Ametek Inc/: Form 10-Q for the period ended Jun 30, 2024

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth net sales and income by reportable segment and on a consolidated basis:

(In thousands)

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, the Company posted record operating income. Contributions from the acquisitions of United Electronic Industries ("UEI") in August 2023, Amplifier Research Corp. ("Amplifier Research") in October 2023, and Paragon Medical ("Paragon") in December 2023, as well as our Operational Excellence initiatives, had a positive impact on the second quarter of 2024 results. In the first quarter of 2024, the Company recorded pre-tax integration costs related to the Paragon acquisition totaling $29.2 million, of which $22.4 million was employee severance. The integration costs reduced net income by $22.2 million. For the first six months of 2024, EMG experienced customer inventory normalization in our automation and engineered solutions core businesses, which we expect will continue through the remainder of 2024. The full year impact of the 2023 acquisitions, including the continued integration of Paragon, and focus on and implementation of our Operational Excellence initiatives are expected to have a positive impact on our 2024 results.

Results of operations for the second quarter of 2024 compared with the second quarter of 2023

Net sales for the second quarter of 2024 were $1,734.8 million, an increase of $88.7 million or 5.4%, compared with net sales of $1,646.1 million for the second quarter of 2023. The increase in net sales for the second quarter of 2024 was due to an 8% increase from acquisitions, partially offset by a 2% organic sales decline.

Total international sales for the second quarter of 2024 were $790.0 million or 45.5% of net sales, an increase of $3.7 million or 0.5%, compared with international sales of $786.2 million or 47.8% of net sales for the second quarter of 2023.

Orders for the second quarter of 2024 were $1,677.2 million, an increase of $22.8 million or 1.4%, compared with $1,654.4 million for the second quarter of 2023. The increase in orders for the second quarter of 2024 was due to a 6% increase from acquisitions, partially offset by 4% organic order decline as well as a 1% unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation. The Company's backlog of unfilled orders at June 30, 2024 was $3,403.0 million, a decrease of $131.1 million or 3.7% compared with $3,534.1 million at December 31, 2023.

Cost of sales for the second quarter of 2024 was $1,110.4 million or 64.0% of net sales, an increase of $57.2 million or 5.4%, compared with $1,053.2 million or 64.0% of net sales for the second quarter of 2023. The cost of sales increase was primarily due to the net sales increase discussed above.

Segment operating income for the second quarter of 2024 was $473.0 million, an increase of $29.7 million or 6.7%, compared with segment operating income of $443.3 million for the second quarter of 2023. Segment operating margins, as a percentage of net sales, increased to 27.3% for the second quarter of 2024, compared with 26.9% for the second quarter of 2023. Segment operating margins were negatively impacted in the second quarter of 2024 by the dilutive impact of the 2023 acquisitions. Excluding the dilutive impact of recent acquisitions, segment operating margins increased 190 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2023, due to the continued benefits from the Company's Operational Excellence initiatives.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2024 were $176.9 million or 10.2% of net sales, an increase of $2.8 million or 1.6%, compared with $174.1 million or 10.6% of net sales for the second quarter of 2023. General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2024 were $25.4 million, compared with $24.5 million for the second quarter of 2023.

Consolidated operating income was a record $447.5 million or 25.8% of net sales for the second quarter of 2024, an increase of $28.7 million or 6.9%, compared with $418.8 million or 25.4% of net sales for the second quarter of 2023. Operating income for the second quarter of 2024 increased primarily to due the sales increase discussed above. Operating margins were negatively impacted in the second quarter of 2024 by the dilutive impact of the 2023 acquisitions. Excluding the dilutive impact of these acquisitions, operating margins increased 180 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2023.

Interest expense for the second quarter of 2024 was $30.6 million, an increase of $11.9 million or 63.4%, compared with $18.7 million for the second quarter of 2023. The increase in the second quarter of 2024 is primarily driven by higher borrowings under the revolving credit facility, related to the 2023 acquisitions.

