Primoris Services Corporation Reports First Quarter 2023 Results

10 May Primoris Services Corporation Reports First Quarter 2023 Results

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Primoris Services Corporation (NYSE: PRIM) (“Primoris” or the “Company”) today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2023 and provided comments on the Company’s operational performance and outlook for 2023.

For the first quarter of 2023, Primoris reported the following highlights ⁽¹⁾:

• Revenue of $1,256.9 million, up $472.5 million, or 60.2 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2022 driven by strong growth in both the Utilities and Energy segments and in part by the PLH and B Comm acquisitions;
• Net income of $1.3 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, up $3.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, from the first quarter of 2022;
• Adjusted net income of $9.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, an increase of $9.4 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, from the first quarter of 2022;
• Backlog of $5.6 billion, up 38.1 percent from the first quarter of 2022, including Master Service Agreements (“MSA”) backlog of $2.0 billion;
• Adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) of $52.8 million, up $30.2 million, or 133.5 percent, from the first quarter of 2022.

“Primoris started 2023 with solid results in the first quarter, surpassing our goals in revenue, gross profit and earnings per share, marking a significant improvement from the first quarter of 2022,” said Tom McCormick, President and Chief Executive Officer of Primoris. “I want to recognize and congratulate our employees for their dedication to achieving these results through prioritizing safety, quality and productivity.”

“In the face of a challenging economic environment, we continue to see resilience across our key growth markets of renewables, power delivery and communications. We are also seeing steady contributions from other markets where we participate and are optimistic about further improvements in our pipeline businesses from the cyclical trough in 2022.”

“Our backlog remains at record levels due to our ability to win work and successfully execute on behalf of our clients. This includes recent awards for a carbon capture utilization and storage pipeline project and a utility-scale solar project in the Southwest,” he added. “While some uncertainty remains as to the economic conditions over the coming quarters, we are confident that we will be able to build on our first quarter to reach our full year 2023 objectives.”

First Quarter 2023 Results Overview

Revenue was $1,256.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $472.5 million, compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to strong growth across our renewables, industrial and pipeline businesses, as well as contributions from the PLH and B Comm acquisitions. Gross profit was $99.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $43.2 million, or 76.6 percent, compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in revenue and margins. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased to 7.9 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 7.2 percent for the same period in 2022, primarily as a result of improved margins in the renewables business and positive margins in the pipeline services business.

This press release includes Non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes these measures enable investors, analysts and management to evaluate Primoris’ performance excluding the effects of certain items that management believes impact the comparability of operating results between reporting periods. In addition, management believes these measures are useful in comparing the Company’s operating results with those of its competitors. Please refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” and Schedules 1, 2 and 3 for the definitions and reconciliations of the Company’s Non-GAAP financial measures, including “Adjusted Net Income,” “Adjusted EPS” and “Adjusted EBITDA”.

During the first quarter of 2023, net income was $1.3 million compared to a net loss of $1.7 million in the prior year. Adjusted Net Income was $9.9 million for the first quarter, compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2022. Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) was $0.02 for the first quarter of 2023 compared to ($0.03) for the same period in 2022. Adjusted EPS was $0.18 for the first quarter of 2023, compared to $0.01 for the first quarter of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA was $52.8 million for the first quarter of 2023, compared to $22.6 million for the same period in 2022.

In the first quarter of 2023, we changed our reportable segments in connection with the realignment of our internal organization and management structure, and now we report in two segments: Utilities and Energy. Revenue and gross profit for the segments for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

Utilities Segment (“Utilities”): Revenue increased by $170.2 million, or 47.4 percent, for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the acquisitions of PLH and B Comm and increased activity in our legacy power delivery and communications markets. Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased by $11.2 million, or 50.2 percent, compared to the same period in 2022. The increase is primarily attributable to the higher revenue and impact of improved rates on power delivery services to offset inflation pressures. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased slightly to 6.3 percent during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to 6.2 percent for the same period in 2022.

Energy Segment (“Energy”): Revenue increased by $302.3 million, or 71.0 percent, for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The increase year-over-year was primarily due to increased renewable energy activity, increased pipeline project work, increased industrial activity in the Gulf Coast and contributions from the PLH acquisition. Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2023, increased by $32.0 million, or 93.8 percent, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to higher revenue and margins. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased to 9.1 percent during the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 8.0 percent in the same period in 2022, primarily due to increased revenue on higher margin renewable energy projects in 2023 and higher costs on a pipeline project in the Mid-Atlantic from unfavorable weather conditions experienced in 2022.

