Hillenbrand Profit Jumps
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowBatesville-based Hillenbrand Inc. (NYSE: HI) is reporting second fiscal quarter earnings of $33 million, compared to $12.7 million during the same period the previous year. The company says an increase in its Process Equipment Group revenue offset a decrease in its Batesville Casket Co. unit.
May 5, 2014
News Release
Batesville, Ind. — Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE: HI) reported results today for the second quarter ended March 31, 2014. Revenue was $397 million compared to $399 million in the prior year. Revenue increased for the Process Equipment Group by 5% to $240 million (3% constant currency). In addition, order backlog at the end of the second quarter reached an all-time high of $717 million, representing a $106 million increase over the first quarter and a $173 million increase over the prior year. Batesville revenue was $157 million, an 8% decrease (7% constant currency) driven by a lower number of North American burials.
“Order backlog grew significantly throughout the Process Equipment Group, supporting our projection of mid-single-digit organic revenue growth this year for this group,” said Joe A. Raver, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are also pleased that Batesville delivered strong gross margins and cash flow to support our growth strategy, despite the significant headwind from the decline in North American deaths this year compared to the record number of deaths last year.”
Hillenbrand reports results on a GAAP and adjusted basis. Adjusted measures are reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures at the end of this release. Net income increased 160% to $33 million ($0.51 per diluted share), while adjusted net income increased 12% to $34 million ($0.54 per diluted share). Adjusted EBITDA increased 8% to $69 million. These increases were driven by a $5 million gain from the exercise of warrants to purchase common stock of Forethought Financial Group, a $3 million gain on limited partnership investments, and a $3 million gain related to the cancellation of a service agreement at Batesville. These gains and a $2 million increase in adjusted EBITDA for the Process Equipment Group more than offset the impact of lower volumes in the Batesville segment. Operating cash flow improved by $62 million to $82 million due to higher net income and significant improvement in working capital.
Guidance for Fiscal 2014
Hillenbrand affirmed guidance with estimated full-year revenue expected to be approximately $1.7 billion. Revenue from the Process Equipment Group is expected to be approximately $1.1 billion and Batesville is anticipated to deliver approximately $600 million in revenue. Given current foreign exchange rates, management expects minimal translation impact to revenue compared to 2013. Adjusted diluted EPS for 2014 is projected to range from $2.00 to $2.10.
Hillenbrand's interim financial statements on Form 10-Q are expected to be filed jointly with this release and will be available on the Company's website (www.Hillenbrand.com).
In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP), this earnings release also contains non-GAAP operating performance measures. These non-GAAP measures are referred to as “adjusted” and exclude expenses associated with backlog amortization, inventory step-up, business acquisitions and integration, restructuring, and antitrust litigation. The related income tax for all of these items is also excluded. This non-GAAP information is provided as a supplement, not as a substitute for, or as superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Hillenbrand uses this non-GAAP information internally to make operating decisions and believes it is helpful to investors because it allows more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of ongoing operating results. The information can also be used to perform trend analysis and to better identify operating trends that may otherwise be masked or distorted by these types of items. Finally, Hillenbrand believes this information provides a higher degree of transparency.
An important non-GAAP measure Hillenbrand uses is adjusted earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation, and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”). As previously discussed, a part of Hillenbrand's strategy is to selectively acquire companies that we believe can benefit from our core competencies to spur faster and more profitable growth. Given that strategy, it is a natural consequence to incur related expenses, such as amortization from acquired intangible assets and additional interest expense from debt-funded acquisitions. Accordingly, we use adjusted EBITDA, among other measures, to monitor business performance.
Another important non-GAAP operational measure used is backlog. Backlog is not a term recognized under GAAP; however it is a common measurement used in the Process Equipment Group's industry. Order backlog represents the amount of consolidated revenue that we expect to realize on contracts awarded related to the Process Equipment Group. Backlog includes expected revenue from large systems, equipment, and to a lesser extent, replacement parts, components, and service. The length of time that projects remain in backlog can span from days for replacement parts and service to approximately 18 months for larger system sales. Backlog includes expected revenue from the remaining portion of firm orders not yet completed, as well as revenue from change orders to the extent that it is reasonably expected to to be realized. For purposes of calculating backlog, 100% of estimated revenue attributable to consolidated subsidiaries is included, an insignificant portion of which is not wholly-owned by Hillenbrand.
Future revenue for the Process Equipment Group is influenced by backlog because of the lead time involved in fulfilling engineered-to-order equipment for customers. Although backlog can be an indicator of future revenue, it does not include projects and parts orders that are booked and shipped within the same quarter. The timing of order placement, size, extent of customization, and customer delivery dates can create fluctuations in backlog and revenue. Revenue attributable to backlog is also affected by foreign exchange fluctuations for orders denominated in currencies other than United States dollars.
Net revenue is analyzed on a constant currency basis to better measure the comparability of results between periods. This information is provided because exchange rates can distort the underlying change in sales, either positively or negatively.
See below for a reconciliation from GAAP operating performance measures to the most directly comparable non-GAAP (adjusted) performance measures. There is no GAAP financial measure comparable to backlog; therefore, a quantitative reconciliation of backlog is not provided.
Hillenbrand (www.Hillenbrand.com) is a global diversified industrial company that makes and sells premium business-to-business products and services for a wide variety of industries. We pursue profitable growth and meaningful dividends for our shareholders by leveraging our leading brands, robust cash generation capabilities, and strong core competencies.
Source: Hillenbrand Inc.