Nordson Corporation (Nasdaq: NDSN) today reported results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2018. For the quarter ended April 30, 2018, sales were $554 million, a 12 percent increase over the prior year’s second quarter. This change in sales included a decrease of approximately 1 percent in organic volume, growth related to the first year effect of acquisitions of approximately 7 percent, and an increase related to the favorable effects of currency translation as compared to the prior year’s second quarter of 5 percent. Reported operating profit was $127 million, net income was $91 million, and GAAP diluted earnings were $1.55 per share. Prior year second quarter sales, operating profit, net income and GAAP diluted earnings per share were $496 million, $104 million, $65 million and $1.11, respectively. A reconciliation of GAAP diluted earnings per share to adjusted diluted earnings per share and calculations for EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow before dividends, and adjusted free cash flow before dividends are included in the attached financial exhibits.

“These results highlight the strategic fit of our recent acquisitions, along with the resilient performance of our base business, particularly against very challenging prior year comparisons where total company organic sales growth was 9 percent in the second quarter,” said Michael F. Hilton, Nordson President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our global team helped to deliver record second quarter sales, operating profit, diluted earnings per share, and EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA margin improved about 100 basis points, as compared to the prior year’s second quarter adjusted EBITDA margin, to 29 percent of sales,” Hilton added.

The current quarter’s results include incremental intangible asset amortization expense of $4 million over the prior year second quarter, or $0.05 per diluted share, and charges of approximately $2 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, for short-term purchase accounting related to the step-up in value of acquired inventory and $1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, of non-recurring restructuring charges. Additionally, a discrete tax benefit of approximately $2 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, was recognized in the quarter for excess tax benefits related to share-based payment transactions which are credited to income tax expense.

Second Quarter Segment Results

Adhesive Dispensing Systems sales increased 5 percent compared to the prior year’s second quarter, inclusive of a decrease of 2 percent in organic volume and a 7 percent increase related to the favorable effects of currency translation as compared to the prior year. Reported operating margin in the segment was 29 percent, or 30 percent on an adjusted basis to exclude non-recurring restructuring charges of $1 million related to a previously announced U.S. facility consolidation.

Advanced Technology Systems sales increased 19 percent compared to the prior year’s second quarter, including a 1 percent decrease in organic volume, a 17 percent increase related to the first year effect of acquisitions, and a 3 percent increase related to the favorable effects of currency translation as compared to the prior year. The second quarter’s acquisitive growth includes a partial month of the fiscal 2017 acquisition of InterSelect GmbH, two months of the fiscal 2017 acquisition of Vention Medical, and the fiscal 2018 acquisition of Sonoscan. Reported operating margin in the segment was 23 percent in the quarter, or 26 percent on an adjusted basis to exclude $4 million of incremental intangible asset amortization expense and $2 million of short-term purchase accounting charges related to the step-up in value of acquired inventory from the Sonoscan acquisition.

Industrial Coating Systems sales increased approximately 9 percent compared to the prior year’s second quarter, including approximately 4 percent organic growth and approximately 4 percent increase due to the favorable effects of currency translation as compared to the prior year. Reported operating margin in the segment was 18 percent.

Detailed results by operating segment and geography are included in the attached financial exhibits.

“Sales growth for the quarter is reflective of a very strong prior year. I am pleased with our team’s operating performance, where each segment delivered strong operating margins, driving record total company second quarter operating profit,” said Hilton.

Backlog

Backlog for the quarter ended April 30, 2018 was approximately $460 million, an increase of 11 percent compared to the same period a year ago, inclusive of 10 percent organic growth and 1 percent growth due to acquisitions. Backlog amounts are calculated at April 30, 2018 exchange rates and include acquisitions that closed prior to the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2018.

Outlook

For the third quarter of fiscal 2018, sales are expected to be in the range of up 1 percent to down 3 percent compared to the third quarter a year ago. This outlook includes a range for organic volume to be down 2 to 6 percent, 1 percent growth from the first year effect of acquisitions, and a positive currency effect of 2 percent based on the current exchange rate environment as compared to the prior year. At the midpoint of this outlook, operating margin is expected to be approximately 23 percent. GAAP diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.47 to $1.63, with an estimated effective tax rate of approximately 25 percent. At the midpoint of the guidance, EBITDA and EBITDA margin are expected to be $161 million and 28 percent, respectively.

“As with our recently completed quarter, we are up against very challenging comparisons to an exceptionally strong prior year third quarter, where total company organic sales growth was 11 percent,” said Hilton. “Our global team remains committed to delivering the best technology solutions while employing continuous improvement initiatives to drive bottom line results, and we expect to generate total company organic sales growth in the low single-digits on a full year basis for fiscal 2018.”

Nordson management will provide additional commentary on these results and outlook during a conference call Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. eastern time which can be accessed at www.nordson.com/investors. For persons unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available for 14 days after the event. Information about Nordson’s investor relations and shareholder services is available from Lara Mahoney, Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications at (440) 414-5639 or lara.mahoney@nordson.com.

