MYR Group Inc. Announces Second-Quarter 2019 Results

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., July 31, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MYR Group Inc. (“MYR”) (NASDAQ: MYRG), a holding company of leading specialty contractors serving the electric utility infrastructure, commercial and industrial construction markets in the United States and western Canada, today announced its second-quarter 2019 financial results.

Highlights

• Second-quarter revenues of $448.8 million
• Second-quarter net income attributable to MYR of $7.2 million, or $0.43 per diluted share
• Backlog of $1.16 billion, an all-time high
• Acquired CSI Electrical Contractors, Inc. (“CSI”) on July 15, 2019 for approximately $79.7 million

Management Comments
Rick Swartz, MYR’s President and CEO, said “Our second-quarter and first-half 2019 financial results included increases in revenue, earnings per share and EBITDA as compared to the second quarter and first half of 2018. Our backlog in the second quarter reached a record high of $1.16 billion consisting of short and long-term projects in both our T&D and C&I segments.” Mr. Swartz added, “On July 15^th we completed the acquisition of CSI Electrical Contractors, Inc. which will expand services throughout California to a broad array of end markets. The addition of CSI further strengthens our C&I service offerings, geographic reach and market position and allows us to provide additional services to both new and existing customers. Overall, we expect favorable market conditions, operational improvements, strategic expansion and our strong industry position will continue to support efficiencies in our operations and drive further growth.”

Second Quarter Results
MYR reported second-quarter 2019 revenues of $448.8 million, an increase of $109.1 million, or 32.1 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2018. Specifically, the T&D segment reported revenues of $255.9 million for the second quarter of 2019, an increase of $59.0 million, or 30.0 percent, from the second quarter of 2018, primarily due to an increase in revenue on small- to medium-sized transmission projects. The C&I segment reported revenues of $192.9 million for the second quarter of 2019, an increase of $50.1 million, or 35.1 percent, from the second quarter of 2018, primarily due to increases in volume across all project sizes and incremental revenues from the Huen Companies.

Consolidated gross profit increased to $43.2 million in the second quarter of 2019, an increase of $4.6 million or 11.7 percent, from the second quarter of 2018. The increase in gross profit was due to higher revenues, partially offset by lower margins. Gross margin was 9.6 percent for the second quarter of 2019 compared to 11.4 percent for the second quarter of 2018. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to inefficiencies related to unanticipated overtime and material delays associated with a joint venture project in which we own the majority controlling interest, which were partially offset by net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest. The joint venture project is subject to margin guarantees, for which an offset is recognized in other income. Gross margin was also negatively impacted by projects with changes in estimates relating to a higher level of costs on items bid at lower margins, inclement weather conditions, and labor inefficiencies for which we are in ongoing negotiations to receive reimbursement. Changes in estimates of gross profit on certain projects resulted in a gross margin decreases of 0.9 percent and increases of 0.1 percent for the second quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased to $33.9 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $29.2 million for the second quarter of 2018. The period-over-period increase was primarily due to the acquisition of the Huen Companies and higher employee related expenses to support operations. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A decreased to 7.6 percent for the second quarter of 2019 from 8.6 percent for the second quarter of 2018.

Income tax expense was $2.5 million for the second quarter of 2019, with an effective tax rate of 27.9 percent, compared to tax expense of $2.8 million for the second quarter of 2018, with an effective tax rate of 28.8 percent. The decrease in the tax rate in the second quarter of 2019 was primarily due to state income taxes offset by the impact of our noncontrolling interest. Our inability to utilize losses experienced in certain Canadian operations negatively impacted the effective tax rate in the second quarter of 2018.

For the second quarter of 2019, net income attributable to MYR Group Inc. was $7.2 million, or $0.43 per diluted share attributable to MYR Group Inc., compared to $6.8 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the same period of 2018. Second-quarter 2019 EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $20.6 million, compared to $19.8 million in the second quarter of 2018.

First-Half Results
MYR reported first-half 2019 revenues of $916.9 million, an increase of $231.6 million, or 33.8 percent, compared to the first half of 2018. Specifically, the T&D segment reported revenues of $528.5 million, an increase of $115.2 million, or 27.9 percent, from the first half of 2018, primarily due to, an increase in volume on small- to medium-sized transmission projects. The C&I segment reported revenues of $388.4 million, an increase of $116.4 million, or 42.8 percent from the first half of 2018, primarily due to increases in volume across all project sizes and incremental revenues from the Huen Companies.

