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Bel Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results
ソース: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 21 2 2024 16:20:12 America/Chicago
WEST ORANGE, N.J., Feb. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bel Fuse Inc. (Nasdaq: BELFA and BELFB) today announced preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023.
Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights
• Net sales of $140.0 million compared to $169.2 million in Q4-22. Non-GAAP adjusted net sales (which exclude expedite fee revenue) were $139.6 million in Q4-23 as compared to $158.7 million in Q4-22 • Gross profit margin of 36.6%, up from 31.0% in Q4-22 • Net earnings of $12.0 million versus $14.0 million in Q4-22 • Adjusted EBITDA of $24.0 million (17.1% of sales) as compared to $25.0 million (14.8% of sales) in Q4-22 Full Year 2023 Highlights
• Net sales of $639.8 million compared to $654.2 million in 2022. Non-GAAP adjusted net sales (which exclude expedite fee revenue) were $625.0 million in 2023, up from $621.7 million in 2022 • Gross profit margin of 33.7%, up from 28.0% in 2022 • Net earnings of $73.8 million versus $52.7 million in 2022 • Adjusted EBITDA of $110.5 million (17.3% of sales), up from $83.0 million (12.7% of sales) in 2022 “In closing out 2023, we were very pleased with the financial turnaround that the team was able to achieve in a tough macro environment,” said Daniel Bernstein, President and CEO. “Our diversity in product segments and end markets served continues to be our strength, allowing us to focus on the future and growth. The Power and Connectivity segments were successful in mitigating the effects of a challenging Magnetics segment. Based on our strong 2023 cash flow generation, the Board has authorized a $25 million share repurchase program. This program is an output of our ongoing evaluation of the optimal use of capital and the various alternatives at present.
“In January 2024, Bel celebrated its 75th year in business. In reflecting on our history and progress made over the decades, we understand the short-term cycles that our industry and end markets will face from time to time. We have always been successful in persevering and coming out on the other side as a stronger company. The time and effort spent by our global team in 2023 to strengthen Bel’s foundation will serve us well in the years to come as growth returns and new end markets take hold,” concluded Mr. Bernstein.
Farouq Tuweiq, CFO, added, “Our priority for 2023 was resetting Bel operationally and this was achieved through a number of initiatives - the largest one being the completion of our previously-announced Magnetics facility consolidations in China. In light of the current level of sales within our Magnetics group, the more efficient cost structure now in place for this segment was particularly well-timed. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we began another consolidation project at our Pennsylvania facility within the Connectivity segment.
“As our focus in streamlining the organization continues its momentum with material milestones achieved, the team will reemphasize and dedicate its focus on top line growth. It is expected that 2024 will be off to a slow start with various indicators forecasting a possible rebound in the second half of the year as inventory in the channel normalizes. Based on information available today, GAAP net sales in the first quarter of 2024 are expected to be in the range of $125 to $135 million, with gross margins holding at the full year 2023 level. We are ready and excited for another year of coordinated efforts across our versatile and resilient global team in building Bel for success in the years to come,” concluded Mr. Tuweiq.
Non-GAAP financial measures, such as Non-GAAP net earnings, Non-GAAP EPS, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, exclude restructuring charges, gains on sales of business and properties, loss on liquidation of a foreign subsidiary and certain litigation costs. Non-GAAP adjusted net sales exclude expedite fee revenue. Please refer to the financial information included with this press release for reconciliations of GAAP financial measures to Non-GAAP financial measures and our explanation of why we present Non-GAAP financial measures.
