Armstrong World Industries Reports Record-Setting Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Results

Fourth-Quarter 2023 Results†

  • Net sales up 3% with better-than-expected Mineral Fiber volumes
  • Operating income declined 6% primarily due to acquisition-related expenses, while adjusted operating income increased 5%
  • Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations down 1% primarily due to acquisition-related expenses
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 7% and adjusted diluted earnings per share up 13%

Full-Year 2023 Results†

  • Net sales up 5% on strong average unit value ("AUV") performance
  • Operating income up 16% and adjusted operating income increased 13%
  • Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations up 16%
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 12% and adjusted diluted earnings per share up 12%
  • Cash flow from operating and investing activities up 6% and adjusted free cash flow up 19%
  • Issuing 2024 Guidance: Net sales growth of 3% to 6% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 5% to 9%

† All comparisons versus the prior year period.

LANCASTER, Pa.--()--Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI), a leader in the design, innovation and manufacture of ceiling and wall solutions in the Americas, today reported record-setting fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 financial results with steady sales growth and improved adjusted EBITDA margins across both the Mineral Fiber and Architectural Specialties segments.

“We delivered record fourth quarter net sales and adjusted EBITDA results, highlighted by adjusted EBITDA margin expansion in both our segments while continuing to face soft market conditions. These results contributed to record-setting sales and adjusted EBITDA for the full year that exceeded our guidance expectations,” said Vic Grizzle, President and CEO of Armstrong World Industries. “Our strong position and the momentum we’ve generated is a clear testament to the focused efforts of our teams to execute our strategy and deliver on our key initiatives along with the overall resilience of our business model.”

Fourth-Quarter Results

(Dollar amounts in millions except per-share data)

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

Change

Net sales

 

$

312.3

 

 

$

304.5

 

 

2.6%

Operating income

 

$

66.3

 

 

$

70.6

 

 

(6.1)%

Operating income margin (Operating income as a % of net sales)

 

 

21.2

%

 

 

23.2

%

 

(200)bps

Earnings from continuing operations

 

$

46.8

 

 

$

48.8

 

 

(4.1)%

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

1.06

 

 

$

1.07

 

 

(0.9)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Non-GAAP* Measures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

98

 

 

$

92

 

 

6.9%

Adjusted EBITDA margin (Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales)

 

 

31.4

%

 

 

30.1

%

 

130bps

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations

 

$

54

 

 

$

49

 

 

9.1%

Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

1.22

 

 

$

1.08

 

 

13.0%

*

The Company uses non-GAAP adjusted measures in managing the business and believes the adjustments provide meaningful comparisons of operating performance between periods and are useful alternative measures of performance. Reconciliations of the most comparable generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") measure are found in the tables at the end of this press release. Excluding per share data, non-GAAP figures are rounded to the nearest million and corresponding percentages are rounded to the nearest decimal.

Fourth-quarter 2023 consolidated net sales increased 2.6% from prior-year results, driven by favorable Average Unit Value (dollars per unit sold, or "AUV") of $4 million and higher sales volumes of $4 million. Mineral Fiber net sales increased $4 million and Architectural Specialties net sales increased $4 million.

Fourth-quarter 2023 operating income was positively impacted by improved Architectural Specialties project margins, a benefit from favorable AUV and increased equity earnings from the Worthington Armstrong Joint Venture ("WAVE"), partially offset by higher incentive compensation, an increase in selling expenses and higher manufacturing costs. Operating income was also negatively impacted by a $7 million increase in acquisition-related charges, resulting in a 6.1% decrease versus the prior-year period.

Fourth-Quarter Segment Results

Mineral Fiber

(Dollar amounts in millions)

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

Change

Net sales

 

$

220.3

 

 

$

216.0

 

 

2.0%

Operating income

 

$

60.9

 

 

$

61.1

 

 

(0.3)%

Adjusted EBITDA*

 

$

81

 

 

$

78

 

 

3.5%

Operating income margin

 

 

27.6

%

 

 

28.3

%

 

(70)bps

Adjusted EBITDA margin*

 

 

36.8

%

 

 

36.3

%

 

50bps

Mineral Fiber net sales increased 2.0% in the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily due to $4 million of favorable AUV and $1 million of higher volumes. The increase in AUV was driven by favorable price, partially offset by unfavorable mix. The change in sales volumes resulted from the benefit from our growth initiatives partially offset by softer market demand.

