Encore Reports Third Quarter Results
Frank J. Bilban
Vice President & CFO
972-562-9473
McKinney, TX - Encore Wire Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: WIRE) today announced improved results for the third quarter of 2017 and the nine months ending September 30, 2017.
Net sales for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017 were $292.0 million compared to $237.2 million during the third quarter of 2016. Copper unit volume, measured in pounds of copper contained in the wire sold, increased 0.7% in the third quarter of 2017 versus the third quarter of 2016. The average selling price of wire per copper pound sold increased 25.7% in the third quarter of 2017 versus the third quarter of 2016, driving the 23.1% increase in net sales dollars. Copper wire sales prices increased primarily due to the higher price of copper purchased, which increased 30.1% versus the third quarter of 2016. Net income for the third quarter of 2017 increased 132.8% to $14.0 million versus $6.0 million in the third quarter of 2016. Fully diluted net earnings per common share were $0.67 in the third quarter of 2017 versus $0.29 in the third quarter of 2016.
Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $863.0 million compared to $701.5 million during the same period in 2016. Copper unit volume, measured in pounds of copper contained in the wire sold, increased 5.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The average selling price of wire per copper pound sold increased 18.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2016, driving the 23.0% increase in net sales dollars. Copper wire sales prices increased primarily due to the higher price of copper purchased, which increased 23.8% versus the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 increased 71.7% to $38.5 million versus $22.4 million in the same period in 2016. Fully diluted net earnings per common share were $1.85 in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 versus $1.08 in the same period in 2016.
On a sequential quarter comparison, net sales for the third quarter of 2017 were $292.0 million versus $291.5 million during the second quarter of 2017. Sales dollars remained flat due to a 9.0% unit volume decrease of copper building wire sold, offset by a 10.9% increase in the average selling price per pound of copper wire sold on a sequential quarter comparison. Copper wire sales prices increased primarily due to an increase of 9.9% in the price of copper purchased. Net income for the third quarter of 2017 was $14.0 million versus $10.9 million in the second quarter of 2017. Fully diluted net income per common share was $0.67 in the third quarter of 2017 versus $0.52 in the second quarter of 2017.
Commenting on the results, Daniel L. Jones, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Encore Wire Corporation, said, “We are very pleased with our improved results in the third quarter and on a year to date comparison. There are some key items to note. Net sales dollars increased significantly, in both the quarterly and nine month comparisons of 2017 to 2016. The increased top line was driven primarily by both higher copper raw material prices as well as increased unit sales volumes. Unit volumes in the first nine months of 2017 were up 5.6% in copper pounds shipped versus the first nine months of last year. Margins increased strongly in both the quarterly and nine month comparisons of 2017 versus 2016. One of the key metrics to our earnings is the “spread” between the price of copper wire sold and the cost of raw copper purchased in any given period. The copper spread increased 17.8% in the third quarter of 2017 versus the third quarter of 2016, and increased 9.8% on the nine month comparison while increasing 13.0% on a sequential quarter comparison. The copper spread expanded 17.8% as the average price of copper purchased increased 30.1% in the third quarter of 2017 versus the third quarter of 2016, while the average selling price of wire sold increased 25.7%. The percentage change on sales is on a higher nominal dollar amount than on purchases and, therefore, spreads change on a nominal dollar basis.
The margin changes were due primarily to the competitive pricing environment in the industry, along with the impact from the hurricanes that hit portions of the U.S. in the quarter. We took prices up somewhat above our competitors in mid-August, 2017, in an attempt to lead an industry margin increase. Our volumes decreased slightly as a result, but we held our ground until, coincidentally, Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast. With the concentration of petrochemical plants in that area, including many plastic plants on which our industry relies, we held prices up to protect the supply of wire for customers who need and appreciate timely delivery. We chose this course in the face of the uncertainty of plastic supplies in September. While this course of action impacted our unit volumes, it culminated in very strong earnings, once again highlighting the fact that our earnings are driven by spreads.
The U.S. economy appears strong, as is construction activity. We believe that some of our financially stressed competitors have struggled and acted erratically in what we consider a strong business environment, when volumes are good and margins should also be strong. Based on discussions with our distributor customers and their contractor customers, we believe there is a good outlook for construction projects for the next year. We continue to strive to lead and support industry price increases in an effort to maintain and increase margins. We believe our superior order fill rates continue to enhance our competitive position. As orders come in from electrical contractors, the distributors can count on our order fill rates to ensure quick deliveries from coast to coast. Our balance sheet is very strong. We have no long-term debt, and our revolving line of credit is paid down to zero. In addition, we had $101.4 million in cash at the end of the quarter. We also declared another cash dividend during the quarter.
Our low-cost structure and strong balance sheet have enabled us to withstand difficult periods in the past, and we believe they are continuing to prove valuable now. We thank our employees and associates for their outstanding effort and our shareholders for their continued support.”
Encore Wire Corporation is a leading manufacturer of a broad range of electrical building wire for interior wiring in commercial and industrial buildings, homes, apartments, and manufactured housing. The Company is focused on maintaining a high level of customer service with low-cost production and the addition of new products that complement its current product line.