial concrete projects and parking
structures. Residential construction projects include concrete
foundations for single-family homes.
Important Information for Investors and Stockholders
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that are considered
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal
securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our
control, which may include statements about our: business strategy;
financial strategy; and plans, objectives, expectations, forecasts,
outlook and intentions. All of these types of statements, other
than statements of historical fact included in this press release,
are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking
statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,”
“could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,”
“anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,”
“pursue,” “target,” “continue,” the negative of such terms or other
comparable terminology. The forward-looking statements contained in
this press release are largely based on our expectations, which
reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These
estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on
currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we
believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are
inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and
uncertainties that are beyond our control. In addition,
management’s assumptions about future events may prove to be
inaccurate. Management cautions all readers that the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release are not
guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure any reader
that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events
and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially
from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements
due to factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section in our filings
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and
elsewhere in those filings. The forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date made, and other than as required by law, we do
not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking
statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,
INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per
share data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June
30,
Six Months Ended June
30,
2019
2018
2019
2018
Revenues
$
264,086
$
268,734
$
488,035
$
491,226
Cost of revenues
(238,590
)
(237,688
)
(443,036
)
(440,346
)
Gross profit
25,496
31,046
44,999
50,880
General and administrative expense
(10,774
)
(13,203
)
(23,263
)
(25,543
)
Other operating expense, net
(3,538
)
(5,694
)
(5,832
)
(6,509
)
Operating income
11,184
12,149
15,904
18,828
Interest income
291
201
655
330
Interest expense
(2,904
)
(3,112
)
(5,964
)
(6,199
)
Income before income taxes
8,571
9,238
10,595
12,959
Income tax expense
(706
)
(97
)
(869
)
(138
)
Net income
7,865
9,141
9,726
12,821
Less: Net income attributable to
noncontrolling interests
(37
)
(967
)
(83
)
(2,158
)
Net income attributable to Sterling common
stockholders
$
7,828
$
8,174
$
9,643
$
10,663
Net income per share attributable to
Sterling common stockholders:
Basic
$
0.30
$
0.30
$
0.37
$
0.40
Diluted
$
0.29
$
0.30
$
0.36
$
0.39
Weighted average common shares
outstanding:
Basic
26,338
26,887
26,357
26,881
Diluted
26,623
27,125
26,657
27,162
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,
INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June
30,
Six Months Ended June
30,
2019
% of
Total
2018
% of
Total
2019
% of
Total
2018
% of
Total
Revenues
Heavy Civil Construction
$
228,130
86%
$
223,283
83%
$
409,314
84%
$
410,524
84%
Residential Construction
35,956
14%
45,451
17%
78,721
16%
80,702
16%
Total Revenues
$
264,086
$
268,734
$
488,035
$
491,226
Operating Income
Heavy Civil Construction
$
6,146
55%
$
6,395
53%
$
5,299
33%
$
8,340
44%
Residential Construction
5,038
45%
5,754
47%
10,605
67%
10,488
56%
Total Operating Income
$
11,184
$
12,149
$
15,904
$
18,828
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,
INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS
(In thousands, except per
share data)
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
71,730
$
94,095
Accounts receivable, including
retainage
157,813
145,026
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of
billings
53,896
41,542
Inventory
3,252
3,159
Receivables from and equity in
construction joint ventures
14,381
10,720
Other current assets
7,951
8,074
Total current assets
309,023
302,616
Property and equipment, net
49,217
51,999
Operating lease right-of-use assets
14,995
—
Goodwill
85,231
85,231
Other intangibles, net
41,218
42,418
Other non-current assets, net
211
309
Total assets
$
499,895
$
482,573
Liabilities and Stockholders’
Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
101,342
$
99,426
Billings in excess of costs and estimated
earnings
60,571
62,407
Current maturities of long-term debt
12,128
2,899
Current portion of long-term lease
obligations
7,059
—
Income taxes payable
101
318
Accrued compensation
12,148
9,448
Other current liabilities
5,183
4,676
Total current liabilities
198,532
179,174
Long-term debt
66,497
79,117
Long-term lease obligations
8,030
—
Members’ interest subject to mandatory
redemption and undistributed earnings
48,831
49,343
Deferred taxes
2,211
1,450
Other long-term liabilities
1,101
1,229
Total liabilities
325,202
310,313
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per
share; 1,000 shares authorized, none issued
—
—
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share;
38,000 shares authorized, 27,049 and 27,064 shares issued, 26,466
and 26,597 shares outstanding
271
271
Additional paid in capital
233,559
233,795
Treasury Stock, at cost: 583 and 467
shares
(6,688
)
(4,731
)
Retained deficit
(55,291
)
(64,934
)
Total Sterling stockholders’ equity
171,851
164,401
Noncontrolling interests
2,842
7,859
Total stockholders’ equity
174,693
172,260
Total liabilities and stockholders’
equity
$
499,895
$
482,573
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,
INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June
30,
2019
2018
Cash flows from operating
activities:
Net income
$
9,726
$
12,821
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
8,473
8,307
Amortization of deferred debt costs
1,602
1,610
Gain on disposal of property and
equipment
(441
)
(470
)
Deferred tax expense
761
—
Stock-based compensation expense
1,670
1,383
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities
(26,116
)
(31,565
)
Net cash used in operating activities
(4,325
)
(7,914
)
Cash flows from investing
activities:
Capital expenditures
(4,854
)
(5,263
)
Proceeds from sale of property and
equipment
802
1,307
Net cash used in investing activities
(4,052
)
(3,956
)
Cash flows from financing
activities:
Repayments of long-term debt
(5,763
)
(5,344
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
owners
(5,100
)
—
Purchase of treasury stock
(3,201
)
—
Other
76
(154
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(13,988
)
(5,498
)
Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents
(22,365
)
(17,368
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period
94,095
83,953
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period
$
71,730
$
66,585
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190805005618/en/
Sterling Construction Company, Inc. Ron Ballschmiede, Chief
Financial Officer 281-214-0800
Investor Relations Counsel: The Equity Group Inc. Fred
Buonocore, CFA 212-836-9607
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