Fourth-quarter 2023 operating income was substantially unchanged from the prior year. A $6 million increase in incentive compensation and a $2 million increase in selling expense in the fourth quarter of 2023 were partially offset by a $4 million benefit from favorable AUV and a $4 million increase in WAVE equity earnings.

Architectural Specialties

(Dollar amounts in millions)

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

Change

Net sales

 

$

92.0

 

 

$

88.5

 

 

4.0%

Operating income

 

$

6.0

 

 

$

10.7

 

 

(43.9)%

Adjusted EBITDA*

 

$

17

 

 

$

13

 

 

26.9%

Operating income margin

 

 

6.5

%

 

 

12.1

%

 

(560)bps

Adjusted EBITDA margin*

 

 

18.4

%

 

 

15.0

%

 

330bps

Fourth-quarter 2023 Architectural Specialties net sales increased 4.0% from prior-year results, driven primarily by contributions from recent acquisitions, partially offset by the impact of unfavorable custom project timing.

Operating income was positively impacted by a $6 million margin benefit from increased sales and improved custom project margins, partially offset by a $2 million increase in selling expenses and higher manufacturing costs. Operating income was also negatively impacted by a $7 million increase in acquisition-related charges, resulting in a 43.9% decrease versus the prior-year period.

Full Year Results

(Dollar amounts in millions)

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

Change

Net sales

 

$

1,295.2

 

 

$

1,233.1

 

 

5.0%

Operating income

 

$

323.7

 

 

$

278.7

 

 

16.1%

Operating income margin

 

 

25.0

%

 

 

22.6

%

 

240bps

Earnings from continuing operations

 

$

223.8

 

 

$

199.9

 

 

12.0%

Diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

4.99

 

 

$

4.30

 

 

16.0%

Net cash provided by operating and investing activities

 

$

223.1

 

 

$

210.6

 

 

5.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Non-GAAP* Measures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

430

 

 

$

385

 

 

11.6%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

 

 

33.2

%

 

 

31.2

%

 

200bps

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations

 

$

238

 

 

$

220

 

 

8.3%

Adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

5.32

 

 

$

4.74

 

 

12.2%

Adjusted free cash flow

 

$

263

 

 

$

221

 

 

19.0%

Full-year net sales increased 5.0% from prior-year results, primarily due to favorable AUV of $43 million and higher sales volumes of $19 million. Mineral Fiber net sales increased $45 million, while Architectural Specialties net sales increased $17 million. The increase in Mineral Fiber net sales was primarily driven by favorable AUV as a result of increased like-for-like pricing, partially offset by unfavorable mix. Architectural Specialties net sales improved primarily due to contributions from recent acquisitions, as well as growth in metal and felt product sales, partially offset by lower wood product sales.

Full-year operating income increased 16.1% from prior-year results, driven by favorable AUV benefit of $33 million, a $23 million margin benefit from increased Architectural Specialties sales, a $12 million increase in WAVE equity earnings, and an $8 million reduction in acquisition-related expenses. These benefits were partially offset by a $15 million increase in selling expense, primarily related to investments in selling capabilities within our Architectural Specialties segment, investments in support of our digital initiatives and higher marketing expenses, a $10 million increase in manufacturing and input costs, net of productivity, and an $8 million increase in incentive compensation.

Cash Flow

Cash flows from operating activities in 2023 increased $51 million versus the prior-year period, while cash flows from investing activities decreased $39 million versus the prior-year period. The net $13 million, or 5.9%, increase in operating and investing cash flows was primarily due to favorable working capital changes in inventories, accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued expenses. These benefits were partially offset by an increase in cash paid for acquisitions, an increase in purchases of property, plant and equipment, and lower dividends from WAVE.

Share Repurchase Program

During the fourth quarter of 2023, we repurchased 0.4 million shares of common stock for a total cost of $35 million, excluding the cost of commissions and taxes. For the full-year 2023, we repurchased 1.8 million shares of common stock for a total cost of $132 million, excluding the cost of commissions and taxes. As of December 31, 2023, there was $717 million remaining under the Board of Directors' current authorized share repurchase program**.

**

In July 2016, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $150 million of our outstanding common stock through July 2018 (the “Program”). Pursuant to additional authorization and extensions of the Program approved by our Board of Directors, including $500 million authorized on July 18, 2023, we are authorized to purchase up to $1,700 million of our outstanding shares of common stock through December 2026. Since inception and through December 31, 2023, we have repurchased 14.2 million shares under the Program for a total cost of $983 million, excluding commissions and taxes.