Consolidated gross profit increased to $86.0 million in the first half of 2019, an increase of $11.6 million or 15.7 percent, from the first half of 2018. The increase in gross profit was due to higher revenues, partially offset by lower margins. Gross margin was 9.4 percent for the first half of 2019 compared to 10.9 percent for the first half of 2018. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to inclement weather on certain projects and material delays associated with a joint venture project in which we own the majority controlling interest, which were partially offset by net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest. The joint venture project is subject to margin guarantees, for which an offset is recognized in other income. Gross margin was also negatively impacted by projects with changes in estimates relating to a higher level of costs on items bid at lower margins, inclement weather conditions, and labor inefficiencies for which we are in ongoing negotiations to receive reimbursement. These margin decreases were partially offset by better than anticipated productivity on a project. Changes in estimates of gross profit on certain projects resulted in a gross margin decreases of 1.0 percent and increases of 0.1 percent for the first half of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

SG&A increased to $66.9 million in the first half of 2019, compared to $57.4 million for the first half of 2018. The period-over-period increase was primarily due to the acquisition of the Huen Companies and higher employee related expenses to support operations. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A decreased to 7.3 percent for the first half of 2019 from 8.4 percent for the first half of 2018.

Income tax expense was $5.0 million for the first half of 2019, with an effective tax rate of 27.9 percent, compared to tax expense of $5.1 million for the first-half of 2018, with an effective tax rate of 28.8 percent. The decrease in the tax rate in the first-half of 2019 was primarily due to state income taxes offset by the impact of our noncontrolling interest. Our inability to utilize losses experienced in certain Canadian operations negatively impacted the effective tax rate in the first half of 2018.

For the first half of 2019, net income attributable to MYR Group Inc. was $14.6 million, or $0.87 per diluted share attributable to MYR Group Inc., compared to $12.5 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, for the same period of 2018.

Acquisition of the CSI Electrical Contractors, Inc.
On July 15, 2019, MYR completed the acquisition of substantially all the assets of CSI. CSI will provide services to a broad array of end markets under MYR’s C&I segment. The total consideration paid was approximately $79.7 million, subject to working capital and net asset adjustments, entirely funded through borrowings under its credit facility. There could also be contingent payments based on achievement of certain performance targets and continued employment of certain key executives of CSI.

Backlog 
As of June 30, 2019, MYR’s backlog was $1.16 billion, compared to $1.14 billion as of March 31, 2019. As of June 30, 2019, T&D backlog was $482.5 million, and C&I backlog was $677.3 million. Total backlog at June 30, 2019 increased $146.4 million, or 14.4 percent, from the $1.01 billion reported at June 30, 2018.

Balance Sheet 
As of June 30, 2019, MYR had $175.5 million of borrowing availability under its revolving credit facility. Following the end of second quarter, MYR completed the acquisition of CSI. The purchase price was funded through borrowings under our credit agreement.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 
To supplement MYR’s financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), MYR uses certain non-GAAP measures. Reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measures of all non-GAAP measures included in this press release can be found at the end of this release. MYR’s definitions of these non-GAAP measures may differ from similarly titled measures used by others. These non-GAAP measures should be considered supplemental to, and not a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

MYR believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful because they (i) provide both management and investors meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding certain expenses and benefits that may not be indicative of recurring core business operating results, (ii) permit investors to view MYR’s performance using the same tools that management uses to evaluate MYR’s past performance, reportable business segments and prospects for future performance, (iii) publicly disclose results that are relevant to financial covenants included in MYR’s credit facility and (iv) otherwise provide supplemental information that may be useful to investors in evaluating MYR.

Conference Call 
MYR will host a conference call to discuss its second-quarter 2019 results on Thursday, August 1, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. Central time. To participate in the conference call via telephone, please dial (877) 561-2750 (domestic) or (763) 416-8565 (international) at least five minutes prior to the start of the event. A replay of the conference call will be available through Thursday, August 8, 2019, at 1:00 P.M. Eastern time, by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406, and entering conference ID 3690127. MYR will also broadcast the conference call live via the internet. Interested parties may access the webcast through the Investor Relations section of MYR’s website at www.myrgroup.com. Please access the website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. The webcast will be available until Thursday, August 8, 2019, at 1:00 P.M. Eastern time.

About MYR
MYR is a holding company of leading specialty contractors serving the electric utility infrastructure, commercial and industrial construction markets throughout the United States and western Canada who have the experience and expertise to complete electrical installations of any type and size. Their comprehensive services on electric transmission and distribution networks and substation facilities include design, engineering, procurement, construction, upgrade, maintenance and repair services. Transmission and distribution customers include investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, private developers, government-funded utilities, independent power producers, independent transmission companies, industrial facility owners and other contractors. Commercial and industrial electrical contracting services are provided to general contractors, commercial and industrial facility owners, local governments and developers generally throughout the United States and western Canada. For more information, visit myrgroup.com.