Except for historical information and comparisons contained herein, statements included in this release may constitute “forward-looking statements,” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, as discussed in the company’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that could cause actual results to differ.

Nordson Corporation engineers, manufactures and markets differentiated products and systems used for the precision dispensing of adhesives, coatings, sealants, biomaterials, polymers, plastics and other materials, fluid management, test and inspection, UV curing and plasma surface treatment, all supported by application expertise and direct global sales and service. Nordson serves a wide variety of consumer non-durable, durable and technology end markets including packaging, nonwovens, electronics, medical, appliances, energy, transportation, construction, and general product assembly and finishing. Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, the company has operations and support offices in more than 35 countries. Visit Nordson on the web at http://www.nordson.com, @Nordson_Corp, or www.facebook.com/nordson.

   

NORDSON CORPORATION

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Dollars in thousands except for per-share amounts)

 

SECOND QUARTER PERIOD

Period Ending April 30, 2018

(Unaudited)

   

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

Second Quarter Year-to-Date
2018 2017 2018 2017
 
Net sales $ 553,706 $ 496,137 $ 1,104,130 $ 903,607
Cost of sales 246,878 220,625 496,299 402,957
Selling & administrative expenses   180,123     171,981     363,403     321,201  
 
Operating profit 126,705 103,531 244,428 179,449
 
Interest expense - net (11,908 ) (7,635 ) (22,936 ) (13,003 )
Other income (expense) - net   3,322     (1,323 )   145     (1,480 )
 
Income before income taxes 118,119 94,573 221,637 164,966
Income taxes   26,884     30,050     25,847     50,455  
 
Net Income $ 91,235   $ 64,523   $ 195,790   $ 114,511  
 
 
 
Return on sales 16 % 13 % 18 % 13 %
Return on average shareholders' equity 27 % 28 % 31 % 25 %
 
 
                 
 
Average common shares outstanding (000's) 57,989 57,545 57,870 57,445

Average common shares and common share equivalents (000's)

58,945 58,232 58,908 58,126
 
Per share:
 
Basic earnings $ 1.57 $ 1.12 $ 3.38 $ 1.99
Diluted earnings $ 1.55 $ 1.11 $ 3.32 $ 1.97
 
Dividends paid $ .30 $ .27 $ .60 $ .54
 
Total dividends $ 17,376 $ 15,524 $ 34,697 $ 30,999
 

   

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

April 30 October 31
2018 2017
 
Cash and marketable securities $ 155,946 $ 90,383
Receivables 512,389 505,087
Inventories 284,363 264,266
Other current assets   31,323   28,636
Total current assets 984,021 888,372
 
Property, plant & equipment - net 359,489 346,411
Other assets   2,195,706   2,179,756
$ 3,539,216 $ 3,414,539
 
Notes payable and debt due within one year $ 226,587 $ 326,587
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   308,074   321,159
Total current liabilities 534,661 647,746
 
Long-term debt 1,312,459 1,256,397
Other liabilities 329,186 354,903
Total shareholders' equity   1,362,910   1,155,493
$ 3,539,216 $ 3,414,539
 
 

 

       
 
 
 
Other information:
 
 
Employees 7,548
 
Common shares outstanding (000's) 58,092
 

 

NORDSON CORPORATION

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Dollars in thousands)

 
SECOND QUARTER PERIOD
Period Ending April 30, 2018
(Unaudited)
                 
Second Quarter % Growth over 2017 Year-to-Date % Growth over 2017

SALES BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

2018 2017 Volume Currency Total 2018 2017 Volume Currency Total
 
 
Adhesive dispensing systems $ 238,775 $ 226,943 -1.7 % 6.9 % 5.2 % $ 459,639 $ 434,780 -0.6 % 6.3 % 5.7 %
Advanced technology systems 250,839 210,142 16.2 % 3.2 % 19.4 % 522,540 355,502 43.7 % 3.3 % 47.0 %
Industrial coating systems   64,092     59,052   4.3 % 4.2 % 8.5 %   121,951     113,325   3.8 % 3.8 % 7.6 %
 
Total sales by business segment $ 553,706   $ 496,137   6.6 % 5.0 % 11.6 % $ 1,104,130   $ 903,607   17.4 % 4.8 % 22.2 %
 
 
 
Second Quarter Year-to-Date

OPERATING PROFIT BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

2018 2017 2018 2017
 
Adhesive dispensing systems $ 69,514 $ 65,719 $ 122,829 $ 118,775
Advanced technology systems 58,306 54,306 125,574 80,669
Industrial coating systems 11,572 10,252 21,732 17,337
Corporate   (12,687 )   (26,746 )   (25,707 )   (37,332 )
 
Total operating profit by business segment $ 126,705   $ 103,531   $ 244,428   $ 179,449  
 
 
 