Conference Call
Bel has scheduled a conference call for 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, February 22, 2024 to discuss these results. To participate in the conference call, investors should dial 877-407-0784, or 201-689-8560 if dialing internationally. The presentation will additionally be broadcast live over the Internet and will be available at https://ir.belfuse.com/events-and-presentations. The webcast will be available via replay for a period of at least 30 days at this same Internet address. For those unable to access the live call, a telephone replay will be available at 844-512-2921, or 412-317-6671 if dialing internationally, using access code 13743808 after 12:30 pm ET, also for 30 days.About Bel
Bel (www.belfuse.com) designs, manufactures and markets a broad array of products that power, protect and connect electronic circuits. These products are primarily used in the networking, telecommunications, computing, general industrial, high-speed data transmission, military, commercial aerospace, transportation and eMobility industries. Bel's portfolio of products also finds application in the automotive, medical, broadcasting and consumer electronics markets. Bel's product groups include Magnetic Solutions (integrated connector modules, power transformers, power inductors and discrete components), Power Solutions and Protection (front-end, board-mount and industrial power products, module products and circuit protection), and Connectivity Solutions (expanded beam fiber optic, copper-based, RF and RJ connectors and cable assemblies). The Company operates facilities around the world.Company Contact:
Farouq Tuweiq
Chief Financial Officer
ir@belf.comInvestor Contact:
Three Part Advisors
Jean Marie Young, Managing Director or Steven Hooser, Partner
631-418-4339
jyoung@threepa.com; shooser@threepa.comCautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, our guidance for the first quarter of 2024, and our statements regarding our expectations for 2024 generally including anticipated financial performance and trends for the coming year, and our statements regarding future events, performance, plans, intentions, beliefs, expectations and estimates, including statements regarding matters such as trends and expectations as to our sales, gross margin, inventory, products and product segments, end markets, growth, costs and cost structures, consolidation projects and initiatives, focuses on streamlining and top line growth, and statements regarding the Company's positioning, its strategies, future progress, investments, plans, targets, goals, and other focuses and initiatives, and the expected timing and potential benefits thereof, and statements regarding our expectations and beliefs regarding trends in the Company's business and industry and the macroeconomic environment generally. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “believe,” “hope,” “target,” “project,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “goals,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “could,” “intend,” variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond Bel’s control. Bel’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in our forward-looking statements (including without limitation any of Bel’s projections) due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, the market concerns facing our customers, and risks for the Company’s business in the event of the loss of certain substantial customers; the continuing viability of sectors that rely on our products; the effects of business and economic conditions; the impact of public health crises (such as the ongoing governmental, social and economic effects and ultimate impact of COVID-19); the effects of rising input costs, and cost changes generally; difficulties associated with integrating previously acquired companies; capacity and supply constraints or difficulties, including supply chain constraints or other challenges; difficulties associated with the availability of labor, and the risks of any labor unrest or labor shortages; risks associated with our international operations, including our substantial manufacturing operations in China; risks associated with restructuring programs or other strategic initiatives, including any difficulties in implementation or realization of the expected benefits or cost savings; product development, commercialization or technological difficulties; the regulatory and trade environment; risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates; uncertainties associated with legal proceedings; the market's acceptance of the Company's new products and competitive responses to those new products; the impact of changes to U.S. legal and regulatory requirements, including tax laws, trade and tariff policies; and the risks detailed in Bel’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and in subsequent reports filed by Bel with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other documents that may be filed by Bel from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of the risks and uncertainties impacting our business, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will in fact prove to be correct. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Bel’s views as of the date of this press release. Bel anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. Bel undertakes no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Bel’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Non-GAAP measures identified in this press release as well as in the supplementary information to this press release (Non-GAAP adjusted net sales, Non-GAAP net earnings, Non-GAAP EPS, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA) are not measures of performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). These measures should not be considered a substitute for, and the reader should also consider, income from operations, net earnings, earnings per share and other measures of performance as defined by GAAP as indicators of our performance or profitability. Our Non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to other similarly-titled captions of other companies due to differences in the method of calculation. We present results adjusted to exclude the effects of certain unusual or special items and their related tax impact that would otherwise be included under U.S. GAAP, to aid in comparisons with other periods. We may use Non-GAAP financial measures to determine performance-based compensation and management believes that this information may be useful to investors.Website Information
