Granite Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

  • Revenue increased to $957.1 million, up 19.1 percent year-over-year
  • Net income of $46.0 million, up 23.6 percent year-over-year
  • Construction segment gross profit margin at 15.8 percent
  • Construction Materials segment gross profit margin at 17.1 percent
  • Large Project Construction segment gross profit margin at 2.3 percent
  • Record Company backlog of $4.23 billion, up 12.5 percent year-over-year

WATSONVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Granite Construction Incorporated (NYSE:GVA) today reported net income of $46.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, compared to net income of $37.2 million in the third quarter of 2016. Earnings per diluted share in the quarter was $1.14, up from $0.92 in the prior-year period.

"Our teams continue to execute safely on record backlog and our outlook remains extremely strong," said James H. Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer of Granite Construction Incorporated.

"Broad bookings again resulted in record Company backlog of $4.23 billion. For the sixth consecutive quarter, Construction segment backlog finished at more than $1 billion, and Large Project Construction segment backlog finished above $3 billion for the first time. Two Large Project Construction segment project awards in the third quarter highlight our efforts to reshape the portfolio with smaller, Granite-sponsored jobs," Roberts continued.

"Our Construction segment produced strong top-line growth and consistently strong margin performance in the quarter," Roberts said. “Improved external demand helped drive considerably better margin performance in our Construction Materials segment. Continued acceleration on a number of under-performing, mature projects in our Large Project Construction segment created a drag on our results in the third quarter and on our year-to-date results.

“Overall, we continue to expect solid, improving performance across our business in 2018 and beyond. In addition, efforts to streamline overhead are paying off. As a result, we have produced high-teens revenue growth through the first nine months of 2017, while selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses have increased only about two percent. We continue to target benefits from the continued balance of strong growth and disciplined cost control,” Roberts said.

Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2017 Results

Total Company

  • Third quarter consolidated revenue increased 19.1 percent to $957.1 million compared with $803.9 million in the third quarter of 2016. On a year-to-date basis, consolidated revenue increased 18.4 percent to $2.19 billion.
  • Third quarter consolidated gross profit increased 6.4 percent to $114.5 million compared with $107.7 million last year. On a year-to-date basis, gross profit decreased 2.7 percent to $214.2 million, as our operations continue to overcome the drag from poor first quarter weather.
  • Third quarter consolidated gross profit margin was 12.0 percent compared with 13.4 percent in 2016. For the first nine months of 2017, gross profit margin was 9.8 percent compared with 11.9 percent last year.
  • Total Company backlog was $4.23 billion, up 12.5 percent year-over-year. Construction segment backlog increased 3.0 percent year-over-year to $1.13 billion. Large Project Construction segment backlog increased 16.4 percent from last year to $3.10 billion.
  • Third quarter SG&A expenses decreased to $49.5 million, a decrease of 8.7 percent from $54.2 million last year. For the first nine months of 2017, SG&A expenses were $162.7 million, an increase of 2.3 percent from $159.0 million last year, but down 120 basis points as a percentage of revenue.
  • Our balance sheet remains strong with cash and marketable securities of $303.3 million, as of September 30, 2017, an increase of $45.3 million from September 30, 2016.

Third Quarter Segment Results

Construction

  • Construction revenue increased 24.6 percent to $579.1 million, compared with $464.6 million last year.
  • Gross profit increased 27.7 percent to $91.3 million, compared to $71.5 million last year.
  • Gross profit margin of 15.8 percent increased from 15.4 percent a year ago.
  • Solid execution on record backlog drove the strong revenue and profit increases in the third quarter. Steady bookings across geographies contributed to segment backlog increasing 3.0 percent year-over-year to $1.13 billion.