Other income, net was $0.1 million for the second quarter of 2024, compared with $3.7 million of other expense, net for the second quarter of 2023. The increase of $3.8 million of other income in the second quarter of 2024 includes higher pension income of $1.5 million, compared to the second quarter of 2023.

The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2024 was 19.0%, compared with 18.2% for the second quarter of 2023. The higher effective tax rate in the second quarter of 2024 is primarily due to higher U.S. taxes on foreign sourced earnings compared to the second quarter of 2023.

Net income for the second quarter of 2024 was $337.7 million, an increase of $13.5 million or 4.1%, compared with $324.2 million for the second quarter of 2023.

Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2024 were $1.45, an increase of $0.05 or 3.6%, compared with $1.40 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2023.

Segment Results

**EIG’**s net sales totaled $1,153.6 million for the second quarter of 2024, an increase of $19.0 million or 1.7%, compared with $1,134.6 million for the second quarter of 2023. The net sales increase was due to a 2% increase from the recent acquisitions.

EIG’s operating income was $349.9 million for the second quarter of 2024, an increase of $42.8 million or 13.9%, compared with $307.1 million for the second quarter of 2023. EIG’s operating margins were 30.3% of net sales for the second quarter of 2024, compared with 27.1% for the second quarter of 2023. EIG's operating margins increased in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023 due to the sales increase discussed above, as well as continued benefits from the Company's Operational Excellence initiatives.

EMG’s net sales totaled a record $581.2 million for the second quarter of 2024, an increase of $69.7 million or 13.6%, compared with $511.5 million for the second quarter of 2023. The net sales increase was due to a 20% increase from the recent acquisitions, partially offset by a 6% organic sales decrease. The organic sales decrease for the second quarter of 2024 is due to customer inventory normalization in our automation and engineered solutions core businesses.

EMG’s operating income was $123.1 million for the second quarter of 2024, a decrease of $13.1 million or 9.6%, compared with $136.2 million for the second quarter of 2023. EMG’s operating margins were 21.2% of net sales for the second quarter of 2024, compared with 26.6% for the second quarter of 2023. EMG's operating income and operating margins were negatively impacted in the second quarter of 2024 by the dilutive impact of the 2023 acquisitions. Excluding the dilutive impact of the 2023 acquisitions, segment operating margins decreased 160 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2023, due to the organic sales decrease discussed above.

Results of operations for the first six months of 2024 compared with the first six months of 2023

Net sales for the first six months of 2024 were $3,471.0 million, an increase of $227.8 million or 7.0%, compared with net sales of $3,243.2 million for the first six months of 2023. The increase in net sales for the first six months of 2024 was due to an 8% increase from acquisitions, partially offset by a 1% organic sales decline.

Total international sales for the first six months of 2024 were $1,613.4 million or 46.5% of net sales, an increase of $39.1 million or 2.5%, compared with international sales of $1,574.3 million or 48.5% of net sales for the first six months of 2023.

Orders for the first six months of 2024 were $3,339.9 million, a decrease of $126.5 million or 3.6%, compared with $3,466.4 million for the first six months of 2023. The decrease in orders for the first six months of 2024 was due to a 7% organic order decline as well as a 1% unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation, partially offset by a 5% increase from acquisitions. The organic orders decrease for the first six months of 2024 is due to customer inventory normalization in our automation and engineered solutions core businesses.

Cost of sales for the first six months of 2024 was $2,255.1 million or 65.0% of net sales, an increase of $179.4 million or 8.6%, compared with $2,075.7 million or 64.0% of net sales for the first six months of 2023. The cost of sales increase was primarily due to the net sales increase discussed above.

