Littelfuse Reports Third Quarter Results for 2024

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Oct 29, 2024

Littelfuse, Inc. (NASDAQ: LFUS), a diversified, industrial technology manufacturing company empowering a sustainable, connected, and safer world, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 28, 2024:

  • Net sales of $567 million were down 7% versus the prior year period and organically
  • GAAP diluted EPS was $2.32 and adjusted diluted EPS was $2.71
  • Cash flow from operations was $80 million and free cash flow was $65 million

“In the third quarter, our global teams delivered strong execution and drove sales and earnings above our expectations,” said Dave Heinzmann, Littelfuse President and Chief Executive Officer. “While we see soft end market conditions extending into the fourth quarter, we remain focused on driving operational excellence while serving our global customer base and delivering meaningful new business wins. Our proven growth strategy, diversification efforts and strong technology capabilities position us to deliver top tier long-term stakeholder value.”

Fourth Quarter of 2024*

Based on current market conditions, for the fourth quarter the company expects,

  • Net sales in the range of $510 - $540 million, adjusted diluted EPS in the range of $1.90 - $2.10 and an adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 14%

*Littelfuse provides guidance on a non-GAAP (adjusted) basis. GAAP items excluded from guidance may include the after-tax impact of items including acquisition and integration costs, restructuring, impairment and other charges, certain purchase accounting adjustments, non-operating foreign exchange adjustments and significant and unusual items. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to results computed in accordance with GAAP. Littelfuse is not able to forecast the excluded items in order to provide the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure without unreasonable efforts.

Dividend and Share Repurchase Authorization

  • The company will pay a cash dividend on its common stock of $0.70 per share on December 5, 2024, to shareholders of record as of November 21, 2024

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Littelfuse will host a conference call on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time to discuss the results. The call will be broadcast and available for replay at Littelfuse.com. A slide presentation is available in the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at Littelfuse.com.

About Littelfuse

Littelfuse, Inc. (NASDAQ: LFUS) is a diversified, industrial technology manufacturing company empowering a sustainable, connected, and safer world. Across more than 20 countries, and with approximately 16,000 global associates, we partner with customers to design and deliver innovative, reliable solutions. Serving over 100,000 end customers, our products are found in a variety of industrial, transportation and electronics end markets – everywhere, every day. Learn more at Littelfuse.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are intended to constitute "forward-looking statements" entitled to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Such statements are based on Littelfuse, Inc.’s (“Littelfuse” or the “Company”) current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to general economic conditions; product demand and market acceptance; the impact of competitive products and pricing; product quality problems or product recalls; capacity and supply difficulties or constraints; coal mining exposures reserves; cybersecurity matters; failure of an indemnification for environmental liability; exchange rate fluctuations; commodity and other raw material price fluctuations; the effect of Littelfuse accounting policies; labor disputes; restructuring costs in excess of expectations; pension plan asset returns less than assumed; integration of acquisitions; uncertainties related to political or regulatory changes; and other risks which may be detailed in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated or implied in the forward-looking statements. This release should be read in conjunction with information provided in the financial statements appearing in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023.

Further discussion of the risk factors of the company can be found under the caption "Risk Factors" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023, and in other filings and submissions with the SEC, each of which are available free of charge on the company’s investor relations website at investor.littelfuse.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof. The company does not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the availability of new information.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The information included in this press release includes the non-GAAP financial measures of organic net sales (decline) growth, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted income taxes, adjusted effective tax rate, free cash flow, net debt, consolidated EBITDA, and consolidated net leverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement). Many of these non-GAAP financial measures exclude the effect of certain expenses and income not related directly to the underlying performance of our fundamental business operations. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is set forth in the attached schedules. The company believes that organic net sales (decline) growth, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted income taxes, and adjusted effective tax rate provide useful information to investors regarding its operational performance because they enhance an investor’s overall understanding of our core financial performance and facilitate comparisons to historical results of operations, by excluding items that are not related directly to the underlying performance of our fundamental business operations or were not part of our business operations during a comparable period. The company believes that free cash flow is a useful measure of its ability to generate cash. The company believes that net debt, consolidated EBITDA, and consolidated net leverage ratio are useful measures of its credit position. The company believes that all of these non-GAAP financial measures are commonly used by financial analysts and others in the industries in which we operate, and thus further provide useful information to investors. Management additionally uses these measures when assessing the performance of the business and for business planning purposes. Note that our definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from those terms as defined or used by other companies.