We routinely post important information for investors on our website, www.belfuse.com, in the "Investor Relations" section. We use our website as a means of disclosing material, otherwise non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.Bel Fuse Inc. Supplementary Information(1) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited) Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net sales $ 140,010 $ 169,203 $ 639,813 $ 654,233 Cost of sales 88,827 116,696 423,964 470,780 Gross profit 51,183 52,507 215,849 183,453 As a % of net sales 36.6 % 31.0 % 33.7 % 28.0 % Research and development costs 5,966 5,857 22,487 20,238 Selling, general and administrative expenses 24,942 25,126 99,091 92,342 As a % of net sales 17.8 % 14.8 % 15.5 % 14.1 % Restructuring charges 3,808 3,322 10,114 7,322 Gains on sale of properties - - (3,819 ) (1,596 ) Income from operations 16,467 18,202 87,976 65,147 As a % of net sales 11.8 % 10.8 % 13.8 % 10.0 % Gain on sale of Czech Republic business - - 980 - Interest expense (448 ) (968 ) (2,850 ) (3,379 ) Other income/expense, net (2,520 ) 218 (2,806 ) (2,709 ) Earnings before income taxes 13,499 17,452 83,300 59,059 Provision for income taxes 1,463 3,412 9,469 6,370 Effective tax rate 10.8 % 19.6 % 11.4 % 10.8 % Net earnings $ 12,036 $ 14,040 $ 73,831 $ 52,689 As a % of net sales 8.6 % 8.3 % 11.5 % 8.1 % Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Class A common shares - basic and diluted 2,142 2,142 2,142 2,143 Class B common shares - basic and diluted 10,628 10,502 10,634 10,394 Net earnings per common share: Class A common shares - basic and diluted $ 0.90 $ 1.06 $ 5.52 $ 4.01 Class B common shares - basic and diluted $ 0.95 $ 1.12 $ 5.83 $ 4.24 (1) The supplementary information included in this press release for 2023 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bel Fuse Inc. Supplementary Information(1) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, unaudited) December 31,
2023December 31,
2022Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 89,371 $ 67,740 Held to maturity U.S. Treasury securities 37,548 - Accounts receivable, net 84,129 107,274 Inventories 136,540 172,465 Other current assets 33,890 33,929 Total current assets 381,478 381,408 Property, plant and equipment, net 36,533 36,833 Right-of-use assets 20,481 21,551 Related-party note receivable 2,152 - Equity method investment 10,282 - Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 76,033 79,210 Other assets 44,672 41,464 Total assets $ 571,631 $ 560,466 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 40,441 $ 64,589 Operating lease liability, current 6,350 5,870 Other current liabilities 63,818 65,845 Total current liabilities 110,609 136,304 Long-term debt 60,000 95,000 Operating lease liability, long-term 14,212 15,742 Other liabilities 46,252 51,074 Total liabilities 231,073 298,120 Stockholders' equity 340,558 262,346 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 571,631 $ 560,466 (1) The supplementary information included in this press release for 2023 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bel Fuse Inc. Supplementary Information(1) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands, unaudited) Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings $ 73,831 $ 52,689 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 13,312 14,863 Stock-based compensation 3,486 2,382 Amortization of deferred financing costs 33 34 Deferred income taxes (3,872 ) (4,594 ) Net unrealized losses (gains) on foreign currency revaluation 1,356 (278 ) Gains on sale/disposal of property, plant and equipment (2,117 ) (1,596 ) Gain on sale of Czech Republic business (980 ) - Other, net (1,037 ) 1,195 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable, net 22,500 (20,702 ) Unbilled receivables 5,451 10,031 Inventories 33,613 (36,592 ) Accounts payable (22,745 ) 1,522 Accrued expenses 5,356 10,933 Accrued restructuring costs (1,228 ) 6,784 Income taxes payable (4,976 ) 1,958 Other operating assets/liabilities, net (13,634 ) (898 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 108,349 37,731 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property, plant and equipment (12,126 ) (8,832 ) Purchases of held to maturity U.S. Treasury securities (57,466 ) Proceeds from held to maturity securities 19,918 - Payment for noncontrolling investment (10,282 ) - Investment in related party notes receivable (2,152 ) - Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 6,036 1,833 Proceeds from sale of business 5,063 - Net cash used in investing activities (51,009 ) (6,999 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid to common stockholders (3,492 ) (3,413 ) Repayments under revolving credit line (40,000 ) (17,500 ) Borrowings under revolving credit line 5,000 - Purchase of treasury stock (105 ) (349 ) Net cash used in financing activities (38,597 ) (21,262 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 2,888 (3,486 ) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 21,631 5,984 Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 67,740 61,756 Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $ 89,371 $ 67,740 Supplementary information: Cash paid during the period for: Income taxes, net of refunds received $ 25,056 $ 14,618 Interest payments $ 4,729 $ 3,371 ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations $ 5,999 $ 8,052 (1) The supplementary information included in this press release for 2023 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bel Fuse Inc. Supplementary Information(1) Product Group Highlights (dollars in thousands, unaudited) Sales Gross Margin Q4-23 Q4-22 % Change Q4-23 Q4-22 Basis Point
