Stantec Announces Second Quarter 2019 Results

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Aug 07, 2019 05:30 pm
EDMONTON, Alberta & NEW YORK -- 

Stantec today reported $56.1 million adjusted net income or $0.50 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. The Company also announced it has accelerated the reshaping of its workforce by reducing its less-utilized, higher-level staff while continuing to grow at the levels that are more highly utilized in the generation of revenue and project execution, a step that will improve operational efficiency and significantly reduce annualized administrative and marketing expenses.

“Our revenue growth and gross margins were robust and in line with our expectations. However, our second quarter net income was diminished by higher than anticipated administrative and marketing expenses that were driven primarily by excess labor costs,” said Gord Johnston, Stantec’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Early in 2019, we initiated a process to improve utilization and reshape the organization to significantly reduce excess labor costs. The process required more time to prepare, plan, and execute than anticipated, resulting in excess labor costs in the second quarter that were not in our earnings plan. While we did not achieve our earnings targets for the second quarter, we have now accelerated the reshaping of our workforce that translates to significant cost savings.”

Actions to date will result in estimated cost savings of approximately $29 million to $32 million, or $0.19 to $0.21 per share, on an annualized basis. The Company intends to enhance this effort over the balance of the year to further drive costs down by an additional $11 million to $13 million (pre-tax), or $0.07 to $0.08 cents per share, on an annualized basis. Although this will have a meaningful impact in the second half of 2019, with expected cost savings to be in the range of $16 million to $20 million (pre-tax), excluding severance costs, or $0.11 to $0.13 per share, the absence of the full year’s benefit is expected to result in 2019 earnings being in the lower end of Stantec’s earnings guidance range. “We are focused on building the engine of the organization that will convert our record-high backlog into revenue while continuing to grow our business,” said Mr. Johnston. “This organizational reshaping is a necessary step in becoming a more nimble organization and positions us to drive stronger returns for our investors.”

Second Quarter 2019 Highlights

After adoption of IFRS 16, compared with Q2 2018 (except where noted):

  • Solid revenue growth and gross margin in line with the Company’s expectations diminished by higher than anticipated administrative and marketing expenses, which at 39.1% of net revenue, did not achieve internal cost targets.
    • Subsequent to June 30, 2019, the Company accelerated an initiative to reshape the organization, which is expected to result in cost savings of $16 million to $20 million (pre-tax) in the second half of 2019.
  • Adjusted net income of $56.1 million or $0.50 on a diluted per share basis; decreases of 9.5% and 7.4%, respectively, with excess labor costs within administrative and marketing expenses negatively impacting earnings by approximately $11 million or $0.10 per share.
  • Net income from continuing operations of $49.3 million or $0.44 on a diluted per share basis; decreases of 14.4% and 13.7%.
  • Net revenue of $953.6 million, reflecting growth of 10.5% with increases across all business units.
    • Organic growth of 2.3% driven by strong growth in the Company’s US and Global operations, particularly in Environmental Services and Transportation.
    • Acquisition growth of 6.4%, predominately from the recent global acquisitions of Peter Brett Associates LLP and Wood & Grieve Engineers.
  • Gross revenue of $1,224.1 million, reflecting growth of 12.1%.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $145.4 million, representing 15.2% of net revenue.
  • EBITDA of $145.9 million, representing 15.3% of net revenue.
  • Contract backlog of $4.3 billion—a 3.5% increase from December 31, 2018—representing 11 months of work.
  • Days sales outstanding (DSO) of 104 days (90 days including deferred revenue) did not change from March 31, 2019. While targeted efforts yielded some improvement intra-quarter, the Company has not yet achieved a sustained reduction in DSO. Stantec continues to implement strategies to meet its 98-day target by the end of this year.
  • Net debt to adjusted EBITDA (on a trailing twelve-month basis) of 1.8x—within the Company’s internal guideline of 1.0x to 2.0x (post-IFRS 16 adoption), an improvement from 2.0x at Q1 19.
  • On August 7, 2019, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.145 per share, payable on October 15, 2019, to shareholders on record on September 30, 2019.