Forward-Looking Statements 
Various statements in this announcement, including those that express a belief, expectation, or intention, as well as those that are not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future production, revenue, income, capital spending, segment improvements and investments. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “likely,” “unlikely,” “possible,” “potential,” “should” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. The forward-looking statements in this announcement speak only as of the date of this announcement. We disclaim any obligation to update these statements (unless required by securities laws), and we caution you not to rely on them unduly. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements in this announcement should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect MYR’s business, particularly those mentioned in the risk factors and cautionary statements in Item 1A. of MYR’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and in any risk factors or cautionary statements contained in MYR’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K.

MYR Group Inc. Contact:
Betty R. Johnson, Chief Financial Officer, 847-290-1891, investorinfo@myrgroup.com

Investor Contact: 
David Gutierrez, Dresner Corporate Services, 312-780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com

Financial tables follow…

MYR GROUP INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of June 30, 2019and December 31, 2018

MYR GROUP INC.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

MYR GROUP INC.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

MYR GROUP INC.
Unaudited Consolidated Selected Data,
 Unaudited Performance Measure and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure
Three and Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

1. Last-twelve-months earnings per share is the sum of earnings per share attributable to MYR Group Inc. reported in the last four quarters.
2. Last-twelve-months average basic and diluted shares attributable to MYR Group Inc. were determined by adding the average shares reported for the last four quarters and dividing by four.
3. These financial performance measures are provided as supplemental information to the financial statements. These measures are used by management to evaluate our past performance, our prospects for future performance and our ability to comply with certain material covenants as defined within our credit agreement, and to compare our results with those of our peers. In addition, we believe that certain of the measures, such as book value, tangible book value, free cash flow, asset turnover, return on equity, and debt leverage are measures that are monitored by sureties, lenders, lessors, suppliers and certain investors. Our calculation of each measure is described in the following notes; our calculation may not be the same as the calculations made by other companies.
4. EBIT, net of taxes is defined as net income attributable to MYR Group Inc. plus net interest, less the tax impact of net interest. The tax impact of net interest is computed by multiplying net interest by the effective tax rate. Management uses EBIT, net of taxes, to measure our results exclusive of the impact of financing costs.
5. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not recognized under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to net cash flows provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA is a component of the debt to EBITDA covenant, as defined in our credit agreement, which we must comply with to avoid potential immediate repayment of amounts borrowed or additional fees to seek relief from our lenders. In addition, management considers EBITDA a useful measure because it eliminates differences which are caused by different capital structures as well as different tax rates and depreciation schedules when comparing our measures to our peers’ measures.
6. EBITDA per diluted share is calculated by dividing EBITDA by the weighted average number of diluted shares attributable to MYR Group Inc. outstanding for the period. EBITDA per diluted share is not recognized under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to income per diluted share.
7. Free cash flow, which is defined as cash flow provided by operating activities minus cash flow used in purchasing property and equipment, is not recognized under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to net income attributable to MYR Group Inc., cash flow from operations or the change in cash on the balance sheet. Management views free cash flow as a measure of operational performance, liquidity and financial health.
8. Book value per period end share is calculated by dividing total stockholders’ equity attributable to MYR Group Inc. at the end of the period by the period end shares outstanding.
9. Tangible book value is calculated by subtracting goodwill and intangible assets outstanding at the end of the period from stockholders’ equity attributable to MYR Group Inc. Tangible book value is not recognized under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to book value or stockholders’ equity attributable to MYR Group Inc.
10. Tangible book value per period end share is calculated by dividing tangible book value at the end of the period by the period end number of shares outstanding. Tangible book value per period end share is not recognized under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to income per diluted share.
11. The funded debt to equity ratio is calculated by dividing total funded debt at the end of the period by total stockholders’ equity attributable to MYR Group Inc. at the end of the period.
12. Asset turnover is calculated by dividing the current period revenue by total assets at the beginning of the period.
13. Return on assets is calculated by dividing net income attributable to MYR Group Inc. for the period by total assets at the beginning of the period.
14. Return on equity is calculated by dividing net income attributable to MYR Group Inc. for the period by total stockholders’ equity attributable to MYR Group Inc. at the beginning of the period.
15. Period end shares is calculated by adding average common stock equivalents for the quarter to the period end balance of common stock outstanding. Period end shares is not recognized under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to diluted shares. Management views period end shares as a better measure of shares outstanding as of the end of the period.
16. Invested capital is calculated by adding net funded debt (total funded debt less cash and marketable securities) to total stockholders’ equity attributable to MYR Group Inc.
17. Return on invested capital is calculated by dividing EBIT, net of taxes, less any dividends, by invested capital at the beginning of the period. Return on invested capital is not recognized under GAAP, and is a key metric used by management to determine our executive compensation.

Source: MYR Group, Inc.