2024 Outlook

“Solid contributions from Mineral Fiber AUV, operating leverage in the Architectural Specialties segment, WAVE equity earnings and manufacturing productivity were key to driving margin expansion for the company in 2023. These strong financial results enabled full year adjusted free cash flow growth of nearly 20% and fueled our ability to execute on all of our capital allocation priorities in 2023,” said Chris Calzaretta, AWI Senior Vice President and CFO. “Our 2024 outlook reflects a laser-focused approach to delivering profitable growth, margin expansion and adjusted free cash flow growth despite modestly softer economic conditions. Our capital allocation priorities remain unchanged as we continue to execute our strategy and create value for shareholders.”

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2024

(Dollar amounts in millions except per-share data)

2023 Actual

 

Current Guidance

 

VPY Growth %

Net sales

$

1,295

 

$

1,335

 

to

$

1,375

 

3%

to

6%

Adjusted EBITDA*

$

430

 

$

450

 

to

$

470

 

5%

to

9%

Adjusted diluted net earnings per share*

$

5.32

 

$

5.60

 

to

$

5.90

 

5%

to

11%

Adjusted free cash flow*

$

263

 

$

275

 

to

$

290

 

5%

to

10%

Earnings Webcast

Management will host a live webcast conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET today, to discuss fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 results. This event will be available on the Company's website. The call and accompanying slide presentation can be found on the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.armstrongworldindustries.com. The replay of this event will be available on the website for up to one year after the date of the call.

Uncertainties Affecting Forward-Looking Statements

Disclosures in this release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation, those relating to future financial and operational results, expected savings from cost management initiatives, the performance of our WAVE joint venture, market and broader economic conditions and guidance. Those statements provide our future expectations or forecasts and can be identified by our use of words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “outlook,” “target,” “predict,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “seek,” and other words or phrases of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. This includes annual guidance. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, address matters that are uncertain and involve risks because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from our expected results and from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. A more detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied is included in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” sections of our reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, that the Company expects to file today. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements beyond what is required under applicable securities law.

About Armstrong and Additional Information

Armstrong World Industries, Inc. is a leader in the design, innovation and manufacture of innovative ceiling and wall system solutions in the Americas. With $1.3 billion in revenue in 2023, AWI has approximately 3,100 employees and a manufacturing network of 16 facilities, plus seven facilities dedicated to its WAVE joint venture.

More details on the Company’s performance can be found in its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, that the Company expects to file with the SEC today.

Reported Financial Results
(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

SELECTED FINANCIAL RESULTS
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Quarterly data is unaudited)

 

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Net sales

 

$

312.3

 

 

$

304.5

 

 

$

1,295.2

 

 

$

1,233.1

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

192.8

 

 

 

193.0

 

 

 

798.2

 

 

 

784.0

 

Gross profit

 

 

119.5

 

 

 

111.5

 

 

 

497.0

 

 

 

449.1

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

73.3

 

 

 

59.1

 

 

 

262.5

 

 

 

237.0

 

Loss (gain) related to change in fair value of contingent consideration

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(2.3

)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

11.0

 

Equity (earnings) from joint venture

 

 

(20.2

)

 

 

(15.9

)

 

 

(89.3

)

 

 

(77.6

)

Operating income

 

 

66.3

 

 

 

70.6

 

 

 

323.7

 

 

 

278.7

 

Interest expense

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

35.3

 

 

 

27.1

 

Other non-operating (income), net

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(9.9

)

 

 

(6.0

)

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

 

 

60.7

 

 

 

63.3

 

 

 

298.3

 

 

 

257.6

 

Income tax expense

 

 

13.9

 

 

 

14.5

 

 

 

74.5

 

 

 

57.7

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

 

46.8

 

 

 

48.8

 

 

 

223.8

 

 

 

199.9

 

Net earnings from discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3.0

 

Net earnings

 

$

46.8

 

 

$

48.8

 

 

$

223.8

 

 

$

202.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share of common stock, continuing operations

 

$

1.06

 

 

$

1.07

 

 

$

4.99

 

 

$

4.30

 

Diluted earnings per share of common stock, discontinued operations

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

0.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share of common stock

 

$

1.06

 

 

$

1.07

 

 

$

4.99

 

 

$

4.37

 

Average number of diluted common shares outstanding

 

 

44.2

 

 

 

45.6

 

 

 

44.8

 

 

 

46.4

 

SEGMENT RESULTS
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Quarterly data is unaudited)