Other Income Statement Information

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $78.0 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $22.6 million, or 40.7 percent, compared to 2022, primarily due to the acquisitions of PLH and B Comm and increased costs to support our strong organic growth. SG&A expense as a percentage of revenue decreased to 6.2 percent in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 7.1 percent in the first quarter 2022 primarily due to improved operating leverage on increased revenue.

Interest expense, net for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was $18.5 million compared to $2.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The increase of $15.6 million was due to higher average debt balances from the borrowings incurred related to the PLH acquisition, higher average interest rates, and a $0.5 million unrealized loss on our interest rate swaps in 2023 compared to a $2.9 million unrealized gain in 2022. Interest expense for the full year 2023 is expected to increase to approximately $73 to $77 million due to higher debt balances and higher interest rates.

The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, of 28.0% differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0% primarily due to state income taxes and nondeductible components of per diem expenses. We recorded income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023, of $0.5 million compared to a tax benefit of $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The $1.1 million increase in income tax expense is primarily driven by a $4.1 million increase in pretax income.

Outlook

The Company is maintaining its estimates for the year ending December 31, 2023. Net income is expected to be between $2.10 and $2.30 per fully diluted share. Adjusted EPS is estimated in the range of $2.50 to $2.70 for 2023. Adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2023 is expected to range from $350 million to $370 million.

The Company is targeting SG&A expense as a percentage of revenue in the low six percent range for full year 2023. The Company’s targeted gross margins by segment are as follows: Utilities in the range of 9 to 11 percent and Energy in the range of 10 to 12 percent. The Company expects its effective tax rate for 2023 to be approximately 28 percent, but it may vary depending on the mix of states in which the Company operates.

Adjusted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” and Schedules below for the definitions and reconciliations. The guidance provided above constitutes forward-looking statements, which are based on current economic conditions and estimates, and the Company does not include other potential impacts, such as changes in accounting or unusual items. Supplemental information relating to the Company’s financial outlook is posted in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.prim.com.

At March 31, 2023, Fixed Backlog was $3.5 billion consistent with our backlog at December 31, 2022. MSA Backlog was $2.0 billion, up $0.1 billion compared to backlog on December 31, 2022. MSA Backlog represents estimated MSA revenue for the next four quarters. Total Backlog as of March 31, 2023 was $5.6 billion, which represented a new record backlog for the Company. The Company expects that during the next four quarters, the Company will recognize as revenue approximately 74 percent of the total backlog at March 31, 2023, comprised of backlog of approximately: 100 percent of the Utilities segment and 60 percent of the Energy segment.

Backlog, including estimated MSA revenue, should not be considered a comprehensive indicator of future revenue. Revenue from certain projects where scope, and therefore contract value, is not adequately defined, is not included in Fixed Backlog. At any time, any project may be cancelled at the convenience of the Company’s customers.

Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation

At March 31, 2023, the Company had $94.8 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. In the first quarter of 2023, capital expenditures were $13.8 million, including $4.4 million in construction equipment purchases. The Company estimates capital expenditures for the full year 2023 to total between $80 million and $100 million, which includes $40 million to $60 million for equipment. For the remaining nine months of 2023, capital expenditures are expected to total between $70 million and $90 million, which includes $40 million to $60 million for equipment.

The Company also announced that on May 3, 2023, its Board of Directors declared a $0.06 per share cash dividend to stockholders of record on June 30, 2023, payable on approximately July 14, 2023.

In November 2021, our Board of Directors authorized a $25.0 million share purchase program. Under the share purchase program, we can, depending on market conditions, share price and other factors, acquire shares of our common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. In February 2022, our Board of Directors replenished the limit to $25.0 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we did not purchase any shares of common stock. As of March 31, 2023, we had $19.0 million remaining for purchase under the share purchase program. The share purchase plan expires on December 31, 2023.

Conference Call and Webcast

As previously announced, management will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. U.S. Central Time (10:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time). Tom McCormick, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Ken Dodgen, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the Company’s results and business outlook.

