Q1 2024 Earnings Summary
Reported on Apr 24, 2024 (After Market Close)
Pre-Earnings Price$32.12Last close (Apr 24, 2024)
Post-Earnings Price$31.51Open (Apr 25, 2024)
Price Change
$-0.61(-1.90%)
- Strong double-digit growth in the drinking water segment, expected to continue due to core strategies and anticipated to be amplified over the next few years as legislation on lead and PFOS is implemented.
- Robust cash flow generation with leverage below 1x, providing flexibility for growth through M&A and shareholder returns via share buybacks and dividends. The company expects to generate significant cash and is in a great financial position.
- Realization of $25 million in cost synergies in fiscal '24, leading to margin expansion and potential for further working capital optimization throughout the year, which could result in better than expected free cash flow.
- Potential delays in capitalizing on legislative actions for filtration products: While there is increasing public and governmental focus on lead and PFOS contamination, the company acknowledges that "we're not seeing much of any benefit of that at this point" due to the "implementation path is awfully challenging." This suggests that the anticipated growth from filtration legislation may take longer to materialize, potentially impacting short-term revenues.
- Insider selling by significant shareholders: There has been notable insider selling from members of the CAT family and Elkay constituents, which could indicate a lack of confidence in future stock performance. Although management mentions "some personal financial matters" and states there's "no indication that there is a significantly larger amount of this coming imminently," the expectation of "some selling over the course of the next several years" may put downward pressure on the stock price.
- Lower margins and uncertainties in the residential segment: The residential business, representing approximately 12% of total sales, has margins that are "a good 5 points or so below the corporate average." Additionally, with "super low" channel inventories and reliance on a market recovery, there's uncertainty about the segment's ability to contribute meaningfully to overall profitability in the near term.
Research analysts covering Zurn Elkay Water Solutions.