 

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Net Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mineral Fiber

 

$

220.3

 

 

$

216.0

 

 

$

932.4

 

 

$

887.4

 

Architectural Specialties

 

 

92.0

 

 

 

88.5

 

 

 

362.8

 

 

 

345.7

 

Total net sales

 

$

312.3

 

 

$

304.5

 

 

$

1,295.2

 

 

$

1,233.1

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Segment operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mineral Fiber

 

$

60.9

 

 

$

61.1

 

 

$

285.7

 

 

$

260.9

 

Architectural Specialties

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

10.7

 

 

 

40.9

 

 

 

21.7

 

Unallocated Corporate

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

(3.9

)

Total consolidated operating income

 

$

66.3

 

 

$

70.6

 

 

$

323.7

 

 

$

278.7

 

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

$

313.0

 

 

$

356.5

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

566.4

 

 

 

554.4

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

793.0

 

 

 

776.3

 

Total assets

 

$

1,672.4

 

 

$

1,687.2

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

194.5

 

 

$

182.7

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

886.1

 

 

 

969.5

 

Shareholders' equity

 

 

591.8

 

 

 

535.0

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

1,672.4

 

 

$

1,687.2

 

SELECTED CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Net earnings

 

$

223.8

 

 

$

202.9

 

Other adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

12.5

 

 

 

28.8

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

(49.3

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

233.5

 

 

 

182.4

 

Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities

 

 

(10.4

)

 

 

28.2

 

Net cash (used for) financing activities

 

 

(258.6

)

 

 

(201.9

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

(0.8

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(35.2

)

 

 

7.9

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

106.0

 

 

 

98.1

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

70.8

 

 

$

106.0

 

Supplemental Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP Results (unaudited)
(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

To supplement its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), the Company provides additional measures of performance adjusted to exclude the impact of certain discrete expenses and income including adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA"), adjusted diluted earnings per share ("EPS") and adjusted free cash flow. Investors should not consider non-GAAP measures as a substitute for GAAP measures. The Company excludes certain acquisition related expenses (i.e. – changes in the fair value of contingent consideration and deferred compensation accruals for acquisitions). The deferred compensation accruals are for cash and stock awards that are recorded over each award's respective vesting period, as such payments are subject to the sellers’ and employees’ continued employment with the Company. The Company excludes all acquisition-related intangible amortization from adjusted earnings from continuing operations and in calculations of adjusted diluted EPS. Examples of other excluded items have included plant closures, restructuring charges and related costs, impairments, separation costs and other cost reduction initiatives, environmental site expenses and environmental insurance recoveries, endowment level charitable contributions, and certain other gains and losses. The Company also excludes income/expense from its U.S. Retirement Income Plan (“RIP”) in the non-GAAP results as it represents the actuarial net periodic benefit credit/cost recorded. For all periods presented, the Company was not required and did not make cash contributions to the RIP based on guidelines established by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, nor does the Company expect to make cash contributions to the plan in 2024. Adjusted free cash flow is defined as cash from operating and investing activities, adjusted to remove the impact of cash used or proceeds received for acquisitions and divestitures, environmental site expenses and environmental insurance recoveries. Management's adjusted free cash flow measure includes returns of investment from WAVE and cash proceeds received from the settlement of company-owned life insurance policies, which are presented within investing activities on our consolidated statement of cash flows. The Company uses these adjusted performance measures in managing the business, including communications with its Board of Directors and employees, and believes that they provide users of this financial information with meaningful comparisons of operating performance between current results and results in prior periods. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are appropriate to enhance understanding of its past performance, as well as prospects for its future performance. The Company also uses adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow (with further adjustments, when necessary) as factors in determining at-risk compensation for senior management. These non-GAAP measures may not be defined and calculated the same as similar measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures utilized by the Company may not be comparable to non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of these adjustments to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is included in this release and on the Company’s website. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measures.

In the following charts, numbers may not sum due to rounding. Excluding adjusted diluted EPS, non-GAAP figures are rounded to the nearest million and corresponding percentages are rounded to the nearest percent based on unrounded figures.