Excluding adoption of IFRS 16:

  • Adjusted net income and diluted EPS would be increased by approximately $1 million and $0.01, respectively.
  • Net income and diluted EPS would be increased by approximately $1 million and $0.01, respectively.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $110.1 million was slightly lower than Q2 18, representing 11.5% of net revenue.
  • EBITDA of $110.6 million—a 2.3% decrease from Q2 18—representing 11.6% of net revenue.
  • Administrative and marketing costs of $407.7 million—a 12.8% increase from Q2 18—representing 42.8% of net revenue.
  • Net debt to adjusted EBITDA of 2.42x.

Financial Summary

Quarter Ended June 30

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

2019
$

2018
$

Change
$

Gross revenue

1,224.1

1,092.0

132.1

Net revenue

953.6

863.3

90.3

EBITDA from continuing operations (note)

145.9

113.2

32.7

- Excluding IFRS 16 (note)

110.6

113.2

(2.6)

Net income from continuing operations

49.3

57.6

(8.3)

Net loss from discontinued operations

-

(18.0)

18.0

Net income

49.3

39.6

9.7

Basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations

0.44

0.51

(0.07)

Dividends declared per common share

0.1450

0.1375

0.0075

 
Continuing operations
Adjusted EBITDA (note)

145.4

110.5

34.9

- Excluding IFRS 16 (note)

110.1

110.5

(0.4)

Adjusted net income (note)

56.1

62.0

(5.9)

Adjusted EPS – basic and diluted (note)

0.50

0.54

(0.04)

note: EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted basic and diluted EPS, and measures excluding IFRS 16 are non-IFRS measures (discussed in the Definitions section of Stantec's 2018 Annual Report and Q2 19 Management's Discussion and Analysis).

Annual Targets for 2019

Stantec expects IFRS 16 will reduce 2019 net income by approximately $3.0 million and EPS by $0.03 evenly over Q2 19 to Q4 19. Adoption of IFRS 16 resulted in non-cash impacts to administrative and marketing expenses, depreciation of leased assets, and net interest expense. As a result, in Q1 19, the Company updated its targets, previously provided in its 2018 Annual Report. Stantec revised its EBITDA and net income targets to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income since the Company believes these measures better reflect underlying operations.

Measure 2019 Target before IFRS 16 adoption* Revised for adoption of IFRS 16 Q2 19 YTD Results
Compared to Revised 2019 Annual Target
(In millions of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated)
Gross margin as % of net revenue 53% to 55% No change

54.2%

Administrative and marketing expenses as % of net revenue 41% to 43% 37% to 39%

39.3%

EBITDA as % of net revenue (note) 11% to 13% withdrawn
Adjusted EBITDA as % of net revenue (note) 15% to 17%

14.7%

Net income as % of net revenue At or above 5.0% withdrawn
Adjusted net income as % of net revenue (note) At or above 6.0%

5.7%

Guidance
Gross to net revenue 1.25x to 1.30x No change
Capital expenditures $60 to $65 No change
Software additions $5 to $10 No change
Depreciation on property and equipment $55 to $60 No change
Depreciation on lease assets $105 to $110
Amortization of intangible assets $65 to $70 No change
Amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions $40 to $45
Effective tax rate (without discrete transactions)

27%

28%

Earnings pattern

45% in Q1 and Q4
55% in Q2 and Q3
Days sales outstanding (DSO) (note) 98 days
note: EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net income are non-IFRS measures and DSO is a metric (discussed in the Definitions section of Stantec's 2018 Annual Report and Q2 19 Management's Discussion and Analysis).
* 2019 Target was previously published in Stantec's 2018 Annual Report

Other than gross margin as a percentage of net revenue, the Company’s results for Q2 year to date were outside its annual target ranges. This has primarily been driven by excess labor costs within administrative and marketing expenses. While the organizational reshaping undertaken by the Company will significantly reduce administrative and marketing expenses on an annualized basis, the savings in 2019 will be less impactful due to the partial year. Stantec is maintaining its previously established target ranges for full year 2019; however, it is expecting to be in the upper end of the range for administrative and marketing expenses as a percentage of net revenue and in the lower end of the range for adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income. As well, the previously expected quarterly earnings pattern of 40% in Q1 and Q4 and 60% in Q2 and Q3 has been amended to reflect the impact of Q2 2019 results being lower than anticipated. Consequently, Stantec now expects Q1 and Q4 to represent approximately 45% of annual earnings and Q2 and Q3 to reflect approximately 55% of annual earnings.