Large Project Construction

  • Large Project Construction revenue increased 12.2 percent to $279.8 million, compared with $249.3 million last year.
  • Gross profit decreased to $6.4 million compared to $23.5 million last year, with the decline attributable primarily to project write-downs.
  • Gross profit margin was 2.3 percent compared with 9.4 percent in 2016.
  • Accelerated activity on certain underperforming mature projects represented a significant amount of segment revenue. We continue to pursue resolutions for design, weather, and owner-related issues, while we close out several of these projects in late-2017 and through 2018.
  • Segment backlog increased 16.4 percent from last year to a record of $3.10 billion, reflecting the addition of two Granite-sponsored projects in the quarter. We continue to emphasize increased project selectivity and significantly higher return expectations that properly balance project risk dynamics.

Construction Materials

  • Construction Materials revenue increased 9.1 percent to $98.1 million, compared with $89.9 million last year.
  • Third quarter gross profit increased 33.0 percent to $16.8 million, compared to $12.6 million last year.
  • Gross profit margin of 17.1 percent increased from 14.0 percent a year ago.
  • The gross profit and margin improvement was attributable primarily to improved external demand across geographies in the West.

Outlook and Guidance

"Steady private market demand combined with improving public funding trends continue to provide our business with growth opportunities, across geographies and end markets," said Roberts. "We believe that we are in the early stages of this investment cycle, with much of the public market visibility tied to actions taken over the last few years at state and local levels to increase infrastructure investment. Today, we continue to challenge our leaders in Washington, D.C. to follow the example of their predecessors' visionary action more than 60 years ago to invest in American infrastructure that we still rely on every single day. American workers and families once again are ready to rally behind a bold federal infrastructure vision backed by a significant funding commitment."

The Company’s expectations for 2017 remain:

  • Mid- to high-teens consolidated revenue growth
  • Consolidated EBITDA margin1 of 6.0% to 6.5%

1 Please refer to the description and non-GAAP reconciliation in the attached tables.

Conference Call

Granite will conduct a conference call today, October 27, 2017, at 8 a.m. Pacific Time/11 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results of the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The Company invites investors to listen to a live audio webcast on its Investor Relations website, http://investor.graniteconstruction.com. An archive of the webcast will be available on the website approximately one hour after the call. The live call also is available by calling 1-877-328-5503; international callers may dial 1-412-317-5472. A replay will be available after the live call through November 3, 2017, by calling 1-877-344-7529, replay access code 10113152; international callers may dial 1-412-317-0088.

About Granite

Through its offices and subsidiaries nationwide, Granite Construction Incorporated (NYSE: GVA) is one of the nation’s largest infrastructure contractors and construction materials producers. Granite specializes in complex infrastructure projects, including transportation, industrial and federal contracting, and is a proven leader in alternative procurement project delivery. Granite is an award-winning firm in safety, quality and environmental stewardship, and has been honored as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute for eight consecutive years. Granite is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is part of the S&P MidCap 400 Index, the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index and the Russell 2000 Index. For more information, visit graniteconstruction.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Any statements contained in this news release that are not based on historical facts, including statements regarding future events, occurrences, circumstances, activities, performance, outcomes and results, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “future,” “outlook,” “assumes,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “appears,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “continue,” and the negatives thereof or other comparable terminology or by the context in which they are made. These forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting the best judgment of senior management and reflect our current expectations regarding future events, occurrences, circumstances, activities, performance, outcomes and results. These expectations may or may not be realized. Some of these expectations may be based on beliefs, assumptions or estimates that may prove to be incorrect. In addition, our business and operations involve numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could result in our expectations not being realized or otherwise materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly those specifically described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Due to the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with our forward-looking statements, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. The reader is also cautioned that the forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this news release and, except as required by law; we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.

 
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited - in thousands, except share and per share data)
                   
      September 30,     December 31,     September 30,
      2017     2016     2016
ASSETS                  
Current assets                  
Cash and cash equivalents     $ 185,516       $ 189,326       $ 150,225  
Short-term marketable securities     47,814       64,884       54,863  
Receivables, net     627,081       419,345       512,752  
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings     94,527       73,102       80,032  
Inventories     62,059       55,245       61,015  
Equity in construction joint ventures     242,358       247,182       263,180  
Other current assets     26,612       39,908       28,047  
Total current assets     1,285,967       1,088,992       1,150,114  
Property and equipment, net     412,174       406,650       407,327  
Long-term marketable securities     69,991       62,895       52,908  
Investments in affiliates     39,946       35,668       34,356  
Goodwill     53,799       53,799       53,799  
Deferred income taxes, net     —       —       5,223  
Other noncurrent assets     85,411       85,449       81,540  
Total assets     $ 1,947,288       $ 1,733,453       $ 1,785,267  
                   