LFUS-F

LITTELFUSE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

September 28,
2024

December 30,
2023

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

629,670

$

555,513

Short-term investments

1,011

235

Trade receivables, less allowances of $76,151 and $84,696 at September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively

338,758

287,018

Inventories

453,781

474,607

Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable

6,793

8,701

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

132,510

82,526

Total current assets

1,562,523

1,408,600

Net property, plant, and equipment

481,592

493,153

Intangible assets, net of amortization

560,994

606,136

Goodwill

1,317,748

1,309,998

Investments

26,607

24,821

Deferred income taxes

11,955

10,486

Right of use lease assets

60,277

62,370

Other long-term assets

40,548

79,711

Total assets

$

4,062,244

$

3,995,275

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

179,486

$

173,535

Accrued liabilities

152,772

149,214

Accrued income taxes

39,809

38,725

Current portion of long-term debt

67,799

14,020

Total current liabilities

439,866

375,494

Long-term debt, less current portion

799,949

857,915

Deferred income taxes

95,554

110,820

Accrued post-retirement benefits

31,373

34,422

Non-current lease liabilities

52,074

49,472

Other long-term liabilities

70,328

86,671

Total equity

2,573,100

2,480,481

Total liabilities and equity

$

4,062,244

$

3,995,275

LITTELFUSE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

(in thousands, except per share data)

September 28,
2024

September 30,
2023

September 28,
2024

September 30,
2023

Net sales

$

567,390

$

607,071

$

1,661,263

$

1,828,850

Cost of sales

351,498

380,200

1,050,559

1,122,190

Gross profit

215,892

226,871

610,704

706,660

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

83,897

87,204

263,395

270,057

Research and development expenses

26,470

25,484

81,283

77,270

Amortization of intangibles

15,864

16,022

47,418

49,773

Restructuring, impairment, and other charges

1,840

4,516

10,329

13,221

Total operating expenses

128,071

133,226

402,425

410,321

Operating income

87,821

93,645

208,279

296,339

Interest expense

9,772

10,101

29,358

29,803

Foreign exchange loss

9,630

11,776

4,273

8,697

Other income, net

(9,297

)

(3,527

)

(19,916

)

(11,810

)

Income before income taxes

77,716

75,295

194,564

269,649

Income taxes

19,658

17,507

42,588

53,045

Net income

$

58,058

$

57,788

$

151,976

$

216,604

Earnings per share:

Basic

$

2.34

$

2.32

$

6.12

$

8.72

Diluted

$

2.32

$

2.30

$

6.07

$

8.63

Weighted-average shares and equivalent shares outstanding:

Basic

24,796

24,893

24,822

24,838

Diluted

25,025

25,143

25,040

25,100

Comprehensive income

$

114,451

$

55,654

$

157,011

$

212,842

LITTELFUSE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended

(in thousands)

September 28, 2024

September 30, 2023

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income

$

151,976

$

216,604

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

101,437

137,988

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Trade receivables

(50,672

)

(21,752

)

Inventories

19,865

66,456

Accounts payable

5,460

(38,475

)

Accrued liabilities and income taxes

(19,434

)

(61,359

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

(1,633

)

13,678

Net cash provided by operating activities

206,999

313,140

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

—

(198,810

)

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

(50,065

)

(63,166

)

Net proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, and other

8,931

597

Net cash used in investing activities

(41,134

)

(261,379

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Net payments of credit facility

(3,750

)

(5,625

)

Repurchases of common stock

(40,862

)

—

Cash dividends paid

(49,687

)

(45,973

)

All other cash provided by financing activities

3,000

4,454

Net cash used in financing activities

(91,299

)

(47,144

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

(396

)

(7,965

)

Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

74,170

(3,348

)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period

557,123

564,939

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period

$

631,293

$

561,591

LITTELFUSE, INC.

NET SALES AND OPERATING INCOME BY SEGMENT

(Unaudited)

Third Quarter

Year-to-Date

(in thousands)

2024

2023

%
(Decline) /
Growth

2024

2023

%
(Decline) /
Growth

Net sales

Electronics

$

304,188

$

343,933

(11.6

)%

$

900,932

$

1,052,673

(14.4

)%

Transportation

171,381

177,019

(3.2

)%

510,711

515,708

(1.0

)%

Industrial

91,821

86,119

6.6

%

249,620

260,469

(4.2

)%

Total net sales

$

567,390

$

607,071

(6.5

)%

$

1,661,263

$

1,828,850

(9.2

)%

Operating income

Electronics

$

48,891

$

77,022

(36.5

)%

$

132,859

$

247,028

(46.2

)%

Transportation

23,485

9,694

142.3

%

54,925

26,015

111.1

%

Industrial

17,711

13,201

34.2

%

32,054

45,450

(29.5

)%

Other(a)

(2,266

)

(6,272

)

N.M.