Segment operating income for the first six months of 2024 was $916.6 million, an increase of $43.1 million or 4.9%, compared with segment operating income of $873.5 million for the first six months of 2023. Segment operating margins, as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 26.4% for the first six months of 2024, compared with 26.9% for the first six months of 2023. Segment operating income and operating margins for the first six months of 2024 included $29.2 million of integration costs related to the Paragon acquisition, which negatively impacted segment operating margins by 80 basis points. Segment operating margins were also negatively impacted in the first six months of 2024 by the dilutive impact of the 2023 acquisitions. Excluding the dilutive impact of the 2023 acquisitions and the Paragon integration costs, segment operating margins increased 190 basis points compared to the first six months of 2023, due to the continued benefits from the Company's Operational Excellence initiatives.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first six months of 2024 were $351.2 million or 10.1% of net sales, an increase of $8.0 million or 2.3%, compared with $343.2 million or 10.6% of net sales for the first six months of 2023. Selling expenses increased primarily due to the net sales increase discussed above. General and administrative expenses for the first six months of 2024 were $51.9 million, compared with $49.2 million for the first six months of 2023.

Consolidated operating income was $864.7 million or 24.9% of net sales for the first six months of 2024, an increase of $40.4 million or 4.9%, compared with $824.3 million or 25.4% of net sales for the first six months of 2023.

Interest expense for the first six months of 2024 was $65.8 million, an increase of $26.5 million or 67.6%, compared with $39.3 million for the first six months of 2023. The increase in the first six months of 2024 is primarily driven by higher borrowings under the revolving credit facility, related to the 2023 acquisitions.

Other expense, net was $0.5 million for the first six months of 2024, compared with $9.1 million of other expense, net for the first six months of 2023, an increase of $8.5 million of other income. The first six months of 2024 includes $3.1 million of higher pension income, compared to the first six months of 2023.

The effective tax rate for the first six months of 2024 was 18.8%, compared with 18.8% for the first six months of 2023.

Net income for the first six months of 2024 was $648.6 million, an increase of $18.7 million or 3.0%, compared with $630.0 million for the first six months of 2023.

Diluted earnings per share for the first six months of 2024 were $2.79, an increase of $0.07 or 2.6%, compared with $2.72 per diluted share for the first six months of 2023.

Segment Results

**EIG’**s net sales totaled $2,310.4 million for the first six months of 2024, an increase of $58.5 million or 2.6%, compared with $2,251.9 million for the first six months of 2023. The net sales increase was due to a 2% increase from acquisitions.

EIG’s operating income was $702.8 million for the first six months of 2024, an increase of $86.0 million or 13.9%, compared with $616.8 million for the first six months of 2023. EIG’s operating margins were 30.4% of net sales for the first six months of 2024, compared with 27.4% for the first six months of 2023. EIG operating margins increased in the first six months of 2024 compared to the first six months of 2023, due to the increase in net sales discussed above, as well as continued benefits from the Company's Operational Excellence initiatives.

EMG’s net sales totaled $1,160.6 million for the first six months of 2024, an increase of $169.3 million or 17.1%, compared with $991.3 million for the first six months of 2023. The net sales increase was due to a 22% increase from acquisitions, partially offset by a 5% organic sales decrease. The organic sales decrease for the first six months of 2024 is due to customer inventory normalization in our automation and engineered solutions core businesses.

EMG’s operating income was $213.8 million for the first six months of 2024, a decrease of $42.9 million or 16.7%, compared with $256.7 million for the first six months of 2023. EMG’s operating margins were 18.4% of net sales for the first six months of 2024, compared with 25.9% for the first six months of 2023. EMG's operating income and operating margins for the first six months of 2024 included $29.2 million of integration costs related to the Paragon acquisition, which negatively impacted segment operating margins by 250 basis points. Segment operating margins were also negatively impacted in the first six months of 2024 by the dilutive impact of the 2023 acquisitions. Excluding the dilutive impact of the 2023 acquisitions and the Paragon integration costs, segment operating margins decreased 140 basis points compared to the first six months of 2023, due to the organic sales decrease discussed above.