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                  
Current liabilities                  
Current maturities of long-term debt     $ 14,796       $ 14,796       $ 14,795  
Accounts payable     286,913       199,029       223,612  
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings     168,707       97,522       116,151  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     246,775       218,587       237,534  
Total current liabilities     717,191       529,934       592,092  
Long-term debt     225,922       229,498       240,715  
Deferred income taxes, net     5,932       5,441       —  
Other long-term liabilities     46,435       45,989       46,270  
Commitments and contingencies                  
Equity                  
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 3,000,000 shares, none outstanding     —       —       —  
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 39,850,587 shares as of September 30, 2017, 39,621,140 shares as of December 31, 2016 and 39,601,569 shares as of September 30, 2016     399       396       396  
Additional paid-in capital     157,734       150,337       147,583  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     240       (371 )     (1,524 )
Retained earnings     756,183       735,626       724,691  
Total Granite Construction Incorporated shareholders’ equity     914,556       885,988       871,146  
Non-controlling interests     37,252       36,603       35,044  
Total equity     951,808       922,591       906,190  
Total liabilities and equity     $ 1,947,288       $ 1,733,453       $ 1,785,267  
 
 
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited - in thousands, except per share data)
 
      Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2017     2016     2017     2016
Revenue                        
Construction     $ 579,146       $ 464,624       $ 1,235,264       $ 1,005,457  
Large Project Construction     279,845       249,345       741,341       642,116  
Construction Materials     98,135       89,936       211,834       200,363  
Total revenue     957,126       803,905       2,188,439       1,847,936  
Cost of revenue                        
Construction     487,798       393,094       1,053,463       857,938  
Large Project Construction     273,460       225,826       731,906       591,438  
Construction Materials     81,338       77,311       188,844       178,440  
Total cost of revenue     842,596       696,231       1,974,213       1,627,816  
Gross profit     114,530       107,674       214,226       220,120  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     49,501       54,194       162,726       159,032  
Gain on sales of property and equipment     (1,753 )     (398 )     (2,830 )     (2,364 )
Operating income     66,782       53,878       54,330       63,452  
Other (income) expense                        
Interest income     (1,141 )     (790 )     (3,356 )     (2,424 )
Interest expense     2,660       3,034       8,097       9,270  
Equity in income of affiliates     (2,732 )     (2,424 )     (4,907 )     (4,583 )
Other income, net     (1,309 )     (732 )     (2,821 )     (5,287 )
Total other income     (2,522 )     (912 )     (2,987 )     (3,024 )
Income before provision for income taxes     69,304       54,790       57,317       66,476  
Provision for income taxes     21,249       16,617       16,841       19,540  
Net income     48,055       38,173       40,476       46,936  
Amount attributable to non-controlling interests     (2,073 )     (982 )     (4,151 )     (5,987 )
Net income attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated     $ 45,982       $ 37,191       $ 36,325       $ 40,949  
                         
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders:                        
Basic     $ 1.15       $ 0.94       $ 0.91       $ 1.04  
Diluted     $ 1.14       $ 0.92       $ 0.90       $ 1.02  
Weighted average shares of common stock                        
Basic     39,844       39,599       39,774       39,539  
Diluted     40,387       40,313       40,367       40,205  
 
 
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited - in thousands)
             