Conference Call

Gord Johnston, president and chief executive officer and Theresa Jang, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will hold a conference call at 7:00 AM MDT (9:00 AM EDT) on Thursday, August 8, 2019, to discuss the Company’s second quarter performance.

The conference call and slideshow presentation will be broadcast live and archived in their entirety in the Investors section. Participants wishing to listen to the call via telephone may dial in toll-free at 1-800-353-6461 (Canada and United States) or 1-647-490-5367 (international). Please provide confirmation code 8533849 when prompted.

About Stantec

Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.

We care about the communities we serve—because they're our communities too. This allows us to assess what's needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what's never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success.

We're designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.

Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN. Visit us at stantec.com or find us on social media.

Cautionary Statements

Stantec’s EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share, net debt to EBITDA are non-IFRS measures. For a definition and explanation of non-IFRS measures, refer to the Critical Accounting Estimates, Developments, and Measures section of the Company’s 2018 Annual Report or the Q2 2019 Management’s Discussion & Analysis.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, expected cost savings relating to organizational reshaping and guidance relating to Stantec’s 2019 financial targets. Any such statements represent the views of management only as of the date hereof and are presented for the purpose of assisting the Company’s shareholders in understanding Stantec’s operations, objectives, priorities, and anticipated financial performance as at and for the periods ended on the dates presented and may not be appropriate for other purposes. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties.

We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements since a number of factors could cause actual future results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the risk of economic downturn, decreased infrastructure spending levels, changing market conditions for Stantec’s services, and the risk that Stantec fails to capitalize on its strategic initiatives. Investors and the public should carefully consider these factors, other uncertainties, and potential events, as well as the inherent uncertainty of forward-looking statements, when relying on these statements to make decisions with respect to our Company.

For more information about how other material risk factors could affect our results, refer to the Risk Factors section and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements section in our 2018 Annual Report. You may access our annual report online by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at sec.gov or by visiting the CSA website at sedar.com or Stantec’s website, stantec.com. You may obtain a hard copy of the 2018 Annual Report free of charge from our investor contact noted below.

Design with community in mind

Attached to this news release are Stantec’s consolidated statements of financial position, consolidated statements of income, a summary of impacts of IFRS 16, and reconciliation of non-IFRS measures.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(Unaudited)
(In millions of Canadian dollars) June 30
2019
$
December 31
2018
$
ASSETS
Current
Cash and deposits

106.7

185.2

Trade and other receivables

850.9

878.1

Unbilled receivables

426.8

384.6

Contract assets

66.4

59.7

Income taxes recoverable

64.2

47.9

Prepaid expenses

51.1

56.8

Other assets

31.3

23.2

Total current assets

1,597.4

1,635.5

Non-current
Property and equipment

299.6

289.4

Lease assets

529.6

-

Goodwill

1,659.2

1,621.2

Intangible assets

253.9

247.7

Investments in joint ventures and associates

8.7

9.4

Net employee defined benefit asset

13.3

10.0

Deferred tax assets

23.4

21.2

Other assets

177.2

175.5

Total assets

4,562.3

4,009.9

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current
Trade and other payables