Financial Condition

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $791.7 million for the first six months of 2024, an increase of $69.9 million or 9.7%, compared with $721.8 million for the first six months of 2023. The increase in cash provided by operating activities for the first six months of 2024 was primarily due to higher net income, net of noncash depreciation and amortization expense related to recent acquisitions.

Free cash flow (cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) was $742.6 million for the first six months of 2024, compared with $673.9 million for the first six months of 2023. EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) was $1,057.5 million for the first six months of 2024, compared with $977.3 million for the first six months of 2023. Free cash flow and EBITDA are presented because the Company is aware that they are measures used by third parties in evaluating the Company.

Cash used by investing activities totaled $43.5 million for the first six months of 2024, compared with cash used by investing activities of $150.0 million for the first six months of 2023. For the first six months of 2023, the Company paid $99.3 million, net of cash acquired, to purchase Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. Additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $49.1 million for the first six months of 2024, compared with $47.8 million for the first six months of 2023.

Cash used by financing activities totaled $751.7 million for the first six months of 2024, compared with cash used by financing activities of $317.1 million for the first six months of 2023. At June 30, 2024, total debt, net was $2,651.4 million, compared with $3,313.3 million at December 31, 2023. For the first six months of 2024, total borrowings decreased by $640.6 million compared with a $219.6 million decrease for the first six months of 2023. At June 30, 2024, the Company had available borrowing capacity of $2,483.2 million under its revolving credit facility, including the $700 million accordion feature.

The debt-to-capital ratio was 22.3% at June 30, 2024, compared with 27.5% at December 31, 2023. The net debt-to-capital ratio (total debt, net less cash and cash equivalents divided by the sum of net debt and stockholders’ equity) was 19.6% at June 30, 2024, compared with 25.0% at December 31, 2023. The net debt-to-capital ratio is presented because the Company is aware that this measure is used by third parties in evaluating the Company.

Additional financing activities for the first six months of 2024 included cash dividends paid of $129.4 million, compared with $115.1 million for the first six months of 2023. Effective February 9, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 12% increase in the quarterly cash dividend on the Company’s common stock to $0.28 per common share from $0.25 per common share. The Company repurchased $7.6 million of its common stock for the first six months of 2024, compared with $6.5 million for the first six months of 2023. Proceeds from stock option exercises were $34.5 million for the first six months of 2024, compared with $29.1 million for the first six months of 2023.

As a result of all of the Company’s cash flow activities for the first six months of 2024, cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2024 totaled $396.6 million, compared with $409.8 million at December 31, 2023. At June 30, 2024, the Company had $366.9 million in cash outside the United States, compared with $375.9 million at December 31, 2023. The Company utilizes this cash to fund its international operations, as well as to acquire international businesses. The Company is in compliance with all covenants, including financial covenants, for all of its debt agreements. The Company believes it has sufficient cash-generating capabilities from domestic and unrestricted foreign sources, available credit facilities and access to long-term capital funds to enable it to meet its operating needs and contractual obligations in the foreseeable future.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s critical accounting policies are detailed in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Primary disclosure of the Company’s significant accounting policies is also included in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of its Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Forward-Looking Information

Information contained in this discussion, other than historical information, is considered “forward-looking statements” and is subject to various factors and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations. These factors and uncertainties include risks related to the Company’s ability to consummate and successfully integrate future acquisitions; risks associated with international sales and operations, including supply chain disruptions; the Company’s ability to successfully develop new products, open new facilities or transfer product lines; the price and availability of raw materials; compliance with government regulations, including environmental regulations; changes in the competitive environment or the effects of competition in the Company’s markets; the ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources; and general economic conditions affecting the industries the Company serves. A detailed discussion of these and other factors that may affect the Company’s future results is contained in AMETEK’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K. AMETEK disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, unless required by the securities laws to do so.

The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that information, which is required to be disclosed, is accumulated and communicated to management in a timely manner. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our system of disclosure controls and procedures as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) as of June 30, 2024. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Such evaluation did not identify any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.