Nine Months Ended September 30,     2017     2016
Operating activities            
Net income     $ 40,476       $ 46,936  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:            
Depreciation, depletion and amortization     48,522       46,637  
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net     (2,830 )     (2,364 )
Stock-based compensation     13,580       11,013  
Equity in net loss (income) from unconsolidated joint ventures     15,415       (15,903 )
Gain on real estate entity     —       (2,452 )
Net income from affiliates     (4,907 )     (4,583 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:     (45,642 )     (98,682 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     64,614       (19,398 )
Investing activities            
Purchases of marketable securities     (79,708 )     (84,758 )
Maturities of marketable securities     90,000       30,000  
Proceeds from called marketable securities     —       50,000  
Purchases of property and equipment     (56,808 )     (67,889 )
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment     5,107       5,790  
Distributions from affiliates     —       2,233  
Other investing activities, net     2,321       3,847  
Net cash used in investing activities     (39,088 )     (60,777 )
Financing activities            
Long-term debt principal repayments     (3,750 )     (3,750 )
Cash dividends paid     (15,506 )     (15,415 )
Repurchases of common stock     (6,713 )     (4,946 )
(Distributions to) contributions from non-controlling partners, net     (3,500 )     1,522  
Other financing activities, net     133       153  
Net cash used in financing activities     (29,336 )     (22,436 )
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (3,810 )     (102,611 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     189,326       252,836  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period     $ 185,516       $ 150,225  
 
 
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
Business Segment Information
(Unaudited - dollars in thousands)
      Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,
            Large Project     Construction           Large Project     Construction
      Construction     Construction     Materials     Construction     Construction     Materials
                                     
2017                                    
Revenue     $ 579,146       $ 279,845       $ 98,135       $ 1,235,264       $ 741,341       $ 211,834  
Gross profit     91,348       6,385       16,797       181,801       9,435       22,990  
Gross profit as a percent of revenue     15.8 %     2.3 %     17.1 %     14.7 %     1.3 %     10.9 %
                                     
2016                                    
Revenue     $ 464,624       $ 249,345       $ 89,936       $ 1,005,457       $ 642,116       $ 200,363  
Gross profit     71,530       23,519       12,625       147,519       50,678       21,923  
Gross profit as a percent of revenue     15.4 %     9.4 %     14.0 %     14.7 %     7.9 %     10.9 %
 
 
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
Contract Backlog by Segment
(Unaudited - dollars in thousands)
 
Contract Backlog by Segment     September 30, 2017     June 30, 2017     September 30, 2016
                                     
Construction     $ 1,134,887       26.8 %     $ 1,266,504       31.2 %     $ 1,102,147       29.3 %
Large Project Construction     3,099,857       73.2 %     2,797,894       68.8 %     2,662,399       70.7 %
Total     $ 4,234,744       100.0 %     $ 4,064,398       100.0 %     $ 3,764,546       100.0 %
 
 
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
EBITDA(1)
(Unaudited - dollars in thousands)
      Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2017     2016     2017     2016
Net income attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated     $ 45,982       $ 37,191       $ 36,325       $ 40,949  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense(2)     17,374       17,135       48,522       46,637  
Provision for income taxes     21,249       16,617       16,841       19,540  
Interest expense, net of interest income     1,519       2,244       4,741       6,846  
EBITDA     $ 86,124       $ 73,187       $ 106,429       $ 113,972  
Consolidated EBITDA Margin(3)     9.0 %     9.1 %     4.9 %     6.2 %
 
Note:                        
(1)We define EBITDA as GAAP net income attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated, adjusted for interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization. We believe this non-GAAP financial measure and the associated margin are useful in evaluating operating performance and are regularly used by securities analysts, institutional investors and other interested parties in reviewing the Company. However, the reader is cautioned that any non-GAAP financial measures provided by the Company are provided in addition to, and not as alternatives for, the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The methods used by the Company to calculate its non-GAAP financial measures may differ significantly from methods used by other companies to compute similar measures. As a result, any non-GAAP financial measures provided by the Company may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other companies.
(2)Amount includes the sum of depreciation, depletion and amortization which are classified as Cost of Revenue and Selling, General and Administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations of Granite Construction Incorporated.
(3)Represents EBITDA divided by consolidated revenue. Consolidated revenue was $957,126 and $2,188,439 for three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $803,905 and $1,847,936 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
 

 

Granite Construction Incorporated
Ron Botoff, 831-728-7532

Source: Granite Construction Incorporated