525.4

567.2

Lease liabilities

62.0

-

Deferred revenue

172.6

174.4

Income taxes payable

2.8

2.9

Long-term debt

60.3

48.5

Provisions

33.5

42.4

Other liabilities

9.3

23.2

Total current liabilities

865.9

858.6

Non-current
Lease liabilities

561.3

-

Income taxes payable

14.9

15.9

Long-term debt

999.1

885.2

Provisions

89.9

78.2

Net employee defined benefit liability

57.1

68.6

Deferred tax liabilities

73.6

54.3

Other liabilities

47.6

140.4

Total liabilities

2,709.4

2,101.2

Shareholders’ equity
Share capital

869.9

867.8

Contributed surplus

25.9

24.8

Retained earnings

870.2

851.2

Accumulated other comprehensive income

85.2

163.1

Total shareholders’ equity

1,851.2

1,906.9

Non-controlling interests

1.7

1.8

Total liabilities and equity

4,562.3

4,009.9

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

For the quarter ended
June 30

For the two quarters ended
June 30

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

2019
$

2018
$

2019
$

2018
$

Continuing operations

 

 

 

 

Gross revenue

1,224.1

1,092.0

2,375.6

2,113.3

Less subconsultant and other direct expenses

270.5

228.7

517.9

441.2

Net revenue

953.6

863.3

1,857.7

1,672.1

Direct payroll costs

436.1

393.3

851.7

761.6

Gross margin

517.5

470.0

1,006.0

910.5

Administrative and marketing expenses

372.4

361.3

729.5

709.3

Depreciation of property and equipment

14.7

12.4

28.4

24.5

Depreciation of lease assets

28.5

-

55.9

-

Amortization of intangible assets

17.6

15.9

33.0

35.2

Net interest expense

17.7

6.7

34.9

12.0

Other net finance expense

1.3

0.4

2.6

2.0

Share of income from joint ventures and associates

(0.4)

(0.4)

(0.4)

(0.7)

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

(0.2)

(0.6)

2.7

1.5

Other income

(1.5)

(3.9)

(6.5)

(1.7)

Income before income taxes and discontinued operations

67.4

78.2

125.9

128.4

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

Current

18.8

23.0

14.6

36.7

Deferred

(0.7)

(2.4)

17.1

(2.5)

Total income taxes

18.1

20.6

31.7

34.2

Net income for the period from continuing operations

49.3

57.6

94.2

94.2

Discontinued operations

 

 

Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

-

(18.0)

-

(17.8)

Net income for the period

49.3

39.6

94.2

76.4

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic

111,676,731

113,877,678

111,740,256

113,970,164

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted

111,684,858

113,987,518

111,740,256

114,149,597

Shares outstanding, end of the period

111,700,217

113,852,947

111,700,217

113,852,947

Earnings per share, basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

0.44

0.51

0.84

0.83

Discontinued operations

-

(0.16)

-

(0.16)

Total basic and diluted earnings per share

0.44

0.35

0.84

0.67

Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures
Quarter Ended June 30 Two Quarters Ended June 30
(In millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net income from continuing operations

49.3

57.6

94.2

94.2

Add back:
Income taxes

18.1

20.6

31.7

34.2

Net interest expense

17.7

6.7

34.9

12.0

Depreciation and amortization

60.8

28.3

117.3

59.7

EBITDA from continuing operations

145.9

113.2

278.1

200.1

Add back (deduct) pre-tax:
Unrealized gain on investments held for self-insured liabilities

(0.5)

(2.7)

(5.6)

(0.1)

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations

145.4

110.5

272.5

200.0

Quarter Ended June 30 Two Quarters Ended June 30
(In millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net income from continuing operations

49.3

57.6

94.2

94.2

Add back (deduct) after tax:
Amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions (1)

8.1

6.4

15.1

15.8

Unrealized gain on investments held for self-insured liabilities (2)

(0.3)

(2.0)

(4.0)

(0.1)

Transition tax (recovery) expense (3)

(1.0)

-

1.1

-

Adjusted net income from continuing operations

56.1

62.0

106.4

109.9

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic

111,676,731

113,877,678

111,740,256

113,970,164

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted

111,684,858

113,987,518

111,740,256

114,149,597

Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations
Adjusted earnings per share - basic

