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Beacon Roofing (BECN) Q4 Earnings & Sales Beat, Shares Fall

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Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (BECN - Free Report) reported better-than-expected results for fourth-quarter 2023. Its earnings and net sales surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The top and bottom lines increased on a year-over-year basis.

BECN reported net sales growth for the trailing 12 quarters, highlighting the resiliency of its business model. This is driven by diligent pricing execution, productivity, and improvements from the bottom quintile branch initiative.

In 2023, it acquired 21 branches and opened 28 greenfield locations in key markets, enhancing customer reach and service.

Shares of the company lost 3.3% in the after-hour trading session on Feb 27.

Earnings & Revenue Discussion

This distributor of building products reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.72, which topped the consensus mark of $1.69 by 1.8% and increased 41% from the year-ago adjusted level of $1.22 per share.

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. Quote

Net sales of $2.3 billion also topped the consensus mark of $2.28 billion by 1%. The top line increased 16.8% on a year-over-year basis, driven by organic volume growth, including greenfields, over the last four quarters.

Estimated organic volumes (including greenfields) and weighted-average selling price contributed approximately 12-13% and 0-1%, respectively, and acquired branches added more than 4% to net sales.

Sales According to Line of Business

Residential Roofing Product: In the reported quarter, sales of this product line (comprising 50.6% of quarterly net sales) were $1.16 billion, up 20.2% from the year-ago quarter. The upside was primarily driven by higher volumes.

Non-Residential Roofing Product: Sales (comprising 27.2% of the quarterly net sales) rose 11.4% from the year-ago quarter to $626.7 million owing to strong underlying market demand.

Complementary Product: In the fourth quarter, sales of this product line (comprising 22.2% of quarterly net sales) increased 16% year over year to $510 million. The upside was primarily driven by the acquisition of Coastal Construction Products.

Operating Highlights

The gross margin of 25.7% was down 50 basis points (bps) year over year due to higher product costs, majorly offset by higher average selling prices of the company’s products.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 21.4% on a year-over-year basis to $216.7 million, driven by higher net sales and operating leverage. Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 30 bps year over year to 9.4%. This marked the highest adjusted EBITDA in the company’s history.

2023 Highlights

The company reported net sales of $9.12 billion, which increased 8.2% on a year-over-year basis, driven by the contributions of acquired branches and greenfields. Residential roofing product sales increased 10.3%, and complementary product sales rose 18.6% compared with the prior year, but non-residential roofing product sales decreased 2.7% year over year.

The company reported adjusted income of $111.2 million, up from $93.2 million reported in 2022. Also, it generated adjusted EPS of $7.97 on 64.8 million diluted weighted-average common stock outstanding.

The gross margin of 25.7% was down 80 bps year over year. Adjusted EBITDA was $929.6 million compared with $910 million reported in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 60 bps year over year to 10.2%.

Other Financial Details

As of Dec 31, 2023, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $84 million compared with $67.7 million at 2022-end. Long-term debt, net was $2.19 billion, up from the 2022-end value of $1.61 billion.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $787.8 million in 2023 compared with $401.1 million in the prior year.

As of 2023-end, BECN had $389.1 million available for repurchases remaining under the current Repurchase Program.

Guidance

For the first quarter of 2024, the company anticipates net sales to be up in the high single digits from the year-ago period. Gross margin is expected to be approximately 24.5% versus 25.5% a year ago. In January 2024, net sales per day were down nearly 4% year over year.

For 2024, net sales growth is anticipated to be in the mid-single digit year over year. Gross margin is expected to be in the mid-25% range. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $920-$980 million.

Residential shipments are likely to be down in 2024 on lower expected storm demand, partially offset by higher non-storm repair & re-reroofing. Single-family starts and new construction activity are expected to improve this year, and existing home sales are anticipated to recover from a low point. Non-residential market demand is expected to remain soft in 2024.

Continuous investments in greenfield locations are expected to yield 25 new locations in 2024.

Zacks Rank & Peer Release

Beacon Roofing currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Net sales surpassed the consensus mark but declined year over year due to a slowdown in residential construction demand, particularly in the Single-Family market.

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Shake Shack Inc. (SHAK - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2023 results, wherein earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Moreover, both metrics increased year over year. The bottom line beat the consensus estimate for the fifth straight quarter.

The company’s earnings reflect growth in sales driven by digital marketing strategies and sequentially improving traffic. It also intends to continue focusing on its global footprint expansion plans for the upcoming period.

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