Consolidated Results from Continuing Operations – Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Net sales

 

$

312

 

 

$

305

 

 

$

1,295

 

 

$

1,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

47

 

 

$

49

 

 

$

224

 

 

$

203

 

Less: Net earnings from discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

$

47

 

 

$

49

 

 

$

224

 

 

$

200

 

Add: Income tax expense

 

 

14

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

58

 

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

 

$

61

 

 

$

63

 

 

$

298

 

 

$

258

 

Add: Interest/other income and expense, net

 

 

6

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

21

 

Operating income

 

$

66

 

 

$

71

 

 

$

324

 

 

$

279

 

Add: RIP expense (1)

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

 

Add: Acquisition-related impacts (2)

 

 

7

 

 

-

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

19

 

Add: Cost reduction initiatives and other

 

 

1

 

 

-

 

 

 

3

 

 

-

 

Adjusted operating income

 

$

75

 

 

$

71

 

 

$

340

 

 

$

301

 

Add: Depreciation and amortization

 

 

23

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

89

 

 

 

84

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

98

 

 

$

92

 

 

$

430

 

 

$

385

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income margin

 

 

21.2

%

 

 

23.2

%

 

 

25.0

%

 

 

22.6

%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

 

 

31.4

%

 

 

30.1

%

 

 

33.2

%

 

 

31.2

%

(1)

RIP expense represents only the plan service cost that is recorded within Operating income. For all periods presented, we were not required to and did not make cash contributions to our RIP.

(2)

Represents the impact of acquisition-related adjustments for changes in fair value of contingent consideration, deferred compensation and restricted stock expenses.

Mineral Fiber

 

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Net sales

 

$

220

 

 

$

216

 

 

$

932

 

 

$

887

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

61

 

 

$

61

 

 

$

286

 

 

$

261

 

Add: Cost reduction initiatives and other

 

 

1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

-

 

Adjusted operating income

 

$

62

 

 

$

61

 

 

$

289

 

 

$

261

 

Add: Depreciation and amortization

 

 

19

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

69

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

81

 

 

$

78

 

 

$

364

 

 

$

330

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income margin

 

 

27.6

%

 

 

28.3

%

 

 

30.6

%

 

 

29.4

%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

 

 

36.8

%

 

 

36.3

%

 

 

39.1

%

 

 

37.2

%

Architectural Specialties

 

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Net sales

 

$

92

 

 

$

89

 

 

$

363

 

 

$

346

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

6

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

41

 

 

$

22

 

Add: Acquisition-related impacts (1)

 

 

7

 

 

-

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

19

 

Adjusted operating income

 

$

13

 

 

$

10

 

 

$

52

 

 

$

41

 

Add: Depreciation and amortization

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

14

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

17

 

 

$

13

 

 

$

66

 

 

$

55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income margin

 

 

6.5

%

 

 

12.1

%

 

 

11.3

%

 

 

6.3

%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

 

 

18.4

%

 

 

15.0

%

 

 

18.1

%

 

 

15.8

%

(1)

Represents the impact of acquisition-related adjustments for changes in fair value of contingent consideration, deferred compensation and restricted stock expenses.

Unallocated Corporate

 

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Operating (loss)

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(3

)

 

$

(4

)

Add: RIP expense (1)

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

 

Adjusted operating (loss)

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

Add: Depreciation and amortization

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

(1)

RIP expense represents only the plan service cost that is recorded within Operating income. For all periods presented, we were not required to and did not make cash contributions to our RIP.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

 

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

57

 

 

$

63

 

 

$

234

 

 

$

182

 

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

 

-

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

28

 

Net cash provided by operating and investing activities

 

$

57

 

 

$

83

 

 

$

223

 

 

$

211

 

Add: Acquisitions, net

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

3

 

Add: Net environmental expenses

 

 

1

 

 

-

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Add: Contingent consideration in excess of acquisition-date fair value (1)

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

2

 

Add: Arktura deferred compensation (2)

 

 

8

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

5

 

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

 

$

68

 

 

$

91

 

 

$

263

 

 

$

221

 

(1)

Contingent consideration payments related to 2020 acquisitions recorded as a component of net cash provided by operating activities.

(2)

Contingent compensation payments related to the acquisition.