0.50

0.54

0.95

0.96

Adjusted earnings per share - diluted

0.50

0.54

0.95

0.96

See the Definitions section of the 2018 Annual Report and Q2 19 Management's Discussion and Analysis for Stantec's discussion of non-IFRS measures used. Construction Services operations are presented as discontinued operations. This table has been updated to include only continuing operation results.
(1) The add back of intangible amortization relates only to the amortization from intangible assets acquired through acquisitions and excludes the amortization of software purchased by Stantec. For the quarter ended June 30, 2019, this amount is net of tax of $3.1 (2018 - $3.1). For the two quarters ended June 30, 2019, this amount is net of tax of $5.8 (2018 - $6.6).
(2) For the quarter ended June 30, 2019, this amount is net of tax of $0.1 (2018 - $0.7). For the two quarters ended June 30, 2019, this amount is net of tax of $1.5 (2018 - nil).
(3) Refer to Income Taxes section of the Q2 19 Management's Discussion and Analysis for further details.
Impact on Statement of Financial Position at January 1, 2019
(In millions of Canadian dollars) IFRS 16
$
Before IFRS 16
$
Increase
(Decrease)
$
Current assets
Trade and other receivables

828.1

878.1

(50.0)

Prepaid expenses

43.9

56.8

(12.9)

Other assets

24.3

23.2

1.1

Non-current assets
Lease assets

561.8

-

561.8

Intangible assets

242.0

247.7

(5.7)

Other assets

178.2

175.5

2.7

Total increase in assets

497.0

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

566.9

567.2

(0.3)

Lease liabilities

44.8

-

44.8

Provisions

41.7

42.4

(0.7)

Other liabilities

5.0

23.2

(18.2)

Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities

600.2

-

600.2

Provisions

86.6

78.2

8.4

Deferred tax liabilities

45.6

54.3

(8.7)

Other liabilities

45.9

140.4

(94.5)

Shareholders' equity
Retained earnings

817.2

851.2

(34.0)

Total increase in liabilities and equity

497.0

 
Impact on Statement of Income - Continuing Operations Two Quarters Ended June 30
(In millions of Canadian dollars) 2019
as Reported
$
2019
before IFRS 16
$
Increase
(Decrease)
$
Impact on income statement items
Administrative and marketing expenses

729.5

800.3

(70.8)

Net interest expense

34.9

18.6

16.3

Depreciation of lease assets

55.9

-

55.9

Net income

94.2

95.2

(1.0)

Impact on non-IFRS financial measures (1)
EBITDA

278.1

207.3

70.8

Adjusted EBITDA

272.5

201.7

70.8

Net debt/adjusted EBITDA - Continuing operations

1.80

2.42

(0.62)

(1) Non-IFRS measures are discussed in the Definitions section of Stantec's 2018 Annual Report and Q2 19 Management's Discussion and Analysis. Net debt/adjusted EBITDA was calculated using a proforma IFRS 16 adjustment for Q3 18 to Q4 18 adjusted EBITDA, calculated as 3.8% of net revenue from the respective quarter.
 
Impact on Statement of Cash Flows - Continuing Operations Two Quarters Ended June 30
(In millions of Canadian dollars) 2019
as Reported
$
2019
before IFRS 16
$
Increase
(Decrease)
$
Cash flows from operating activities

73.8

21.2

52.6

Cash paid to suppliers

(881.3)

(950.2)

68.9

Interest paid

(36.3)

(20.0)

(16.3)

Cash flows used in investing activities

(135.6)

(128.0)

(7.6)

Proceeds from leasehold inducements

-

7.6

(7.6)

Cash flows (used in) from financing activities

(2.0)

43.0

(45.0)

Payments of lease obligations

(52.6)

-

(52.6)

Proceeds from leasehold inducements

7.6

-

7.6

 

Media Contact
Stephanie Smith
Stantec Media Relations
Ph: 780-917-7230
[email protected]

Investor Contact
Cora Klein
Stantec Investor Relations
Ph: 780-969-2018
[email protected]

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