ChangePower Solutions and Protection $ 68,971 $ 82,119 -16.0 % 40.2 % 33.0 % 720 Connectivity Solutions 50,562 47,020 7.5 % 29.3 % 23.6 % 570 Magnetic Solutions 20,477 40,064 -48.9 % 17.1 % 29.5 % (1,240 ) Total $ 140,010 $ 169,203 -17.3 % 36.6 % 31.0 % 560 Sales Gross Margin FY 2023 FY 2022 % Change FY 2023 FY 2022 Basis Point
ChangePower Solutions and Protection 314,105 288,366 8.9 % 38.1 % 30.5 % 760 Connectivity Solutions 210,572 187,085 12.6 % 34.2 % 25.9 % 830 Magnetic Solutions 115,136 178,782 -35.6 % 22.0 % 27.6 % (560 ) Total $ 639,813 $ 654,233 -2.2 % 33.7 % 28.0 % 570 (1) The supplementary information included in this press release for 2023 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bel Fuse Inc. Supplementary Information(1) Reconciliation of GAAP Net Sales to Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Sales(2) Reconciliation of GAAP Net Earnings to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA(2) (in thousands, unaudited) Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 GAAP net sales $ 140,010 $ 169,203 $ 639,813 $ 654,233 Expedite fee revenue 425 10,484 14,850 32,507 Non-GAAP adjusted net sales $ 139,585 $ 158,719 $ 624,963 $ 621,726 Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 GAAP Net earnings $ 12,036 $ 14,040 $ 73,831 $ 52,689 Interest expense 448 968 2,850 3,379 Provision for income taxes 1,463 3,412 9,469 6,370 Depreciation and amortization 3,350 3,259 13,312 14,863 EBITDA $ 17,297 $ 21,679 $ 99,462 $ 77,301 % of net sales 12.4 % 12.8 % 15.5 % 11.8 % Unusual or special items: Restructuring charges 3,808 3,322 10,114 7,322 MPS litigation costs 128 - 3,031 - Gain on sale of Czech Republic business - - (980 ) - Gain on sale of properties - - (3,819 ) (1,596 ) Loss on liquidation of foreign subsidiary 2,724 - 2,724 - Adjusted EBITDA $ 23,957 $ 25,001 $ 110,532 $ 83,027 % of net sales 17.1 % 14.8 % 17.3 % 12.7 % (1) The supplementary information included in this press release for 2023 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (2) In this press release and supplemental information, we have included Non-GAAP financial measures, including Non-GAAP adjusted net sales, Non-GAAP net earnings, Non-GAAP EPS, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. We present results adjusted to exclude the effects of certain specified items and their related tax impact that would otherwise be included under GAAP, to aid in comparisons with other periods. We may use Non-GAAP financial measures to determine performance-based compensation and management believes that this information may be useful to investors. Bel Fuse Inc. Supplementary Information(1) Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures(2) (in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)The following tables detail the impact that certain unusual or special items had on the Company's net earnings per common Class A and Class B basic and diluted shares ("EPS") and the line items in which these items were included on the consolidated statements of operations. Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 Reconciling Items Earnings before taxes Provision for income taxes Net earnings Class A EPS(3) Class B EPS(3) Earnings before taxes Provision for income taxes Net earnings Class A EPS(3) Class B EPS(3) GAAP measures $ 13,499 $ 1,463 $ 12,036 $ 0.90 $ 0.95 $ 17,452 $ 3,412 $ 14,040 $ 1.06 $ 1.12 Restructuring charges 3,808 675 3,133 0.24 0.25 3,322 505 2,817 0.21 0.22 MPS litigation costs 128 29 99 0.01 0.01 - - - - - Gain on sale of Czech Republic business - - - - - - - - - - Gain on sale of properties - - - - - - - - - - Loss on liquidation of foreign subsidiary 2,724 681 2,043 0.15 0.16 - - - - - Non-GAAP measures $ 20,159 $ 2,848 $ 17,311 $ 1.29 $ 1.37 $ 20,774 $ 3,917 $ 16,857 $ 1.27 $ 1.35 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2022 Reconciling Items Earnings before taxes Provision for income taxes Net earnings Class A EPS(3) Class B EPS(3) Earnings before taxes Provision for income taxes Net earnings Class A EPS(3) Class B EPS(3) GAAP measures $ 83,300 $ 9,469 $ 73,831 $ 5.52 $ 5.83 $ 59,059 $ 6,370 $ 52,689 $ 4.01 $ 4.24 Restructuring charges 10,114 1,682 8,432 0.63 0.67 7,322 1,495 5,827 0.45 0.47 MPS litigation costs 3,031 696 2,335 0.18 0.18 - - - - - Gain on sale of Czech Republic business (980 ) (49 ) (931 ) (0.07 ) (0.07 ) - - - - - Gain on sale of properties (3,819 ) (763 ) (3,056 ) (0.23 ) (0.24 ) (1,596 ) (367 ) (1,229 ) (0.09 ) (0.10 ) Loss on liquidation of foreign subsidiary 2,724 681 2,043 0.15 0.16 - - - - - Non-GAAP measures $ 94,370 $ 11,716 $ 82,654 $ 6.19 $ 6.53 $ 64,785 $ 7,498 $ 57,287 $ 4.36 $ 4.61 (1) The supplementary information included in this press release for 2023 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (2) In this press release and supplemental information, we have included Non-GAAP financial measures, including Non-GAAP adjusted net sales, Non-GAAP net earnings, Non-GAAP EPS, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. We present results adjusted to exclude the effects of certain specified items and their related tax impact that would otherwise be included under GAAP, to aid in comparisons with other periods. We may use Non-GAAP financial measures to determine performance-based compensation and management believes that this information may be useful to investors. (3) Individual amounts of earnings per share may not agree to the total due to rounding. 