(11,559

)

(22,154

)

N.M.

Total operating income

$

87,821

$

93,645

(6.2

)%

$

208,279

$

296,339

(29.7

)%

Operating Margin

15.5

%

15.4

%

12.5

%

16.2

%

Interest expense

9,772

10,101

29,358

29,803

Foreign exchange loss

9,630

11,776

4,273

8,697

Other income, net

(9,297

)

(3,527

)

(19,916

)

(11,810

)

Income before income taxes

$

77,716

$

75,295

3.2

%

$

194,564

$

269,649

(27.8

)%

(a) "other" typically includes non-GAAP adjustments such as acquisition-related and integration costs, purchase accounting inventory adjustments and restructuring and impairment charges. (See Supplemental Financial Information for details.)

N.M. - Not meaningful

Third Quarter

Year-to-Date

(in thousands)

2024

2023

%
(Decline) /
Growth

2024

2023

%
(Decline) /
Growth

Operating Margin

Electronics

16.1

%

22.4

%

(6.3

)%

14.7

%

23.5

%

(8.8

)%

Transportation

13.7

%

5.5

%

8.2

%

10.8

%

5.0

%

5.8

%

Industrial

19.3

%

15.3

%

4.0

%

12.8

%

17.4

%

(4.6

)%

LITTELFUSE, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(In millions of USD except per share amounts - unaudited)

Non-GAAP EPS reconciliation

Q3-24

Q3-23

YTD-24

YTD-23

GAAP diluted EPS

$

2.32

$

2.30

$

6.07

$

8.63

EPS impact of Non-GAAP adjustments (below)

0.39

0.67

0.37

1.09

Adjusted diluted EPS

$

2.71

$

2.97

$

6.44

$

9.72

Non-GAAP adjustments - (income) / expense

Q3-24

Q3-23

YTD-24

YTD-23

Acquisition-related and integration costs (a)

$

1.0

$

1.8

$

2.8

$

9.0

Restructuring, impairment and other charges (b)

1.8

4.5

10.3

13.2

Gain on sale of fixed assets (c)

(0.5

)

—

(1.5

)

—

Non-GAAP adjustments to operating income

2.3

6.3

11.6

22.2

Other income, net (d)

—

—

(0.3

)

(0.2

)

Non-operating foreign exchange loss

9.6

11.8

4.3

8.7

Non-GAAP adjustments to income before income taxes

11.9

18.1

15.6

30.7

Income taxes (e)

2.1

1.2

6.2

3.2

Non-GAAP adjustments to net income

$

9.8

$

16.9

$

9.4

$

27.5

Total EPS impact

$

0.39

$

0.67

$

0.37

$

1.09

Adjusted operating margin / Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation

Q3-24

Q3-23

YTD-24

YTD-23

Net income

$

58.1

$

57.8

$

152.0

$

216.6

Add:

Income taxes

19.7

17.5

42.6

53.0

Interest expense

9.8

10.1

29.4

29.8

Foreign exchange loss

9.6

11.8

4.3

8.7

Other income, net

(9.3

)

(3.5

)

(19.9

)

(11.8

)

GAAP operating income

$

87.8

$

93.6

$

208.3

$

296.3

Non-GAAP adjustments to operating income

2.3

6.3

11.6

22.2

Adjusted operating income

$

90.1

$

99.9

$

219.9

$

318.5

Amortization of intangibles

15.9

16.0

47.4

49.8

Depreciation expense

17.3

17.9

51.0

53.5

Adjusted EBITDA

$

123.3

$

133.8

$

318.3

$

421.8

Net sales

$

567.4

$

607.1

$

1,661.3

$

1,828.9

Net income as a percentage of net sales

10.2

%

9.5

%

9.1

%

11.8

%

Operating margin

15.5

%

15.4

%

12.5

%

16.2

%

Adjusted operating margin

15.9

%

16.5

%

13.2

%

17.4

%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

21.7

%

22.0

%

19.2

%

23.1

%

Adjusted EBITDA by Segment

Q3-24

Q3-23

Electronics

Transportation

Industrial

Electronics

Transportation

Industrial

GAAP operating income

$

48.9

$

23.5

$

17.7

$

77.0

$

9.7

$

13.2

Add:

Add back amortization

9.9

3.4

2.6

9.8

3.6

2.6

Add back depreciation

10.1

5.7

1.5

9.8

6.6

1.5

Adjusted EBITDA

$

68.9

$

32.6

$

21.8

$

96.6

$

19.9

$

17.3

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

22.6

%

19.0

%

23.8

%

28.1

%

11.2

%

20.1

%

Adjusted EBITDA by Segment

YTD-24

YTD-23

Electronics

Transportation

Industrial

Electronics

Transportation

Industrial

GAAP operating income

$

132.9

$

54.9

$

32.1

$

247.0

$

26.0

$

45.5

Add:

Add back amortization

29.6

10.1

7.7

30.1

12.2

7.5

Add back depreciation

30.1

16.7

4.2

29.1

20.4

4.0

Adjusted EBITDA

$

192.5

$

81.8

$

44.0

$

306.2

$

58.6

$

57.0

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

21.4

%

16.0

%

17.6

%

29.1

%

11.4

%

21.9

%

Net sales reconciliation

Q3-24 vs. Q3-23

Electronics

Transportation

Industrial

Total

Net sales (decline) growth

(12

)%

(3

)%

7

%

(7

)%

Less:

Acquisitions

—

%

—

%

—

%

—

%

FX impact

—

%

—

%

—

%

—

%

Organic net sales (decline) growth

(12

)%

(3

)%

7

%

(7

)%

Net sales reconciliation

YTD-24 vs. YTD-23

Electronics

Transportation

Industrial

Total

Net sales decline

(14

)%

(1

)%

(4

)%

(9

)%

Less:

Acquisitions

—

%

—

%

—

%

—

%

FX impact

—

%

—

%

—

%

—

%

Organic net sales decline

(14

)%

(1

)%

(4

)%

(9

)%

Income tax reconciliation

Q3-24

Q3-23

YTD-24

YTD-23

Income taxes

$

19.7

$

17.5

$

42.6

$

53.0

Effective rate

25.3

%

23.3

%

21.9

%

19.7

%

Non-GAAP adjustments - income taxes

2.1

1.2

6.2

3.2

Adjusted income taxes

$

21.8

$

18.7

$

48.8

$

56.2

Adjusted effective rate

24.3

%

20.0

%

23.2

%

18.7

%

Free cash flow reconciliation

Q3-24

Q3-23

YTD-24

YTD-23

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

80.4

$

161.5

$

207.0

$

313.1

Less: Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(15.4

)

(21.7

)

(50.1

)

(63.2

)

Free cash flow

$

65.0

$

139.8

$

156.9

$

250.0

Consolidated Total Debt

As of September 28, 2024

Consolidated Total Debt

$

867.7

Unamortized debt issuance costs

3.0

Finance lease liability

0.4

Consolidated funded indebtedness

871.1

Cash held in U.S. (up to $400 million)

135.5

Net debt

$

735.6

Consolidated EBITDA

Twelve Months Ended September 28, 2024

Net Income

$

194.8

Interest expense

39.4

Income taxes

58.7

Depreciation

69.1

Amortization

63.4

Non-cash additions:

Stock-based compensation expense

25.2

Purchase accounting inventory step-up charge

—

Unrealized loss on investments

(2.6

)

Impairment charges

1.0

Other

(0.2

)

Consolidated EBITDA (1)

$

448.8

Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) *

1.6x

* Our Credit Agreement and Private Placement Note with maturities ranging from 2024 to 2032, contain financial ratio covenants providing that if, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, the Consolidated Net Leverage ratio at such time for the then most recently concluded period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company exceeds 3.50:1.00, an Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement and Private Placement Senior Notes) is triggered.

The Credit Agreement and Private Placement Senior Notes were amended in Q2 2022 and now allow for the addition of acquisition and integration costs up to 15% of Consolidated EBITDA and the netting of up to $400M of Available Cash (Cash held by US Subsidiaries).

(1) Represents Consolidated EBITDA as defined in our Credit Agreement and Private Placement Senior Notes and is calculated using the most recently concluded period of four consecutive quarters.

Note: Total will not always foot due to rounding.

(a) reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A").
(b) reflected in restructuring, impairment and other charges.
(c) 2024 amount reflected a gain of $0.5 million ($1.5 million year-to-date) recorded for the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment and a gain of $1.0 million for the sale of two buildings within the Transportation segment.
(d) 2024 year-to-date also included a reversal of $0.5 million for an asset retirement obligation charge related the disposal of a business in 2019 and $0.2 million increase in coal mining reserves. 2023 amount included $0.2 million gain from the sale of a building within the Electronics segment.
(e) reflected the tax impact associated with the non-GAAP adjustments.

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