Investors and analysts are invited to participate in the call by phone at 1-888-330-3428, or internationally at 1-646-960-0679 (access code: 7581464) or via the Internet at www.prim.com. A replay of the call will be available on the Company’s website or by phone at 1-800-770-2030, or internationally at 1-647-362-9199 (access code: 7581464), for a seven-day period following the call.

Presentation slides to accompany the conference call are available for download under “Events & Presentations” in the “Investors” section of the Company’s website at www.prim.com.

Non-GAAP Measures

This press release contains certain financial measures that are not recognized under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Primoris uses earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted EPS as important supplemental measures of the Company’s operating performance. The Company believes these measures enable investors, analysts, and management to evaluate Primoris’ performance excluding the effects of certain items that management believes impact the comparability of operating results between reporting periods. In addition, management believes these measures are useful in comparing the Company’s operating results with those of its competitors. The non-GAAP measures presented in this press release are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Primoris’ method of calculating these measures may be different from methods used by other companies, and, accordingly, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures as calculated by other companies that do not use the same methodology as Primoris. Please see the accompanying tables to this press release for reconciliations of the following non‐GAAP financial measures for Primoris’ current and historical results: EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS.

About Primoris

Primoris Services Corporation is a premier specialty contractor providing critical infrastructure services to the utility, energy, and renewables markets throughout the United States and Canada. Built on a foundation of trust, we deliver a range of engineering, construction, and maintenance services that power, connect, and enhance society. On projects spanning utility-scale solar, renewables, power delivery, communications, and transportation infrastructure, we offer unmatched value to our clients, a safe and entrepreneurial culture to our employees, and innovation and excellence to our communities. To learn more, visit www.prim.com and follow us on social media at @PrimorisServicesCorporation.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including the Company’s outlook, that reflect, when made, the Company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including with regard to the Company’s future performance. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by terms such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “intends”, “may”, “plans”, “potential”, “predicts”, “projects”, “should”, “will”, “would” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, the effects of regulation and the economy, generally. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially as a result of a number of factors, including, among other things, customer timing, project duration, weather, and general economic conditions; changes in the mix of customers, projects, contracts and business; regional or national and/or general economic conditions and demand for the Company’s services; price, volatility, and expectations of future prices of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; variations and changes in the margins of projects performed during any particular quarter; increases in the costs to perform services caused by changing conditions; the termination, or expiration of existing agreements or contracts; the budgetary spending patterns of customers; inflation and other increases in construction costs that the Company may be unable to pass through to customers; cost or schedule overruns on fixed-price contracts; availability of qualified labor for specific projects; changes in bonding requirements and bonding availability for existing and new agreements; the need and availability of letters of credit; increases in interest rates and slowing economic growth or recession; the instability in the banking system as a result of recent bank failures; costs incurred to support growth, whether organic or through acquisitions; the timing and volume of work under contract; losses experienced in the Company’s operations; the results of the review of prior period accounting on certain projects and the impact of adjustments to accounting estimates; developments in governmental investigations and/or inquiries; intense competition in the industries in which the Company operates; failure to obtain favorable results in existing or future litigation or regulatory proceedings, dispute resolution proceedings or claims, including claims for additional costs; failure of partners, suppliers or subcontractors to perform their obligations; cyber-security breaches; failure to maintain safe worksites; risks or uncertainties associated with events outside of the Company’s control, including severe weather conditions, public health crises and pandemics, political crises or other catastrophic events; client delays or defaults in making payments; the availability of credit and restrictions imposed by credit facilities; failure to implement strategic and operational initiatives; risks or uncertainties associated with acquisitions, dispositions and investments; possible information technology interruptions or inability to protect intellectual property; the Company’s failure, or the failure of the Company’s agents or partners, to comply with laws; the Company’s ability to secure appropriate insurance; new or changing legal requirements, including those relating to environmental, health and safety matters; the loss of one or a few clients that account for a significant portion of the Company’s revenues; asset impairments; and risks arising from the inability to successfully integrate acquired businesses. In addition to information included in this press release, additional information about these and other risks can be found in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the Company’s other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Such filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Primoris does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Contacts

Ken Dodgen

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

(214) 740-5608

kdodgen@prim.com

Blake Holcomb

Vice President, Investor Relations

(214) 545-6773

bholcomb@prim.com

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