Consolidated Results from Continuing Operations – Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS)

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

2023

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

2022

 

 

Total

 

Per Diluted
Share

 

Total

 

Per Diluted
Share

 

 

Total

 

Per Diluted
Share

 

Total

 

Per Diluted
Share

 

Net earnings

$

47

 

$

1.06

 

$

49

 

$

1.07

 

 

$

224

 

$

4.99

 

$

203

 

$

4.37

 

Less: Net earnings from discontinued operations

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

3

 

 

0.07

 

Earnings from continuing operations

$

47

 

$

1.06

 

$

49

 

$

1.07

 

 

$

224

 

$

4.99

 

$

200

 

$

4.30

 

Add: Income tax expense

 

14

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

$

61

 

 

 

$

63

 

 

 

 

$

298

 

 

 

$

258

 

 

 

(Less): RIP (credit) (1)

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

Add: Acquisition-related impacts (2)

 

7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

Add: Acquisition-related amortization (3)

 

2

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

Add: Cost reduction initiatives and other

 

1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

$

70

 

 

 

$

64

 

 

 

 

$

318

 

 

 

$

283

 

 

 

(Less): Adjusted income tax expense (4)

 

(16

)

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

 

 

(79

)

 

 

 

(63

)

 

 

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations

$

54

 

$

1.22

 

$

49

 

$

1.08

 

 

$

238

 

$

5.32

 

$

220

 

$

4.74

 

Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations change versus prior year

 

 

13.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted shares outstanding

 

 

 

44.2

 

 

 

 

45.6

 

 

 

 

 

44.8

 

 

 

 

46.4

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

23%

 

 

 

23%

 

 

 

 

25%

 

 

 

22%

 

(1)

RIP (credit) represents the entire actuarial net periodic pension (credit) recorded as a component of net earnings. For all periods presented, we were not required to and did not make cash contributions to our RIP.

(2)

Represents the impact of acquisition-related adjustments for changes in fair value of contingent consideration, deferred compensation and restricted stock expenses.

(3)

Represents acquisition-related intangible amortization, including customer relationships, developed technology, software, trademarks and brand names, non-compete agreements and other intangibles.

(4)

Adjusted income tax expense is calculated using the effective tax rate multiplied by the adjusted earnings from continuing operations before income taxes.

Adjusted EBITDA Guidance

 

 

For the Year Ending December 31, 2024

 

 

 

Low

 

 

High

 

Net earnings

 

$

243

 

to

$

248

 

Add: Income tax expense

 

 

79

 

 

 

84

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

323

 

to

$

332

 

Add: Interest expense

 

 

40

 

 

 

42

 

Add: Other non-operating (income), net

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(6

)

Operating income

 

$

356

 

to

$

368

 

Add: RIP expense (1)

 

 

2

 

 

 

4

 

Adjusted operating income

 

$

359

 

to

$

371

 

Add: Depreciation and amortization

 

 

90

 

 

 

100

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

450

 

to

$

470

 

(1)

RIP expense represents only the plan service cost that is recorded within Operating income. For all periods presented, we do not expect to make cash contributions to our RIP.

Adjusted Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Guidance

 

 

For the Year Ending December 31, 2024

 

 

 

Low

 

 

Per Diluted
Share(1)

 

 

High

 

 

Per Diluted
Share(1)

 

Net earnings

 

$

243

 

 

$

5.55

 

to

$

248

 

 

$

5.77

 

Add: Income tax expense

 

 

79

 

 

 

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

323

 

 

 

 

to

$

332

 

 

 

 

Add: RIP (credit) (2)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Add: Acquisition-related amortization (3)

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings before income taxes

 

$

327

 

 

 

 

to

$

339

 

 

 

 

(Less): Adjusted income tax expense (4)

 

 

(81

)

 

 

 

 

 

(84

)

 

 

 

Adjusted net earnings

 

$

246

 

 

$

5.60

 

to

$

255

 

 

$

5.90

 

(1)

Adjusted diluted EPS guidance for 2024 is calculated based on approximately 43 to 44 million of diluted shares outstanding.

(2)

RIP (credit) represents the entire actuarial net periodic pension (credit) recorded as a component of net earnings. We do not expect to make any cash contributions to our RIP.

(3)

Represents acquisition-related intangible amortization, including customer relationships, developed technology, software, trademarks and brand names, non-compete agreements and other intangibles.

(4)

Income tax expense is based on an adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 25%, multiplied by adjusted earnings before income taxes.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Guidance

 

 

For the Year Ending December 31, 2024

 

 

 

Low

 

 

High

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

270

 

to

$

285

 

Add: Return of investment from joint venture

 

 

85

 

 

 

95

 

Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

355

 

to

$

380

 

Less: Capital expenditures

 

 

(80

)

 

 

(90

)

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

 

$

275

 

to

$

290

 

 

Contacts

Investors & Media: Theresa Womble, tlwomble@armstrongceilings.com or (717) 396-6354

Contacts

Investors & Media: Theresa Womble, tlwomble@armstrongceilings.com or (717) 396-6354