Second Quarter % Growth over 2017 Year-to-Date % Growth over 2017

SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC REGION

2018 2017 Volume Currency Total 2018 2017 Volume Currency Total
 
United States $ 178,821 $ 156,095 14.6 % - 14.6 % $ 344,652 $ 281,616 22.4 % - 22.4 %
Americas 38,959 36,326 6.5 % 0.8 % 7.3 % 73,238 66,368 8.7 % 1.7 % 10.4 %
Europe 154,736 128,468 7.0 % 13.4 % 20.4 % 296,674 247,627 7.4 % 12.4 % 19.8 %
Japan 33,030 30,855 2.3 % 4.7 % 7.0 % 98,899 55,032 76.5 % 3.2 % 79.7 %
Asia Pacific   148,160     144,393   -1.3 % 3.9 % 2.6 %   290,667     252,964   10.9 % 4.0 % 14.9 %
 
Total Sales by Geographic Region $ 553,706   $ 496,137   6.6 % 5.0 % 11.6 % $ 1,104,130   $ 903,607   17.4 % 4.8 % 22.2 %
 
                                         
 
 
Second Quarter Year-to-Date

FREE CASH FLOW BEFORE DIVIDENDS

2018 2017 2018 2017
 
Net income $ 91,235 $ 64,523 $ 195,790 $ 114,511
Depreciation and amortization 27,431 20,915 53,716 39,412
Other non-cash charges 4,690 5,926 (33,203 ) 11,633
Changes in operating assets and liabilities   (20,323 )   (28,243 )   (3,992 )   (21,284 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 103,033 63,121 212,311 144,272
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment (16,368 ) (16,950 ) (33,049 ) (27,029 )
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment   167     98     235     3,598  
 
Free cash flow before dividends $ 86,832   $ 46,269   $ 179,497   $ 120,841  
 
Adjustments:

Acquisition costs and adjustments, net of tax(1)

  1,832     10,986     2,620     11,093  
Free cash flow before dividends, adjusted $ 88,664   $ 57,255   $ 182,117   $ 131,934  

(1) Represents costs and adjustments associated with our 2018 and 2017 acquisitions, including accounting adjustments to inventory that were charged to cost of sales when the inventory was sold; and transaction-related costs comprising of acquisition fees, legal, financial and tax due diligence expenses, and valuation costs that are required to be expensed as incurred.

 

     

NORDSON CORPORATION

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(Dollars in thousands except for per-share amounts)

 

SECOND QUARTER PERIOD

Period Ending April 30, 2018

(Unaudited)

 
 
EBITDA Second Quarter Year-to-Date
2018 2017 2018 2017
 
Net income $ 91,235 $ 64,523 $ 195,790 $ 114,511
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization expense 27,431 20,915 53,716 39,412
Interest expense, net 11,908 7,635 22,936 13,003
Income taxes   26,884   30,050   25,847   50,455
EBITDA $ 157,458 $ 123,123 $ 298,289 $ 217,381
Adjustments:

Acquisition costs and adjustments (1)

  2,431   15,480   3,484   15,646
EBITDA As Adjusted $ 159,889 $ 138,603 $ 301,773 $ 233,027
 
EBITDA per diluted share $ 2.67 $ 2.11 $ 5.06 $ 3.74
EBITDA As Adjusted per diluted share $ 2.71 $ 2.38 $ 5.12 $ 4.01

(1) Represents costs and adjustments associated with our 2018 and 2017 acquisitions, including accounting adjustments to inventory that were charged to cost of sales when the inventory was sold; and transaction-related costs comprising of acquisition fees, legal, financial and tax due diligence expenses, and valuation costs that are required to be expensed as incurred.

EBITDA and EBITDA per diluted share are non-GAAP financial measures used by management to evaluate the Company's ongoing operations. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and EBITDA As Adjusted is defined as EBITDA plus certain acquisition costs and adjustments. EBITDA per diluted share is defined as EBITDA divided by the Company's diluted weighted average shares outstanding. EBITDA As Adjusted per diluted share is defined as EBITDA As Adjusted divided by the Company's diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

 
   
Second Quarter Year-to-Date
2018   2017 2018   2017
 
Diluted EPS as reported (U.S. GAAP) $ 1.55 $ 1.11 $ 3.32 $ 1.97
 
Short-term inventory purchase accounting adjustments 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.03
Acquisition costs - 0.16 - 0.16
Severance and restructuring 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.01
U.S. Tax Reform discrete item - - (0.37 ) -
Other discrete tax items   (0.04 )   0.04   (0.12 )   0.04
 
Diluted EPS as adjusted (Non-GAAP) $ 1.56   $ 1.35 $ 2.90   $ 2.21

Adjusted EPS is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to EPS determined in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that EPS as adjusted to exclude the items in the table above assist in understanding the results of Nordson Corporation. Our calculations of non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to the calculations of similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Amounts may not add due to rounding.