Brian Deck
Analyst · Seaport Global Securities LLC. Please go ahead
Thanks, Tom and good morning everyone. JBT's revenue increased 29% in the first quarter composed of 16% organic growth and 13% from acquisitions. This exceeded our expectations as we enjoyed strong shipments of protein equipment within FoodTech, and fixed equipment with an AeroTech. Additionally, we saw some shipments that had originally been expected for Q2 moving into Q1. On a segment basis FoodTech posted revenue growth of 36% including 17% organic and 19% from acquisitions. AeroTech posted revenue growth of 14% all organic. JBT adjusted EBITDA improved 30% versus prior years adjusted EBITDA. Segment operating profit increased 10% year-over-year but segment margins declined 150 basis points, primarily to the transaction and integration costs. As well as purchase price accounting associated with the three acquisitions. specifically the acquisitions and the $34 million of revenue in Q1 2017, but no operating income contribution reducing overall segment margins by approximately 100 basis points. FoodTech segment margins were also impacted by a less rich equipment sales mix versus the year ago, particularly within our liquid foods business. Similarly, as it relates to AeroTech we are stronger mix of shipments of fixed equipment, which tends to carry lower margins than mobile and military equipment. Inbound orders were ahead 18% versus the first quarter of 2016. With a 43% increase of FoodTech more than offsetting a 29% the kind AeroTech; and the FoodTech site customer engagement remains solid. At AeroTech we have a clear line of sight on orders and remain confident in its full year performance. In total JBT backlog was up 4% from Q1 2016. First quarter corporate expense was $9.2 million versus $10.4 million in the year ago period. The reduction was primarily related to lower variable compensation expense. For the year, we continue to expect corporate expense to be just under 3% of revenue versus 3.2% in 2016. As discussed last quarter, JBT booked up discrete tax benefit, which totaled $5.58 million or $0.19 per share in the first quarter associated with new accounting tax growth on stock compensation. This was included and reported diluted earnings per share a 58%. In the first court of 2016 GAAP APS was 17% and adjusted EPS was $0.34. Our tax rate excluding the discrete item was 30.8%. And we continue to expect a rate of 30% to 31% for the remainder of the year. Cash flow is strong in the first quarter. Cash flow from operations of $24 million compared of the $0.2 million in the prior year quarter. This reflects seasonal accounts receivable collection, and inventory investment cycle coupled with strong customer deposits. We remain confident that 90% of our net income from continuing operations will convert the cash in 2017. During the first quarter 2017 we completed a follow on equity offerings issuing $2.3 million shares with net proceeds of $184 million. Part of the offering our leverage as measured by our banks at about 3.2x. With the offering we reduced that leverage we're now at the lower end of our target range of 2x to 3x. This provides JBT strong liquidity and the capacity to continue our disciplined acquisition program. The equity offering reduced our interest expense. Previously we guided the full year 2017 interest expense of $19 million to $20 million, the current guidance is approximately $14 million. That is up from $9.4 million in 2016, due to the financing for the CAT, Tipper and Avure acquisitions. It also reflects our expectation of two additional fed rate increases during 2017 impacting our variable rate debt, which represent about 40% of total debt. At the same time, the equity offering increased our share count resulting in modest dilution to EPS. We're now guiding to earnings per diluted share from continuing operations a $2.95 to $3.10 in 2017. On an operating income basis, we expect to achieve our full year prior guidance. We have raised our full year revenue growth from forecast to 16%, reflecting a higher organic growth of 4% to 6% verses prior guidance 3% to 5%, with growth from completed acquisitions of 11%. We are also adjusting our projected segment how pretty margin increased 25 to 50 basis points, compared with previous guidance of approximately 50 basis points. The 2017 guidance to - continues to include the discrete $0.19 tax benefit we enjoyed in Q1 and a headwind from the Avure accusation of about $0.05. For the second quarter of 2017 we expect revenue of approximately $380 million and earnings from continuing operations of $0.50 per diluted share. This includes the previously mentioned impact from certain accelerated shipments into Q1, and the construct of a backlog, which is more weighted towards Q3. Q2 segment operating margins are expected to increase over 100 basis points sequentially, this includes continued acquisition related items an unfavorable product mix similar to the first quarter 2017. Acquisitions will contribute approximately $45 million in revenue in Q2, with operating income margins of about 2%. For the full year, we continue to expect acquisitions to collectively contribute $0.08 to $0.17 per share. To the Associated interest expense another acquisition costs they are expected to be dilutive in the first half and nicely accretive in the second half in line with our full year expectations. Overall, for full year 2017, we expect earnings to be more back half loaded as mixed improves and the acquisition contribute more fully. The third quarter is expected to show solid improvement versus the second, followed by the typical seasonal increase from the third quarter to the fourth. With that I'll turn the call back to Tom.